Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of straightening a deformation zone in one wall of a pair of spaced vertical walls formed of refractory brick, comprising the steps of: providing a jack means having oppositely disposed first and second reaction surfaces for applying oppositely directed forces; inserting the jack means between the walls into successive preselected positions in a substantially circular path about the deformation zone with the first and second reaction surfaces of the jack means in confronting relation with a respective one of the walls, said positions being selected so as to minimize the forces required to reduce the deformation zone; extending the jack means in each of said positions to cause engagement of the first and second reaction surfaces with the walls; and applying controlled, oppositely directed forces to the walls at each of said preselected positions by further extension of the jack means to thereby reduce the deformation zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of straightening a deformation zone in one wall of a pair of spaced vertical walls formed of refractory brick, comprising the steps of: providing a jack means having oppositely disposed first and second reaction surfaces for applying oppositely directed forces; inserting the jack means between the walls into successive preselected positions in a substantially circular path about the deformation zone with the first and second reaction surfaces of the jack means in confronting relation with a respective one of the walls, said positions being selected so as to minimize the forces required to reduce the deformation zone; extending the jack means in each of said positions to cause engagement of the first and second reaction surfaces with the walls; and applying controlled, oppositely directed forces to the walls at each of said preselected positions by further extension of the jack means to thereby reduce the deformation zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said successive preselected positions are disposed along substantially circular paths of diminishing radii about the deformation zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of inserting a brace member between the walls adjacent the reduced deformation zone prior to retracting the jack means to provide support for the walls when the jack means is retracted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the area of the first reaction surface is substantially greater than the area of the second reaction surface and including the step of orienting the jack means such that the second reaction surface is in confronting relation with the vertical wall having the deformation zone therein and the first reaction surface is in confronting relation with the other vertical wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the second reaction surface is positioned to confront a single one of the refractory bricks of the vertical wall having the deformation zone therein and the first reaction surface is positioned to confront at least two of the refractory bricks of the other vertical wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the spaced vertical walls comprise the flue walls of a carbon anode furnace and wherein the refractory bricks are interlocked with each other at least on the upper and lower surfaces thereof by tongues and grooves.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of straightening a deformation zone in one wall of a pair of spaced vertical walls formed of refractory brick, comprising the steps of: providing a jack means having oppositely disposed first and second reaction surfaces for applying oppositely directed forces, the area of the first reaction surface being greater than the area of said second reaction surface; inserting the jack means between the walls into a preselected position adjacent the deformation zone; orienting the jack means such that the second reaction surface is in confronting relation with a single one of the refractory bricks of the vertical walls having the deformation zone to be straightened and the first reaction surface is in confronting relation with at least two of the refractory bricks of the other vertical wall; extending the jack means to cause engagement of the first and second reaction surfaces with the walls; and applying controlled, oppositely directed forces to the walls at said preselected position by further extension of the jack means to thereby reduce the deformation zone.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of straightening a deformation zone in one wall of a pair of spaced vertical walls formed of refractory brick, comprising the steps of: providing a jack means having oppositely disposed first and second reaction surfaces for applying oppositely directed forces, the area of the first reaction surface being greater than the area of said second reaction surface; inserting the jack means between the walls into a preselected position adjacent the deformation zone; orienting the jack means such that the second reaction surface is in confronting relation with a single one of the refractory bricks of the vertical walls having the deformation zone to be straightened and the first reaction surface is in confronting relation with at least two of the refractory bricks of the other vertical wall; extending the jack means to cause engagement of the first and second reaction surfaces with the walls; and applying controlled, oppositely directed forces to the walls at said preselected position by further extension of the jack means to thereby reduce the deformation zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 7 including the steps of locating the jack means in successive preselected positions about the deformation zone and extending and retracting the jack means into and out of engagement with the walls in each of said successive preselected positions to gradually reduce the deformation zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said successive preselected positions are disposed along substantially circular paths of diminishing radii about the deformation zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 7 including the step of inserting a brace member between the walls adjacent the reduced deformation zone prior to retracting the jack means to provide support for the walls when the jack means is retracted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the spaced vertical walls comprise the flue walls of a carbon anode furnace and wherein the refractory bricks are interlocked with each other at least on the upper and lower surfaces thereof by tongues and grooves.