Heat shields.

摘要

A composite thermal insulation panel for a metal processing installation has a thin-walled casing providing a membrane (8 or 116) that will be heated quickly to near the temperature of an adjacent hot metal slab or strip (M) being processed and said membrane has means to allow substantial freedom for movement relative to adjoining regions of the casing due to thermal expansion caused by the large temperature changes. These means may include retaining elements (38 or 44, 48 or 44, 54) of the casing that locate the membrane transversely to its extent but permit relative movement in its own plane, or they may include the provision of surfaces (81) that slope to a central region to accommodate relative thermal expansion by flexure. Panels below the material path may have membrane surfaces that slope downwards to an escape aperture (118 or 166) for scale dropping from the hot metal. Panels above the material path may have apertures (146) aligning with the lower panel apertures for temperature sensors (148) that detect the passage of hoat material between the panels.