Joseph H Hunt

US Patent:

45927707, Jun 3, 1986

Filed:

Jun 15, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/620885

Inventors:

William O. Pearman - Nashville TN
Joseph L. Hunt - Brentwood TN
William P. Cunningham - Thompson Station TN

Assignee:

GAF Corporation - Wayne NJ

International Classification:

C03B 526

US Classification:

65128

Abstract:

The glass melter has an outlet portion formed as a heating device for controlling the outlet flow rate of molten glass from the melter. Raw batch material that is used to form the molten glass is heated to a molten state at a first temperature range. The molten glass, while flowing toward the outlet of the melter, is cooled to a second temperature range to increase the viscosity of the molten glass to a desired level. The outlet member then heats the exiting molten glass a predetermined amount to decrease the glass viscosity in accordance with desired flow rate requirements. Heating of the outlet member is accomplished by imposing a relatively low voltage and a relatively high amperage on the outlet member. Accordingly, by using the outlet member as a heater a controlled flow rate of molten glass from the melter is achieved.