Dust shield for refractory hanger

Abstract

A shield for a refractory structure that houses refractory bricks. The refractory bricks are assembled with respect to each other to form a refractory wall, roof or another refractory structure. A hanger can be used to suspend or mount at least one refractory brick. In order to extend the service life of the hanger, a shield can cover at least a portion of the hanger, such as a hanger rod, to prevent dust particles from accumulating on the rod or another hanger element. Reducing or eliminating dust particles, particularly metal dust particles, can extend the service life of hanger components and can also reduce costs associated with maintenance and repair of refractory structures, particularly within industrial furnaces.

1 . A refractory structure having a plurality of refractory shapes, a hanger suspending at least one of the refractory shapes, and the refractory structure comprising a shield having an external shape of a frustum, the shield having an opening, and at least a portion of the hanger positioned within the opening. 
   
   
       2 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the frustum is a conical frustum. 
   
   
       3 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the frustum is a pyramidal frustum. 
   
   
       4 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the shield is formed from a metal. 
   
   
       5 . The refractory structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal is of a sheet material. 
   
   
       6 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the shield is formed from a fibrous material. 
   
   
       7 . The refractory structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the fibrous material at least partially fills the shield. 
   
   
       8 . The refractory structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the fibrous material has a bore and the hanger is positioned within the bore. 
   
   
       9 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a plate at least partially covers at least one of the refractory shapes. 
   
   
       10 . The refractory structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the plate forms at least part of a void within which at least a portion of the hanger is positioned. 
   
   
       11 . The refractory structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the plate is positioned between at least one of the refractory shapes and the shield. 
   
   
       12 . The refractory structure according to  claim 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the shield contacts an upper surface of the plate. 
   
   
       13 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the hanger has a rod shape. 
   
   
       14 . The refractory structure according to  claim 1 , wherein one end of the hanger is connectible to a support structure. 
   
   
       15 . A refractory structure comprising: a refractory shape, a hanger suspending the refractory shape, a shield having an external shape of a frustum, the shield having an opening, and at least a portion of the hanger positioned within the opening. 
   
   
       16 . The refractory structure according to  claim 15 , wherein an external surface of the shield forms an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shield that prevents dust from collecting on the external surface. 
   
   
       17 . The refractory structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the shield is positioned close enough to the hanger to prevent dust from collecting on the hanger. 
   
   
       18 . In a refractory structure having at least one refractory shape and a hanger suspending the at least one refractory shape, the refractory structure comprising a shield having an opening, and at least a portion of the hanger positioned within the opening and close enough to the shield to prevent dust from collecting on a covered portion of the hanger. 
   
   
       19 . The refractory structure according to  claim 18 , wherein the shield is positioned close enough to the hanger to seal the opening of the shield. 
   
   
       20 . The refractory structure according to  claim 18 , wherein an end of the shield which is opposite from the opening contacts the at least one refractory shape or plate housing the at least one refractory shape.