Parallel Push Conveyors for Symmetrical Glass Feed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass melting systems face issues with asymmetrical material and temperature distribution, as well as movements transverse to the transport direction of feed material, leading to changing thermal loads on mineral building materials, which affect the melting process and material distribution.
Innovation Solution
Arranging at least three push conveyors close to each other with a common distribution device and separating them by a dividing edge, along with linkages for a slide that can be inserted into the glass melt, to ensure symmetrical material distribution and reduce thermal loads. This setup includes adjustable transport directions and delivery rates, and a metering device for additives to enhance the melting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two push conveyors are arranged at 90 degrees with different delivery rates, then pendulum movement is imposed on the melted material, but asymmetrical material and temperature distribution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the feed material distribution into multiple separate push conveyors (at least three) arranged in parallel, each delivering material through separate guide channels. This segmentation allows symmetric distribution of feed material across the melt surface, preventing asymmetrical material and temperature distribution while still enabling controlled movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention intentionally introduces asymmetry in the form of a slide that can be inserted into the glass melt at an angle. This angled slide creates asymmetric forces that generate pendulum movement and transverse flows in the melt, which is the desired effect. The key insight is that the asymmetry is applied only to the sliding component, not to the overall feed distribution system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If feed material is supplied through a narrow opening in a doghouse, then the doghouse is sealed from the atmosphere, but asymmetrical material distribution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single narrow opening in a doghouse structure, the invention segments the feed material supply into multiple separate guide channels (at least three) that are arranged closely together. Each channel delivers material symmetrically to the melt surface, maintaining atmospheric sealing while achieving symmetric distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point delivery system (narrow opening) to a distributed line-source delivery system (multiple parallel guide channels). This dimensional change allows the system to maintain sealing while distributing material symmetrically across the melt surface through the combined output of multiple channels.
3Productivity
If a slide is used to accelerate and portion the load, then feed material is portioned into floating islands, but pendulum movements cannot be reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the slide dynamic by enabling it to be inserted into and retracted from the glass melt. This dynamic positioning allows the slide to accelerate and portion the feed material into floating islands when inserted, and to be retracted when movement reversal is needed. The parallel push conveyors also provide dynamic control over material delivery rates.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a feeding device for introducing particulate feedstock into glass melting installations, comprising pushing conveyors (5), which are supplied by storage containers (8) via guiding channels (6) and are directed onto the surface of the melt, and comprising at least one slide (1) for advancing the feedstock on the surface of the melt. To solve the problem of supplying a glass melting installation with feedstock in such a way as to avoid, at least to a great extent, asymmetric material and temperature distribution and movements transversely to the transporting direction of the feedstock, and consequently also to avoid exposure of the mineral construction materials of the installation to changing thermal loads, it is proposed according to the invention that a) at least three pushing conveyors (5) are arranged alongside one another and, in the region of the guiding channels (6) thereof, are arranged so closely alongside one another that they can be supplied by a common distributing device (7), and are separated from one another in the intermediate region between two guiding channels (6) by a respective dividing edge (9), and that b) a linkage (2) for the drive of a slide (1) that can be introduced into the glass melt is respectively led through the spacing between each two guiding channels (6).