Abstract: Apparatuses for interfacing with an electrode provided with a melting furnace including a vessel and an electrode. In some embodiments, a support assembly (50) supports the electrode outside of the vessel, and includes a cart (102) or similar apparatus that permits or facilitates selective vertical movement of the electrode and selective transverse movement of the electrode. In some embodiments, a push assembly (52) interfaces with a rear face of the electrode outside of the vessel, and is operable to apply a pushing force onto the rear face. The push assembly can include one or more tracks (e.g., threaded screw) that supports a body between opposing arms of a fixed frame. The body can translate along the tracks to apply a pushing force onto the electrode.

Abstract: In embodiments, a melter for melting glass may include an inlet wall, an outlet wall opposite the inlet wall, and sidewalls extending from the inlet wall to the outlet wall. The inlet wall, outlet wall, and sidewalls define a glass melting space enclosed by a floor and a top. In embodiments, the inlet wall may comprise a glass contact wall comprising a glass contact surface facing the glass melting space. A superstructure of the inlet wall comprises a jack arch positioned over the glass contact wall and at least a portion of the glass melting space. A plane of an interior face of the jack arch and a plane of the glass contact surface are off-set in a horizontal direction. A vertical distance from the floor to an underside of the jack arch is less than a vertical distance from the floor to an underside of the top.

Abstract: Apparatuses for interfacing with an electrode provided with a melting furnace including a vessel and an electrode. In some embodiments, a support assembly (50) supports the electrode outside of the vessel, and includes a cart (102) or similar apparatus that permits or facilitates selective vertical movement of the electrode and selective transverse movement of the electrode. In some embodiments, a push assembly (52) interfaces with a rear face of the electrode outside of the vessel, and is operable to apply a pushing force onto the rear face. The push assembly can include one or more tracks (e.g., threaded screw) that supports a body between opposing arms of a fixed frame. The body can translate along the tracks to apply a pushing force onto the electrode.

Abstract: In embodiments, a melter for melting glass may include an inlet wall, an outlet wall opposite the inlet wall, and sidewalls extending from the inlet wall to the outlet wall. The inlet wall, outlet wall, and sidewalls define a glass melting space enclosed by a floor and a top. In embodiments, the inlet wall may comprise a glass contact wall comprising a glass contact surface facing the glass melting space. A superstructure of the inlet wall comprises a jack arch positioned over the glass contact wall and at least a portion of the glass melting space. A plane of an interior face of the jack arch and a plane of the glass contact surface are off-set in a horizontal direction. A vertical distance from the floor to an underside of the jack arch is less than a vertical distance from the floor to an underside of the top.

Abstract: Stir chambers for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The stir chambers include a support frame, a sealing article, and a removable cover panel. The stir chambers also include a gland coupled to one of the support frame or the removable cover panel, and into which the sealing article is inserted. The stir chambers further include a seal land coupled to one of the support frame or the removable cover panel. The sealing article includes a plurality of ceramic filaments bundled together to form a core portion and a jacket portion that includes a plurality of ceramic filaments woven together. The removable cover panel is coupled to the support frame such that at least a portion of the seal land is positioned inside the gland to compress the sealing article.

Abstract: A chamber (101, 201), for holding molten glass (113, 202) having a free surface (114, 203), includes a bellows (4, 204), a sealing ring (10, 210), and a cover (30, 50, 230). The bellows is coupled to the chamber, and the sealing ring is coupled to the bellows. The sealing ring may include one or more various devices, associated with operation of the chamber, including: an atmosphere supply tube (14, 214), an electric lead (12), a pressure differential sensor (16, 216), a thermo couple, an oxygen sensor, and/or an auxiliary port (18). The sealing ring further includes an upper opening (21) having an inner diameter (22). The cover is removably coupled to the sealing ring and extends over the sealing-ring-upper-opening inner diameter, wherein the sealing ring is disposed between the cover and the chamber. The cover may include various separately removable sections (30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 50, 52, 54).

Abstract: Stir chambers for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The stir chambers include a support frame, a sealing article, and a removable cover panel. The stir chambers also include a gland coupled to one of the support frame or the removable cover panel, and into which the sealing article is inserted. The stir chambers further include a seal land coupled to one of the support frame or the removable cover panel. The sealing article includes a plurality of ceramic filaments bundled together to form a core portion and a jacket portion that includes a plurality of ceramic filaments woven together. The removable cover panel is coupled to the support frame such that at least a portion of the seal land is positioned inside the gland to compress the sealing article.

Abstract: A chamber (101, 201), for holding molten glass (113, 202) having a free surface (114, 203), includes a bellows (4, 204), a sealing ring (10, 210), and a cover (30, 50, 230). The bellows is coupled to the chamber, and the sealing ring is coupled to the bellows. The sealing ring may include one or more various devices, associated with operation of the chamber, including: an atmosphere supply tube (14, 214), an electric lead (12), a pressure differential sensor (16, 216), a thermo couple, an oxygen sensor, and/or an auxiliary port (18). The sealing ring further includes an upper opening (21) having an inner diameter (22). The cover is removably coupled to the sealing ring and extends over the sealing-ring-upper-opening inner diameter, wherein the sealing ring is disposed between the cover and the chamber. The cover may include various separately removable sections (30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 50, 52, 54).