Patents by Inventor David Alan Bird

David Alan Bird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6715319
    Abstract: A method of producing flat glass in which foam which appears on the surface of molten glass melted using oxy-fuel burners is dispersed by directing a diffuse, luminescent flame onto the surface of the glass carrying the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Pilkington plc
    Inventors: Thomas Barrow, David Alan Bird
  • Publication number: 20020134112
    Abstract: A method of producing flat glass in which foam which appears on the surface of molten glass melted using oxy-fuel burners is dispersed by directing a diffuse, luminescent flame onto the surface of the glass carrying the foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Barrow, David Alan Bird
  • Patent number: 5851256
    Abstract: A method of operating a regenerative glass furnace for melting glass for the manufacture of shaped glass articles so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and contain permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5849059
    Abstract: A method of operating a cross-fired regenerative glass furnace for melting flat glass so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to the waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a cross-fired regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5837028
    Abstract: A method of operating a cross-fired regenerative glass furnace for melting flat glass so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to the waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a cross-fired regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5833730
    Abstract: A method of operating a regenerative glass furnace for melting glass for the manufacture of shaped glass articles so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and contain permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a regenerative glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5820651
    Abstract: A method of operating a regenerative glass furnace for melting glass for the manufacture of shaped glass articles so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method includes supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and contain permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5810901
    Abstract: A method of operating a cross-fired regenerative glass furnace for melting flat glass so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method includes supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to the waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a cross-fired regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh