GB1289175A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1289175 Glass and vitreous enamels GLAVERBEL 5 Sept 1969 [4 Oct 1968] 44045/69 Heading C1M [Also in Division F4] The sole of a glass float tank is formed from rows of aligned carbon or silico-aluminous blocks 33, through one or more passageways 34 in which, one or more anchoring members 38 extend. The passageways 34 also allow water circulation throughout the sole so that the temperature gradient along and across the tank may be adjusted. The sole may be formed of one or more of such layers of refractory blocks, possibly with a silico-clay block insulating backing (not shown), a cement layer 32 and a metal bottom 31. Tungsten plates 50 may be mounted above the blocks to stop leakage of the molten tin bath 48 through their interstices. The blocks 33 may be mounted, with or without clearance, on the anchoring members 38, or the latter may be inserted through passageways 34 bored in the aligned blocks. Each anchoring member 38 is secured by fixing members 42 beyond the metal side walls 36 of the tank. The fixing members may include resilient springs or washers (Fig. 4, not shown). Additional means which secure the anchoring members 38 to the metal bottom 31 may be provided either in the form of an annular collar 61, Fig. 5, secured around the member 38, or a threaded stem 63 of the collar 61 extending through a slot 64 in the metal bottom 31. Cooling means.-In the Fig. 3 embodiment, water is passed through a tubular anchoring member 38, from an apertured supply conduit 43 extending through it. The spacing of the apertures 44, the location of heat insulating sleeve 45 mounted around the conduit 43 and the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water are all arranged to provide the desired heat absorption pattern from the molten bath 48 both along and across the tank. Preferably more heat is abstracted from the central portion. Alternatively the cooling water may be passed through unapertured conduits extending through the anchoring members, or through the anchoring members themselves, positionally adjustable heat insulating sleeves around the water conveying member, in either case being provided. In modifications the cooling water may flow in the space between the passageways 34 and the anchoring members 38 extending therethrough. Air may alternatively be circulated through some of the passageways, which may also contain electrical resistances for heating purposes.