Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of heating a metallurgical furnace chamber or the like to maintain high momentum levels during a heat treating cycle so as to obtain a substantially uniform temperature throughout a charge positioned within the chamber comprising the steps for: A. firing a plurality of high velocity burners by introducing fuel and combustion air through combustion zones of said burners at a high fuel input rate and substantially in the stoichiometric ratio; B. reducing the fuel input rate while maintaining the stoichiometric ratio as a charge temperature approaches a heat treat temperature; and C. introducing excess air external of the combustion zones of said high velocity burners to maintain a desired momentum level within the furnace chamber during the remainder of the heat treat cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of heating a metallurgical furnace chamber or the like to maintain high momentum levels during a heat treating cycle so as to obtain a substantially uniform temperature throughout a charge positioned within the chamber comprising the steps for: A. firing a plurality of high velocity burners by introducing fuel and combustion air through combustion zones of said burners at a high fuel input rate and substantially in the stoichiometric ratio; B. reducing the fuel input rate while maintaining the stoichiometric ratio as a charge temperature approaches a heat treat temperature; and C. introducing excess air external of the combustion zones of said high velocity burners to maintain a desired momentum level within the furnace chamber during the remainder of the heat treat cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fuel input ratio is reduced as the charge temperature approaches a furnace temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for introducing excess air commences at a given reduction in fuel input rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the given reduction in fuel input rate comprises approximately 25% of the high fuel input rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for introducing excess air commences at a given temperature of the charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of maintaining the stoichiometric ratio after introducing the excess air for the remainder of the heat treat cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of maintaining the combustion air constant once the excess air is introduced while reducing the fuel during the remainder of the heat treat cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of preheating the excess air prior to introducing it external of the combustion zones.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of heating a furnace chamber to maintain high momentum levels during a heat treating cycle so as to obtain a substantially uniform temperature throughout a charge positioned within the chamber comprising the steps for: A. firing a plurality of high velocity burners in response to a furnace temperature control signal by introducing fuel and combustion air through combustion zones said burners at a high fuel input rate and substantially in the stoichiometric ratio, said fuel being kept in ratio by pressure balancing against said combustion air; B. reducing the combustion air while maintaining the stoichiometric ratio by pressure balancing the fuel thereagainst; C. introducing excess air external of the combustion zones of said high velocity burners at a predetermined fuel reduction level while simultaneously terminating the pressure balancing; and D. maintaining substantially constant the combustion air level after introducing excess air while reducing the fuel input in response to a furnace temperature control signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of heating a furnace chamber to maintain high momentum levels during a heat treating cycle so as to obtain a substantially uniform temperature throughout a charge positioned within the chamber comprising the steps for: A. firing a plurality of high velocity burners in response to a furnace temperature control signal by introducing fuel and combustion air through combustion zones said burners at a high fuel input rate and substantially in the stoichiometric ratio, said fuel being kept in ratio by pressure balancing against said combustion air; B. reducing the combustion air while maintaining the stoichiometric ratio by pressure balancing the fuel thereagainst; C. introducing excess air external of the combustion zones of said high velocity burners at a predetermined fuel reduction level while simultaneously terminating the pressure balancing; and D. maintaining substantially constant the combustion air level after introducing excess air while reducing the fuel input in response to a furnace temperature control signal.