Abstract: A furnace for thermal treatment, in particular for carbonization and/or graphitization, of material, in particular fibers, in particular fibers of oxidized polyacrylonitrile PAN. During the thermal treatment, a pyrolysis gas is released from the material. The furnace includes a housing, a process space, which is located in the interior of the housing and is delimited by a process space housing and through which the material can be fed, a heating system for heating a process space atmosphere prevailing in the process space, and an extraction system for suctioning process space atmosphere laden with pyrolysis gas from the process space. The extraction system has at least one suction device having a suction channel, which is delimited by a channel wall and which is connected to the process space by means of a suction opening.

Abstract: A method of fining low-density submerged combustion glass is disclosed. The method involves introducing unfined molten glass produced in a submerged combustion melter into a fining chamber of a downstream fining tank. Additionally, additive particles are also introduced into the fining chamber to release one or more fining agents into the molten glass bath contained in the fining chamber to accelerate the removal of bubbles from the molten glass bath. The fining of the molten glass bath as assisted by the one or more fining agents allows for fined glass to be discharged from the fining tank that has fewer bubbles and a greater density than that of the unfined molten glass introduced into the fining tank. Additive particles that include a physical mixture of a glass reactant material and the fining agent(s) are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing glass, a mixture of solid glass-forming materials may be melted by application of heat from one or more submerged combustion burners to produce a volume of unrefined molten glass comprising, by volume, 20% to 40% gas bubbles. A refining agent may be introduced into the unrefined molten glass to promote gas bubble removal from the molten glass. The unrefined molten glass including the refining agent may be heated at a temperature in the range of 1200° C. to 1500° C. to produce a volume of refined molten glass. The refined molten glass may comprise, by volume, fewer gas bubbles than the unrefined molten glass. A colorant material may be introduced into the refined molten glass to produce a volume of molten glass having a final desired color.

Abstract: A deoxidation system for purifying target material for an EUV light source includes a furnace having a central region and a heater for heating the central region in a uniform manner. A vessel is inserted in the central region of the furnace, and a crucible is disposed within the vessel. A closure device covers an open end of the vessel to form a seal having vacuum and pressure capability. The system also includes a gas input tube, a gas exhaust tube, and a vacuum port. A gas supply network is coupled in flow communication with an end of the gas input tube and a gas supply network is coupled in flow communication with an end of the gas exhaust tube. A vacuum network is coupled in flow communication with one end of the vacuum port. A method and apparatus for purifying target material also are described.

Abstract: A method for reconditioning a glass manufacturing system includes establishing a reducing atmosphere in a glass melting vessel and draining a glass melt composition from the melting vessel while the reducing atmosphere is in the vessel. The pressure of the reducing atmosphere is greater than the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the melting vessel and the reducing atmosphere is established by operating at least one combustion burner in the melting vessel in a fuel-rich condition.

Abstract: A molten glass stirring device is provided that includes a container having an inlet through which molten glass flows in and an outlet through which molten glass flows out and a stirring mechanism having a vertically extending rotational shaft and an impeller provided on the rotational shaft to stir molten glass in the container. The molten glass stirring device further includes at least one of a first variable mechanism capable of adjusting the spacing between the impeller in the molten glass and the inner surface of the container by changing the horizontal position of the rotational shaft and a second variable mechanism capable of adjusting the spacing between the impeller in the molten glass and the surface of the molten glass by changing the vertical position of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A submerged combustion melting system (90) includes a submerged combustion melter (100) having a housing with one or more side walls (104), a floor (106), and a ceiling (108) which at least partially define a melt chamber (110). The melter has one or more main burners (128) positioned along the floor of the housing and an oxygen/gas burner in a preheat burner system (300) removably attached to one of the sidewalls or the ceiling, the oxygen/gas burner arranged such that a flame from the oxygen/gas burner is directed downward into the melt chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems produce a molten mass of foamed glass in a submerged combustion melter (SCM). Routing foamed glass to a fining chamber defined by a flow channel fluidly connected to and downstream of the SCM. The flow channel floor and sidewalls have sufficient glass-contact refractory to accommodate expansion of the foamed glass as fining occurs during transit through the fining chamber. The foamed glass is separated into an upper glass foam phase and a lower molten glass phase as the foamed glass flows toward an end of the flow channel distal from the SCM. The molten glass is then routed through a transition section fluidly connected to the distal end of the flow channel. The transition section inlet end construction has at least one molten glass inlet aperture, such that the inlet aperture(s) are positioned lower than the phase boundary between the upper and lower phases.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating zircon-containing forming structures, e.g., zircon isopipes, with one or more treatment glass compositions in which defect-causing reactions between the zircon of the forming structure and molten glass are suppressed at the delivery temperature of the treatment glass. The treatment compositions can be used during start-up of a forming structure, between runs of the same production glass on a given forming structure, and/or when transitioning between runs of two production glasses on a given forming structure. The treatment compositions can be used with production glasses that are ion-exchangeable.

Abstract: Apparatus including a flow channel defined by a floor, roof, and sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. One or more combustion burners is positioned in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and transfer heat to a molten mass of glass containing bubbles having a bubble atmosphere flowing through the flow channel. The burners contribute to formation of a channel atmosphere above the molten glass. Apparatus includes a device, at least a portion of which is positionable under a level of the molten glass in the flow channel, configured to emit a composition into the molten glass under the level to intimately contact the composition with the molten glass and bubbles therein. The composition diffuses into the bubbles to form modified atmosphere bubbles sufficiently different from the channel atmosphere to increase diffusion of a species in the channel atmosphere into the modified atmosphere bubbles.

Abstract: An ink recirculation system has been developed to enable controlled release of ink collected in an ink receptacle into a printhead. The ink receptacle includes an indentation in a substantially planar surface and is configured to receive ink in the indentation from a printhead. The indentation has a shape that enables the ink receptacle to release ink at varying rates as a pivot angle of the ink receptacle is varied by a positioning system. The shape of the indentation enables the receptacle to dose ink into an ink reservoir in the printhead at known rates to control the amount of ink recycled to the printhead.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, molten glass is formed in a melting furnace and transported through a precious metal delivery system to the forming apparatus. Disclosed herein is a method to mitigate carbon contamination of individual components of the precious metal delivery system prior to and/or during their use. The method involves positioning an oxygen generating material within portions of a precious metal component, and may comprise one or more heat treating steps of the component in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A refractory system includes a first set of components and a colloidal silica binder. The first set of components includes alumina and zirconia. The colloidal silica binder is at 5 wt % to 20 wt % of the dry weight of the first set of components. The refractory composition comprises 10 wt % to 45 wt % alumina, at least 35 wt % zirconia, and at least 20 wt % silica.

Abstract: A refractory composition includes a first set of components and a colloidal silica binder. The first set of components includes alumina and zirconia. The colloidal silica binder is provided at 5 wt % to 20 wt % of the dry weight of the first set of components. The refractory composition includes 45 wt % to 75 wt % alumina, 15 wt % to 30 wt % zirconia, and 10 wt % to 30 wt % silica.

Abstract: Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fusion draw machine for forming a glass web from molten glass includes an enclosure and a first pull roll and a second pull roll rotatably positioned in an interior of an enclosure. The first pull roll and the second pull roll cooperate to draw a glass web in a draw direction. A particulate removal device for removing particulate matter from the interior of the enclosure is fluidly coupled to the enclosure and includes a vacuum nozzle disposed in the interior of the enclosure and fluidly coupled to a vacuum source with a vacuum line. A particulate filter is fluidly coupled to the vacuum nozzle and the vacuum source and traps particulate matter exhausted from the interior of the enclosure through the vacuum nozzle.

Abstract: A crystal growth furnace is disclosed herein and includes a top cover, a body and a bottom portion. The top cover is configured to be moved by a top cover shifting mechanism. The body is configured to be moved vertically by a body shifting mechanism. The bottom portion is configured to be moved from the bottom of the crystal growth furnace by a bottom portion shifting mechanism and used to carry a crucible. When the top cover, the body and the bottom portion are connected together to be the crystal growth furnace, a silicon material disposed within the crucible is grown to be an ingot.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for heat treating glass sheets, and in particular for heat treating very thing glass sheets arranged in closely spaced stacks. The glass sheets are positioned on a moving belt such that their major surfaces are substantially perpendicular to a direction of belt travel through the apparatus to aid in producing a uniform temperature profile within the glass sheets. The apparatus comprises air curtains positioned at the inlet and outlet of the apparatus to minimize the ingress of particulate into the apparatus. A reduced velocity of heated air flow within a lower portion of the apparatus relative to a velocity of the heated air in an upper portion of the apparatus causes particulate to drop out of the lower portion air flow. A rotating brush and vacuums positioned adjacent a lower portion of the belt assist in removing particulate from the moving belt.

Abstract: Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fusion draw machine for forming a glass web from molten glass includes an enclosure and a first pull roll and a second pull roll rotatably positioned in an interior of an enclosure. The first pull roll and the second pull roll cooperate to draw a glass web in a draw direction. A particulate removal device for removing particulate matter from the interior of the enclosure is fluidly coupled to the enclosure and includes a vacuum nozzle disposed in the interior of the enclosure and fluidly coupled to a vacuum source with a vacuum line. A particulate filter is fluidly coupled to the vacuum nozzle and the vacuum source and traps particulate matter exhausted from the interior of the enclosure through the vacuum nozzle.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, molten glass is formed in a melting furnace and transported through a precious metal delivery system to the forming apparatus. Disclosed herein is a method to mitigate carbon contamination of individual components of the precious metal delivery system prior to and/or during their use. The method involves positioning an oxygen generating material within portions of a precious metal component, and may comprise one or more heat treating steps of the component in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow glass product using an I.S. machine and a robot that can move alongside blank molds of the I.S. machine, wherein the robot is capable of replacing one or more blank molds, section after section. The I.S. machine for manufacturing hollow glass products includes a robot that can move alongside the blank molds, and the robot is capable of carrying plural tools having different functions, simultaneously and/or alternately, chosen from an electromagnet, and/or a spray tube for greasing by spraying, and/or an optical pyrometer, an infrared or equivalent viewing port, and/or a rotary abrasive tool, and/or a camera or equivalent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and to devices for a melting furnace, or for the conveying lines of the product to be melted, having an infinite life (furnace campaign). The same is achieved by means of the continuous/periodic, e.g. cyclic, exchange, in the optimum case, of all of the components surrounding the furnace interior/melting space, or surrounding the conveying lines, in that the components can be arranged/placed next to each other in a modular manner and that said components move in a certain direction while new individual parts are added at one of the free ends of the respective assembly and while worn/used individual parts are removed at the other free end of the respective assembly. For this purpose the individual components are held and/or moved by suitable receptacles, wherein the furnace interior/melting chamber remains stationary.

Abstract: Corrosion of the inner surface of the crown of a glassmelting furnace is reduced or avoided by directing at low velocity along that surface a gaseous stream comprising water vapor, or comprising the combustion products of an oxy-fuel burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio of at least 1.0, or the combustion products of a burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio less than 1.0, or by injecting into the furnace interior a gaseous reactant which reacts with alkali species in said space.

Abstract: Corrosion of the inner surface of the crown of a glassmelting furnace is reduced or avoided by directing at low velocity along that surface a gaseous stream comprising water vapor, or comprising the combustion products of an oxy-fuel burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio of at least 1.0, or the combustion products of a burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio less than 1.0, or by injecting into the furnace interior a gaseous reactant which reacts with alkali species in said space.

Abstract: A glass forming apparatus and a glass forming method of high economical merit and high production efficiency are provided. More specifically, the glass forming apparatus has dies, in which at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit, and in the glass forming apparatus and glass forming method, the plane precision is improved in the contact dividing surfaces of the heat exchange unit and the press unit. A glass forming apparatus includes a die having a press surface for pressing a glass material, in which the die has a plurality of dies, and at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit. Preferably, the surface precision of at least one part of each dividing surface in contact with the heat exchange unit and the press unit has a flatness (PV) of 500 ?m or less, and the plane precision of at least one part of the dividing surface has a surface roughness (Ra) of 100 ?m or less.

Abstract: A glassware manufacturing method and machine, whereby the inner surfaces of the molds of the various forming sections of the machine are treated using a common processing member, and the exhaust substances produced by the treatment are aspirated simultaneously with or at a predetermined time during the treatment by a suction device having at least one suction hood associated with the processing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molding die for molding glass, which includes a base member, on which a first buffer layer and a protective film are provided in order. The first buffer layer is made of titanium or any material which is easily attacked by a first attack solution. The first attack solution includes hydrofluoric acid. The protective film is made of platinum-iridium alloy, iridium-rhenium alloy, tantalum-ruthenium alloy, molybdenum-ruthenium alloy, molybdenum-rhenium alloy, or molybdenum-hafnium alloy. The method of repairing the molding die includes using the first attack solution to remove the first buffer layer that causes no damage on the base member, and then operating a sputtering process to build a new first buffer layer and a new protective layer on the base member.

Abstract: A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of contemporaneously forming a particulate glass batch composition and reducing volatile components in an exhaust stream, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing an exhaust stream comprising one or more volatile components into a mixing chamber; (b) adding a particulate glass batch precursor composition comprising at least one reagent material that is reactive with at least one of the one or more volatile components of the exhaust stream into the mixing chamber; (c) reacting at least a portion of the particulate glass batch precursor composition with at least a portion of the one or more volatile components of the exhaust stream in the mixing chamber to form a particulate glass batch composition and reduce the amount of the one or more volatile components in the exhaust stream; (d) separating the particulate glass batch composition from the exhaust stream; and (e) venting the exhaust stream having a reduced amount of volatile components to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A molding die for molding glass and renewal method thereof. The molding die includes a substrate, a nickel-phosphorous alloy layer, with phosphorous content 30 wt % or less, overlying the substrate, an intermediate layer overlying the nickel-phosphorous alloy layer, and a passivation film overlying the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to transform large quantities of waste glass into useful ceramic products by a low-cost manufacturing process. The method improves green strength compared to previous methods, and does not require water or any other liquid solvent. Only one firing step is needed with a low peak firing temperature of about 700° C.to about 1000° C. The method conserves energy and natural resources compared to clay-based traditional ceramic manufacturing. High-quality impervious ceramic products can be produced by the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material, which is a base material of an optical fiber, comprising: a base rod, around and along which said glass base material is formed; a burner that hydrolyzes and accumulates a gas material, which is a base material of said glass base material, around and along said base rod; a first burner-moving-unit that moves said burner in a direction parallel with a longitudinal direction of said base rod; and a second burner-moving-unit that moves said first burner-moving-unit in a same moving direction of said first burner-moving-unit.

Abstract: A method and furnace are described for producing a fused oxide body by decomposing a precursor compound of the oxide in a flame to form molten oxide particles and collecting those particles in a furnace constructed of a refractory material to form a fused oxide body, the improvement in the method comprising treating the refractory material with a strong acid in liquid form to react with, and thereby remove, contaminants from at least the surface of the refractory material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for delivering liquid reactants through a burner assembly to form soot used in the manufacture of glass, and in particular, optical waveguides. Due to the tendency of liquid reactants to react to form solids when exposed to water in the air, an evaporative liquid is first delivered through the burner assembly to the combustion zone. Once steady state liquid flow has been achieved in the system, the evaporative liquid is transitioned to the liquid reactant. The liquid reactant is delivered along the same path to the burner assembly, which discharges the liquid reactant into the combustion zone as an atomized liquid to form soot used in the manufacture of glass. Once the desired quantity of soot has been formed, the liquid reactant is transitioned back to the evaporative liquid while maintaining steady state flow. After the liquid reactant has cleared the system, flow of the evaporative liquid is terminated and the burner assembly flame turned off.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a porous optical fiber preform preventing cracks in the preform and stabilizing quality over the longitudinal direction. The apparatus includes a reaction portion, a feed port for introducing a stream of gas, and a main exhaust port. A rotating mechanism is provided for mounting, rotating, and pulling up a seed rod for forming the porous optical fiber preform. A first burner emits a flame carrying fine particles of glass forming the core portion, and a second burner emits a flame carrying fine particles of glass forming the cladding portion. A portion adjusts the flow of the stream from the feed port to the main exhaust port so that the flames carrying the glass particles are not disturbed by the stream and so that the stream does not directly contact a fine glass particle deposit formed at a bottom end of the seed rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

Abstract: A method of removing graphite from metal molds used in the glass fabrication industry, the method including placing a metal glass-fabricating mold with graphite bonded thereto in a chamber, providing an oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases in the chamber, said oxygen rich mixture containing from about 10 to about 25% stoichiometric excess of oxygen, and igniting the oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases in the chamber to produce a temperature of at least about 6,000° F. and a pressure wave. A high temperature wave front and the pressure wave thereby produced remove graphite from the metal mold by ablation of the graphite.

Abstract: An article of relatively pure silica, and a furnace and method of producing the article. The article is produced by collecting molten silica particles in a refractory furnace in which at least a portion of the refractory has been exposed to a halogen-containing gas to react with contaminating metal ions in the refractory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold including upper and lower molds for obtaining glass optical elements by press molding a glass molding material softened by heat, in which either one of the upper and lower molds is made of a ceramic matrix and the matrix has no surface hole having a diameter of 300 microns or more on the molding surface, and a method for manufacturing glass optical elements using the mold. For example, on the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 22, formed is a &bgr; type silicon carbide having a thickness that a molding surface can be reproduced by grinding and a density of 3.20 g/cm3 or more so as to include at least the molding surface facing a surface of the glass molding material G. The mold according to the invention can be reused even where pullouts occur from repetitive use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for a glass manufacturing facility. The apparatus includes a glass production system providing an exhaust stream entrained with particulate material including germanium—containing particulate. The apparatus further includes an exhaust filtration system including a PTFE fabric material. The exhaust filtration system is connected to the production system to receive the exhaust stream an capture the particulate material. A collection system is connected to the exhaust system to collect the captured particulate material from the exhaust system. The particulate material collected contains at least about 2% by weight germanium. The invention further includes incorporating the aforementioned apparatus into the operation of a glass manufacturing facility.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a porous glass preform for an optical fiber which preform is formed as a deposit of fine glass particles by using a burner, a method to prevent the contamination of any glass particles having failed to be properly deposited so that the generation of voids may be minimized in a transparent glass preform which is produced by heating the porous glass preform. An inert gas is caused to flow through the burner at a rate of at least 25 m/s before fine glass particles are formed by the hydrolysis and/or oxidation of a glass material in a flame produced by the burner supplied with a mixture of a gas of the glass material and a gas for combustion and are deposited on a rotating starting member. It is desirable to elevate the pressure of the inert gas above the atmospheric pressure by a device connected to the burner by a pipeline, and cause it to flow rapidly through the burner.

Abstract: A synthetic silicate pellet is provided having a component(s) of calcium and magnesium, either together or in the alternative. Such pellet is further provided with either an aluminate silicate binder and/or an ion flow catalyst. The synthetic silicate pellet has use as a glass batch component.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a porous glass preform for an optical fiber which preform is formed as a deposit of fine glass particles by using a burner, a method to prevent the contamination of any glass particles having failed to be properly deposited so that the generation of voids may be minimized in a transparent glass preform which is produced by heating the porous glass preform. An inert gas is caused to flow through the burner at a rate of at least 25 m/s before fine glass particles are formed by the hydrolysis and/or oxidation of a glass material in a flame produced by the burner supplied with a mixture of a gas of the glass material and a gas for combustion and are deposited on a rotating starting member. It is desirable to elevate the pressure of the inert gas above the atmospheric pressure by a device connected to the burner by a pipeline, and cause it to flow rapidly through the burner.

Abstract: Provided herewith is a method for preheating a glass mixture to be fed into a glass furnace. The method comprises separately preheating at least some of the materials which comprise the load, and then subsequently remixing the preheated materials and passing the load to the glass furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for cleaning curved sheets of glass. The apparatus indexes glass sheets in a non-continuous manner through at least a pre-washing zone, a washing zone, a rinsing zone, and/or a drying zone. The glass sheets proceed through any or all of these zones in a substantially upright orientation in certain embodiments. In at least one of the wet zones, a robot arm manipulates a plurality of spray nozzles so as to follow the contour of at least one major surface of the glass. The nozzles may be manipulated back and forth across the surface in order to rinse and/or wash the glass. A similar manipulation of air knives along the contour of the glass sheet may be utilized in the drying zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

Abstract: A high LTa, low UV and IR transmittance grey glass employing as its colorant portion iron (Fe2O3/FeO), erbium (Er2O3) and, optionally, titanium (TiO2). Enhanced effects are achieved by forming separate prebatch mixes, one of which includes rouge, metallic Si (optional), SiO and sand, the other including the remainder of ingredients, which after separate formation are then admixed to form the final, overall batch.

Abstract: A method of repairing a diametral surface of a mold of the type used in manufacturing glass containers by an I.S. machine, after a repair procedure that causes or can cause an out-of-roundness condition in the diametral surface. The method, which is applicable to the frusto-conical baffle match surface of a parison mold and to a compound cylindrical and frusto-conical bottom plate engaging surface of a blow mold, involves positioning a mold set with its separable semi-circular molds in end to end contact and contacting the diametral surface to be repaired, while the mold set is stationary, with a rotating reaming tool the tips of the removable blades of which define a surface that is complemental to the surface to be repaired.

Abstract: A process for making mineral wool fibers having high-temperature stability consisting essentially of: (a) preparing a mixture containing basalt and a quantity of uncalcined raw bauxite sufficient to provide the resulting fibers with an alumina content of at least 18 weight percent, preferably of from 19 to 23 weight percent; (b) heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to form a substantially homogeneous melt, e.g., in a cupola furnace using coke in a quantity of from about 11 to 25 percent by weight of the mixture; and (c) forming the melt into fibers. The mixture may optionally contain a flux, e.g., limestone and/or dolomite, such as a flux providing a weight ratio of limestone plus dolomite to basalt of less than about 0.6, e.g., 0.1-0.4. The mixture may also contain slag in a weight ratio of slag:basalt of less than about 1.0, more preferably about 0.6.

Abstract: An invert cylinder mechanism for a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the invert cylinder mechanism having a piston that is moveable along a rectilinear path between inner and outer positions within an annular housing to cause a cylinder rod attached to the piston to extend from said annular housing and to then retract back into said annular housing. A shock absorber is positioned within a recess of the annular housing with its longitudinal central axis spaced from and extending parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the rod. The shock absorber is engaged by the piston as the piston reaches its outer position to absorb inertial loads as the piston decelerates to a stop at its outer position. The recess has an opening out of alignment with the longitudinal central axis of the installed shock absorber, and the shock absorber is removable through the opening along its longitudinal central axis after first pivoting the shock absorber with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the rod.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and recycling protective atmosphere for a float glass facility wherein contaminated protective atmosphere is cooled, preferably while scrubbing out particulates, compressed, and then purified by passage through a bed comprising water selective and hydrogen sulfide selective adsorbents.