Abstract: An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The controller is programmed fault detection of fan fault, heat/cool (temperature-based) fault, and energy consumption fault. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

Abstract: Forming defects and cracks caused by agglomerated glass components are prevented in a glass forming apparatus, such as a fusion draw glass forming apparatus. The glass forming apparatus has first peripheral walls; a forming member to form the glass into sheet form; second peripheral walls provided beneath the first peripheral walls with an interval therebetween; rollers provided within the second peripheral walls for drawing the glass in sheet form downward; partitioning plates for adjusting the temperature of the space; box shaped trays having open portions; and a tray holding mechanism that enables the trays to enter and exit the interval and that hold the trays such that the open portions of the trays extend along the distal ends of the partitioning plates at a position under the partitioning plates when the trays are within the interval.

Abstract: Forming defects and cracks caused by agglomerated glass components are prevented in a glass forming apparatus, such as a fusion draw glass forming apparatus. The glass forming apparatus has first peripheral walls; a forming member to form the glass into sheet form; second peripheral walls provided beneath the first peripheral walls with an interval therebetween; rollers provided within the second peripheral walls for drawing the glass in sheet form downward; partitioning plates for adjusting the temperature of the space; box shaped trays having open portions; and a tray holding mechanism that enables the trays to enter and exit the interval and that hold the trays such that the open portions of the trays extend along the distal ends of the partitioning plates at a position under the partitioning plates when the trays are within the interval.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing volatilized chemical compounds from within enclosed or partially enclosed spaces containing molten glass. One or more condensing devices are positioned within the enclosure to produce preferential condensation of the vapor on condensing elements of the condensing devices, thereby facilitating easy removal of the condensates from the enclosure. The condensing elements may have a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the design of the enclosure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: The method of making thin glass panes includes conveying a glass melt through a vertical inlet to a drawing tank with a slit nozzle; drawing a glass ribbon downward from the slit nozzle; setting a total throughput by setting length and cross section of the inlet and by heating and cooling the inlet to control glass melt viscosity so that pressure in the inlet decreases; and setting a throughput per unit of length in a lateral direction along the glass ribbon via nozzle system geometry and by heating and cooling of the drawing tank and slit nozzle to control melt viscosity, so that glass does not wet an underside of the slit nozzle near a breaking edge. The setting of the total throughput and the throughput per unit length are largely decoupled to simplify process control. An inventive apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Waveguide(s) (130) including at least partially buried channels) (120) within substrate(s) (100) having at least one substantially planar surface (110) are disclosed. According to some embodiments at least part of the channel (120) is located beneath at least a portion of the substrate (100). According to some embodiments the waveguide channel (120) includes a substantially transparent core (140) and optional cladding (160) extending through the channel (120). Alternately, an inner surface of the channel (120) is highly reflective. Furthermore, structures for use as waveguides (130) and/or as microchannels for fluid flow are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are production methods for such waveguides and said structures (130) and said structures, and methods of using such waveguides (130).

Abstract: The method of making thin glass panes includes conveying a glass melt through a vertical inlet to a drawing tank with a slit nozzle; drawing a glass ribbon downward from the slit nozzle; setting a total throughput by setting length and cross section of the inlet and by heating and cooling the inlet to control glass melt viscosity so that pressure in the inlet decreases; and setting a throughput per unit of length in a lateral direction along the glass ribbon via nozzle system geometry and by heating and cooling of the drawing tank and slit nozzle to control melt viscosity, so that glass does not wet an underside of the slit nozzle near a breaking edge. The setting of the total throughput and the throughput per unit length are largely decoupled to simplify process control. An inventive apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a bent glass sheet. A heated glass sheet (4, 24, 24*) conveyed from a heating furnace (1, 21) is bent by pressing with at least one belt (5, 9, 25) made of a heat-resistant material against a bending member (6, 10, 26, 28). The bent glass sheet is further conveyed and cooled for quenching or annealing in a cooling apparatus (3, 23). The bent glass is cooled after separating the belt. According to this invention, the bent glass sheets having surfaces on which defects, such as marks of rolls, are suppressed can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: An apparatus for making films, sheets or plates of a transparent plastics material of high optical quality comprises means for depositing a solution, molten mass or reaction mixture which yields the solid plastics on drying or hardening on a moving glass ribbon having a smooth upper surface. The ribbon may be made by the float glass process. The plurality of plastics layer may be deposited one on another.

Abstract: A positive containment threshold for use in an apparatus for manufacturing flat glass includes a metal base with a combination of vertically disposed members for connection to a bottom casing of a glass forming chamber. Disposed adjacent a vertical member which serves as an end wall casing member in the combination is at least one refractory threshold block which provides a smooth glass contact surface over which molten glass may be delivered onto a pool of molten metal contained within the bottom portion of an enclosed forming chamber. This threshold in combination with the casing surrounding the bottom portion of an enclosed forming chamber provides an impervious barrier to prevent the inadvertent loss of molten metal from the container in the event of refractory failure.

Abstract: Molten glass is poured on to a bath of molten metal to form a pool of molten glass on the bath, which pool is held back on the bath surface by a solid member, preferably wetted by the glass, extending across the downstream end of the pool. A ribbon of glass is drawn from a forward flow of molten glass beneath the solid member and the ribbon is rapidly cooled to stabilize its dimensions as it is drawn away from the solid member.The method is suitable for the production of flat glass of thickness in the range 0.5 mm to 10 mm; also the production of glass foil of thickness in the range 0.005 mm to 0.5 mm.