MXPA00003754A - Apparatus and method for forming heated glass sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (26) and a method for forming heated glass sheets in a heated chamber (22) of a housing (20) includes a forming station (24) having an upper mold support assembly (28), a lower mold shuttle (50), and a lower mold support assembly (60) that cooperate to provide mold alignment. The mold support assembly (28) includes a support (164) located within the heated chamber (22) and having a construction that reduces thermal expansion. A support and actuating mechanism (30) supports and moves the mold support assembly (28) within the heated chamber (22) to perform the forming of heated glass sheets. A mold assembly (34) for cyclically forming the heated glass sheets includes alignment guides (122, 124) and detachable connectors (362) that align and detachably connect upper and lower molds (36, 38) to each other for installation and permit detachment from each other for the glass sheet forming. Apparatus (32) and a method for heated mold changing at the forming station (24) includes a switching station (318), an unloading station (320), a mold preheating station (322), an unloading cart (324) and a loading cart (326). A glass sheet quench station loader (42) and method for installing a quench module set (44) of lower and upper quench modules (46, 48) includes a quench carriage (440) of a horizontally opening U shape that receives the quench modules for the loading and for subsequent unloading.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING GLASS SHEETS, HEATED Technical Field This invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming heated glass sheets and comprises: providing alignment between the lower and upper molds used in forming; a mold support assembly for a mold used in a heated chamber to form the glass sheets, heated; a support and drive mechanism for the mold support assembly that mounts the mold inside the heated chamber of a housing to effect the formation of the heated glass sheets; a mold assembly for cyclically forming the heated glass sheets; an apparatus and method for changing a heated mold in a forming station in the heated chamber where the mold cyclically forms the heated glass sheets; and a system for forming and cooling sheets of - k, 'glass that includes a rapid cooling charger to install a set of the lower and upper cooling modules of a method for installing the cooling modules.

REF .: 119041 Background of the Invention Glass sheets are conventionally formed by heating inside an oven and then by forming inside a heated chamber prior to distribution for cooling. This cooling may be slow cooling to provide quenching or rapid cooling that provides thermal strengthening or hardening. In conjunction with the heating of the glass sheets, see U.S. Patent Nos. 3,806,312 McMaster et al .; 3,947,242 McMaster et al .; 3,994,711 McMaster et al .; 4,404,011 McMaster; and 4,512,460 McMaster. In conjunction with the formation of the glass sheets, see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,282,026 McMaster et al .; 4,437,871 McMaster et al .; 4,575,390 McMaster; 4,661,141 Nitschke et al .; 5,004,491 McMaster et al .; and 5,472,470 Kor anyos et al. In conjunction with cooling, see U.S. Patent Nos. 3,936,291 McMaster; 4,470,838 McMaster et al .; 4,525,193 McMaster et al .; 4,946,491 Barr; and 5,385,786 Shetterly et al. During the forming process the heated glass sheets can be supported by a vacuum generated in a mold facing downwards, whose initial support of the glass sheet in which it is received from a heating conveyor can be assisted by a flow of heated gas, directed upwards, which can be provided by gas jet pumps, such as those described by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,204,854 McMaster et al .; and 4,222,763 McMaster. For the effective formation of glass sheets, high performance, it is important that the cooperative molds are properly placed in the assembly and align with each other during each cycle of the operation between them, which sec makes it more difficult due to the heated environment in which takes place the formation of the glass sheets .. See, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,781,745 Mumford; 5,158,592 Buckingham; 5,092,916 McMaster; and 5,230,728 McMaster. The heated environment also makes it more difficult to change molds between different production runs that can not use the same molds. See U.S. Patent No. 5,137,561 Schnabel, Jr which describes the change of a cloth ring in a glass sheet heating furnace.

After the formation, thermal strengthening or hardening can be performed by rapid cooling in a cooling section between the lower and upper cooling modules thereof and there may be provision to transfer the glass sheet during this cooling by blowing a large amount of gas upwards to allow the associated cooling ring carrying the glass sheet to move back to the heated formation station in preparation for the next cycle. See, U.S. Patent Number 4,361,432 McMaster et al. All of the patents cited above are thus incorporated by reference.

Description of the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forming glass sheets, heated. In carrying out the above object, the apparatus for forming heated glass sheets according to the invention includes a housing having a heated chamber. A support assembly of the upper mold of the apparatus supports an upper mold within the heated chamber for vertical, cyclic movement between the upper and lower positions. A lower mold platform of the apparatus supports a lower mold for cyclic movement between an inactive, horizontally spaced position of the upper mold and a use position below the upper mold. The apparatus also includes a lower mold support assembly to which the lower mold is cyclically transferred from the lower mold platform in the use position, to provide support thereto while allowing horizontal alignment of the lower mold with the upper mold as necessary in each cycle of the downward movement of the upper mold for the cooperation of the molds, to form a sheet of glass, heated between the molds. In its preferred construction, the apparatus includes vertically movable rollers, which have an upper position that supports the lower mold platform during the cyclic movement of a lower mold between the inactive and use positions and which has a lower position in which the lower mold platform moves down, with the lower mold in the position of use to provide transfer of the lower mold to the lower mold support assembly. The horizontal positioning devices cooperate with the rollers to support and guide the lower mold platform during the cyclic movement of the lower mold between the inactive and use positions. The apparatus also includes mounts externally supported from the heated chamber for vertical movement with each mount supporting one of the rollers and an associated pair of horizontal, positioning devices. In the preferred construction, the lower mold support assembly includes four lower supports that support the lower mold in the use position, below the upper mold. Each lower support in one embodiment includes a liquid-cooled ball, and in another embodiment includes a liquid-cooled pad that is preferably made from a carbon material. A support member mounts the lower mold supports of the lower mold support assembly and also mounts a support and stop member that places an array of gas jet pumps operating to assist in the initial support of a glass sheet heated in the upper mold. In the preferred construction, the lower mold platform also includes a latch that secures the lower mold against movement in the lower mold platform along its travel direction during cyclic movement between the inactive and use positions. The lower mold platform of the apparatus preferably has a tubular construction through which a liquid refrigerant flows to provide cooling. In addition, the tubular construction of the lower mold platform includes an outer insulator. The apparatus for forming glass sheets also preferably includes a cooling station having cooling modules, lower and upper to supply a cooling gas. A cooling platform supports and cyclically moves a cooling ring between the transfer and cooling positions. In the transfer position, the cooling ring is located below the upper mold in the heated chamber and the cooling ring can be moved horizontally on the cooling platform as needed in alignment with the upper mold in the movement towards down the top mold, to deposit a formed glass sheet, supported in this way in the cooling ring. In the cooling position, the cooling ring is located between the cooling modules, lower and upper, to provide rapid cooling of the glass sheet, formed in the cooling ring. The apparatus also includes a latch to prevent horizontal movement of the cooling ring on the cooling platform during movement between the transfer and cooling positions. In addition, the cooling station includes a railroad that has a pair of separate rails. The cooling platform includes a separate platform member pair having supported ends that are respectively supported by the pair of rails spaced for the movement of the cooling platform, and the spaced platform members also include a pair of ends on the platform. cantilever that support the cooling ring in a spaced and otherwise unconnected relationship.

The alignment guides in the lower and upper molds cooperate to move the lower mold horizontally in the lower mold support assembly as necessary in alignment with the upper mold in each cycle of the downward movement of the upper mold to the lower position to provide the formation of glass sheets. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for forming a glass sheet. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the method for forming a glass sheet is provided by heating the glass sheet during transportation thereof on a horizontally extending conveyor. An upper mold moves cyclically downwards to receive the heated glass sheet from the conveyor and then moves upwards with the glass sheet thus supported in the preparation for formation. A lower mold is then cyclically moved horizontally on a lower mold platform from an inactive position horizontally spaced from the upper mold to a position of use above the upper mold with the glass sheet thus supported. The lower mold is then transferred cyclically in the position of use from the lower mold platform to a lower mold support assembly, and subsequently, the upper mold moves cyclically down towards the lower mold and the lower mold moves horizontally in the lower mold support assembly as necessary in alignment with the upper mold, after which the continuous movement of the molds towards one another forms the glass sheet between the molds. Finally, the upper mold moves cyclically upwards and the lower mold is transferred from the lower mold support assembly back to the lower mold platform for horizontal movement the from below the upper mold back to the lower mold. inactive position to allow distribution of the glass sheet formed from the upper mold for cooling. In the preferred practice of the method, the lower mold platform is supported by rollers during horizontal movement, cyclic in the lower mold between the inactive and use positions, and the rollers move vertically to transfer the lower mold between the mold platform bottom and lower mold support assembly. The lower mold is secured to the lower mold platform to prevent movement with respect thereto along the travel direction during cyclic movement thereof between the inactive and use positions. In the preferred practice of the method, the formed glass sheet is deposited from the upper mold in a cooling ring for distribution to a cooling station for cooling. The cooling ring moves cyclically in a cooling platform and is secured with respect to it during movement between the upper mold and the cooling station, but is unblocked in the upper mold to allow movement with respect to the cooling platform in alignment with the upper mold. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mold support assembly, improved for a mold used in a heated chamber to form glass sheets, heated. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the mold support assembly of the invention includes a first support located within the heated chamber and having a construction that reduces thermal expansion. A vertical mounting guide locates externally of the heated chamber and has a connection that can be moved vertically to the first support to allow vertical movement thereof in a horizontally fixed location. A mounting mold support supports the mold that provides the formation of the glass sheets, hot. Support frames support the mold support in the first support, and positioning devices position the mold support with respect to the first support to provide a thermally stable center of the mold support. In the preferred construction of the mold support assembly, the first support is a tubular support having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet that allow the flow of a liquid refrigerant through the tubular support, to provide temperature control that reduces the thermal expansion. The tubular support has a rectangular shape within which the mold support is received. More specifically, the tubular support includes a pair of end tubes one of which includes the fluid inlet and the other of which includes the fluid outlet. The tubular support includes a pair of side tubes that extend between the pair of end tubes in a spaced apart relationship to cooperate with each other and with the end tubes, to define their rectangular shape. The pair of end tubes has a cross-sectional flow area, larger than the pair of side tubes to provide a flow of liquid refrigerant, generally uniform through the tubes of the tubular support. One of the end tubes of the tubular support includes an extension extending towards the vertical guide, and the other end tube of the tubular support includes an extension which is connected to a lateral positioning device located externally of the heated chamber. The vertical guide includes an anti-friction bearing, while the lateral positioning device includes a vertical positioning member, fixedly mounted externally to the heated chamber and also includes a pair of spacer devices, spaced, mounted on the extension of the other end tube with the vertical positioning member, located between the spacer devices, spaced apart. The construction of the mold support of the mold support assembly includes a pair of end members and a pair of side members cooperating to define a rectangular shape that is received within the rectangular shape of the tubular support. Additionally, the mold support includes a pair of transverse members that extend between the side members thereof in a relationship parallel to the end members or terminals. The transverse members have support connections for supporting the mold support in a suspended manner. One of the transverse members has a pair of mold mounts fixed thereto to mount an associated mold. The other transverse member has a yoke mounted on a pivot that has a pair of mold mounts. Each side member and the transverse member includes a mold mounting guide. The mold mounting guide of each side member is constructed as a guide ramp, while the mold mounting guide of each cross member includes guide rollers.

Each mounting bracket mount includes a blade extending inwardly from the tubular holder and also includes an opening in the mold holder that receives the blade thereof to provide mounting of the mold holder with respect to the tubular support. Mounting placement devices are constructed as pin and slot setting devices that extend between the tubular support and the mold support. The tubular support includes an outer insulator that preferably includes an inner layer of ceramic fiber and a reflective, metallic, outer layer. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved support and drive mechanism for moving a mold assembly that mounts a mold into a heated chamber of a housing, to perform the formation of heated glass sheets. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the support and drive mechanism of the invention includes a frame having horizontal beams extending over the housing and also having vertical posts that support the horizontal beams. An actuator of the mechanism is mounted adjacent to one or the vertical posts of the frame. A plurality of connectors extends from the actuator to the mold support assembly at separate locations. Each connector includes a vertical connector rod that extends upwardly from the actuator and also includes a pivot joint, top mounted by the frame and connected to its connector rod, upright. Each linker includes a horizontal, connected connecting rod to the pivot link, upper, associated and also includes a sector wheel mounted by the frame and connected to the associated horizontal connecting rod. Each connector includes a flexible member extending from the associated sector wheel, and each connector also includes a vertical mold rod that depends on the flexible member thereof and is connected to the mold support assembly, such that the operation of the The actuator moves the connectors to vertically move the mold support assembly. In the preferred construction of the mechanism, the sector wheel of each connector is a sectorial gear and the flexible member thereof is a chain. The support and drive mechanism also preferably includes a counterweight to counterbalance the weight of the mold support assembly and the supported mold. This counterweight preferably includes a gas cylinder connected to the connectors extending between the actuator and the mold support assembly and also includes a pressurized gas reservoir that is connected to the gas cylinder. The actuator of the mechanism includes a lever connected to the plurality of connectors and to the counterweight. The connector also preferably includes a rotating drive unit, with the lever having a central portion including a pivot mount, and with the lever also having a first end connected to the drive unit, rotating a second end connected to the plurality of connectors and the counterweight. The actuator also preferably includes a overtravel connection which connects the rotating drive unit to the first end of the lever and allows the rotary drive unit to move the mold support assembly down to a lower position while allowing the Rotating drive unit overrides to make sure the mold support assembly is in a lower position. In its preferred construction, the support and drive mechanism includes four of the connectors. The second end of the lever has two portions respectively connected in the form of a pivot to two of the connectors. The second end of the lever has another portion and a yoke connected in the form of a pivot to it with the yoke having opposite ends pivotally connected to the other two connectors. Each of the connectors in the preferred construction of the support and drive mechanism includes an adjuster for adjusting its length. These adjusters are located along the connector rods, vertical that extend upwardly from the actuator to the pivot joints, top and are preferably located adjacent to the floor of the factory to be easily accessible. The mold support assembly moved by the support and drive mechanism includes a tubular support located within the heated chamber and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet that allows the flow of a liquid refrigerant through the tubular support, to provide temperature control that reduces thermal expansion. A vertical mounting guide is located externally of the heated chamber and has a vertically movable connection to the tubular support, to allow tubular movement thereof in a horizontally fixed location. A mold support of the assembly supports the mold that provides the formation of hot glass sheets. The support frames support the mold support in the tubular support, and the positioning devices position the mold support with respect to the tubular support to provide a thermally stable center of the mold support. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mold assembly for cyclically forming heated glass sheets. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the mold assembly of the invention includes a lower mold having a mold surface, facing upwards. A top mold of the mold assembly has a mold surface facing downwardly opposing the mold surface facing upwardly of the bottom mold, to form a glass sheet, heated during the movement of the molds toward each other. The alignment guides align the molds with each other as needed during movement of the molds towards each other to ensure proper formation. Detachable connectors of the mold assembly connect the molds together to allow the lower mold to be suspended from the upper mold during the installation and removal of a glass sheet forming station. The connectors disconnect the molds from each other for use in the formation of glass sheets in the glass sheet forming station. In one embodiment, the detachable connectors comprise fasteners each of which include a fastener member mounted on one of the molds and a fastener mounted on the other mold. Each fastener member can be moved between a clamped position securing the associated fastener to connect the molds to each other and an unclamped position where the associated fastener is released to allow movement of the molds relative to each other. The fastener connections of this embodiment extend between associated pairs of fastener members, so that they can move with each other between the fastened and unclamped positions. In another embodiment, the detachable connectors comprise retainers that are placed in a coupled relationship with the molds to secure the molds to each other. These retainers can be moved from the molds to release the molds from each other. In the preferred construction, the upper mold includes a support plate having mounting portions for mounting the upper mold for use and having mounting guide portions for guiding the upper mold in its position in the installation for use. This support plate has opposite ends and separate sides that cooperate to define a generally rectangular shape having an open center. Each of the ends of the support plate has a pair of mounting portions and a mounting guide portion therebetween, with the pair of mounting portions and the mounting guide portion of one end of the support plate that it is exposed outwardly with respect to the rectangular shape of the support plate, and with the pair of mounting portions and the mounting guide portion of the other end of the support plate that is within the open center of the rectangular shape of the support plate. Each side of the support plate has a mounting guide portion which is preferably located within the center of the rectangular shape of the support plate. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for changing a heated mold in a forming station in a heated chamber where the mold cyclically forms glass sheets, heated. In carrying out the immediately preceding object the apparatus includes a localized exchange station adjacent to a forming station in the heated chamber, where the mold cyclically forms glass sheets, heated. A discharge station of the apparatus is located adjacent to the change station, and a mold preheating station is also located adjacent to the change station. A discharging cart of the apparatus can be moved initially from the unloading station to the change station and then to the forming station to receive the heated mold from the forming station. The unloading carriage can subsequently be moved from the training station back through the change station to the unloading station to allow discharge of the heated mold. The loading cart of the apparatus supports a second mold for heating inside the mold pre-heating station. The loading carriage can be moved to move the second heated mold from the mold preheating station to the change station and then to the forming station for loading the second heated mold into the forming station. In the preferred construction of the apparatus, the change station is located downstream of the forming station along a conveying direction of the heated chamber. The discharge station is located downstream from the change station along the transport direction, and the mold preheating station is located laterally with respect to the transport direction of the change station. The mold changing apparatus includes a primary railroad having a pair of spaced rails extending along the transport direction from the forming station through the change station to the unloading station to support the carriage discharge for movement between the loading station and the forming station, through the change station and also to support the loading carriage for movement between the exchange station and the training station. An auxiliary rail of the apparatus extends laterally with respect to the transport direction from the change station to the mold preheating station and includes a pair of separate rails. The auxiliary railway has an actuator that moves the separate rails of the auxiliary railway from an inactive, lower position or a higher use position to support the loading carriage for movement between the mold preheating station and the loading station. change. The rail pairs of each rail include a guide rail that provides the guidance of the platform. An auxiliary railway driver includes a pair of operators to move rail face of the auxiliary railway between the inactive, lower position and the use position, each operation includes a pivot crank, and a cylinder, and the crank in pivot has a first arm connected to the associated rail and also has a second arm connected to the cylinder. The forming station for mounting the heated mold includes a mold support assembly having mold mounts. The unloading carriage moves the first heated mold, mentioned outside of a supported relationship with the mold mounts in the movement of the unloading carriage from the forming station to the exchange station. Additionally, the load carriage moves the second heated mold in a supported relationship with the mold mounts in the movement of the load carriage from the change station to the forming station. In the preferred construction, the forming station includes a support and drive mechanism that moves the mold support assembly vertically downward and upwardly. This mechanism moves the mold support assembly down to uncouple the mold mounts from the first heated mold, mentioned in the preparation for the movement of the same from the training station in the unloading cart. The mechanism moves the mold support assembly upwards to couple the mold mounts with the second heated mold after the movement thereof in the loading carriage to the forming station. The mold support assembly includes vertical mounting guides that guide the second pair of heated molds in upward movement of the mold support assembly to control the locations in which the mold mounts engage the second heated mold. The apparatus is described as including roller guides and is also described as including ramp guide, and in the preferred construction includes both roller guides and ramp guide. The apparatus has particular utility for changing a pair of heated molds at the same time. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for changing a heated mold in a forming station in a heated chamber, where the mold cyclically forms the heated glass sheets. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the method of changing molds is performed by moving a discharge carriage from a discharge station through a change station and then to the forming station, to receive the heated mold. Subsequently, the unloading carriage moves with the mold heated therein from the forming station through the change station to the unloading station. Subsequently, a loading car with a second mold heated therein moves from a mold preheating station to the exchange station and then to the forming station for loading the second heated mold in the forming station. In the preferred practice of the method, the unloading carriage moves on a primary railroad along a transport direction of the heated chamber between the unloading station and the forming station through the exchange station. The loading carriage moves on an auxiliary rail, laterally with respect to the transport direction of the heated chamber between the mold preheating station and the change station and moves on the primary rail along the direction of transport of the heated chamber between the exchange station and the training station. A mold support assembly preferably moves downwardly in the forming station to uncouple the mold mounts therefrom from the first heated mold, mentioned before movement thereof in the discharge carriage from the forming station. The mold support assembly is moved upwards to couple the frames of the mold mold with the second heated mold, after the movement thereof in the loading carriage to the forming station. The first heated mold, mentioned and the other heated mold connected removably to it are initially moved in the discharge carriage outside the heated chamber. Subsequently, the second heated mold and a heated, additional mold removably connected to the second heated mold are moved in the charging carriage towards the heated chamber for installation and then disconnected from each other for the cyclic formation of glass sheets. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for forming and cooling glass sheets that includes a cooling loader for loading and unloading a set of cooling modules, lower and upper. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the glass sheet forming and cooling system includes a forming station for forming the glass sheets and also includes a cooling station located adjacent to the forming station and includes supply ducts, lower and upper to provide pressurized air flow. A cooling platform of the cooling station moves a cooling ring between the formation station where a glass sheet formed and heated is received, in this way, and the cooling station for the cooling of the glass sheet, formed. A cooling loader of the system includes a cooling transport having a pair of spaced sides and an end extending between the sides thereof to define a horizontally opening U shape receiving a set of lower cooling modules and superior. The cooling transport includes mounts for mounting the set of cooling modules, lower and upper, within its U-shape for movement to the cooling station, to allow the use thereof with the supply conduits, lower and higher. The transport allows the subsequent movement of the set of cooling modules, lower and upper therein, from the cooling station, to allow the use of another set of cooling modules, lower and upper, in the cooling station. In the preferred construction of the system, the cooling loader includes a crane at the top that supports the cooling transport. The system also includes a railway track at the top along which the crane moves to move the cooling transport and the set of cooling modules, lower and upper, mounted in this way to and from the cooling station. The cooling transport mounts are located on the sides of the cooling transport, and each side of the cooling transport preferably includes lower and upper mounts for respectively mounting the cooling, lower and upper modules. More specifically, the lower mounts are personified by hooks and the upper mounts are personified by pads. Additionally, the hooks are preferably mounted on the sides of the cooling conveyor for horizontal movement facilitating the installation procedure. Each side of the cooling transport includes a stop for coupling the set of cooling modules, to provide placement of the cooling transport with respect to the cooling modules. The system for forming and cooling glass sheets also includes an elongated heating furnace having a main shaft along which the glass sheets are transported for heating. The forming station is located in alignment with the heating station along the primary axis, and the cooling station extends from the forming station in a direction transverse to the primary axis. A railroad cooling system includes a pair of separate rails extending from the formation station on opposite sides of the supply conduits. At least one of the rails can be moved from a position of use where the platform is supported for movement between the training station and the cooling station. The other rail is mounted for movement from the use position to the inactive position separated from the training station. An actuator preferably moves a rail between the position of use and the inactive position, and this actuator is preferably incorporated by a rack secured to a rail and a pinion engaged with the rack and which can be rotated to move the associated rail between the rails. positions of use and inactive. The actuator also includes a manual crank to rotate the pinion. In the preferred construction, the other rail can also be moved between an adjacent use position of the training station and an inactive position separated from the training station, so that the cooling modules can be accessed from both sides as needed . Each rail includes an actuator to provide the movement thereof between the use and inactive positions, and each actuator includes a rack secured to its rail and a rotatable pinion meshed with the rack thereof and which can be rotated to move its rail between the use and inactive positions. A manual pinion rack provides rotation of the pinion Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for installing a set of lower and upper cooling modules in a glass sheet cooling station. In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the method is carried out by mounting the set of cooling modules, lower and upper, inside a cooling transport, U-shaped, which opens horizontally. The cooling transport is then moved with the set of cooling modules, lower and upper mounted on it to the cooling station between the supply ducts of pressurized, lower and upper air. The lower and upper cooling modules are then transferred from the cooling transport for mounting to the cooling station in respective communication with the pressurized, lower and upper air supply ducts. In the preferred practice of the method, the lower and upper moldings of the cooling conveyor are respectively coupled with the lower and upper cooling molds to provide assembly thereof in the cooling conveyor. A cooling transport platform rail moves from a position of use. to an inactive position to allow the installation of the set of cooling modules, lower and upper and subsequently moves back to the position of use to allow the operation of a cooling platform. During the installation of the cooling module, the keyways and keyways align the lower and upper cooling modules with respect to the supply lines of pressurized, lower and upper air. The keys are searched in the initial installation to align the cooling modules and the supply ducts. The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a glass sheet processing system embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic elevation view taken along the direction of line 2-2 in Figure 1 to illustrate the operation of a formation station and a system cooling station.

Figure 3 is a schematic view taken along the direction of line 3-3 in Figure 1, to illustrate the beginning of a cycle of forming glass sheets as the upper mold moves downwards to be adjacent to a heating conveyor for receiving a glass sheet, heated from it for forming.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the forming apparatus similar to Figure 3 but at a later stage of the cycle after the upper mold has been moved up and a lower mold has been moved horizontally on a lower mold platform from below of the upper mold and then transferred to a lower mold support assembly in preparation for formation.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the forming apparatus similar to Figure 4, but still in a later stage of the cycle after the upper mold has moved down towards the lower mold to provide press forming therebetween. glass sheet Figure 6 is a schematic view of the forming apparatus in still a later stage of the cycle where the upper mold has been moved upwards and a cooling ring has moved below the upper mold to receive the glass sheet, formed therefrom in preparation for movement a cooling station for cooling.

Figure 7 is a partially separated perspective view illustrating a glass sheet heating oven of the system by a dotted line representation and also illustrates the forming station and the cooling station.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the upper part taken along the line direction 8-8 in Figure 2 and from the left to the right illustrating the lower forming mold, the upper forming mold being shows by the representation of dashed lines, and a cooling platform that supports the cooling ring.

Figure 9 is an elevation view taken along the direction of line 9-9 in Figure 8 to further illustrate the lower mold, the upper mold and the cooling platform carrying the cooling ring.

Figure 10 is an elevation view taken in section along the direction of line 10-10 in Figure 9 to illustrate a roller and horizontal, positioning devices that support a die of the lower mold platform that moves the mold lower horizontally during the training cycle.

Figure 11 is an elevation view illustrating a lower mold support assembly shown in this embodiment as a ball transfer including a ball on which the lower mold is supported during forming.

FIGURE IA is an elevation view of another embodiment of the lower mold support assembly shown as including a pad on which the lower mold is supported during the forming cycle.

Figure 12 is an elevation view taken in the same direction as Figure 9, but illustrating the upper or lower molds during press forming of the glass sheet.

Figure 12a is a sectional view taken along the direction of line 12a-12a in Figure 12 to illustrate an isolated tubular construction of the lower mold platform.

Figure 13 is a view taken also in the same direction as in Figure 9, to illustrate the manner in which the cooling platform moves below the upper mold at a later stage of a cycle to receive the glass sheet, formed in preparation for movement to the cooling station.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along the direction of line 14-14 in Figure 4 to illustrate the forming apparatus, the lower mold support assembly, an upper mold assembly and a support mechanism and drive for mounting upper mold support.

Figure 15 is a partially separated perspective view illustrating the upper mold support assembly and its support and drive mechanism.

Figure 16 is a perspective view, partly separated from the upper mold support assembly and also illustrates the upper mold and the mounting tracks used in the upper mold support.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the system for changing an assembly of the lower and upper molds which are secured to each other by removable heaters personified by fasteners.

Figure 17a is a view of an alternative embodiment of removable connectors personified by removable retainers.

Figures 18 and 19 are respectively taken along the directions of the lines 18-18 and 19-19 of Figure 17 illustrate the rails of a primary railway track of the mold changing apparatus.

Figures 20 and 21 are taken respectively along the directions of lines 20-20 and 21-21 of Figure 17 and illustrate the rails of an auxiliary rail of the mold changing apparatus.

Figure 22 is a perspective view illustrating the cooling station of the apparatus and illustrated in its operational condition.

Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 22, but shows the cooling station with a rail in which the cooling platform is moved in an inactive position to facilitate the change of the cooling modules of the cooling station.

Figure 24 is a sectional view, along the direction of line 24-24 in Figure 22 and illustrates the manner in which the cooling platform is supported by the associated rail to move the cooling ring between the station of training and the cooling station.

Figure 25 of the top plan view illustrates a cooling charger used to change a set of cooling modules, lower and upper cooling station.

Figure 26 is a perspective view illustrating the cooling loader.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, a glass sheet cooling training system embodying the invention is generally indicated by 10 and will be briefly described before a detailed description of each station , apparatus, and method of operation used to perform the formation and cooling of the glass sheets. The system 10 includes an elongated furnace 12 in which the glass sheets are heated during movement along a primary axis of the system A, movement which is also referred to as a transport direction through the system. The transport inside the furnace 12 can be on a roller conveyor 14 which includes the rollers 16 as illustrated in Figures 2-7. As specifically shown in Figure 7, the glass sheets are introduced into the system 10 on a loading table 18 for movement in a housing 20 of the system defining a heated chamber 22 as shown in Figures 2-6. With continued reference to Figure 1, the glass sheets after heating to the forming temperature are moved to the right to a forming station 24 which includes 26 for the cyclic formation of the glass sheets as described more fully and in FIG. later way. This apparatus 26 includes an upper mold support assembly 28 and also includes a support and drive mechanism 30 that moves the upper mold support assembly vertically during the forming operation. In addition, the system includes apparatus 32 for changing a heated mold used in the glass sheet forming operation. A mold mold 34 used in the forming operation can be changed by the mold changing apparatus 32 as shown more specifically in Figure 17 and includes a lower mold 36 and an upper mold 38 which both change at the same time. More specifically, after removal of a heated mold assembly 34 including the lower and upper molds 36 and 38, another pre-heated mold assembly 34 'having the upper and lower molds 36 and 38 can be installed in the system as described further completely later. The system 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes a cooling station 40 for cooling the formed glass sheets. This cooling station, also shown in Figures 25 and 26, includes a cooling charger 42 that charges and discharges a set 44 of cooling modules. More specifically, the cooling charger 42 can be operated to provide charging and discharging of the cooling module assembly 44 which includes a cooling module 46, lower cooling module, upper, which are separated from each other in a opposite relationship during use to cooperatively provide upward and downwardly directed cooling gas that rapidly cools and quenches a formed glass sheet as more fully described later. With reference to Figures 2-6, the training station 24 and the cooling station 40 will be described in conjunction with their schematic illustration to facilitate an understanding of the method of system operation before a more complete integrated description of the apparatus and method of operation. operation in conjunction with the other drawings. As shown in Figure 2, the forming apparatus 26 of the forming station 24 is located within the heated chamber 22 by system housing 20. More specifically, an upper mold support assembly 28 supports the upper mold 38 for vertical movement above the roller conveyor 14. The forming apparatus 26 also includes a lower mold platform 50 for supporting the lower mold 36 for the movement at an elevation above the heating conveyor 14 between an inactive position shown by the horizontally separated solid line representation of the upper mold 38 and a use position below the upper mold as shown by the dashed line representation. In the inactive position, the lower mold is located within a lateral extension 20 'of the system housing as shown in Figure 14, with the lateral extension being referred to as the "hot box". An initial cycle of the glass forming operation begins with the lower mold platform 50 which places the lower mold 36 in its position indicated by solid lines and, as shown in Figure 3, a top mold support assembly 28 moves the upper mold 38 downwards in proximity with a heated glass sheet G received under the upper roller mold 16 of the conveyor 14. A vacuum generator 54 then forms a vacuum in a surface 56 that faces down the upper mold 38 and the Gas jet pumps 58 below the conveyor 14 blow the heated gas upwardly between the rollers 16 to provide a gas pressure differential that transfers the glass sheet to the upper mold 38. The gas formation cycle continues as shown in Figure 4 as the drive support mechanism 30 moves the upper mold support assembly 28 upwards to thermove the upper mold 38 and the sheet glass G supported in this way to an upper position separated above the conveyor 14. Lower mold platform 50 then moves the lower mold 36 from its inactive position shown by the solid line representation in Figure 2 to its position of use shown by the broken line representation schematically illustrated also in Figure 4 below the upper mold 38. In this position of use, the lower mold support 36 is transferred from the lower mold platform 50 to a mold support assembly 60. lower as described more fully later. While supported in the lower mold support assembly 60, the lower mold 36 can be moved horizontally as necessary for alignment with the upper mold 38 as the lower mold support assembly 28 moves the upper mold down to the position of Figure 5 where the glass sheet G form between the upper and lower molds 36 and 38. After this formation, the upper mold support assembly 28 moves the upper mold 38 upwards and the lower mold 36 is transferred from the lower mold support assembly back to the platform 50 of the lower mold for movement from the position of use under the upper mold 38 back to the inactive position. At the same time, a cooling platform 62 of the cooling station 40 shown in Figure 2 is moved by an actuator 64 to move a cooling ring 66 on the cooling platform to a transfer position below the upper mold 38 as shown in Figure 6. The upper mold 38 then moves downward toward the cooling ring 66 and the vacuum generator 54 then the vacuum drawn on the surface 56 that faces downwards of the upper mold 38 terminates and also preferably concomitantly provides a gas flow down, pressurized on that surface to release the glass sheet formed in the cooling ring 66. The actuator 64 of the cooling platform 62 shown in Figure 2 then moves the cooling ring 66 of the training station 26 back to the cooling station 40 for cooling the glass sheet formed between the cooling modules 46 and 48 , inferior and superior. As shown in Figure 8, the lower mold platform 50 includes a pair of spaced platform members 68 which are supported, as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 12, by vertically movable rollers 70. , associated. These rollers have an upper position which supports the members 68 on the platform 50 of the lower mold during the movement of the lower mold between the inactive and use positions as previously described in conjunction with Figure 2. The rollers 70 also have a lower position in which the platform 50 of the lower mold is moved downwardly by the lower mold 36 in the position of use to provide the transfer of the lower mold to the assembly 60 of the lower mold support. As best shown in Figure 10, the forming apparatus also includes horizontal setter devices 72 which cooperate with the rollers 70 to support and guide the platform members 68 of the silver form 50 of the lower mold during movement of the lower mold between inactive and use positions. More specifically, each roller 70 has a horizontal length 74 extending outwardly from the heated chamber through a vertical slot 76 in the housing 20 of the system, and is supported by an associated bearing 78. A seal 80 in each roller shaft 74 moves vertically with the roller and seals slot 76 of the housing. Additionally, each horizontal positioning device 72 is embodied as a pivotable positioning device having a vertical shaft 82 that extends downwardly through the floor of the housing 20 of the system to project outwardly from the heated chamber where an associated bearing 84 provides support rotary. The shafts 74 and 82 may be hollow and have similar couplings that connect to a liquid coolant hose to prevent overheating. Each of the bearings 78 and 84 are supported by a common molding 86 that moves vertically by an elevating mechanism 88 to provide vertical movement of the rollers 70, as well as to provide vertical movement of the horizontal, placement devices. 72. More specifically, the lifting mechanism 88 includes a lift 90 that moves the molding 86 vertically and also includes a transverse shaft 92 connecting the cams associated with each of the roller pairs 70 associated respectively with the torque of platform membersNIN , spaced 68 from the lower mold platform 50. A suitable rotatable actuator rotates the transverse shaft 92 to move the cams 90 of the associated rollers 70 and the horizontal positioning devices 72 vertically for the lower mold transfer between the lower mold platform 50 and the mold support assembly lower as previously described. With reference to Figures 8, 9 and 12, the lower mold support assembly 60 includes four lower supports 94 for supporting the lower mold 36 adjacent to the corner tabs 96 thereof as shown in Figure 8. In a construction illustrated in Figure 11, each lower mold support 94 is personified by a bag transfer 98 having housing 100 supporting a ball 102 by a ball path 104. A fluid inlet 106 and a fluid outlet 108 allow a liquid coolant provides an implement so that the ball 102 is liquid cooled. In another construction illustrated in FIG. 11, the lower support includes a pad 110 that supports the associated corner tab 96 of the lower mold 36. The housing 100 in this construction the lower mold support has a fluid inlet 106 and a fluid outlet 108, so that the pad 110 is cooled by liquid. Preferably, the pad 110 is made of a carbon material. The use of the ball transfer 98 shown in Figure 11 is preferred when it is desired that the lower mold 36 move horizontally more easily, while the embodiment of Figure 10 with the carbon pad 110 cooled by liquid is useful in applications to prevent excessive movement of the lower mold, horizontally. As illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 12, the platform 50 of the lower mold includes a latch 112 that secures the lower mold 36 against movement in the lower mold platform along its travel direction during movement between the molds. inactive and use positions. More specifically, the safety 112 includes a pair of safety rods 114 each of which has a spherical bearing connection 116, an associated lower mold corner 96 and also has an end extending through a hole in a tab 118 in the associated platform member 68. The lock member 120 pivotally mounted on each tab 116 also has a hole through which the associated lock rod 114. extends. An actuator not shown is connected to both different lock members to pivot the lock members. between the insured and unsecured positions. In the secured position, the insurance members secure the safety rods 114 to prevent movement thereof and the lower mold connected to the lower mold platform along the direction of travel between the inactive and use positions. The lower mold is secured against movement in the lower mold platform along the travel direction as it moves between the inactive positions of use. An unlocked position, the hole of each tab 118 is aligned with the hole in the lock number 120 to allow the movement of the lock rods 114 and therefore the movement of the lower mold 36 horizontally along the direction of the trip between inactive and use positions, as previously described. Additionally, an unsecured position, the bearing ball connections 116 allow horizontal movement of the lower mold 36 in a direction transverse to the direction of movement when the positions are unoccupied and of use. The lower mold 36 in this manner is then free to move horizontally in the lower mold support assembly for the alignment adjustment in the use position as the upper mold 36 moves downwardly as illustrated in Figure 12. It should be noted that the ball-and-socket joint 116 o on its upper side to allow the dismounting of the rods 114 of the lower mold 36 for the change of a mold as described more fully and subsequently. With combined reference to Figures 1, 8, 9 and 12, the lower and upper molds 36 and 38 have a longitudinal alignment guide, indicated collectively by 122, and have a pair of lateral alignment guides, collectively indicated by 124. Each of these guideways alignment 122 and 124 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 includes a pair of spaced rollers 126 in the lower mold 36 and also includes a pin 128 that protrudes downwardly into the upper mold 38. The rollers 126 of the guide 122 of longitudinal alignment are placed along the axes extending transverse to the axis A of the system, primary to thereby place the horizontal, lower mold 36 longitudinally along the primary axis when the upper mold 36 moves down to the position of Figure 12. In addition, also as shown in Figure 8, the rollers 126 of the pair of lateral alignment guides 124 extend parallel to the axis of the system A such that the movement toward down from the upper mold 38 to the position of Figure 12 causes the rollers 126 to receive the pins 128 and provide lateral positioning of the lower mold 36. This positioning of the lower mold 36 as necessary takes place with the lower mold 36 in the position of use and supported by the lower mold supports 94 of the lower mold support assembly 36 previously described. In the movement of the upper mold 38 to the lower position shown in Figure 12, the lower and upper molds are aligned to ensure proper press formation of the glass sheet, heated between the molds. As illustrated in Figure 8, the lower mold supports 94 of the lower mold support assembly 60 are separated closer together than the lower mold platform members 68 which are thus located between the lower mold supports. of bottom mold 36 on the mold platform 50 lower than the position of use of Figure 12 where the transfer takes place between the lower mold platform and the lower mold support assembly. Also, the pairs of the lower mold supports 94 are mounted as shown in Figure 14 on a support member 129 within the heated chamber 22 of the housing 20 as more fully described later. With continuous reference to Figures 8, 9 and 12, the lower mold 36 includes lower stops 130 and the upper mold 38 includes upper stops 132. More specifically, these stops 130 and 132 are located adjacent to the four corners of the molds and they are coupled together as shown in Figure 12 to ensure proper spacing between the molds in the lower position where the glass sheet is pressed. In this way, the stops prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the glass sheet that is formed. With reference to Figure 12a, the platform 50 of the lower mold has a tubular construction to allow liquid refrigerant to flow therethrough for cooling. This tubular construction of the lower mold platform 50 has an outer insulation 133 which maintains the mold platform at a lower temperature in cooperation with the coolant flow. As illustrated in Figure 8, the cooling platform 62 supporting the cooling ring 66 includes a pair of cooling members 134 spaced apart from each other. These cooling platform members 134 are supported for movement between the transfer and cooling positions previously described in Figure 2 in a manner that is more fully described later in conjunction with the description of the cooling station 4 0. The cooling ring 66 includes corner supports 136 which are supported by platform members 134 of the cooling platform 62. This support of the cooling ring 66 allows adjustment of horizontal alignment thereof with the upper mold 38 in a manner similar to the alignment adjustment previously described in conjunction with the lower mold 36. More specifically, the cooling ring 66 and the upper mold 38 have a longitudinal alignment guide collectively indicated by 138 and also have side alignment guides collectively indicated by 140. The horizontal alignment guide 138 of the cooling ring 66 includes a pair of rollers 142 which rotate about the axes transverse to the primary axis A of the system and also use the same downwardly projecting pin 128 of the longitudinal alignment guide 122 of the upper mold 38, to provide longitudinal positioning along the primary axis of the system. The lateral positioning guides 140 of the cooling ring 66 each include a pair of rollers 144 that rotate <; around the axes parallel to the primary axis of system A transversely spaced from the longitudinal alignment guide of the cooling ring. The lateral alignment guides 140 of the cooling ring 66 also include downwardly projecting pins 146 in the upper mold 38 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 and these pins are received by their rollers 144 in the cooling ring to provide lateral positioning of the cooling ring when the upper mold 38 moves downwardly as shown in Figure 13 to receive a glass sheet, heated from the upper mold as previously described. As illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 13, the cooling platform 62 includes a latch 148 that prevents horizontal movement of the cooling ring 66 on the cooling platform during its movement between the transfer position illustrated in Figure 6 and the cooling position illustrated in Figure 2. The latch 148 as shown in Figure 8 includes a pair of latch rods 150 respectively associated with the pair of platform members 134 of the cooling platform. The latch 148 also includes a pair of latch members 152 supported respectively by pivot connections 154 in the pair of cooling platform members 134. Each safety rod 150 has an end driven by a suitable actuator 156 which is preferably an air cylinder. A connection to 158 of each safety rod 150 receives an end 160 of the associated safety member 152 whose other end 162 is placed on the corner bracket 136 adjacent to the cooling ring 66. The actuators 156 pull the safety rods 150. for pivoting the locking members 152 in the counterclockwise direction, and thereby providing a securing latch for the associated cooling ring corner bracket 136. This securing device prevents the movement of the cooling ring 66 on the cooling platform 62 during its movement between the transfer and cooling positions. In the transfer position shown in Figure 13, each actuator 156 terminates pull on the associated safety rod 150 such that the safety member 152 controlled in this way ceases holding the cooling ring support 136, associated in order to allow the horizontal movement of the cooling ring 66 in the cooling platform as necessary for the alignment of the cooling ring with the upper mold 38 as the upper mold moves downwards to release the glass sheet formed in the cooling ring. Subsequently, the upper mold 38 moves upward and the latches 148 are again secured as the cooling platform 62 moves the cooling ring 66 from the transfer position to the cooling position shown in Figure 2 for cooling the sheet of glass between cooling modules 46 and 48, lower and upper. With reference to Figure 14, the upper mold support assembly 28 is shown mounted within the heated chamber 22 of the housing 20 of the system to provide support for the upper mold 38 that is used within this heated chamber to effect the formation of the glass sheet as previously described. This upper mold support assembly 28 includes a tubular holder 164 which is collectively indicated by 164 and is further illustrated also in Figures 15 and 16. The tubular holder 164 includes a fluid inlet 166 and a fluid outlet. 168 allowing the flow of a liquid refrigerant through the tubular support, to provide temperature control that reduces the thermal expansion of the tubular support within the heated environment in which it is located. A vertical guide 170 is located externally of the heated chamber and has a mobile connection 172 to the tubular support 164 to allow vertical movement of tubular support in a horizontally fixed location. The housing 20 includes a vertical slot 173 through which the connection extends to allow horizontal movement. A mold support 174 of the upper mold support assembly 28 is illustrated in Figures 14-16 and supports the upper mold 38 which provides the formation of glass sheets, hot in a cyclical way as described previously. The support frames 176 support the mold support 174 on the tubular support 164. A longitudinal positioning device 178 and a pair of lateral positioning devices 180 place the mold support 174 with respect to the tubular support 164 to provide a thermally stable center of the support printed. More specifically, the longitudinal positioning device 178 provides positioning of the mold support 174 along the primary axis A of the system while the lateral positioning devices 180 provide placement in a direction transverse to the primary axis A of the system. The longitudinal setting device 178 is located longitudinally in approximately the center of the supported upper mold 38, while the lateral setting devices 180 are located laterally in the lateral center of the upper mold such that any thermal expansion takes place around a center Thermally stable in general in the center of the mold. As best illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the tubular support 164 has a rectangular shape within which mold support 174. is received. Similarly, the mold support 174 has a rectangular shape, as more fully described in a manner that later. The rectangular tubular support 164 includes a pair of end or end tubes 182, one of which communicates with the fluid inlet 166 and the other of which communicates with the fluid outlet 168. A pair of side tubes 184 of the tubular support extends between the pair of end tubes 182 thereof in a spaced apart relationship to cooperate with each other and with the end tubes when defining the rectangular shape of the tubular support. The pair of end tubes 182 has a cross-sectional flow area larger than the pair of side tubes 184 to terminate a generally uniform flow of liquid refrigerant through the tubes of the tubular support. More specifically, as illustrated, all tubes 182 and 184 of the tubular support have a round cross section. As shown in Figure 15, one of the end tubes 182 includes an extension 186 extending from the rectangular shape of the tubular support of the vertical guide 170 and the other end or end tube includes an extension 188 extending through from a vertical receiving groove 189 to a lateral positioning device 190 externally of the heated chamber 22 of the housing of the system 20. The vertical guide 170, as shown in Figures 14-16, includes an antifriction bearing 192 that can be moving along a vertical guide rod 194 which is mounted externally fixed to the chamber heated by upper and lower ears 196 and 198, post-mounted. The lateral positioning device 190, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, includes a vertical positioning member 200 externally fixedly mounted to the heated chamber, such as by a post-assembly as illustrated in Figure 15. The device side setter 190 also includes a pair of spaced setting devices 202 personified by the rollers mounted on the extension 188 of the end tube with the vertical positioning member 200 therebetween, to provide positioning about a lateral direction with respect to the primary axis A of the system . As best illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the mold support 174 includes a pair of end members 204 and a pair of side members 206 that connect to each other to define their rectangular shape. As mentioned previously, the tubular support 164 has a rectangular shape that receives the upper, rectangular mold support 174. As illustrated in Figure 16, the upper mold support 174 also includes a pair of transverse members 208 that extend between the side members 206 thereof in a parallel relationship to the end members 204. The transverse members 208 have support connections 210 for supporting the support 174 of the upper mold in a suspended manner from the support and drive mechanism 30, as described more fully later. One of the transverse members 208 includes a pair of mold mounts 212 attached thereto for mounting the upper mold 38 as more fully described later. These fixed mold mounts 212 have a generally L-shape extending downwardly from the mold support cross member 208 associated with the bottom foot thereof projecting along the primary axis A of the system as the direction of transport during the heating of the glass sheets. In another transverse mold support member 208 includes a yoke 214 mounted on a pivot having a mold mounting pair 216 spaced laterally from one another along the primary axis A of the system. Additionally, each side member 206 includes a mold mounting guide 218 and each cross member 208 includes a mold mounting guide 220. More specifically, the mold mounting guide 218 of each side member 206 includes a guide ramp 222 and each mold mounting guide 220 of each cross member 208 includes a pair of guide rollers 224. The mold mounts 212 and 216 cooperate with the mold mounting guides 218 and 222 to provide mounting of the upper mold 38 of the assembly of mold 34 shown in Figure 17 in a manner that is more fully described later in conjunction with the description of the mold assembly and the mold change. With reference to Figure 16, each support frame 176 includes a blade 226 extending inwardly from the tubular holder 164 adjacent one of its corners and as shown from the adjacent end of the side tube 184. Each support frame 176 it also includes an opening 228 in the mold support 174 equally adjacent to one of its corners and as shown in one of the side members 206. The openings 228 receive the blades 226 to provide the mount of the mold support 174 in the tubular support. 164 while allowing the horizontal positioning movement with respect to this under the operation of the laying devices 178 and 180 previously described. These positioning devices 178 and 180 as illustrated comprise pin and slot setting devices extending between the tubular support 164 and the mold support 174 with the longitudinal positioning device 178 which fixes the longitudinal mold support center 174 along the length of the primary shaft A of the system and with the lateral attaching devices 180 that fix the lateral center of the mold support transverse to the axis of the system A. As illustrated in Figures 14-16, the tubular support 164 includes an outer insulator 230 that includes a interior layer 232 of ceramic fiber and a reflective layer 234 metal, exterior. With reference to Figures 7, 14 and 15, the support and drive mechanism 30 for the upper mold support assembly 28 is illustrated as including a frame 236 mounted on the factory floor 238 and including horizontal beams 240 which is they extend over the system housing as well as vertical posts 242 that support the horizontal beams in the floor. An actuator 244 of the support and drive mechanism 30 is mounted adjacent to one of the vertical posts 242 adjacent to the floor of the factory 238 to be conveniently accessible. Additionally, a plurality of connectors 246 extend from the actuator 244 to the upper mold support assembly 28 at the spaced locations provided by the support connections 210 previously described. As best illustrated by combined reference to Figures 14 and 15, each connector 246 of the upper mold support and drive mechanism 30 includes a vertical connector rod 248 having a lower end that includes a connection 250 to the actuator 244 having an upper end that includes a 252 connection to a pivot joint, upper 254 mounted on the frame 266 by a pivot mount 256. Each connector 246 also includes a horizontal, connector rod 258 having one end connected to the pivot, upper, associated link 254 by a pivot connection 260. Each connector rod, horizontal 258 also has another end that includes a connection and a pivot 262 to a sector wheel 264, and each sector wheel 264 has a pivot mount 266 on frame 236. Each connector 246 includes a flexible member 268 that is extends from the associated sector wheel 268, and each connector also includes a vertical mold rod 270 which depends on the flexible member thereof and which is connected to the upper mold support assembly 28 by the support connections 210 previously described. The operation of the actuator 244, as more fully described later, causes the mechanism 30 to move the upper mold support assembly 28 vertically to provide the sheeting operation described previously. As shown in both figures 14 and 15, the sector wheel 264 of each connector 246 is preferably a sector gear and flexible member 268 thereof is a chain that is received by the teeth of the gear. The operation of the actuator 244 that moves each connector 246 thereby rotates the sector gear 246 to move the flexible chain 268 and thereby move the associated mold rod 270 up or down to equally move vertically the upper mold support 28. As shown in Figure 14, the actuator 244 includes a counterweight 272 to counterbalance the weight of the upper mold support assembly 28 and the upper mold 38 supported in this way for the glass forming operation. This counterweight 272 includes a gas cylinder 274 having a connection 276 to the factory floor 238. A piston 278 of the cylinder 274 is deflected by the pressurized gas, supplied by a reservoir 280 of pressurized gas to be pushed in a downward direction. Additionally, a lever 282 of the actuator 244 is secured by the connections 250 to the connectors 246 and a connecting rod 284 of the piston 278 to be connected in this way to the counterweight 272 for the counterweight operation. The volume of the reservoir 280 of pressurized gas is in the order of 20 times or so that the volume of the gas cylinder 274 so that the movement of the piston does not substantially change the magnitude of the inclination of the counterweight. As illustrated in both Figures 14 and 15, the actuator 2k44 also includes a rotary drive unit 286 having a drive motor 288 that drives a gearbox 290 having a rotary output 292. With continuous reference to Figure 14, the lever 282 has a central portion including a pivot mount 294. The lever 282 has a first end 296 connected to the rotary drive joint 286 at its outlet 292 by a drive connector 298. More specifically, the connector drive 298 has the connection 300 to the first lever end 296 having a connection 302 to the outlet of the 292 of the rotary drive unit. Additionally, lever 282 has a second end 304 connected to connectors 246 and counterweight 272 by connections 250. As best illustrated in Figure 14, drive connector 298 includes a overtravel connection 306 that connects the drive union. rotating 286 at its outlet 292 with the first end 296 of the lever 282. This overtravel connection 306 allows the rotary drive union 286 to move the mold support assembly 28 downward to the opposite lower position while allowing the Rotating drive unit is overrun to ensure that the mold support assembly is in the interior position. As best illustrated in Figure 15, there are four of the connectors 246 that extend between the actuator 244 and the upper mold support assembly 28. The second lever end 304 has two legs 308 secured by the connections 250 directly to the lower ends of the two vertical connector rods 248 of the two connectors 246. Another portion 310 of the second lever end 304 is secured by the connection of the pivot 250 to a pivot yoke 312 having pivot connections 314 to the lower ends of the other two vertical connector rods 248 of the other two connectors 246. This yoke 312, in cooperation with the mold mounting yoke 214 described previously in conjunction with Figures 14 and 16, ensures that the upper mold connection operates in a three-point connection manner, to ensure proper mold support for the formation of glass sheets. In this regard, each connector 246 includes an adjuster 316 for adjusting its length. More specifically, the adjusters 316 are threaded adjusters and are located along the vertical connector rods (which extend upwardly from the actuator 244 to the upper pivot joints 250. Additionally, the adjusters 316 are located preferably adjacent to the floor of the factory 238 to be conveniently accessible as are the other components of the actuator 244. With reference to Figure 17, the mold changing apparatus 32, as illustrated, provides the change of mold assembly 34 which includes both the lower mold 36 and the upper mold 38 shown.However, it should be appreciated that this mold change therapy can be used to change only an individual mold as well as a pair of molds albeit changing a pair of molds of the mold assembly is a use for which the apparatus has particular activity in the system comprised.Also, the changed molds can be curved molds like it is illustrated for press folding and may also be flat transfer molds for the transfer of glass sheets, connected during the forming process. More specifically, the shifting apparatus 32 is capable of removing a mold assembly 34, qualified from the forming station 24 and replacing it in a mold assembly 34 ', pre-heated in order to complete a production run. and start another one. In this regard, the mold changing apparatus 32 includes a change station which is generally illustrated by 318 which is located adjacent to the forming station 24 in which the formation of glass sheets takes place, cyclical as previously described . A discharge station 320 of the mold changing apparatus 32 is located adjacent to the exchange station 318 as is a mold preheating station 322. A discharge carriage 324 of the mold changing apparatus 32 can be moved between the station. of discharge 320 to the exchange station 318 and then to the forming station 24 to receive the mold assembly 34 by supporting the upper mold 38 thereof, as more fully described later. The unloading carriage 324 subsequently moves from the forming station 24 back through the exchange station 318 to the unloading station 320, to allow the unloading of the mold assembly 34. A loading carriage 236 supports and places a second mold assembly 34 'for heating within the mold preheating station 322 so that the molds thereof are heated to the operating temperature before the mold change begins. After this heating, the loading carriage 326 can be moved to move the second heated mold assembly 34 'from the mold preheating station 322 to the exchange station 318 and then to the forming station 24 for loading the second mold heated from the forming station by an installation process which is more fully described later. With combined reference to Figures 1 and 17, the change station 318 of the mold changing apparatus 32 is located downstream in the forming station 24 along the primary axis A of the system and the transport division of the glass sheets within the heated chamber of the housing . Additionally, the discharge station is located downstream of the change station 318 along the transport direction along the axis A of the system. In addition, the mold preheating station 822 is located laterally with respect to the transport direction from the change station 318. With combined reference to Figures 17, 18 and 19, the mold changing apparatus 32 includes a track primary rail 328 having a pair of spaced rails 330 and 332 extending along the conveying direction from the forming station 24 to the wall of a changing station 318 to the unloading station 320 to support the carriage of discharge 324 for movement between the discharge station and the formation station through a change station and to support the loading carriage 326 for movement between the exchange station and the forming station. An auxiliary rail 334 of the mold changing apparatus extends laterally with respect to the transport direction along the primary axis A of the system from the change station 318 to the mold pre-heater station 322 which includes a pair of spaced rails 366 and 368. Auxiliary rail 334 also includes an actuator, collectively indicated by 340 in Figure 17, which moves its rails spaced from an inactive, lower position shown by the broken line representation in FIGS. and 21 to a position of superior use shown by the representation of solid lines for supporting the loading carriage for movement between the mold preheating station and the change station. As illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the unloading carriage 324 includes a guide wheel 342 supported by a rail which is a track rail 330 to prevent any lateral movement of the unloading carriage with respect to the rail. The other associated rail 332 of the primary rail 328 has a T-shape that supports another wheel 343 of the dump truck 324. The wheels 342 and 343 thus provide movement of the dump truck 324 along the railroad track. 328 between the unloading station 324 and the forming station 24 through a change station 318 for the mold unloading process. The loading carriage 326 also has a set of wheels 342 and 343 to provide movement thereof along the primary rail 328 between the exchange station 318 and the mold preheating station 322 with the rails 336 and 338 of the auxiliary railway 344 in its inactive, lower positions. The loading carriage 326 also includes wheels 344 and 345 for the long movement of the rails 336 and 338 of the auxiliary rail 334. One of the wheels 345 is a guidewire that moves along the guide rail 320 and in this way prevents any lateral movement of the loading carriage 326 on the auxiliary rail 334. The other wheel 344 of the loading carriage 346 moves along the T-shaped rail 336 of the auxiliary railway track. As illustrated in Figure 17, the actuator 340 of the auxiliary railroad 334 includes a pair of operators 346 for moving each of the rails 337 and 338 vertically between the inactive and use positions shown by the line representation discontinuous and solid in Figures 20 and 21. Each operator 346 includes a pivot crank 348 and a cylinder 350. The pivot crank 348 has a first arm 352 connected to the associated rail 336, 338 and a second arm 354 connected to the cylinder 350 The extension and retraction of the cylinder 350 pivots on the crank 348 to provide the movement of the associated rail 338 and 338 between the relative position, lower position and use, lower. In this way, the rails 336 and 338 of the auxiliary rail 334 are placed in their upper, use positions shown by the solid line representation in Figures 20 and 21 for the movement of the loading carriage 326 between the preheating station. 322 and the exchange station 318. With the loading carriage 326 at the exchange station 318, the downward movement of the lines 336 and 338 to the relative positions transfers the loading car to the primary rail 326 where the wheels 342 and 343 are supported by rails 330 and 332 of the primary railroad track. The loading carriage is then moved to the forming station 24 for loading the installation of the mold assembly 34 'after which it is moved to the exchange station. Both dump and dump trucks 324 and 326 have mold mounting supports, not shown, which are secured by connectors 355. Further description of the mold change operation will await the following discussion of mold assembly 34 shown in Figure 17. The assembly number 34, as previously described, includes a lower mold 36 and an upper mold 38. The lower mold 36, as shown in Figure 8, has an upwardly facing mold surface constituting a braid ring 356, while the upper mold 38, as shown in Figure 9, has a mold surface facing downward which as described has a complete surface 56 which includes openings 360 through which a vacuum is pulled and through which it can be supplied as needed with positive pressure blown air. The mold surface facing upwardly of the lower mold 36 as provided by the press ring 356 illustrated in Figure 8 and the mold surface facing downwardly from an upper means 38 as provided by the entire surface 56 shown in the Figure 9 opposite each other to form the glass sheets heated during the movement of the molds towards each other as previously described in conjunction with the forming operation. Additionally, the longitudinal alignment guide 122 in the lateral alignment guides 124 provided by the pins 128 and the grooves 126 as described previously aligns the molds together as necessary during downward movement of the upper mold 38 towards the lower mold 36 for the lower mold supported by the lower mold support assembly 60, as previously described and as illustrated in Figure 12. Additionally, as illustrated in Figure 17, the removable connectors 362 connect the molds 36, 38 between yes to allow the lower mold to be suspended from the upper mold during installation therein and the removal of the forming station 24 from glass sheets. These connectors 362 disconnect the molds from each other during use in the formation of glass sheets in the forming station 24 of glass sheets, as previously described. As illustrated in Figure 17, the removable connectors 362 comprise fasteners, each of which includes a fastener means 364 pivotally mounted in one of the molds, the lower mold 36 as illustrated. Each fastener includes a fastener 366 mounted on the other mold, and the mold 38 as shown. Each fastener member 364 can be moved in an overpivot way between a fastened position shown in Figure 17 when the fastener member secures the associated fastener 366 and a non-fastened position as shown in Figure 14 where the associated fastener is released so that the lower mold 36 can be moved independently of the upper mold 38. As shown in Figure 17, the fastener connections 368 extend between the associated pairs of the same fasteners 364 to provide movement therebetween with each other between the subject positions or not subject As illustrated in Figure 17a, another embodiment of the mold assembly 34a has the detachable connectors 362 personified by the retainers 370 and placed as shown by the representation of solid lines in a coupled relationship with the lower or upper molds 36a and 38a to secure the molds to each other. These retainers 370 can be removed from the molds 36a and 38a as shown by the representation of solid lines to free the molds from each other. As illustrated in Figure 16, the upper mold 38 includes a support plate 372 having mounting portions 374 and 376 for upper mold assembly 38 for use in the upper mold support assembly 28 previously described. In the support plate 372 of the upper mold 38 also has mounting guide portions 378, 380 and 382 for the upper mold guide in the positioning and installation for use in the mold support 174 of the mold support assembly 28 above described. More specifically, the upper mold support plate 352 includes ends 384 and 386 and a pair of sides 388 extending between the ends to define a generally rectangular shape having an open center 390.

Each of the ends 384 and 386 of the upper mold support plate 372 has an associated pair of mounting portions 374, 376 of one of the mounting guide portions 378, 380 located between the associated pair mounting portions 374, 376. The pair of mounting portions 374 and the mounting guide portion 378 at one end 380 and the support plate 372 are exposed upward with respect to the rectangular shape of the support plate which is in an upstream direction with with respect to the transport direction of the system along its primary axis A. The pair of mounting portions 376 and the mounting guide portion 380 located between them at the other end 386 of the plate 372 are within the open center 390 of the rectangular shape of the support plate which is also in an upstream direction with respect to the transport direction along the primary axis A of the system. Additionally, each side 388 of the upper mold support plate 372 has an a of the mounting guide portions 372 that are located within the open center 39 of the rectangular shape of the support plate. With reference to Figures 14, 16 and 17, the removal of a heated mold assembly 34 from the forming station 24 and the installation of a second mold assembly 34 'will now be described. It should be noted that before the mold change begins, the second mold assembly 34 'will have been previously placed inside the mold preheating station 322 as illustrated in Figure 1 for heating to the operating temperature in the preparation for mold change. In the mold preheating station 322, the loading carriage 326 protrudes outwardly from the opposite sides in the preheating station through the doors 391 that can be moved vertically in the anteroid openings 391a thereof as shown in Figure 17. In this way, the wheels 342, 3445, 344 and 345 of the loading car do not heat up continuously as the mold assembly 34 'heats up. The mold changing operation begins with the lower mold 36 positioned below the upper mold 38, as shown in Figure 14, and the upper mold then moves downward so that the lower or upper stops 103 and 132 are engaged. each other as shown in Figure 12.

The removable connectors 362 are then joined by the pivotal movement of the fastener members 364 to engage the fasteners 366 so that the lower and upper molds 36 and 38 are secured together as the mold assembly illustrated in Figure 17. upper mold support assembly 28 shown in Figure 16 then moves upwards to allow movement of the idle unloading carriage 34 shown in Figure 17 from the unloading station 320 through the exchange station 318 to the unloading station 318. formation 24 on the primary rail 328. The unloading carriage is then placed below the mold support assembly 28 shown in Figure 16 and the downward movement of the load-bearing assembly 28 then places the mold assembly on the download cart. This downward movement of the mold support assembly 28 is then continued to a slight degree until the mold mounts 12 and 16 move down out of engagement with the mounting portions 376 and 378 on the mold support plate 372. upper and until the upper mold mounting guide portions 382 are positioned above the guide ramps 222, so that the discharge carriage can then be moved down along the axis A just slightly to the change station. This downward, initial movement is sufficient so that the mold support assembly 28 can be moved upwards without the mold mounts 212 and 216 coupling the upper mold support plate 372. The upward movement is sufficient so that the upper mold 38 can then move down faster without interference from the mold mounts 216 and the adjacent guide rollers 224 in the downstream cross member 208., and without the interference of the mold mounting guides 218 on the side members 206 of the mold support 174. The downward movement of the discharge carriage 324 then continues as previously described in conjunction with Figure 17 along the primary rail 318 through the exchange station 318 to the unloading station 320 for unloading. After the removal of the mold from the forming station, the second mold assembly 34 'then moves from the preheating station 322 by the loading carriage 326 on the auxiliary railway 334 to the exchange station 318, best illustrated in Figure 17. A change station 318, the dump truck 326 is then changed to the primary rail 328 as previously described and moved up along the axis A of the system to the training station 24. The installation of the mold assembly 34 'in the forming station 324 can be better understood by reference in Figure 16 which illustrates the upper mold 38 to which the lower mold is then secured as previously described. The mold mounting assembly 28 is then positioned above the upper mold 38, so that the support plate 372 is free to move under the mold mounts 216 and the adjacent guide rollers 224 as well as under the mold mounting guides 218. This movement places the mounting portions 374 and 376 as well as the mounting guide portions 382 just in the downstream direction from the associated mold mounts 212 and 216 and the mold mounting guides 218, respectively. The downward movement of the mold support assembly 18 to a slight degree and a small movement of the loading carriage upwards along the axis A of the system then moves the portions 374 and 376 of the lower mold assembly above the mounts of mold 212 and 216, respectively, while also placing the mounting guide portions 378 and 380 above and between their associated guide rollers 224 of the mounting guides 220, as well as placing the mounting guide portions 382 above the guide rails 222 of the mounting guides 218. An upward movement of the mold support assembly 28 then causes the mold mounting guides 218 and 220 respectively to align the associated mounting guide portions of the support support plate 372 upper so that the mold mounts 212 and 216 respectively the bottom sides of the mounting portions 374 and 376 to support the upper mold 38 to its proper location. After assembly of the mold assembly 34 'illustrated in Figure 17, the mold support assembly is further moved upwards so that the loading carriage 326 can be moved downwards after the axis A from the forming station 24 to the change station 318 in preparation for receiving another mold assembly to preheat the subsequent movement to the preheating station 322. After the above initial installation steps, the complete mold assembly 34 'illustrated in Figure 17 will then be suspended of the mold support assembly 28 illustrated in Figure 16. The lower mold platform 50 illustrated in Figure 8 at that time is located below the mold assembly and is moved up from its lower position to its upper position by the mold supports. vertically movable rollers 70 previously described in conjunction with Figures 8-10. The mold assembly then moves downwardly such that the lower mold is supported on the lower mold platform before the release of the connectors 362 so that the upper mold 38 can move upward independently of the lower mold as illustrated in Figure 14. After movement of the lower mold platform back to the position in Figures 8 and 9, the upper mold 38 is then free to begin the operation of forming glass sheets as previously described. With reference to Figure 22, the cooling station 40 of the system 10 is located adjacent the forming station 24 and includes supply ducts 392 and 394, lower and upper to provide pressurized air flow to the lower and upper cooling modules to provide 46 and 48 to perform the cooling as described previously in conjunction with Figures 2, 6, 8, 9 and 13. The cooling station 40 as shown in Figure 7 includes in the receiver 395 that it is a conveyor to which the glass sheets are facing. they blow up and then they are transported for distribution. As discussed previously, the cooling station 40 includes a cooling platform 62 that supports the cooling ring 66 for movement to the forming station 24 to receive a glass sheet formed therefrom and then move the cooling ring 66 which returns to the cooling station between cooling modules 46 and 48, lower and upper where the pressurized gas supply provides this cooling that strengthens or thermally tempers the glass sheet. As shown in Figures 22, 23 and 24, a cooling rail indicated collectively at 396 includes a pair of spaced rails 396 in which the pair of platform members of the members 134 of the cooling platform 62 move respectively between the cooling training stations 24 and 40. More specifically, the frame members 400 have upper ends to which the rails 398 are secured by sought-after connectors, dismantled 402 to be fixedly mounted to the rails for use. In this position of use, the separate rails 398 extend on opposite sides in the cooling ducts 392 and 394 and in the lower and upper cooling modules 46 and 48 through which pressurized cooling gas is supplied. Each of the platform members 134 of the cooling platform 62 have a supported end 404 that is mounted for movement along the associated rail 398 of the platform rail 396. This supported system of the platform members 134 each includes a pair of vertical support members 406 and 408 which are connected by the horizontal, lower and upper support members 410 as well as by a diagonal reinforcement 411. Each of the members of vertical supports 406 and 408 of the supported end 404 of each platform member 134 is supported as illustrated in Figure 34 for movement along the associated rail 398 to move the cooling ring between the forming station and the cooling station . More specifically, the rail 398 includes a linear bearing 412 which is secured by connectors 414 to the vertical, associated support member, which is illustrated as the vertical support member 406 closest to the forming station 24 as shown in FIG. shown in Figures 22 and 23. The lower end of each of the vertical support members 406 and 408, as illustrated in Figure 24, supports the roller plate 416 on which the inner and outer rollers 418 are mounted. with the lower end of the rail 398 located between these together underneath a stiffening rib 419 of the rail. With this construction, the supported end 404 of each platform member 134 is mounted for movement along the rail direction without any rotation in a manner that allows the platform members 134 to have cantilever ends 420 that support the ring 66 and are disconnected in another way.

It will be understood that the cooling ring lock 148 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 13 is not illustrated in the cooling deck members 134 in the views of Figures 22 and 23, but are actually mounted therein to operate as is described previously. With continued reference to Figure 22, the vertical support member 406 of each supported end 404 of platform member 134 has a lower end 422 that extends downward and is connected to a belt drive mechanism 424 whose drive motor 426 provides for the drive of each of the cooling platform members 134 in a coordinated manner by a transverse shaft 427. At least one of the rail members 498 can be moved from the position of use illustrated in Figure 22 where supports the platform for movement between the training station and the cooling station to provide access allowing the charge discharge of a set of 44 cooling modules as more fully described later in conjunction with Figures 25 and 26. Actually, the cooling station 48 as constructed allows each of its rails 398 to move from the position of use to provide access to cooling modules 4 6 and 48 from both sides of the cooling station. With reference to Figure 23, both of the rails 398 are mounted for movement as shown by a rail from the position of use to an inactive position separated from the training station 24 to allow access to the set 44 of modules. of cooling that includes the cooling modules 46, 48, lower and upper. As illustrated in Figure 24, each rail 398 of the cooling rail has an inner rail member 428 that is supported by a number of stationary rolls 430 (only one shown) to mount the rail member for movement from the rail. position of use shown in Figure 22 to the inactive position shown in Figure 23. This movement requires first that the connectors 402 be dismantled so that the rail 398 can move with respect to the frame members 400. After the movement of return to the position of use of Figure 22, the connectors 412 re-connect so that the cooling platform 62 can again move between the forming station 24 and the cooling station 40. As illustrated in Figure 22, each of the rails 398 includes an actuator 432 for the movement of the associated rail between the use and inactive positions of Figures 22 and 23. More specifically, the actuator face 432 includes a toothed rack 434 secured to the rail and a pinion 436 engaged with the rack and rotatable to thereby move the rack between the use and inactive positions. A manual crank 438 of each actuator rotates the associated pinion 436 to provide movement of the rail. With the cooling station 40 accessible, as illustrated in Figure 23, the loading and unloading of a 4 4 set of cooling modules can be conveniently returned by the cooling loader 42 illustrated in Figures 25 and 26. more specifically, the cooling charger 42 includes a cooling transport 440 having a pair of spaced sides 442 and an end 444 extending between the sides thereof to define a U-shape that is opened horizontally that receives the assembly 44 of cooling modules of the lower cooling module 46 and the cooling module 48, upper. The cooling transport 440 includes mounts 446 for mounting the cooling module assembly 44 of the lower and upper cooling modules 46 and 48 to allow them to be used with the lower and upper supply conduits of the cooling station as is described previously. The transport 440 also allows the subsequent movement of the set 44 of cooling modules of the cooling modules 46 and 48, lower and upper from the cooling station 40, to allow the use of another set of lower and upper cooling modules in the cooling station. As illustrated in Figure 26, the cooling loader 42 includes a crane 447 at the top supporting the cooling transport 440 and also includes a railway track 448 at the top along which the crane 447 is moved to move the cooling transport and the cooling module assembly of the cooling, lower and upper modules 46 and 48 mounted in this way to and from the cooling station 40. The crane 447 at the top includes cables 450 by which the transport 440 is suspended and received by pulleys 452 driven by an engine control to move the transport vertically during the installation and removal procedures, as described more fully later. The carts 453 support the crane 447 for movement to and from the cooling station for the installation of the cooling module. With continuous reference to Figure 26, each side 442 of the cooling transport 440 includes the mounts 446, which are lower mounts to support the lower cooling module 46, and also includes upper mounts 454 for mounting the upper cooling module 48. As shown in FIG. More specifically, the lower mounts 446 are personified by widths whose lower hook ends 456 are received by receivers 454 of the lower cooling module 46 to provide their support. Additionally, upper mounts 454 are personified by pads that are mated by downward mounts 460 of upper cooling module 48. Additionally, the lower mounts 446 are mounted on the sides of the cooling conveyor for horizontal movement such that their lower ends 456 move between the positions indicated by solid lines and with dashes that facilitate the installation and removal of the cooling modules. More specifically, the lower hook mounts 446 are each mounted by a rod 52 in cooperation with bearings 464 and a handle 466 provides horizontal movement. It will be noted that the lower mount 446 and the -receptor 458 of the lower cooling module in the first lower plane of Figure 26 are larger than the lower mount 446 and the receiver 458 shown upward and to the right, so that the transport can moving in position with the lower mounts positioned as shown as the lower guide mounts pass over the shorter receivers 458 of the movement toward the higher receivers 458. Also as illustrated in Figure 26, each of the supply conduits of pressurized air, such as the lower supply conduit 392 illustrated, includes keyways 468 and each of the cooling modules includes adjustable keyways 470 for receiving the associated conduit key. In the initial installation of each cooling module assembly 44, each adjustable keyway 70 is adjusted to provide the proper placement of associated cooling module. Subsequently, no additional adjustment is necessary in each installation. Also, each side 442 of the transport 440 includes stops 472 that engage the stops 474 of the keyway slot 470 of the cooling module, adjacent to provide proper placement thereof, with respect to the cooling modules during the installation and removal procedures. . In the installation of the cooling module assembly 44, the cooling transport 440 supporting the cooling module assembly 44, as previously described, moves from the cooling station 40 adjacent to the cooling station. The crane on top 447 is then operated to lower the set 44 of cooling modules, so that the lower cooling module 46 can be mounted in the supply conduit 392, lower, associated and after adjustment by the key slots to the appropriate position, is secured by conventional, associated fasteners. The rod handle 466 then moves the lower mounts 446 horizontally on the sides 442 of the cooling transport so that their lower, hooked ends 456 move from the positions indicated by solid lines to the positions indicated by broken lines and from this way it releases the cooling transport from the lower receivers 458 and therefore from the cooling module 46, lower. Subsequently, the overhead crane 447 moves the upper cooling module 48 upwardly so that its key slots 470 receive the keys of the upper supply conduit for setting the fit and mounting in the upper supply conduit by the conventional fasteners . the cooling transport then moves back to the cooling station, and the subsequent movement of a cooling rail 398 from the inactive position of Figure 23 to the use position of Figure 22 then enlists the cooling station 40 to your operation The unloading of the set 44 of cooling modules is essentially the reverse of the installation process with the cooling module 48, upper which is first supported by the transport 440 and the lower cooling module 46 is supported before the movement in the railway 48 of the cooling station 40. With reference to Figure 14, there are two of the support members 129 each mounting two of the four lower supports 94 of the lower mold support assembly 60. Each support member 129 is made as a stainless steel plate and has opposite ends 476 projecting outward from the housing of the system 20. The ends 476 of the support member on each side of the system are supported by a chain rail 478 which is mounted on a horizontal beam 480 supported by vertical posts 482 extending upwardly from the factory floor 238. Each chain rail 478 also slidably supports a continuous chain 484 that can be moved along the length of the chain. length of the system and supporting the adjacent end of the conveyor rollers 16 for the friction drive to provide transport of the glass sheets in the rollers between the lower supports 94. A lower portion 486 of the support member 129 supports a rule 488 of the 58 gas jet pumps. More specifically, the lower portion 486 of the support member mounts rollers 490 in which a support and stop member 492 is mounted for movement along the length of the axis of the system along which the bearings are transported. glass sheets The member 492 supports the rollers 494 of the jet pump and jet arrangement 488 so that this arrangement can also be moved along the axis of the system. The member 492 includes a stop 496 that is located below the location where the lower mold 36 is located in its position of use as shown. This stop 496 couples the arrangement 488 of gas jet pumps so that if the gas jet pumps 58 are located between the conveyor rollers 16 as shown in Figure 3. The member 492 protrudes outwardly from the end of the housing. of the system 20 adjacent to the change station described previously and which is suitably positioned to ensure the proper location of the stop 496 for the placement of the gas jet pumps 58. Likewise, the gas jet pump arrangement 488 also protrudes outwardly from the same end of the system housing, so that it can be removed for service. The adjustment of the stop 496 to accommodate the thermal expansion in this manner can be achieved outside the heated chamber to ensure that the gas jet pumps 58 are properly positioned. While the best ways to practice the invention have been described, those familiar with the technique to which the invention relates will recognize alternative ways and means for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (89)

1. Apparatus for forming glass sheets, heated, characterized in that it comprises: a housing having a heated chamber; an upper mold support assembly for supporting an upper mold within the heated chamber to the vertical movement, cyclic between the upper and lower positions; a lower mold platform for supporting a lower mold for cyclic movement between an inactive horizontally spaced position of the upper mold and a use position below the upper mold; and a lower mold support assembly to which the lower mold is cyclically transferred from the lower mold platform in the use position to provide support thereof while allowing the horizontal alignment of the lower mold with the upper mold as necessary in each cycle of the downward movement of the upper mold for the cooperation of the molds, to form a sheet of glass, heated between the molds

2. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises vertically movable rollers having an upper position supporting the lower mold platform during the cyclic movement of the lower mold between the inactive and of use and having a lower position in which the lower mold platform moves downwardly with the lower mold in the position of use to provide transfer of the lower mold to the lower mold support assembly.

3. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises positive, horizontal setters cooperating with the rollers to support and guide the lower mold platform during the cyclic movement of the lower mold between the positions on the strip and of use.

4. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 3, characterized in that it also includes mounts • externally supported in the heated chamber for vertical movement, each frame supporting one of the rollers and an associated pair of horizontal, placement devices .

5. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower mold support assembly includes four lower supports that support the lower mold in the use position below the upper mold.

6. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 5, characterized in that each lower support includes a ball cooled with liquid.

7. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 5, characterized in that each lower support includes a pad-cooled with liquid.

The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 7, characterized in that each pad is made from a carbon material.

9. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 5, characterized in that it also includes a pair of support members, each of which mounts two of the lower supports, the support members that mount a support and stop member , and an arrangement of gas jet pumps that is supported and positioned by the support member and stop.

10. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower mold platform includes a latch that secures the lower mold against movement in the lower mold platform along its travel direction during the cyclic movement between inactive positions of use.

11. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower mold platform has a tubular construction through which a glass flows. liquid refrigerant to provide cooling.

12. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 11, characterized in that the tubular construction of the lower mold platform includes an exterior insulator.

13. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a cooling station that includes cooling modules, lower and upper, to supply a cooling gas, and a cooling platform that supports and cyclically moves a Cooling ring between: (a) a transfer position below the upper mold in the heated chamber where the cooling ring can be moved horizontally on the cooling platform as needed in alignment with the upper mold in the movement down the upper mold to deposit a formed glass sheet, thus supported in the cooling ring; and (b) a cooling position between the cooling modules, lower and upper, to provide cooling of the glass sheet, formed in the cooling ring.

14. The apparatus for forming glass sheets according to claim 13, characterized in that it further includes a lock to prevent horizontal movement of the cooling ring on the cooling platform, during movement between the transfer and cooling positions.

15. The apparatus for forming sheets of glass according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooling station includes a railroad having a pair of separate rails, the cooling platform including a pair of platform members, spaced apart having end supports which are respectively supported by the pair of spaced rails for the movement of the cooling platform; and the pair of spaced platform members including a pair of cantilever ends that support the cooling ring in a separate and otherwise unheated relationship.

16. A method for forming a glass sheet, characterized in that it comprises: heating the glass sheet during transport thereof on a conveyor that extends horizontally; cyclically moving an upper mold downwardly to receive the heated glass sheet from the conveyor and then moving the upper mold upwards with the glass sheet supported in this way; cyclically moving the lower mold horizontally on a lower mold platform from an inactive position horizontally spaced from the upper mold to a position of use above the upper mold with the glass sheet supported in this way; cyclically transferring the lower mold in the position of use from the lower mold platform to a lower mold support assembly; subsequently, cyclically moving the upper mold down towards the lower mold and moving the lower mold horizontally in the lower mold support assembly as necessary in alignment with the upper mold and then forming the glass sheet between the molds; and subsequently, cyclically moving the upper mold upwards and transferring the lower mold from the lower mold support assembly back to the lower mold platform for horizontal movement therein from below the upper mold back to the inactive position for allow the distribution of the glass sheet, formed from the upper mold for cooling.

17. A method for forming a glass sheet according to claim 16, characterized in that the lower mold platform is supported with rollers during the horizontal, cyclic movement of the lower mold between the inactive and use positions, and the rollers that move vertically to transfer the lower mold between the lower mold platform and the lower mold support assembly.

18. A method for forming a glass sheet according to claim 16, characterized in that the lower mold is secured in the lower mold platform to prevent movement with respect to it along the direction of travel during the cyclic movement thereof. between inactive and use positions.

19. A method for forming a glass sheet according to claim 16, characterized in that the formed glass sheet is deted from the upper mold in a cooling ring for distribution to a cooling station for cooling.

20. A method for forming a glass sheet according to claim 19, characterized in that the cooling ring moves cyclically in a cooling platform and is secured with respect to it during movement between the upper mold and the cooling station but is Unsecured in the upper mold to allow movement with respect to the cooling platform as necessary in alignment with the upper mold.

21. A mold support assembly for a mold used in a heated chamber to form glass sheets, heated, the mold support assembly is characterized in that it comprises: a first support located within the heated chamber having a construction that reduces the expansion thermal an externally located vertical guide of the heated chamber and having a vertically movable connection to the first support to allow vertical movement thereof in a horizontally fixed location; a mold support for supporting the mold that provides the formation of hot glass sheets; support mounts supporting the mold support on the first support; and placing devices that tion the mold support with respect to the first support to provide a thermally stable center of the mold support.

A mold support assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that the first support comprises a tubular support having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet that allow the flow of a liquid refrigerant through them to provide control. of temperature that reduces thermal expansion.

23. A mold support assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the tubular support has a rectangular shape within which the mold support is received.

24. A mold support assembly according to claim 23, characterized in that the tubular support includes a pair of end tubes one of which includes the fluid inlet and the other of which includes the fluid outlet, the tubular support that it includes a pair of side tubes that extend between the pair of end tubes in a spaced relation to each other to cooperate with each other and with the end tubes to define their rectangular shape, the pair of end tubes having a flow area of cross section, larger than the pair of side tubes to provide a liquid cooling flow, generally uniform, through the tubular support tubes.

25. A mold support assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that one of the end tubes of the tubular support includes an extension extending to the vertical guide, the other end tube of the tubular support including an extension, and further includes a lateral setting device connected to the extension of the other end tube externally of the heated chamber.

26. A mold support assembly according to claim 25, characterized in that the vertical guide includes an antifriction bearing, and the lateral setting device includes a vertical tioning member mounted externally fixed to the heated chamber and also including a pair of spacer devices, spaced mounted on the extension of the other end tube with the vertical tioning member between them.

27. A mold support assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the mold support includes a pair of end members with terminals and a pair of side members cooperating to define a rectangular shape, and the tubular support having a shape rectangular that receives the mold support, rectangular.

28. A mold support assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that the mold support includes a pair of transverse members extending between the side members thereof in a relationship parallel to the end members, the transverse members having support connections for supporting the mold support in a suspended manner, one of the transverse members having a pair of mold mounts fixed thereto for mounting an associated mold, and the other cross member having a yoke mounted on a pivot having the pair of mold mounts, and each side member and transverse member including a mold mounting guide.

29. A mold support assembly according to claim 28, characterized in that the mold mounting guide of each side member includes a guide ramp, and where each mold mounting guide of each cross member includes guide rollers. .

30. A mold support assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that each support frame includes a blade extending inwardly from the tubular support and each frame also including an opening in the mold support receiving the blade spade. to provide the mold support assembly with respect to the tubular support.

31. A mold support assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that the laying devices comprise slotting tube positioning devices that extend between the tubular support and the mold support.

32 A mold support assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the tubular support includes an outer insulator.

33. A mold support assembly according to claim 32, characterized in that the insulator includes an inner layer of ceramic fiber and a reflective, metallic outer layer.

34. A support and drive mechanism for moving a mold support assembly that mounts a mold into a heated housing chamber for performing the formation of heated glass sheets, support and drive mechanism is characterized in that it comprises: a frame having horizontal beams that extend over the housing and that also have vertical posts that support the horizontal beams; an actuator mounted adjacent to one of the vertical posts of the frame; and a plurality of connectors extending from the actuator to the mold support assembly at spaced apart locations, each connector including a vertical connector rod extending upwardly from the actuator and also including a pivot, upper link, mounted by the frame and connected to its connector rod, vertical, each connector that includes a connector rod, horizontal connected to the pivot joint, upper, associated, and which also includes a top wheel mounted by the frame and connected to the Connector rod, horizontal, associated, each connector that includes a flexible member extending from the upper, associated wheel, and each connector that also includes a vertical mold rod that depends on the flexible member thereof and that is connected to the mold support assembly such that the operation of the actuator moves the connectors to vertically move the support assembly I'll mold you.

35. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 34, characterized in that the sector wheel of each connector is a sectorial gear and the flexible member thereof is a chain.

36. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 34, characterized in that the actuator includes a counterweight to counterbalance the weight of the mold support assembly and the mold supported in this way.

37. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 36, characterized in that the counterweight includes a gas cylinder connected to the connectors extending between the actuator and mold support assembly, and a pressurized gas reservoir communicating with the gas cylinder.

38. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 36, characterized in that the actuator includes a lever connected to the plurality of connectors and to the counterweight.

39. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 38, characterized in that the actuator includes a rotating drive unit, the lever having a central portion including a pivot mount, the lever having a first end connected to the unit. of rotary drive, and the lever having a second end connected to the plurality of connectors and to the counterweight.

40. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 39, characterized in that the actuator includes a overtravel connection that connects the rotating drive unit to the first end of the lever that allows the rotary drive unit to move the bracket assembly. mold down to a lower position while allowing the drive unit to rotate on the pass to ensure that the mold support assembly is in the lower position.

41. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 40, characterized in that it includes four of the connectors, the second end of the lever having two portions respectively connected in pivot to the two connectors, and the second end of the lever having another portion and a yoke connected in pivot to it, and the yoke having opposite ends connected in pivot to the other two connectors.

42. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 41, characterized in that each connector includes an adjuster for adjusting its length.

43. A support and drive mechanism according to claim 42, characterized in that the adjusters are located along the vertical connector rods extending upwardly from the actuator to the upper pivot joints.

44. A mold assembly for cyclically forming heated glass sheets, characterized in that it comprises: a lower mold having a mold surface, oriented upwards; a top mold having a mold surface, facing downwardly opposing the mold surface facing upwards and the bottom mold forming a glass sheet, heated during the movement of the molds toward each other; alignment guides that align the molds with each other as necessary, during movement of the molds towards each other; and detachable connectors for connecting the molds together to allow the lower mold to be suspended from the upper mold during the installation and removal of a glass-forming station, and connectors that disconnect the molds from each other for use in the formation of glass sheets in the glass sheets formation station.

45. A mold assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the detachable connectors comprise fasteners with one of which includes a fastening member mounted on one of the molds and a fastener mounted on the other mold, and each fastening member that is to be moved between a clamped position securing the associated fastener to connect the molds together and an unclamped position where the associated fastener is released to allow movement of the molds relative to each other.

46. A mold assembly according to claim 45, characterized in that it also includes clamping connections extending between the associated pairs of the clamping members so as to be able to move with one another between the clamped and unclamped positions.

47. A mold assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the detachable connectors comprise retainers that oppose in a coupled relation with the molds to secure the molds to each other, and the retainers that can be removed from the molds to release the molds between yes.

48. A mold assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the upper mold includes a support plate having portions of the mounting assembly for mounting the upper mold for use and having mounting guide portions for guiding the upper mold in the position in the installation for use.

49. A mold assembly according to claim 48, characterized in that the support plate has the opposite ends and spaced sides cooperating to define a generally rectangular shape having an open center.

50. A mold assembly according to claim 49, characterized in that each of the ends on the support plate has a pair of mounting portions and a mounting guide portion therebetween, a pair of mounting portions and the portion of mounting guide of one end of the support plate that is exposed outward with respect to the rectangular shape of the support plate, and the pair of mounting portions and mounting guide portion of the other end of the support plate that it is inside the open center of the rectangular shape of the support plate.

51. A mold assembly according to claim 50, characterized in that each side of the support plate has a mounting guide portion.

52. A mold assembly according to claim 51, characterized in that the mounting guide portion on each side of the support plate is located within the open center of its rectangular shape.

53. An apparatus for changing a heated mold in a forming station in a heated chamber, where the mold cyclically forms heated sheets of glass, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a change station located adjacent to the forming station; a discharge station located adjacent to the exchange station; a mold preheating station located adjacent to the change station; a discharging carriage can be moved initially from the unloading station to the change station and then to the forming station to receive the heated mold from the forming station, and the unloading carriage that can be moved, subsequently from the unloading station. return formation through the exchange station to the unloading station to allow the discharge of heated mold; and a load carriage supporting a second mold for heating inside the mold preheating station, the load carriage that can be moved to move the second heated mold from the mold preheating station to the change station and then to the forming station for loading the second heated mold into the forming station.

54. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 53, characterized in that the exchange station is located downstream from the forming station along a conveying direction of the heated chamber the unloading station which is located downstream of the change station along the transport direction, and the mold preheating station which is located laterally with respect to the transport direction of the change station.

55. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 54, characterized in that it further includes a primary railway track having a pair of separate rails extending along the direction of transport from the training station through the station. of change to the unloading station to support the unloading carriage for movement between the unloading station and the training station through the exchange station and also to support the loading carriage for movement between the exchange station and the forming station, an auxiliary rail extending laterally with respect to the transport direction from the change station to the mold preheating station and which > includes a pair of separate rails, and the auxiliary rail having an actuator that moves the separate rails of the auxiliary railroad from an inactive position, lower than a use position, higher to support the load carriage for movement between the Mold preheating station and change station.

56. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 55, characterized in that the pair of rails of each rail includes a guide rail that provides the guidance of the platform.

57. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 55, characterized in that the actuator includes a pair of operators for moving each rail of the auxiliary rail between the inactive, lower position and the upper use position.

58. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 57, characterized in that each operator includes a pivot crank and a cylinder, the pivot crank having the first arm connected to the associated rail and having a second arm connected to the cylinder.

59. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 55, characterized in that the forming station includes a mold support assembly having mold mounts, the unloading carriage moving the heated first mold, mentioned outside of a supported relationship with the mold mounts the movement of the discharge carriage from the forming station to the change station, and the loading carriage moving the second heated mold in a supported relationship with the moldings in the movement of loading carriage from the change station to the training station.

60. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 59, characterized in that the forming station includes a support and drive mechanism that moves the mold support assembly vertically downwards and upwards, the mechanism that moves the assembly of mold support downwards to uncouple the mold mounts from the first heated mold, mentioned in preparation for movement thereof from the formation station on the unloading carriage, and the mechanism that moves the mold support assembly upwards to coupling the moldings with the second heated mold after the movement thereof in the loading carriage towards the forming station.

61. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 60, characterized in that the mold support assembly includes vertical mounting guides that guide the second pair of heated molds in the upward movement of the mold support assembly to control the locations in which the moldings mold the second heated mold.

62. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 61, characterized in that the mounting guides of the mold support assembly comprise roller guides.

63. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 61, characterized in that the mounting guides of the mold support assembly comprise ramp guides.

64. The apparatus for changing a heated mold according to claim 61, characterized in that the mounting guides of the mold support assembly comprise both roller guides and ramp tracks.

A method for changing a heated mold in a formation station in a heated chamber, where the mold cyclically forms glass sheets, heated, the method is characterized in that it comprises: moving a discharge carriage from a discharge station through a change station then to the forming station to receive the heated mold; subsequently, moving the unloading carriage with the mold heated therein from the forming station through the exchange station to the unloading station; and moving a loading car with a second mold heated therein from a mold preheating station to the exchange station and then the forming station for loading the second heated mold in the forming station.

66. A method for changing a heated mold in accordance with claim 65, characterized in that the unloading carriage moves on a primary railway track along a conveying direction of the heated chamber between the unloading station and the forming station through the exchange station, the loading carriage being It moves on an auxiliary railway laterally with respect to the transport direction of the heated chamber between the mold preheating station and the change station and which moves on the primary railway along the transport direction of the vehicle. the heated chamber between the exchange station and the training station.

67. A method for changing a heated mold according to claim 65, characterized in that a mold support assembly is moved downwardly in the forming station to uncouple the mold molds therefrom from the first heated mold, mentioned before the movement thereof. in the unloading carriage from the forming station, and the mold support assembly moving upwards to couple the moldings thereof with the heated second mold after the movement thereof in the loading carriage to the forming station .

68. A method according to claim 65, characterized in that the first heated mold, mentioned and the other heated mold removably connected to it is initially moved in the discharge can outside the heated chamber, and the second heated mold and a additional heated mold removably connected to the second heated mold moving in the charging carriage towards the heated chamber for installation and then disconnected from each other for the cyclic formation of glass sheets.

69. A system for forming and cooling glass sheets, characterized in that it comprises: a forming station for forming glass sheets, heated; a cooling station located adjacent to the forming station and including lower and upper supply conduits for providing pressurized air flow, and a cooling platform for moving a cooling ring between the forming station whereby a glass sheet heated and formed and the cooling station for cooling the glass sheet, formed; and a cooling charger including a cooling transport having a pair of spaced sides and an end extending between the sides thereof to define a horizontally open U shape receiving a set of lower and upper cooling modules , the cooling transport that includes frames to mount the set of cooling modules, lower and upper inside its U-shape for movement to the cooling station, to allow the use of same with the supply ducts, lower and upper , and the transport that allows the subsequent movement of the assembly of the lower and upper cooling modules therein from the cooling station to allow the use of another set of lower and upper cooling modules in the cooling station.

70. A system for forming and cooling glass sheets according to claim 69, characterized in that the cooling loader includes a crane at or high that supports the transport of cooling, and a railway track at the top along which it is moves the crane to move the cooling transport and the set of lower and upper cooling modules mounted in this way from the cooling station.

71. A glass sheet forming and cooling system according to claim 70, characterized in that the cooling transport mounts are located on the sides of the cooling transport.

72. A glass sheet forming and cooling system according to claim 71, characterized in that each side of the cooling transport includes lower and upper mounts for respectively mounting the lower and upper cooling modules.

73. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 52, characterized in that the lower frames are personified by hooks and the upper frames are personified by pads.

74. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 73, characterized in that the hooks are mounted on the sides of the cooling conveyor for horizontal movement.

75. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 71, characterized in that each side of the cooling transport includes a stop for coupling the set of cooling modules to provide the placement of the cooling transport with respect to the modules of cooling. cooling.

76. A system for forming and cooling glass sheets according to claim 69, characterized in that it also includes an elongated heating furnace having a primary axis along which the glass sheets for heating are transported, the forming station which it is located in alignment with the heating furnace along the primary axis, the cooling station extending from the forming station in a direction transverse to the primary axis, an incremental railroad including a pair of separate rails which extend from the training station on opposite sides of the supply conduits, and at least one of the rails that can be moved from a position of use where the platform is supported for movement between the training station and the training station. Cooling

77. A glass sheet forming system according to claim 76, characterized in that a rail is mounted for movement from the position of use to the inactive position separated from the forming station.

78. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 77, characterized in that it includes an actuator to move a rail between the positions of use and inactive.

79. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 78, characterized in that the actuator includes a rack secured to a rail and a pinion engaged with the rack and that can be rotated to move a rail between the positions of use and the inactive.

80. The glass sheet cooling training system according to claim 79, characterized in that the actuator further includes a manual rack to rotate the pinion.

81. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 77, characterized in that the other rail can also be moved between a position of use adjacent to the formation station of an inactive position separated from the forming station.

82. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 81, characterized in that each rail includes an actuator to provide the movement thereof between the positions of use and inactive.

83. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass according to claim 82, characterized in that each actuator includes a rack secured to its rail and a rotatable pinion meshed with the rack thereof and that can be rotated to move its rail between the positions of use and inactive.

84. A system for forming and cooling sheets of glass in accordance. with claim 83, characterized in that it also includes a pinion crank. manual to provide pinion rotation.

85. A method for installing a set of cooling modules, lower and upper, in a glass sheet cooling station, characterized in that it comprises: assembling the set of lower and upper cooling modules within a U-shaped cooling transport, that opens horizontally; moving the cooling transport with the set of lower and upper cooling modules mounted therein to the cooling station between the pressurized, lower and upper air supply ducts; and transmitting the lower and upper cooling modules from the cooling transport for assembly in the cooling station in respective communication with the pressurized, lower and upper air supply ducts.

86. A method for installing a set of lower and upper cooling modules according to claim 85, characterized in that the upper and lower cooling transport mounts are respectively coupled with the lower and upper cooling modules to provide the assembly thereof in the cooling transport.

87. A method for installing a set of lower and upper cooling modules according to claim 85, characterized in that a platform rail of the cooling station is moved from a use position to an inactive position to allow installation of the module assembly of cooling, lower and upper and subsequently moves back to the position of use to allow the operation of a cooling platform.

88. A method for installing a set of lower and upper cooling modules according to claim 85, characterized in that the keys and the keyways align the lower and upper cooling modules with respect to the pressurized air supply ducts, inferior and superior.

89. A method for installing a set of lower and upper cooling modules according to claim 88, characterized in that the key grooves are adjusted in the initial installation to align the cooling modules and the supply conduits. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus (26) and a method for forming heated glass sheets in a heated chamber (22) of a housing (20) including a forming station (24) having an upper mold support assembly (28), a platform of lower mold (50), and a lower mold support assembly (60) cooperating to provide mold alignment. The mold support assembly (28) includes a support (164) located within the heated chamber (22) and having a construction that reduces a thermal expansion. A support and drive mechanism (30) cyclically supports and moves the mold support assembly (28) inside the heated chamber (22) to perform the formation in the heated glass sheets. A mold assembly (34) for cyclically forming heated glass sheets includes alignment paths (122, 124) and removable connectors (362) that removably align and connect the upper and lower molds (36, 38) to each other for installation and allow the disassembly of one and another for the formation of glass sheets. Apparatus (32) and a method for changing a heated mold in the forming station (24) includes a change station (318), a discharge station (320), a mold preheating station (322), a trolley discharge (324) and a loading car (326). A magazine (42) of the glass sheet cooling station and method for installing a set of cooling modules (44) of the lower and upper cooling modules (46, 48) includes a cooling transport (440) of a U-shaped form that opens horizontally that receives the cooling modules for loading and subsequent unloading.