Patent ID: 8269131

Claim:
A flange for use in direct resistance heating of a vessel which, during use, carries molten glass and which comprises an exterior wall which comprises at least 80% platinum, said flange comprising: (a) a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which, during use, form a conductive path for carrying current to the exterior wall, said plurality of rings comprising: (i) an innermost ring which is joined to and electrically connected with the vessel's exterior wall during use of the flange; and (ii) an outermost ring which receives electrical current during use of the flange; and (b) a cooling channel associated with the outermost ring through which a cooling fluid flows during use of the flange; wherein: (i) the innermost ring comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum; (ii) the outermost ring comprises at least 99.0% nickel; (iii) the plurality of electrically conductive rings comprises: (A) a ring which (I) is located between the innermost and outermost rings, (II) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80 wt. % platinum, and (III) has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the innermost ring; and (B) a ring which (I) is located between the innermost and outermost rings, (II) comprises at least 99.0 wt. % nickel, and (III) has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the outermost ring; and (iv) the rings which comprise a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80 wt. % platinum are inboard of the rings which comprise at least 99.0 wt. % nickel.