Abstract: A fuel processor having a CO removal unit including an apparatus for warming a CO shifter, is provided. A method of using the fuel processor is also provided. The fuel processor includes a reformer that extracts hydrogen gas from a raw fuel by reacting the raw fuel with water. A burner heats up the reformer to a temperature suitable for extracting the hydrogen gas. A CO shifter removes CO produced during the extraction reaction from the hydrogen gas, and a medium path line in which a heat exchange medium disposed therein absorbs heat from the reformer and passes the heat to the CO shifter. A fuel processor having the above structure can greatly reduce the time required to increases the temperature of the CO shifter to an appropriate operating temperature at an early stage of start up, since a rapid heating of the CO shifter is possible using the heat exchange of steam.

Abstract: A process for forming a glass sheet, which is a process for continuously forming a glass sheet, and which comprises a step of introducing a vapor film-forming agent, which is not vapor at least around room temperature and which is vapor at a temperature above the glass transition point of the glass, into a support composed of a structure or a material capable of internally containing liquid, and a step of sliding the support and the glass of which temperature is above the glass transition point against each other via a thin layer of a vaporized vapor film-forming agent.

Abstract: The material is in a fluid state at a predetermined temperature above the ambient temperature. According to the invention: a) at least two different compositions of this material in the fluid state are prepared; b) simultaneously and concentrically both the core of the rod with the aid of one of the compositions and a sheath enveloping this core with the aid of another composition are cast; and c) the casting is then taken to a temperature at which it solidifies to constitute the rod. Advantageously, the section of the casting is made to grow by its passing through a cylindrical mold shaped to define the final section of the rod. Application to the manufacture of a glass rod presenting a cross-sectional refractive index gradient.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for manufacturing glass optical elements by press molding a heated and softened glass material in preheated molds. In the process, the glass material is heated while it is floated by a gas blow and the heated and softened glass material is transferred to the preheated molds and then subjected to press molding. Alternatively, the process comprises: heating a glass material at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of lower than 10.sup.9 poises, preheating molds at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of from 10.sup.9 to 10.sup.12 poises, subjecting the heated and softened glass material to initial press in the preheated molds for 3 to 60 seconds, starting to cool the vicinity of molding surfaces of the molds at a rate of 20.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus which is disclosed comprises a metal mold, a metal plunger and an annular manifold, and includes means for moving the plunger and the manifold between an open position in which the manifold surrounds the plunger and a gob of softened glass can be introduced into the mold and a closed position in which the manifold surrounds the plunger and the latter forms, with the mold and the manifold, a cavity in which a glass part can be formed. The manifold and the plunger have facing walls which are above the mold cavity, have portions which are in close fitting sliding engagement, and, thereabove, portions which diverge away from one another and form an annular space.

Abstract: In a process of making gas laid products by entraining particles at least partially coated with a binder in a gaseous stream, passing the stream through a forming chamber and through a permeable collecting surface where the particles build up to form a product like fiber glass insulation, this invention prevents particles from contacting and building up on the walls of the forming chamber and causing wet spots in the finished product by maintaining a high velocity, high pressure layer of gas close to the exposed surface of the walls of the chamber and moving in the general direction of the gaseous stream. This is accomplished by apparatus including a plurality of plenum boxes forming the walls of the forming chamber with the surface exposed to the gaseous stream having gas directing openings therein. Also, an improved method of applying the binder to the particles is disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing glass optical elements by press molding a heated and softened glass material in preheated molds. In the process, the glass material is heated while it is floated by a gas blow and the heated and softened glass material is transferred to the preheated molds and then subjected to press molding. Alternatively, the process comprises: heating a glass material at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of lower than 10.sup.9 poises, preheating molds at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of from 10.sup.9 to 10.sup.12 poises, subjecting the heated and softened glass material to initial press in the preheated molds for 3 to 60 seconds, starting to cool the vicinity of molding surfaces of the molds at a rate of 20.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for pressing a glass article. The apparatus includes a frame. A mold having first and second mold halves are mounted on the frame. The mold halves define a cavity for receiving a glass gob. The mold halves are movable between open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a device for opening and closing the mold halves. A plunger is movably mounted on the frame adjacent the cavity. The plunger presses the glass gob into the cavity to form the glass article. The apparatus further includes a device for moving the plunger. An alternative embodiment of the invention is directed to a machine for pressing a plurality of glass articles at a high cavity rate. In this embodiment, the machine includes at least two apparatus as described above mounted on a device for moving the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments. The apparatus comprises a feeder (20) for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous filaments, a drawing device (40) adapted to draw the streams into the filaments, and heat removal apparatus (50) located adjacent to the feeder for transferring energy in the form of heat away from a filament forming area adjacent to the feeder. The heat removal apparatus includes first and second manifolds (52a, 54) through which a cooling fluid circulates, a plurality of fins (56) having first and second ends (56a and 56b) and interface material (58). The first ends of the fins are associated with the first manifold and the second ends are positioned adjacent to the second manifold. The first ends may be fixedly connected to the first manifold. The interface material is interposed between the second manifold and the second ends to provide a path for energy in the form of heat to flow from the fins to the second manifold.

Abstract: In forming a piano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: In a process of making gas laid products by entraining particles including fibers at least partially coated with a binder in a gaseous stream, passing the stream through a forming chamber and through a permeable collecting surface where the particles including fibers build up to form a product like fiber glass insulation, this invention prevents particles including fibers from contacting and building up on the walls of the forming chamber and causing wet spots in the finished product by maintaining a high velocity, high pressure layer of gas close to the exposed surface of the walls of the chamber and moving in the general direction of the gaseous stream. This is accomplished by apparatus including a plurality of plenum boxes forming the walls of the forming chamber with the surface exposed to the gaseous stream having gas directing openings therein.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing glass optical elements at high operational efficiency, a mass of molten glass which is dropped down is cut at a first step by a wind blast into a sequence of glass gobs each of which is received by a gas stream spouted from a lower portion. Each glass gob is kept afloat with a gas stream spouted to be adjusted to a temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.5.5 and 10.sup.9 poises. Thereafter, the glass gob is pressed in a third step by the use of a pair of forming dies kept at a temperature which corresponds to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.8 and 10.sup.12 poises and which is lower than the temperature of the glass gob. During the third step, the forming dies are cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity of 10.sup.13.4 poises with the glass gob kept within the forming dies and are thereafter opened to release a shaped article from the forming dies.

Abstract: When blank-molded optical glass bodies are manufactured according to known methods based on blank-molding technology, the product exhibits rings in the glass and folds as well as an impression that precisely coincides with the contact surface of the parison inside the pressing die before the pressing operation. These defects are not permissible in blank-molded lenses, however, because they cause an undesirable optical effect such as changing the glare value in automobile headlights. Such defects are process-dependent and are caused by the fact that the transfer of the parison to the pressing die and the pressing itself are two separate operations that are performed with different tools.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of reducing marking of a heat softened glass sheet which results when portions of the sheet are contacted by glass sheet handling equipment. The portions of the sheet susceptible to marking are sprayed with an inert material having a melting point and decomposition temperature of at least 1200.degree. F. to form a layer that protects the sheet portion against marking from the equipment. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the lower major surface of a glass sheet is sprayed with an aqueous solution of sodium sulfate to form a layer of sodium sulfate along the glass surface which protect against marking of the glass by conveyor rolls.

Abstract: A device for shaping rods, in particular, of a glassy material, by casting said material in a molten state in a mold, characterized by the fact that said mold comprises a) a cylindrical internal wall of a porous material and b) a means to inject a gas in this wall and cause it to come out of the wall on the side facing the glassy material accumulated in the mold, so as to constitute an interstitial flow of a film of gas that separates the glassy material from the inside wall of the mold.

Abstract: In forming a plano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a multi-component glass cylindrical part comprising the operations of providing a vertical cylindrical cavity lined with porous membranes whose inside dimensions are very slightly larger than those of the glass cylindrical part and in which can slide a cylindrical pedestal, providing a seed mass of the glass on the pedestal, heating the seed mass until it melts, injecting a gas continuously into the porous membranes to form and maintain a layer of gas between the porous membranes and the molten seed mass preventing any contact between the molten seed mass and the porous membranes, feeding the molten seed mass from the top of the cavity by continuously dispensing a powder made up of the components of the glass, varying the composition of the powder as the cylindrical part is formed, so that the glass cylindrical part has a composition that varies in the longitudinal direction, and lowering the pedestal as the cylindrical part is formed.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for a glassware forming machine for use in forming parisons comprises a metal plunger with a small chamber at the nose portion of the plunger into which water is supplied when the plunger is in use, the water passing out through a pattern of small holes in the nose portion to provide a vapour barrier between the plunger and the hot glass. The plunger has an internal recess and is cooled by air supplied into the recess.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a cylindrical part from glass, especially but not exclusively fluorinated glass, a vertical cylindrical cavity is lined with a porous material and its inside dimensions are a few tens of microns greater than those of the part. A cylindrical pedestal constituting a support for the part slides in the cavity. An initial seed mass constituted from the glass is provided on the pedestal. The seed mass is heated until it melts and a gas is injected permanently into the porous material in order to maintain between them and the molten seed mass a layer of gas a few tens of microns thick to prevent any contact. The molten seed mass is fed continuously from the top of the cavity with the powder constituents of the glass and the pedestal is lowered as the cylindrical part is formed from the seed mass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting a predetermined contour to an ophthalmic glass lens.The method comprises positioning a forming manifold in the base of a reshaping chamber, the upper surface of the manifold having a surface contour that is the reverse of the bottom contour surface of the reshaped lens, positioning the lens blank in the chamber, heating the lens blank to a temperature at which the blank deforms, and establishing a continuous, lateral flow of gas on the upper surface of the forming manifold whereby the glass is supported while it sags to the desired shape.The apparatus comprises a reshaping chamber, a source of heat to bring a lens blank to its deforming temperature, a forming manifold having an upper surface contour that is the reverse of the desired contour on the lower surface of the reshaped lens blank, and means to supply a continuous, lateral flow of gas on the upper surface of the manifold whereby the glass blank is supported while it deforms to the desired shape.

Abstract: Hollow blanks of glass are pressed between a hollow mold and a plunger (10). The mold comprises an inner wall complementary to the outer side of a blank. The plunger (10) comprises an open-pore plunger head (11) having a surface (24) complementary to the inner side of the blank and an inner cavity (15) which is filled with a liquid. In each working cycle a partial amount of the liquid evaporates by heat transfer from the glass to the plunger head (11) at the surface (24) of the latter, a separation vapor layer forming between the surface of the plunger head and the glass. The liquid pressure in the cavity (15) of the plunger head (11) is adapted to the pressing pressure obtaining in the glass during the pressing in each case until the glass has reached its dimensional stability necessary for withdrawal of the plunger head (11).

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning a wool chamber in the manufacture of mineral wool. In the manufacture of mineral wood, a binder is added to the stream of fibres. The stream is deflected towards the wool chamber and the binder deposits itself in fine droplets on the fibres. The binder-loaded fibres which touch against the walls and roof of the wool chamber adhere to them, because the binder hardens upon contact with the hot surfaces. Gradually a hard deposit of binder and fibres is formed upon the walls. Cleaning of the walls is substantially simplified by making the walls and/or the roof of hollow, double-walled construction, perforating the inner walls, applying a reduced pressure in the cavity between the walls, and holding a detachable lining against the inner walls by suction.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing vitreous beads in which particulate feedstock is delivered to a heated chamber and passed along it so that the feedstock is heated and converted to vitreous beads whereafter the beads are collected, characterised in that the chamber is shaped to provide a flow path for the particles which is of elongate cross-section and is arranged so that the particles pass downwardly through it under gravity, and in that the particles passing through the chamber are heated by radiant heating means which emanates from the chamber walls.

Abstract: A spherulizing furnace for manufacturing vitreous beads, including a chamber; means for heating the chamber; feed means for delivering a particulate feedstock to one end of the chamber; and means for collecting vitreous beads from another end of the chamber, wherein the chamber includes a pair of opposed walls which are spaced apart by a distance less than their breadth and which are angled to the horizontal so that the chamber has an upper end and a lower end, the feed means is arranged to deliver feedstock to the upper end of the chamber so that the feedstock can pass through the chamber under gravity, and the means for heating the chamber is arranged to heat at least one wall of the pair of opposed walls so that feedstock passing between the pair of opposed walls is heated by radiant heat.

Abstract: A system for lubricating glass forming molds and guide members by flame spraying the molten gobs of glass as they fall to the molds with powdered graphite where the graphite spray is directed from two sides of the falling gob or gobs. Any overspray that does not impinge on the gob or adhere to the gob during the flame spraying of the lubricant is collected by positioning an exhaust header in direct alignment with the flame spray direction to draw the combustion products and powdered lubricant overspray into an exhaust system to keep the area around the feeder clean and free of airborne particles.The mounting of the burners and exhaust headers on a support which is movable relative to the gob drop path without actually crossing the path facilitates the implementation of the lubricant system of the invention.

Abstract: A method for forming parisons in the manufacture of hollow articles of glassware. The method comprising forming each parison by introducing a gob of molten glass into a mould cavity (10) having the shape desired for the external surface of the parison, and moving a plunger (14,70) into the mould cavity to cause the molten glass to conform to the shape of the cavity. The method also comprises forming a layer of gas (G.98) between a surface portion of the plunger and the molten glass so that, as the plunger moves into the cavity, the glass is pushed into shape by the layer of gas, and rotating or vibrating the plunger while it is in the mould cavity.

Abstract: A method and plunger arrangement for forming parisons in the manufacture of hollow articles of glassware. The method comprising forming each parison by introducing a gob of molten glass into a mould cavity (10) having the shape desired for the external surface of the parison, and moving a plunger (14,70) into the mould cavity to cause the molten glass to conform to the shape of the cavity. The method also comprises forming a layer of gas (G.98) between a surface portion of the plunger and the molten glass so that, as the plunger moves into the cavity, the glass is pushed into shape by the layer of gas, and rotating or vibrating the plunger while it is in the mould cavity. The plunger arrangement provides means for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a mold lubricating apparatus for glassware making machines, which is so arranged that nozzle holders 5 having nozzles 12 respectively directed toward mold surfaces of the neck rings from lower portions at opposite sides of the neck molds 13 and through-holes 5a, are connected to opposite ends of air feeding block and oil feeding block 7, 7a disposed on a horizontal bracket 3 provided at the upper portion of a plunger mechanism 1, while nozzle holders having nozzles 17 directed toward mold surfaces during opening of blank molds 18, and through-holes 6a are formed on an air feeding and oil feeding block 6A on the horizontal bracket 3.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the lubrication of molds and delivery equipment which are employed in the production of glass articles wherein the viscous glass which is employed in the production of such articles is at least partially coated with a suitable lubricant prior to contact with the delivery equipment and/or prior to entry of the glass into the mold.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for producing a glass article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of lubricating the walls of a mold cavity by igniting a gas therein, introducing a gob into the mold cavity, and pressing the gob to a desired shape. The improvement involves the use, as the gas ignited in the mold cavity, of a mixture of a methyl acetylene/propadiene gas and a hydrocarbon gas having an acetylenic triple bond. The proportion of the hydrocarbon having an acetylenic triple bond is controlled to one at which the flame which results from igniting the gas mixture is capable of penetrating an air lock in a deep mold cavity. Usually, the hydrocarbon gas having an acetylenic triple bond has from two to six carbon atoms and constitutes from 1 percent by volume to 10 percent by volume of the gas mixture.

Abstract: Improvements in a method for producing a pressed glass article are disclosed. The method includes causing a gas to flow from a manifold around the exterior of a plunger used for pressing a gob of softened glass in a mold; the improvements include the use of a gas which is a cold mixture of at least one alkane and at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon, control of the proportion of alkane to unsaturated hydrocarbon so that a substantially invisible lubricious coating is deposited on the plunger, causing the gas to flow at a sufficiently high rate to cause excessive cooling, and controlling the temperature of the plunger by periodically interrupting the gas flow. The method of the invention provides cooling and lubrication of glass pressing apparatus with a single gas mixture, and helps to alleviate such problems as high expense, inadequate cooling and/or lubrication, pollution and excessive carbonaceous residue which can result from conventional methods.

Abstract: The invention provides method and apparatus for supporting hot glass tubing drawn from a source of molten glass, on a cushion of air. A horizontally elongated chamber is disposed beneath the drawpath of the tubing and an elevated air pressure is maintained in the chamber. The top wall of the chamber defines a V notch in vertical cross section within which the tubing is disposed and one or more openings or slots traversing the vertex portion of the top wall provide an upward flow of air from the chamber to support the tubing being drawn. The dimensions of the openings are selected as a function of the range of diameter and weight of the glass tubing to be supported and the air pressure is selected as a function of the same variables. Air flow cooling of the top portions of the tubing may be provided to reduce bow.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing glass foil is disclosed in which a thin glass foil is produced by conveying a glass melt from a rotatable crucible of a smelting furnace through an annular distribution reservoir and a distributing disk having flow-through slots. Jets of glass emerge from the flow-through slots and are combined at a funnel-shaped wall into a hollow, cylindrical glass mass. Due to its weight and to heating by pressurized, gas-heated heating and cooling zones, the cylindrical glass mass flows downward, and is stretched until it reaches a pre-determined wall thickness by auxiliary conveyor belts. The hollow cylinder of glass is then split on one side by a separating device, flattened, conveyed to a bath of liquids, and then drawn-off at full width in the form of a glass foil by a draw-off guide roller. After the glass foil is drawn-off, the auxiliary conveyor belts are moved laterally so that they are no longer in physical contact with the glass cylinder.