Ppg Industries, Inc.

Richard A Caripolti

John William Peter

George C Newcamp

John F McConnell

Robert F Johnston, Jr

Paul R Ross, Jr

A rotary heating apparatus, for example, for liquefying glass batch or the like, is provided with dynamic stability by isolating structural support elements from vessel elements that are subject to thermal distortion and by supporting the vessel so as to be self-centering. The preferred embodiment entails a support ring separate from the vessel, rotatably supported at an elevation above the center of gravity of the vessel, and attached to a lower portion of the vessel by way of a plurality of link rods. Horizontal force is applied to the support ring to damp oscillations of the vessel. Rotation of the ring may be on a conical track to aid self-centering.

Support and drive system for rotating liquefaction vessel

Drilling through a wall of a molten material containing vessel, such as a glass melting tank, for the purpose of inserting an electrode or the like, is facilitated by employing a drill rig in which the drill bit is carried on the end of the electrode, which in turn is mounted on reciprocating means. The reciprocating means preferably includes a fast-travel mechanism and a high-powered hydraulic cylinder acting in tandem.

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Lower Burrell, PA, United States of America

Richard A Caripolti