Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.

Leonard D Steffan

D Wayne Leidy

Robert D Kohler

Wilbur L McCoy

A method of distributing molten glass gobs in an IS machine whereby gob scoops are positioned beneath associated gob discharges for motion independently of each other. Each scoop is driven by a three-phase electric servo motor to swing through an arc independently of the other scoops while maintaining a position beneath the associated gob discharge. Synchronization of the motors to the operation of glass forming molds of the IS machine is accomplished by coupling a first sensor to each motor to provide a signal indicative of the actual position of the motor, generating a varying signal indicative of a desired position of each scoop, generating a command signal for each motor as a function of the difference between the signal indicative of the desired position of the scoop and the signal indicative of the actual position of the motor, applying the command signal as first and second torque commands to two phases of the three-phase motor, and applying a third torque command to a third phase of the three-phase motor as a function of the sum of the associated first and second torque commands.

Method of distributing molten glass gobs in an IS machine

A molten glass gob distributor for a glass container manufacturing system that includes a plurality of gob discharges and a plurality of scoops for receiving gobs from each such discharge and distributing the gobs among a plurality of troughs leading to associated molds in an IS machine. Each scoop is mounted to rotate about a fixed axis with the upper end remaining positioned beneath the associated gob discharge while the lower end swings through an arc adjacent to the associated troughs. A plurality of electric servo motors are individually coupled to each associated scoop for selectively and individually rotating the scoops. The electric motors are connected to servo motor controllers for synchronizing operation of the motors and rotation of the scoops to each other and to operation of the forming machine. The motor controllers synchronize operation of each motor by means of a synchronizing input from the forming machine.

Servo controlled glass gob distributor

A test apparatus for measuring activation and deactivation times of solenoid-operated pilot and air-operated cartridge valves in a valve block assembly for an air-operated IS glassware-forming machine. The test apparatus includes pressure transducers for selective individual connection to the outputs of the solenoid and cartridge valves of a valve block assembly, and an array of electrical switches for selectively energizing the solenoid of a solenoid valve to be tested. A first pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of the solenoid valve under test, and a second pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of a solenoid/cartridge valve combination under test. The measured times are displayed in milliseconds at associated numeric displays. A flow meter is connected to the exhaust port of a cartridge valve under test for measuring leakage of air past the seals and seats of the cartridge valve.

Valve block test apparatus

Apparatus for controlling the aperture size of a valve in a fluid exhaust line from an individual section of glass forming machine is disclosed. The apparatus controls the aperture size of the valve in response to first and second control signals and comprises a driver connected to the valve for decreasing the aperture of the valve from a preset size to a restricted size by a series of discrete steps and then for increasing the aperture of the valve from the restricted size back to the preset size by a series of discrete steps. The driver is responsive to a directional signal and a series of electrical pulses each actuating a corresponding discrete step to decrease the size of the aperture when the directional signal is applied thereto and to increase the size of the aperture when the directional signal is removed therefrom. The apparatus also comprises a control having a first input responsive to the first control signal which when applied causes the control to provide a directional signal and a predetermined number of electrical pulses to the driver for actuating a predetermined number of discrete steps required to decrease the aperture of the valve from the preset size to the restricted size and a second input responsive to the second control signal which when applied causes the control to remove the directional signal from the driver and provide the predetermined number of electrical pulses to the driver to increase the aperture of the valve back to its preset size.

Apparatus for controlling a valve

An apparatus is disclosed for cooling and lubricating shear blades for a glass feeder mechanism, with each blade having associated therewith a pair of spray heads in the form of blocks. These blocks are mounted above the blades with a generally vertical, fan-shaped, spray being issued from each spray head. The spray will consist of air and liquid, with the liquid being primarily water with a small amount of lubricant included therein. Each spray head is composed of a pair of blocks each having a passage, drilled therein, one communicating with air and the other with liquid, the blocks being separated by a pair of shims, with the shims having cut-out portions respectively to serve as exit openings for the combined air and liquid spray.

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Perrysburg, OH, United States of America

Leonard D Steffan