Abstract: The invention relates to a heating apparatus for a glass-sheet bending station. The apparatus includes an array of elongated heating elements, the heating elements being positioned side by side, so as to form a heating element field covering an area of a glass sheet to be bent. A control mechanism is provided for switching heating elements on and off. The heating elements are separately and independently controllable. The heating elements are positioned in succeeding heating element fields in a longitudinal direction of the heating elements. The control mechanism selectively switches on heating elements so as to form at least one heat exchange area that generally covers the area of the glass sheet being bent and that extends at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the heating elements.

Abstract: A grinding wheel for grinding the edges of glass sheets is mounted on a vertically adjustable drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotated by a motor and is raised and lowered by a pneumatic cylinder. Vertical movement of the drive shaft occurs relative to the motor. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to the drive shaft by a rotary joint, and the vertical limits of movement of the shaft are defined by two vertically adjustable stops. Vertical movement of the drive shaft occurs relative to the motor. By raising and lowering the grinding wheel between the two stops, the apparatus can grind the edges of glass sheets having different thicknesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a storage rack for storing glass sheets in a substantially upright position spaced at a small distance from each other. Intermediate supports (2), together with a lever arm (4), form a bell crank whose angular point is linked to a carrier beam (8) by means of a pivot (9). The free end of each lever (4) carries a roller or a sliding surface (5), positioned at a location between intermediate supports (2). As the glass sheets are placed on the rack in a manner that the lower edge of glass sheet (7) is set upon rollers (5), the dead weight of a glass sheet lifts up the intermediate supports (2) for separating the glass sheets from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for the blast pressure in cooling nozzles of a glass tempering apparatus, said device comprising at least two blowers each with its own vane adjuster, blast ducts between the blowers and an air-distribution chamber, and a bypass duct linking the blast ducts. Between blast duct and air-distribution chamber downstream of by-pass duct there is fitted a throttle valve, which is in a throttle position when one blower is running with its vane adjuster partly or completely open. Thus, merely by adjusting said vane adjusters it is possible to cover a pressure range of 5-7000 Pa which is sufficient for glass thicknesses of 4-19 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support frame for a resistor element in a heating furnace for glass sheets, said flame providing a substantially continuously extending, elongated rest surface for a resistor element. The support frame elements consist of trough-like castings and are fastened to each other in an articulated manner. The short frame elements are easy to cast and can be assembled into long continuous support frames for resistor elements, the thermal stresses of said frames not passing over the link points. A long continuous support frame structure makes it accordingly possible to employ resistor elements that are long and continuous and thus readily replaceable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistor element assembly for a glass sheet heating furnace and to a method of replacing a resistor element. A resistor element is built by placing successively in longitudinal direction ceramic elements, with a resistance wire wound therearound. Between the ceramic elements are fitted ceramic spacer blocks whose diameter exceeds that of the resistance wire coils. The resistor element is carried by a support frame upon the spacer blocks. A problem to be resolved is to provide a long resistor element, wherein the major variations in length between the components of various materials caused by major temperature variations do not produce deformations in resistance wires. This problem has been resolved by fitting between one end of the support frame and the corresponding end of the resistor element a tensioned spring which compresses the resistor element at all operating temperatures against a limit stop at the other end of the support frame.