Device and method for melting or refining glasses or glass ceramics

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for melting or refining glass or glass ceramics. According to the invention, a device of this type is provided with the following characteristics: a plurality of tubes which are U-shaped and arrange side by side so that they form a cage like skull channel that is open on top, and a high frequency oscillation circuit which comprises an induction coil. The tubes can be connected to a cooling medium. The induction coil wraps around the channel in such a manner that winding sections extend along the lateral walls of the channel.

1 - 14  (Cancelled)  
     
     
         15 . A method for melting and refining of a glass melt in a channel having an open top, comprising: 
 positioning a first inductive heating coil with respect to the channel so that said open top remains open; and    activating said first inductive heating coil so that the glass melt flows in a horizontal direction.    
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a second inductive heating coil with respect to the channel so that said open top remains open, said second inductive heating coil being spaced from said first inductive heating coil.  
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising positioning an alternate heating source with respect to the channel in said open top between said first and second inductive heating coils.  
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein said alternate heating source is an electrical heating unit.  
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein said alternate heating source is a burner heating unit.  
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a burner heating unit with respect to the channel in said open top.  
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 20 , wherein said burner heating unit has a gas/air or gas/oxygen ratio that produces a reducing atmosphere.  
     
     
         22 . A method for melting and refining of a glass melt, comprising: 
 disposing the glass melt in a skull channel with an open top, said skull channel being configured for horizontal flow of the glass melt; and    heating the glass melt with a first inductive heating coil, wherein said first inductive heating coil is arranged about said skull channel so that said open top is free of said first inductive heating coil.    
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 22 , further comprising heating the glass melt with a second inductive heating coil, said second inductive heating coil being arranged about said skull channel so that said open top is free of said second inductive heating coil.  
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 23 , further comprising heating the melt with an alternate heating source, said alternate heating source being positioned in said open top between said first and second inductive heating coils.  
     
     
         25 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein said alternate heating source is an electrical heating unit or burner heating unit.