Abstract: A system for positioning a plurality of carriages to preselected positions across a supported article includes moving a train of detachably interconnected carriages with an engine carriage functionally connected to a driving facility, and simultaneously detaching selected ones of the carriages from the train at predetermined positions across the article, in a sequential manner, beginning with the selected carriage farthestmost from the engine carriage, and holding the selected carriages to a member bridging the article. The positioning cycle is completed by stopping the engine train at its preselected position. Thereafter, a work operation is performed on the article by moving a work operation performing means associated with each of the selected carriages from an inoperative or retracted position to an extended or operative position.

Abstract: A bubbler assembly comprising a bubbler tube having a sleeve surrounding at least a portion thereof to define an annular space therebetween. A corrosion-inhibiting gas is introduced into the space to minimize oxidation and alkali-sulfate corrosion of the bubbler tube, or preferably the gas is moved through the space to purge the space of oxygen and alkali-sulfate corrosives, when the bubbler assembly is mounted within a mounting hole provided through a refractory wall, e.g. the bottom, of a glassmaking furnace.The bubbler assembly alternatively comprises a bubbler tube, a fluid coolant jacket mounted within the refractory wall mounting hole, and facilities for facilitating movement of the bubbler tube relative to the refractory wall, independently of the fluid coolant jacket.

Abstract: When primary fuel for combustion is combined with an amount of oxygen in excess of the stoichiometric amount required for complete combustion, in the ports of a glassmaking furnace, additional fuel is injected into the melting chamber to consume at least a portion of the excess oxygen and reduce at least a portion of NO.sub.x present in the melting chamber, to thereby reduce or suppress NO.sub.x emissions from the furnace.

Abstract: A braided, composite lead-in conduit for use in conducting electricity to electroconductive heating means of a heated, multiple-glazed window has spaces between individual wires filled with a substantially moisture impervious material to minimize mositure-vapor penetration into the insulating air space of the window.

Abstract: A burner tip for passing fuel into a glass melting chamber, the burner tip having at least a portion thereof extending a distance into a fuel input passageway fluidly communicating the chamber interior to the chamber exterior, the distance being sufficient to minimize inspiration of chamber exterior or ambient air through an unsealed space formed between the outside surface of the burner tip and the walls forming the fuel input passageway, into the chamber interior, wherein at least the portion of the burner tip which extends into the fuel input passageway is made of high temperature, high oxidation-resistant material capable of withstanding the chamber interior atmosphere during both firing and off-firing cycles, while in direct contact therewith over a substantial time period.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a negative pressure atmosphere, e.g. a regenerative furnace atmosphere during an exhaust cycle, has aspirating facilities for aspirating an atmospheric sample from the negative pressure atmosphere and moving the sample past an analyzer for content analysis thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor drive mechanism has a continuous drive loop trained over first, second, and third pulleys, with the first and second pulleys disposed in driving relationship to a support bed or conveyor, and a driving facility which supplies drive torque in either direction to the third pulley, to move the drive loop and conveyor in the selected direction. Counterpoised anti-backlash motors impart equal, opposed counter-torques to the first and second pulleys to impose a predetermined level of continuous tension in the active area of the drive loop, even during reversal of the direction of the torque transmitted by the driving facility.

Abstract: The present invention includes an insert securably mountable within the chamber of a core drill, such as a chamfering diamond core drill used for drilling and chamfering glass articles. The insert preferably includes a first diverting facility for diverting a first portion of a lubricating/cooling fluid from within the core drill to the inner drilling surfaces of the core drill, and a second diverting facility for diverting a second portion of the lubricating/cooling fluid to the outer drilling surface and chamfering surface of the core drill, to prevent thermal damage to the article being drilled and chamfered, during both the drilling and chamfering steps. The present invention further includes a method of lubricating/cooling an article during drilling and chamfering operations with lubricating/cooling fluid from within the core drill, to prevent thermal damage to the article being drilled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting discontinuities in electric conductor heating lines in automobile heated back lights is disclosed. The apparatus includes a "Hall effect" probe, a microprocessor, a display, a stepping motor drive, an optical scanner and associated circuitry. The method includes the steps of energizing the heating grid and moving a Hall effect probe in the vicinity of each conductor line. Any heater line having discontinuity will lack a detectable magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting reflective coatings on a substrate using a polaroid filter to view light reflected from the coating to make variations in coating thickness over a large coated area visible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for soldering by means of an industrial robot is disclosed. The apparatus includes a soldering head end effector having retractable continuity sensing probes. The soldering head is particularly adapted to solder metal connector braids onto fused silver ceramic frit bus bars which are associated with the heating elements of defogging automobile back lights. The method includes positioning the work piece sensing the alignment of the bus bar and braid, controlling the robot to its starting position, controlling the robot soldering heat to subsequent preprogrammed soldering positions, holding the connector braid onto the bus bar and soldering the work piece.

Abstract: A reusable shipping container for frangible sheets and the like having a three part telescoping base adjustable in length and a pair of three part telescoping transverse sheet support frames adjustable in height removably attached to the ends of the base wherein the container is unitized using flexible banding straps having load bearing loops for lifting the container. The container also provides removable caster wheels and sheet edge contacting separator strips. The container is particularly adapted for shipping, storing and unloading large multiple glazed window units of the type used in large commercial buildings. A method of unloading a container in which one of the transverse sheet support frames is moved from an end position on the base to a position nearer the other transverse support frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: Reverse contour changes, e.g., changes from a convex peripheral portion to concave peripheral portion are scored in a glass sheet by moving the glass sheet along an X-Y axes while pivoting a scoring wheel housing about an axis transverse to the first and second axes so as to positively rotate the housing in response to contour changes.Further, a pattern cutter includes a sheet support which is mounted for movement along X and Y axes and about a pivoting Z axis relative to a stationary scoring wheel so as to positively control the scoring of the glass sheet during changes from convex portions to concave portions.

Abstract: Horizontally conveyed flat glass articles are halted and oriented in a precise location. Vertical stop pins removably affixed to a table attached to one end of the apparatus arrest the leading edge of the moving article whereupon pins removably mounted in a pair of transversely movable tables advance toward the article substantially normal to its arrival direction, thus engaging the edges of the article and orienting it in a vise-like manner. Lastly, adjustable pins mounted in a vertically and longitudinally moving table engage the trailing edge of the article and urge it toward the stop pins, thus orienting and aligning the article in a precise position relative to a fixed reference point. The apparatus is particularly adapted to the precise orientation and alignment of pattern cut sheets of glass to be removed from a conveyor platform by a robot.

Abstract: Bulb edges are severed from a glass sheet. At least one score is imposed along and adjacent to the bulb edge, and the scores are sequentially opened by mechanically running the score. A pair of powered and jointly actuated, simultaneously moving cylindrical mandrels apply torque about the trailing end of the score line to sever the sheet. The lower mandrel moves in an upward direction beneath the sheet while the upper mandrel moves through an arcuate path down and toward the bulb edge. A method of severing bulb edges from a glass sheet is also disclosed in which the scores are opened by applying torque about the score line on the upper and lower edges of the trailing end of a glass sheet.