Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION `
1. Field of the Invention ~
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This invention relates to a seal member of a
coke oven door for sealing the opening into the coke
oven and more particularly to a coke oven door se~
member that is maintained in sealing engagement with
the door jamb during the coking operation.
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2. Description of the Prior Art
In a conventional coke oven battery the
plurality o~ horizontal coking chambers or ovens have ;~
coke oven doors that seal the coke oven chamber open
end portions. The coke oven doors provide a seal for
the coke oven chambers during the coking operation so
that the coal may be heated and coked under non-oxidative
conditions. The coke oven doors are constructed so that
the door is sealed when positioned in the coke oven door
receiving frame or jamb. The coke oven doors are removed
and the charge o~ coke is removed from the horizontal
coking chambers by means of pusher machines.
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It has been the customary practice to seal the
coke oven doors with metal on metal seals in which the
coacting sealing edges, such as angular membranes,
Z-membranes, flat-iron member, wedge-shaped sealing
edges and the like are provided. In addiltion a tarry
material is deposited on the inner portion of the door
and on the periphery of the sealing edge extending
therearound during the coking operation. The tarry ~ ~
deposits evolved by the coal during the coking process ;
also serve to seal the coke oven chamber by the formation ~ ;
of the deposits between the sealing surface of the jamb
and the sealing surface of the member oE the door.
~lowever, it is preEerred that an effective seal be
obtained by a combination o~ metallic sealing eclges
and elastic material (asbestos, plastic or the like),
and to support the tarry deposits adjacent the edge of
the elastic material. `
During the coking operation the metal casting `
comprising the coke oven door body portion is subjected
throughout its regions to differential heating and
cooling over a wide range of temperatures result:ing in~;
deformation of the door body and the jamb. Therefore `
to compensate for the deformation and prevent leaks,
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pressing elements, such as spring-weighted pressing
elements on the door and secured to the jamb, are
utilized to exert pressure on the door to shape the
door to the contour of the jamb. Shaping of the ;~
deformed door to the contour of the jamb for flat-iron
members or wedge-shaped members is also accomplished
by hammering and by adjustments to fastening elements
that exert preselected forces on the flexible seal
members.
Maintaining the seal between the coke oven
door and the door jamb by hammering or adjusting the
fastening elements on the door are not suEficient to
compensate for the deformation experienced by relatively
high coke oven doors. As a consequence of the differen-
tial heating to which the coke oven door is subjected
during the coking operation, the door body changes
shape or deforms within its elastic limits. For example,
at the end of the coking period, the door is removed and
the oven is freshly charged. During this period the coke
oven door is subjected to a wide temperature differential.
Over a rather long period of time, such extreme differ-
ential heating and cooling presents considerable problems
in maintaining an effective seal around the coking chamber.
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Conventional elastic door members that are
adjustable on the door body and fitted by pressing
elements tend to develop leaks after charging of the
coal in the coking chamber. This condition is
aggrava-ted over long operating periods particularly
when the deformations of the door and jamb are so
extensive that a satisfactory adjustment of the flexible
door seal members can no longer be maintained with
conventional pressing elements designed to maintain "~
the fitting line of the edge of the seal members on
the jamb. The elastic flexible region or working
region of the sealing edge of the seal member is also
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subject to de~ormation or warpage particularly for an
adjustable seal member and consequently expensive
adjustments of the seal member must be made in order ~ -
ko maintain the desired seal between the coke oven ;~
door and the coke oven chamber. `~
It is known to conform the body portion of the
coke oven door to the contour of the jamb by the door
machinery when the door is installed after charging or
through pressing points located in the middle region of ~ ~ ;
the door, such as by eccentric bolts. Eccentric bolts
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of this type are illustrated and described in German
Patent 1,214,646. The eccentric bolts are utilized as
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latching devices to secure the coke oven door to the ` ;
coke oven
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frame. The latching takes place by lowering the door and the
unla-tching by lifting the door. The bolts serve to press the
flexihle seal member in contact with the sealing surface of
the door jamb.
There is need to provide an effective seal between a
coke oven door and a coke oven body portion that is easily
and economically adjustable over the range of deformation
of the door during the coking operation so that an e~fective
seal is maintained for extended operating periods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION :
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Thus, the present invention provides a coke oven
door assembly for a coke oven comprising an elongated door
body portion having a peripheral edge portion, a resilient
generally U-shaped seal member having a body portion and a
pair of spaced leg portions, one of the leg portions being
secured to the door body porkion. The resilient seal member
is secured to and extends around the periphery of the door
body portion. A coke oven door jamb is provided with a
peripheral sealing surface. The resilient generally U-shaped
seal member has a sealing edge extending from the other leg
portion, the sealing edge being arranged to abut the coke
oven door jamb peripheral sealing surface to provide a
seal bekween khe door body portion and the coke oven door
jamb peripheral sealing surface. The resilient seal member
leg portions are spaced from each other a preselected
distance in a relaxed position and the other leg portion is
arranged to be deflected so that the leg portions are spaced
at a distance less than the preselected distance. Resilient ;
abutment means are secured to the door body portion adjacent
the peripheral edge portion of the door body portion. The
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resilient abutment means has an end portion arranged to be
positioned in abutting relation with the resilient seal
member of the leg portion adjacent the resilient seal member
sealing edge so that the resilient abutment means end portion
urges the seal member sealing edge into sealin~ relation with
the sealing surface of the door jamb. Adjustable latching ~ ;
means is mounted on the door body portion adjacent the upper
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and lower portions of the door body portion for urging the
door upper and lower portions toward the coke oven door jamb. ;~ ;
A plurality of stop mechanisms are positioned on the periphery
of the door body portion adjacent the seal member sealing
edge portion. The stop mechanism is arranged to abut the
door jamb peripheral sealing surEace and has a length which
is less than the preselected distance between the spaced :Leg
portions Oe the resilient seal member in a relaxed position
so that the resilient seal member is deflected and maintained
in a compressed state and the resilient seal member sealing
edge is urged into sealing relation with the door jamb peripheral
sealing surface. The stop mechanisms each include a stop member ;
positioned between the coke oven door peripheral edge portion
and the peripheral sealing surface of the door jamb with one
end portion of the stop member contacting the peripheral sealing
surface of the door jamb. A plurality of supporting disks are
positioned between the peripheral edge and the opposite end
portion of the stop member. The supporting disks are arranged
to maintain a preselected distance between the coke oven door
peripheral edge portion and the door jamb peripheral sealing ~ ~`
surface to limit bending of said door body portion and the
jamb and maintain the seal member in a compressed state and the ;
seal member sealing edge portion in a sealing relation w:ith
the door jamb peripheral sealing surface.
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Accordingly, the principal object of the present
invention is to provide a coke oven door for closing the ~:
coking chamber of a coke oven in which a seal is effected
between the periphery of the coke oven door and the frame `~
or jamb on the coke oven body portion as the coke oven door ~ :
deforms upon heating and cooling during the coking process.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an effective seal between a coke oven door and the
jamb of the coke oven by a flexible seal member that is main~
tained in sealing relation with the jamb for all degrees of :~
deformation of the coke oven door body portion.
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An additional object of the present invention is
to provide a 1exible seal member for a coke oven `~
door on a coke oven in which the seal member is adjustable
within its elastic limit to maintain a constant sealing
pressure on the jamb for varying operating conditions of
the coke oven that contribute to differential deformation `-
of the coke oven throughou-t the regions of the door.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a seal for a coke oven door that includes a
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plurality of latching mechanisms that maintain the door
in a preselected position on the coke oven so that a ~`
flexible seal member is maintained within its elastic limit
to effectively engage in sealiny relation the jamb of the
door regardless of the degree of deformation experienced
by the door during the coking operation.
These andother objections of the present invention
will be moxe completely disclosed and described in the
following specification, the accompanying drawings and
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -~
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation and
partially in section of a coke oven door, illustrating ;;
the sealing engagement o the seal member on the periphery ;
of the coke oven door with the jamb of the coke oven body.
Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the coke
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oven door secured to the coke oven body illustrated in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional top plan view of a coke
oven door, illustrating the seal member maintained in
sealing relation with the jar~ of the coke oven body
portion. ; ;
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Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the
seal member maintained in sealing relation with the
surface of the jamb of the coke oven body, illustrating
a spring pressing element and a stop mechanism for
effecting a seal between the coke oven door and the :~
jamb.
DESCRIPTION_OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT .
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Referring to the drawings and particularly to
Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a coke oven
door generally designated by the numeral 10 that has a:n
elongated body portion 12 with rearwardly extending door `:~
latching mechanisms generally designated by the numeral
14 located adjacent the upper and lower and middle :~`
regions of the door body porkion 12. The body portion 12
is conventionally formed as a metal casting and has
suitable bolt receiving bores formed therein. Secured to
the front face of the body portion 12 is a refractory
lining 16. The refractory lining 16 extends into a
coking chamber 18 formed by the coke oven body portion 20. ;
The coke oYen body portion has parallel heating walls 22
forming the coking chamber 18 and vertical external
walls 24 for supporting a sectional coke oven door
receiving frame 26. A vertical jamb 28 is secured to the :~
door frame 26 adjacent to the opening into the coking
chamber 18 on opposite sides of the coke oYen door
refractory lining 16. The door latching mechanisms 14
include spring latches 29 at the upper and lower regions
of the door. Brace members 30 of the latches 29 are ;.
rigidly secured to the jamb 28 by an adjustable spring :
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biased latch bar. With this arrangement coke oven door 10
is secured to the coke oven door frame 26 so that the
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refractory lining 16 projects into the coking chamber
18 to close the opening therein.
A generally U-shaped flexible resilient seal member
generally desigated by the numeral 32 is secured to the
peripheral edge 34 of coke oven door 10 by means of bolts
36 as illustrated in Figures3 and 4. The seal member 32
extends around the periphery 34 of the co]ce oven door 10 :
adjacent to a planar sealing surface 38 o~E the jamb 28
on the sides of the coke oven door. The seal member 32 ~:
has a laterally extending body portion 40 with a pair of ;:-
spaced leg portions, one of the leg portions secured to
the coke oven door by bolts 36 and the other leg po:rtion `~
having an inturned sealing edge portion 42. The seal
member 32 has an inner surface 44 that is substantially
parallel to the coke oven door body portion 12. With
this arrangement the coke oven door 10 is arranged to be ;~
positioned on the coke oven door frame 26 with the
refractory lining 16 extending into the coking chamber 18.
The sealing edge portion 42 of the seal member 32 engages ..
in sealing relation the sealing surface 38 of jamb 28 to
provide a seal between the coke oven door 10 and the door
frame 26.
The sealing relation between the sealing edge
portion 42 of the seal member 32 with the sealing surface
38 of the jamb 28 is developed by a plurality of resilient
devices generally designated by the numeral 46 and
illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4, The resilient
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devices 46 are retained on the door edge 34 around the ~ .:
periphery of the body portion 12 as illustrated in Figure 2. .
The resilient devices 46 maintain sealing engagement of the
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sealing membrane 32 with the jamb 28. The seal member 32 ~
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is flexible and is operable to maintain contact with the .. ~ .
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coke oven door frame as the coke oven door experiences
deformation under the in~luence of differential heating
and cooling during the coking process~
As illustrated in Figure 4, the seal member 32
is flexible within the limits of deformat:ion of the coke
over door body portion 12. In the relaxed or non-deflected
position of the member 32, as indicated by the dotted lines,
the sealing edge portion 42 extends beyond the sealing
surface 38 of the jamb 28 by a distance "A". This
assures that the sealing edge portion 42 remains in
sealing engagement with the surface 38 by operation of
the resilient devices 46, The resilient devices 46 each
include a movable pin 52 retained wikhin a bore 54 on
the peripheral edge 34 of the door. End portion 56 oE
pin 52 remains in pressing enyagement with the exterior
sur~ace o~ the seal member 32. The opposite end oE pin 52 ~ ;
includes a plunger 58 having a rod member 60. The outer
end portion of the bore 54 includes a threaded portion 62
arranged to receive a spring pressing element 64 having a
threaded portion 66 secured within the threaded portion 62
and a cylindrical portion 68. The rod member 60 extends ;~
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through a bore in the pressing element 64 and is movable
therein. ;~
A resilient member, such as a spring 70, is
retained in a compressed state within the bore 54 between
the plunger 58 and the pressing element cylindrical portion ~ -
68. Thus, by advancing the pressing element 64 a preselected
distance into the threaded bore 62, the spring 70 is
compressed to apply through the pin 52 a preselected
pressure on the seal member 32. In this manner the ;
necessary pressing ~orce is achieved by the seal member
seal edge 42 on the jamb sealing sur~ace 38 to complete
the seal around the coke oven door 10.
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As discussed hereinabove the door spring latches ~ ;
29 connect the door body portion 12 to the jamb 28. The -:
spring latches 29 exert a preselected force on the upper ~ ~.
and lower regions of the door body portion 12 to bend or
shape the door to the contour of the jamb. In this manner
compensation is made for deformation or warpage of the ~-:
door during the coking operation. The door body portion :~
is constantly subjected to a wide temperature differential
and the regions of the door experience varying degrees of
deformation which tend to break the seal between the door
10 and the coke oven body 20. Therefore, it is the function
of the spring latches 29 to compensate for the deformation .:~
of the door and maintain the requ:isite pressing ~orces on
the ~lexible seal member 32 to eEfect the constant engage-
ment o~ the seal member sealing edge ~2 with the jamb
sealing surface 38.
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A longitudinal recess 72 is provided in the coke
oven door body portion 12 above and below each spring latch ~ .
29, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The recesses 72
serve to reduce the movement of resistance of the metal ;~
door body portion 12 and may be filled or covered with an ;':~:
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asbestos sheet 7~ or the like. The door latching mechanism .~
1~ also includes a pair of eccentric bolts 76 that are .
positioned in the middle region of the door body portion 12 . :~:
at a preselected location on the jamb 28 and position the
door at the proper height on the coke over door frame 26. .
The end portions of the eccentric bolts 76 are secured to
the door frame 26. With this arrangement the bolts 76
transfer the weight of the door through the middle region
of the door body portion to the jamb 28 on the door frame
26. The shape of the door body portion 12 is thus adjusted :~
to the contour of the jamb to maintain the seal between . .
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the door body portion 12 and the jamb 28 and accommodate `~
deformations of the door body portion 12. ;~
The reduction in the mass of the door body
portion 12 achieved by the longitudinal recesses 72 facili~
tates bending of the door body portion at the middle
regions thereof in conformity with the co~ltour of the
encountered jamb. Thus, the seal member 32 may be main~
tained in sealing relation with the jamb 28 throughout the
range of deformation of the door during the coking process.
A uniform fit of the member sealing edge 42 is provided
on all sides of the sealing surace 38 of the jamb 28. The
operation of the latching mechanism 14, i.e., the eccentric
bolts 76 and the spring latches 29, is no-t re~uired to
maintain sealing engagement of the seal member 32 with the
door jamb 28 at the middle regions of the door. This is
accomplished by the weight of the door body portion 12
being applied to the jamb 28, Thus, the spring latching
mechanisms 14 are confined to sealing and shaping the upper `~;~
and lower and middle regions of the door body portion 12.
As stated, the door latching mechanisms 14 are operable to ~
compensate for the deformation of the door body portion ~;
that takes place during the coking operation to maintain
the desired seal between the door and the door frame to
prevent leakage from the coking chamber 18.
The seal member 32 is elastic or flexible to - ~
compensate for warpage of the door body. To assure that ~ -
the peripheral edge 34 of coke oven door 10 is maintained
a preselected distance from the jamb 28 which is in the
range of elasticity or flexibility of the member 32, a ~`
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plurality of stop mechanisms 78 are positioned on the
periphery 34 of the door adjacent the sealing edge portion i
42. Preferably stop mechanisms are located at each corner, ~ ~
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and a pair are arranged on each side in the middle region of the ;~
door body portion, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Each stop mechanism, as illustrated in Figure 4, includes ~ :~
an adjusting device 80 for controlling the length of the stop to
position the peripheral edge 34 of the body port:ion 12 a preselected
distance from the jamb sealing surface 38. m e adjusting device 80
includes an elongated s-top member 82 positioned between the door ~. :
peripheral edge 34 and the ja~b surace 38. One end pcrtion of the ~;
stop member 82 contacts the sealing surface 38. A plurality of
supporting disks generally designated b~ the numeral 84 are positioned ;~
between the door peripheral edge 34 and the opFosite end of the stop
member 82. m e supporting disks 84 are arranged in overlying relation ;~-
between the door peripheral edge 34 and the end of stop member 82 to
control the distance between the door eclge 34 and the jamb 28. ln
this m~nner bending or deforn~tjon o~ ~he cloor bocly portion 12 on
the jamb 28 by the spring latches 29 and the eccentric bolts 76 is
maintained within the elastic limit of the m~mber 32 so that t~le
member 32 contacts the jamb sealing surface 38.
m e distance between the seal member fastening point 86
and the sealing edge 38 is adjusted by the stop members 82 through ~ .
the supportlng disks 84. AS indicated in Figure 4, in a relaxed
or non-deflected position relative ~o the surface 38, the edge 42
o~ member 32 extends beyond the end of stop member 82. musl the
stop members 82 assure that the edge 42 contacts the jamb surface 38 ~ ~:
and is maintained thereon by the force applied b~ the pressing ~:
elements 64. Accordingly, by changing the length of the stop m~mber 82 `
through the disks 84, the limits of elasticity of the seal member 32
are controlled to apply an increased or decreased pressure on the
sealing surface 38 as determined by the degree of deformation of the ~ .
door body portion 12. Thus, the optimum flexible region of the
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sealing membrane 32 is determined by the distance the
stop mechanisms 78 maintain the fastening point 86 from
the sealing surface 38. The preselected distance is main-
tained uniformly around the periphery of the coke oven
door 10.
The latching mechanisms 14 in combination with
the stop mechanisms 78 serve to maintain distor~ion of the
door body portion 12 within the range of the elastic limit
of the seal member 32. An effective seal is provided by
this arrangement primarily because the deformation st:resses
of the door are absorbed by the mass of the door body por-
tion. In addition, the spring-urged flexib].e member 32 is
operable to respond to deformations of -the door at the
various regions thereof by y.ielding within its elastic
limit. This assures that sealing edge 42 remains in
contact with the sealing surface 38. :.
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Regardless of the degree of deformation of the coke
oven door body portion 12 a uniform distance is maintained .
between the fastening point 86 on the door peripheral edge
34 and the sealing surface 38 of the jam 28. This feature .
is accomplished by the reduction in the mass of the body
portion 12 achieved through the longitudinal recesses 72.
The reduction of the door body and reduced moment of resis~
tance thereof allows the door to be bent in accordance with ~ -.
the contour of the jamb. Bending the door body portion 12
occurs when the door is replaced on the door frame 26 after
the charging operation by the door machinery The door
machine grasps the door 10 at the middle region and applies
pressure to the door as it is positioned on the frame 26 ~ ~ ~
thereby adapting the door body portion to the contou:r of ~ .
the frame. Pressure, of course,is also applied t~ the
middle region of the door by the eccentric bolts 76, and
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pressure is applied to the upper and lower regions of the .
door by the spring latches 29.
Adapting the door to the contour of the jamb and
securing it to the door frame maintains an effective seal
around the door because the seal member 32 is maintained
within its elastic limit to constantly maintain the ~ ;~
requisite seal on the sealing surface 38 of the jamb 28. .
With the fastening point 86 maintained a distance from the
sealing surface 38 which is within the elastic limit of the
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sealing membrane 32, the resilient devices 46 maintain a
constant sealing pressure on the membrane 32 regardless
of the degree of deformation of the coke oven door 12.
Thus, an effective seal is maintained between the coke oven
door and the jamb without adjustment during the coking
operation and the regions of the door are subjected to ~.
differential heating and cooling.
According to the provisions of the Patent Statutes, ;~
I have explained the principle, preferred construction and
mode of operation of my invention and have .illustrated and ::
2~ described what I now consider to represent its best embodi~
ments, However~ it should be understood that, within the ~: ~
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced ~ ~ .
otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
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