GB1300612A - Improvements in the float glass process for the manufacture of glass - Google Patents

Abstract

1300612 Feeding molten glass ERSTE DEUTSCHE FLOATGLAS GmbH & CO ohG 2 Jan 1970 [4 Jan 1969] 207/70 Heading C1M The rate of flow of molten glass 2 from a furnace 1 through a feeder channel 6 into the upstream end of a float vessel (7) is controlled by passing the glass 2 over the surface of a bath 15 of molten metal as it passes through the feeder, the temperature above the glass stream and of the bath 15 being controlled so as to control the viscosity of the glass entering the float vessel. The channel 6 comprises a refractory container 14 for molten tin 15 and an outlet 11 over which the glass flows into the float vessel, the molten tin 15 being maintained at the required temperature by heating and cooling elements 16, 17 which are preferably, as shown, arranged within chambers 18 at the sides of the channel 6 communicating with the container 14, so that bubble formation due to cooling of the tin does not lead to flaws in the glass stream 2. Further heating and cooling elements 22, 21 extend above the glass stream 2. To vary the width of the glass stream at outlet end 11, limiting blocks 25 may be provided which float on the tin bath 15 and which are held in position by linkages 26 which pass through sealed off openings 27 to allow operation from outside the feeder. The blocks 25 may be provided with heating means to reduce friction. Partition walls perpendicular to the glass flow may be provided within tin bath 15 to give sections which can be separately regulated as to temperature. The spread of the glass melt 2 into chambers 18 prevents oxidation of the metal.