Abstract: A method of producing flat glass is provided. Molten glass is introduced into a chamber in which a molten tin float bath is housed. The molten glass floats on top of the molten tin as it cools. A plurality of recuperative gas burners are positioned above the molten tin float bath. The recuperative gas burners are totally enclosed and the gas inlets, air inlets and exhaust gas outlets of the burners are all positioned outside the chamber containing the molten tin float bath so that the molten tin and glass within the chamber is protected from contamination by gas and air entering the gas inlets and from exhaust gases exiting through the exhaust gas outlets.

Abstract: A tin float bath with an entirely new heat-insulating bath roof comprising two parts, first, an elongated steel chamber of an inverted U-shape fabrication with sinusoidal-layered ceramic fiber blankets and ceramic fiber boards and, second, side-mounted or top-mounted parallel automatic recuperative natural gas burners. The controlled cooling of the flat glass is accomplished with no problems of contaminating the bath atmosphere, the flat glass or the molten tin.

Abstract: In the tin float bath process of flat glass production, proposed automatic recuperative natural gas burners will replace the existing electrical heating elements. The use of natural gas instead of electricity creates a more energy-efficient bath operation, amounting to an approximately seventy percent savings. Control of the burner zones is comparable to that utilized with the replaced electrically heated zones. Combustion air and natural gas are ignited and burned within a heat-radiating chamber. The residue from burnt gases is exhausted externally to the bath and has no contact whatever with the atmosphere inside the bath. Advantages comprise a less complicated installation with minimal maintenance and with little or no replacement parts, all of which contribute to longevity not attained by prior art. Additionally, shutdown of the process is not necessary to remove and replace a possible defective burner, as is required with defective electrical heaters. Only periodic visual inspection is required.

Abstract: A runner is provided which consists of a radial turbine ceramic rotor with an integrated ceramic shaft and a non-ceramic compressor impeller which are connected by a releasable, thermally and mechanically loadable mechanical coupling in such a way that the releasable mechanical coupling is located with the compressor impeller. This coupling consists of a cylindrical slotted sleeve which, on the one hand, is fitted into a cylindrical fitting bore in the compressor impeller and, on the other hand, accepts the end of the ceramic shaft in a fitting bore. In addition, the coupling has a tie rod with a screw thread and a pair of conical clamping elements between the cylindrical sleeve and the compressor impeller.