Glasstech International L.p.

Glasstech, Inc.

Jeffrey N Klopping

Eric D Fintel

Gary D Brinker

Stanley W Joehlin

A controller for use in connection with a central control for a glass sheet processing system including an operator interface and a master computer, the controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a position encoder corresponding to each of the movable components monitored by the controller, and a port for communicating a digital signal representative of the position of the movable component, issued by the position encoder, to the slave computer. The slave computer includes logic for receiving position information from the position encoders and continuously comparing this information to preselected position parameters downloaded from the master computer to determine whether an unsafe condition exists, sending a signal for deactivating the power switch to the drives for the affected components, and sending an error condition message back to the master computer.

Controller for glass sheet processing system

A temperature monitoring and control system for a glass sheet processing system includes a temperature sensor mounted at a preselected location in the system, a display, and a computer connected to the temperture sensor for periodically receiving a series of signals corresponding to temperature values transmitted by the sensor. The computer includes memory for storing selected values received from the temperature sensor and memory for storing one or more preselected threshold values. The computer also includes control logic for comparing the temperature values with one or more of the preselected threshold values, selecting and storing a set of those temperature values which satisfy a predetermined criteria, and displaying the set of temperature values as a profile taken along the length of the glass sheet in the direction of conveyance of the sheet through a glass processing system. The system preferably includes a data input device and provides the operator with the ability to program one or more of the threshold values. The system may also include an output to the power source of the furnace in the glass processing system for varying the power to the furnace, and control logic for comparing the stored temperature values with one or more preselected threshold values and transmitting a signal to vary the power supplied to the furnace as a function of the results of the comparison of the stored values with the preselected threshold values.

Temperature control system for glass sheet furnace

A position controller for a glass sheet processing system having a central control system including an operator interface and a master computer, the position controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of multi-character command and data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a digital to analog converter, a variable speed drive for driving a movable component in the glass processing system, a port for communicating a signal from the slave computer through the digital to analog converter for driving the variable speed drive, and absolute position encoder associated with the movable component in the system, and a port for communicating the digital signal representative of the position of the movable component to the slave computer. The slave computer system includes logic for receiving data and command input from the master computer in the central control system, processing this information as required, generating a signal capable of operating a vehicle speed drive, and reporting an echo back signal to the master computer indicating that the driven component has reached the desired position. The slave computer also includes logic for transmitting current position and stored end point and velocity profile information back to the master computer for output to the monitor at the operator's request.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

Jeffrey N Klopping