Patent ID: 8650910
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: C03B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for stirring molten glass melt comprising: a stirring apparatus including a stirring vessel and a stirring vessel cover positioned over the stirring vessel, the stirring vessel cover comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein a surface of the stirring vessel cover defines an aperture through which a stirrer shaft extends, thereby forming an annular gap between the stirrer shaft and the aperture-defining surface of the stirring vessel cover; a first channel formed in an upper portion of the aperture-defining surface directly adjacent to the aperture-defining surface; a first heating element disposed in the first channel that heats the aperture-defining surface; a second channel formed in a lower surface of the first segment of the stirring vessel cover, the second channel facing and opening towards a free surface of the molten glass melt; a second heating element disposed in the second channel that heats the free surface of the molten glass melt; a third channel formed in a lower surface of the second segment of the stirring vessel cover, the third channel facing and opening towards the free surface of the molten glass melt; and a third heating element disposed in the third channel that heats the free surface of the molten glass melt.