Patent ID: 6579380
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B08B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of removing graphite from metal molds used in the glass fabrication industry, the method including:providing apparatus including a housing having a mold-receiving chamber; a gas supply for supplying an oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases to the mold-receiving chamber, said oxygen rich mixture containing from at least 10 to about 25% stoichiometric excess of oxygen; an igniter for igniting the oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases in the chamber to produce a temperature of at least about 6,000Â° F. and a pressure wave, whereby a high temperature wave front and the pressure wave remove graphite from a metal mold in the chamber by ablation of the graphite; an exhaust valve subsequently operable to remove products of combustion from the chamber, a mold feeder carriage movable horizontally between an open position outside the chamber and an operable position inside the chamber; and a chamber closure member moving with the carriage to close an open end of the chamber when the carriage is in the operative position: the method also including: placing a metal glass-fabricating mold with graphite bonded thereto on the mold feeder carriage when in the open position; moving the carriage to the operable position; causing the gas supply to supply said oxygen rich mixture to the chamber; igniting the oxygen rich mixture to produce a temperature of at least about 6,000Â° F. and a pressure wave; whereby a high temperature wave front and the pressure wave thereby produced remove graphite from the metal mold by ablation of the graphite; returning the carriage to the open position; and removing the mold therefrom.