Glass Batch Inlet Chopper for Melter Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In submerged combustion glass melters, the turbulent molten glass can splash and solidify within the inlet, causing blockages that impede the delivery of glass batch into the melter, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A glass batch inlet and cleaning device with a top-mounted actuator and an inner tubular chopper that can be actuated to clear solidified glass from the outlet, ensuring uninterrupted glass batch delivery by extending the chopping end beyond the outlet to remove obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inlet is left open for glass batch delivery, then glass batch can be delivered into the melter, but solidified glass can block the inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The chopper is positioned to extend beyond the outlet in advance, creating a protective barrier before glass batch delivery begins. This preliminary positioning prevents solidified glass from entering and blocking the inlet during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The chopper acts as an intermediary element between the inlet and the melter interior. It selectively allows glass batch to pass through while blocking solidified glass, mediating the interaction between the two materials
2Reliability
If the chopper extends beyond the outlet, then it can clear solidified glass obstructions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chopper is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of extending beyond and retracting to the outlet. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between clearance mode (extended) and normal delivery mode (retracted), achieving multiple functions without permanent structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator automatically positions the chopper to clear obstructions when needed, reducing the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting and responding to blockage conditions through automated chopper movement
Data Source
AI summary
A glass batch inlet and cleaning device includes an outer tubular housing including a side inlet and an inner tubular chopper slidable within the outer tubular housing. The device also includes a cover on the outer tubular housing and an actuator carried by the cover and coupled to the inner tubular chopper to move the chopper with respect to the outer tubular housing. The actuator may be carried by the cover on top of the outer tubular housing. A method of using the device is also disclosed.