IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GLASS-FURNACES
Year: 1885

page_text: "
I WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GLASS-FURNACES
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly describ.d
and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This Invention relates to glass furnaces and consists partly in the combination
with a glass furnace of a tank for holding batch or glass making material, so that
the operation of the furnace may be carried on continuously.
It also partly consists in the peculiar construction and distribution of the air and
steam flues.
It also partly consists in the employment of a double set of retorts of different
sizes for the purposes hereinafter set forth.
It also partly consists of certain details of construction as hereinafter fully set
forth.
It also partly consists of a floating batch holder.
It also partly consists of peculiarly constructed holders for the hoods or retorts
which receive the glass.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of a glass furnace embodying
this Invention.
Figuro 2 is a horizontal section on the line v, v, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line w, w, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line a, x, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a horizontal section on the line, 2, Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section of a modification wherein the old style
of stack is used, and which may be placed in furnaces as at present constructed.
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 represent sectional views of detaclied parts.

page_text: MWAY
Invention.
Figure 13 is a vertical section of the apparatus shewn in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a transverse section on the line x¹, x¹, Figure 12.
Referring to Figures 1 to 10 inclusive,
A is the body of a glass furnace and B the combustion chamber or furnace
thereof.
C is the charging tank, which at one end is in communication with the chamber B,
and has at the opposite end a bridge D, which separates it from the glass receiving
chamber E.
Fare retorts within the chamber E, having inlets a, and G are tool warming
chambers, the said rotorts and chambers G being arranged in pairs.
H H H are flues for the escape of the products of combustion and J and K are
flues for air and steam to be directed into the chamber B. The flues H are vertical
and connect with the chamber E, above the retorts and then pass through the floor
of the said chamber to the flues H below said floor said flues H¹ extending
horizontally toward the front where they join the flues H³ the latter extending
vertically and entering the smoke stack.
The flues K are in communication with the flues J through the channels J¹
and discharge into the furnace between the combustion chamber and tank through
the openings J. Pipes b are connected with said flues K.
The body A has a door or opening L for supplying the chamber B with fuel, and
also openings M for supplying the tank C with glass making materials. In the
bridge D is a "passage N which forms communication between the tank C and
chamber E.
The operation is as follows:-The tank is properly supplied with materials for
making glass, and a fire is made in the chamber or furnace B; the heat passing
therefrom into the tank C and acting on the material therein to melt the same.
The bridge D acts as a barrier to prevent the heat passing directly into the
chamber E. As the glass melts and sinks to the bottom of the tank, it enters the
passage N and thus reaches the retorts F, it being noticed that said retorts have at
their bases where they rest on the floor of the chamber E small openings or ducts a,
through which the molten glass may enter, the glass rising in the retorts. Openings
are provided at the side of the body A. through which the glass may be removed.
The chambers G are smaller than the retorts F, and are adapted to receive and heat
the irons or tools, so that the latter form no obstruction at any time to the removal
of the molten glass from the retorts F as the said irons need not be introduced in
said retorts F. The products of combustion leaving the chamber E enter the
flues H, H¹ H' and so reach the smoke stack P, thus heating the portions of the
furnace which form the beds of the tank C and chamber E, the products of com-
bustion being used for these purposes instead of passing out of the furnace at the
chamber E. The pipes b direct air and steam to the flues K beneath the tank C,
the said air and steam then passing to the channels J¹ and then through the flues J
by which they are directed to the furnace B and discharged thereto at J', so that
there is a constant supply of hot air and steam admitted to the fire for increasing
combustion.
B represents a receptacle for water which is located in front of the grate of the
combustion chamber B, the vapor rising from the water being drawn into said
chamber and, as it passes through the fuel, generating gas which is consumed with
the fuel, thus increasing the temperature. As the flame passes from the chamber B
into the tank, it has admitted to it superheated steam and air through the
flues K. as above stated, thus further increasing the heat in the tank C.
The bridge D between the tank C and the chamber E is constructed as follows,
(see figures 8 to 11). Between two rows of walls made of the best fireclay is placed
a box Q of rolled iron or other suitable metal. The main portion of the bridge is
composed of three well fitted blocks R R, R' through which the passage N is made

page_text: and of the block R². In order to obtain an equal circulation of cold air in
the flues in the bridge a tube c is employed, the same conducting air around
the. block R. Tubes d are also employed for passing air from the outside to
the block R¹ on one side and to the iron box on the other side, the air then
returning through the tubes e to the atmosphere. The box covers the joints of
the masonry, thus preventing the escape of molten glass excepting through the
proper channel.
Owing to the network of flues employed, the air and steam which enter the
Blues.K are of much lower temperature than said flues and serve to cool the same,
and as the products of combustion pass around said. flues K and also around tho
flues J, said air and steam are superheated, in which condition they are directod
with radiated heat into the combustion chamber, as at J³, and there united with
the products of combustion and consumed as herein before stated,
Among the advantages of the invention are the distribution and combustion of
gases instead of the rapid exit and loss of the same, the thorough purification of
the glass as it is not spoiled by stones, ashes, etc., the prevention of the cooling
of the glass, whereby it does not fly from the pipes, and a better and cheaper
quality of glass than heretofore. Furthermore the operation of making glass may
be carried on continuously, as the tank C may be readily supplied with glass
making material or batch, the glass as made passing through the passage N into
the chamber E, and thence through the inlets a of the retorts into the latter where
it is readily accessible and removeable. The feeding of the tank is accomplished
without disturbing the fire or materially affecting the temperature of the chamber E.
The several fire chambers B or gas producers shown in the drawing are placed side
by side and are in communication through the passages S, whereby the gas may be
equally distributed, and is permitted to pass from one producer to the other, in
case the supply of hot air furnished to such producers is not sufficient to properly
consume the gas generated. The gas producers are secured directly to the furnace
at the combustion chamber thereof, the walls of which in a measure form the walls
of the latter, whereby the gas is highly heated and admitted in such condition to
the furnace, where it may be immediately consumed. This renders the so-called
regenerator unnecessary, and avoids the complication and expense thereof, and
prevents accidents incident to the regulator valves etc. heretofore employed.
Referring to Figures 12, 13 and 14 A is the body of a glass furnace constructed
of suitable material, and B represents the fire bed or combustion chamber thereof.
Within the glass forming chamber C is a loose ring or band D which is of oval
form, but may be cylindrical or other shape, if desired, the same primarily resting
on the bed E of said chamber. To the inner walls of the body A. surrounding the
sides and rear end of said ring D is a ledge F, having a series of openings within
which are fitted the hoods or retorts G, for receiving the glass as formed, said
retorts having at the bottom openings or ports H, whereby the glass is permitted
to enter the same from below, said retorts having also tubes or mouths whereby
access is bad to the interiors of the same for the removal, of the glass at the sides
of the furnace, it being noticed that the retorts are firmly sustained on the ledge F,
the latter providing simple and inexpensive means for said purpose.
The operation is as follows:-The material to form the batch is placed in the
ring D, and the same is subjected to the fire from the chamber B. As the glass is
formed on the bed E it causes the floatation of the ring D, the latter being
replenished with fresh material through an opening in the cap or top wall of the
furnace, said opening being afterwards suitably closed. The molten glass or metal
passes through the openings H into the retorts G, and may be removed therefrom
through said openings or mouths thereof. As the flame or products of combustion
reach the chamber C and consequently the batch in the ring D, the retorts are also
subjected to the action of said flame or products of combustion and thus maintained
at a high temperature. As the floating ring receives the batch at or near the
centre of the tank, when fresh material is supplied to said ring, it is sufficiently far

page_text: from the metal not to affect the temperature thereof. The backs of the retorts are
provided with openings J, which are in line, or nearly so with the outlets of said
retorts, so that the ring and the interior of the furnace may be seen through the
retorts.
An air space K is provided around the outside of the furnace by building an
outer wall the object of which is to keep the heat from the workmen. The top of
this air space is properly covered and has at intervals openings or ducts L, through
which the heat is directed to the stack. Proper ducts or flues M are provided
around the outside of the tank for conveying the products of combustion to the
stack, the flues being so located as to draw the heat from the combustion chamber
around the retorts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First. A glass furnace having retorts, and chambers for warming the tools, said
retorts and chambers being grouped in pairs, substantially as described.
⋅
Second. A glass furnace having in the glass receiving chamber a series of flues
having openings above the retorts, and being in communication with a series of
flues beneath said chamber, the former series of flues being in communication with
the fire chamber, and the latter series of flues in communication, by means of
a transverse flue with the smoke stack, whereby the products of combustion
are passed above and below the bed or floor of said chamber, substantially as
described.
Third. A glass furnace having a fire chamber, a batch-holding tank, and a glass
receiving chamber, the latter chamber having flues for directing the products of
combustion from said chamber below the floor or bed thereof, and below the floor
or bed of said tank and thence to the smoke stack, substantially as described.
Fourth. A glass furnace, having below its bed or floor, flues for the passage of
the products of combustion, and pipes and flues for the admission of air or steam,
or both, which is or are directed into the flue in or near the fire chamber,
substantially as described.
°
Fifth. A glass furnace having beneath the batch holding tank and the glass
receiving or retort chamber, a net work of flues for the passage of the products of
combustion, and the admission of air or steam or both to the fire-chamber, whereby
the beds or floors of said tank and chamber, and the flues for air and steam are
heated by the products of combustion as they are passing to the smoke stack,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The bridge D formed of blocks R, R1, R2, with the passage N therein,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Seventh. The bridge D having an air conveying tube c, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Eighth. The bridge D having air conveying tubes d for passing air to the
block R¹ on one side, and to the box Q on the other side, substantially as, and for
the purpose, set forth.
.
Ninth. The bridge D having the tubes c, d for the inlet of fresh air to the
bridge, and the tubes e for the discharge of hot air therefrom, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth. In a glass furnace, a series of gas producers, placed side by side, having
communicating passages between the same, whereby an over production of gas
in one producer may be conveyed to another, substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a glass furnace, the combustion chamber thereof in combination
with a series of gas producers the said furnace and series of producers having walls
common to both, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Twelfth A glass furnace provided with a floating batch-holding ring, substan-
tially as described.

page_text: Thirteenth. In a glass furnace, a batch-holding ring and a series of retorts
surrounding the same, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In a glass furnace, a ledge within the glass chamber in combination
with retorts supported on the said ledge in openings thereof, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Fifteenth. In a glass furnace, a retort having an opening on the side opposite to
the mouth thereof, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixteenth. The opening J in the retort, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. A glass furnace having an air space K between the outer and inner
walls thereof, and provided with ducts L for conveying the heat to the stack, and
ducts M so located as to draw the heat from the combustion chamber around the
retorts, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.