Batch coil annealing furnace and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, the FIGURE shows the subject new batch coil annealing furnace A.
While the furnace is primarily designed for and will hereinafter be described in connection with batch coil annealing processes, it will be appreciated that the overall inventive concept involved could be adapted for use in other heat treating environments as well.
More specifically, the annealing furnace A includes a heating outer shell or cover 10 used during the heating step and an inner shell or cover 12 defining therebetween a heating chamber 14.
The outer and inner covers 10, 12 sit on a base 16 which, in turn, can be supported by a plurality of supports 18 if desired.
One or more heating means such as the conventional heat radiating elements 20 are positioned in the heating chamber 14 to heat the furnace.
A heat insulating wall covering 22 is provided on the interior walls of the heating step outer cover 10 to restrict the heat from passing therethrough.
A foot 24 of the outer cover 10 sits in the trough 26 of the base 16 which trough is filled with a reasonably gas tight material, such as ceramic fiber or the like.
At the lower end of the inner cover 12 is an outwardly turned peripheral flange 30 which sits on the base portion 16.
A seal means can be provided between the base 16 and the flange 30.
The seal means includes one or more rubber seal strips 32 or the like, which are positioned in a groove 33 of a cooling box 34 which has water or the like flowing therethrough.
Water flow may average 4-6 gallons per minute.
The cooling box sits in a suitably sized channel 35 provided in the base.
The seal strip 32 serves to prevent the entry or exit of gas into a work chamber 36 defined between the inner cover 12 and the base 16.
Positioned in the work chamber 36, and resting on a stand 38 which, in turn, is supported by the base 16, are a plurality of coils 40 of a steel, metallic alloy or a similar material which is to be annealed