Abstract: A molten glass supply device is provided, which can solve unavoidable problems for high viscosity characteristics in connection with the conventional molten glass supply device for high viscosity glass. Such problems include improperly high heating cost caused by excessive heat radiation in a melting furnace, reduction in the grade of products deriving from an excess amount of an erosion foreign material and reduction in the product yield. High viscosity molten glass having a property in which a temperature at which the molten glass exhibits a viscosity of 1000 poise is 1350° C. or higher is supplied to a forming device through a melting furnace, a distribution portion in communication with the outlet of the melting furnace, and a plurality of branch paths branching from the distribution portion. In the branch paths, distribution resistance providing portions that provide distribution resistance to molten glass passed through the branch paths are provided.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: A furnace (1) for melting vitrifiable materials, including a compartment (2) for melting and refining the glass equipped, upstream, with at least one means (4) for charging vitrifiable-materials and leading, downstream, into a compartment or a series or compartments (6-7-8) intended to lead the molten glass as far as the forming zone. It is equipped with a first means for controlling the convective flows of the mass of molten glass in the form of a transverse sill (14) delimiting an "upstream" zone (3) and a "downstream" zone (5). Associated with this sill are complementary means for controlling the convective flows in the "upstream" zone including, as a minimum, submerged "upstream" heating means (15) located close to and upstream of the sill, in order to prevent molten glass that has reached said the "downstream" zone from returning into the said "upstream" zone.Another subject of the invention is the application of such a furnace and the method of operating it.

Abstract: A channel (1) for the outflow/conditioning of molten glass includes a duct and superstructure (5) and is designed to transfer the molten glass from a vitrifiable material melting and refining zone (6) to a molten glass forming zone, in order to take it from its melting temperature to its forming temperature. It consists of a multiplicity of successive zones (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) located substantially transversely in relation to its longitudinal axis, each zone having its own function, being heat-controlled in an autonomous manner and insulated over part of its height relative to the adjacent zones by partitions (15). The zones include at least one transition zone (8), at least one drainage zone (9), at least cooling zone (10, 11, 12) and at least one thermal and/or chemical homogenization zone (13, 14).

Abstract: The invention relates to working molten glass in tank furnaces for continuous production. According to the process of the invention, the vitrifiable material being brought first to the molten bath state in a zone upstream from the tank, and said bath then having access to the successive downstream zones allocated to the other phases of the process of working the glass through at least one tank portion comprising a section reduction of the type usually called a neck, there is generated at the upper level of the opening available to the glass by said neck a glass current directed from downstream to upstream of said neck. The invention proves to be especially advantageous for electric melting furnaces with large production capacity.

Abstract: In a method of making glass or the like, wherein the batch materials are liquefied in a distinct zone from the refiner, the liquefied material is heated in an intermediate stage before being fed to the refiner, and a composite barrier of a cooled frame with graphite inserts is employed to restrict passage of material from the intermediate stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plate glass which comprises(A) a melter for storing a molten glass material,(B) a molding portion for molding the molten glass material from the melter into a plate,(C) a temperature adjusting tank located between the melter and the molding portion for maintaining the molten glass material from the melter at a uniform temperature, said temperature adjusting tank having a glass material channel for introducing the molten glass material maintained at the uniform temperature into the molding portion in a position facing on the molding portion, and(D) a tweel for adjusting a flow rate of the glass material which is raisable and lowerable in the glass material channel and has a hole through which a surface layer stream of the molten glass material can be separated and passed in the glass material channel.

Abstract: A skimmer for use in a throat of a melting furnace. The skimmer comprises a plate having a plurality of passages therein with the passages being through the plate from a first side to a second side. Adjacent passages are in communication with each other to form a continuous passage through the plate. A first means for blocking the ends of the passages on the first side of the plate and a second means for blocking the ends of the passages on the second side of the plate are attached to the plate. A first port means is in communication with one end of the continuous passage for connecting with a cooling inlet located outside of the furnace, and a second port means is in communication with the other end of the continuous passage for connecting with a cooling outlet located outside of the furnace.

Abstract: A float glass forming facility employing a composite tweel and a wetback refractory piece, each having glass contact portions made of a glassy silica such as clear fused quartz, provides for the manufacture of glass which is substantially free of any fine seeds attributable to glass-refractory contact.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for supplying streams of molten glass including: a feeder with a chamber having an opening for supply of glass marbles for conversion to a molten body; a bottom wall for the chamber having orifices for discharging the molten glass as streams; means for heating the feeder; and a surface above the molten glass effective to reflect radiation so that reflected radiation is concentrated in a chamber where unmelted glass is present during melting.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace in which glass can be heated by sources below its upper surface, as electrically by Joule effect, and by means above its upper surface, as by fossil fuel firing or by heat reflectors. A cold top melting mode is employed in the charging region of the furnace while the glass discharge region maintains an exposed molten, upper surface on the glass. In a disclosed embodiment a high crown over the charging region enables cold top melting and refining to be accomplished by Joule effect while flues and burner ports in that region are closed. A low crown, which may be adjustable in its height above the glass line, is provided over the discharge region to increase heating at the exposed, molten upper surface of the glass by reflection. Heating in the discharge region can be augmented by above surface heaters distributed across the crown. A flue in the discharge region carries gases from that region.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for melting and processing glass suitable for attenuation to continuous fibers or filaments and more particularly to an arrangement having a limited capacity for processing glass providing a highly refined glass for the production of comparatively small quantities of textile fibers or filaments of usual glass compositions and for limited production of textile fibers or filaments of special glasses.

Abstract: A method of and a glass furnace for the melting of a raw batch of glass, in the form of pellets distributed in a thin, uniform layer over a glass melt by a rotor arranged in the roof of the glass furnace, with air being injected into the glass melt. The melting process is accelerated and the homogeneity of the glass melt is improved.

Abstract: A horizontal glassmaking furnace adapted for melting glass batch materials by the application of heat to them from overhead flames within the furnace is provided with submerged electric heating electrodes in a region adjacent to where glass batch materials are charged to the furnace and, while overhead flames are reduced or eliminated above the glass batch materials in the vicinity of the electrodes, the glass batch materials are melted from below by action of the electrodes; overhead flames are maintained above exposed molten glass where the glass batch materials have already melted. Discharge of particulate batch materials from the furnace by action of overhead flames is substantially reduced while the thermal efficiency of the furnace is enhanced.

Abstract: A water-cooled skimmer is provided for a glass-melting furnace. The skimmer includes a platinum plate which is designed to fit closely within the interior of the throat of a glass-melting furnace and extend transversely thereof. The plate is rectangular and is peripherally cooled, with a coolant passage extending along the lower edge and side edge portions of the plate and having end portions extending outside the throat for connection with a coolant inlet and outlet. A supporting member is affixed to the plate and extends horizontally therefrom, being supported by the side walls of the throat, and an additional coolant passage preferably extends along the support and is in heat-exchange relationship with the upper edge of said plate.