William E Cole

Title: Innovations of William E Cole

Introduction

William E Cole is a notable inventor based in Sudbury, MA (US), recognized for his contributions to the field of glass manufacturing. He holds three patents that showcase his innovative approaches to improving glass production processes. His work has significantly impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of glass manufacturing techniques.

Latest Patents

One of Cole's latest patents is the "Combined batch and cullet preheater with separation and remixing." This invention presents an improved method for preheating cullet and glass batch together, which is essential for use as feedstock in glass furnaces. The method incorporates a preheater that includes a separator and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger operates as a direct contact raining bed, where large particles in the feedstock are heated by hot gases as they flow down by gravity. Fine particles become entrained with the hot gas flow, and the separator effectively removes these fine particles, remixing them with the preheated cullet. Various preheater systems are described, utilizing hot gases from the glass furnace exhaust, separately fired heaters, and exhaust gas recirculation.

Another significant patent is the "In situ rapid wash apparatus and method." This invention discloses a method and apparatus for delivering a solvent in liquid form to a surface that requires cleaning. The volume of the solvent and the application time are carefully selected to ensure that the solvent reaches the surface in its liquid state. In a preferred embodiment, water is sprayed at specific intervals onto the lower surface of the distributor plate that supports a fluidized bed of glass batch material for preheating.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, William E Cole has worked with prominent companies such as Thermo Electron Corporation and the Gas Research Institute. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in the field of glass manufacturing and innovation.

Collaborations

Cole has collaborated with notable individuals in his field, including Ravinder K Sakhuja and Dimitris Pavlakis. These collaborations have likely enriched his work and led to further advancements in glass technology.

Conclusion

William E Cole's innovative patents and career achievements highlight his significant contributions to the glass manufacturing industry. His work continues to influence the efficiency and effectiveness of glass production processes.