US3634060A

US3634060A - Glass-forming fluid flow control means

Info

Publication number: US3634060A
Application number: US70356A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick A Dahlman; Raymond J Mras
Original assignee: Corning Glass Works
Current assignee: Corning Glass Works
Priority date: 1970-09-08
Filing date: 1970-09-08
Publication date: 1972-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-11
Also published as: FR2107363A5; NL7112302A; DE2144477A1; GB1349011A

Abstract

A valve mechanically and hydraulically actuated for selectively controlling flow of pressurized fluid therethrough, and a control system employing the valve in conjunction with lightweight apparatus for press forming molten glass. In the control system the valve is hydraulically actuated to supply pressurized fluid to the glass pressing apparatus for rapid actuation of the pressing plunger of the apparatus towards and away from the glass pressing and nonpressing positions of the plunger, and adjustable cam means are employed to mechanically actuate the valve and selectively override the hydraulic actuations of the valve towards the ends of the strokes of the plunger to press form the glass at a preselected rate and gradually bring the plunger to a stop at such ends and reduce pressing pressure during plunger dwell. Ring mold clamping means clamp the usual ring mold to the main mold during a pressing operation independently of the pressing pressure actuating the plunger or of the weight of the plunger and its associated actuating apparatus.

Description

United States Patent GLASS-FORMING FLUID FLOW CONTROL MEANS 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 65/305,

65/318, 65/322, 65/361, 65/362, 65/161 Int. Cl C03b 5/30 Field of Search 65/322,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,471,281 /1969 Bittneretal.

ABSTRACT: A valve mechanically and hydraulically actuated for selectively controlling flow of pressurized fluid therethrough, and a control system employing the valve in conjunction with lightweight apparatus for press forming molten glass. 1n the control system the valve is hydraulically actuated to supply pressurized fluid to the glass pressing apparatus for rapid actuation of the pressing plunger of the apparatus towards and away from the glass pressing and nonpressing positions of the plunger, and adjustable cam means are employed to mechanically actuate the valve and selectively override the hydraulic actuations of the valve towards the ends of the strokes of the plunger to press form the glass at a preselected rate and gradually bring the plunger to a stop at such ends and reduce pressing pressure during plunger dwell. Ring mold clamping means clamp the usual ring mold to the 3,069,860 12/1962 Cochag ffet a1 65/2 X main during a pressing Operation independently of the 3,268,319 8/1966 Kaweckaetal.... 65/361X Pressing Pressure actuating he plungerorofthe weight ofthc 3,445,218 5/1969 Trudeau 65/36lX Plungeanditsasmiated actuatingapparams' T-f" 7 I 148 Z 38 Ace 137 \54 l7 '3' T0 BOO-I000 PSI 0 1 PRESSURIZED 34 c '47 |43 I33 FLUIQ sounci 37 4 8650 I06 no? H06 '2 res "if; 59m w 57 -i x; lg 590 97 I46 Y us 3 igig -|o2 llza I L Ri -jig: l pl q T0 250-1000 l 1 I4 I l2 Y PSI PRESSURIZED lei l'l T FLUID SOURCE P 16 J I 12b n i I49 123 4 I ;TO 500 PSI ISOTT T PRESSURIZED FLUID souncz PATENTED JAN] 1 1912 sum 1 055 lllnlll [Illlll ll INVENTORS. Frederick A. Duh/man Raymond J. Mras AGENT PATENIED mu 1 1972 SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTORS. Frederick A. Dahlman Raymond J; Mm:

AGENT PATENTED JAN] 1

m2

34,0 0

SHiEI 3 UF 5 INVENTORS. Frederick A. Duh/man Raymond J. Mras AGENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The usual or conventional glass pressing apparatus generally comprises a relatively heavyweight crosshead attached to an air or hydraulic cylinder which moves such crosshead and a plunger and ring mold attached thereto towards an away from a main forming mold at a relatively high speed. Molten glass in the main forming mold is pressed to the desired shape by the action of the cylinder force plus the kinetic energy in the pressing plunger and its associated apparatus. Both such forces are relatively high and have an adverse effect on pressing small ware, particularly of the split mold type, and the quantity of acceptable ware produced is, therefore, substantially lowered.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a relatively lightweight glass-pressing apparatus actuated by a new and novel type of control system including a new and novel type of main control valve whereby the quantity of acceptable ware or ware selection can be substantially increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accomplishing the above object of the invention a control system has been developed for actuating a glass-pressing apparatus having a substantially reduced weight, the pressing plunger of such apparatus being actuated at a higher speed in approach to the associated glass-forming mold and at a suitably lower speed during the actual pressing part of a glass pressing or forming cycle. The control system also provides for separation of ring mold clamping force from the pressing force and a reduction of pressing pressure during 'plunger dwell. The heart of the new control system is a new and novel hydraulically and mechanically actuated valve for selectively controlling flow of pressurized fluid to the actuating cylinder of the pressing plunger. Hydraulic actuation of the valve is mechanically overridden towards the ends of the pressing plunger stroke by adjustable cam means associated with and moved along with the pressing plunger during its strokes, such cam means physically contacting the mechanical actuating means of the valve for the mechanical overriding actuation thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 generally comprises a side elevational view of the lightweight glass-pressing apparatus employed in the control system of the invention with parts of said apparatus being broken away to illustrate internal structure of such apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including the control valve and associated apparatus of the invention, such view being on an enlarged scale and being taken generally along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 comprises a cross-sectional view of the novel control valve and associated apparatus employed in the control system of the invention, such view being taken generally along line 3-3 ofFlG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the elongate cylindrical housing of the control valve of the invention, such view being taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 comprises an elevational view of the rear of the housing of the control valve of the invention, and upper and lower manifolds associated with such housing, such view being on a still longer scale and illustrating, by broken lines, threaded holes for receipt of screws, and passages and channels in said housing and in said manifolds for conveyance of pressurized fluid; and

FIG. 6 comprises a schematic diagram of the control system of the invention, such view also including, in somewhat of a diagrammatic form, a front view of the glass-pressing apparatus employed in the control system of the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the figures of the drawings.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in detail and first to FIGS. 1 6 of the drawings, there is shown a glass-pressing apparatus generally designated 11 and including a first pressurized fluid cylinder or motor 12 having a central flanged portion 12a which rests on and is secured to the top surface of a suitable support member 14 with the lower portion 12b of cylinder or motor 12 extending downwardly through a suitable opening 14a which also extends downwardly through support member 14. An annular piston 13 is disposed in an enlarged central portion of bore 15 of cylinder 12 and fits snugly but slidably therein in the usual manner. Piston 13 is affixed and sealed to the outer periphery of a hollow piston rod 16 whose upper and lower portions and 16b, respectively, extend snugly but slidably through upper and

lower ends

15a and 15b, respectively, of bore 15 of cylinder 12.

Cylinder 12 further includes a top flange portion 12c on whose top surface is mounted a substantially enclosed support member 17 for a second pressurized fluid cylinder or motor 18 embodying the usual piston 19 and an associated piston rod 20 attached thereto. Piston rod 20 extends downwardly through the lower end of cylinder 18, through the hollow of the upper portion 16a of piston rod 16, through the annular opening in annular piston 13 of cylinder 12 and, thence, on downwardly through the hollow of piston rod 16 to the lower end of lower portion 16b of such piston rod where a plurality of four slots such as 16c extend through the wall of hollow piston rod 16. Four outwardly extending arms such as 21 are secured to the lower end of piston rod 20, one of each of such arms extending through one of each of said slots such as 16c provided in the lower end of lower portion 16b of piston rod 16.

A glass-pressing or forming plunger 25 including an upper flange portion 25a and a glass contacting or forming portion 25b is secured to the lower end of piston rod 16 in any of the usual manners well known in the art. Portion 25b of plunger 25 extends downwardly through a ring mold 26 and is aligned with a glass-forming cavity 27a embodied in a female mold 27 mounted on the top surface of a table or other suitable support 28 as is also well known in the art. Ring mold 26 is supported by a plurality of headed screws or studs such as 29 which extend downwardly through suitable holes provided in flange portion 25a of plunger 25 and screwed or otherwise secured in ring mold 26, said holes being of a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the screws or studs such as 29. The outer ends of the aforesaid outwardly extending arms such as 21 which are secured to the lower end of piston rod 20 are each provided with a downwardly extending member such as 30 the lower end of each of which is intended to at times contact the upper surface of ring mold 26 during parts of press forming cycles as hereinafter discussed in more detail in an operational example of the invention.

The previously mentioned novel valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid is generally designated by the reference character 50 and its structure will be discussed in detail hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 2, through 5 of the drawings. It is, however, now pointed out that valve 50 is attached to the outer periphery of cylinder 12 in the attitude illustrated in FIG. 1 so that

rollers

51 and 52 of the valve are disposed so as to be at times contacted by cam members 33 and 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6) for mechanical actuation of the valve as hereinafter discussed in more detail.

The above-mentioned

cam members

33 and 34 are secured to support

members

35 and 36, respectively (FIG. 3) which are adjustably slidably disposed in vertically extending channels or

grooves

37a and 37b, respectively, provided in a vertical rail or track member 37. Member 37 is secured at its upper end to the lower end of a support bracket 38 whose upper end is, in turn, secured to a'carriage member 39 which embodies a pair of guide rollers such as 40 (FIG. 1) which, during press forming cycles, roll along the sides of a vertical guide member 41 which is fastened between the aforementioned support member 17 and flange portion 120 of cylinder 12. Carriage member 39 is secured to a horizontally extending clamp member 42 which extends through a suitable opening provided in support member 17 and is securely clamped about the outer periphery of hollow piston rod 16 adjacent the upper end 16a of such piston rod.

The

aforementioned support members

35 and 36 have threaded holes 35a and 36a, respectively, (FIG. 3) extending vertically through each respective member and through which threaded upper ends of a pair of adjusting

rods

45 and 46, respectively, extend in a cooperative relationship therewith.

Rods

45 and 46 are rotatably supported in suitable bearings housed on the lower end of rail or track member 37 and the lower ends of the rods extend through suitable holes such as 14b and 140 extending downwardly through support member 14.

Crank handles

47 and 48 are secured to the bottom ends of

rods

45 and 46, respectively, for imparting rotation to the rods and, thereby, vertical movement to cam support

members

35 and 36. By such arrangement the vertical position of

earns

33 and 34 on rail or track member 37 can be manually adjusted as desired, such adjustment being performed by cranking

rods

45 and 46 by means of the

crank handles

47 and 48, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through in detail, control valve 50 comprises an elongate generally cylindrical housing 55 which embodies a generally cylindrical passage 56 extending longitudinally through the housing and having enlarged

cylindrical end portions

57 and 58 of a greater cross-sectional area than that of the generally central portion of passage 56 between

end portions

57 and 58 thereof. A generally cylindrical rodlike gating member 59 is disposed in passage 56 of housing 55, such member having a greater length than passage 56 and including a center portion generally corresponding in cross-sectional area and configuration to said generally central portion of passage 56 so as to fit snugly but longitudinally slidable therein.

Gating member 59 also includes

end portions

59a and 59b of a lesser cross-sectional area than the center portion of the gating member, such end portions extending through said

end portions

57 and 58, respectively, of passage 56. First and second annular channels 60 and 61 are embodied in the peripheral wall of said center portion of gating member 59 with the inner ends of such channels spaced from each other a selected distance along the length of the center portion of such gating member, parts of said peripheral wall uniformingly tapering to define the annular inner limits of each of said channels, such tapers being in directions from the outermost end of each respective channel towards the center of such channel.

Housing 55 also embodies in its wall defining the periphery of said center portion of passage 56 a first pair of

annular channels

62 and 63 whose annular outermost limits are normally situate adjacent said inner ends of channels 60 and 61, respectively, in gating member 59, and a second pair of annu- Iar channels 64 and 65 whose annular innermost limits are normally situate adjacent the outer ends of channels 60 and 61, respectively, in gating member 59. Housing 55 further embodies in its said wall a third pair of annular channels 66 and 67 whose annular centers normally annularly surround center areas of channels 60 and 61, respectively, in gating member 59.

A pair of pressurized fluid inlet passages 68 and 69 (FIG. 5) extend through housing 55 and connect with

annular channels

62 and 63 embodied in such housing, Another pair of pressurized fluid inlet passages 70 and 71 (FIGS. 3 and 5) extend through housing 55 and connect with

end portions

57 and 58, respectively of passage 56. A first pair of pressurized fluid outlet passages 72 and 73 (FIG. 5) extend through housing 55 and connect with annular channels 64 and 65, respectively, embodied in such housing. A second pair of pressurized fluid outlet passages 74 and 75 (FIGS. 3 and 5) extend through housing 55 and connect with annular channels 66 and 67, respectively, embodied in the housing.

A first sleeve 80 is disposed in end portion 57 of passage 56 in housing 55, such sleeve having a flanged end which is located innermost in such end portion of passage 56 and such sleeve being of a length less than such end portion 57 of passage 56. Sleeve surrounds end portion 59a of gating member 59 in a relatively snug but slidable relationship therewith and a compressible coil spring 81 surrounds sleeve 80 with one of the ends of such spring bearing against the flange of the sleeve. A cap member 82 is secured to the right hand end of housing 55 (viewing FIG. 3) and embodies an orifice 81a extending therethrough in line with passage 56 in housing 55 and through which orifice the end portion 59a of gating member 59 snugly but slidably extends with the free end of such end portion protruding externally beyond the exterior annular surface of cap member 82. The inner end of cap member 82 bears against the second end of coil spring 81 and normally compresses such spring a limited amount. Thus, sleeve 80 is normally maintained in its innermost position within end portion 57 of passage 56 in housing 55. As shown in FIG, 4, sleeve 80 embodies in the wall of its inner end a plurality of fluid flow radial channels such as 80a whose purpose will be hereinafter apparent from an operational example of the invention.

End portion 58 of passage 56 in housing 55 is provided with an assembly of apparatus similar to that just described for end portion 57 of passage 56; Such apparatus assembly includes a sleeve 85, a compressible coil spring 86, and a cap member 87 which are similar to and correspond, respectively, to sleeve 80, coil spring 81 and cap member 82. A detailed description of the apparatus assembly in end portion 58 of passage 56 is, therefore, not considered necessary. However, it should be pointed out that the sleeve and coil spring assemblies in

end portions

57 and 58 of passage 56 in housing 55 normally maintain gating member 59 in its normal or center position in passage 56 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The essential parts of valve 50 having been described above, certain components and parts associated with thevalve will now be described with further reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings.

Housing 55 of valve 50 is shown as having an extending portion 55a (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) in which is provided a channel 55b extending along the length of housing 55. A bifurcated slide member 90 includes an elongate center portion 90a and two end prongs or

extension portions

90b and 90c, said center portion 90a being disposed in said channel 55b of housing 55 in a relatively snug but slidable relationship therein. Slide member 90 further includes first and second projections 90d and 902 which rotatably support, on the otherwise free ends thereof, the previously discussed

rollers

51 and 52, respectively. The end of end portion 59a of gating member 59 is threaded and is screwed into cooperative threads provided in prong or extension portion 90b of slide member 90. The end of end portion 59b of gating member 59 extends through prong or extension portion 90:: of slide member 90 in a relatively snug but slidable relationship therein. The extreme end of end portion 59a of gating member 59 is slotted for receipt of a screw driver for rotating such gating member and, thereby, adjusting to a limited extent the longitudinal position of slide member 90 relative to that of gating member 59. First and

second screws

91 and 92 extend through cooperatively threaded holes provided in the prong or

extension portions

90b and 90c, respectively, of slide member 90 and the movements of slide member 90 in channel 55b and, thereby, of gating member 59 in passage 56 can be adjustably limited by manual adjustment of

screws

91 and 92 as will be readily apparent.

There is secured to the bottom surface of extending portion 55a of housing 55 a support 95 on which are rotatably mounted a pair of

guide rollers

96 and 97, the outer peripheries of which contact rearward vertical side faces or edges of vertical rail or track member 37 (FIG. 3) for guidance of such member during press-forming cycles hereinafter discussed.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and as best illustrated in FIG, 5, first and

second manifolds

100 and 101 are secured to the upper and lower surfaces of housing 55 of valve 50, such manifolds embodying passages for supply and receipt of pressurized fluid to and from the previously discussed passages in housing 55. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, manifold 100 embodies passages 100a and 1011b which connect with previously discussed passages 68 and 69, respectively, in housing 55 and, thereby, to

annular channels

62 and 63, respectively, in such housing. The end of said passage 100a leading to the exterior of manifold 100 is connected to a fluid conduit 102 (FIG. 6) which is, in turn, connected to a pressurized fluid source having, for example, a pressure of 250-1 ,000 p.s.i. The end ofsaid passage 10% leading to the exterior of manifold 100 is connected to a fluid conduit 103 (FIG. 6) which is in turn connected to a pressurized fluid source having, for example, a pressure of 500 p.s.i.

As also best illustrated in FIG. 5, manifold 101 embodies a passage 101a which connects with previously discussed passages 72 and 73 in housing 55 and, thereby, to annular channels 64 and 65 in such housing. The end of passage 101a leading to the exterior of manifold 10] is connected to a fluid conduit 104 (FIG. 6) which leads to a fluid tank or reservoir designated T and which is shown in several instances throughout FIG. 6 of the drawings.

Passages

74 and 75 embodied in housing 55 of valve 50 connect with passages embodied in the wall of cylinder 12, as is well known in the art, and which lead to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of enlarged central portion c of bore 15 of cylinder 12. Said passages embodied in the wall of cylinder 12 are not shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings for purposes of simplification thereof, but such passages may be assumed to be illustrated and designated in FIG. 6 by

reference characters

106 and 107 which indicate conduits or passages which lead from valve 50 to upper and lower ends, respectively, of cylinder 12. Conduit or passage 106 also connects to a first end ofa gating means or pressure release valve 115 that is normally maintained in a first position by a compression spring 116 and is actuated to a second position when a solenoid control winding 117 of the valve is energized, such valve again returning to its normal position when winding 117 is again deenergized following a period of energization thereof as hereinafter described.

Passages 70 and 71 embodied in housing 55 connect with passages 110 and 111, respectively, embodied in the wall of cylinder 12 (FIG. 3) and, thereby, connect to

fluid conduits

112 and 113, respectively, shown in FIG. 6.

Reference characters

51, 52, 57, 58, 59a, 59b, 81 and 86 in FIG. 6 designate schematically illustrated parts of valve 50 which is also schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, such parts corresponding respectively to the similar designated parts of valve 50 shown in detail in FIG. 3.

Referring further to FIG. 6,

fluid conduits

119 and 120 connect a first end of a two-position four-way gating means or valve 121 to previously mentioned tank or fluid reservoir T and to a first end of previously mentioned valve 115, respectively. The first end of valve 121 is also connected to previously mentioned fluid conduit 113 and to a fluid conduit 122 which in turn connects to the output port of a pressure reducing valve 123 whose input port connects over a fluid conduit 124 to said source of pressurized fluid at a pressure of 500 p.s.i., for example. Valve 123 will be further discussed hereinafter. Gating means or valve 121 is shown as an electrical solenoid valve which is normally maintained in a first position by a compression spring 125 connected thereto and which is actuated to its second position when a control winding 126 of the valve is energized, such valve being returned to its normal position by spring 125 when control winding 126 is again deenergized following a period of energization thereof. Valve 121 will also be further discussed hereinafter.

Returning to previously mentioned valve 115, said first end of such valve is also connected to previously mentioned fluid conduit 112 and through another fluid conduit 127 to fluid reservoir or tank T.

The first end of a second two-position four-way gating means or valve 130 is connected over a fluid conduit 131 to the output ports of first and second two-way manually actuated

valves

132 and 133, respectively. The input port of valve 132 is connected to a source of pressurized fluid at a pressure of 300-1 ,000 p.s.i., for example. The input port of valve 133 is connected to the previously mentioned 250-l ,000 psi. pressurized fluid source. Said first end of valve is also connected over a fluid conduit 134 to fluid reservoir or tank T and over a fluid conduit 135 to the upper end of previously discussed pressurized fluid motor or cylinder 18. Gating means or valve 130 is also shown as an electrical solenoid valve which is normally maintained in a first position by a compression spring 136 connected thereto and which is actuated to its second position when a control winding 137 of the valve is energized, such valve being returned to its normal position by spring 136 when control winding is again deenergized following a period of energization thereof.

A source of electrical current of suitable voltage and capacity is provided for energization of the

solenoid windings

117, 126 and 137 of

valves

115, 121 and 130, respectively. The first and second terminals of said source are designated as X and Y, respectively, however said source is not shown in the drawings for purposes of simplification thereof.

Solenoid winding 126 of valve 121 has an energizing circuit which extends from said terminal X of said current source over a contact TDl of a timing drum, hereinafter discussed, and thence to terminal Y of the current source. Similarly,

solenoid windings

137 and 117 of

valves

130 and 115, respectively, have energizing circuits which extend from terminal X of said current source over contacts TD2 and TD3, respectively, of said timing drum and thence to terminal Y of the current source. Timing drum contacts TDl, TD2 and TD3 are contacts of a timing drum or programmer such as usually employed in glass forming operations, as is well known in the art. However, such timing drum or programmer, per se, is not shown in the drawings for purposes of simplification thereof. Said contacts are shown in FIG. 6 as normally open and contacts TDI and TD2 close at substantially the same time during press forming cycles. However, for reasons hereinafter pointed out, contact TDl after a closure thereof opens at a point in time slightly prior to contact TD2, the difference in such opening periods being, for example, on the order of 0.06 seconds. That is to say, contact TD2 opens 0.06 seconds following the opening of contact TDl. The points in time of opening and closing of contact TD3 relative to contacts TD] and TD2 will be pointed out hereinafter in an operational example of the invention.

The previously mentioned fluid conduit 135 connected from valve 130 to the upper end of cylinder 18 is also connected to the input of an overload safety valve 140 having an output connected over a fluid conduit 141 to fluid reservoir or tank T. The purpose of such valve will also be pointed out hereinafter. The lower end of cylinder 18 is connected over a fluid conduit 142 directly to fluid reservoir or tank T to permit air to flow into the lower end of cylinder 18 during an upward actuation of piston 19 of the cylinder, and to permit air and/or leakage fluid to flow out of the lower end of the cylinder during a downward actuation of piston 19 of the cylinder.

A variable fluid flow restriction 143 is provided in fluid conduit 131 between valve 130 and manual

flow control valves

132 and 133, such restriction being manually adjustable to adjust the rate of fluid flow from

valves

132 and 133 and to fluid conduit 135 and thence to the upper end of cylinder 18 for purposes hereinafter discussed.

Another variable fluid flow restriction 144 is provided in fluid conduit 106 between valve 115 and the upper end of enlarged portion 15c or bore 15 in cylinder 12, such restriction being manually adjustable to adjust the rate of back flow of pressurized fluid from said upper end of enlarged portion 15:: of bore 15 in cylinder 12 and through fluid passage or conduit 106, valve 115 and fluid conduit 127 to tank T and, thereby, prevent the subjection of conduits 106 and 127, and valve 115 to undue stresses or strains, or so-called fluid hammer, as is well known in the art. Restriction 144 is manually adjustable or variable so that an optimum rate of pressurized fluid backflow can be selected in accordance with the program of press forming cycles of the press forming apparatus 1 1.

There is connected with conduit 131 between variable restriction 143 and valve 130 the output port of a check valve 14'rwhose input port is connected with a pressurized fluid accumulator 148 and a pressurized fluid conduit 146 which connects to the output port of a pressure-reducing valve 145. The input port of valve 145 is connected over conduit 124 to the previously mentioned 500 p.s.i., pressurized fluid source.

Returning to previously mentioned pressure-reducing valve 123, such valve reduces or controls to a selected valve the pressure of the pressurized fluid supplied from fluid conduit 124 to end

portions

57 and 58 of passage 56 in valve housing 55 of valve 50. Valve 123 is also connected over a conduit 149 to reservoir or tank T to provide for leakage fluid through the valve to flow to such tank. Similarly, pressure reducing valve 145 reduces or controls to a selected valve such as, for example, a pressure of from 60 to 150 p.s.i., the pressure of the pressurized fluid supplied from conduit 124 to fluid conduit 146 and thence to accumulator 148 and through check valve 147 to fluid conduit 131 and thence to valve 130. Valve 145 is also connected over a conduit 150 to reservoir or tank T to provide for leakage fluid through the valve to flow to such tank.

For purposes of an operational example of a forming cycle of the press-forming apparatus, it will be assumed that such apparatus is initially in its position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings and the control valves of the control system occupy their normal positions illustrated in FIG. 6. It will also be assumed that contacts TDl, TD2 and TD3 are in their open positions shown in FIG. 6. Under such conditions pressurized fluid is being supplied from the 500 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source over fluid conduit 124 and through valve 123 to fluid conduit 122, at a pressure controlled in accordance with the manual setting of adjustable valve 123, and thence through valve 121 to conduit 113 and to end portion 58 of passage 56 in housing 55 of valve 50 (FIGS. 3 and 6). Such pressurized fluid is exerting force on gating member 59 in passage 56 to urge such gating member in the right-hand direction (viewing FIG. 3) in said passage but such movement of the gating member is prevented at such time by roller 52 bearing against the outer edge or face of cam 34. If, however, the press forming apparatus drifts or creeps downwardly at such time, due to fluid leakage for example, cam 34 will move downwardly and roller 52 will be moved off said edge or face of cam 34 to thereby permit gating member 59 to move somewhat in said right-hand direction. Such movement will connect, through annular channel 61 in gating member 59, annular channel 63 in housing 55 of valve 50 with annular channel 67 in such housing (FIG. 3) and pressurized fluid will flow from said 500 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source (FIG. 6) over fluid conduit 103 and through passage 75 in valve 50 to passage or conduit 107, and thence to the lower end of enlarged portion 150 of bore of cylinder 12 (FIGS. 1 and 3) to again actuate piston 13 and piston rod 16 upwardly to its original position. Such actuation will again cause cam 34 to contact roller 52 and move gating member 59 to its center position within passage 56 of housing 55 of valve 50 to thereby interrupt the connection between annular passages 63 and 67 in housing 55 and discontinue the supply of pressurized fluid to said lower end of enlarged portion 150 of bore 15 of cylinder 12. Thus, the press-forming apparatus 11 is normally maintained in its upward position shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 between press-forming cycles of such apparatus.

It will now be assumed that a gob of molten glass has been supplied to mold cavity 27a in mold 27 (FIG. 1) and that the previously mentioned timing drum or programmer is energized to actuate contacts TDl TD2 and TD3 (FIG. 6) to their closed and subsequently to their open positions in their programmed sequence. Under such conditions, contacts TD] and TDZ first close simultaneously as previously mentioned and

solenoid windings

126 and 137 of

valves

121 and 130, respectively, are thereby energized and such valves are thus actuated to their second positions. Such actuation of valve 121 permits pressurized fluid to flow from the 500 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source through fluid conduit 124, pressure-reducing valve 123, fluid conduit 122, valve 121 in its second position, and thence to fluid conduit and through valve 115, still in its first position, to fluid conduit 112 and to the enlarged portion 57 (FIGS. 3 and 6) ofpassage 56in housing 55 of valve 50. At the same time enlarged portion 58 of said passage 56 is connected over conduits 113, valve 121 and conduit 1 19 to reservoir or tank T. The supply of pressurized fluid to end portion 57 of passage 56 in valve housing 55 actuates gating member 59 in the left-hand direction (viewing FIG. 3) within said passage 56 and annular channel 62 is thereby connected, through annular channel 60 in gating member 59, with annular channel 66 within said passage to supply pressurized fluid from the 250l,000 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source through passage 74 in valve 50 to fluid conduit or passage 106 and thence to the upper end of enlarged bore portion 15c of bore 15 in cylinder 12 (FIG. 1). Piston 13 in said bore portion 150 is thereby actuated downwardly and piston rod 16 is correspondingly actuated downwardly to cause end 25b of pressforming plunger 25 to enter mold cavity 27a in mold 27 and begin to press form the previously mentioned gob of molten glass. During such down stroke of the pressing apparatus, the lower end of enlarged bore portion 150 of bore 15 in cylinder 12 is connected through fluid conduit or passage 107 in valve 50 (through passage 75 and annular channels 65 and 67 in valve housing 55) to fluid conduit 104 and thence to reservoir or tank T.

The above-mentioned actuation of valve to its second position, permits pressurized fluid at the aforesaid pressure of from 60 to 150 p.s.i. for example, to flow from accumulator 148 through check valve 147 and over fluid conduit 131 to valve 130 and, thence through such valve to fluid conduit 135 to the upper end of cylinder 18. Restriction 143 at such time restricts an appreciable flow of high-pressure pressurized fluid, from said 250-1,000 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source and through normally open manually actuated valve 133, to fluid conduit 131. The pressurized fluid supplied from accumulator 148 to the upper end of cylinder 18 at such time flows at a rate such that the pressure above piston 19 is just high enough to prevent cavitation within the fluid so supplied to said upper end. That is to say, if the rate of flow of pressurized fluid to the upper end of cylinder 18 is not sufficiently high, the previously mentioned downward movement of piston rod 16 of cylinder 12 may pull piston rod 20 and piston 19 in cylinder 18 downwardly at a rate tending to cause a partial vacuum in the pressurized fluid being supplied to the upper end of cylinder 18, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. When ring mold 26 contacts mold 27, piston 19 in cylinder 18 stops and high-volume pressurized-fluid flow to the upper end of cylinder 18 is thereby terminated. At such time, the high-pressure pressurized fluid supplied through restriction 143 to

fluid conduits

131 and 135, and thence to the upper end of cylinder 18, will build up high pressure in such end of cylinder 18 and clamp ring mold 26 to mold 27.

When piston 13 and its associated piston rod 16 are actuated downwardly during the press-forming operation above described, cam 33 (as well as cam 34) is correspondingly actuated downwardly so that the outer face or edge of cam 33 finally contacts the outer periphery of roller 51 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 6). Such face or edge has a shape selected, in conjunction with the previously mentioned uniform taper of channel 61 in gating member 59, in passage 56 in valve housing 55 so that roller 51 and, therethrough, said gating member are reactuated in their right-hand directions (viewing FIG. 3) to I gradually reduce the rate of flow of the pressurized fluid supplied to the upper end of enlarged portion 15c of bore 15 in cylinder 12 and, at the same time, substantially restrict the rate of flow of fluid from the lower end of said portion of portion 150 of bore 15, such reduction in and restriction of said rates of flow being at rates most suitable or optimum for the actual glass-pressing phase of the forming cycle, to thereby,

press form the desired glass article at a speed to form such article without defects. At the end of said glass-forming phase, that is, when the cavity formed between the bottom of cavity 27a in mold 27, and lower portion 25a of plunger 25 and ring mold 26 (FIG. 1) is filled with the gob of molten glass being press formed, contact TD3 of the timing drum closes to energize solenoid winding 117 of valve 115 (FIG. 6) and such valve is actuated to its second position. Such actuation connects fluid conduit or passage 112 through valve 115 to reservoir or tank T thereby permitting the pressurized fluid in end portion 57 of passage 56 in valve housing 55 to flow to fluid reservoir or tank T. Gating member 59 in passage 56 will, thereby, be shifted in the right-hand direction (viewing FIG. 3) by spring 86 of valve 50 to thereby close all the ports or channels in such valve. Any residual pressure in the upper end of portion 150 of bore in cylinder is, at such time, vented through restriction 144 and valve 115 to fluid reservoir or tank T. Plunger and 25b of plunger 25 now rests or dwells on the formed glass article with a force equal only to the combined mass of such plunger, piston rod 16 and the other parts associated with such plunger and piston rod. The ring mold clamping pressure supplied from said 250-1,000 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source through manually actuated valve 133 in its open position to fluid conduit 131, and thence through valve 130 to fluid conduit 135 and to the upper end oicylinder 18, is still effective to clamp ring mold 26 to mold 27. Such pressurized fluid is prevented from flowing to accumulator 148 by check valve 147.

lt is believed expedient to point out at this point in the description that, when the article being press formed has a configuration such that the ring mold 26 has an area of its lower surface exposed to the molten glass during the pressforming phase of a press forming cycle and which area is greater in area than that of end 25b of pressing plunger 25, the clamping pressure necessary to hold the ring mold against mold 27 at such time must be higher than the forming pressure applied to pressing plunger 25. Accordingly, under such conditions, manually actuated valve 133 is closed and manually actuated valve 132 is open to supply pressurized fluid at a substantially higher pressure through restriction 143 to fluid conduit 131, such higher pressure being provided from the previously mentioned 300-1 ,000 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source.

Following the above-mentioned dwell, during which the glass of the press-formed glass article cools sufficiently to become self-supporting or set up, solenoid winding 126 of valve 121 is deenergized by the opening of contact TDI of the aforementioned timing drum or programmer and such valve is returned to its first position by spring 125 of such valve. Such actuation of valve 12] again supplies pressurized fluid to end 58 of passage 56 in valve housing 55 and gating member 59 in said passage 56 is actuated in its right-hand direction (viewing FIG. 3) within such passage. Such actuation ofgating member 59 supplies pressure from the 500 p.s.i. pressurized fluid source over fluid conduit 103 and thence through annular channels 63 and 67 in valve housing 55 of valve 50 to passage 75 (FIG. 3) and fluid conduit 107 (FIG. 6) to the lower end of enlarged portion 150 of bore 15 in cylinder 12 (FIG. 1). Simultaneously therewith, the upper end ofsaid enlarged bore portion 15c is connected through fluid passage or conduit 106 and valve 50 to fluid conduit 104 and thence to fluid reservoir or tank T. Piston 13 and its associated apparatus including plunger 25 are, thereby, actuated in an upward direction. At a point in time which may, for example, be approximately 0.06 second following the deenergization of winding 126 of valve 121, winding 137 of valve 130 is deenergized by the opening of contact TD2 of the timing drum or programmer and valve 130 returns to its first position shown in FIG. 6. The 0.06 second delay period is sufficient to permit end 25b of plunger 25 to be extracted from, or removed from contact with the press-formed glass article in cavity 27a of mold 27 while clamping pressure is still maintained on ring mold 26 to hold said glass article in its forming mold. Following such delay period flange portion 25a of plunger 25 (FIG. 1) contacts the heads of aforementioned screws or studs such as 29 and ring mold 26 is, thereby, actuated upwardly along with piston 13 and its associated piston rod 16. Such actuation also actuates arms 21, piston rod 20 and piston 19 in cylinder 18 upwardly and the pressurized fluid in the top of cylinder 18 is forced into conduit 135, and through valve and conduit 134 to fluid reservoir or tank T. If such back flow of pressurized fluid is caused to occur prior to actuation of valve 130 to its first position by the deenergization of winding 137 of such valve and thereby cause possible breakage of fluid conduits and/or 131 etc., pressure release valve 140 is actuated by such pressure backflow to relieve such pressure and vent the excess pressure through fluid conduit 141 to fluid reservoir or tank T. Towards the end of the upward stroke of plunger 25 and its associated apparatus the outer periphery of roller 52 is contacted by the outer face or edge of cam 34 and gating member 59 in passage 56 of valve housing 55 is again actuated in its left-hand direction in such passage and thereby overriding the actuation of gating member 59 in its right-hand direction by the pressurized fluid supplied to end 58 of passage 56in valve housing 55. Timing drum contact TD3 is now actuated to its open position to permit valve 115 to be returned to its first position by spring 116. The apparatus is then back in its initial or original positions in preparation for another press-forming cycle such as that just described.

Although there is herein shown and described only one example ofa control system embodying the invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and purview thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve (50) for controlling pressurized fluid flow, such valve comprising;

1. an elongate cylindrical housing (55) embodying,

a. a first generally cylindrical passage (56) extending longitudinally through said housing (55) and having cylindrical end portions (57,58) of a greater cross-sectional area than that of the generally central portion of such passage (56) between said end portions 57,58) thereof,

b. a first pair of channels (62,63) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56),

. first and second pressurized fluid inlet passages (68,69) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said first pair of channels (62,63),

d. a second pair of channels (64,65) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56),

e. first and second pressurized fluid outlet passages (72,73) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said second pair of channels (64,65),

f. a third pair of channels (66,67) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56), g. third and fourth pressurized fluid outlet passages (74,75) extending through said housing (55) for connecting with first and second ones respectively of said third pair of channeis (66,67), and

h. third and fourth pressurized fluid inlet passages (70,71) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said end portions 57,58) of said first passage (56);

II. a cylindrical rodlike member (59) disposed in said first passage (56) in said housing (55), such member being of a greater length than such passage (56) and having,

a. a center portion substantially and generally corresponding in cross-sectional area and in configuration to said generally central portion of said first passage (56) in said housing (55) so as to fit snugly but longitudinally slidably therein,

b. first and second end portion (5911,59b) of a lesser cross-sectional area than said center portion of said member and extending through said end portions (57,58) of said first passage (56) in said housing (55),

a. a center portion substantially and generally corresponding in cross-sectional area and configuration to said generally central portion of said first passage in said housing so as to fit snugly but longitud'mally and slidably therein,

c. first and second annular channels (60,61) mb di d i b. first and second end portions of a lesser cross-sectional the peripheral wall of aid nt portion f id area than said center portion of said member and exmember (59) and normally connecting said third and tending through Said gnd Portion8 of said first Passage fourth fluid outlet passages (74,75) in said housing with in Said housing and said first and second ones respectively of said third pair 10 first and Second annular channels embodied in f h l (66 peripheral wall of said center portion of said member lll. first and second sleeves (80,85) having flanged ends and with the inner d of such channels spaced from each disposed in first and second ones respectively of said end other a Selected dlstance along the length of [he came portions (57,58) of said first passage (56) in said housing I 5 m 93"? ?f b d (55) and surrounding said first and second end portions Cy dnca ousmg a so 0 5911,5917 respectively of said rodlik member 59 in a first annular chimnels f defin' relatively snug but slidable relationship therewith, each mg the .penPhery 9 center porno of saldflist said sleeve having a length less than its respective end passage m Sald housmg with the annular outermost Imus of first and second ones of such channels normally situate porno (5758) of Sam first Passage (56,) and T flanged in such first passage adjacent said inner ends of said first 9 ofeach S,uch sleeve bemg disposed mnermost and second annular channels respectively in said gating in its respective end portion (57,58) of such first passage member,

(56) b. first and second pressurized fluid inlet passages extend- IV. a compressible coil spring (81 86) SurrOund1Il g each ing through said housing and connecting with said first aid sle ve (80, 85), each such spring (81,86) h g one and second ones respectively of said first pair of chanof ltsends bearing against said flange of the respectively 615 in such housing,

assoclated Sleeve (80,85) c. a second pair of annular channels in the housing wall V. a cap member (82,87) secured to each end of said housd fi ing the periphery of said center portion of said g (55) for Sealed Closure Ofsaid end Portions 5 of first passage in said housing with the annular innermost Said first Passage 636}! Such member beaflimits of first and second ones of such channels noring against the second end of the respectively associated all situate in such first passage adjacent the outer Said coil p g and at least ne ofsuch cap memends of said first and second annular channels respecbers (82) embodying an orifice (82a) extending tively in said gating member,

therethrough in line with said first passage (56) and d. first and second pressurized fluid outlet passages exthrough which orifice (820) the corresponding end portending through said housing and connecting with said tion (59a) of said rodlike member (59) extends snugly first and second ones respectively of said second pair of but slidably with the free end of such end'portion (59a) h nn in Such h i g,

protruding externally beyond the exterior annular surface a hi p r of nn l r ch nn l n the ing all of the respective cap member(82), 40 defining the periphery of said center portion of said Vl. actuating means (90) connected to said protruding exfirst passage in said housing with the annular centers of ternal and otherwise free end of said end portion (59a) of first and Second Ones of Such channels normally annusaid rodlike member (59) for longitudinal movement of y Surrounding Center areas of said first and second such member (90) in first and second directions within anflular channels respectively in sfiid gating member, said fi t passage (56) embodied in Said housing (55), f. third and fourth pressurized fluid outlet passages exsuch means 90) being adjustably connected to said free tendmg through 531d g r Connecting with said end of the rodlike member 59 for limited manual adfirst and (fwd justment of the normal longitudinal position of such channels Such g' and member (59) within the first passage (56) in said housing and fourth pressimzed fluld lnlet.passa.ges extend- (55), and ing through said housing and connecting w th first and VI]. stop means (91) carried by said actuating means (90) second ones. respectively of Sam end Portlons of sald for limiting the distances of said actuating movements of first passage lV. first and second flanged sleeves disposed in first and such actuating means (90) and thereby said longitudinal f d f f movements of said rodlike member (59) within said first Second Opes rfispecmtely o Sal an p0}- lonsp Sal passage in said housing and surrounding said first and passage (56) in said housing (55), such stop means (91) being manually adjustable for varying or adjusting said movements.

2. A valve as in claim 1 and in which said peripheral wall of second end portions respectively of said rodlike member in a relatively snug but slidably relationship therewith, each said sleeve having a length less than its respective end portion of said first passage and the flanged end of said center portion of said rodlike member (59) uniformly 60 tapers to define the annular inner limit of one of said annular channels (60,61) embodied in such wall, such taper being in a direction from the outermost end of the respective annular channel (60,61 towards the center of such channel.

3. A valve for controlling pressurized fluid flow, such valve comprising;

each such sleeve being disposed innermost in its respective end portion of such first passage;

V. a compressible coil spring surrounding each said sleeve each such spring having one of its ends bearing against said flange of the respectively associated sleeve;

Vl. a cap member secured to each end of said housing for sealed closure of said end portions of said first passage,

1. an elongate cylindrical housing embodying a first generally cylindrical passage extending longitudinally through said housing and having cylindrical end portions of a greater cross-sectional area than that of the generally central portion of such passage between said end portions thereof;

ll. a cylindrical rodlike gating member disposed in said first passage in said housing, such member being of a greater length than such passage and having,

each such member bearing against the second end of the respectively associated said coil spring and at least one of such cap members embodying an orifice extending therethrough in line with said first passage and through which orifice the corresponding end portion of said rodlike gating member snugly but slidably extends with the free end of such end portion protruding externally beyond the exterior annular surface of the respective cap member;

VII. actuating means connected to said protruding external and otherwise free end of said end portion of said rodlike gating member for longitudinally moving such member in a first direction to connect said first annular channel in said gating member between said first ones of said first and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and said second annular channel in said gating member between said second ones of said second and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and for longitudinally moving said gating member in a second direction to connect said second annular channel in said gating member between said second ones of said first and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and said first annular channel in said gating member between said first ones of said second and third pairs of annular channels in said housing; and

VIII. stop means carried by said actuating means for limiting the distances of said actuating movements of such actuating means and thereby said longitudinal movements of said rodlike gating member within said first passage in said housing, such stop means being manually adjustable for varying or adjusting said movements.

4. A valve as in claim 3 and in which said peripheral wall of said center portion of said rodlike member uniformly tapers to define the annular inner limit of one of said annular channels embodied in such wall, such taper being in a direction from the outermost end of the respective annular channel towards the center ofsuch channel.

5. In an apparatus (11) for press forming an article from a mold charge of molten glass and including a female mold member (27), a male mold member (25) actuated by a hollow piston rod (16) and an associated pressurized fluid cylinder (12) and first piston (13), and a ring mold (26) arranged to be actuated by a piston rod and an associated pressurized fluid cylinder (18) and second piston (19), the piston rod (20) actuating said ring mold (26) extending downwardly through said hollow piston rod (16) to apply clamping force to said ring mold (26) independent of the pressing forces exerted by said male mold member control apparatus for controlling said pressing forces in accordance with the forming characteristics of said molten glass, such control apparatus comprising, in combination;

I. a pressurized fluid and mechanically actuated main control valve (50) for selectively supplying pressurized fluid to upper and lower faces of said first piston (13), the mechanical actuating means (90) of such control valve (50) arranged for overriding the pressurized fluid actuating means (59) of the control valve (50);

II. first and second cam means (33,34) associated with said hollow piston rod (16) and moved downwardly and upwardly therewith for actuating said mechanical actuating means (90) ofsaid control valve (50) towards the ends of the downward and upward strokes, respectively, of the hollow piston rod (16), said first cam (33) means having a shape selected so as to actuate said mechanical actuating means (90) to actuate said control valve (50) to gradually reduce the supply of pressurized fluid to the upper face of said first piston (13), and regulating return flow in accordance with said forming characteristics of said molten glass and to finally terminate said supply, and

said second cam means (34) having a shape selected to actuate said mechanical actuating means to actuate said control valve (50) to gradually reduce the supply of pressurized fluid to the lower face of said piston (13) and finally terminate such supply;

III. a first two-position four-way solenoid actuated valve (121) normally in a first position to normally supply pressurized fluid to a first end of said main control valve (50) to urge control of such main valve (50) to supply pressurized fluid to the lower face of said first piston (13) and actuable to a second position by energization of the solenoid winding (126) of such valve (121) to supply pressun'zed fluid to a second end of said main control valve (50) to control such main valve (50) to supply pressurized fluid to the upper face of said first iston (13); IV. a second two-position two-way solenol actuated valve (130) normally in a first position to normally vent the upper end of the second-mentioned pressurized fluid cylinder (18) to a fluid tank (T) and actuable to a second position by energization of the solenoid winding (137) of such valve to supply low-pressure pressurized fluid at a high-volume rate and high-pressure pressurized fluid at a low-volume rate to said upper end of said second mentioned cylinder (18); and V. electrical circuit controlling means (TDl, TD2) for simultaneously energizing the solenoid windings (126,137) of said first and second solenoid-actuated valves (121,130) at the start of each forming cycle of the press-forming apparatus and for deenergizing said windings (126,137) at the end of the dwell phase of each forming cycle, the deenergization of the solenoid winding (126) of said first solenoid actuated valve (121) occurring at a point in time briefly prior to the deenergization of the solenoid winding (137) of said second solenoid actuated valve (130) whereby clamping force is maintained on said ring mold (26) until said male mold member (25) has been removed from contact with the formed glass article in said female mold member (27) by pressurized fluid. A control system as in claim 5 and further including,

a third two-position solenoid-actuated valve normally in a first position to normally vent said second pressurized fluid actuating means of said main control valve through said first solenoid-actuated valve to said fluid tank, and

b. another electrical circuit controlling means for energizing the solenoid winding of said third solenoid-actuated valve at the end of the forming phase of each forming cycle to actuate such third valve to its second position to vent the pressurized fluid supplied to the upper face of said first piston and said second pressurized fluid actuating means of said main control valve to said fluid tank, such other electrical circuit controlling means deenergizing the solenoid winding of said third solenoid-actuated valve at the end ofeach forming cycle.

7. A control system as in claim 5 and in which said first and second cam means are vertically manually adjustable to vary the press-forming strokes ofsaid male mold member.

8. A control system as in claim 6 and in which said first and second cam means are vertically manually adjustable to vary the press-forming strokes of said male mold member.

Claims

1. A valve (50) for controlling pressurized fluid flow, such valve comprising; I. an elongate cylindrical housing (55) embodying, a. a first generally cylindrical passage (56) extending longitudinally through said housing (55) and having cylindrical end portions (57,58) of a greater cross-sectional area than that of the generally central portion of such passage (56) between said end portions (57,58) thereof, b. a first pair of channels (62,63) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56), c. first and second pressurized fluid inlet passages (68,69) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said first pair of channels (62,63), d. a second pair of channels (64,65) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56), e. first and second pressurized fluid outlet passages (72,73) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said second pair of channels (64,65), f. a third pair of channels (66,67) in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage (56), g. third and fourth pressurized fluid outlet passages (74,75) extending through said housing (55) for connecting with first and second ones respectively of said third pair of channels (66,67), and h. third and fourth pressurized fluid inlet passages (70,71) extending through said housing (55) and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said end portions (57,58) of said first pasSage (56); II. a cylindrical rodlike member (59) disposed in said first passage (56) in said housing (55), such member being of a greater length than such passage (56) and having, a. a center portion substantially and generally corresponding in cross-sectional area and in configuration to said generally central portion of said first passage (56) in said housing (55) so as to fit snugly but longitudinally slidably therein, b. first and second end portion (59a,59b) of a lesser crosssectional area than said center portion of said member and extending through said end portions (57,58) of said first passage (56) in said housing (55), and c. first and second annular channels (60,61) embodied in the peripheral wall of said center portion of said member (59) and normally connecting said third and fourth fluid outlet passages (74,75) in said housing with said first and second ones respectively of said third pair of channels (66, 67); III. first and second sleeves (80,85) having flanged ends and disposed in first and second ones respectively of said end portions (57,58) of said first passage (56) in said housing (55) and surrounding said first and second end portions (59a, 59b) respectively of said rodlike member (59) in a relatively snug but slidable relationship therewith, each said sleeve having a length less than its respective end portion (57,58) of said first passage (56) and the flanged end of each such sleeve (80,85) being disposed innermost in its respective end portion (57,58) of such first passage (56), IV. a compressible coil spring (81,86) surrounding each said sleeve (80,85), each such spring (81,86) having one of its ends bearing against said flange of the respectively associated sleeve (80,85), V. a cap member (82,87) secured to each end of said housing (55) for sealed closure of said end portions (57,58) of said first passage (56), each such member (82,87) bearing against the second end of the respectively associated said coil spring (81,86) and at least one of such cap members (82) embodying an orifice (82a) extending therethrough in line with said first passage (56) and through which orifice (82a) the corresponding end portion (59a) of said rodlike member (59) extends snugly but slidably with the free end of such end portion (59a) protruding externally beyond the exterior annular surface of the respective cap member (82), VI. actuating means (90) connected to said protruding external and otherwise free end of said end portion (59a) of said rodlike member (59) for longitudinal movement of such member (90) in first and second directions within said first passage (56) embodied in said housing (55), such means (90) being adjustably connected to said free end of the rodlike member (59) for limited manual adjustment of the normal longitudinal position of such member (59) within the first passage (56) in said housing (55), and VII. stop means (91) carried by said actuating means (90) for limiting the distances of said actuating movements of such actuating means (90) and thereby said longitudinal movements of said rodlike member (59) within said first passage (56) in said housing (55), such stop means (91) being manually adjustable for varying or adjusting said movements.

2. A valve as in claim 1 and in which said peripheral wall of said center portion of said rodlike member (59) uniformly tapers to define the annular inner limit of one of said annular channels (60,61) embodied in such wall, such taper being in a direction from the outermost end of the respective annular channel (60,61) towards the center of such channel.

3. A valve for controlling pressurized fluid flow, such valve comprising; I. an elongate cylindrical housing embodying a first generally cylindrical passage extending longitudinally through said housing and having cylindrical end portions of a greater cross-sectional area than that of the generally central portion of such passaGe between said end portions thereof; II. a cylindrical rodlike gating member disposed in said first passage in said housing, such member being of a greater length than such passage and having, a. a center portion substantially and generally corresponding in cross-sectional area and configuration to said generally central portion of said first passage in said housing so as to fit snugly but longitudinally slidably therein, b. first and second end portions of a lesser cross-sectional area than said center portion of said member and extending through said end portions of said first passage in said housing, and c. first and second annular channels embodied in the peripheral wall of said center portion of said member with the inner ends of such channels spaced from each other a selected distance along the length of the center portion of such member; III. said cylindrical housing also embodying, a. a first pair of annular channels in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage in said housing with the annular outermost limits of first and second ones of such channels normally situate in such first passage adjacent said inner ends of said first and second annular channels respectively in said gating member, b. first and second pressurized fluid inlet passages extending through said housing and connecting with said first and second ones respectively of said first pair of channels in such housing, c. a second pair of annular channels in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage in said housing with the annular innermost limits of first and second ones of such channels normally situate in such first passage adjacent the outer ends of said first and second annular channels respectively in said gating member, d. first and second pressurized fluid outlet passages extending through said housing and connecting with said first and second ones respectively of said second pair of channels in such housing, e. a third pair of annular channels in the housing wall defining the periphery of said center portion of said first passage in said housing with the annular centers of first and second ones of such channels normally annularly surrounding center areas of said first and second annular channels respectively in said gating member, f. third and fourth pressurized fluid outlet passages extending through said housing for connecting with said first and second ones respectively of said third pair of channels in such housing, and g. third and fourth pressurized fluid inlet passages extending through said housing and connecting with first and second ones respectively of said end portions of said first passage; IV. first and second flanged sleeves disposed in first and second ones respectively of said end portions of said first passage in said housing and surrounding said first and second end portions respectively of said rodlike member in a relatively snug but slidably relationship therewith, each said sleeve having a length less than its respective end portion of said first passage and the flanged end of each such sleeve being disposed innermost in its respective end portion of such first passage; V. a compressible coil spring surrounding each said sleeve each such spring having one of its ends bearing against said flange of the respectively associated sleeve; VI. a cap member secured to each end of said housing for sealed closure of said end portions of said first passage, each such member bearing against the second end of the respectively associated said coil spring and at least one of such cap members embodying an orifice extending therethrough in line with said first passage and through which orifice the corresponding end portion of said rodlike gating member snugly but slidably extends with the free end of such end portion protruding externally beyond the exterior annular surface of the respective cap member; VII. actuating means connected to said protruding external and otherwise free end of said end portion of said rodlike gating member for longitudinally moving such member in a first direction to connect said first annular channel in said gating member between said first ones of said first and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and said second annular channel in said gating member between said second ones of said second and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and for longitudinally moving said gating member in a second direction to connect said second annular channel in said gating member between said second ones of said first and third pairs of annular channels in said housing, and said first annular channel in said gating member between said first ones of said second and third pairs of annular channels in said housing; and VIII. stop means carried by said actuating means for limiting the distances of said actuating movements of such actuating means and thereby said longitudinal movements of said rodlike gating member within said first passage in said housing, such stop means being manually adjustable for varying or adjusting said movements.

4. A valve as in claim 3 and in which said peripheral wall of said center portion of said rodlike member uniformly tapers to define the annular inner limit of one of said annular channels embodied in such wall, such taper being in a direction from the outermost end of the respective annular channel towards the center of such channel.

5. In an apparatus (11) for press forming an article from a mold charge of molten glass and including a female mold member (27), a male mold member (25) actuated by a hollow piston rod (16) and an associated pressurized fluid cylinder (12) and first piston (13), and a ring mold (26) arranged to be actuated by a piston rod (20) and an associated pressurized fluid cylinder (18) and second piston (19), the piston rod (20) actuating said ring mold (26) extending downwardly through said hollow piston rod (16) to apply clamping force to said ring mold (26) independent of the pressing forces exerted by said male mold member (25), control apparatus for controlling said pressing forces in accordance with the forming characteristics of said molten glass, such control apparatus comprising, in combination; I. a pressurized fluid and mechanically actuated main control valve (50) for selectively supplying pressurized fluid to upper and lower faces of said first piston (13), the mechanical actuating means (90) of such control valve (50) arranged for overriding the pressurized fluid actuating means (59) of the control valve (50); II. first and second cam means (33,34) associated with said hollow piston rod (16) and moved downwardly and upwardly therewith for actuating said mechanical actuating means (90) of said control valve (50) towards the ends of the downward and upward strokes, respectively, of the hollow piston rod (16), said first cam (33) means having a shape selected so as to actuate said mechanical actuating means (90) to actuate said control valve (50) to gradually reduce the supply of pressurized fluid to the upper face of said first piston (13), and regulating return flow in accordance with said forming characteristics of said molten glass and to finally terminate said supply, and said second cam means (34) having a shape selected to actuate said mechanical actuating means (90) to actuate said control valve (50) to gradually reduce the supply of pressurized fluid to the lower face of said piston (13) and finally terminate such supply; III. a first two-position four-way solenoid actuated valve (121) normally in a first position to normally supply pressurized fluid to a first end of said main control valve (50) to urge control of such main valve (50) to supply pressurized fluid to the lower face of said first piston (13) and actuable to a second position by energization of the solenoid winding (126) of such valve (121) to supply pressurized fluid to a second end of said maiN control valve (50) to control such main valve (50) to supply pressurized fluid to the upper face of said first piston (13); IV. a second two-position two-way solenoid actuated valve (130) normally in a first position to normally vent the upper end of the second-mentioned pressurized fluid cylinder (18) to a fluid tank (T) and actuable to a second position by energization of the solenoid winding (137) of such valve to supply low-pressure pressurized fluid at a high-volume rate and high-pressure pressurized fluid at a low-volume rate to said upper end of said second mentioned cylinder (18); and V. electrical circuit controlling means (TD1, TD2) for simultaneously energizing the solenoid windings (126,137) of said first and second solenoid-actuated valves (121,130) at the start of each forming cycle of the press-forming apparatus and for deenergizing said windings (126,137) at the end of the dwell phase of each forming cycle, the deenergization of the solenoid winding (126) of said first solenoid actuated valve (121) occurring at a point in time briefly prior to the deenergization of the solenoid winding (137) of said second solenoid actuated valve (130) whereby clamping force is maintained on said ring mold (26) until said male mold member (25) has been removed from contact with the formed glass article in said female mold member (27) by pressurized fluid.

6. A control system as in claim 5 and further including, a. a third two-position solenoid-actuated valve normally in a first position to normally vent said second pressurized fluid actuating means of said main control valve through said first solenoid-actuated valve to said fluid tank, and b. another electrical circuit controlling means for energizing the solenoid winding of said third solenoid-actuated valve at the end of the forming phase of each forming cycle to actuate such third valve to its second position to vent the pressurized fluid supplied to the upper face of said first piston and said second pressurized fluid actuating means of said main control valve to said fluid tank, such other electrical circuit controlling means deenergizing the solenoid winding of said third solenoid-actuated valve at the end of each forming cycle.

7. A control system as in claim 5 and in which said first and second cam means are vertically manually adjustable to vary the press-forming strokes of said male mold member.