Patent GB-290083-A (GB)
Title: Means for variably controlling the flow of molten glass through a discharge orifice
IPC: C03B7/084
Filed: 1927-08-24
Abstract: 290,083. Rankin, C. H. Aug. 24, 1927. Delivering molten metal.-Relates to a feeder of the kind having a tubular weight-regulating member or sleeve, as described in Specification 143,159, or a rotatable and axially movable sleeve, as described in Specification 218,888. According to the invention, an axial reciprocating movement is imparted to the member in which the sleeve is mounted, and the means for effecting the axial movement is also adapted to hold the member stationary in different positions of adjustment. The feeder can thus be used either with the sleeve reciprocating between adjustable limits, or with the sleeve held stationary at any desired distance above the outlet orifice. The rotation of the sleeve stirs the glass in the forehearth, and to assist this stirring-action, the sleeve may be made with regular or irregular corrugations, ribs, or beads on its interior or exterior surface. The sleeve 8a surrounds a reciprocating plunger 39 which expels charges of glass through an outlet in the floor of a forehearth 47. The sleeve holder 9 rotates on ball bearings and is driven by a compressed air motor 6 through a, shaft 32 and bevel wheels 33. The sleeve and its driving gear are carried by a boss 4 rigidly secured to the upper end of the piston rod 3 of an air cylinder 1. The boss has a forked extension to receive a rack 10 which is held therein by a locking-plate 11. A screw 14 is used either to look the rack 10 in the forked extension or to. permit it to slide longitudinally. The rack also slides in a guideway 15 formed in the casing of the cylinder 1, and is provided at its upper end with a cap 16. A pinion 17 which engages the rack can be rotated by a hand-wheel 22 through a worm wheel 19 and worm 20, and the worm can be moved into or out of engagement with the worm wheel as desired. The driving-gear for the sleeve, and the ball bearings on which it rotates, are cooled by air exhausted from the motor 6, which is connected by a pipe 40 with the casing that encloses the gear wheels 33. Lubricant is supplied by a drip feed to the air conduit which supplies pressure air to the motor, and a part of the oil is carried as a mist to the reduction gear between the motor and the shaft 32, and also through the pipe 40 to the gears 33 and to a recess 35a under the ball race. In use, the sleave 8a is rotated by. the motor 6 and is reciprocated by the cylinder 1, the screw 14 being released so that the forked extension of the boss 4 is free to slide over the rack 10. The cap 16 acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of the sleeve, and the position of the stop can be adjusted by means of the hand-wheel 22. The reciprocations of the rack are regulated by means of a. timing-mechanism, such as that described in Specification 213,351. If the sleeve is to be held stationary, the screw 14 is turned to lock the rack 10 to the forked extension, and the hand-wheel 22 is turned to adjust the height of the sleeve above the outlet. If it is desired to remove the sleeve, the whole of the gear may be raised by disengaging the worm 20 from the worm wheel 19, when the piston 2 can be raised to its highest point. The locking-plate 11 is then opened, and the boss 4 can be rotated about the axis of the piston to swing the sleeve away from the forehearth, leaving the rack in place. The sleeve can be removed from its holder by detach. ing a holding-plate 38.