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Method for rapid induction heating of molten glass or the like

  • US 4,780,121 A
  • Filed: 04/03/1987
  • Issued: 10/25/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of melting and refining glass comprising:

  • providing a melt of unrefined glass at a first stage;

    transferring the melt to a second stage comprising a metallic vessel of small volume relative to other stages of the process, holding a mass of the melt in the vessel less than 0.1 times the daily throughput of the process, cooling the metallic vessel by circulating coolant fluid in contact therewith sufficiently to maintain a solidified layer of the melt on the interior of the vessel, and electromagnetically inducing electric currents in the melt within the vessel by means of a coil around the metallic vessel to which is supplied high frequency alternating current to induce electric currents of at least 100 killowatts per cubic foot (3.5 kilowatts per liter) so as to rapidly raise the temperature of the melt to a refining temperature; and

    after a resistance time in the second stage insufficient to significantly refine the melt, transferring the heated melt to a third stage where the melt is refined.

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