Patent ID: 7509819

Claim:
An oxygen-fired front end for use in glass forming operations, the front end comprising: a top wall, a bottom wall, and laterally spaced sidewalls, the top, bottom and side walls defining an elongated channel configured for the flow of molten glass in the direction of the length of the channel, the channel having an upstream end and a downstream end; and a plurality of oxygen-fired burners that are arranged to supply substantially all the heat to the elongated channel to maintain the molten glass at a desired operational temperature, the oxygen-fired burners being structured to substantially function without a source of air, the oxygen-fired burners being mounted to extend through the top wall and being oriented to direct flame and products of combustion at a downward acute angle relative to the top wall, and to direct the flame and products of combustion along the length of the channel, the angle being such that the burner flame does not directly contact the sidewalls.