Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for applying tensile forces, with no contact with solid walls, to glass sheets, in particular at high temperatures, wherein a gas or vapor is blown between the glass sheet and a wall closely approached, and parallel, to said glass sheet. Between the glass sheet and said wall a gas cushion is established, in that the sections through which the gas flows inside the air gap between the glass sheet and the wall increase on the average in the direction of streaming of the gas, so as to allow the gas speed to decrease, and a recovery in gas pressure to consequently take place. Several forms of practical embodiment of the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidized bed filtering and heat exchange apparatus particularly for treating gaseous discharges from internal combustion engines and industrial plants comprises a vertical-axis elongated casing (10) having a filler of inert, particulate material therein, a gas feed manifold (36) provided with discharge nozzles arranged to direct gas downwardly into said casing (10) to maintain said filler in a fluidized state, and a cyclone (58) communicating with the upper part of said casing (10) to receive said gas therefrom and to separate agglomerated particles from said gas. Heat-exchange means are provided for cooling the fluidized filler including a plurality of tubes (46) for carrying a heat-exchange fluid therethrough.