Abstract: A technique for generating isotherms representing the cross-sectional temperature profiles of molten glass flowing in a forehearth channel. A plurality of temperature sensors are placed at predetermined locations within the plane of the channel cross-section, advantageously in a rectangular grid, to provide a matrix of temperature readings. Digitalized temperature readings from these sensors are routed to a processor, which interpolates these temperature readings to approximate the temperatures intermediate the various sensing points, and optionally beyond the array of sensing points. The isotherms are obtained by fitting a Lagrangian interpolating polynomial through the various recorded temperatures. The interpolated values thus generated may be used to provide real time displays of isotherms in the forehearth cross-section under examination, or may be included in a control loop.

Abstract: By means of at least one radiation pyrometer, the radiation emission emerging at the surface of the peripheral wall of a centrifugal ring is continuously detected and used for process control as an actual value in a control circuit for hot gas flow. In consequence, optimum management of the centrifugal ring temperature is achieved and automation of the fibering process made possible, while at the same time harmful over-heating and shock-like temperature changes of the centrifugal ring are avoided.

Abstract: A method is set forth for controlling the height of batch material on the surface of a molten bath in a cold-crown or vertical melting furnace by measuring the level of the upper surface of the batch material, the level of the fusion line between the batch and bath, and the effective hydrostatic head of the molten glass and batch material thereon over a predetermined height at such known fusion line level. The thickness of the batch blanket is then determined from the level of the fusion line and the measured level of the top of the batch blanket, and power input and rate of batch distribution are controlled to maintain such desired levels and accordingly a predetermined batch thickness, by continuously monitoring the level of the batch material and the effective hydrostatic head.

Abstract: An electronic system for automatically controlling the weight and shape of glass gobs in a molten glass feeder.

Abstract: A low loss fiber optic coupler is fabricated by forming a coupler preform having a plurality of spaced glass cores extending longitudinally through a matrix of glass having a refractive index lower than that of the cores. The coupler preform is heated and stretched by first pulling means to form a glass rod which is drawn by second pulling means past an intermittant source of localized heat. When the localized heat source is turned on, the second pulling means draws the rod downwardly at a rate faster than the first pulling means. Since the rod is softened by the localized heat source, a necked-down coupling region is formed. The rod is severed to form a plurality of coupler units. When an end of a unit is immersed in acid, the matrix glass dissolves, thereby leaving the unit cores and surrounding etch-resistant cladding glass protruding from the newly formed endface of the unit.

Abstract: An electronic system for automatically controlling the weight of glass gobs in a molten glass feeder, through the regulation of the height of the rotatory tube with respect to the feeder orifice; the electronic system includes, in combination, a finished article, a weight detector, a tube position detector attached to said tube, at least a temperature detector and glass level detector at the feeder, each of which respectively providing signals representative of the weight of the finished article, of the height of the tube with respect to the feeder orifice, of the molten glass temperature in said feeder and of the glass level in the same; a data processor which receives and processes the signals of the detectors, in order to compare the weight of the finished articles with a predetermined weight for the same and relates the weight deviations with the temperature and level of the glass and the height of the tube, in order to provide synergistic tube height compensation signals in order to allow an adequate flo

Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing the ink jet glass tubes includes a vertical mandrel which receives the tubes one at a time from a feeder and rotates them relative to a pair of gas nozzles for their heating. The tube is heated in an axially limited intermediary zone so as to form an hour-glass shaped profile.The profile of the tube is scanned by a television camera which generates two signals indicative of the internal diameter. These are compared electronically with a stored indication of the desired diameter and the two nozzles are rotated into an inactive position when this diameter is reached. The tube is cut along a plane so as to make the profile of the nozzle coincident with a reference profile by a device including an optical device connected to a cutting wheel to permit comparison of the hour-glass profile of the element with the reference profile. The severed end of the tube is then lapped and covered with a non-wettable material.

Abstract: Temperature conditioning of molten glass flowing from a melter to a glassware-forming machine is described. In addition to the attempt at conditioning the molten glass in the forehearth in the usual manner, in accordance with this invention, distribution channels leading from the throat of the molten glass supply to the forehearth are provided with conditioning apparatus. Most particularly, the conditioning apparatus is such that the conditioning temperatures at the opposite sides of the distribution channel may be varied. For example, at one side the interior of the distribution channel may be being heated while the opposite side is being cooled. It is also possible to heat one side to a greater degree than the other while heating both sides. Most particular, the burner construction is such that the burners may be utilized either to heat the interior of the distribution channel or to cool the same.

Abstract: The bushing balance controller is an electronic device which measures the voltage drop across each segment of a multiple segment glass fiber forming bushing and measures the current flow in the bushing. The device uses these measurements to produce error signals proportional to the difference in the set point temperature and the instantaneous temperature of each segment of the bushing. The device diverts current from each segment of the bushing whose error signal is greater than the average of the error signals for all segments of the bushing. The device also sums all error signals and passes this signal to a bushing controller which adds current to the bushing when the sum of the error signals falls below a preset value.

Abstract: A forehearth for a glass furnace includes a roof formed of a plurality of roof blocks designed to provide below the roof blocks a central longitudinal channel and side channels on each side of the central channel. An electric heating element is positioned in a bore in the roof blocks substantially directly above the side channels to permit radiation of heat to the glass surface above the side channels. The temperature of the molten glass utilizing the construction can be effectively uniformly controlled across its cross-section.

Abstract: An electronic system to control the cooling of molds in glassware forming machines, wherein the articles and/or the molds in which said articles are being produced, are subjected to a suitable cooling to control the thermal relation therebetween so that the articles can be suitable handled and shaped. In this system, the velocity of the machine, the heat profile of the glass gobs and the gob weight are continuously detected and fed as signals to a microprocessor which determines the heat exitation of the molds when receiving the glass gobs, in order to control the necessary cooling air flow rate and compensate for variations in the thermal conditions of the molds.

Abstract: A system for sealing a mount in a cathode-ray tube using first and second tiers of burners includes a first valve in an oxygen supply line and a third valve in a fuel supply line connected to the first tier, and a second valve in the oxygen supply line and a fourth valve in the fuel supply line connected to the second tier for controlling, respectively, the flow of oxygen and fuel therethrough. The system comprises a preignition timing relay responsive to a start signal and coupled to both the first and the third valves for effecting a preignition gas flow period. An ignition timer is responsive to the preignition timing relay and is coupled to both the first and the third valves and to an igniter for effecting an ignition latchup interval at the end of the preignition gas flow period. A first timing relay is responsive to the ignition timer and is coupled to both the first and the third valves for effecting a first-tier gas flow period following the preignition gas flow period.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a forehearth, said forehearth for thermally conditioning molten glass to be fed to a glassware forming machine, and being divided into a plurality of zones. Each of the forehearth zones is provided with devices for monitoring the temperature of molten glass within the zone, and apparatus for selectively heating the glass. A microprocessor-based time sharing system controls the temperature of the plurality of zones, using adaptive control loops. Each zone is assigned a time period for monitoring temperature and taking appropriate corrective action. Temperature adjustments may be made independently zone-by-zone, or in cooperation, and other physical parameters may be taken into account such as glass viscosity or combustion pressure. Certain time-sharing periods may be associated with monitoring and displaying functions only.

Abstract: A glass furnace, e.g. for annealing or tempering glass, has a roller conveyor whose fused rollers rest upon stub rollers overshot by a belt which alternately overshoots and undershoots the stub rollers. A drive for the belt includes a pair of motors connected to the belt with overrunning clutches and driven in opposite senses to alternately drive the belt and thereby prevent play in the movement of the latter. The heater overlying the conveyor has a matrix array of individually or collectively controllable infra-red heaters.

Abstract: A glass furnace, e.g. for annealing or tempering glass, has a roller conveyor whose fused rollers rest upon stub rollers overshot by a belt which alternately overshoots and undershoots the stub rollers. A drive for the belt advantageously is controlled by a computer allowing display of the heater parameters etc. and includes a pair of motors connected to the belt with overrunning clutches and driven in opposite senses to alternately drive the belt and thereby prevent play in the movement of the latter. The heater overlying the conveyor has a matrix array of individually or collectively controllable infrared heaters.

Abstract: A bushing controller circuit for regulating the current flow through a fiber glass bushing to thereby control the temperature of the molten glass being drawn into fibers is disclosed. The bushing temperature is measured by a plurality of thermocouples which produce an average temperature reading that is used to control the power fed to the bushing. The bushing controller circuit is a three-terminal device connected across two sections of the bushing to regulate relative current flow in the two sections, in order to control the amount of fiber produced by each section. The bushing controller circuit includes a pair of timing circuits which operate in response to the polarity and magnitude of a control signal, produced at a remote control panel, to control the conductivity of a corresponding pair of current control devices connected across respective sections of the bushing. A reset circuit produces a signal corresponding to the zero crossing of the input AC power to synchronize the timing circuits.

Abstract: The degree of cure of a traveling carbonaceous polymeric material (on 48), formed (at 34) from a plurality of chemical reactants (32) and subjected to a curing process (at 42 and 44) is determined by directing (with 86 and 88) into the traveling material radiations including a first infrared radiation (A1) from the group thereof adapted to selectively interact with molecular resonance vibrations at frequencies that are characteristic of respective terminal functional groups of atoms involved in reactions that take place in the material during the curing process. Also directed into the material is a second infrared radiation that is either of the kind (R) that does not exhibit substantial selective interaction with molecular resonance vibrations in the material or of the kind (A2) that is adapted to selectively interact with molecular resonance vibrations at a frequency that is characteristic of groups of atoms forming the backbones of the polymeric molecules in the material.

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: In the mould arrangement, an electrical temperature sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) is mounted on a mould portion (30; 70) and sends signals to control means of the arrangement. The control means is operable to read the signal from the sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) at a particular point in the cycle of operation of the machine, selected to occur when the mould portion (30; 70) is stationary, and to control a portion of the operation of the machine, e.g. the operation of the mould cooling means thereof, in accordance with a value of the signal.

Abstract: An infra-red detecting device is mounted for turning movement about a vertical axis which lies in a plane which is substantially equi-distant from the centre-lines of two adjacent sections of the machine. The device is turned through an arc about the vertical axis between a first orientation, in which it receives radiation from a mould portion of a first of the sections which radiation is used to detect the temperature of the mould portion, and a second orientation, in which it receives radiation from a mould portion of the other section.

Abstract: A glass furnace, e.g. for annealing or tempering glass, has a roller conveyor whose fused rollers rest upon stub rollers overshot by a belt which alternately overshoots and undershoots the stub rollers. A drive for the belt advantageously is controlled by a computer allowing display of the heater parameters etc. and includes a pair of motors connected to the belt with overrunning clutches and driven in opposite senses to alternately drive the belt and thereby prevent play in the movement of the latter. The heater overlying the conveyor has a matrix array of individually or collectively controllable infra-red heaters.

Abstract: A cooling air system for a glassware forming machine which has a plurality of individual forming units, with each unit having a plurality of different mechanisms to be cooled and each unit having the same mechanisms. The system includes a manifold associated with each mechanism, an inlet line connecting each manifold to a source of cooling air, and a pilot operated regulator in each inlet line. The manifold is connected to its associated members in all forming units. Manually operated means are associated with each of the pressure regulators for individually controlling the flow of pilot air to each pressure regulator.

Abstract: A member which acts to close an upwardly-facing opening of a mould cavity e.g. a baffle or a blowhead, carries a portion of a temperature detecting device which is operable to detect the temperature of at least one of the side mould portions of the mould. When the member is in its operative position in which it closes the opening of the mould cavity, the temperature of the mould portion is detected.

Abstract: In a process for liquefying glass batch and the like, wherein a layer of batch is maintained as a lining in the liquefaction vessel, the thickness of the lining is monitored by measuring the temperature in a region facing an end portion of the lining. Preferably, a series of thermocouples serves to determine the location of the face of the lining on which liquefaction is taking place.

Abstract: An improved temperature sensing structure (40) for use in a glass bending furnace (10) is made of the following. A thermocouple element (42) is provided which has a pair of thermocouple leads (44) and (46) terminating in a junction (48) which defines a planar loop portion of the thermocouple element. Mounting structure (50) is provided for mounting the pair of thermocouple leads with the planar loop portion thereof projecting outwardly from a free end. A protection tube has an elongated portion (54) in surrounding relationship to the mounting structure which mounts the pair of thermocouple leads and a free end portion (56) which in part surrounds a significant portion of the planar loop portion of the thermocouple element. The surrounding part of the free end portion of the protection tube is positioned so that the planar loop portion of the thermocouple element lies in a plane in facing relationship to an unsurrounding part of the free end portion of the protection tube.

Abstract: During the manufacture of moulded articles, the temperature of the mould is detected and this information is used to control the operation of mould heating or cooling means. The temperature is detected by forming a passage in a mould portion which extends to an external surface, inserting an infra-red radiation transmitting device into the passage, and mounting an infra-red radiation detecting device so that it can receive radiation transmitted by the transmitting device when the mould portion is stationary.

Abstract: A conditioning section of a forehearth is disclosed with sidewall electrodes for Joule effect heating of glass positioned and connected to confine the current and Joule effect heating separately to the side portions of the molten glass flow path therein. Separate circuits, controls, temperature sensors and temperature set point control means are provided for the sidewall electrodes on each side. Glass temperature across the flow path is controlled and can be adjusted by separately controlling the flow of Joule effect current along each side of the flow path through manual or automatic, thermally actuated, controls for each side.

Abstract: The cooling wind for the molds on a glass bottle forming machine is controlled by a damper which is set by hand and positioned in the air passages from the section box or base of a glass forming machine and a nozzle base bolted to the top of the section box. As a further control for the air a piston operated vane positioned such that it will shut off the air to the air passages upon receipt of an air signal from the timing system of the machine is provided and is to be operated each cycle of the machine to prevent cooling air from impinging on bare glass.

Abstract: The bushing temperature measurement device is a microprocessor based sensor which determines the temperature across a multi-segment electrical resistance heated glass fiber producing bushing. The temperature change is determined by calculating the change in resistance of each segment of the bushing by sensing the voltage drop across that segment and dividing by the current flowing in that segment. All measurements of voltage and current are taken simultaneously and averaged over several cycles. The microprocessor, through appropriate output circuitry, alerts other process controls to eliminate any change in temperature.

Abstract: A method of cooling a mould in a glassware forming machine wherein an intermediate support (26) supports a mould portion (10) and defines a space (36) which serves to insulate a movable support (14) of mould opening and closing mechanism of the machine from the mould portion (10). The mould portion (10) is cooled by blowing air into the space (36). The air blown into the space (36) increases the insulating effect of the space (36) and also can be blown through an aperture (40) in the intermediate support (26) on to the mould portion (10) so as to cool that portion of the mould portion (10).

Abstract: A glass sheet is press bent between a pair of bending molds of complementary shape provided with covers using burning gas source means that supplies heat by directing burning gas flames toward the bottom edge of a glass sheet. The burning gas source means is constructed and arranged to be directed toward the path taken by the glass sheet when the latter moves into a shaping position with the press bending molds retracted and to pivot away from the mold covers when the press bending molds engage the glass sheet including its bottom edge during the shaping of the sheet. Preferably, the burning gas source means has a shape that conforms with the shape of the bottom edge of the glass sheet undergoing press bending and has an upwardly directed downstream portion to provide clearance as the glass sheet moves into said shaping position in a direction such that a recessed lower edge portion thereof is the leading edge of the glass sheet during its path of movement into the shaping station.

Abstract: Controlling the level of molten material in a melting furnace is disclosed. The level of molten material is sensed downstream of the furnace and batch materials are choke fed to keep the total batch crust plus molten glass depth constant. This provides for simpler molten glass level control as melter power can be directly controlled in response to glass level.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer control system for a glass factory having a plurality of individual section glassware forming machines. The glass factory control system preferably comprises four microprocessor systems, respectively responsible for overall factory control, overall shop control, individual shop control and individual section control. At the most general level, a microprocessor called the factory supervisory computer performs such functions as scheduling jobs, controlling inventory, forecasting sales, determining fuel availability and cost, performing IS machine simulation and providing maintenance information. At the next level, another microprocessor called the console computer stores and manages all job history files, provides shop status information on demand and collects selected production data. Each shop computer performs such functions as controlling a stacker motor, monitoring temperatures, storing section status information and storing job timing information in nonvolatile storage.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for monitoring a process condition in a spinner mounted for rotation, the spinner having an orificed sidewall for the centrifuging of molten mineral material therethrough, comprises a sensing means mounted for rotation with the spinner for sensing a process condition, and a wireless transmitter mounted for rotation with the spinner for transmitting a signal responsive to the sensed process condition.

Abstract: An automatic cooling adjustment system for the forehearth of a glass furnace which enables the minimization of the amount of energy used in the forehearth. The system is utilized in a forehearth wherein a continually activated and adjustable cooling wind apparatus operates in conjunction with an electric or fuel fired heating system which controls or maintains the glass within a desired temperature range and at a predetermined temperature gradient range over the length of the forehearth. An automatic means is provided to adjust the amount of cooling wind and to maintain it at whatever level is required in order to minimize the opposing heating energy required. The system includes a timer which enables small automatic cooling wind adjustments during a first, relatively short time period and which enables temperature stabilization in the forehearth during a second, relatively long time period. The cycle of small adjustments is repeated as necessary to keep the heating system within pre-set energy limits.

Abstract: A forehearth through which molten glass flows is divided into a plurality of zones. Means are provided in each zone for measuring the temperature of the molten glass and the atmospheric temperature. Means are provided for accumulating and storing data. When the temperature of the molten glass in a selected zone is not within an acceptable range a control signal is generated. The control signal is in response to the current molten glass and atmospheric temperatures in the zone, the current molten glass temperature in the immediately preceding zone and the accumulated and stored data comprising the history of the molten glass and atmospheric temperatures for the selected zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the rate of operation of a glassware forming system including a temperature sensing device positioned in the blank and blow molds of an I.S. machine. The mean temperature over a period of time is derived for each of the molds. The mean temperature is compared to a predetermined optimum temperature. The optimum temperature is chosen to be the highest desirable temperature at which the corresponding molds should operate. In response to the comparison of the detected and optimum temperatures, the speed of the I.S. machine is varied to increase or decrease machine speed depending upon which the mean mold temperature is, greater than or less than the optimum temperature, respectively. However, before the speed is changed, if the detected and mean mold temperatures are greater than the optimum temperature, the amount of cooling air is increased until it reaches a maximum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for regulating the temperature of a glass sheet in a furnace as the glass sheet is moved at a determined rate and heated according to a preestablished program. The furnace is characterized by only slight thermal inertia thereby to provide rapid adjustment of the internal temperature within each of several cells. The physical presence of the glass sheet is checked in synchronization with its step-by-step advance at least at one location upstream of one furnace cell to correct the regulation of the radiation heating output should these be a variance from that of the preestablished program. The process may be carried out with limited fabrication rejects by virtue of the capability of regulation of variations of the conveying rate or as required due to gaps in the succession of glass sheets being treated.

Abstract: A device for sensing the oxygen content in exhaust gases in a regenerative furnace for evaluating combustion efficiency includes an oxygen probe and conduit cast in a ceramic block. Water moved through the conduit provides structural stability to the ceramic block and protects the probe against thermal damage.

Abstract: Method and machine for making vials from glass tubing, wherein at least one glass tube (22) with closed bottom is loaded on a rotatable plate (11), having a series of holes circumferentially passing therethrough, and is then grasped by upper pliers (23'), provided on a plane not coincident with the rotatable plate (11), and then grasped by lower pliers (23) also provided on a horizontal plane not coincident with a lower rotatable plate (10), the tube (22) being continuously rotated on its axis by rotating elements of the pliers (23, 23'), and rotated throughout the circumference of the machine by rotation of the suitably controlled rotatable plates (10, 11). In this rotation the tube, as drawn or pulled at suitable intervals by the pliers, is caused to pass in front of a series of burners (17) arranged in suitable number on the entire periphery of the machine, such burners being provided with parabolic arc flames.

Abstract: In the drawing of an optical fibre from a glass preform or gathering mould maintained at an appropriate temperature, a process and a system is described for controlling and regulating the characteristics of the optical fibre. To this purpose the fibre formation temperature within the drawing furnace is controlled by a measurement of the tensile stress. The heating of the furnace is regulated, while maintaining constant the tensile stress on the glass fibre at the fibre formation point. A gauge with an electronic measuring bridge is used to carry out a measurement at the preform suspension point, while correcting the effect of the weight reduction of the preform during drawing.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a blanket of batch floating on a body of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising feeding batch to the surface of the blanket of batch, sensing the radiation reflected from a sidewall of the furnace above the blanket of batch and controlling the feed rate of the batch in response to the sensed radiation to maintain the blanket of batch at a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the level of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising: positioning two members in the molten glass in the furnace; supplying a source of alternating current to the members; detecting the impedance of a circuit comprising the two members and the electrical connection therebetween through the molten glass; and generating a signal responsive to the detected impedance as an indication of the level of molten glass in the furnace.

Abstract: Controlling the exit temperature of heated glass sheets of different thicknesses within a predetermined thickness range and/or different heat absorbing characteristics e.g. color, so that each sheet arrives at the furnace exit at substantially the same elevated temperature required for subsequent treatment that is substantially equal from sheet to sheet.

Abstract: A viewing tube extension for an infrared radiation pyrometer includes a tube having a heater therein. The heater has a passageway so that the pyrometer sights a glass ribbon moving through a forming chamber of a flat glass making apparatus. Vapors from the heating chamber moving into the tube are maintained above their dew point as a purge gas moves the vapors out of the tube.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for directing and regulating the flow of combustion air to opposite ends of the regenerators of a regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace so as to minimize localized overheating and more uniformly heat the checkerworks of the regenerators, thereby improving the operating efficiency and prolonging the useful life thereof. To accomplish these ends, a substantial portion of the combustion air supplied to the regenerators is delivered to their downstream ends while a lesser portion is supplied to their upstream ends by ducts which include valves for cycling and a damper for apportioning the amount of combustion air flowing to opposite ends of the regenerators.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and method for producing fibers from heat-softened mineral material, such as glass. More specifically, this invention relates to method of, and apparatus for, producing glass fibers from an electrically heated bushing having a bottom wall with an orifice section for delivery of glass streams for attenuation into fibers comprising sensing the temperature at the orifice section, supplying a signal that varies in response to the sensed temperature and indicating that a disruption in fiber production has occurred when the supplied signal is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring two or more temperatures of a bushing and controlling those temperatures by introducing a gaseous fluid into contact with the bushing at two or more loci.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the uniformity of the surface weight of a mineral wool mat. The mat is produced from a mineral melt which is converted into fibers, these fibers being introduced into a gas-formed stream providing a transport medium for these fibers. The transport medium and the mineral fibers carried thereby are transported to a moveable collector band on one side of which the mineral wool is deposited so as to form the mineral wool mat, the transport medium being caused to pass through the collector band by means of a fan or the like. The method comprises measuring at least one variable which is characteristic of the transport medium and which varies in relationship to the amount of mineral wool deposited.

Abstract: A glass furnace, e.g. for annealing or tempering glass, has a roller conveyor whose fused rollers rest upon stub rollers overshot by a belt which alternately overshoots and undershoots the stub rollers. A drive for the belt advantageously is controlled by a computer allowing display of the heater parameters etc. and includes a pair of motors connected to the belt with overrunning clutches and driven in opposite senses to alternately drive the belt and thereby prevent play in the movement of the latter. The heater overlying the conveyor has a matrix array of individually or collectively controllable infrared heaters.