Semi-convective forced air system having amplified air nozzles for heating low "e" coated glass

Abstract

A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle comprises a heating chamber having a length and a width, at least one heating element located within the heating chamber, a conveyor having a length and a width, the conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber, a compressed air source, a plurality of air manifolds positioned within the heating chamber and in fluid connection with the compressed air source, each of the air manifolds having a length, and each of the air manifolds being oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor, and a plurality of nozzles mounted on each air manifold and in fluid connection with the air manifold for mixing together and directing toward the conveyor a combination of compressed air and over air to convectively heat a sheet of glass on the conveyor, the plurality of nozzles on each air manifold being spaced along the length of the air manifold.

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       24 . A method of heating a sheet of glass for subsequent processing, comprising the steps of: 
 loading a sheet of glass onto a conveyor having a length that extends through a heating chamber of an oven,    orienting the sheet of glass such that its lengthwise edge is parallel to length of the conveyor,    conveying the sheet into the heating chamber, and    convectively heating in a specified sequence the entire length of selected widthwise portions of the sheet of glass by creating a downward flow of heated air onto the selected widthwise portions of the sheet of glass using a plurality of nozzle means mounted in the heating chamber for mixing and directing onto the sheet of glass in a wide and uniform pattern a combination of compressed air and oven air.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , the oven air being drawn by the nozzle from a location close to a heating element in the heating chamber.