Furnace regenerator with improved flow distribution

In a reversing, regenerative, continuous glass melting furnace of the type including an elongated tank having a melting area with a plurality of ports spaced along either side thereof, a regenerator extending along each side of the melting area of said tank and in communication with the adjacent ports, a checkerwork structure within each said regenerator and defining a multitude of gas passageways extending the complete length of the associated regenerator, and means alternately supplying combustion air through said checkerwork structure to said ports and withdrawing hot exhaust gases through said checkerwork structure from said ports, the improvement wherein said means supplying combustion air and withdrawing exhaust gases comprises a manifold extending along each said regenerator below said checkerwork structure, a plurality of ducts spaced along said manifold connecting said manifold to said regenerator structure through individual upwardly open chambers spaced therealong below said checkerwork structure, means alternately supplying combustion air to and withdrawing exhaust gases from said manifold, and means regulating flow through each said duct for apportioning the flow among the ducts and thereby tending to equalize the flow of combustion air and exhaust gases through said checkerwork structure and ports throughout the length of said regenerator.