A component of a roof of a furnace, a furnace and a method of constructing a roof of a furnace

Abstract

The present invention relates to a component of a roof of a furnace, a furnace and a method of constructing a roof of a furnace.

Description

[0001] Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0002] A component of a roof of a furnace, a furnace and a method of constructing a roof of a furnace

[0003] D e s c r i p t i o n

[0004] The present invention relates to a component of a roof of a furnace, a furnace and a method of constructing a roof of a furnace.

[0005] High temperatures prevail in a furnace, especially in an industrial furnace. In order to withstand these high temperatures, the inside of a furnace can be lined with refractory material. This refractory material may comprise refractory bricks. In particular, the refractory material can enclose the combustion chamber of the furnace.

[0006] Refractory material, especially refractory bricks, can usually be placed on the floor and side walls of the furnace without any problems. However, the arrangement of refractory material, especially refractory bricks, in the ceiling or roof region of a furnace poses a challenge. In some cases, refractory bricks combined to form a vault can form the furnace roof. However, the formation of such a vault is not always possible. In this case, refractory bricks are suspended in the region of a roof of a furnace to form the refractory lining of the furnace or of the furnace chamber, respectively, on the roof side. The refractory bricks are suspended by a suspension device in the roof region of the furnace.

[0007] Such suspension devices according to the state of the art usually comprise an anchor to which at least one refractory brick can be attached. The anchor, in turn, can be attached in the region of the roof of the furnace, in particular to a support in the roof region of the furnace. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0008] In principle, it would be possible to suspend all refractory bricks in the roof region of a furnace using such a suspension device. However, hanging the refractory bricks using a suspension device is complicated. Furthermore, the use of a suspension device is also associated with additional costs. For this reason, it is common practice to suspend refractory bricks in the roof region of a furnace in such a way that a gap is formed between them. A further refractory brick is arranged in this gap by placing it on the opposing refractory bricks, each of which is suspended in the roof region and between which the gap is formed. For this purpose, the refractory brick arranged in the gap regularly has opposite, protruding sections at one end, with which it is placed on the refractory bricks suspended on both sides of the gap. In this respect, the refractory brick arranged in the gap regularly has a T-shaped profile.

[0009] In principle, such an arrangement of refractory bricks has proven to be effective for forming a lining of refractory bricks in the roof region of a furnace.

[0010] However, in some cases, during operation the refractory bricks arranged in the gap may become loose from their position and fall downwards from the area of the roof region. Besides being extremely problematic in that the area of the roof region is then no longer adequately protected from the hot furnace atmosphere, such event can also damage other parts of the refractory lining, the material being fired in the furnace or the means used to transport the material through the furnace.

[0011] The loosening of the refractory bricks in the gap can be caused in particular by the fact that the bricks suspended in the area of the roof region, on which the refractory brick rests in the gap, are so heavily worn or corroded that the brick arranged in the gap can no longer rest securely on these bricks and then falls vertically downwards through the gap into the furnace chamber.

[0012] One challenge in this respect is the safe arrangement of the brick in the gap between the refractory bricks arranged in the roof region of the furnace.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology by means of which refractory bricks can be arranged simply and safely in the region of the roof of a furnace. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a technology by means of which a refractory brick can be arranged in the gap between two refractory bricks suspended in the Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 region of the roof of a furnace simply and safely, in particular more safely than the bricks arranged in such a gap according to the prior art.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a furnace in which such a technology is realized.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for constructing a roof of a furnace by which such a technology can be made available.

[0016] To solve the problem, the invention provides of a component of a roof of a furnace, comprising: a first refractory brick, a second refractory brick and a third refractory brick; wherein the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick are suspended in a region of a roof of a furnace to form a gap between the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick, the gap having a gap width; wherein the gap comprises at least one section at which the gap width continuously decreases in the direction of the force of gravity; and wherein the third refractory brick abuts against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick at the at least one section.

[0017] In this respect, the component according to the invention is initially based on the technology known from the prior art of suspending a first refractory brick and a second refractory brick in the region of the roof of a furnace in such a way that a gap is formed between them, a third brick also being provided which can be arranged in this gap.

[0018] However, according to the invention, it is now provided that this gap formed between the first and second refractory brick comprises at least one section at which the gap width decreases continuously in the direction of the force of gravity. Furthermore, according to the invention, the third refractory brick arranged in the gap is shaped such that it abuts against both the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick in this at least one section.

[0019] In this way, the third refractory brick can be prevented from slipping out of the gap in a downward direction, i.e. , in the direction of the gravitational force, particularly effectively and easily. This is because the narrowing gap width in the section in which the third refractory Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 brick rests against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick prevents the third refractory brick from moving in the direction of the gravitational force.

[0020] A "gap" in the sense of the invention according to the present application is understood to mean, according to the usual nomenclature, an opening forming a space. According to the present invention, this gap is formed between the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick. The gap is thereby bounded on opposite sides by the opposing first refractory brick and second refractory brick.

[0021] The "direction of the force of gravity" in the sense of the invention according to the present application is, according to the usual nomenclature, a direction "downwards" that is to say "towards the center of the earth".

[0022] According to the invention, the gap between the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick comprises at least one section at which the gap width decreases continuously in the direction of the force of gravity. At this at least one section, the gap is thus bounded by a surface section of the first refractory brick facing the gap and by a surface section of the second refractory brick facing the gap in such a way that the gap width continuously decreases there in the direction of the force of gravity. At this at least one section, the third refractory brick rests against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick abuts against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick at contact surfaces, and wherein the contact surfaces are complementary in shape.

[0024] In this embodiment, the contact surfaces on which the third refractory brick abuts against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick in the section of the decreasing gap width are therefore complementary in terms of their shape. At these contact surfaces, the third refractory brick thus lies flat against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick. As a result, the third refractory brick lies particularly securely and firmly in the gap. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick each comprise flat surfaces facing each other at the at least one section.

[0026] The advantage of such flat surfaces, against which the third brick rests against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick in the at least one section of the decreasing gap width, lies in particular also in the fact that such flat contact surfaces are particularly easy to form and the component according to the invention can thus be manufactured particularly easily. Furthermore, such flat surfaces also have the particular advantage that no areas can break out of them and, hence, the secure arrangement of the third brick in the gap can therefore be ensured.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the gap is substantially wedge- shaped.

[0028] By providing such a wedge-shaped form of the gap, the at least one section of the continuously decreasing gap width is particularly easy to form. This applies in particular insofar as the gap, according to a further preferred embodiment, has an essentially trapezoidal cross-sectional area.

[0029] Similarly, according to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick is substantially wedge-shaped.

[0030] In particular, the region of the third refractory brick arranged in the gap may have a substantially wedge-shaped configuration, in particular a substantially trapezoidal cross- sectional area. In particular, insofar as, according to the preferred embodiment described above, the gap is also substantially wedge-shaped at the same time, in particular has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional area, the third refractory brick can be arranged in the gap particularly simply and effectively in such a way that it bears against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick at the at least one section of the gap at which the gap width decreases continuously in the direction of the force of gravity.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the at least one section at which the gap width is continuously decreases in the direction of the force of gravity extends Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 along the predominant length of the gap. The "length of the gap" in this sense is the length of the gap along the direction of the force of gravity. According to one embodiment, it may be provided in this respect that the at least one section extends along at least 50%, more preferably along at least 70% and even more preferably along at least 90% of the length of the gap.

[0032] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick completely closes the cross-section of the gap.

[0033] On the one hand, such an embodiment can ensure that the third refractory brick lies particularly securely in the gap. Furthermore, this can ensure that the gap is tightly sealed by the third refractory brick so that, in particular, no hot furnace gases can escape from the furnace chamber through the gap.

[0034] The "cross-section" of the gap in this sense is the cross-sectional area of the gap normal to the longitudinal extension of the gap, i.e., normal to the extension of the gap along the force of gravity.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick predominantly fills the gap.

[0036] One advantage of this embodiment is that the component covers the combustion chamber particularly effectively. A further advantage is that this embodiment makes it particularly easy for the third refractory brick to lie particularly securely in the gap. In this respect, it may in particular also be preferably provided in this embodiment that the at least one section extends along the predominant length of the gap, whereby according to a further development of this inventive concept it may be provided that the third refractory brick abuts simultaneously along the predominant length of the section against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick. In this way, not only can the furnace chamber be covered particularly effectively at the top, but the third refractory brick also lies particularly securely in the gap.

[0037] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick is in one piece. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0038] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, however, it may be provided that the third refractory brick is multi-part.

[0039] This multi-part nature of the third refractory brick makes it possible for certain parts of the third refractory brick to fulfill defined functions. For example, certain parts of the third refractory brick may have defined shapes or be made of a certain material that can fulfill defined functions. According to one embodiment, for example, it may be provided that the third refractory brick is multi-part and comprises one part which is made of a resilient, i.e. , a flexible refractory material. This makes it possible for the third refractory brick to compensate for stresses that may arise, for example, due to thermal expansion of the first refractory brick, the second refractory brick or the third refractory brick, thereby suppressing the occurrence of stress cracks in the third refractory brick.

[0040] A multi-part nature of the third refractory brick also allows greater flexibility with regard to the provision of the third refractory brick, in particular, with regard to the provision of its dimensioning. For example, it may be provided that the third refractory brick comprises at least one part which always has the same dimensions and at least one further part which has variable dimensions. By means of the at least one part with variable dimensions, the specific dimensioning of the gap can be taken into account. At the same time, the at least one part with the same dimensions can be used unchanged for different gaps. This means that the third refractory brick can be used for differently dimensioned gaps without having to change the dimensioning of the entire third refractory brick.

[0041] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick comprises a first part of the third refractory brick and a second part of the third refractory brick, wherein the first part of the third refractory brick abuts against the first refractory brick at the at least one section, and wherein the second part of the third refractory brick abuts against the second refractory brick at the at least one section.

[0042] Such an embodiment makes it possible for the first part of the third refractory brick and the second part of the refractory brick to be movable relative to one another, so that stresses due to thermal expansion can be compensated for by moving the first part of the third refractory brick and the second part of the third refractory brick relative to one another. At the same Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 time, this embodiment makes it possible, for example, for further parts of the third refractory brick with defined functions to be arranged between the first part of the third refractory brick and the second part of the third refractory brick. By resting both the first part of the third refractory brick and the second part of the third refractory brick against the at least one section of the gap, the gap width of which continuously decreases in the direction of the gravitational force, the third refractory brick is nevertheless simultaneously prevented from slipping out of the gap. Due to the multi-part nature of the third refractory brick, it clamps in the gap with self-locking.

[0043] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick further comprises a third part of the third refractory brick, wherein the third part of the third refractory brick is arranged between the first part of the third refractory brick and the second part of the third refractory brick, and wherein the third part of the third refractory brick is made of a resilient refractory material.

[0044] The resilient refractory material, which the third refractory brick can comprise, can preferably be in the form of a fiber material, for example in the form of high-temperature wool. On the one hand, such a material is flexible and can therefore absorb thermal expansion. On the other hand, it is resistant to high temperatures so that the furnace chamber is effectively shielded.

[0045] The first refractory brick, the second refractory brick and the third refractory brick (insofar as the latter does not comprise a resilient refractory material) can in principle consist of any refractory material. Preferably, the first refractory brick, the second refractory brick and the third refractory brick are made of a ceramic refractory material, preferably a sintered ceramic refractory material. In principle, the first refractory brick, the second refractory brick and the third refractory brick can consist of any refractory material known from the prior art for furnace roofs, in particular of industrial furnaces.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the first refractory brick comprises a first support portion, that the second refractory brick comprises a second support portion, and that each of the first support portion and the second support portion are projecting in the direction of the gap. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0047] In this embodiment, the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick therefore each comprise a support portion projecting into the gap. These support portions or support sections have the particular advantage that they can serve to support the holding of the third refractory brick in the gap.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick rests on the first support portion and on the second support portion.

[0049] In this embodiment, the third refractory brick is thus not only secured in the gap by resting against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick at the at least one section, but additionally by resting on the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0050] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the third refractory brick comprises sections that are designed to complement the first support portion and the second support portion. With these complementary shaped sections, the third refractory brick can rest particularly securely on the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0051] To the extent that the third refractory brick is multi-part, as set forth above, and comprises a first part of the third refractory brick and a second part of the third refractory brick, according to one embodiment, it may be provided that the first part of the third refractory brick rests on the first support portion, and that the second part of the third refractory brick rests on the second support portion.

[0052] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first portion of the third refractory brick may comprise a portion configured complementary to the first support portion, and the second portion of the third refractory brick may comprise a portion configured complementary to the second support portion.

[0053] The first refractory brick and the second refractory brick are preferably each suspended by a suspension device in the area of the ceiling of a furnace. In principle, any suspension device can be used in this respect. Preferably, as is also known in particular from the prior art, the suspension device comprises a first section configured to hold a refractory brick and a second section configured to suspend the holding device in the region of the roof of a furnace. For example, the first section may be pin-shaped and guided into a corresponding Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 hole in the refractory brick. The second portion may preferably be configured to be attached to a support in the region of the roof of a furnace. For example, the second portion may be bolted or welded to a support in the region of the roof of the furnace or may be attached to the support by pivoting the second portion in a holding position.

[0054] As is known from the prior art, the support can preferably be a profiled steel beam, particularly preferably an I-beam (i.e. , a "double T-beam", i.e., in the form of a profiled steel beam with a profile in the shape of a large "I" with serifs).

[0055] In this respect, the suspension device can preferably be suspended or attached to the lower flange of such a beam.

[0056] A subject of the present invention is also a furnace, comprising: a roof; wherein the roof comprises at least one component according to the present invention.

[0057] The furnace according to the application can basically be any furnace, in particular an industrial furnace. Particularly preferably, the industrial furnace can be in the form of an electric arc furnace, a 6-in-line furnace or a slag cleaning furnace.

[0058] A subject of the present invention is also a method of constructing a roof of a furnace, comprising the following steps: providing a furnace, comprising a region of a roof; providing a first refractory brick, a second refractory brick and a third refractory brick; suspending the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick in the region of the roof to form a gap between the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick, the gap having a gap width; wherein the gap comprises at least at one section at which the gap width continuously decreases in the direction of the force of gravity; arranging the third refractory brick at the at least one section such that the third refractory brick abuts against the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0059] The furnace provided for the method according to the invention can in particular be one of the aforementioned furnaces.

[0060] The first refractory brick and the second refractory brick of the method can preferably each be suspended in the region of the roof of the furnace by a suspension device designed as above. The third refractory brick can then be inserted into the gap formed between the first refractory brick and the second refractory brick.

[0061] Further, the first refractory brick, the second refractory brick and the third refractory brick of the method may be formed and arranged as set forth herein.

[0062] Further features of the invention follow from the claims, the figures and the associated description of the figures.

[0063] All features of the invention can be combined with each other, individually or in combination, as desired. In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the figures and the associated description of the figures.

[0064] The figures show in

[0065] Figure 1 a first exemplary embodiment of two components of a roof of a furnace according to the invention, in a perspective view from diagonally above;

[0066] Figure 2 the components shown in Figure 1 , without the third refractory bricks;

[0067] Figure 3 the components shown in Figure 1 , without the third refractory bricks, but with a third refractory brick shown in a position above the gap between the first and second refractory bricks;

[0068] Figure 4 the components shown in Figure 1 , but without one of the third refractory bricks;

[0069] Figure 5 a region of a roof of a furnace, comprising several of the components shown in Figure 1 , in a perspective view from diagonally above; Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0070] Figure 6 a second exemplary embodiment of two components of a roof of a furnace according to the invention, in a perspective view from diagonally above;

[0071] Figure 7 a region of a roof of a furnace, comprising several of the components shown in Figure 6, in a perspective view from diagonally above; and

[0072] Figure 8 a suspension device for suspending the first refractory bricks and second refractory bricks in the area of the roof region of a furnace, in a perspective view from diagonally above.

[0073] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of two components of a roof of a furnace according to the invention, which are arranged directly next to each other. One of the components is marked with the reference sign 1 , the second of the components with the reference sign 100.

[0074] Component 1 comprises a first refractory brick 2, a second refractory brick 3 and a third refractory brick 4. The first refractory brick 2 is suspended in the region of the roof of a furnace via a suspension device 5 and the second refractory brick 3 is suspended via a second suspension device 6, as explained in more detail below. The first refractory brick 2, the second refractory brick 3 and the third refractory brick 4 each consist of a sintered ceramic refractory material.

[0075] The first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 are suspended via the suspension devices 5, 6 in the region of the roof of a furnace in such a way that a gap 7 is formed between them, as illustrated in Figure 2. This gap 7 has a gap width 8, normal to a vertical axis 9.

[0076] The gap 7 has a first section 7.1 , shown in the upper half of the figures, and a second section 7.2, shown in the lower half of the figures, at which the gap width 8 decreases continuously in the direction of the gravitational force. The direction of the gravitational force acts "downwards", i.e., in the figures along the vertical axis 9 in the direction of arrow 11.

[0077] The first section 7.1 and the second section 7.2 of the gap 7 with continuously decreasing gap width are provided in that the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 have surface sections facing each other at these sections 7.1, 7.2 of the gap 7, at which the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 continuously approach each other in the direction of the gravitational force 11. Thus, to form the upper section 7.1 of the decreasing gap width, the first refractory brick 2 has a surface section 2.1 which faces a surface section 3.1 of the second refractory brick 3. In the same way, to form the second section 7.2 of the gap 7, the first refractory brick 2 has a surface section 2.2 which faces a surface section 3.2 of the second refractory brick 3.

[0078] Between the upper section 2.1 and the lower section 2.2, the first refractory brick 2 has a shoulder projecting in the direction of the gap 7, which serves as a support portion 10 for the third refractory brick 4. In the same way, the second refractory brick 3 between the upper section 3.1 and the lower section 3.2 has a shoulder projecting in the direction of the gap 7, which serves as a support portion 12 for the third refractory brick 4.

[0079] The surface sections 2.1, 3.1 and 2.2, 3.2 of the first and second refractory brick 2, 3 facing each other are each flat surface sections, so that the gap 7 is essentially wedge-shaped.

[0080] The third refractory brick 4 is arranged in the gap 7. Here, the third refractory brick 4 has surface sections facing the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3, respectively, which are complementary to the surface section of the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 facing the gap 7. Specifically, the third refractory brick 4 has upper surface sections 4.1 and 4.2 that are complementary to the surface sections 2.1 and 3.1. With these surface sections 4.1 and 4.2, the third refractory brick 4 is in full-surface contact with the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 at the (upper) first section 7.1 of the gap 7. In the same way, the third refractory brick 4 has lower surface sections 4.3, 4.4, with which it abuts against the surface sections 2.2 and 3.2 over its entire surface. With the surface sections 4.3, 4.4, the third refractory brick 4 is thus in full-surface contact with the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 in the (lower) second section 7.2 of the gap 7.

[0081] Overall, the third refractory brick 4 thus essentially has a wedge shape that is complementary to the wedge shape of the gap 7. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0082] Between the surface sections 4.1 and 4.3, the third refractory brick 4 has a recess 13. In the same way, the third refractory brick 4 has a recess 14 between surface sections 4.2, 4.4. With these recesses 13, 14, the third refractory brick 4 rests on the complementarily designed support portions 10, 12.

[0083] By making the surface shape of the third refractory brick 4 complementary to the shape of the gap 7, the gap 7 is completely closed by the refractory brick 4.

[0084] The first refractory brick 2 comprises a hole 15, via which it is attached to the suspension device 5, as explained below. An axis of symmetry runs through this hole 15, which runs vertically when the first refractory brick 2 is attached to the suspension device 5 and to which the first refractory brick 2 is designed with mirror symmetry. In particular, the mirror symmetry also has the advantage that the first refractory brick 2 on the side opposite the gap 7 is designed in the same way as on the side facing the gap 7. This makes it possible to form a corresponding gap on the side of the first refractory brick 2 opposite the gap 7, whereby any number of components can be arranged next to each other according to the exemplary embodiment and thus a gapless furnace roof can be provided in a desired extension by means of the components according to the invention.

[0085] The second refractory brick 3 is designed identically to the first refractory brick 2. In particular, this also has the advantage that the component according to the invention can be provided very simply and, in particular, requires only a few different elements, since the first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 can be identically designed components.

[0086] The suspension devices 5 and 6 are identical in design. The suspension device 5 is shown in Figure 8. The suspension device 5 comprises a pin-shaped holding element 20, on which a first leg 21 and a second leg 22 are pivotably arranged. The first leg 21 has a suspending section 23 at its free end. In the same way, the second leg 22 has a suspending section 24 at its free end. The legs 21, 22 can be pivoted around the holding element 20 in such a way that they can be pivoted into a suspension position in which the suspending sections 23, 24 can be suspended in a roof region of a furnace. In the embodiment, the first and second legs 21, 22 are pivotable about the lower flange of a double T-beam 200 (i.e. , an I-beam) in such a way that the suspending sections 23, 24 can be placed on the upper side of the lower flange of the double T-beam 200 and the suspension device 5 can thereby be suspended Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 from the double T-beam 200. The double T-beam 200 is suspended in the region of the roof 300 of a furnace.

[0087] The first refractory brick 2 is attached to the suspension device 5 by inserting the holding element 20 into the hole 15. In the same way, the second refractory brick 3 is attached to the suspension device 6 by inserting the holding element 20 of the suspension device 6 into the hole 16 of the second refractory brick 3. The first refractory brick 2 and the second refractory brick 3 can then be suspended in the region of the roof of a furnace by means of the suspension devices 5, 6.

[0088] The suspension devices 5, 6 are designed in such a way that two refractory bricks can be attached to each of them. As can be seen from the figures, a further refractory brick 101 is therefore attached to the suspension device 5 next to the first refractory brick 2 and a further refractory brick 102 is attached to the second suspension device 6 next to the second refractory brick 3. The refractory brick 101 is identical to the first refractory brick 2 and the refractory brick 102 is identical to the second refractory brick 3. A further refractory brick 103, which is identical to the third refractory brick 4, is arranged between the refractory bricks 101 , 102. As a result, two identically designed embodiments of components 1 , 100 according to the invention can be arranged on the suspension devices 5, 6.

[0089] Figure 5 shows the furnace roof 300 of an industrial furnace not shown in detail. The furnace roof 300 comprises several double T-beams 200, on each of which several holding devices 5, 6 are suspended. As previously explained, the holding devices 5, 6 each hold first refractory bricks 2 and second refractory bricks 3, between each of which a third refractory brick 4 is arranged.

[0090] Figure 6 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention. The only difference to component 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 is that the third refractory brick 40 according to the second embodiment is not formed in one piece, but in several pieces. In Figure 6, identical or similarly acting components according to the first embodiment are provided with the same reference signs. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025

[0091] The multi-part third refractory brick 40 according to the second exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6 comprises a first part 41 of the third refractory brick 40, a second part 42 of the third refractory brick 40 and a third part 43 of the third refractory brick 40.

[0092] The first part 41 of the third refractory brick 40 abuts against the first refractory brick 2, corresponding to the third refractory brick 4 according to the first exemplary embodiment. In the same way, the second part 42 of the third refractory brick 40, corresponding to the third refractory brick 4 according to the first exemplary embodiment, abuts against the second refractory brick 3. The first part 41 and the second part 42 of the third refractory brick 40 are identically shaped and, when arranged in the gap 7, are mirror-symmetrical to a mirror plane which runs vertically through the center of the gap 7. The third part 43 of the third refractory brick 40 is arranged along this mirror plane between the first part 41 and the part 42 of the third refractory brick 40.

[0093] While the first part 41 and second part 42 of the third refractory brick 40, like the third refractory brick 4, consist of a sintered ceramic refractory material, the third part 43 of the third refractory brick 40 consists of a resilient refractory fiber material.

[0094] A significant advantage of such a multi-part third refractory brick 40, comprising such a resilient refractory fiber material according to the third part 43, is in particular that the third refractory brick 40 can thereby compensate stresses very well and the occurrence of stress cracks can thereby be prevented.

[0095] The second exemplary embodiment of the component according to the invention shown in Figure 6 is identified in its entirety by the reference sign 45.

[0096] Figure 7 shows a furnace roof 400 of an industrial furnace not shown in detail, which has been constructed using components 45 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Here too, components that are identical or have the same effect as the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference signs.

Claims

Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025A component of a roof of a furnace, a furnace and method of constructing a roof of a furnaceC l a i m s1. A component (1 ) of a roof of a furnace, comprising:1.1 a first refractory brick (2), a second refractory brick (3) and a third refractory brick (4; 40); wherein1.2 the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3) are suspended in a region of a roof (300) of a furnace to form a gap (7) between the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3), the gap (7) having a gap width (8); wherein1.3 the gap (7) comprises at least one section (7.1 , 7.2) at which the gap width (8) continuously decreases in the direction of the force of gravity (11); wherein1.4 the third refractory brick (4; 40) abuts against the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3) at the at least one section (7.1, 7.2); and wherein1.5 the third refractory brick (4; 40) is multi-part.

2. The component (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the third refractory brick (4; 40) abuts against the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3) at contact surfaces (2.1, 2.2, 4.1 , 4.3; 3.1 , 3.2, 4.2, 4.4), and wherein the contact surfaces (2.1, 2.2, 4.1 , 4.3; 3.1 , 3.2, 4.2, 4.4) are complementary in shape.

3. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the third refractory brick (40) comprises a first part (41) of the third refractory brick (40) and a second part (42) of the third refractory brick (40), wherein the first part (41) of the thirdRefractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.2025 refractory brick (40) abuts against the first refractory brick (2) at the at least one section (7.1 , 7.2) of the gap 7, and wherein the second part (42) of the third refractory brick (40) abuts against the second refractory brick (3) at the at least one section (7.1 , 7.2) of the gap (7).

4. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first refractory brick (2) comprises a first support portion (10), wherein the second refractory brick (3) comprises a second support portion (12), and wherein each of the first support portion (10) and the second support portion (12) are projecting in the direction of the gap (7).

5. The component (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the third refractory brick (4; 40) rests on the first support portion (10) and on the second support portion (12).

6. The component (1 ) according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the first part (41 ) of the third refractory brick (40) rests on the first support portion (10), and wherein the second part (42) of the third refractory brick (40) rests on the second support portion (12).

7. The component (1 ) according to at least one of claims 34 to 6, wherein the third refractory brick (40) further comprises a third part (43) of the third refractory brick (40), wherein the third part (43) of the third refractory brick (40) is arranged between the first part (41) of the third refractory brick (40) and the second part (42) of the third refractory brick (40), and wherein the third part (43) of the third refractory brick (40) is made of a resilient refractory material.

8. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3) each comprise flat surfaces facing each other at the at least one section (7.1, 7.2) of the gap (7).

9. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap (7) is substantially wedge-shaped.

10. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the third refractory brick (4; 40) is substantially wedge-shaped.Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104478-EP 11.08.202511. The component (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the third refractory brick (4; 40) completely closes the cross-section of the gap (7).

12. The component (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the third refractory brick (4; 40) predominantly fills the gap (7).

13. A furnace, comprising:13.1 a roof (300); wherein13.2 the roof (300) comprises at least one component (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

14. A method of constructing a roof (300) of a furnace, comprising the following steps:A. providing a furnace, comprisingA.1 a region of a roof (300);B. providing a first refractory brick (2), a second refractory brick (3) and a third refractory brick (4; 40);C. suspending the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3) in the region of the roof (300) to form a gap (7) between the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3), the gap (7) having a gap width (8); whereinC.1 the gap (7) comprises at least at one section (7.1 , 7.2) at which the gap width(8) continuously decreases in the direction of the force of gravity (11);D. arranging the third refractory brick (4; 40) at the at least one section (7.1, 7.2) such that the third refractory brick (4; 40) abuts against the first refractory brick (2) and the second refractory brick (3), whereinD1 the third refractory brick (4; 40) is multi-part.

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