Abstract: A connector is provided to attach a supported member to a supporting member, with the supported member being in sloped and skewed relation to the supporting member. The connector has back members attached to side members. A seat member attaches to the side members through a hinged connection. The seat member interfaces with the bottom face of the supported member and can be disposed at a sloped angle. A pair of seat side members extend from the seat member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing glass ribbon comprises a melting vessel configured to melt a batch of material into a quantity of molten glass. The apparatus includes a cooling conduit with a peripheral wall comprising platinum and defining an interior pathway configured to provide a travel path for the quantity of molten glass traveling from the first conditioning station to the second conditioning station. The peripheral wall includes an outer surface defining a plurality of elongated radial peaks spaced apart by a plurality of elongated radial valleys. The elongated radial peaks and elongated radial valleys are helically wound along an elongated axis of the cooling conduit. In further examples, methods are provided with the step of passing molten glass through the interior pathway of the cooling conduit to pass the molten glass from the first conditioning station to the second conditioning station.

Abstract: A glass making process comprising a step of fining the molten glass in a fining vessel comprising a top wall portion not in direct contact with the molten glass, and a side wall portion in direct contact with the molten glass, wherein the top wall portion has a temperature T(top), the side wall portion has a temperature T(side), and T(top)?T(side)?10° C., and a glass fining system. The invention is particularly useful for glass fining systems comprising a metal fining vessel made of precious metals such as Pt and/or Pt—Rh alloys.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling a temperature of an oblong-shaped molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a conduit for transporting the molten glass from one location to another location, by flowing a current through the vessel. The apparatus comprises a metal flange comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring. The inner ring, for example, may include an outer perimeter that is substantially oblong. In some embodiments the inner ring comprises a notch that aids in making current density more uniform. In some examples the width of the inner ring, excluding the notch, does not substantially vary as a function of angular position relative to the vessel.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling a temperature of an oblong-shaped molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a conduit for transporting the molten glass from one location to another location, by flowing a current through the vessel. The apparatus comprises a metal flange comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring. The inner ring, for example, may include an outer perimeter that is substantially oblong. In some embodiments the inner ring comprises a notch that aids in making current density more uniform. In some examples the width of the inner ring, excluding the notch, does not substantially vary as a function of angular position relative to the vessel.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: A cradle for a high-temperature fluid delivery system, comprising a shell including a base and two side walls defining a trough, wherein the shell comprises fused zirconia. Fused zirconia provides the high temperature creep-resistance, corrosion resistance and thermal insulation to supported delivery system. The cradle extends system life, increases product quality and reduces costs associated with failure of glass delivery system.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: A glass making process comprising a step of fining the molten glass in a fining vessel comprising a top wall portion not in direct contact with the molten glass, and a side wall portion in direct contact with the molten glass, wherein the top wall portion has a temperature T(top), the side wall portion has a temperature T(side), and T(top)?T(side)?10° C., and a glass fining system. The invention is particularly useful for glass fining systems comprising a metal fining vessel made of precious metals such as Pt and/or Pt—Rh alloys.

Abstract: A method of reducing metal loss from the refractory metal of a stirring apparatus for stirring molten glass, and the apparatus therefore are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. The apparatus may have surfaces adapted to reduce a flow of molten glass over the surface, thereby forming a layer of stagnant, or quasi-stagnant glass on the surface of the stirrer. Adaptations may include grooves in a surface of the stirrer impeller blades, or holes through the stirrer impeller blades.