Abstract: A glass tube manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing glass tubing includes a glass delivery tank with molten glass. The glass delivery tank has a bottom opening. A bell has an upper portion with an outer diameter located at the bottom opening. A heating apparatus is at least partially disposed around the bell. The heating apparatus includes a heated portion and a muffle portion located below the heated portion. A lower extended muffle structure extends downwardly from the muffle portion. The lower extended muffle structure extending about the glass tubing on all sides to manage convective airflow therethrough.

Abstract: Provided is a sleeve for glass tube molding capable of suppressing generation of foreign matter such as rust from a sleeve shaft and suppressing adhesion of foreign matter such as rust to the molten glass without degrading mechanical strength of the sleeve shaft. A sleeve for glass tube molding includes a sleeve shaft including a through-hole and a refractory cylindrical body inserted coaxially with the sleeve shaft around the sleeve shaft. A superior rust-resistant material having rust resistance superior to that of the sleeve shaft is provided to cover a part or whole of an inner surface of the through-hole of the sleeve shaft and to cover a tip of the sleeve shaft.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism control method for a glass plate tempering process, comprising: after a glass plate is conveyed into a heating furnace, a monitoring unit monitors in real time energy consumed by a heating element of the heating furnace, and sends the energy consumed to a control unit to compare with a set threshold; and when the energy consumed by the heating element of the heating furnace is greater than or equal to the set threshold, the control unit sends an instruction to an actuating mechanism to control actions of the actuating mechanism to complete a corresponding tempering process procedure. Through the method that the monitoring unit monitors in real time the energy consumed by the heating element of the heating furnace, a heating procedure of the glass plate is more scientifically and precisely controlled, and, therefore, a discharging moment of the glass plate can be accurately determined.

Abstract: A glass fining system, glass fining device, and method are disclosed. The glass fining device in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes at least one heated orifice through which molten glass flows from a glass melter to produce at least one superheated glass stream; and a low-pressure chamber disposed downstream from the heated orifice, where the at least one superheated glass stream flows from the at least one heated orifice and into the low-pressure chamber, and where the low-pressure chamber surrounds the at least one superheated glass stream. In some embodiments, the low-pressure chamber may include at least one surface extender.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chamber (1) for the controlled oxidation of metal strips in a furnace for annealing a continuous production line of strips which are hot-coated, for example by galvanisation, the oxidation chamber allowing the oxidation of the metal strips by means of an oxidising gas injected on at least one of the faces of a strip (15), the oxidation chamber comprising oxidation portions (17) extending over the width and/or length thereof, each portion comprising at least one blow opening (4) and at least one suction opening (5) between which an oxidising gas circulates, each portion being controllable in a different way so as to adjust the oxidation induced on the strip over the width and length of the oxidation chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling a process of cooling a number of glass molds with a cooling medium in a process of producing glass bodies, wherein a production section of the section machine is respectively assigned at least one of the glass molds, and, for cooling the number of glass molds, the cooling medium is supplied on a jointly shared basis, wherein the supplying of the shared cooling medium for the number of glass molds is jointly controlled and the shared cooling medium is assigned a number of absolute cooling medium parameters and the absolute cooling medium parameters are determined as cooling medium parameters that are shared by the number of glass molds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle filter (F) for a glass forming machine operating according to a blow-and-blow process or according to a press-and-blow process, said particle filter (F) is adapted for placing in at least an air channel (14a) serving pressurized air for counter blow (5) of a parison (P) in a blank mold (2) forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or an air channel (14b, 20) serving pressurized air for final blow (11) and/or for finish cooling (21) of a glass container (12) made of said parison (P) in a finish mold (8) station of said glass forming machine, said particle filter (F) comprising a surface filter as a main filter media (MF) and said particle filter (F), if placed in at least said air channel (14a) serving pressurized air for counter blow (5) of said parison (P) in said blank mold (2) forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel (14b, 20) serving pressurized air for final blow (11) and/or for finish cooling (21) of said glass container

Abstract: A dead plate arrangement for a glass forming machine is characterized by a housing (33) which is bordered on the upper side by a dead plate (1) which is divided into fields (16, 16?, 16?) intended for putting hollow glass articles to be cooled thereon, wherein to each field, a dynamic pressure chamber (3) is allocated which is connected to a supply air chamber (4) via a valve (9), and wherein the supply air chamber (4) is connected to a cooling air supply via a valve (5). The valves (5, 9) are continuously controllable between an opening position and a closed position so that the pressure can be set for each of the dynamic pressure chambers (3), and therefore the cooling capacity of each of the fields (16, 16?, 16?) can be set individually depending on the properties of the hollow glass article to be cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing strengthened glass containers, and more particularly the construction and operation of a cooling shroud in an apparatus for thermally strengthening glass containers in a glass container manufacturing line at a location intermediate the hot end and the cold end. Glass containers formed at an I. S. machine are conveyed through a special tempering Lehr that heats them uniformly to a high temperature that is short of temperatures at which they may become deformed. Subsequently, the glass containers are rapidly thermally strengthened in a cooling station in which the outer and inner surfaces including all areas of the glass containers are simultaneously cooled to a temperature below the Strain Point of the glass used in the glass containers, with the cooling shrouds being used to cool the outer surfaces of the glass containers.

Abstract: A method for cutting a glass article from a strengthened glass substrate having a surface compression layer and a tensile layer includes forming an edge defect in the surface compression layer on a first edge of the strengthened glass substrate. The method further includes propagating a through vent through the surface compression and tensile layers at the edge defect. The through vent precedes a region of separation along a cut line between the glass article and the strengthened glass substrate.

Abstract: In order to achieve reproducible operating parameters of the shaping process of an I.S. glassware forming machine, a central control of all blowing and cooling air flows is proposed, in which in accordance with sections a volume flow of the cooling air including the inlet-side and outlet-side temperatures thereof are measured by means of a measuring device (51, 52) and a heat loss which is associated with the section is ascertained. The heat thus removed in sections is compared with standard values, wherein in the event that tolerance zones are exceeded a variation of the volume flow is initiated by the actuation of restrictors (53, 54). All of the sections of the glassware forming machine which are intended for passage of cooling air are monitored in this way, namely on the basis of a determinable heat loss, so that uniform cooling conditions, which are adapted to a mathematical model, and in this respect a reproducible product quality are achieved.

Abstract: A substrate ion exchange system, along with methods of maintain such a system, is provided that includes a substrate having an outer region containing a plurality of substrate metal ions, an ion exchange bath that includes a plurality of first metal ions at a first metal ion concentration and a plurality of second metal ions at a second metal ion concentration, and a vessel for containing the ion exchange bath and the substrate. The ion exchange system also includes a temperature sensor coupled to the vessel, and a processor configured to receive a vessel temperature from the sensor and to evaluate the first metal ion concentration based at least in part on a first metal ion consumption rate relationship and the vessel temperature. Further, the first metal ion consumption rate relationship is predetermined.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting I.S. machine timing to maintain desired vertical glass distribution to improve process yield and quality while reducing dependence on operator skill. Deficiencies in the vertical glass distribution are rapidly addressed by automatically varying the start of final blow to allow more or less stretching of the parison, and more fundamentally addressed by adjusting the cooling of the parison mold. The cooling time of the parison mold may be adjusted by using final blow timing error correction or by also using parison mold temperature error correction.

Abstract: A dwell time control system and method for automatically adjusting the selection and timing of a sequence of pressures used to drive the plunger in a parison mold during the parison forming process. The timing of characteristics of the observed press curve from one or more previous parison forming cycles are ascertained and used to control the timing of the changes in pressure during a subsequent parison forming cycle. The timings of these changes of pressure are determined as predetermined percentages of the timings of the characteristics in order to prevent the blow mold from being forced open and in order to prevent the occurrence of an overpressed finish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for shaping an elongated glass body 81, which is a glass tube or glass rod and has an initial profile, to an elongated glass body having a different profile. In order to be properly shaped, an elongated glass body 81 passes through, in a hot malleable state, a nip, which is formed by squeezing rollers 1 and which has a nip width which is less than an outer dimension of the initial profile. In order to accomplish an enhanced precision of the shaping process, according to the invention the position of at least one of the squeezing rollers is varied continuously so that a contact area between the respective squeezing roller and the hot glass body is varied cyclic reciprocating movement. Disturbing effects such as local overheating of the squeezing rollers or an accumulation of dirt or glass particles on the surface of the squeezing rollers can thus be effectively prevented.

Abstract: A nozzle housing assembly, which is used in a convection heating furnace for a heat treatable glass sheet. The nozzle housing assembly comprises an elongated enclosure, at least one elongated heating resistance in the enclosure for heating convection air, and orifices in a bottom surface of the enclosure for blasting heated convection air against the glass sheet. The enclosure is divided with a flow-throttling partition into a top supply duct and a bottom nozzle box, the heating resistances being housed in the latter. Flow-throttling openings present in the partition are positioned to comply with the location and shape of the heating resistances.

Abstract: A dead plate arrangement for a glass forming machine is characterized by a housing (33) which is bordered on the upper side by a dead plate (1) which is divided into fields (16, 16?, 16?) intended for putting hollow glass articles to be cooled thereon, wherein to each field, a dynamic pressure chamber (3) is allocated which is connected to a supply air chamber (4) and wherein the supply air chamber (4) is connected to a cooling air supply. The cooling capacity of each of the fields (16, 16?, 16?) can be set individually depending on the properties of the hollow glass article to be cooled. In connection with database-supported setpoint values for article-specific dimensioning of the cooling air flows, an individual cooling capacity can be implemented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element manufacturing method including a first step of fixing an optical material by exerting a first weight different from a self weight of an upper die on the optical material positioned in a cavity between the upper die and a lower die, a second step of thereafter heating and softening the optical material by introducing a heated gas to an inside of the cavity, and a third step of thereafter molding an optical element by exerting a second weight larger than the first weight on the optical material within the cavity.

Abstract: An I.S. machine has a blow station where a parison is blown into a bottle. The parison is blown with a blow head at the “on” position on the blow mold and following the blowing of the parison, the blow head is lifted away from the blow mold. The spacing between the blow head and the mold is defined by a Pressure Profile which is responsive to the sensed pressure within the mold.

Abstract: Method of filling a mould (8) with a glass gob (10) through an opening (12) of the mould (8), for forming a glass product in the mould (8), by using a delivery system (14) for delivering the glass gob to the opening (12) of the mould (8). The delivery system (14) has an inlet (16), an outlet (18), and guiding means (20) for guiding the glass gob through the delivery system (14). The method includes observing the glass gob, at at least one moment and/or during at least one period after the glass gob has passed the inlet (16) of the delivery system (14), by using an optical imaging device (4). The method includes determining a glass gob observation result that includes a glass gob velocity, for predicting a glass distribution of the glass product formed in the mould (8) and/or for controlling ling a next glass gob.

Abstract: An I.S. machine has a blow station where a parison is blown into a bottle. The parison is blown with a blow head at the “on” position on the blow mold and following the blowing of the parison, the blow head is lifted away from the blow mold. The spacing between the blow head and the mold is defined by a Pressure Profile which is responsive to the sensed pressure within the mold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making a glass material are provided. The apparatus comprises a level sensor configured to measure a level of molten glass within a glass melter, a level controller operatively connected to the level sensor, a batch material sensor configured to measure a characteristic of a quantity of batch material, an estimator operatively connected to the batch material sensor, a batch fill rate controller configured to calculate a speed command, and a batch delivery device configured to fill the glass melter. The methods comprise the steps of controlling an actual batch fill rate of batch material entering the glass melter. The step of controlling further comprises estimating a batch fill rate of batch material entering the glass melter, and controlling the actual batch fill rate based on a comparison between a predetermined batch fill rate and the estimated batch fill rate.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: A power and fluid feeding apparatus for providing energy and cooling and operating fluid at molding apparatuses of glassware forming machine having single or multiple forming cavities, of the type including a blank mold forming station, an intermediate station, a blow forming station, and a take out station by the blow-and-blow process, press-and-blow wide mouth or narrow neck process, press-and-blow paste mold process and direct press.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the process used in the heat treatment of glass measures the quality of the glass following the heat treatment process. Inputs to the control system for the heat treatment process derive from the automated inspection of glass following heat treatment. Outputs from the control system for the heat treatment process may adjust one or more parameters in the heat treatment process including a furnace or heating setting, a transport setting, and a quench or cooling setting.

Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles, by the blow-and-blow, press-and-blow, press-and-blow paste mold and direct-press processes in a glassware forming machine including single or multiple machine sections each having single or multiple-cavity, comprising: forming a parison in an inverted orientation, into a blank mold and a first transferable and open-able neck ring mold held by an inverting apparatus having a first and a second diametrically opposed arms, each arm holding a transferable and open-able neck ring mold; inverting the parison held by the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold, by rotating the first arm 180° to an upright orientation at an intermediate station, while the second arm with a second transferable and open-able neck ring mold is simultaneously placed at the parison forming station; transferring the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold holding the parison in an upright orientation, from the intermediate station, to a blow mold statio

Abstract: A three step method and apparatus for quenching a formed glass sheet in a manner that reduces cycle time without excessive temporary surface tension that can cause excessive breakage.

Abstract: The method of supporting and transporting hot flat glass on a gas bed for ceramicizing includes arranging a number of spaced-apart porous or perforated planar segments to form a base with a gas-permeable support surface so that slits, which are narrower than the planar segments, are formed between them, forcing gas through the porous or perforated planar segments and conducting the gas away through the slits between them so as to form the gas bed with no static pressure zones and with a parabolic pressure distribution and producing a predetermined temperature profile for ceramicizing through which the hot flat glass is transported on the gas bed without deformation and without any contact between it and the base. The resulting glass ceramic has smoother surfaces without pits or deformations.

Abstract: Stress exerted on an inner or outer circumferential side of a glass tube 6 is controlled when a glass material 3 is heated and softened by a heating element 41 provided around the glass material 3 and a piercing plug 31 is relatively pressed into a softened region of the glass material 3 to thereby form the glass material 3 into the glass tube 6 gradually. For example, the control of the stress can be carried out by controlling an internal or external pressure of the glass tube 6. As a result, the deformation of the glass tube 6 just after piercing is prevented so that the glass tube 6 can be obtained with high quality. It is also possible to solve the problem that cracks may occur easily at the time of reheating because of residual stress distribution after cooling.

Abstract: A blow mold assembly for an I.S. machine for blowing a parison of glass and cooling the blown parison into a formed bottle which can be removed from the blow mold. A blow head is lowered onto a blow mold and final air is applied. A predetermined time after the blow head engages the top surface of the blow mold the blow head is lifted a selected vertical distance above the top surface of the blow mold to an exhaust position allowing cooling air to escape from the blow mold. The selected vertical distance is selected so that at least a minimum pressure will continue within the formed bottle. The blow head is maintain at the exhaust position for a predetermined time and then retracted. The selected vertical distance and the predetermined time can be set as desired.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated method for producing a blown glass body, in particular a glass wall of an electrochemical sensor, wherein an immersion tube (10), through which air or gas can flow, is immersed into molten glass an amount of molten glass from the molten glass mass, and wherein the (8) and subsequently withdrawn to remove removed glass is blown into the form of the glass body to be produced by means of the air or gas flowing through the immersion tube (10), comprising the following features:—the position of the surface (42) of the molten glass (8) in the adjustment direction of the immersion tube (10) is determined; an adjustment means (18) for the immersion tube (10) is controlled in correspondence with the determined position of the surface (42) such that the free end of the immersion tube is first immersed into the molten glass mass (8) up to a certain predetermined immersion depth (h) of molten glass; and then removed thereby retaining a predetermined amount—following removal from the mo

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for heating glass panels in a tempering furnace equipped with rollers, glass panels are carried on a conveyor defined by rollers into a tempering furnace for the duration of a heating cycle, followed by carrying the glass panels into a tempering station. The glass panels are heated in the tempering furnace by bottom- and top-heating radiation elements as well as by bottom- and top-heating convection elements through which convection air is supplied to the tempering furnace. The glass panels' bottom side is heated by the bottom-heating convection elements, which are arranged lengthwise along the furnace and define convection heating zones side by side in a lateral direction of the tempering furnace. Thus, convection heating effects of the convection heating zones can be altered relative to each other for profiling the heat transfer coefficient in a lateral direction of the furnace.

Abstract: Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: A furnace (12) and a method for heating roll conveyed glass sheets by electric resistance radiant heating and forced convection heating by hot air jets that also entrain hot air within the furnace. A hot air distributing system (86) includes upper and lower arrays (90) of hot air distributors (92) that are constructed to effectively supply the convective heating. The hot air distributors (92) have heat exchangers (96) that heat the pressurized air that provides the hot air jets. The heating can be performed on both uncoated and coated glass sheets and furnace (12) conveys the glass sheets either in an oscillating manner or a continuous one direction manner during the heating.

Abstract: Stress exerted on an inner or outer circumferential side of a glass tube 6 is controlled when a glass material 3 is heated and softened by a heating element 41 provided around the glass material 3 and a piercing plug 31 is relatively pressed into a softened region of the glass material 3 to thereby form the glass material 3 into the glass tube 6 gradually. For example, the control of the stress can be carried out by controlling an internal or external pressure of the glass tube 6. As a result, the deformation of the glass tube 6 just after piercing is prevented so that the glass tube 6 can be obtained with high quality. It is also possible to solve the problem that cracks may occur easily at the time of reheating because of residual stress distribution after cooling.

Abstract: An I.S. machine wherein a parison is blown into a bottle in a blow mold. The parison is initially suspended from the neck ring mechanism and the blow molds are displaced to close around the parison below the finish. The neck ring mechanism is displaced away from the mold and a blow head is located on top of the mold to provide final blow. A heat sensor senses when the parison, during reheat has reached the bottom of the mold and supplies a signal to a controller which starts final blow based on the time when this signal was supplied.

Abstract: A parison is blown in the blow mold of an I.S. machine and a control determines the time of the event by defining a local minimum in the pressure vs. time plot.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring the temperature at various locations through the thickness of glass products and to control the glass processing operation with the sensed temperature information are disclosed. Fluorescence emission of iron or cerium in glass is excited and imaged onto segmented detectors. Spatially resolved temperature data are obtained through correlation of the detected photoluminescence signal with location within the glass. In one form the detected photoluminescence is compared to detected scattered excitation light to determine temperature. Stress information is obtained from the time history of the temperature profile data and used to evaluate the quality of processed glass. A heating or cooling rate of the glass is also controlled to maintain a predetermined desired temperature profile in the glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating glass, in which glass (4) is heated upon rollers (3) in a tempering furnace (1) from above and below of the glass (4). At least the upper surface of the glass (4) is heated with hot air jets directed substantially perpendicularly relative to the surface of the glass (4). The air jets have been provided by sucking air mainly from the inside of the furnace and by pressurizing the air taken from the inside of the tempering furnace (1) to an overpressure of over 0.1 bar relative to the pressure in the tempering furnace (1).

Abstract: Production of a glass body provided with a glass membrane is disclosed, for a chemical sensor, in which a displaceably mounted dip tube through which a gaseous medium can flow is dipped into a mass of molten glass and pulled out again to withdraw a gob which is then put into the desired shape by supply of the gaseous medium. The dip tube is inserted into a mount, which is connected to a displaceably supported carriage which is then displaced as far as a lower end position (P1), which is defined on the basis of an adjustment device such that when the carriage moves downward the dip tube dips into the molten glass, and upon the retraction of the carriage the dip tube withdraws a gob that is suitable for processing. After one or more withdrawals of a gob, the one-piece or multiple-piece adjustment device is readjusted manually or automatically by a certain amount, to compensate for changes in the level of the molten glass caused by the withdrawal of gobs.

Abstract: Air-cooling and tempering a glass sheet is performed while the glass sheet is continuously conveyed without adversely affecting the quality of the glass sheet. It is provided with a conveying means (22) installed to be operable from a forming zone to a cooling area, a plurality of upper blowing members (24A to 24J), a plurality of lower blowing members (26A to 26J), a plurality of air-supply boxes (100, 102) for controlling blow/stop operations of cooling air from each of the blowing members and an air-supply source (200) connected to these air-supply boxes. Each of the air-supply boxes has a cylindrical damper (130), casings (134, 136) and a slide bearing (144) provided in a space between the damper and the casing, wherein the cool-air supplied from the air-supply source can be supplied to the upper and lower blowing members through the air channels by adjusting the rotational positions of the dampers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for storing and transporting hot flat glass in a contactless manner during glass production, said storage and transportation being carried out on a gas bed which is constructed over a gas permeable bearing surface pertaining to a base (2). Pressurised gas is supplied to the base via a connection (5), said gas being guided through the gas permeable base and then re-evacuated. The aim of the invention is to obtain an optimum pressure distribution above the bearing surface, without any static pressure. In order to achieve this, the base (2) consists of a plurality of interspaced segments (21, 22 . . . 2n) respectively comprising a porous and/or perforated bearing surface (7a) as a gas outlet surface. Evacuation openings (61, 62 . . . 6n) are formed between said segments for evacuating the gas. The segments are preferably formed by bars (7) having a box profile.

Abstract: A blow head mechanism for an I.S. machine wherein the blow head has a final blow tube. The final blow tube is supported for vertical displacement between an up position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the top of a blown parison and a down position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the bottom of a blown parison. The final blow tube is displaced at least once from the up position to the down position and back to the up position during the time when the blow head is “on” by a profiled actuator including a displacement profile which will displace the blow tube between the up position and a location where the upper neck portion meets the lower body portion at an average velocity higher than the average velocity at which the blow tube will be displaced between the location where the upper neck portion meets the lower body portion to the bottom of the blown parison.

Abstract: A parison is blown in the blow mold of an I.S. machine and a control determines the time of the event by defining a local minimum in the pressure vs. time plot.

Abstract: An I.S. machine wherein a parison is blown into a bottle in a blow mold. The parison is initially suspended from the neck ring mechanism and the blow molds are displaced to close around the parison below the finish. The neck ring mechanism is displaced away from the mold and a blow head is located on top of the mold to provide final blow. A heat sensor senses when the parison, during reheat has reached the bottom of the mold and supplies a signal to a controller which starts final blow based on the time when this signal was supplied.

Abstract: An extrusion system for producing a desired extrusion profile on a continuously moving work piece has a die containing two or more pressurized fluid extrusion cells therein, through which the work piece passes. Fluid under pressure id directed against the work piece to shape it without physical contact between the die and the work piece. The individual extrusion cells are configured to produce the desired profile, which is monitored by a non-contact metering member which applies signals to a processing unit which, in turn, applies correction signals to a pressured fluid supply module to control the pressurized fluid supply to each of the extrusion cells.

Abstract: A furnace (10) and method for heating conveyed glass sheets within a housing (12) includes forced convection heaters (24) spaced along the direction of conveyance both below and above a roll conveyor (20). Each forced convection heater (24) includes a gas burner assembly (32) generally adjacent one of the housing side walls and has an outlet (34) through which products of combustion are supplied to the housing heating chamber (18) at a location intermediate its side walls. A hot gas distributor (38) of each forced convection heater (24) includes an inlet (40) that is spaced from the outlet (34) of the gas burner assembly (32), and the hot gas distributor (38) has a suction fan (42) for drawing in heated products of combustion together with spent recirculating gas in the heating chamber (18) for mixing to provide heated gas that is distributed to the conveyed glass sheets.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring the temperature at various locations through the thickness of glass products and to control the glass processing operation with the sensed temperature information are disclosed. Fluorescence emission of iron or cerium in glass is excited and imaged onto segmented detectors. Spatially resolved temperature data are obtained through correlation of the detected photoluminescence signal with location within the glass. In one form the detected photoluminescence is compared to detected scattered excitation light to determine temperature. Stress information is obtained from the time history of the temperature profile data and used to evaluate the quality of processed glass. A heating or cooling rate of the glass is also controlled to maintain a predetermined desired temperature profile in the glass.

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle comprises a heating chamber having a length and a width, at least one heating element located within the heating chamber, a conveyor having a length and a width, the conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber, a compressed air source, a plurality of air manifolds positioned within the heating chamber and in fluid connection with the compressed air source, each of the air manifolds having a length, and each of the air manifolds being oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor, and a plurality of nozzles mounted on each air manifold and in fluid connection with the air manifold for mixing together and directing toward the conveyor a combination of compressed air and over air to convectively heat a sheet of glass on the conveyor, the plurality of nozzles on each air manifold being spaced along the length of the air manifold.