Glass conductivity and temperature probe

Claim 1

A device for measuring the conductivity of glass in molten state, said device comprising: a probe having an elongated hollow body section of nonconductive material with first and second external bands of conductive material near one end spaced from one another, and first and second leads connected with said first and second bands, respectively, and extending therefrom to the other end of said body section of said probe; power input means adapted to be connected to a power source of predetermined voltage and frequency, said probe further including a thermocouple within said hollow body section near the end of said probe with said bands thereon, and further characterized by temperature readout means connected to receive the output from said thermocouple whereby glass viscosity is continuously monitored by continuous measurement of both the conductivity and temperature of said molten glass; an AC to DC converter with first and second inputs; first and second resistors connected with one of said power input means at one side and with said first and second inputs, respectively, of said AC to DC converter, said second resistor being a variable resistor; first circuit means connecting the junction of said first resistor and said one input of said AC to DC converter with said first lead of said probe; second circuit means for connecting the other side of said power input means with said second lead of said probe and with said second resistor, second circuit means also including variable capacitance means connected between said second lead of said probe and said second input of said AC to DC converter, said variable capacitance means including a plurality of capacitors and switching means for selectively connecting said capacitors in circuit; and readout means connected to receive the direct voltage output from said AC to DC converter, said rEadout means indicating conductivity as measured by said bands as a measuring cell when immersed in molten glass.

Claim 2

A device for measuring the conductivity of glass in molten state, said device comprising: a probe having an elongated hollow body section of nonconductive material with first and second external bands of conductive material near one end spaced from one another, and first and second leads connected with said first and second bands, respectively, and extending therefrom to the other end of said body section of said probe; power input means adapted to be connected to a power source of predetermined voltage and frequency, said probe further including a thermocouple within said hollow body section near the end of said probe with said bands thereon, and further characterized by temperature readout means connected to receive the output from said thermocouple whereby glass viscosity is continuously monitored by continuous measurement of both the conductivity and temperature of said molten glass; an AC to DC converter with first and second inputs; first and second resistors connected with one of said power input means at one side and with said first and second inputs, respectively, of said AC to DC converter, said second resistor being a variable resistor; first circuit means connecting the junction of said first resistor and said one input of said AC to DC converter with said first lead of said probe; second circuit means for connecting the other side of said power input means with said second lead of said probe and with said second resistor, second circuit means also including variable capacitance means connected between said second lead of said probe and said second input of said AC to DC converter, said variable capacitance means including a plurality of capacitors and switching means for selectively connecting said capacitors in circuit; and readout means connected to receive the direct voltage output from said AC to DC converter, said rEadout means indicating conductivity as measured by said bands as a measuring cell when immersed in molten glass.