IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR MELTING GLASS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by tho said Richard Potter at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1882.
RICHARD POTTER of Dearno Terrace Stairfoot in the County of York,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR MELTING GLASS
This Invention relates to a new arrangement of a regenerative gas tank
furnace and mode of charging the same. Also to a new mode of supporting
and keeping cool the bottom of the tank-Hitherto, furnaces for melting glass
in a continuous manner have either been constructed with two or more com-
partments, such compartments being separated from each other by transverse
partitions or bridges, constructed so as to allow passages for the molten
glass to pass from one compartment to the other, or such furnaces have been
constructed without bridges or partitions and have had the charging hole or
holes at one end of the tank, just over the side quarries, and the working
out holes in similar position at other end of tank, or the charging holes
have been at centre of each side of the tank, just over the side quarries, and
the working out holes in similar position at both ends of the tank-The first
named plan of furnace with bridges or partitions has the drawback that the said
bridges or partitions wear away very rapidly, thus entailing serious cost and loss
of time in repairs. The second named plan of furnace is liable to objection
owing to the fact that often when the batch or raw material is being charged
or filled on, many of the small particles spread over the surface of the fine metal,
thereby rendering it unworkable.
The improvements which according to my Invention I make consist mainly in
the following arrangements :-
In carrying out my Invention, I construct one largo tank for melting and
working out purposes of a T shape, that is, having in the centre an off-shoot or
wing, and so that whilst being all in one, it contains three separate sets of gas and
air port holes or flues, so arranged that the most intense heat can be secured in

page_text: the centre of tank or melting portion, whilst at each end or working out portion of
the tank, the heat is not so intensc.-In the centre or melting out portion,
I construct double the number of gas and air port holes or flues, and I also pack
the regenerator chambers with the small fire bricks commonly used for that
purpose, in such a way that these bricks are the densest at each end, and are the
most open in the centre of regenerator chamber, thus allowing for the greater body
of combustible gases to pass in at centre or melting portion of furnace.-The
present mode of charging over the sides of the tank allows some of the batch or
raw material to adhere to the parts of the tank sides nearest to the charging holes,
and the chemicals contained in the batch quickly act upon the portions to which
they adhere, thus causing them to wear away much more rapidly than the other
portion of sides of the tank.-By the present mode of charging or filling on of the
raw material, there is also much time taken up, during which the furnace is losing
heat. According to my present Invention, I form in the centre of the crown or
arch covering the melting portion of tank a suitable hole.-Above this hole I fix a
hopper sufficiently large to hold the required quantity of batch or raw material for
one charging. This hopper is fitted at the bottom with a slide, operated by a lever or
other suitable arrangement, and when it is required to introduce the raw material
into the furnace, I simultaneously draw off the covering from the hole in furnace
crown or arch, and draw out the slide at bottom of hopper, thus allowing the batch
or raw material to drop immediately into the centre of melting compartment, and
thus the fused batch or molten metal already in the tank is forced against the
sides of the tank, and direct contact between the chemicals in the raw batch and
the sides of the tank is thus avoided.-The charging hole being through centre of
crown or arch, and the material being carried up into the hopper by any suitable
mechanical means, such as clevators, the labour of charging the furnace is con-
siderably lessened, whilst the time taken up in charging is reduced, and the risk of
choking up the gas and air ports or passages with the small particles of batch is
materially lossened.-According to my Invention, I also construct the tank in such
a way that it is deeper towards the working out end or ends than it is in the part
or portion for melting and thus the molten glass passes more easily towards
the working holes, whilst the unrefined is left to the action of the intense heat in
the melting portion.
My Invention also relates to an improved method of supporting the blocks
which form the bottom of the tank.-For this purpose, I employ small cast iron
pillars, so arranged as to support the blocks not only at the corners where they
join each other, but also in the centre of the blocks. By substituting iron pillars
for the brick pillars generally used, and also by arranging these iron pillars so as
to properly support each block throughout, I avoid the risk of the tank leaking,
and by giving more air space for cold air under the tank, the bottom is made to
wear longer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Richard Potter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd December 1882.
RICHARD POTTER of Dearne Terrace Stairfoot in the County of York
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR MELTING GLASS
This Invention relates to a new arrangement of a regenerative gas tank furnace
and mode of charging the same,-Also to a new mode of supporting and keeping
cool the bottom of the tank-Hitherto, furnaces for melting glass in a continuous
manner have either been constructed with two or more compartments, such com-
partments being separated from each other by transverse partitions or bridges,
constructed so as to allow passages for the molten glass to pass from one
compartment to the other, or such furnaces have been constructed without bridges
or partitions, and have had the charging hole or holes, at one end of the tank, just
over the side quarries, and the working out holes in similar position at other end
of tank or the charging holes have been at centre of each side of the tank just over
the side quarries and the working out holes in similar position at both ends of the
tank. The first named plan of furnace with bridges or partitions has the drawback
that the said bridges or partitions wear away very rapidly, thus entailing serious
cost and loss of time in repairs.-The second named plan of furnace is liable to
objection owing to the fact that often when the batch or raw material is being
charged or filled on, many of the small particles spread over the surface of the fino
metal, thereby rendering it unworkable-The improvements which according to my
Invention I make, consist in the following arrangements:-In carrying out my
Invention, I construct one large tank for melting and working out purposes of a
Tshape, that is, having in the centre an off shoot or wing, and so that whilst being
all in one, it contains three separate sets of gas and air port holes or flues, so
arranged that the most intense heat can be secured in the centre of tank or melting
portion, whilst at each end or working out portion of the tank, the heat is not so
intense. In the centre or melting out portion, I construct double the number of
gas and air port holes or flues, and I also pack the regenerator chambers with the
small firebricks commonly used for that purpose, in such a way that these bricks
are the densest at each end, and are the most open in the centre of regenerator
chamber, thus allowing for the greater body of combustible gases to pass in at
centre or melting portion of furnace.-The ordinary modo of charging over the
sides of the tank allows some of the batch or raw material to adhere to the parts of
the tank sides nearest to the charging holes, and the chemicals contained in the
batch quickly act upon the portions to which they adhere, thus causing them to
wear away much more rapidly than the other portion of sides of the tank.-By the
present mode of charging or filling on of the raw material, there is also much time
taken up during which the furnace is losing heat.-According to my present
Invention, I form in the centre of the crown or arch covering the melting portion
of tank a suitable hole.-Above this hole I fix a hopper sufficiently large to hold
the required quantity of batch or raw material for one charging This hopper is
fitted at the bottom with a slide operated by a laver or other suitable arrangement,
and when it is required to introduce the raw material into the furnace, I simul-
taneously draw off the covering from the hole in furnace crown or arch, and draw
out the slide at bottom of hopper, thus allowing the batch or raw material to drop
immediately into the centre of melting compartment, and thus the fused batch or
molten metal already in the tank is forced against the sides of the tank, and direct
contact between the chemicals in the raw batch and the sides of the tank is thus
avoided. The charging hole being through centre of crown or arch, and the
material being carried up into the hopper by any suitable mechanical means, such
as elevators, the labour of charging the furnace is considerably lessened, whilst the
time taken up in charging is reduced, and the risk of choking up the gas and air
ports or passages with the small particles of batch is materially lessened.-According
"

page_text: to my Invention, also construct the tank in such a way that it is deeper towards
the working out end or ends than it is in the part or portion for melting, and thus
the molten glass passes more casily towards the working holes, whilst the unrefined
is left to the action of the intense heat in the melting portion My Invention also
relates to an improved method of supporting the blocks which form the bottom of 5
the tank. For this purpose, I employ small cast iron pillars, so arranged as to
support the blocks, not only at the corners, where they join cach other but also in
the centre of the blocks. By substituting iron pillars for the brick pillars generally
used, and also by arranging these iron pillars so as to properly support each block
throughout, I avoid the risk of the tank leaking, and by giving more air space for 1
cold air under the tank the bottom is made to wear longer.
to my
VORTION, ISO construct the tank in such a way that it is aceper towards
the working out end or ends than it is in the part or portion for melting, and thu
the molten glass passes more casily towards the working holes, whilst the unrefined
is left to the action of the intense heat in the melting portion My Invention also
relates to an improved method of supporting the blocks which form the bottom of
the tank. For this purpose, I employ small cast iron pillars, so arranged as to
support the blocks, not only at the corners, where they join each other but also in
the centre of the blocks.-By substituting iron pillars for the brick pillars generally
used, and also by arranging these iron pillars so as to properly support each block
throughout, I avoid the risk of the tank leaking, and by giving more air space for
cold air under the tank the bottom is made to wear longer.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1 and 2 are sectional plans on line (Fig. 4) of tank furnace constructed
according to my Invention.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section on lines 1 (Figs. 1 and 2).
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on lines 2 (Figs. 1 and 2).
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal soction on lines 3, portion a¹ (figs. 1, and 2)
Fig. 6 is a transverse section on lines 4 (figs 1 and 2).
Fig. 7 and 8 aro sections showing shadow or outside brickwork J of furnace
with the flue K therein commencing above floor level P, for admitting cold air.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged section of hopper C (Figs 3 and 5), showing the levers or
handles S and U, and the slide T and coverer R.-The hopper may be fixed
or portable as will be well understood, & may rest on the iron supports X, secured
to upright girders Y.-The same parts are indicated by the same letters or numbers
throughout the drawings. A is tank or furnace having wing or off shoot A',
which offshoot has the gas ports or flues H H H H and the air ports or flues I II I
at each side. Under these flues or ports are the regenerator chambers M M for the
gas, and L L, for the air having the zig-zag brickwork N N N N piled so that
this brickwork is more open in the centre of the chambers M M and L L than
at the ends, thus allowing for the greatest body of combustible gases to pass
through the flues or ports H, H, H, H, into wing portion A' of tank furnace,
and securing the most intense heat there.-The zig zag brickwork under the ports
or flues HH' and 1' 1' at each side of the semi circular ends, is packed inore
densely, so that the combustiblo gases cannot pass through these ports or flues so
rapidly thus allowing the two semicircular ends to be sufficiently cool for
continuous working. D D are the fire brick blocks forming bottom of tank, and
D'D' are similar blocks forming sides of tank These may be of any required
number or size.-C. C. are the working out holes at each end of tank, which may
be of any suitable number.-E E E are arches of fire brick forming crown of
furnace. F is hole formed in crown E over portion A' of tank as shown (Figs. 3
and 5) over which is passed or fixed the hopper G, into which the raw material
or batch to be melted is fed and then let down by pulling away the cover R by
means of the handle S, at same time drawing out slide T from bottom of hopper
by means of handle U.-The handles S and U are attached to lever W as shown
by means of which the coverer R and the slide T can be withdrawn simultaneously.-
Referring to Figs 1 and 2.-The dotted circle B shows the part of wing A¹, into
which the raw material will fall when it drops through holo F (Figs 3 and 5);
thus (assuming that the tank has first been filled or partially filled with cullett
or broken glass) this molten glass already in the tank is forced against the
blocks D' D-forming sides of tank ;-The raw material or batch to bo thus
charged into the furnace may be either elevated into the hopper by means of
ordinary elevators or I arrange the floor of the mixing shed so that it is on a level
with the top of furnace crown, and run the raw material in small trucks along
a suitable tramway, and upset the trucks into the hopper, or the hopper may be
constructed to run on wheels along this tramway, from the furnace to the mixing

page_text: hole, and be there refilled with batch ready for next charging this latter plan, I
prefer to adopt.-I claim for this portion of my Invention:
(1) Great saving in the labour required for charging the raw material into
the tank.
(2) The great reduction in the time required for charging, and therefore great
reduction in loss of heat to the furnace.
(3) Prevention of the rapid wearing away of the sides D¹ of tank, by avoiding
the chemicals coming in contact therewith.
Referring to my improved arrangement for bottom of tank. Fig. 4 shows the
bottom sloped according to my Invention, whereby the tank is deeper at the
working out ends, and thus the molten and refined glass flows more readily to
these working out ends-It may be stepped instead of sloped if so preferred, or
made lower next working holes in any other suitable manner.
Referring to my improved arrangement for supporting the blocks D, which
form the bottom of the tank, I use for this purpose small cast iron pillars, which
are arranged as shown, Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, so that two pillars support the centre
of each side of the block, and two pillars support each end of the block, but all
these pillars are arranged about four inches from where the blocks join each other
(to form the bottom) and thus a constant supply of cold air is kept along all the
joints of the bottom, whilst at same time the middle of block is well supported,
thus avoiding risk of the block cracking in middle, and securing a constant
supply of cool air along the joints.-Referring to Fig. 2, this shows a slight
modification of shape of tank, whereby the recesses V V, are formed as shown thus
allowing a better support for arches E of the tank crown, and the arch q (Fig 3)
supports portion of the crown as shown (Figs. 3 and 4). It will be clearly understood
that the wing A¹ may be any other preferred shape, and also that where it is
desired to work a smaller tank than the one I have shown, this may be done if
so preferred by only having one working out end instead of two, also having the
wing portion A¹ proportionately smaller.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
the said Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim :-
(1.) Constructing regenerative gas furnaces having an off shoot or wing portion
for melting purposes, substantially as herein set forth and described and shown
(Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4).
(2). Constructing or forming a charging hole in crown of furnace so that the raw
material is charged on through same, and also the arrangement of either fixed or
portable hopper to same, substantially as herein set forth and shown at Figures 3
and 5 in the accompanying drawings.
(3.) The construction of sloped or stepped bottoms, or bottoms that are deepest at
working out ends in tank furnaces, substantially as herein set forth and described
(Fig. 4) and in combination with the special use arrangement and adaptation of
iron pillars in supporting the blocks forming such bottoms substantially as herein
set forth and described (Figs 3, 4 5, and 6)
In witness whereof I the said Richard Potter have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord, one
Witness:-
DAN RYLANDS
Stairfoot
Barnsley
RICHARD POTTER (LS.)