Abstract: A forehearth for molten glass having at least one cooling zone which includes a trough and a roof over the trough. A pair of spaced projections extending downwardly from the roof to define a central channel over the molten glass and side channels over the respective side portions of the molten glass. The roof has an area of reduced thickness in the portion over the central channel. An enclosed upper cooling channel extends longitudinally over the area of reduced thickness and has an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, and heating means are provided for each side portion of the forehearth.

Abstract: Temperature conditioning of molten glass flowing from a melter to a glassware-forming machine is described. In addition to the attempt at conditioning the molten glass in the forehearth in the usual manner, in accordance with this invention, distribution channels leading from the throat of the molten glass supply to the forehearth are provided with conditioning apparatus. Most particularly, the conditioning apparatus is such that the conditioning temperatures at the opposite sides of the distribution channel may be varied. For example, at one side the interior of the distribution channel may be being heated while the opposite side is being cooled. It is also possible to heat one side to a greater degree than the other while heating both sides. Most particular, the burner construction is such that the burners may be utilized either to heat the interior of the distribution channel or to cool the same.

Abstract: A forehearth for a glass furnace includes a roof formed of a plurality of roof blocks designed to provide below the roof blocks a central longitudinal channel and side channels on each side of the central channel. An electric heating element is positioned in a bore in the roof blocks substantially directly above the side channels to permit radiation of heat to the glass surface above the side channels. The temperature of the molten glass utilizing the construction can be effectively uniformly controlled across its cross-section.

Abstract: A forehearth for the conveyance of molten glass has at least one cooling zone which includes a trough and a roof over the trough. A pair of spaced projections extend downwardly from the roof to define in the space below the roof a central channel over the central portion of the stream of molten glass and side channels over respective side portions of the stream of glass. The roof has at least one area of reduced thickness in the portion over the central channel. An enclosed upper cooling channel extends longitudinally of the forehearth over the area of reduced thickness and has an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally from the inlet. Heating means are provided for applying heat to each side portion of the stream of glass.

Abstract: A molybdenum electrode is mounted in a stepped aperture in the sidewall of the forehearth such that the inner end portion of the electrode is immersed in the molten glass where the molybdenum is effectively isolated from oxidizing agents. The outer end portion of the electrode is shielded in a high temperature alloy steel sleeve, which sleeve is spaced from the electrode to provide an annular space therebetween. A ceramic fiberous material is provided between the inner end of the sleeve and the electrode, and a high temperature alloy steel plug is threadably secured to the outer ends of both the sleeve and the electrode to seal the outer end of this annular space, and to serve as an electrical terminal for the electrode. The molten glass solidifies inside the sleeve's inner end to seal the inner end of the sleeve.