Apparatus for recirculating molten glass
US5868814A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/57
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A molten glass recirculating apparatus is provided, comprising a riser chamber having a first opening positioned below a molten glass level and a second opening positioned above a molten glass level, a trough positioned adjacent the upper opening, and a gas emitter positioned within the riser chamber below a molten glass level and methods of using the same. When a gas is emitted from the gas emitter, molten glass contained within the riser chamber rises and exits the riser chamber through the second opening and along the trough. The exiting molten glass causes additional molten glass to be drawn into the riser chamber through the first opening. The invention also comprises a glass melter including a plurality of glass recirculating means, each being individually controllable to control the circulation of molten glass within a glass melter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.