Diffusers

Claim 1

A diffuser assembly for transmitting thermal energy by conduction across metallic members and convection of a heat-treating gas in an annealing furnace comprising: (a) a diffuser member having a generally annular shape defined by inner and outer peripheries; and provided with a central eye within which a fan is disposed, said diffuser member comprising: (i) a base plate; (ii) a plurality of outer load support members secured to spaced portions of the outer periphery of said base plate, each outer load support member comprising a pair of spaced radial vertical wall members and a transverse vertical rear wall forming substantially U-shaped gas passages between said vertical wall members of said outer load support members; (iii) a flow deflecting ramp disposed between each pair of adjacent spaced outer load support members; (iv) a plurality of spaced vertical radial inner load support members spaced inwardly on the base place from the outer load support members, each inner load support member initiating at the inner periphery of the base plate and disposed in alignment with the center axis of one of said U-shaped gas flow passages; (v) a tubular ring-like cooling member disposed in an annular space provided in the diffuser between said outer and inner support members and transverse to the path of gas flow, the gas being circulated by the fan out of the eye of the diffuser and diverted by the inner load support members to cause flow of said gas on either side of the said inner load support members and about the cooling member into the U-shaped gas passages and over said ramps.