Abstract: An open bottom electric induction cold crucible with a slotted wall extending below one or more induction coils surrounding the partial exterior height of the crucible is used in an electromagnetic casting process for the production of ingots. A bottom magnetic shield is provided around the outer perimeter of the crucible's slotted wall in the vicinity of the bottom opening and the bottom termination of the wall slots and the bottom connecting member.

Abstract: In the method molten glass emerges from an outlet opening of a melt feed. The molten glass is drawn over a shaping body so as to form a hollow drawing bulb. According to the invention, the drawing bulb is drawn over a profile forming body positioned downstream of the shaping body so that inner circumferential surfaces of the drawing bulb are deformed while abutting against outer surfaces of the profile forming body to form the predetermined inner profile. The distance between the shaping body and the profile forming body can be changed to vary the wall thickness of the glass tube.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of each other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A cooled discharge unit of an apparatuses for processing homogeneous/heterogeneous radioactive wastes with ion-exchange resins. The cooled discharge unit has a discharge pipe, a cooling jacket having a U-shaped form in cross section, a collector for feeding a coolant into the jacket, a discharge gate having a pipe, on one end of which is a cone-shaped tip and on the other end of which is a lid with an aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating concentricity of a rotatable glass flow control tube with respect to its axis of rotation on a tube support frame in a glassware forming system includes a base for securement on the tube support frame and a slide mounted on the base for radial movement toward and away from an outside surface of the glass flow control tube. A roller is positioned on the slide for rolling engagement with the outside surface of the flow control tube as it rotates on the frame, and an indicator is coupled to the slide for indicating radial movement of the slide, indicative of radial movement of the tube outside surface with respect to its axis of rotation, as the tube is rotated on the tube support frame.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of each other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of each other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A unit for forming a molten glass bead has a fixed supporting frame; a guide integral with the frame and having a substantially vertical axis; a slide fitted in axially-sliding manner to the guide; and at least one feed punch parallel to the axis, connected integrally to the slide, and moved cyclically to form the glass bead by a linear electric motor connected directly to the slide.

Abstract: The method for granulating liquid slag melts, in particular blast furnace slag, in which the melt (2) is ejected into a cooling chamber via a slag tundish (1) and in which fluid under pressure, in particular compressed gas, vapor or pressurized water, is injected in the direction of the slag exit (6) in order to eject said liquid slag, is characterized in that the pressure fluid jet discharges into a throttle pipe (3) which is immersed in the slag bath and whose lower edge is mounted so as to be adjustable in the height direction (4). The corresponding device comprises a lance (7) which is surrounded by a height-adjustable throttle pipe (3) whose lower edge (5) is immersed in the slag bath (2) contained in the tundish (1) and forms a throttling cross section between the slag exit (6) and the slag bath (2).

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of the other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of the other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A plurality of gas burners are disposed in the spout above the glass pool. The casing glass delivery spout is configured for improved heat transfer to, and improved heat retention within, the casing glass pool within the spout. Specifically, the glass pool surface area is enlarged, and the glass pool depth is reduced.

Abstract: In an individual section glassware forming system that includes a plurality of operating mechanisms for performing cyclic motions, an electronic controller for controlling cyclic motion at a needle mechanism includes electronic memory for storing a plurality of motion profiles for the needle mechanism, with each of the profiles comprising a set of needle position data versus time data. Any one of the profiles so stored may be selectively displayed as a graph of position versus time. A plurality of control points, consisting of less than all data points, are highlighted on the graphic display at spaced positions along the graph. An operator may identify one of the control points and change the position data and/or time data associated with that control point. An electronic control computer is responsive to such control point change for automatically recomputing the position data and time data for the profile so as to accommodate the operator-selected changes at the control point.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one plunger (2) and a plunger holder (3) which can be raised and lowered. An arm (18) of a tilt lever (17) is coupled to the plunger holder (3). A link member (22) of a drive system (23) cooperates with the other arm (20) of the tilt lever. The link member (22) is adjustable along said other arm (20) in order to change the stroke of the plunger. The drive system (23) comprises an electric servodrive with a take-off shaft (13), the drive being connected to the link member (22) and being controllable by electronic control means. The link member (22) is arranged on a tie rod (26) which at one free end is coupled (28) to a pivot lever (27) which is mounted fixedly in relation to the apparatus. At a central coupling point (30) of the pivot lever (27) is coupled a push rod (32) whose other end is coupled to a crank (14) of the take-off shaft (13).

Abstract: A plunger for a gob feeder arranged at a forehearth of a glass melting tank furnace which includes a plunger head arranged above an opening of the forehearth, having a hollow space formed therein and, a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the plunger head so as to extrude molten glass in the forehearth from the opening when the plunger head is lowered.

Abstract: A multiple glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually adjusted independently of the other. The upper end of each plunger is oval in cross section and the lower end is round. The oval portions of the plungers are each supported in an individual clamping mechanism having a chuck housing, a curved liner plate within the housing, and a cap screw which extends between the housing and liner plate to engage the upper end of the plunges and clamp the plunger in the housing to arrange the plungers in side by side relation to each other with the long axis of each oval portion parallel to the long axis of the adjacent plungers.

Abstract: A spout bowl assembly for a glass forming machine which forms containers from discrete gobs formed from individual streams of molten glass discharged from the spout bowl assembly comprising a spout bowl for receiving molten glass including a horizontal tube seating surface having a discharge hole defined therein, a tube for controlling the flow of received molten glass into the discharge opening. The tube has a cylindrical outer wall and a flat, horizontal bottom surface located vertically above the tube seating surface and vertically locatable between a first position in engagement with the tube seating surface and an elevated position a selected vertical distance above the tube seating surface. The spout bowl additionally includes an annular flow passage extending upwardly from the tube seating surface a selected vertical distance.

Abstract: A needle assembly (30) for controlling the flow of molten glass from a feeder bowl (76) through one or more orifices (84) in an orifice plate (86) beneath the feeder bowl. The needle assembly includes a vertical needle (32) for each orifice and each needle is precisely adjustable along its vertical axis by a stepper motor (34). The stepper motor for each needle is positioned remotely from the needle and drives the needle through a potentiometer (72) and a linkage mechanism (36). Each linkage mechanism includes a generally horizontally extending member (38), a vertically extending member (40), and a bevel gear drive (88) to permit the generally horizontally extending ember to drive the vertically extending member.

Abstract: A basin for a forehearth of a glass-making furnace having an internal volume divided into upper and lower portions by an annular shoulder is described wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upper portion is significantly greater than that of the lower portion. The base of the basin has a glass discharge outlet therein. In use, the discharge outlet is aligned with a relatively movable cylinder which acts as a flow metering valve. The cylinder can be rotated about its axis at a constant or adjustable speed, or the cylinder can be non-rotating and have a separately driven stirrer movable about it to prevent or reduce the formation of stagnant areas.

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a spout bowl assembly including a bowl for receiving molten glass having a central orifice closed by an orifice plate having one or more openings and a corresponding plurality of vertically reciprocating plungers associated with the orifice openings, the tube assembly comprising a tube mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The tube includes a plurality of vent holes arranged horizontally around the tube, and a heat baffle including a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall for closing the cylindrical side wall, an opening in the bottom wall for accommodating one or more reciprocating plungers. The bottom wall includes a downwardly projecting conical surface extending substantially around the bottom wall, and the heat baffle mounted so that the conical surface is horizontally adjacent the tube vent holes.

Abstract: A multiple glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually adjusted independently of the other. The upper end of each plunger is oval in cross section and the lower end is round. The oval portions of the plungers are provided in side by side relation with the long axis of each oval portion parallel to the long axis of the adjacent plungers.

Abstract: A spout bowl assembly having a non-rotating spout tube and a spout bowl defining a spiral volume about the tube for establishing uniform radial velocity of molten glass through the throat between the horizontal bottom surface of the tube and the horizontal portion of the bottom wall of the spout bowl.

Abstract: The individual needles of a glass feeder mechanism which control the volume of the streams of molten glass sheared into discrete gobs are displaceable to adjust the size of the sheared gobs. The controller for the motor, which raises or lowers a stream, receives positional data from the plunger, which forms the gob into a parison, and determines the Parison Formation Point for that parison and raises or lowers the needle to maintain that point at a desired plunger location.

Abstract: A molten glass feeder includes a feeder bowl and a rotating refractory tube. Molten glass is discharged through openings in an orifice plate which are controlled by vertically displaceable needles. To reduce heat loss through the refractory tube, a heat shield is provided which is made up of two mirror imaged parts. Each part has a semicylindrical pan having a lip at the bottom for supporting a semi-circular support plate. Located on this plate is an insulation retainer which has a semi-circular base and a vertical wall at its diameter. This wall forms an insulation receiving bin with the pan.

Abstract: The displacement of the plungers in a multi-gob individual section glass forming machine is monitored so that the location of the plungers, when each mold cavity has completely filled (parison formation point), can be determined. The desired location for the parison formation point for each plunger can be selectively chosen and the occurrence of these parison formation points can be synchronized to achieve fuller control over the parison formation process.

Abstract: A stationary tube holder and revolving rotor assembly which is to be used in conjunction with a glass spout bowl. The assembly includes a stationary tube holder assembly which has elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a tube at one end and a counterweight at the other, a revolving rotor assembly which has an elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a rotor at one end and a counterweight at the other, and a compound X, Y, slide assembly.A vertical spacer is secured between the compound X, Y slide assembly and the elongated tube holder assembly arm for supporting the stationary tube holder assembly. The spacer includes a jack screw for elevating the tube holder assembly relative to the compound X, Y slide assembly.A vertical post is secured at its bottom end to the compound X, Y slide assembly, and at its top slidingly extends through an extended bushing in the stationary tube holder assembly arm.

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: Metering a flow of molten material such as glass is provided at the exit end of a drain by means of a bulbous member in the flow path supported by a lateral arm. The bulbous member and the arm are shaped to provide reconverging flow paths.

Abstract: A heat shield for the refractory tube in a molten glass feeder has an annular metal shell with semi-circular insulating segments stacked therein. The shell is made in half sections to permit easy removal and the segments are provided in sets with relieved areas to accommodate the reciprocating refractory plungers.

Abstract: A multiple gob glass feeder system has a conventional feeder bowl with an outlet spout in which a triple or quadruple orifice plate is provided to deliver a plurality of uniform, molten glass gobs. The feeder has two plungers mounted pivotally in the support base, which are angularly and symmetrically adjusted, by a mechanism of angular adjustment, coupled between said plungers, in order to graduate the position of said plungers, according to three or four discharge orifices in the orifice plate.

Abstract: A swing out support frame is provided on X-Y slide support structure such that one of several different diameter refractory tubes can be supported in a fixed spout bowl for rotation inside the bowl, and also for electrically controlled and non-electrically dependent vertical movement of the tube inside the bowl.

Abstract: A glass feeder plunger operating mechanism driven by an electric motor controlled by a programmable computer programmed to drive the motor in a predetermined manner in order to generate a predetermined motion profile of one or more glass feeder plungers. The plungers are secured to the end of a cantilevered lateral support bracket which is cyclically and vertically reciprocated by cyclical oscillations of the electric motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to a ball screw in threaded engagement with a ball nut which is secured to a member connected to the plunger support bracket. The plunger support bracket is attached to a moveable vertical support shaft which maintains plunger alignment during the range of motion. The operating mechanism is attached to a frame which is adjustable in two dimensions to facilitate alignment of the plungers with their respective orifices. Air cylinders are provided to counter-balance the weight of the members being vertically reciprocated.

Abstract: The feeder tube in a molten glass gob feeder is mounted in a holder which is supported in the feeder structure by a pair of opposed hollow shafts. The shafts are vertically adjustable by the fact that they have their lower ends threaded onto vertical screws. The vertical screws are mounted for rotation about their vertical axes, in unison, to effectively raise or lower the shafts as desired. A scale and pointer arrangement indicates the tube height relative to the feeder bottom. The feeder tube is mounted in the holder such that reciprocation of a plunger in the tube will not raise the tube relative to the feeder.

Abstract: When multiple gob feeders are used in which an enlarged tube is necessary to accommodate a row of plungers, a substantial surface area of glass is exposed to radiation or convection cooling and, to avoid excessive heat loss, a pair of heat baffles are used which extend downward into the tube at either side of the row of plungers. The baffles have lower portions which occupy a significant part of the space between the plungers and tube, and act as barriers against the movement of heat up through the space therebetween. The pair of baffles are so configured that they may be raised from the tube without requiring the removal of the plungers. Further, the baffles are supported in the tube by the tube support and therefore will be raised or lowered with the tube when it is adjusted.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the mass of gobs of thermoplastic material, especially molten glass, which are deformed in a positive manner in the mold of a molding machine by means of a pressing member which penetrates into the gobs. A distance transducer mechanically detects the maximum depth of penetration reached by the pressing member during each molding-machine operating cycle. The distance transducer is connected with a metallic actuating element for a differential transducer, at whose output is produced an electrical signal proportional to the maximum penetration depth reached, this signal being applied to an automatic regulating circuit which adjusts the setting of a dosing structure which controls the mass of the gobs.

Abstract: In glass gob forming apparatus which includes one or more reciprocatable plungers each mounted above a respective orifice in the floor of a refractory trough such that on axial reciprocation of the plungers in use molten glass is forced in the form of gobs through the orifice, the plungers being surrounded by a refractory cylinder, there is provided a refractory heat insulating body within the cylinder around the plungers.

Abstract: A molten glass feeder system and method of controlling the flow of glass through the feeder to deliver a plurality of uniform, molten glass gobs. The feeder has a heavy-walled bowl structure and a heavy-walled bottom transitional member mounted within the lower region of the feeder bowl, the transitional member having substantial height with a circular passageway at its upper region and an elongated slot passageway at its lower region, and an elongated discharge orifice member having a plurality of three or more, and preferably three to six, discharge orifices in lineal alignment with the elongated slot passageway. The feeder permits the simultaneous formation and delivery, when coupled with suitable glass shearing mechanism, of more uniform plural glass gobs having similar weight, temperature and heat characteristics to multiple-cavity gob-fed glass forming machines.

Abstract: A glass article such as a sham bottom tumbler with a decorative air bubble encapsulated in its base is produced on existing automatic glass-forming machines by injecting a bubble of air into a charge of molten glass in the gob-feeder section of a glass furnace as the charge is being formed into a gob. This is accomplished by mounting an air supply pipe in the gob-feeder orifice. Preferably, the outlet end of the pipe extends radially to the center of the orifice. Puffs of compressed air are supplied in synchronism with the feeder plunger cycle so an air bubble is formed in the lower end of the gob, and the gob is then formed by normal procedures into a finished article.

Abstract: A glass article such as a sham bottom tumbler with decorative air bubble encapsulated in its base is produced on existing automatic glass-forming machines by injecting a bubble of air into a charge of molten glass in the gob-forming section of a glass furnace as the charge is being formed into a gob. This is accomplished by providing an air supply tube in the gob-forming plunger. Preferably, the lower tip of the tube extends below the lower tip of the plunger. Puffs of compressed air are supplied in synchronism with the plunger cycle so an air bubble is formed in the lower end of the gob, and the gob is then formed by normal procedures into a finished article.

Abstract: The invention provides a linkage for transmitting axial reciprocating movement from one shaft to a parallel shaft and comprising a bar pivotally mounted at a fixed but adjustable position relative to the shafts, the bar being pivotally mounted at a fixed position on the bar, a pivotal connection fixed on one axial shaft and slidably mounted on the bar to one side of its fixed mounting, and a pivotal connection fixed on the other axial shaft and slidably mounted on the bar to the other side of its fixed mounting. The linkage may especially be used in the drive of the plunger of gob forming apparatus for use in the production of glassware whereby by adjustment of the linkage the plunger stroke and height may be varied.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of preforming into an elongate mold charge a gob of molten glass issuing from the outlet orifice of a forehearth and delivering such elongate charge to the forming cavity of a forming mold with the virgin or untouched surface of the charge facing downwardly in such cavity thereby providing to the mold cavity a mold charge having one or a lower surface of high optical quality. A mothering or serving cup receives said gob from said outlet orifice and is horizontally moved to spread or preform the gob into the elongate mold charge with the upper surface thereof being untouched, and the cup is then inverted to deliver the charge to a mold cavity with said upper surface of the gob facing downwardly.