The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2009
Rodney L. Bleifuss, Grand Rapids, MN (US);
David J. Englund, Bovey, MN (US);
Iwao Iwasaki, Grand Rapids, MN (US);
Donald R. Fosnacht, Hermantown, MN (US);
Mark M. Brandon, Charlotte, NC (US);
Bradford G. True, Charlotte, NC (US);
Rodney L. Bleifuss, Grand Rapids, MN (US);
David J. Englund, Bovey, MN (US);
Iwao Iwasaki, Grand Rapids, MN (US);
Donald R. Fosnacht, Hermantown, MN (US);
Mark M. Brandon, Charlotte, NC (US);
Bradford G. True, Charlotte, NC (US);
Nu-Iron Technology, LLC, Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
A hearth furnacefor producing metallic iron material has a furnace housinghaving a drying/preheat zone, a conversion zone, a fusion zone, and optionally a cooling zone, the conversion zoneis between the drying/preheat zoneand the fusion zone. A moving hearthis positioned within the furnace housing. A hood or separation barrierwithin at least a portion of the conversion zone, fusion zoneor both separates the fusion zoneinto an upper region and a lower region with the lower region adjacent the hearthand the upper region adjacent the lower region and spaced from the hearth. An injector introduces a gaseous reductant into the lower region adjacent the hearth. A combustion region may be formed above the hood or separation barrier.