Self-aligning fire brick assembly

Abstract

A structural configuration for wall and flue structures of refractory brick of improved strength that is self-aligning and resists distortion from thermal cycling and mechanical force

1 . A refractory wall structure comprising a number of refractory bricks, 
 said refractory bricks being arranged in a number of courses, said refractory bricks having, opposed top and bottom faces, opposed end faces, and opposed side faces, when disposed in a refractory wall structure;    said top face having a top groove extending between said end faces;    said bottom face having a bottom groove extending between said end faces; and    a number of inserts placed within apertures formed where said top grooves of refractory bricks in a course, and said bottom grooves of refractory bricks in a next upper course are aligned with and face each other,    with each insert spanning a length greater than the length of one said refractory brick from end face to end face, and therefore engaging multiple refractory bricks within said course of refractory bricks and engaging multiple refractory bricks within said next upper course of refractory bricks.    
   
   
       2 . A refractory wall structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least two adjacent refractory bricks within said course of said refractory bricks are arranged with a gap between their adjacent end faces.  
   
   
       3 . A refractory wall structure as recited in  claim 2  wherein each said gap between said adjacent refractory bricks within said course, is spanned by one said insert engaging the top grooves of both said adjacent refractory bricks, and is spanned by another said insert engaging the bottom grooves of both said adjacent refractory bricks.  
   
   
       4 . A flue structure comprising a number of refractory walls, 
 said refractory walls constructed a set distance apart and creating a flue space between them,    each said refractory wall comprising a number of refractory bricks;    said refractory bricks being arranged in a number of courses,    said refractory bricks having, opposed top and bottom faces, opposed end faces, and opposed side faces, when disposed in a refractory wall;    said top face having a top groove extending between said end faces;    said bottom face having a bottom groove extending between said end faces; and    a number of inserts placed within apertures formed where said top grooves of refractory bricks in a course, and said bottom grooves of refractory bricks in a next upper course are aligned with and face each other; with    each insert spanning a length greater than the length of one said refractory brick from end face to end face, and therefore engaging multiple refractory bricks within said course of refractory bricks and engaging multiple refractory bricks within said next upper course of refractory bricks.    
   
   
       5 . A refractory flue structure as recited in  claim 4  wherein within said refractory walls, at least two adjacent refractory bricks within said course of said refractory bricks are arranged with a gap between their adjacent end faces.  
   
   
       6 . A refractory flue structure as recited in  claim 5  wherein within said refractory walls, each said gap between said adjacent refractory bricks within said course, is spanned by one said insert engaging the top grooves of both said adjacent refractory bricks, and is spanned by another said insert engaging the bottom grooves of both said adjacent refractory bricks.  
   
   
       7 . A refractory flue structure as recited in claims  4 - 6  further comprising a number of tie bricks; 
 said tie bricks having, opposed top and bottom faces, opposed end faces, and opposed side faces,    said top face of said tie brick having a first top groove extending between its said end faces near its first said side face,    said top face of said tie brick having a second top groove extending between its said end faces near its second said side face,    said bottom face of said tie brick having a first bottom groove extending between its said end faces near its first said side face, and    said bottom face of said tie brick having a second bottom groove extending between its said end faces near its second said side face,    said tie bricks spanning said flue space between said refractory walls and incorporated within a said course of said refractory bricks within each said refractory wall, whereby said first top groove and said first bottom groove of said tie brick function as said top groove and said bottom groove in substitution for said refractory brick in a first said refractory wall, and said second top groove and said second bottom groove of said tie brick function as said top groove and said bottom groove in substitution for said refractory brick in a second said refractory wall.