METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING GLASS AND/OR FOAM DENSITY AS A FUNCTION OF VERTICAL POSITION WITHIN A VESSEL
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the molten foamed glass;
transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass; and
determining density as a function of distance from a structural feature of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus or both, using one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for determining density or density gradient of molten foamed glass in a glass melter, an apparatus downstream of a glass melter, or both. A molten foamed glass is generated having molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a melter. At least a portion of the molten foamed glass is transferred into an apparatus positioned downstream of the melter, and the density or density gradient of the molten foamed glass in the melter or downstream apparatus is determined as a function of distance from a structural feature of the melter or downstream apparatus, or both, using one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors.
25 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the molten foamed glass; transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass; and determining density as a function of distance from a structural feature of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus or both, using one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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generating a turbulent molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a submerged combustion melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the turbulent molten foamed glass; transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass; and determining density as a function of distance from a structural feature of the turbulent molten foamed glass in the melter, the downstream apparatus or both, using one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method comprising:
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generating a turbulent molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a submerged combustion melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the turbulent molten foamed glass; transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass; and determining density in a particular location in the melter or in the downstream apparatus, or both, using a stationary EM source and a stationary EM detector. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A system comprising:
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a melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, configured to generate a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof; a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass; and one or more EM wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus, or both as a function of distance from a structural feature of the melter or downstream apparatus, or both. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system comprising:
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a submerged combustion melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a melter sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof, the melter configured to define an internal space for generating a turbulent molten foamed glass, the submerged combustion melter comprising at least one combustion burner positioned in the floor, the roof, and/or the sidewall structure from which emanates combustion products that intimately contact the molten foamed glass and provide the turbulent molten foamed glass; a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass, the foamed glass having a density gradient; and one or more EM wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus, or both as a function of distance from a structural feature of the melter or downstream apparatus, or both. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A system comprising:
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a melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, configured to generate a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof; a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass, the foamed glass having a density gradient; and one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density at a particular location in the melter or downstream apparatus, or both. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification