Abstract: The present invention refers to an intelligent controller for predicting and automatically compensating for variations in cycle time, in machines for forming articles of glass or other materials, by predicting estimated cycle periods of the machine based on present and past measurements, so as to effect compensations without mechanical failures and/or without having to repeat cycles, even in cases when the information signals from the machine are lost; and which comprises: at least one forming cycle sensor for the whole of the machine; a signal conditioner which conditions the signals detected by the forming cycle sensor of the machine; at least one real-time data processing unit that calculates the initial forming cycle time and the times of operation of the forming mechanisms and compares the present and past cycle times in order to predict the next start-up of the forming cycle of whatever section of the machine, and/or determine the cycle in cases where the detected signals are lost, and supplies said pre

Abstract: A computer based system for controlling the operation of a ware reject mechanism for an independent section glassware forming machine.

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for driving a member through an arcuate path, such member being a pusher cylinder for moving glassware articles. The pusher member comprises a linearly movable piston for linearly moving a convoluted shaft attached thereto. The convoluted shaft has three surfaces thereon which act as tracks for three roller bearings mounted on a hub which is disposed about the shaft. Linear motion of the shaft is converted into rotary motion in the hub by the action of the bearings running on the convoluted sides of the linearly moving shaft.

Abstract: A displacement pick-up arrangement for the position detection of a plunger is a component of a pressing station of a section of an I.S. glass-forming machine in which a plunger is inserted into a mold recess of a parison mold holding a glass gob at this time, and includes a ring-shaped core which is carried by a piston rod mounted to said plunger. The core forms an actuating element for changing the inductivity of a coil which is arranged in a ring-shaped frame between a cylinder and a guiding cylinder for the plunger.

Abstract: In the closing action of the mould, pulses are produced which represent the movement of a mould portion in the closing action. The number of pulses produced between a fixed position and the mould closed position is counted and compared with the greatest number of pulses previously counted for the corresponding movement. If the two numbers differ by a predetermined number, a stop signal is produced which presents further closing actions of the mould.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting discontinuities in electric conductor heating lines in automobile heated back lights is disclosed. The apparatus includes a "Hall effect" probe, a microprocessor, a display, a stepping motor drive, an optical scanner and associated circuitry. The method includes the steps of energizing the heating grid and moving a Hall effect probe in the vicinity of each conductor line. Any heater line having discontinuity will lack a detectable magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a gob distributor of an IS or RIS machine for manufacturing hollow glass articles. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic drive, which is connectible to a position control device associated with the gob distributor, so as to move the distributor in oscillating or swinging motions. The hydraulic drive is controlled by a valve which, in turn, is actuated by a computer unit. The electronic arrangement of the apparatus includes an adapter, a digital-analog converter operatively connectible between the valve and the adapter, a parallel interface and connectible to the latter, a computer, a memory, and a synchronizer. The apparatus affords swift, precise, and controlled deposition of a glass gob which leads to the production of a parison in glass article manufacture.

Abstract: The method is for monitoring the movement of a member which is moved along a path which has a vertical component and an arcuate component about a vertical axis. The movement is brought about by a piston movable in a cylinder and having a piston rod projecting therefrom on which the member is mounted. A cam which engages a cam track is mounted on the piston rod or a further piston rod of the piston and acts to cause the arcuate movement. The method comprises mounting a proximity detector on the cam track to sense the piston rod, connecting the proximity detector to a contactless connector so that signals are passed from the mechanism to a transmitter of the connector mounted on the machine frame, and comparing signals received by the transmitter with signals indicating the stage reached in the cycle of operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the passage of a gob of molten glass through a gob deflector or gob guide wherein a quick-disconnect nipple is fixed in a radial opening adjacent the lower end of the gob deflector. A hollow, quick-disconnect housing which is adapted to fit over the nipple is formed with a longitudinal passage therethrough, a washer-shaped holder lying in a plane, normal to the axis of said passage and intermediate the ends thereof serves to support a phototransistor with its leads extending into an end of the passage. A radial hole in the side of said housing has an elongated armored, stainless steel cable fixed thereto and an elongated high temperature insulating sleeve covering a pair of Teflong insulated wires extends within the cable with one of the wires connected to the emitter lead on said transistor and the other wire to the collector lead on the transistor.

Abstract: A variable index molding press having a mold table rotatably placed on a base including a plurality of mold positions on the table for locating various numbers of molds thereon with molding means on the base for cooperating successively with one or all of the molds on the said table at a molding station, table drive means for rotating the table, electronic index control means connected to the drive table means and the molding means including a digital computer programmed for number, type and spacing of the molds, molding times for controlling and synchronizing the molding and the table rotation and a time signal source adapted to generate time representative signals to the computer.

Abstract: A servo control system and method for controlling repetitious or oscillatory motion of a member in a glass manufacturing process between predetermined points. A desired trajectory between such points is first established as a function of time, and this trajectory is then loaded into a digital electronic memory as a plurality of discrete trajectory position signals arranged in an incremental series as a function of time. Control logic, which includes a real time oscillator, periodically accesses the memory so as to sequentially select and read therefrom the incremental trajectory position signals. These incremental signals are fed as a desired position control signal to a servo amplifier, which receives a second input from a position transducer coupled to the movable member and provides an amplifier output to a servo motor and then to the member.

Abstract: An apparatus for individually controlling the delivery of each gob within a group of gobs intended for simultaneous delivery to the molds of a section of a multiple section glassware forming machine. In a multiple gob multiple section glassware forming machine adapted to receive a plurality of gobs simultaneously at each successively activated section of the machine, a corresponding plurality of interceptors are associated adjacent the paths of the gobs and may be selectively activated to reject selected ones of the gobs in each cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A method and device for testing specimens, such as optical fibers or preforms from which optical fibers are produced, to discover defects in the specimen includes creating a spatial frequency spectrum of the specimen, filtering the spectrum by projecting it onto a spatial frequency filter and evaluating the portion or component of the spectrum passing through the filter.

Abstract: The invention involves a system for detecting power failures in a glass ware forming machine and for effecting either a programmed stop of the machine which permits removal of all molten glass in the machine prior to a shutdown or a more rapid emergency stop. Also a machine speed monitoring system shuts down the machine when the speed slows below a predetermined limit. A supplemental battery system is provided to maintain power during emergencies to permit a sequenced shut down. The programmed control is organized to shut down the elements of the machine to initialized positions.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer control system for a glass factory having a plurality of individual section glassware forming machines. The glass factory control system preferably comprises four microprocessor systems, respectively responsible for overall factory control, overall shop control, individual shop control and individual section control. At the most general level, a microprocessor called the factory supervisory computer performs such functions as scheduling jobs, controlling inventory, forecasting sales, determining fuel availability and cost, performing IS machine simulation and providing maintenance information. At the next level, another microprocessor called the console computer stores and manages all job history files, provides shop status information on demand and collects selected production data. Each shop computer performs such functions as controlling a stacker motor, monitoring temperatures, storing section status information and storing job timing information in nonvolatile storage.

Abstract: A sonic levitation apparatus (A) is disclosed which includes a sonic transducer (14) which generates acoustical energy responsive to the level of an electrical amplifier (16). A duct (B) communicates with an acoustical chamber (18) to deliver an oscillatory motion of air to a plenum section (C) which contains a collimated hole structure (D) having a plurality of parallel orifices (10). The collimated hole structure converts the motion of the air to a pulsed, unidirectional stream providing enough force to levitate a material specimen (S).

Abstract: A method of and a device for high-precision moulding of transparent objects is described. Before the object assumes its final shape, a radiation beam is passed through the moulds of a moulding device and the material contained therein, and the intensity distribution of the radiation spot formed by the beam is compared with a reference, thereby enabling the moulds to be aligned very accurately, so that high-quality products can be manufactured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the level of slag containing iron or iron compounds in the bottom of a glass melting furnace is disclosed. Electrically conductive electrodes or probes are placed in a predetermined position in the furnace. When the iron containing slag touches the electrodes or probes, the resistance between the electrodes or probes decreases or the current flowing between them increases activating a signal or alarm to warn the operator of the level of the slag in the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically or manually controlling the rejection of specific articles of glassware or other objects produced by I. S. Machines or other manufacturing equipment includes a control circuit for monitoring the sequence of operation of a plurality of individual identical manufacturing machines and for electronically controlling a rejector apparatus in relation to the programmed operation of any of particular ones of the individual manufacturing machines or in response to operator manual control.

Abstract: Each section of a multi-section glass forming machine contains a plurality of mechanisms for moving functional members in sequence for forming gobs into glass containers and for sweeping the containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor.A plurality of reversible, electric motors are provided for each section to operate the rotation of the sweepout mechanism and for operating the other mechanisms, namely, the parison mold opening and closing mechanism, the funnel operating mechanism, the baffle operating mechanism, the invert arm operating mechanism, the blow mold operating mechanism, the blowhead operating mechanism and the take-out mechanism. Each motor is coupled directly to the drive shaft of the mechanism and the rotation of each motor is controlled by a programmable controller which permits the adjustment of the timing and velocity during machine operation of each motor independently of the other electric motors.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical fiber preform in a muffle furnace by hydrolyzing a gaseous glass forming material with a flame from an oxyhydrogen burner and depositing the resulting soot in a rod shape and an apparatus therefor are described, wherein a gas is supplied to the muffle furnace other than from said burner, and the volume supply of said gas is held constant by controlling the amount of a control gas supplied into an intermediate portion of an exhaust pipe through which the gases formed in the muffle furnace and the fine glass particles that do not deposit in a rod shape are discharged.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing an optical fiber preform by oxidizing a gaseous glass forming material with a flame from a burner and depositing the resulting soot in a rod form are described, wherein two signal beams, supplied by splitting a light beam, are projected in a direction normal to the direction in which the preform grows and are directed into the space between the burner and the deposition face of the preform, and they are positioned so that one beam partially contacts the deposition face of the preform, while the other beam is directed to pass between the burner and the deposition face, and the distance between the burner and the deposition face is controlled such that the ratio of the intensity of the two beams passing through the space between the burner and the deposition face is held constant.

Abstract: A method of uniformly coating an optical waveguide fiber 10 comprises the steps of suspending an elongated glassy optical fiber preform 11 in an upright orientation from a preform holder that includes a collet 14 to which an x-y translator 15 is coupled, heating the preform, and drawing fiber from the bottom of the heated preform. The drawn fiber is passed through a tubular coating applicator 32 located beneath the preform, and the position of the fiber is sensed as it is being drawn. In response to sensed deviations in fiber position from along a preselected path that extends through the tubular coating applicator along the applicator axis, the preform is repositioned by horizontal movement of the preform holder so as to return the drawn fiber to the preselected path and thereby maintain its travel through the coating applicator substantially along the applicator axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically monitoring the amount of batch material floating on an irradiant pool of melt in a glass melting furnace is disclosed. A video camera is positioned so as to view the surface of the batch and melt mixture through a window formed in a wall of the furnace tank. The video signal is digitized by a computer into a plurality of pixel signals. The pixel signals can be utilized to generate a histogram relating the number of digitized pixel signals to a relative light intensity scale. The generated histogram will be bimodal, with one peak centering around a lower scale value corresponding to the darker batch pixels and the other peak centering around a higher scale value corresponding to the lighter melt pixels. A suitable threshold, such as the minimum point between the two peaks, can be selected to separate the two peaks.

Abstract: Article handling apparatus for use in conjunction with a glassware forming machine is effective to remove finished ware from a dead plate where it has been placed to cool and transfer it to a moving conveyor. An electronic control synchronizes the movements of the apparatus with the cycle of the forming machine and deposits the ware on the moving conveyor with a component of velocity in the direction of the conveyor movement which effects smooth transfer to the conveyor irrespective of variations in conveyor speed.

Abstract: An I. S. glassware forming machine is controlled by a minicomputer in which a stored sequence of events is accessibly stored in memory such that the identity and condition of a plurality of solenoid valves is programmed to occur at predetermined times in each cycle of the machine. The feeder provides a once per feeder cycle input to the minicomputer and a function generator produces trigger pulses each millisecond so that a factor Q can be calculated to relate these trigger pulses to fractional portions of the cycle, and hence to the event timings stored in memory. The sequence of events stored in memory comprise a threaded list of elements, each of which has four parts. The first part comprises the fractional part of the cycle at which the particular event is to occur and the last part the address of the next succeeding element. The second part contains information to be interpreted for display on an operator's console, and to permit orderly access to the information contained in the four word element.

Abstract: A method of and a device are provided for the high-precision manufacture of glass lenses where a roughly metered volume of softened glass is transferred in a product holder from a furnace to a position between two moulds, the moulds being subsequently moved towards one another and the excess glass being pressed from between the moulds. The moulds and the product holder are moved at such a mutual speed that both moulds simultaneously contact the article, and the movement of the moulds is terminated when they reach a given position with respect to one another.

Abstract: A short circuit proof driver and alarm circuit for a solenoid actuator in a glassware forming machine is disclosed. Power to the solenoid is switched from a power source by a VMOS enhancement mode power transistor. Under normal operating conditions, the power transistor will be operated in saturation, whereby very little voltage is dropped between the drain and the source. When a short circuit condition occurs in the solenoid or connecting cable, the power transistor will be pulled out of saturation and the amount of voltage drop will become significant. Circuitry is provided for limiting current flow through the power transistor to a value somewhat above the maximum normal load current. The components of the system are selected to operate properly in the short circuit condition, thereby preventing the accidental activation of a solenoid in the glassware forming machine.

Abstract: A device for an intermittent application of a lubrication or a separation liquid to a component part of a glass-forming machine engageable with molten glass, includes an intermittently driven high-pressure pump and a spraying nozzle connected to the pump by a pressure conduit to apply momentarily a cone of atomized lubrication or separation liquid on the machine part at a pressure of at least 100 bars.

Abstract: A porous glass optical waveguide preform is formed by depositing a coating of glass particulate material on the lateral surface of a core which may be a porous glass body produced by the axial deposition of glass particulate material. The core rotates and moves longitudinally in one direction with respect to a flame hydrolysis burner. In addition, the burner oscillates longitudinally with respect to a portion of the length of the core.

Abstract: A control system for a glassware forming machine determines the machine speed in accordance with the physical characteristics of the molten glass and the type of glassware being formed. The control system is loaded with timing data representing predetermined forming steps and a machine cycle speed and a control program for generating control signals to the machine forming mechanisms for forming the selected type of glassware. As the machine is operated, one or more physical characteristics of the molten glass entering the machine are sensed and utilized by the control system to adjust the machine speed to an optimum value. The control system also can utilize signals representing the operation of the forming mechanisms to adjust the timing within the machine cycle.

Abstract: A control system for individual section glassware forming machines is disclosed which includes a first storage means for storing a control program defining a series of predetermined forming steps and job history and other data from the individual sections. A plurality of individual sections control means, individual to each of the individual sections of the glassware forming machines, generate control signals to the glassware forming means in accordance with the control program. A forming supervisory control means is connected between the first storage means and the individual section control means for loading the control program and job history data into the individual section control means and for reading operating data from the individual section control means.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based control system for monitoring and controlling the processing of pairs of sheets of glass in a glass bending and tempering system. The glass sheets are conveyed by a horizontal roller conveyor which is driven by a drive motor. The roller conveyor conveys pairs of sheets of glass along the longitudinal length of an elongated heating chamber to a bending station where the glass sheets of each pair are simultaneously lifted by a bending apparatus. The glass sheets are controllably moved within the heating chamber while on a plurality of rolls adjacent the bending apparatus independent of glass sheet conveyance on the other rolls of the conveyor. The control system includes a photoelectric sensor pair mounted on the conveyor for sensing the glass sheets as the glass sheets are conveyed by the conveyor. The photoelectric sensor pair provides a glass sense signal to a control computer.

Abstract: A dual-mode takeout mechanism is provided for use in, for example, an individual section glassware forming machine. In the normal mode of operation, the formed ware is transported in a fixed radius vertical arc from a molding station to a cooling station and released for further processing. In the reject mode of operation, defective formed ware is transported in an enlarging vertical arc from the molding station to a disposal station. An arm of the takeout mechanism is capable of extending in telescoping fashion, and is activated in the reject mode so as to begin the extension process as the takeout mechanism begins to transport ware from the molding station. A controller is provided to detect when the reject mode has been commanded. The reject mode can be entered for a desired number of cycles by computer command, sensor command, or operator command (manual entry). If the reject mode has been entered, the controller operates a solenoid controlled valve which extends the arm pneumatically.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic checkweighing of containers during the process of their manufacture, and particularly relates to the checkweighing of hot glass bottles during their transmit from a molding machine to a lehr where they are annealed.

Abstract: A cooling system includes means for maintaining electronic control components of a glassware forming machine at a safe operational temperature. A circuit board heat sink is attached to and substantially covers the component mounting surface of a printed circuit board. The circuit board heat sink includes a thermoconductive pad for each component and a metallic panel. Thermoconductive means engage a portion of the circuit board heat sink to transmit heat energy from the components through the heat sink to a coolant manifold. The thermoconductive means includes at least one card guide for frictionally engaging the circuit board and the circuit board heat sink, and a card rack for supporting the card guide. A coolant manifold has a plurality of passages formed therein for the passage of coolant throughout. The manifold is attached to a housing which encloses and is attached to the card rack and receives the heat energy from the components.

Abstract: A swab reject apparatus identifies and rejects articles that are made in a particular section and mold of a multi-gob, individual section (IS) glassware machine during a particular cycle of operation. The apparatus includes a manually actuated mold switch for each mold of the machine and a pulse generator that generates pulses corresponding to all of the articles made by the machine. Controls responding to the pulse generator and the manually actuated mold switches identify those articles while the articles are moving in series along an output conveyor. Once identified, the article or articles produced during the machine cycles immediately following swabbing are removed from the series on the conveyor.

Abstract: A glass optical waveguide preform is prepared by chemical reaction of vapor ingredients within a bait tube. As the reactants flow through the bait tube, a hot zone traverses the tube to cause the deposition of soot in a section of the tube downstream of the hot zone. An axially disposed heater enhances the thermophoresis effect within the tube, thereby increasing deposition rate and efficiency.

Abstract: Highly accurate centering of an optical fiber within a primary cladding deposited by a coating device is carried out by automatic regulation during the fiber-drawing process in order to optimize the mechanical properties of the fiber. The position of the coating device is controlled in dependence on the position of the fiber with respect to an origin of coordinates (O) determined by optoelectronic means. The frusto-conical lower end of the coating die is maintained at each instant by electronic and electromechanical means at the point (O') located at this level on the straight-line segment (OR) which joins the origin to the first point of contact of the fiber with the pulley used for guiding the fiber towards a storage drum.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring the method comprising the steps of: generating electromagnetic radiation; using a first lens to form the electromagnetic radiation into a beam; directing the beam through a sampling volume for impingement upon the fibers; positioning a second lens in the same horizontal plane as the first lens such that the angle, whose tangent is D/d, is greater than or equal to five degrees, where D is the diameter of the second lens and d is the distance from a plane through the center of the second lens to the center of the sampling volume; collecting electromagnetic radiation backscattered from the fibers by means of the second lens; and generating a signal responsive to the amount of radiation collected as an indication of the average diameter of the fibers.

Abstract: An electrically operated and electronically controlled hollow glass article (glassware) handling apparatus responsive to I.S. machine synchronous operation may have mechanical robot operation consistent with, and identical to, ideal mechanical cam driven glassware conveyor delivery apparatus (GCDA) operation and may be adjustable for varying pushout cylinder time-position characteristics and automatically may correct for loss of synchronization and loss of initial or "home" position reference.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the level of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising: positioning two members in the molten glass in the furnace; supplying a source of alternating current to the members; detecting the impedance of a circuit comprising the two members and the electrical connection therebetween through the molten glass; and generating a signal responsive to the detected impedance as an indication of the level of molten glass in the furnace.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a blanket of batch floating on a body of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising feeding batch to the surface of the blanket of batch, sensing the radiation reflected from a sidewall of the furnace above the blanket of batch and controlling the feed rate of the batch in response to the sensed radiation to maintain the blanket of batch at a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: The diameter of an optical fiber being drawn is monitored and controlled by an optical measuring technique. An electrical input signal is generated from the fringe pattern produced by directing a laser beam onto the fiber. The input signal is connected to appropriate terminals of first, second, third and fourth comparators. The input signal is delayed 180.degree. to provide an input signal to the remaining two terminals of the first and second comparators and is delayed 90.degree. to provide an input signal to the remaining terminals of the third and fourth comparators. The output pulses from the comparators are shaped, summed and counted to provide a control signal for the fiber drawing apparatus.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an apparatus for controlling the diameter of a glass bait tube during the deposition of glassy layers therein. The exhaust end of the bait tube is connected to a vented chamber. A gas source is connected to the chamber by a mass flow controller. A moving hot zone is generated within the bait tube while reactant gases flow therethrough in order to form uniform glassy deposits within the bait tube. An outer diameter monitor measures the bait tube diameter within the hot zone and provides an output signal to a controller which compares the output signal to a set point and provides a control signal to the mass flow controller. By varying the flow of gas into the chamber, the pressure within the bait tube is maintained at the level necessary to provide the desired tube diameter.

Abstract: A process for controlling the composition, viscosity, resistivity or other variables of a molten glass by sensing temperature and resistivity or viscosity and making corrections in accordance with the deviation of the sensed properties and desired properties of the glass, as for example, a desired viscosity and/or composition.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of glass articles by blow moulding comprises a plurality of article-forming assemblies mounted in a circular array on a rotatable carousel. Each assembly has a number of operating means which cooperate to shape a gob of molten glass, first by rough-blanking using a plunger, and then by blow-moulding, into the required article. Control of said operating means is effected by a set of primary control members adjustably positioned in fixed locations around the carousel, and a respective set of carousel-mounted secondary control members associated with each assembly. As the carousel rotates, the secondary control members are moved past and influenced by corresponding ones of the primary control members and, as a result, the operating means of each assembly are appropriately controlled to shape the required article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filming and tempering a pre-cut glass sheet in a continuous process. The glass sheet is heated initially to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis. The heated glass is sprayed with a coating composition which reacts with the glass to form a metal oxide film on its surface. The filmed glass is re-heated to both restore the heat lost by spraying and to bring its temperature to a level sufficient for tempering. The glass sheet is then tempered by subjecting it to rapid cooling. The method can be modified to include a secondary spraying wherein after the glass is first sprayed it is re-heated as in the initial step and then re-sprayed before completing the process. Apparatus for carrying out the above described method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The weighing apparatus is of the conveyor type and is supplied by a forwarding conveyor from which products are transferred, by a transfer conveyor to the weighing conveyor and from there to a discharge conveyor. The apparatus weighs only selected ones of the products arriving on the forwarding conveyor; and, for this purpose, comprises a support conveyor to support the selected articles while in transfer to prevent their coming into contact with the weighing conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a bushing assembly of the type wherein glass fibers are drawn through an orifice plate having a flat undersurface against which bulk gas is directed to effect cooling and fiber attentuation. A selectively adjustable bulk gas nozzle has a plurality of discharge conduits with valves therein which are adjustable and capable of being selectively operated to close the conduits or return the conduits to a preset open condition. Mounting means supports the nozzle and/or a binder applicator for select movement toward and away from the path of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate. A detector senses the presence of fiber being drawn from the orifice plate and, in the event of fiber break-out, initiates a series of steps to warn the operator of the bushing assembly and, in the event the break-out condition is not corrected, shut down the drawing operation.