Abstract: Method and apparatus for electronically controlling a servo motor drive for glass gob distribution apparatus, to provide accurate high speed motion of one or more scoops. At the set-up stage, the operator adjusts the scoop position with respect to each trough to align scoop and trough in a straight line. During automatic operation, upon receipt of a MOVE command a motion control computer provides digital output signals to move the scoops through a prescribed motion profile, such profile having suitable characteristics to move the scoops over various distances without vibration or overshoot. A digitalized cubic-parabolic-cubic (CPC) curve or similar cam profile is scaled to the amplitude and direction of the required motion, and the motion profile computer outputs command signals on a point-by-point basis over the time span of this stored motion profile. Such time span is designed to provide sufficient dwell time to allow the gobs to traverse the scoops.

Abstract: A porous glass optical waveguide preform is formed by depositing a coating of glass particulate material on the lateral surface of a core which may be a porous glass body continuously produced by the axial deposition of glass particles. The core rotates and moves longitudinally in one direction with respect to two flame hydrolysis burners which emit streams of glass particles having different compositions. In addition, the two burners reciprocatingly move with respect to a portion of the length of the core. The speed of each burner varies as it traverses along its path of reciprocating motion. The thickness of the layer produced by a burner at a given point is inversely related to the speed of the burner as it passes that point. The layers formed by the completion of a single traverse by both burners combine to form a conically-shaped layer, the composition of which varies from the base toward the apex thereof.

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

Abstract: In a multi-section I.S. glassware article forming machine including handling and forming means such as a molten glass feeder, a glass gob cutting mechanism, glass gob distributor, article molding means, a take out apparatus to bring the green articles out of the molding means, a 90.degree. push out apparatus to bring the finished articles to a carrier conveyor, and a transfer apparatus for transferring the finished articles to a cross conveyor in order for a pusher apparatus to transfer rows of articles to a lehr; synchronizaiton of the velocity of both the 90.degree. push-out apparatus and of the carrier conveyor of each and every section of said I.S. glassware article forming machine is set and controlled at will by sensing the velocity of operation of the glass gob cutting mechanism, of the 90.degree.

Abstract: An improved electronic control system for glassware forming apparatus having a heirarchy of machine level supervisory controllers (including a machine controller and an operator communications controller), section controllers, and individual mechanism controllers. The mechanism controllers may be dedicated to the control of a variety of functions admitting of automated control, such as servo-control of electrical motors, sequencing of solenoid valves, generating alarm signals, etc. The mechanism controllers include separate control programs designed for their associated forming mechanisms, and are subject to on-off timing control in real time from the section level controllers. In general, the machine controller and operator I/O controller handle set-up, operator modifications during operation, and other "non-real-time"interactions with the mechanism controllers; the machine controller also coordinates the operation of a plurality of mechanism controllers in accordance with machine-level parameters.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube faceplate press having an indexing table rotatable around a column normal to the table and having circular array of female molds concentric with the column. Index speed of the table is optimized by a barrel cam drive cut to provide smooth acceleration and deceleration which can be tolerated by the molten glass in the molds. A cam dwell precisely registers the table work stations avoiding the need for register pins and the delays they introduce. Acceleration and deceleration peak at about the one-eighth and seven-eighths position of the drive cycle following a generally sinusodial form.

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: A gob distributor for directing glass gobs to glassware-forming sections. Most particularly, this relates to the automatic positioning of scoops receiving the glass gobs from the glassmaking apparatus and directing them into troughs of glassware-forming sections which are arranged in a bank. The gob distributor features an arrangement wherein the distributor may be converted to vary the number of scoops in a scoop group from one to three or more. Principal features of the gob distributor are the utilization of a servomotor which is a reversible DC motor for positioning a rack which controls the angle of the scoops, and a releasable ball screw drive.

Abstract: An improved electronic control system for glassware forming apparatus having a hierarchy of machine level supervisory controllers (including a machine controller and an operator communications controller), section controllers, and individual mechanism controllers. The mechanism controllers may be dedicated to the control of a variety of functions admitting of automated control, such as servo-control of electrical motors, sequencing of solenoid valves, generating alarm signals, etc. The mechanism controllers include separate control programs designed for their associated forming mechanisms, and are subject to on-off timing control in real time from the section level controllers. In general, the machine controller and operator I/O controller handle set-up, operator modifications during operation, and other "non-real-time" interactions with the mechanism controllers; the machine controller also coordinates the operation of a plurality of mechanism controllers in accordance with machine-level parameters.

Abstract: A glass-forming machine controller permits substantially instantaneous updating of the operating times of the machine components without the complex circuitry required of prior controllers. In the controller, a dual port random access memory (RAM) is provided for storing the on/off statuses of the machine components at each of the increments of time into which each cycle of operation of the machine may be divided. The controller accommodates simultaneous access to the RAM for changing the timing of the machine components and operating the machine components. The memory locations of the RAM may be grouped to provide multiple addressable locations for each increment of time. An address group generator develops sequential address group signals to access each of the multiple addressable memory locations in each increment of time and to obtain the on/off statuses of all of the machine components in each increment of time.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism for use in forming a gob of molten glass into a parison comprises a cylinder (30), a piston (32) movable in the cylinder upon the introduction of hydraulic fluid, a piston rod (34), means (40) for mounting a plunger on the piston rod, a servo-mechanism (58) to control the flow of fluid, a position or velocity feedback device (60), and control means (70) responsive to the feedback device operable to control the servo-mechanism so that the plunger moves with a predetermined position against time curve.

Abstract: The gob distributor is for a glassware manufacturing machine of the individual section type. A gob-delivering scoop (30) is turned about a vertical axis to align it with gob-delivering guides (51 to 58) so that gobs of molten glass can be delivered to the sections of the machine in a predetermined sequence. The scoop (30) is turned by a fluid pressure-operated motor (80,82). The motor is controlled by a servo-system (100) which operates a valve (90) which controls the supply of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure-operated motor.

Abstract: A control system for the control of a multisection glassware forming machine in a manner which enables totally independent operation of any section regardless of the status of remaining sections. The control program for each section is stored in unalterable, read-only memory within a local computer associated respectively with each section. Each local computer is provided with at least two communication ports. A local terminal may be selectively connected to any local computer via one of the communication ports to enter and display timing setting data. A machine terminal or machine supervisory computer may be selectively connected to any local computer through the other one of the ports. A bidirectional communications interface enables data transfer between the selected local computers and selected data input/output devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring data from automated ware identification and reject devices in a glassware production line, and for producing operator-formatted reports on ware production and losses. Production data is obtained from a swab ware reject system, which is synchronized with machine section operation, and from a down and stuck ware inspection assembly. These reject assemblies both rely upon a light source-sensor to monitor the procession of containers on a hot end conveyor. A single production monitor can compile data from a plurality of production shops, and produce hardcopy production reports automatically or on command. The production monitor logs data in a plurality of counting memory registers, which are addressed by production category, real time interval, and source mold cavity. The user specifies report formats and data compilation parameters over an input/output device such as a CRT terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the movement of glass sheets through a furnace includes a stop for holding the sheets at the entrance to the furnace. An actuator is responsive to a synchronizing signal for moving the stop and releasing the sheet into the furnace. A reference point sensor detects a reference point associated with a rotating conveyor roller adjacent the entrance to the furnace when the reference point is in a predetermined spatial relationship to the glass sheet which is being held at the entrance. Thus, each glass sheet enters the furnace and engages the conveyor rollers in the same position such that any roller corrugation pattern is reproduced in the same position on each glass sheet. When two such glass sheets are laminated together to form a windshield, the roller corrugation patterns can be matched to reduce the optical distortion produced by the corrugation.

Abstract: An improved system of speed control for glass article forming machines includes an operator's control panel which is provided with controls to feed to the system the geometry parameters of the glass article to be manufactured as well as the timing of the manufacturing cycle; a data processor capable of calculating the speed of each mechanism of the machine in response to the data received by said operator's control panel; an EPROM-erasable programmable read-only memory which is used to contain tables including sequence profiles for the opening of actuating valves and speed mechanism profiles; a table selector circuit which is coupled to said programmable memory and the said data processor to select sequence tables from said programmable memory and which is able to solve the speed equations by using the speed information that it receives from the said data processor, and which is also able to provide the starting times of the various mechanisms; a random access memory coupled to said table selector circuit and

Abstract: The present invention refers to an intelligent controller for predicting and automatically compensating for variations in cycle time, in machines for forming articles of glass or other materials, by predicting estimated cycle periods of the machine based on present and past measurements, so as to effect compensations without mechanical failures and/or without having to repeat cycles, even in cases when the information signals from the machine are lost; and which comprises: at least one forming cycle sensor for the whole of the machine; a signal conditioner which conditions the signals detected by the forming cycle sensor of the machine; at least one real-time data processing unit that calculates the initial forming cycle time and the times of operation of the forming mechanisms and compares the present and past cycle times in order to predict the next start-up of the forming cycle of whatever section of the machine, and/or determine the cycle in cases where the detected signals are lost, and supplies said pre

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for driving a member through an arcuate path, such member being a pusher cylinder for moving glassware articles. The pusher member comprises a linearly movable piston for linearly moving a convoluted shaft attached thereto. The convoluted shaft has three surfaces thereon which act as tracks for three roller bearings mounted on a hub which is disposed about the shaft. Linear motion of the shaft is converted into rotary motion in the hub by the action of the bearings running on the convoluted sides of the linearly moving shaft.

Abstract: A displacement pick-up arrangement for the position detection of a plunger is a component of a pressing station of a section of an I.S. glass-forming machine in which a plunger is inserted into a mold recess of a parison mold holding a glass gob at this time, and includes a ring-shaped core which is carried by a piston rod mounted to said plunger. The core forms an actuating element for changing the inductivity of a coil which is arranged in a ring-shaped frame between a cylinder and a guiding cylinder for the plunger.

Abstract: In the closing action of the mould, pulses are produced which represent the movement of a mould portion in the closing action. The number of pulses produced between a fixed position and the mould closed position is counted and compared with the greatest number of pulses previously counted for the corresponding movement. If the two numbers differ by a predetermined number, a stop signal is produced which presents further closing actions of the mould.

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: An apparatus for controlling a gob distributor of an IS or RIS machine for manufacturing hollow glass articles. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic drive, which is connectible to a position control device associated with the gob distributor, so as to move the distributor in oscillating or swinging motions. The hydraulic drive is controlled by a valve which, in turn, is actuated by a computer unit. The electronic arrangement of the apparatus includes an adapter, a digital-analog converter operatively connectible between the valve and the adapter, a parallel interface and connectible to the latter, a computer, a memory, and a synchronizer. The apparatus affords swift, precise, and controlled deposition of a glass gob which leads to the production of a parison in glass article manufacture.

Abstract: The positions of movable side portions (12,14) of a mould are monitored to determine whether the side portions reach their mould-closed condition. Ultrasonic radiation is transmitted from a first source (22) so that it is reflected by a first of the mould portions (12) to a first detector. Ultrasonic radiation is also transmitted from a second source (24) so that it is transmitted from the second mould portion (14) to a second detector. A signal is produced which is indicative of the time taken by the radiation to travel from the first source to the first detector plus the time taken by the radiation to travel from the second source to the second detector and the signal is compared with a standard representing the expected time for the radiation travel when the side portions are in their closed condition.

Abstract: Gobs of molten glass are sensed as they pass along a path (12) which leads to a mold arrangement (10) of a glassware forming machine. Ultrasonic radiation is transmitted towards a point on the path so that the radiation is reflected by the gob to a detector (30). One or more parameters of the radiation detected are compared with an equal number of expected parameters for the radiation and a signal indicating the presence of a gob is produced if the or each parameter is consistent with its equivalent expected parameter.

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 gob distributor for directing glass gobs to glassware-forming sections. Most particularly, this relates to the automatic positioning of scoops receiving the glass gobs from the glassmaking apparatus and directing them into troughs of glassware-forming sections which are arranged in a bank. The gob distributor features an arrangement wherein the distributor may be converted to vary the number of scoops in a scoop group from one to three or more. A principal feature of the gob distributor is the utilization of a servomotor which is a reversible DC motor for positioning a rack which controls the angle of the scoops.

Abstract: A process for the improvement in the distribution of fibers in a fiber felt formed by retention of fibers entrained in a gaseous current is disclosed, along with apparatus suitable for practicing that process. The gaseous current is caused to pass through an oscillating guide duct, the frequency, amplitude and median direction of the oscillation, or at least one of those aspects, may be automatically regulated and altered in response to sensed variations in the distribution of the fiber. The distribution variations are measured by determining relative absorption of radiation across different portions of the width of the felt in comparison with the mean value of that distribution.

Abstract: The method is for monitoring the movement of a member which is moved along a path which has a vertical component and an arcuate component about a vertical axis. The movement is brought about by a piston movable in a cylinder and having a piston rod projecting therefrom on which the member is mounted. A cam which engages a cam track is mounted on the piston rod or a further piston rod of the piston and acts to cause the arcuate movement. The method comprises mounting a proximity detector on the cam track to sense the piston rod, connecting the proximity detector to a contactless connector so that signals are passed from the mechanism to a transmitter of the connector mounted on the machine frame, and comparing signals received by the transmitter with signals indicating the stage reached in the cycle of operation.

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: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for pneumatically driving a member through a predetermined path, such member being, in one embodiment, a pusher cylinder for moving one or more glassware articles through a predetermined arcuate path. The velocity of the actuator is controlled according to a predetermined velocity profile and is effected by an electromechanical control means which controls the linear velocity of the piston of a pneumatic cylinder in one direction of motion.

Abstract: A servo control system and method for controlling repetitious or oscillatory motion of a member in a glass manufacturing process between predetermined points. A desired trajectory between such points is first established as a function of time, and this trajectory is then loaded into a digital electronic memory as a plurality of discrete trajectory position signals arranged in an incremental series as a function of time. Control logic, which includes a real time oscillator, periodically accesses the memory so as to sequentially select and read therefrom the incremental trajectory position signals. These incremental signals are fed as a desired position control signal to a servo amplifier, which receives a second input from a position transducer coupled to the movable member and provides an amplifier output to a servo motor and then to the member.

Abstract: A glass forming system having a plurality of machines, each of which includes a plurality of individual sections having movable components which operate in timed relationship with respect to one another. An electronic control system effects the automatic synchronous operation of the various individual sections of each machine to thereby automatically and continuously form hollow glass articles. The electronic control system includes a mini computer with associated storage units for storing data for controlling the operation of the glass forming machinery. Information is written into and read out of the mini computer by means of a printer and cathode ray tube console.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing molded articles includes a plurality of mold section presses. A mold slide carriage of each press moves a mold among charge receiving, molding, and extraction stations. A charge is guided to the mold while at the receiving station by a trough, from a rotatable scoop. A mold clamp mechanism of drivable arms linked to the mold and wedgeable against cam blocks maintains the mold closed during molding. A mold plunger driven by a press head assembly mates the mold. A molded article is kicked up by a kick-up mechanism. A take-out mechanism rotates jaw members about two axes to grasp molded articles at the extraction station, lifting them to an article removal station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the precise control of components in a glass forming machine. The components are driven through mechanical linkage to digitally responsive motor modules. Data corresponding to the desired motion envelope of the component is then stored in a storage means. The digitally responsive motor modules are under the control of a component controller which is actuated by a conventional electronic controller. The component controller provides inputs to the digitally responsive motor modules in accordance with the stored data to provide precise and repeatable control over the motion envelope of the component.

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: An optical fiber, being drawn from a preform and wound upon a reel, passes between parallel plates of a capacitor connected in a measuring circuit which, from the capacitance variations due to changes in fiber diameter, controls a reel-driving motor to minimize these variations. The capacitor may have a constant charge, as by having one of its plates made of an electret, in which case the capacitance variations are determined from voltage changes. A calculator connected to the measuring circuit translates these variations into numerical values representing the fiber diameter which can be visually displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the aperture size of a valve in a fluid exhaust line from an individual section of glass forming machine is disclosed. The apparatus controls the aperture size of the valve in response to first and second control signals and comprises a driver connected to the valve for decreasing the aperture of the valve from a preset size to a restricted size by a series of discrete steps and then for increasing the aperture of the valve from the restricted size back to the preset size by a series of discrete steps. The driver is responsive to a directional signal and a series of electrical pulses each actuating a corresponding discrete step to decrease the size of the aperture when the directional signal is applied thereto and to increase the size of the aperture when the directional signal is removed therefrom.

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: A device and a process for feeding glass sheets at a predetermined rate to a furnace having a main conveyor moving at a constant speed and extending through the furnace where glass sheets are to be positioned on the main conveyor separated by a predetermined spacing. An auxiliary conveyor moves supply sheets to the entry side of the main conveyor until a supply sheet is temporarily positioned closer to a sheet on the main conveyor than the predetermined spacing at which point the auxiliary conveyor is stopped. A sheet transfer device is provided for then transferring a supply sheet to the main conveyor from the stopped auxiliary conveyor at the speed of the main conveyor when the distance between the last sheet on the main conveyor and the supply sheet is equal to the predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention involves a system for detecting power failures in a glass ware forming machine and for effecting either a programmed stop of the machine which permits removal of all molten glass in the machine prior to a shutdown or a more rapid emergency stop. Also a machine speed monitoring system shuts down the machine when the speed slows below a predetermined limit. A supplemental battery system is provided to maintain power during emergencies to permit a sequenced shut down. The programmed control is organized to shut down the elements of the machine to initialized positions.

Abstract: A programmable, microprocessor-based controller is responsive to a displacement command signal and first and second transport signals corresponding to the distance that glass sheets are conveyed on main and auxiliary conveyors, respectively, to provide a speed control signal to a separate, variable speed drive. The variable speed drive drives the auxiliary conveyor independently of the driven main conveyor. The variable speed drive is controlled by the controller to: (1) reduce the rate of glass sheet conveyance; (2) reposition the leading and trailing glass sheets, if necessary, along the direction of conveyance; and (3) insure that as each glass sheet is transferred between the main conveyor and the auxiliary conveyor, the auxiliary conveyor is driven at the same speed as the main conveyor.

Abstract: A timing control system for the gob delivery system of a glassware forming machine of the rotating table type. Gob timing functions provide means to determine the drop times of each gob within a group of gobs. Adjusting means are provided to adjust the drop times of selected gobs to equalize drop times of all gobs within a group of gobs being delivered.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating a section of a glassware forming machine having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A random access memory (RAM) stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time elapsed.

Abstract: An individual section glassware forming machine comprises generating means (29) for generating an electrical command signal which is used to control transfer means (2) of the machine. The transfer means (2) is used for transferring a parison (P) from a blank station (A) at which the parison is formed in an inverted position and presenting the parison (P) in an upright position at another station (B). The magnitude of the electrical command signal varies in accordance with the desired position against time curve for the movement of the parison (P) and is used to operate an electrical or hydraulic servo-mechanism (32; 42) for controlling the movement of the transfer means (2).

Abstract: The machine has a plurality of individual glassware forming sections each having a plurality of glassware forming mechanisms and means for distributing gobs of molten glass to each of the individual sections in an ordered sequence over one machine cycle consisting of a fixed number of clock pulses by cycling the forming mechanisms in a predetermined sequence of forming steps. Each individual section has an electronic control system responsive to each clock pulse for providing a load signal and forming signals to actuate the forming and a circuit for providing a gob load signal in response to a load signal from any one of the control systems and means responsive to the absence of a gob load signal for deflecting a gob from being distributed to an individual section.

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: An individual section glassware forming machine has three operating stations including an intermediate reheating station (B) and a shaping station (C). Transfer means (5) for carrying parisons from the intermediate station (B) to the shaping station (C) is controlled by means of an electrical command signal the magnitude of which varies in accordance with a desired position against time curve for the movement of a reheated parison. The signal is supplied to an electrical or hydraulic servo-mechanism (32; 42) which is operated by the electrical command signal to control the movement of the transfer means (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of gobs to each section of a multiple section glassware forming machine to assure that no one section can authorize the delivery of a gob of molten glass to any other section. The invention discloses means for monitoring the time of occurrence within a machine cycle of the delivery enable pulse from each section and for determining whether this delivery enable pulse occurs within a predetermined time window. In the event either the leading or trailing edge of this pulse occur outside predetermined time windows, the gob interceptor associated with the machine is activated to reject the gobs intended for that section. The invention also discloses means for monitoring the motion of a gob interceptor to provide assurance to an operator that the interceptor has moved to either a delivery or intercept position in a timely manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the position of a mechanism while moving in a direction transverse thereto is disclosed. The apparatus for sensing the position of the mechanism comprises an electrical load, an oscillator having an input connectable in series with the load to a source of direct current, and an electromagnet electrically connected to the output of the oscillator and having a radiating surface opposingly positioned to face the mechanism so that a magnetic field generated thereby radiates in a direction toward a fixed target position through which the mechanism travels. The apparatus also comprises an electrically conductive target having a surface between a leading edge and a lagging edge. The target is mounted on the mechanism so that the leading edge of the target enters the magnetic field as the mechanism moves the target toward the target position.

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.