Abstract: A method includes: receiving a request corresponding to a prospective customer for a new service contract and/or a product, wherein the request comprises purchaser data specific to the prospective purchaser, and new transaction data; determining historic data for a plurality of past transactions based at least in part on the purchaser data and one or more characteristics of the new service contract and/or the product, the historic data including purchaser data, transaction data, and outcome data; determining, based on the respective outcome data, historic profitability data related to the plurality of past transactions; determining a profitability prediction of the request, wherein the profitability prediction is based on the historic profitability data; determining a profit estimate of the request, the profit estimate based on a cost associated with a subsidization of the new service contract and/or the product; and determining an authorization decision based on the profitability prediction.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a request corresponding to a prospective customer for at least one of a new service contract and sale of a product, the request including purchaser data specific to the purchaser, and new transaction data; determining historic data for a plurality of past transactions based at least in part on the purchaser data and one or more characteristics of the at least one of the new service contract and sale of the new product, the historic data for each past transaction including respective purchaser data, respective transaction data, and respective outcome data; determining historic risk data related to the plurality of past transactions; determining a risk prediction of the request based at least in part upon the historic risk data; and determining an authorization decision based at least in part upon the risk prediction, wherein the authorization decision comprises an approval or a denial of the request.

Abstract: The invention relates to image decomposition strategies and computer-based methods for implementing them. In one method of the invention, the ordering of tetrahedral shapes that define or approximate an image is performed in such a way that neighboring tetrahedral shapes can be identified, located and efficiently used. In one aspect, binary location code array is used to represent an image and the method for identify the neighbor shape employs a bit manipulation step in code or psuedo-code for operating a computer. In this aspect, the invention allows one to move between adjacent tetrahedra, and any data corresponding to the tetrahedra, in constant time.

Abstract: The invention relates to image decomposition strategies and computer-based methods for implementing them. In one method of the invention, the ordering of tetrahedral shapes that define or approximate an image is performed in such a way that neighboring tetrahedral shapes can be identified, located and efficiently used. In one aspect, a binary location code array is used to represent an image and the method for identifying the neighbor shape employs a bit manipulation step in code or pseudo-code for operating a computer. In this aspect, the invention allows one to move between adjacent tetrahedra, and any data corresponding to the tetrahedra, in constant time.

Abstract: The invention relates to image decomposition strategies and computer-based methods for implementing them. In one method of the invention, the ordering of tetrahedral shapes that define or approximate an image is performed in such a way that neighboring tetrahedral shapes can be identified, located and efficiently used. In one aspect, a binary location code array is used to represent an image and the method for identifying the neighbor shape employs a bit manipulation step in code or pseudo-code for operating a computer. In this aspect, the invention allows one to move between adjacent tetrahedra, and any data corresponding to the tetrahedra, in constant time.

Abstract: A method and assembly is provided for modifying a regenerative or a recuperative furnace system having air-fuel burners for use with synthetic air. A portion of the exhaust gases from the furnace is recycled and mixed with oxygen gas to form synthetic air. The synthetic air is then used to support combustion in the furnace. A cassette regenerative oxy-fuel cross-fired furnace system is also provided. The cassette regenerative furnace system utilizes synthetic air containing a mixture of recycled exhaust gases and oxygen in combination with cassette regenerators.

Abstract: A cassette regeneration system (10) for an oxy-fuel regeneration assembly (52) having oxy-fuel burners (54) includes a first regeneration assembly (62) having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator (32), a second regeneration assembly (62') having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator and an exhaust reversal valve assembly (82) in flow communication with the first and second regeneration assemblies and configured to selectively direct exhaust gas from the furnace to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies. The system further includes an air supply conduit (98), at least one preheated air conduit (102) and an air reversal valve assembly (80) in flow communication with the air supply conduit and the at least one preheated air conduit and configured to selectively direct air from the air supply air conduit to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies to the at least one preheated air conduit.

Abstract: A batch charger for a molten glass furnace comprising a stationary hopper having an inlet opening at the upper end and an outlet opening at the lower end. A reciprocable charger plate located below the outlet opening of the hopper to supply material from the hopper to the furnace. The charger plate has a bottom wall and upstanding sidewalls at the edges of the bottom wall which are outwardly spaced from the sidewalls of the hopper. An adjustable seal is attached to the rear wall of the hopper with a lower edge located below the lower edge of the rear wall of the hopper and depending flapper members are pivotally attached to the front wall of the hopper at each edge to prevent loose material from passing between the sidewalls of the charger plate and the sidewalls of the hopper when the charger plate is reciprocated.

Abstract: A refractory tile for a suspended wall of a glass furnace includes upper and lower horizontal faces having respective raised and depressed tongue and groove portions. The tile is adapted to be laid in overlapping or bonded courses such that the tongue and groove portions of a tile overlap and matingly engage the tongue and groove portions of two tiles in a subjacent course of tiles. Each tile also includes vertical side edges having mating ridges and grooves. Each of the tiles further includes a neck portion outwardly extending from a cold face edge thereof. The neck portion defines open spaces between adjacent tiles for insertion of insulation batts therein. The horizontal faces of the tiles also have slots formed therein for engagement with one of the hanger members. The slots have one of a transverse T-portion or a recessed portion formed therein and spaced inwardly from the cold face of the tile which are adapted to engage the hangers.

Abstract: A batch charger for feeding raw batch material to a glass making furnace of the type having a reciprocating charger plate positioned under a hopper chute. A pusher bar is supported substantially parallel to the front edge of the charger plate, and rams are connected to the pusher bar to move it from a position under the charger plate such that raw batch that has been delivered over the edge of the charger plate can be pushed further into the furnace.

Abstract: A charger apparatus having a reciprocable charger plate for feeding batch and cullet to a glass melting furnace. The cullet is preferably first preheated in a charger mounted cullet feed hopper utilizing exhaust gas from the furnace as the heat source. The cullet feed hopper deposits a layer of preheated cullet over a layer of batch material on the charger plate prior to delivery to the furnace so as to reduce steam generation and dusting problems. The charger also includes a primary cullet hopper in which cold cullet is preheated with off-gas from the preheater of the cullet feed hopper for subsequent delivery to the cullet feed hopper. The charger may also include an under plate pusher which is tiltable about a vertical axis to provide improved melt control and to direct the charge away from the furnace sidewall so as to improve refractory life. Dusting and carry over of fines in the exhaust gas is minimized due to the use of pre-melt electrodes in the charging zone.

Abstract: A blanket charger for feeding raw batch material into a glass making furnace, particularly an end fired, sidewall fed type furnace. The charger has a main support frame with a raw batch hopper chute thereon and a reciprocable charger plate positioned under the hopper chute for receiving raw batch material therefrom. The charger plate is reciprocally moved by a fluid driven cylinder and piston device motivated by a fluid, preferably a nonflammable, water-glycol solution or by air. The travel distance of the charger plate in the forward and rearward strokes is selectively controlled by a pair of adjustable striker rod assemblies positioned on the charger plate which alternately contact a pair of frame mounted limit switches. Stroke speed of the cylinder may be varied by selective adjustment of appropriate control devices.

Abstract: A suspended back wall for a high temperature furnace including a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically extending columns having upper portions supported between spaced girder members to bear loading while permitting lateral thermal expansive and contractive movement of the upper portions of the columns. Lower end portions of the columns are attached to a main support beam which horizontally traverses the width of the suspended wall. A plurality of interlocking refractory tiles are secured on the vertical columns by cast metal hangers. A plurality of insulation slabs or batts are inserted in specially formed pockets between adjacent refractory tiles and columns at a rear face thereof. An air chamber is formed along the rear of the vertical columns and an air duct is provided along the bottom thereof to supply a regulated forced air flow to the air chamber.

Abstract: A batch charger for feeding raw batch material to a glass furnace includes a jacking assembly for raising and lowering the charger plates for improved angular adjustment thereof. The batch charger includes an adjustable charger plate crank assembly for regulating the working stroke of the charger plates and further includes adjustable batch gate assemblies for controlling the height of the raw batch blanket deposited on the charger plates. A power train is also included which permits operation of the charger by one or both of the drive motors in independent or duplex drive modes.

Abstract: To retard the escape of hot gases and dust from batch material being charged from a mechanical batch feeder into the doghouse at the charging end of a glass melting furnace, there is provided an enclosure comprised of two sections, one of which is supported on the side walls of the furnace over the doghouse area and which is closed at its back above the doghouse by the suspended arch wall of the furnace, the other of said enclosure sections being entirely supported on the batch feeder. It has top and end portions, the edges of which confront the top and edges of the furnace supported section when the feeder is in place to deliver batch material to the doghouse. Packing material forms a seal between said confronting edges. The feeder, however, may be quickly moved away from the furnace in case of need or emergency or for the repair of the furnace or the feeder.