Method for making glass beads
US4385917A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B19/1025
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vortex combustion furnace (1) for the production of glass beads is generally cylindrical and has an outlet flue (24) at its upper end. A burner (13) at the lower end burns a gas/air mixture. Secondary air is introduced to the chamber through tangential air inlets (16) and creates a vortex within the chamber. The vortex has a top-hat temperature profile with a central heating region with a temperature in excess of 1000.degree. C. and a surrounding cooling region with a temperature not much above ambient. Glass cullet injected into the chamber follows a spiral path in the vortex, is heated, melts to form glass beads, is then cooled and finally is collected after striking the wall of the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.