Abstract: A method for preheating glass batch is disclosed. Media heated with furnace exhaust gases is used to preheat the glass batch. This invention includes a way to clean furnace exhaust gas condensate from the surface of the media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for cooling a molten stream of glass flowing in a firebrick hearth from an entrance end to an exit end of a glass furnace forehearth, the method comprising the steps of: cooling the bottom of the hearth which cools the molten glass by forcing air through ducts in the hearth bottom insulation; cooling each side of the hearth which cools the molten glass by forcing air through ducts along the side of the hearth.

Abstract: A distributing arrangement for a pressurized cooling fluid, especially air, for cooling a forming tool of a machine for forming thermoplastic material, especially molten glass, wherein the forming tool includes at least one split mold including mold segments which are respectively mounted on mold segment holders for movement therewith relative to one another and each of which is provided with a plurality of fluid channels for the flow of the pressurized of fluid channels for the flow of the pressurized cooling fluid therethrough, comprises a fluid distributing box including for each of the mold segments at least two branch channels individually communicating with at least one of the fluid channels when the distributing box is mounted on the mold segment holder.

Abstract: A glass delivery system is disclosed having a glass conducting pipe enclosed within a refractory structure. The refractory structure is spaced about the pipe and defines a closed space for receiving therein a quantity of the glass. Flow control means is provided for regulating flow through the pipe. Means is further provided for isolating the flow control device from glass in the closed space to thereby avoid a bypass of said flow control device. A method for operating a glass delivery system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A glass delivery system is disclosed having a central glass conducting pipe enclosed within a heat exchange structure. Heat shields reflect energy back to the pipe for reducing heat losses from the pipe and heaters are located about the pipe to add heat energy as required. Heaters which may be immersed in surrounding glass, are provided externally of the pipe at connections into and out of the pipe, and a bellows arrangement for accommodating expansion due to thermal cycling is provided in at least one of such connections. In a preferred embodiment, oxidizable refractory metals are used which may be protected from contamination by providing inert or reducing purging atmospheres or vacuum. Heat losses may also be regulated by atmospheric control of the purging atmosphere as well as control of a working fluid for the heat exchange structure. Means may be provided for shielding or insulating refractory components from intense radiation.

Abstract: A glass delivery system is disclosed having a glass conducting pipe enclosed within a refractory structure. The refractory structure is spaced about the pipe and defines a closed space for receiving therein a quantity of the glass. Heat input devices are located in the closed space for supplying heat to the pipe. The refractory structure may include heat exchange passages for circulation of a first heat exchange fluid therethrough. Means may be included for introducing a second gaseous fluid within the closed space between the refractory structure and the pipe for removing heat given up by the glass and under certain conditions the first fluid may act as an inert atmosphere or purge gas for protecting certain components of the system from deleterious ambience. The first heat exchange fluid removes a relatively greater portion of the heat energy given up by the glass than the second fluid.

Abstract: There has been provided a delivery system for conditioning molten thermo-plastic material, wherein a first pipe member, having an inlet at one end adapted to receive the material and an outlet at an opposite end for delivering the material therefrom at a desired homogeneity is coupled at its inlet end to a furnace. An insulated shell structure, having at least one fluid inlet and outlet therein, is located concentrically about the first pipe member and defines a closed insulated space thereabout. The shell is adapted to receive heat exchange fluid for circulation from the inlet to the outlet in said closed space for removing heat from the thermo-plastic material flowing through the pipe member. Means is provided for shielding inside surfaces of space between the shell and the pipe member from deleterious ambient including a purge fluid which may act alone as the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: An electric glass-melting furnace has a cylindrical orifice block formed of a single block of refractory metal and an orifice through which molten glass flows out of the furnace. The inner end of the block extends into the melting zone portion of the furnace, while the remainder of the block extends through the furnace lining and wall, with the extreme outer tip being flush with the outer face of a water jacket which surrounds the outer end portions of the block. The block has a reduced diameter portion adjacent the outer end of the block, so that the outer end face exposes minimal surface area to outside atmosphere. The direct contact of the cooling jacket with the outer end of the block keeps the temperature of this small mass of block low enough to avoid oxidation. No protective atmosphere is required for the exterior tip of the block.

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 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 device for sensing the oxygen content in exhaust gases in a regenerative furnace for evaluating combustion efficiency includes an oxygen probe and conduit cast in a ceramic block. Water moved through the conduit provides structural stability to the ceramic block and protects the probe against thermal damage.

Abstract: A burner tip for passing fuel into a glass melting chamber having a fuel passageway and discrete cooling fluid passageways therein for cooling and shielding the burner tip from attack by a hostile gaseous chamber environment. A ceramic collar member is provided for minimizing inspirated air and cooling fluid may be passed through the burner tip during both the firing cycle and off-firing cycle. The burner tip is provided with small diameter cooling fluid passageways to establish a low volume, high velocity flow of cooling fluid sufficient to shield the burner tip from sting-out attack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special module for the entrance to a cooling station of a glass sheet tempering apparatus and particularly relates to the construction of a pair of upstream modules at the upstream end of the cooling station immediately beyond the exit of a furnace through which glass sheets are transported for heating for subsequent quenching and rapid cooling in order to impart a temper. The special entrance modules of the present invention are cooled by providing a baffle wall spaced upstream of the upstream wall of each upstream module that faces the furnace exit to provide an open ended air chamber between each upstream module and the furnace. In addition, optionally, coolant may be passed through pipe means provided between the furnace and the upstream modules. These changes in upstream module construction result in producing tempered glass with less kink than prior art apparatus having upstream modules not so modified.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging the marginal edge portion of a ribbon of molten glass is mounted to the exterior sidewall of a float chamber below the sidewall opening and above the floor level. The vertical arcuate movement of the elongated barrel is controlled by a pair of screw jack assemblies symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the barrel, themselves controlled alternatively by a motor or manual driving force. The motor may be back-driven by the manual control to provide both remote and manual fine tune capabilities. The elongated barrel includes an outer tubular member and an inner rotatable tubular drive member which is supported therein by a heat resistant toroidal bushing near its insertable end and by a precision bearing near its drive end.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a crystalline blast furnace slag, which comprises: endlessly connecting at prescribed intervals a plurality of rectangular metal cooling bodies each with a hollow for cooling water, to form a plurality of cooling grooves with a width at the top end thereof of from 40 to 80 mm corresponding to said prescribed intervals and a depth of from 100 to 300 mm and becoming narrower toward the depth thereof, each between two adjacent ones of said cooling bodies; continuously pouring a molten blast furnace slag sequentially into said plurality of cooling grooves in an atmosphere of an inert gas and/or a reducing gas, while moving said plurality of cooling bodies endlessly connected in circulation in the connecting direction thereof; and, circulating a cooling water through said hollows for cooling water of said plurality of cooling bodies during the pouring of said molten blast furnace slag into said plurality of cooling grooves, to cool said plurality of cooling bodies, there

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes through a layer of glass batch to enhance run-off of liquid includes a plurality of tapered members adapted for vertical reciprocation to penetrate the batch layer. At least a lower portion of each member is provided with a three-dimensioned shape corresponding generally to the shape of a hole to be produced in the batch layer, the shape having a relatively wide upper portion and a relatively narrow lower portion with tapering side surfaces therebetween oriented to produce lateral compaction of batch upon vertical insertion into the batch layer.At least a lower portion of each member is provided with a three-dimensional shape corresponding generally to the shape of a hole to be produced in the batch layer, the shape having a relatively wide upper portion and a relatively narrow lower portion with tapering side surfaces therebetween oriented to produce lateral compacting of batch upon vertical insertion into the batch layer.

Abstract: An electrically heated and/or gas heated forehearth channel has a heat conductive refractory roof structure with arch blocks supported from the sides of the channel on side blocks, some of which side blocks may include gas burners for achieving rapid initial heating of the glass contained in the channel. Once the glass temperature has been raised close to normal operating temperature electrodes heat the glass by Joule effect electrical resistance heating, and the gas burners are no longer required. A roof superstructure is provided of insulating brick, and defines muffled cooling passageways such that the gas or electrically heated forehearth can be effectively operated by removing heat from the top of the conductive refractory arch block roof structure. Means is provided for selectively cooling the underside of these arch blocks when the gas burners are operated, or directing the flow of cooling air through the muffled cooling passageways in the roof superstructure when electric heat is employed.

Abstract: The present invention embraces method and apparatus for processing heat-softened mineral material. Heat-softened mineral material flows from a supply through a passage, such as the passage in a flow block member or a bushing block member, into a bushing. The heat-softened material is thermally conditioned in the passage by a heat pipe which is thermally isolated from the passage such that the heat pipe does not substantially act as a heat sink from the material to the passage.

Abstract: A mold has a mold cavity centered on an axis and formed with a plurality of arrays of passages each lying at least approximately in a respective plane including the mold axis. Fluid is passed through these passages in order to cool the mold, and fluid may be passed more rapidly or under greater pressure or under lower temperature through some of the passages than through others in order to increase the cooling effect. Similarly inserts may partially insulate some of the passages for cooling some parts of the mold more or less than others. A plurality of temperature sensors each connected to a respective control valve may serve to control the fluid flow through each of the passages or sets of passages for continuous cooling control.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, processing heat-softened fiber-forming material comprising a bushing block. The bushing block has a wall defining a passage for accommodating flow of heat-softened material from a supply into a fiber-forming bushing. The bushing block further includes insulating means comprising an insulating space surrounding the wall and a radiation shield surrounding the insulating space.

Abstract: An edge roll machine for contacting a marginal portion of a body of glass being formed into a continuous sheet of glass while floating on molten metal is provided with a glass-engaging edge roll having an internal fluid coolant distributor having spiral vanes to direct the coolant against the surface the periphery of the roll in order to provide gripping contact with molten glass while avoiding sticking of the roll to the glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting plate, by means of which the lower part of the compression mould in a press, in particular a glass press, can be fixed on a carrier plate. A mounting plate of this type has a coolant path defined by a cavity in the form of a spiral coolant channel which runs approximately parallel to the bottom and top faces of the mounting plate, from the central region thereof towards its periphery. In this way, more heat may be removed by the coolant from the central region of the compression mould than from its peripheral region which is in any case more strongly affected by the cooling action from the outside. As a result, a more homogeneous temperature distribution is obtained in the mould.

Abstract: In apparatus for heat-softening and attenuating glass material into fibers, an improved low temperature electrical resistance bushing having extremely thin side walls and other electricity conducting components running from end to end in the bushing, relative to the base plate for both direct and marble-melt bushings. The thin side walls enable a low temperature bushing to operate with temperatures less than 2250.degree. F., because the thin side walls draw proportionately less current than the base plate. Additional improvements for providing a low temperature bushing include, for a marble-melt bushing, a funnel which is mounted on the top wall and a cooling tube mounted adjacent a bottom portion of the funnel. Another improvement includes the use of auxiliary end plates mounted adjacent the end walls of the bushing for channeling electrical current to the base plate.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for transferring heat from streams of glass flowing from a feeder through the use of a closed hollow heat exchanger unit or instrumentality containing a working fluid for rapidly absorbing heat from intensely hot glass streams to raise the viscosity of the glass of the streams to enable attenuation of the streams to fibers and thereby attain increased throughput of glass and higher production of fibers.

Abstract: The cooling of glass forming molds is accomplished by providing a plurality of radially spaced passages either in the mold itself or in a mold holder in good heat transfer relationship to a mold insert. The passages extend vertically and may either be completely through the mold or may extend substantially to the lower end of the mold. These passages are radially insulated by the compaction of a particulate material such as 316-L Stainless Steel Compacting Powder, with the compressed material being carefully packed within the passage and in surrounding relationship to a coaxially positioned metal tube. The metal tube provides access for the circulation of a liquid coolant. The thickness of the particular material, its degree of compression and its composition and the relative position thereof with respect to cavities of the glass forming mold, will determine the heat flow characteristics of the mold and/or mold holder.

Abstract: A closed liquid cooling system is provided within a mold body and pressurized to a desired extent so as to control the amount of heat removed from a glass-contacting mold wall portion through nucleate boiling, while simultaneously creating a thermal-siphon effect to avoid film boiling which would create an undesirable vapor insulating layer adjacent such mold wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for cooling molten cones of glass drawn from a fiber glass manufacturing bushing for the purpose of removing heat from the cones of glass during formation. The heat removal means utilized involves flat, platelike fins or bars of metal connected to a common header through which heat transfer fluid is circulating. The platelike member has incorporated therein wick material on the interior, peripheral surfaces thereof. The wick contains a liquid therein which is vaporized rapidly during heat removal and condensed within the interior of the platelike members and redeposited on the wick for continuous circulation of fluid in the fin during operation. The wick material and the fluid associated therewith contained in the platelike member is sealed in the platelike member to prevent dissipation therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control system for the forming units of a machine of the press and blow type. It comprises a system for automatically sensing the need for and supplying cooling air to the individual forming units, in accordance with heat transfer therefrom, so that controlled temperatures can be maintained in the various units to thereby form ware of uniform characteristics in the various units.

Abstract: A differentially cooled plunger cooperative with a mold for press forming glass articles and the method of cooling pressed glass articles formed in said mold by use of the pressing plunger. The plunger is designed so that cooling fluid may be supplied from a single source thereof to different zones or regions of the plunger for differential cooling of the zones or regions and of a glass article press formed by the plunger.

Abstract: A plurality of high-temperature operating, corrosion-resistant heat pipes are employed to distribute heat transversely and longitudinally from normally hotter portions of a glass forming chamber to normally cooler portions of the same chamber in order to provide a more uniform thermal environment for the forming of flat glass. In particular, heat pipes are provided beneath the surface of a pool of glass-supporting molten metal in such a chamber to remove heat from a central and usually upstream region of such a chamber and transfer it to a marginal and preferably downstream region of the chamber. By transferring the heat in this manner, the temperature gradients within the chamber may be manipulated to be more uniform throughout a forming region so that glass of improved quality can be produced with improved efficiency, utilizing less energy than normally required for producing glass according to typical conventional float glass manufacturing methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating glass with a coating consisting of or containing silicon includes a gas distributor for locating transversely of the path of travel of a glass surface. A gas supply duct supplies coating material in gaseous form and the temperature of the duct is controlled. An elongated open-faced chamber positioned adjacent the glass path of travel communicates along its length with the duct through a gas-flow restrictor that provides gas release from the duct into the chamber at constant pressure along the length of the chamber.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for pumping and pressurizing viscous fluid materials, such as molten glass. The pump comprises a rotating rotor which is located in a channel of the viscous fluid, such as in the forehearth of a glass melting furnace. In a glassmaking operation, the rotor uses the viscous drag of the molten glass against it to pump the molten glass from an open channel into a closed and pressurized channel where the pressurized molten glass may be, for example, extruded into glass filaments. The pumping system described also finds utility in pumping other viscous materials such as resins in fluid form.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes first and second surfaces which are at different temperatures. A bed of fluidizable material is provided in a cavity which is located between the first and second surfaces, and gas from a supply means is supplied to the cavity to form a fluidized bed from the fluidizable material and thereby to enable heat to be transferred between the first and second surfaces. Control means is provided for alternately forming and collapsing the fluidized bed in order to regulate the rate of transfer of heat between the first and second surfaces. The heat transfer system has particular application in the cooling of a forming mould in a glassware forming system.

Abstract: Direct communication is provided between a pool of molten metal in a glass forming chamber and coolers embedded within a refractory bottom liner of the chamber in order to provide for an enhanced rate of cooling along a path of glass advance through such a chamber.

Abstract: An individual section of a Hartford I.S. type glassware forming machine is modified to provide for in-line, or parallel motion, of the split mold halves at both the blank and blow stations. Vertically extending rock shafts move the blank and blow mold holder structures on fixed ways, through toggle links similar to those in a conventional I.S. machine, but the space formerly occupied by the hinge pin at the blow side is made available for the mold structure because the ways are oriented parallel to and slightly below the neck ring hub mechanism. This design provides for an increased mold closing force at the blank side and simplifies the mold holder structure itself whereby the molds can be continually cooled from an internal chamber in the mold holder which is supplied with cooling air through a vertical interface between the movable mold holder structure and the fixed machine frame.

Abstract: There is described an improved method of cooling a blank mould used for the formation of a parison in glassware forming apparatus. Jets of cooling gas are delivered on to the outer mould surface through vertical rows of apertures and the gas which impinges on the outer mould surface is prevented from rebounding away from the mould surface but is caused to flow through a confined space close to the mould surface so that the cooling gas removes the boundary layer of air which is in contact with the outer mould surface and thereby markedly improves the cooling effect of the gas. Between the vertical rows of apertures there are provided vertical channels into which the cooling gas can expand and through which it will exhaust after it has effected cooling of the outer mould surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a threshold in communication with a glass forming chamber containing molten metal is provided with end seals about coolers or holddown members extending transversely through holes in the threshold. The end seals are compression fitted to the assembly to prevent the ingress of air into the holes through the threshold.

Abstract: A differentially cooled plunger cooperative with a mold for press forming glass articles and the method of cooling pressed glass articles formed in said mold by use of the pressing plunger. The plunger is designed so that cooling fluid may be supplied from a single source thereof to different zones or regions of the plunger for differential cooling of the zones or regions and of a glass article press formed by the plunger.

Abstract: In the hot forming of TV funnels from molten glass, heat is extracted from the glass in the moil area at a lesser rate than that in adjacent areas by providing relatively thin mold portions in such area and thereby producing more fluid glass which may be formed with lower pressing forces. Further, by reducing the wall thickness of the nose portion of a pressing plunger, internal cooling may be applied to such nose portion during the pressing cycle to cool such nose portion and contract it away from the moil area, and thereby prevent the formation of checks and cracks during plunger withdrawal.

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: Apparatus wherein the base of a plunger used to form a parison in a glass forming machine is provided with a plurality of ears which interlock with a plurality of flanges disposed within a recessed area within a plunger head to detachably engage the plunger to the plunger head by simply rotating the plunger relative to the plunger head.

Abstract: In the cooling of newly formed glass containers, the containers are moved from blow molds and placed on what is termed a cooling "dead plate". The dead plate is supplied with air under pressure which is fed into the casting forming the dead plate. The ware sits on a generally flat, perforate member which is the cover for the dead plate casting. The air supply is found beneath the conveyor belt in the housing for supporting the conveyor for carrying the ware away from the forming machine. A plurality of openings, adjacent each ware forming position, are provided through the bottom of the conveyor housing and air within the housing will enter the underlying, horizontal leg of the dead plate casting whose upper surface has complementary openings to those in the conveyor housing and exit through the perforations in the dead plate to cool the ware sitting thereon.

Abstract: A glassware forming system includes a forming mould and cooling means for removing heat from the forming mould. The cooling means comprises a cooling chamber which is spaced from an external surface of the forming mould by a cavity which contain fluidizable material. Means is provided for circulating a cooling fluid, such as water, through the cooling chamber. The cooling means further includes means for forming a fluidized bed from the fluidizable material within the cavity whereby heat may be transferred from the mould to the cooling fluid when a fluidized bed is formed in the cavity. The rate of transfer of heat from the external surface of the forming mould may be varied by controlling the rate of supply of gas to the cavity and thereby varying the degree of fluidization of the fluidized bed, by varying the rate of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling chamber, or by varying the temperature of the cooling fluid which is passed into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A forehearth for a glass furnace includes a roof having a plurality of longitudinal ridges depending therefrom. These define a central longitudinal channel lengthwise of which a current of cooling air flows between inlet and outlet ports to cool the central, hottest portion of the current of glass in the forehearth, and side channels which, optionally with burners or heaters, serve to reheat the portions of the glass current at the longitudinal edges of that current.

Abstract: A plunger for forming hollow glass articles and having a nose piece projecting outwardly of its pressing surface, incorporates a main cooling system for cooling the main pressing surface extending around the nose piece, and a sub-cooling system located interiorly of the nose piece and independently of the main cooling system for cooling the nose piece, thereby making it possible to control the temperature of the nose piece by means of the sub-cooling system which employs a refrigerant having a different cooling efficiency from the refrigerant of the main cooling system.

Abstract: The proposed glass melting apparatus comprises a cooled cylindrical chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion connected by an intermediate member, the lower portion of the chamber having a greater diameter than the upper portion and housing a cooled hollow body, the bottom of said body facing upwards. Said body is arranged above the level of the molten glass and is intended to raise the hydrodynamic stability of the mass of molten glass.

Abstract: In a glass melting tank a water cooled barrier extends horizontally across the forward flow of molten glass to control the forward flow towards the working end and a plurality of stirrers, rotatable in phase with each, are arranged side-by-side across the flow path adjacent the barrier.