CN101374778A - Overflow downdraw glass forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.

Description

Overflow down draw glass forms method and apparatus

Related application

The application requires the provisional application sequence number No.60/751 to submission on December 15th, 2005, the right of priority of 419 inventions that disclosed, it is entitled as " OVERFLOW DOWNDRAW GLASS FORMINGMETHOD AND APPARATUS (overflow down draw glass forms method and apparatus) ".Here 35USC § 119 (e) clause according to U.S. Provisional Application requires right of priority, and this paper quotes above-mentioned application for your guidance.

The application is the U.S. Patent Application Serial Number No.11/006 of the common unexamined of submission on December 7th, 2004,251 part continues, it is entitled as " OVERFLOW DOWNDRAW GLASS FORMINGMETHOD AND APPARATUS (overflow down draw glass forms method and apparatus) ", this article is to submit on August 8th, 2002 and the U.S. Patent No. 6 announced on May 10th, 2005,889,526 divide an application, it is entitled as " OVERFLOW DOWNDRAW GLASS FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS (overflow down draw glass forms method and apparatus) ", and it requires the right of priority to the invention that one of following provisional application disclosed:

1) provisional application of submitting to August 8 calendar year 2001 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/310,989;

2) provisional application of submitting to August 29 calendar year 2001 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/316,676;

3) provisional application of submitting to September 12 calendar year 2001 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/318,726;

4) provisional application of submitting to September 13 calendar year 2001 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/318,808;

5) provisional application of submitting on January 3rd, 2002 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/345,464; And

6) provisional application of submitting on January 3rd, 2002 that is entitled as " SHEET GLASS FORMING DEVICE (sheet glass formation device) " number 60/345,465.

Here 35USC § 119 (e) clause according to U.S. Provisional Application requires right of priority, and this paper quotes above-mentioned application for your guidance.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the manufacturing of sheet glass, specifically, relates to the sheet glass that uses in the LCD display production that is widely used in graphoscope.

Background technology

Be used for semiconductor power display application, must have very high surface quality in particular for the glass of the TFT/LCD indicating meter that is widely used in graphoscope, to allow successfully to use the material of semiconductor type.Use is assigned, and (Corning, the glass that the sheet glass that the device manufacturing of U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 Inc.) is come out has extra best best does not need to carry out aftertreatment in Corning Incorporated.The process for making of Corning patent utilization so-called " flooding process " is made glass.Use the glass of other technological process manufacturing to polish and/or to polish, so this glass does not have as the surface of polishing meticulous.Sheet glass also must be deferred to the strict variation in thickness and the technical qualification of warpage.Meticulous smooth surface is mainly formed by bare glass from the center of glass flows.This glass is owing to there being the operation of stirring not have to contact with outer face surface.

U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 technology still are at the state of the prior art that adopts so far.Yet equipment therefor has limitation.

The main drawback of " flooding process " device is that even it produces outstanding glass on most surfaces, but the glass pane surface of close inlet is made up of the glass near the feed conduit surface flow, so its quality is lower.

Another shortcoming of " flooding process " device is that even it produces outstanding glass under steady operation conditions, but it recovers very slow under transient condition.Some reasons are, when using traditional way to design these pipelines, glass are delivered to the stagnant zone of glass flow the pipeline of " flooding process " device from agitator.In unintentional process transient state, these stagnant zones are transported to the glass of preceding material composition glass lentamente, and main the processing flowed, and this has just caused defective.When process was stablized, these defectives finally just calmed down; Yet the quality of interior sheet glass is underproof for some time.

Another shortcoming that also has of " flooding process " device is that the means of control formation plate thickness are very limited.In present practice, also do not provide as plate forms on width cooled glass selectively.The calorific loss that goes out from the bottom inversion gradient partial radiation that forms structure does not add control.Lacking this kind control can make a big impact to the planeness (warpage) that forms plate.

U.S. Patent No. 3,682,609 thickness control system can compensate little thickness error, but it only can distribute to glass in the distance on the 5-10cm magnitude again.

Another shortcoming that also has of " flooding process " device is that surface tension and muscle power are to having a significant impact along the molten glass stream that forms device lateral current downflow, and it is narrower than forming device to cause plate, and the panel edges that forms has thick crimping.

U.S. Patent No. 3,451,798 provide the margin guide device, its effort compensation surface tension effect, but be actually that cross section that correction will form device limits single profile on its outer surface and the problem that causes.

Another shortcoming that also has of " flooding process " device is that the operation of pulling out plate from bottom of device has the periodically variable tendency of the plate thickness of causing.This periodic variation in thickness is the result of the strong effect of controlled air-flow not, and this is tending towards becoming more common along with ageing equipment in Production Flow Chart.When ageing equipment, the various openings that cause by crackle in the material and differential expansion form air leaking.

The powerful and influential shortcoming of " flooding process " device is, forms device and deforms in the manufacturing process process, makes sheet glass no longer satisfy thickness requirement.This distortion is the thermal creep of the formation device that causes of gravity.This is the too early terminated major cause of production process.This distortion occurs in the long process.In the process,, process must adjustment process compensate the sagging of formation device at this moment to such an extent as to changing continuously.This adjustment activity causes losing the product that can sell away.

Therefore, present technique needs a kind of device that can overcome the prior art shortcoming.

Summary of the invention

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all glass that form the surface in the useful zone of plate are bare glasss, and it is not polluted near flowing of refractory materials or refractory metal surface after stirring operation.In addition, by eliminate static mobile zone in the pipeline between agitator and sheet glass formation device, this embodiment has reduced to form the interior inhomogeneity of glass of plate widely thus.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention introduces an accurate thermal control system, with at the place, weir of the most important region of forming process, and the flowing of redistribution molten glass.It is bad that the change that the inevitable plate that takes place forms device in the Production Flow Chart process has been offset in this thermal control effectively.

In another preferred embodiment, by changing the width that forms the chamber exit opening, make the radiation heat loss who spills from the inversion gradient bottom that forms structure longitudinally obtain adjusting.

Another preferred embodiment forms variable outer cross section, and it changes the direction and the size of surface tension and physical stress, therefore, reduces surface tension and the muscle power disadvantageous effect to the plate width.

In another alternate preferred embodiment, glass traverses in solidification process on its width that produces formation stress and is cooled off, thereby guarantees that the sheet glass of pulling out is smooth naturally.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention adjusts the internal pressure that forms in each major parts of device, so that traverse the pressure reduction that leads on any leakage paths that forms the zone approaching zero.Therefore, though in the initial operation process, exist and manufacturing processed in development form crackle and opening, the air leaking in the device also can be reduced to minimum.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is forming the stress introducing equilibrant that causes on the structure to gravity, so that the thermo-creep deformation (strain) that causes because of thermal creep changes the influence with minimum to sheet thickness.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the principle part of " flooding process " sheet glass manufacturing system.

Fig. 2 A illustrates the side-view of " flooding process " commonly known in the art.

Fig. 2 B illustrates the sectional view by glass flows in the downtake of the line B-B intercepting of Fig. 2 A.

Fig. 2 C illustrates the sectional view by the line C-C intercepting of Fig. 2 A, and wherein, glass flows appears in the plate of " flooding process " in the downtake.

Fig. 3 A illustrates the side-view of the surface flow distribution apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 B illustrates the vertical view of the surface flow distribution apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 A illustrates the side-view of buried flow distribution device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 B illustrates the vertical view of buried flow distribution device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 A illustrates the side-view of " flooding process " in the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 B illustrates when using flow-dividing arrangement the sectional view by glass flows in the downtake of the line B-B intercepting of Fig. 5 A.

Fig. 5 C illustrates the sectional view by the line C-C intercepting of Fig. 5 A, and wherein, when using flow-dividing arrangement, glass flows appears in the plate in the downtake.

Fig. 6 illustrates the bowl with tilt axis, the static flow region at the bowl teat place in its diffusion preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 A illustrates the vertical view of the bowl with side inflow, and it reorientates the static flow region from the bowl teat to the bowl side in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 B illustrates the side-view of Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 7 C illustrates the vertical view of the bowl with side inflow, and it is reorientated in the preferred embodiment of the present invention from the bowl teat to respect to forming the static flow region that device medullary ray and sidepiece are approximately 45 positions of spending.

Fig. 7 D illustrates the side-view of Fig. 7 C.

Bowl during Fig. 8 illustrates " flooding process " commonly known in the art.

Fig. 9 A illustrates to present in the preferred embodiment of the present invention and forms device portal and have minimum static mobile downtake.

Fig. 9 B illustrates the vertical view of Fig. 9 A.

Fig. 9 C illustrates the detail drawing that downtake connects to the groove inlet tube, shows the glass flow figure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 A illustrates and forms flowing between the device portal in downtake and " flooding process " commonly known in the art.

Figure 10 B illustrates the vertical view of Figure 10 A.

Figure 10 C illustrates downtake to the detail drawing that the groove inlet tube connects, and shows glass flow figure commonly known in the art.

Figure 11 A illustrates the typically principle part of " flooding process " manufacturing system.

Figure 11 B illustrates the cross section of Figure 11 A.

Figure 12 A illustrates the side-view that flows through the glass that forms structure.

Figure 12 B illustrates the sectional view by the formation structure centre of Figure 12 A, shows cooled region.

Figure 13 A illustrates the design of the single heating chamber shielded box of the modification in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 13 A.

Figure 14 A illustrates air cooled tube, and when molten glass during by the weir in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, influence is to the part cooling of molten glass.

Figure 14 B illustrates the sectional view of 14A.

Figure 15 A illustrates the shielded box with a plurality of heating chambers in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 B illustrates the cross section of 15A.

Figure 16 A illustrates radiant coolers, and when molten glass during by the weir in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water cooler influence is to the part cooling of molten glass.

Figure 16 B illustrates the sectional view of 16A.

Figure 17 A illustrates prior art and how forms structure Design owing to thermal creep is out of shape.

Figure 17 B illustrates another view of Figure 17 A.

Figure 18 A illustrates the supporting system of formation structure commonly known in the art.

Figure 18 B illustrates another view of Figure 18 A.

Figure 18 C illustrates another view of Figure 18 A.

Figure 18 D illustrates another view of Figure 18 A.

Figure 19 A illustrates the compressed block of each the single shape of holding of formation structure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 B illustrates another view of Figure 19 A.

Figure 19 C illustrates another view of Figure 19 A.

Figure 19 D illustrates another view of Figure 19 A.

Figure 20 A illustrates the compressed block of the single shape on formation structure one end in the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the compressed block of a plurality of shapes on the other end.

Figure 20 B illustrates another view of Figure 20 A.

Figure 20 C illustrates another view of Figure 20 A.

Figure 20 D illustrates another view of Figure 20 A.

Figure 21 A illustrates formation structure Design commonly known in the art.

Figure 21 B illustrates the vertical view of Figure 21 A.

Figure 21 C illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 21 A of line C-C.

Figure 21 D illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 21 A of line D-D.

Figure 21 E illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 21 A of line E-E.

Figure 21 F illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 21 A of line F-F.

Figure 21 G illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 21 A of line G-G.

Figure 22 A illustrates the inverse gradient that reduces that forms each end place of structure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 22 B illustrates the vertical view of Figure 22 A.

Figure 22 C illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 22 A of line C-C.

Figure 22 D illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 22 A of line D-D.

Figure 22 E illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 22 A of line E-E.

Figure 22 F illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 22 A of line F-F.

Figure 22 G illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 22 A of line G-G.

Figure 23 A illustrates has the alternate embodiment of the present invention that another revises the end.

Figure 23 B illustrates the vertical view of Figure 23 A.

Figure 23 C illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 23 A of line C-C.

Figure 23 D illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 23 A of line D-D.

Figure 23 E illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 23 A of line E-E.

Figure 23 F illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 23 A of line F-F.

Figure 23 G illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 23 A of line G-G.

Figure 24 A illustrates the present invention's one alternate embodiment, and it has the structural rigidity of the increase of possibility.

Figure 24 B illustrates the vertical view of Figure 24 A.

Figure 24 C illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 24 A of line C-C.

Figure 24 D illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 24 A of line D-D.

Figure 24 E illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 24 A of line E-E.

Figure 24 F illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 24 A of line F-F.

Figure 24 G illustrates by forming the sectional view of structure design shown in Figure 24 A of line G-G.

Figure 25 A illustrates the formation structure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it has arcual parabola shaped root protruding upward, that have the constant inversion gradient continuously, and it solidifies the edge glass center of glass before.

Figure 25 B illustrates the end view by the section B-B of Figure 25 A.

Figure 25 C illustrates the vertical view of Figure 25 A.

Figure 25 D illustrates the sectional view by the cross section D-D of Figure 25 A.

Figure 26 A illustrates the formation structure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it has arcual parabola shaped root protruding upward, that have the variable inversion gradient continuously, and it solidifies the edge glass center of glass before.

Figure 26 B illustrates the end view by the section B-B of Figure 26 A.

Figure 26 C illustrates the vertical view of Figure 26 A.

Figure 26 D illustrates the sectional view by the cross section D-D of Figure 26 A.

Figure 27 A illustrates the formation structure of Figure 25 A to 25D in the heating chamber that is included in shielded box, and shielded box has movably bottom door to control photothermal loss in its bottom.

Figure 27 B illustrates the sectional view by the section B-B of Figure 27 A.

Figure 27 C illustrates the sectional view that passes through the cross section C-C of Figure 27 A in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 D illustrates the sectional view that passes through the cross section D-D of Figure 27 A in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 E illustrates the sectional view by the cross section E-E of Figure 27 A, and it shows the shape of the prior art of removable base door.

Figure 28 A illustrates the process of cooling in " flooding process " commonly known in the art sheet glass formation system.

Figure 28 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 28 A.

Figure 29 A illustrates the pressure of how controlling in the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the shielded box zone, so that leak to minimum.

Figure 29 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 29 A.

Figure 30 A illustrates how to control the pressure of isolating in the chamber door zone in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, so that leak to minimum.

Figure 30 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 30 A.

Figure 31 A illustrates the pressure of how controlling in the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the transitional region, so that leak to minimum.

Figure 31 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 31 A.

Figure 32 A illustrates the pressure of how controlling in the preferred embodiment of the present invention in annealing device and the pulling machine zone, so that leak to minimum.

Figure 32 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 32 A.

Figure 33 A is in the formation structure of flooding process and forms mobile glass side view on the structure.

Figure 33 B is glass shown in Figure 33 A and the inflow end end view that forms structure.

Figure 33 C is glass shown in Figure 33 A and the distal end view that forms structure.

Figure 33 D is glass shown in Figure 33 A and the vertical view that forms structure.

Figure 34 A is the thermo-creep deformation figure that forms structure at self gravitation load effect lower-glass.

Figure 34 B is to be the thermo-creep deformation figure that minimum applied load effect lower-glass forms structure making vertical deformation.

Figure 34 C is the thermo-creep deformation figure that forms structure at excessive applied load effect lower-glass.

Figure 34 D is that to make vertical deformation in the time expand of Production Flow Chart be the thermo-creep deformation figure that minimum applied load effect lower-glass forms structure.

Figure 35 is the thermal creep material characteristics profile that is used to form the refractory materials in the structure.

Figure 36 illustrates the distortion of the linear FEA of prior art of the formation structural distortion of the power of not correcting.

Figure 37 illustrates according to U.S. Patent No. 3,519, the distortion of the linear FEA of the prior art of 411 the formation structural distortion that has correction power.

Figure 38 illustrates and forms the distortion of linear FEA that in fact structure does not have to have when sagging the formation structural distortion of correction power.

Figure 39 A is the side-view of the grid that uses among the FEA, and size wherein is a metric system.

Figure 39 B is the end view of the grid that uses among the FEA, and size wherein is a metric system.

Figure 39 C forms the end view of structure, illustrates wherein power to be applied among the FEA on the bottom that forms structure.

Figure 39 D illustrates the temperature distribution that presents on the cross section that forms structure.

Figure 40 illustrates the distortion of non-linear FEA that in fact the formation structure of foretelling as linear FEA does not have to have when sagging the formation structural distortion of correction power.

Figure 41 illustrates and forms the distortion of non-linear FEA that in fact structure does not have to have when sagging the formation structural distortion of correction power.

The glass that Figure 42 A illustrates prior art forms structure support and compression system.

Figure 42 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 42 A.

Figure 42 C illustrates the part figure of Figure 42 A.

Figure 42 D illustrates the sectional view of Figure 42 A.

Figure 43 A illustrates one and forms the structure support system, and what it comprised the each end is used to support the rest pad that forms structural weight and the indivedual compressed block and the applicator of each end.

Figure 43 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 43 A.

Figure 43 C illustrates the part figure of Figure 43 A.

Figure 43 D illustrates the sectional view of Figure 43 A.

Figure 44 A illustrates one and forms the structure support system, and it comprises supporting and the compressed block and the applicator of each end.

Figure 44 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 44 A.

Figure 44 C illustrates the part figure of Figure 44 A.

Figure 44 D illustrates the sectional view of Figure 44 A.

Figure 45 A illustrates one and forms the structure support system, and it comprises supporting and the compressed block and the applicator of each end, and the sealing applicator of far-end.

Figure 45 B illustrates the sectional view of Figure 45 A.

Figure 45 C illustrates the part figure of Figure 45 A.

Figure 45 D illustrates the sectional view of Figure 45 A.

Figure 46 A is by the sectional view of downtake to the inlet tube junction, is immersed in the glass free surface underneath at the junction downtake.

Figure 46 B is the detail drawing of the glass flow in Figure 46 A cross section.

Figure 47 A be by downtake to the sectional view of inlet tube junction, at the junction downtake basically on the glass free surface.

Figure 47 B is the detail drawing of the glass flow in Figure 47 A cross section.

Figure 48 A is by the sectional view of downtake to the inlet tube junction, leaves the glass free surface distance identical with the diameter of inlet tube at the junction downtake.

Figure 48 B is the detail drawing of the glass flow in Figure 48 A cross section.

Figure 49 A illustrates the well heater of downtake to the inlet tube junction.

Figure 49 B is the detail drawing of the glass flow in Figure 49 A cross section.

Figure 49 C is the partial top view of Figure 49 A.

Figure 49 D is the detail drawing that is used for the typical sealing block of Figure 49 A, 49B and 49C.

Figure 50 A is that one tapered section adds inlet tube in the junction by the sectional view of downtake to the inlet tube junction.

Figure 50 B is the detail drawing of glass flow in Figure 50 A part.

Figure 51 illustrate in the embodiment of the invention one accurately control flow into and flow out the device of the cooling air mass flow of isolating the chamber door chamber so that leak and be reduced to minimum from isolating chamber door.

Figure 52 illustrates in the embodiment of the invention and installs, and it comes the forced convection of the glass flow of controlling flow ejecting plate formation structure to cool off by accurately controlling to flow into and flow out the cooling air mass flow of isolating the chamber door chamber.

Figure 53 illustrates among Figure 52 and to isolate chamber door and be fitted into plate and form sectional view in the device.

Embodiment

Flowing dynamics among all embodiment of the present invention makes the outside surface of sheet glass be formed by thorough blended bare glass, and the blended bare glass flows out from flowing into the center that forms the glass flows in the device, therefore, does not touch refractory materials or refractory metal surface.This produces possible highest face temperature quality.The surface that is as pure as a lily like this is mainly used in and produces LCD/TFT semi-conductor indicating meter.In addition, the flowing dynamics among all embodiment of the present invention makes that the flow of the molten glass flow to the formation wedge that forms the structural base place is even substantially on the width that forms wedge.

Usually " sheet glass formation device " (U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696) that are designed for " flooding process " depend on the formation structure of special shape and come minute glazing to form the uniform sheet glass of thickness.This basic configuration that forms structure is in U.S. Patent No. 3,338, has a detailed description in 696.The sheet glass forming process is at high temperature implemented, usually between 1150 ℃ and 1275 ℃.Under such temperature, be used to construct the material that forms structure and show the characteristic that is referred to as thermal creep, this characteristic is the material deformation that stress application causes under the high temperature.Therefore, stress that own wt causes and form in the structure and stress that structural molten glass weight and static pressure cause under, form structure and deform.

As used herein, stress is the size that forms structural internal force, and strain is the distortion that forms structure.

The U.S. Patent No. 3,519,411 of Cortright is devoted to form the problem of the structural integrity of structure.Make the used refractory materials of formation structure and have high compressive strength and low tensile strength.Cracked in order to prevent to form structure, force of compression is applied to the bottom that forms the every end of structure, and purpose is " slow down the fireproof sheet glass and form unfavorable tensile stress effect in the member ".This power is according to U.S. Patent No. 3,519, and the static closing form stress distribution in 411 is determined, because finite element analysis (FEA) also was not the employed technology of technician in this technical field at that time in the glass industry.

U.S. Patent No. 3,437,470 (Overman) also provide the design of getting rid of gravity influence aspect the structural integrity that forms structure.In these two patents, do not discuss the problem or the information that form the structure thermal creep relevant with the sheet thickness of production.

The applicant puts forth effort on the various thermal creep problems in the flooding process by different way, and the applicant has submitted U.S. Patent No. 6,748 to, 765,6,889,526 and 6,895,782, and U.S. Patent Application Serial Number No.10/826,097,11/011,657,11/060,139 and 11/184,212.This paper quotes these patents and patent application for your guidance.They have been described with the processing of linear method to thermal creep.Although these method and apparatus work as mentioned above, consider the non-linear behavior of thermal creep, the very big advantage that still remains to be obtained.Consider fire-resistant formation surface at the Nonlinear thermal creeping characteristic that causes aspect temperature and the stress, the present invention has promoted the claim and the technology of above-mentioned referenced patent and patent application.

The present invention has introduced the Method for Accurate Calculation that forms the counter-force of gravity on the structure, makes the in fact not influence of glass flow feature to forming structure of thermal creep that unavoidably will take place.The present invention is designed so that this counter-force is enough to overcome the non-linear aspect of refractory materials thermal creep, and keeps the cycle by the prolongation of Production Flow Chart.Therefore, use same formation structure and process parameter in a long time, sheet glass can be manufactured the primary specification.

With reference to Fig. 1,11A and 11B, show typical " flooding process " manufacturing system 1 among the figure.Basically all even chemical ingredients of temperature is even from the glass 10 of smelting furnace 2 and forehearth 3, and glass 10 is presented to agitator 4.Agitator 4 fully homogenizes glass.Then, glass 10 is directed in the bowl 6 by the inlet tube 5 of bowl-type, and flows into downtake 7 downwards, by joint 14 between downtake 7 and the formation device portal pipe 8, flows into the inlet that overflow forms structure 9.When flowing to formation structure 9 from agitator 4, glass 10 (specifically, forming the glass on plate surface) must keep evenly.Bowl 6 general use is to change from level to vertical flow direction, stops glass 10 mobile devices to provide.In the structure of some device, provide pin 13 to stop glass flow.The common function of joint 14 is to allow to take away sheet glass to form device safeguarding between downtake 7 and the straight-through inlet tube 8, and the device that compensates as the thermal expansion to process device.

Basically all even chemical ingredients of temperature is even from the glass 10 of smelting furnace and forehearth, and glass 10 8 enters and forms device and arrive and be positioned at plate and form groove 129 on structure 9 tops by entering the mouth.The distribution of the molten glass velocity of flow that inlet tube 8 preferable controllable shapes systems flow into.This paper quote for your guidance U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 and U.S. Patent No. 6,748,765 in the sheet glass described in detail to form device be the formation structure of wedge shape, promptly form structure 9.The weir 115 of straight domatic is parallel with the most advanced and sophisticated edge of wedge 116 basically, forms each sidepiece of groove 129.The profile that the bottom 117 of groove 129 and the sidepiece of groove 129 118 form can make the glass uniform distribution that is provided on every side weir 115 tops.Then, glass flows on every side weir 115 tops, and each sidepiece that forms structure 9 along wedge shape is downward, is connected the most advanced and sophisticated edge of root 116, to form molten glass plate 11.When sheet glass was pulled roller 111 and pulls out root 116, molten glass plate 11 was cooled then and forms thickness curing glass plate 12 uniformly basically.Edge rollers 110 also can be used for pulling molten glass plate 11.In the prior art, form structure 9 and be wrapped in the rectangle shielded box 112, the purpose of shielded box is the temperature that control forms structure 9 and molten glass 10.The practice of prior art is to make around the insulated chamber 113 interior temperature that form structure 9 to keep constant.Shielded box 112 is heated heating unit 138 heating in the chamber 119, and this heating chamber is encapsulated in the heat insulating construction 133.The cooling of glass from the melted state to the solid state must be controlled carefully.This process of cooling starts from the just bottom of the formation structure 9 above root 116, and along with the molten glass plate continues process of cooling by isolating chamber door zone 114.Molten glass is realized solidifying when it arrives pulling roller 111 basically.Molten glass forms the uniform basically curing glass plate 12 of thickness.

The main element that the flooding process plate forms device is to form structure 9.This formation structure 9 also is called many other titles by those skilled in the art, such title including, but not limited to: form groove, form wedge, form member, form device, form piece, groove, pipe, isometrical pipe (isopipe) and fusion pipe.

Change the distribution of glass flow

Still with reference to Fig. 2 to Figure 10, a preferred embodiment of the present invention forms the device portal place at sheet glass and changes flowing-path to improve surface quality.This also impels glass to flow through the pipeline that glass is sent to sheet glass formation device from agitator more equably.

U.S. Patent No. 3,338 has been considered glass flowing in forming structure for 696.U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 advocate that also whole plate surfaces is formed by bare glass, it can not affect adversely because of contacting with the foreign matter surface.This is not entirely true, contacts with the front surface of downtake because form some glass flow of plate on the groove inlet end.The present invention has added flow-dividing arrangement in the groove ingress, is formed by bare glass to guarantee all spendable plate surfaces.The tubing system that glass agitator and sheet glass form between the device is revised as bowl-type from traditional way, and is connected between downtake and the formation device portal pipe.Change by the mobile of bowl, eliminate or reorientate static stream zone, it is formed on the sinciput surface of bowl usually.Downtake is not immersed in the glass that forms the device portal pipe, therefore, has eliminated the static flow region between the pipe.

Fig. 2 A to 2C illustrates the glass 10 that flows in the prior art " flooding process " in falling liquid feed conduit 7 finishes in the sheet glass that forms.Near downtake 7 back of the body surface 21 glass flow finish pull out plate in intracardiac.Near flowing downtake 7 front surfaces 23 all distributing on the glass surfaces, yet, major part concentrate on the about plate in inlet end place 1/3rd on.This Watch glass 23 stands the interruption of glass in the stagnant zone in downtake surface and the bowl 6, and is connected 14 at downtake 7 places with inlet tube 8.The remaining surface that is essentially plate 2/3rds is formed by inner bare glass 22.Two rest parts of glass flows 24 depart from front surface symmetrically and roughly are miter angle, and these two parts stop and form the used edge section 25 of near-end at the inlet end place of plate.The another part 26 that is centered in about 180 degree angles advances to the far-end that can not use edge section 27.

Fig. 3 A and 3B illustrate the embodiment that sheet glass forms device 31, and this device 31 has inflow pipe 8, is positioned at the flow-dividing arrangement 32 at groove inlet surface place (it is a theme of the present invention), and sheet glass forms device body 9.Flow-dividing arrangement 32 interrupt on the glass surfaces flow and with the surface of flow divert to panel edges.Then, flow on the surface that forms structure from the glass at the center of downtake flow and form the surface that sheet glass 11 can use part.Should be noted that for various reasons, 10 to 20% of each edge's plate normally can not use.

Fig. 4 A and 4B illustrate the alternate embodiment that sheet glass forms device 41, embodiment identical functions among its execution and Fig. 3, what make an exception is that surface flow distribution apparatus 42 is positioned at glass 10 surface underneath, and redistributes surface flow with more very thin but same efficient manner.The glass flow 10 of formation panel edges flows through the central slit 43 in the surface flow distribution apparatus 42.This glass (flowing through this central slit) is near the glass of downtake front surface.Then, flow to the formation body structure surface to form the surface that plate 11 can use part from the effusive glass in downtake center.Other glass near the downtake surface flow keeps being submerged.

Fig. 5 A to 5C is illustrated in downtake 7 interior mobile glass 10 to be finished in Fig. 3 and 4 described formed glass sheets of the present invention.The glass flow that flows to plate 21 centers is in fact identical with glass flow of the prior art.Yet 52 front surfaces that keep clear of downtake 7 that flow that form the formed glass sheets outside surface flow.Two rest parts of glass flows 24 depart from front surface symmetrically and roughly are miter angle, these two part terminations and the edge section 25 that can not use in the formation of the inlet end place of plate, and these two parts are unaffected basically.

Fig. 6 is an embodiment, and its demonstration is inclined to the axis of the bowl 66 of certain angle, makes the main front that flows through bowl of handling.This is positive to flow and 60 has carried Watch glass 61 secretly, has overcome to be formed on bowl surface tension of the stagnant zone of the glass flow at teat place (Fig. 8) usually.Pin 13 is set stops glass flow.

Fig. 7 A to 7D illustrates one embodiment of the invention, wherein, by being fed to bowl 75 from glass in the pipe of agitator, is fed in bowl 76 1 sides on 74 ground at angle with respect to the medullary ray that forms device 9.This has changed a bowl interior flow problem 70 effectively, moves to bowl 71 1 sides so that be usually located at the stagnant zone of a bowl teat (among Fig. 8,81).Refer back to Fig. 2 A one 2C and 5A one 5C, according to the angle of moving phase in the bowl for formation device 9 medullary rays 73, from stagnant zone 71 effusive glass terminate in ingress edge 25 can not use part or be immersed in sheet glass 21 intracardiac, rather than on the surface of sheet glass 23.Glass free surface 72 also shows in the drawings in the bowl.

Fig. 8 illustrates the prior art that has bowl 6, and its demonstration is positioned at the glass stagnant zone 81 of bowl 6 fronts.By flow 80 and capillary combination in the reduction process of bowl front, this glass is held in place.

Eliminate the nonuniformity defective of downtake to the inlet tube junction

Fig. 9 A to 9C illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, the bottom 94 of downtake 7 roughly is positioned at and forms 90 tops, device portal pipe 98 glass frees surface.Form device portal 98 and also have special requirement and shape 92.The vertical range 93 of formation device portal pipe 98 and specification and shape 92 design especially so that any stagnant zone in the glass flow path 91 or swirl flow are reduced to minimum.Therefore, molten glass 10 forms plate 11 more uniformly.By finding the solution fluid flow equation (Na Weier one Stokes equations) and doing test and determine this design.

Figure 10 A to 10C illustrates to be immersed in as is known in the art and forms the downtake 7 in the molten glass surface 100 in the device portal pipe 8.Between two pipes 7 and 8, stagnant zone 101 is arranged.Glass flow path 103 forms the annular whirlpool 102 of glass between downtake 7 and groove inlet tube 8.In the transient process that flows during except defective in producing sheet glass, the mobile exchange of whirlpool and main technological process material seldom.

Connect 14 places at downtake 7 to inlet tube 8 three kinds of main uniformity defectives that may form are arranged.These defectives are L﹠S line defect, bubble defective and glass loss of gloss pool defective.

L﹠S line defect is described as the glass ribbon of interior different viscosity of vitreum and/or specific refractory power best.Obvious visible distored lines or whirlpool in glass of the remote past.This is that glass mixes not good causing.If the glass flow in a certain zone is much slower than bulk glass, if or it stand surface volatilization, then the glass of well blend also can form L﹠S line defect.Glass chemistry composition in many manufacturing operations has very little variation along with the passage on date.If a few days ago the glass of Sheng Chaning infiltrates in the glass of producing the same day lentamente, then the fine difference of specific refractory power or viscosity can form L﹠S line defect.In the sheet glass production process, L﹠S line defect can show the optical characteristics distortion that causes because of specific refractory power or variation in thickness.Variation in thickness also can influence the quality of semiconductor fabrication.

The bubble defective is intravitreous air inclusions or bubble.If they are very big, then be called bubble.The bubble defective is quite general in molten glass, and by being referred to as the refinement or the process of refinement again, remains to the desired minimum degree of specialty products.This process is normally chemistry and machinery and at device for thinning or carry out in the device for thinning again.The bubble defective can be formed in the glass by electrolysis and fluid flow phenomena after refinement step.In the sheet glass production process, crystal grain is elongated and appears as visible defects.

Glass loss of gloss pool defective is the crystallization process of glass.Glass is amorphous, that is, it is the completely random mixture of molecule.As long as glass temperature is higher than liquidus temperature, molten glass just keeps amorphous.For requiring transparent glass, when molten glass promptly was cooled to be lower than the solid of liquidus temperature from being higher than liquidus temperature, it kept its noncrystalline state and its transparency.If molten glass keeps approaching in for some time but is lower than liquidus temperature, so, it forms crystallization lentamente, and the chemical ingredients that this crystallization has slightly is different from the chemical ingredients of mother glass usually.This gloss loses the function that speed is difference between glass ingredient and glass temperature and the liquidus temperature.In the sheet glass production process, glass loss of gloss pool phenomenon is shown as the optical defect in the lcd screen.

Figure 46 to 48 at length illustrates and may be formed on downtake 7 is connected the uniformity defective at 14 places with inlet tube 8 root, and how the downtake different positions influences the formation of these defectives.

Figure 46 A and 46B illustrate the vertical position with downtake 7 bottoms 94 of the same upright position of glass 460 free surfaces.The speed of relative movement of different sites place glass flow in approximate downtake 7 of the length of the small arrow of the streamline of indication mobile 461 and the inlet tube 8.The bottom that is exposed to the downtake 7 in factory's atmosphere has the whirlpool of glass flow 462 at free surface 460 places.In the whirlpool in arrow 462 length and 461 the streamline of flowing arrow length disproportionate.Glass is circulation for a long time in swirl flow 462 flow fields, and this causes the loss of gloss pool of some glass chemistry composition, has therefore changed the chemistry and the physical property of glass.When downtake 7 bottoms 94 were below glass free surface 460, swirl flow 462 was just bigger.

Physics theory is pointed out, if downtake 7 is rounded, and preferably is centered in the round entrance pipe 8, and then the whirlpool glass flow 462 between downtake 7 and the inlet tube 8 is immobilized, does not infiltrate in the glass flow stream 461.The practical situation of making cause such situation to occur, and no matter are termly or continuously, always having very, the glass of small portion infiltrates in the main glass flows 461 from whirlpool 462.The glass that infiltrates in the main glass flows lives through loss of gloss pool process, and it may have different chemical ingredientss, therefore can form L﹠S line defect.In addition, if glass temperature is lower than liquidus temperature certain time section in the whirlpool, then can form the defective that glass tarnishes.

Figure 49 A to 49D is illustrated in downtake 7 and is connected 14 places with inlet tube 8 and heat is applied on glass, is higher than liquidus temperature with the temperature that improves glass in the whirlpool 462.When the glass that is connected 14 places with inlet tube 8 when downtake 7 tarnishes and becomes problem, just can adopt this embodiment.When the first-selected or bottom 94 of wishing to make downtake 7 under glass free surface or surface and glass tarnishes or L﹠S line defect when being the uniformity defect problem, this point is with regard to particularly important.Apply heat and solved the problem that glass tarnishes.This can be placed on well heater inlet tube 491 tops and upward and/or on the bottom of downtake 492 accomplish.

Another embodiment is placed on well heater in the sealing block 493.Two sealing blocks 493 are preferably arranged, their shape symmetry, one of them individually is presented among Figure 49 D.Sealing block 493 manually is arranged on the heat insulating construction 133, so that partly that free surface 460 and factory's atmosphere sealing is isolated.The important shape of sealing block is semicircle inside radius 494, and it must closely be engaged on the outside diameter 496 of downtake 7, to provide partial sealing between glass free surface 460 and factory's atmosphere.Shown sealing block 493 is semicircle on its outward flange, yet outward flange shape 495 can be rectangle or any other complicated shape, and it can seal the free surface 460 isolated atmosphere of opening place, heat insulating construction 133 tops effectively.Some sealing block structure can comprise two above sealing blocks 493, providing enough sealings between free surface 460 and factory's atmosphere, and adapts to any irregular shape of downtake 7.

U.S. Patent No. 6,895,782 have discussed the glass flow in the whirlpool 462 between downtake 7 and the inlet tube 8, and this paper quotes this patent for your guidance.This patent has described how to form downtake 7 bottom shapes, how to form the shape of inlet tube 8, and how along continuous straight runs is adjusted them each other and spent in the time on the whirlpool 462 with feed glass and infiltrate in what part of glass flows.

Figure 47 A is relevant with Fig. 9 C with 47B.Small arrow length is similar to the speed of relative movement of different sites place glass flows in downtake 7 and the inlet tube 8, and it is at such situation: the bottom 94 of downtake 7 is located substantially on 90 tops, glass free surface so that in fact eliminate the situation of swirl flow.Arrow 471 illustrates the mobile streamline.Shown in distance 93 are 0.25 times of downtake 7 interior diameters 476.This distance 93 is in the approximate centre of operating restraint, and this scope changes to 0.65 times from 0.05 times of downtake 7 interior diameters 476.Optimum distance 93 is functions of the viscosity of the relative diameter of downtake 7 and inlet tube 8 and glass 10.Most important point with respect to inlet tube 8 location downtakes 7 in this scope is, it has reduced and produces the tarnish probability of defective of L﹠S line defect, bubble defective and glass.

Small arrow 481 among Figure 48 A and the 48B and 487 length are similar to downtake 7 and inlet tube 8 speed of relative movement interior and different sites place glass flows between them, it is at such situation: the bottom 94 of downtake 7 is located substantially on a certain distance 483 places, 480 tops, glass free surface, and this distance is 1.00 times of downtake 7 interior diameters 476.The glass flows 484 that withdraws from from downtake 7 is along with glass quickens and narrows down towards free surface 480.Streamline arrow 487 in this zone 484 is longer than the streamline arrow 481 of free surface 480 belows, therefore, has represented the poor of speed of relative movement.When flowing into free surface 485, it has formed eddy-currents 482, and this eddy-currents is similar to the eddy-currents in downtake 7 situations under free surface 460 places or free surface 460 shown in Figure 46 B.Arrow length is disproportionate in the length of these arrows 482 and 481 and 487 the streamline of flowing.Inlet point 485 places in the inflow free surface 480 that flows, bubble resides in the convergent flow path of decline mobile 484 and whirlpool 482.These bubbles become heterogeneity sex vesicle defective.The resident rate of bubble increases with distance 483.

Figure 50 A and 50B illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, the shape of inlet tube 508 changes near free surface 90, further to reduce downtake 7 is connected the static whirlpool at 14 places with inlet tube 508 formation.In free surface 90 and inlet tube 508 intersections 509, inlet tube 508 outside flare up angles 505.Open angle 505 forms taper in the part of inlet tube 508.Mobile arrow 502 has a radial component near representing free surface 90 and inlet tube 508 intersections 509, and it can reduce to form the tendency of static whirlpool (482 among 462 among Figure 46 B and Figure 48 B).Angle 505 is between 10 and 50 degree, and angle 505 reduces to form the tendency of static whirlpool.Add that in inlet tube 508 this tapered section can increase the scope of distance 93, it is minimum that whirlpool (482 among 462 among Figure 46 B and Figure 48 B) can be reduced in this scope.

Generally speaking, in the situation of Figure 47, downtake 7 is connected the generation of 14 places and seldom or not produces whirlpool 462 and 482 with inlet tube 8, and the situation of Figure 47 is optimal.In the situation of Figure 46, downtake from the teeth outwards or be immersed in the surface, for installation and/or some design and the operational constraints of well heater, the situation of Figure 46 allows, under any circumstance the situation of Figure 48 need be avoided.

The change that reduces sheet glass formation device is bad

Referring now to Figure 11 to 16, another embodiment of the present invention feed glass is in the flow distribution that forms on the device, and control mode makes the distortion of the change of production equipment formation structure bad and that cause because of thermal creep be compensated by the thermal control that glass flow distributes.

U.S. Patent No. 3,338, the 696 formation structures that depend on F-SP are come a minute glazing, so that form the sheet glass of uniform thickness.This basic configuration that forms structure is in U.S. Patent No. 3,338, has a detailed description in 696.The sheet glass forming process is at high temperature carried out, usually between 1000 ℃ and 1350 ℃.Under this temperature, be used to construct the characteristic that thermal creep appears being referred to as in the material that forms structure, it is the distortion of material under stress.Therefore, under the stress that the glass metal pressure pressure causes in forming stress that the structure self gravitation causes and groove, form structure and deform.

Be used to construct the material that forms the device other parts and also can become bad (warpage, cracking, thermal property variation etc.) in uncertain mode, it has influence on the distribution of thickness unfriendly.U.S. Patent No. 3,682,609 thickness control system can compensate little thickness error, but it only can redistribute glass on the distance of 5-10cm magnitude.In order on whole width of sheet glass, to realize thickness distribution effectively, must control the flowing of molten glass of weir top well.

Redistribute flowing of molten glass by introducing an accurate thermal control system at Yan Chu, described weir is the most important zone of forming process, and this embodiment of the present invention has solved this problem thus.It is bad that the change that inevitably forms device in the Production Flow Chart has been offset in this thermal control effectively.

Figure 12 A illustrates the side-view that forms structure 9, shows that with arrow molten glass 10 is by forming structure 9 flowing to side weir 115.Figure 12 B illustrates by forming the sectional view at structure 9 centers, and it shows that molten glass flows through the different zones that is used to control molten glass 10 when forming device.Zone 121 is groove 129 interior the flowing from formation structure inlet end to far-end, and regional 122 is flowing above the weir, and regional 123 is that the edge forms mobile that structure faces down outward, and zone 124 is that molten glass 11 is pulled away from root 116 and is cooled to solid board 12.When molten glass was regional by each, it was different causing the effect of curing glass plate 12 thickness by heating or cooling molten glass.When molten glass from the inlet end of the formation structure 9 of zone in 121 when far-end flows, molten glass 10 is added energy (promoting its temperature) or removes energy, can form plate thickness depression or protrusion respectively.The time of realizing the thickness profile variation in zone 121 is on the magnitude that forms scantling length.

When molten glass 10 overflows the weir 115 of zone in 122, to the variation of the flux of energy of molten glass 10, for the very strong effect that is distributed with of the curing glass plate thickness of generation.Cooled glass forms the dam effectively partly in zone 122, and this dam has a significant impact glass flow.This is a highstrung zone, and any control strategy of other outside the isothermal must carry out careful design.Regional 123 turn back to along the longitudinal direction for glass, and the uniform temperature distribution of substantial linear is important, so that keep consistency in the pulling process at root 116 places.Different coolings is a U.S. Patent No. 3,682 in the zone 124, and 609 theme is very effective on the little thickness distribution of solution changes.Cool off and to influence the thickness of this position at given vertical position, on the contrary, on each side at this position, have influence on glass along a direction.The distance that this influence is distributed on centimetre magnitude is last.

Figure 11 A and 11B illustrate the shielded box 112 of prior art, and the top surface of shielded box is level, and form the weir of structure 9 and in the groove 129 that forms structure 9 top surface of mobile glass 10 be far-end from inflow pipe 8 to formation structure 9 to descending slope.Heat transfer under the temperature between shielded box 115 and the glass 10 is mainly undertaken by radiation.Therefore, because the feature of radiative transfer, the distance affects between shielded box 115 and the glass 10 is to energy-delivering distribution.Nominally all heating units in the chamber 119 are equidistant with shielded box 112.Therefore, each element 138 is basically for 112 energy transmits and has identical effect from element 138 to shielded box.

Distance 137 between the glass 10 at shielded box 112 and inflow end place is basically less than the distance 139 between shielded box 112 and the far-end glass 10, and therefore, the heat transfer of the heat transfer ratio far-end at inflow end place is more concentrated.Consequently, the influence of energy variation on glass 10 temperature of the heating unit 138 at inflow end place influences more targetedly than the energy variation of heating unit 138 at far-end.In chamber 119, use heating unit 138 to change temperature and in forming structure 9 local flow of mobile glass 10, in U.S. Patent No. 6,748, deliver in 765 and propose.

Figure 13 A and 13B illustrate in one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, the top shape of shielded box 132 approaches more in groove 129 and forms the outside surface of mobile molten glass 10 on the structure 9.Shielded box 132 is heated heating unit 138 heating in the chamber 131, and described heating chamber 131 is enclosed in the heat insulating construction 133.Distance 137 between the glass 10 of shielded box 132 and inflow stream end is substantially equal to the distance 139 between shielded box 132 and the far-end glass 10, and therefore, the heat transfer that flows into the end place is identical with the heat transfer of far-end basically.

Closely meet the outside surface that forms groove 129 interior mobile molten glasses 10 in the structure 9 by design isolated case 132, energy just can be directed into the target area of molten glass 10, thus, realizes the bigger control to temperature distribution.Heating unit 138 in the heating chamber 131 has enough power and comes balance to flow into the flux of energy that forms structure 9, and therefore forms suitable temperature condition.

Figure 14 A and 14B illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and it realizes the part cooling of molten glass 10 when the weir 115 that molten glass 10 passes through in the zone 122.Adopt shielded box 132 structures of Figure 13 A and 13B.Air cooled tube 142 is similar to U.S. Patent No. 3,682 on function, the function of the air cooled tube of describing in 609 141, and described air cooled tube 142 is introduced in just heating chamber one side of the shielded box 143 above the molten glass 10 that flows through weir 115.The local cooling of the glass at this position forms local dam effectively, and this dam has a significant impact the thickness distribution of solid glass plate.

Figure 15 A and 15B illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, the shielded box 156 of multi-cavity chamber is designed to independent heating chamber 151-155, the temperature of control molten glass 10 when they pass through each zone of forming process at molten glass 10.These regional 121-124 have description in Figure 12 A and 12B.The shielded box 156 of multi-cavity chamber has five heating chamber 151-155.Be positioned at the heating chamber 153 that forms on structure 9 tops and have influence on glass flow (zone 121) from the inlet end that forms structure 9 to far-end.Being positioned at the heating chamber 152 and 154 that pushes up on weir 115 influences flow (zone 122) of 115 tops, weir, is used for longitudinally equilibrium temperature (zone 123) and be positioned at the heating chamber 151 and 155 that forms on structure 9 each side.All heating chamber 151-155 have heating unit, and these heating units have enough power and come balance to flow into the flux of energy that forms structure 9, and therefore form suitable temperature condition.

Figure 16 A and 16B illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and influence was to the part cooling of molten glass 10 when it passed through weir 115 at molten glass 10.This is Figure 12 B described regional 122.Adopt shielded box 156 structures of the multi-cavity chamber of Figure 15 A and 15B.Design radiant coolers 161 especially and be installed in heating chamber 152 and 154, this radiant coolers 161 has the ability of the heating chamber side on the relative shielded box surface 162 in optionally cooling and weir 115.Radiant coolers has a plurality of setting devices 164, and like this, the temperature of its basal surface can change along the longitudinal direction.It is the function of distance 163 that heat transfer between radiant coolers 161 and the shielded box surface 162 distributes.By changing the distance between radiant coolers 161 and the shielded box surface 162, cooling performance can slow down and adjust sensitivity.Although the diagram of not giving, water cooler 161 can be changed in operating process.In the design of heating chamber 152,153 and 154, take suitable variation, radiant coolers 161 can alternatively insert from sidepiece rather than from the top.

In another alternate embodiment, adopt the air cooled tube 142 of Figure 14 A and 14B, and shielded box 156 designs of Figure 15 A and 15B, the radiant coolers 161 of Figure 16 A and 16B can be used in the structure of shielded box 132 of Figure 13 A and 13B.

Reduce variation in thickness in the sheet glass

With reference to Figure 17 to 20, another embodiment of the present invention supports in a certain way and compresses the formation device, the distortion that causes because of thermal creep is changed for sheet thickness have minimum influence.This embodiment introduces equilibrant to forming structural those stress, makes final inevitably thermal creep have minimum influence for the glass flow feature that forms structure.The present invention be designed in the Production Flow Chart process for a long time in keep this equilibrant always.Therefore, available in a long time same formation structure is made sheet glass.

Make the refractory materials that forms structure and its supporting structure and have high compressive strength and low tensile strength.As most of structured material, when at high temperature meeting with stresses, they also can change shape.Because how feature and these features of material influence manufacturing processed, development has formed this embodiment.

Two key concepts are arranged in this embodiment of the present invention.At first, the end that forms structure is applied power and/or moment, but the stress that balancing gravity causes, and the influence to the molten glass mobile that therefore thermal creep is caused is reduced to minimum.Secondly, the present invention uses compression element, and the thermal creep that its shape makes described compression element also bear does not change applying of described power and/or moment basically.

Figure 17 A and 17B illustrate thermal creep to forming the typical effect of structural shape.It is sagging that Figure 17 A illustrates the centre that forms structure 9, causes the top on weir 115 and root 116 now curved 171, and bottom land 117 has the curvature 171 of variation.This curvature 117 causes molten glass 10 no longer to flow with constant thickness 172 on weir 115.This curvature 171 allows the intermediate flow of more glass on the weir, causes the uneven thickness distribution of plate.Figure 17 B illustrates the hydrostatic column pressure 174 of the molten glass 10 in the self-forming structure 9 how to force weir 115 to move apart at the place, top.This allows more glass to flow to the centre that forms structure 9, makes that intermediary thickness is bigger.

Figure 18 A to 18D illustrates sheet glass commonly known in the art and forms device 180.Form structure 9 by inlet end rest pad 181 and 182 supportings of far-end rest pad.Form structure 9 and be equal to beam, it stands himself gravity, forms in the structure and forms the gravity of structure upper glass and the stress in bending that pulling force causes.Because form the low tensile strength of structured material, force of compression 183 is applied to the Lower Half that forms structure 9, forces the material at root 116 places of formation structure 9 to be in compressed state.Normally, inlet end rest pad 181 is tied in vertical (level) direction 175, and force of compression 183 is applied to far-end rest pad 182.Prior art only considers to prevent to form the tension force at structure 9 roots 116 places, the stress when only considering to start then.Do not consider to form the thermal creep stress influence of structure 9 and rest pad 181 and 182.

Figure 19 A to 19D illustrates the embodiment that sheet glass forms device 190, and it forms overhang bracket piece 191 and 192.The overhang bracket piece 191 that is shaped 175 is tied along the longitudinal direction.Force of compression 193 is applied to the far-end rest pad 192 of shaping.The shaped design of rest pad becomes the distribution of formation power in forming structure 9, with the effect of balance formation structure 9 and molten glass 10 gravity basically.The power 193 that applies should make and form in the structure 9 all materials and 175 be under the stress under compression that equates basically along the longitudinal direction.This stress causes that thermal creep mainly 175 takes place along the longitudinal direction, and sagging shown in Figure 17 A taken place hardly.Form structure 9 and become shorter owing to 175 equal force of compression along the longitudinal direction.The rest pad that is shaped also stands thermal creep.The cross section of the rest pad that is shaped is identical on its whole length, and the stress under compression of traversing its cross section is identical.Therefore, when the rest pad that is shaped was out of shape because of thermal creep, it continued to apply substantially the same power distribution to forming structure 9.

Figure 20 A to 20D illustrates the embodiment that sheet glass forms device 200, and it has four shaping end rest pads 201,202,204 and 205.Inlet end has three shaping rest pads 201,204 and 205, all they have the force of compression 206,207 and 208 that vertically applies.Force of compression 203 is applied to far-end shaping rest pad 202. Rest pad 202 and 203 shape and load according to Figure 19 A-19D in rest pad 191 and 192 identical criterions design.The rest pad 204 and 205 that two top is shaped is attached to the inlet end on weir, and slopes inwardly so that they act on additional power to the weir, thereby balance makes the influence of the hydraulic pressure static pressure that the weir is tending towards scattering.

In a preferred embodiment, Duan (10-25% of length) transitional region (not shown) is positioned at the formation structure place of shaping rest pad.In these transitional regions, shaping rest pad cross section will be from the change of shape of this rest pad that is shaped to being applicable to the shape that forms structure design load.

Form the compressive load of structure

The sheet glass that Figure 42 A to 42D illustrates prior art forms device 420.This design is mainly by the U.S. Patent No. 3,519 of Cortright, and 411 are described.Form structure 9 by inlet end supporting and compressed block 421 and far-end supporting and compressed block 422 supportings.Inlet end supporting and compressed block 421 are shelved on the inlet end structure 423, and the sealing force 429 that is adjusted screw 424 and is positioned at formation structure 9 ingress constrains in vertically on (level) direction 175.Far-end supporting and compressed block 422 are shelved on the distal structure 425, and supporting of the far-end at surperficial 427 places and compressed block 422 are applied to far-end force of compression 426 far-end that forms structure.This power 426 is produced by far-end applicator 428, and it acts between far-end supporting and compressed block 422 and the distal structure 425.In one embodiment, applicator 428 is operating motors.The applicator that uses in the prior art is to produce the cylinder of constant force basically.Prior art only considers to prevent to form the unwanted tension force at root 116 places of structure 9.

Ding Yi operating motor is such device herein, and it produces along the power of rectilinear direction substantially constant and to required linear course in using and keeps this power.The variation franchise of force level in the gamut of stroke preferably plus or minus 5% or less than.Keep the required energy of this power to apply with gravity, pneumatic, hydraulic pressure or mechanism.Some example of operating motor is including, but not limited to: adjustable spring assembly, the mechanical speed-control device that is monitored and adjusts consistently or termly, cylinder, the moving operating motor of air, hydro-cylinder, the moving operating motor of hydraulic pressure, solenoid coil, electric motor, or gravity and lever system.

With reference to Figure 43 A to 43D, U.S. Patent No. 6,889,526 and 6, a kind of significant improvement for prior art has been discussed in 990,834, and this paper quotes above-mentioned patent for your guidance, this kind improves and uses a plurality of applicators, can make the force of compression 426 and 436 that forms structure 9 roots 116 places as one man remain on the level of requirement in whole Production Flow Charts.

Figure 43 A to 43D illustrates a sheet glass and forms device 430, and wherein, the weight that forms structure is supported by the inlet end structure 433 at surperficial 431 places at inlet end.In addition, it is flatly retrained by the little seal compression power 429 at surperficial 439 places.The weight that forms structure is supported by the distal structure 435 at surperficial 432 places on far-end.Surface 432 is designed to have very little horizontal direction frictional force, therefore helps ignoring the power of horizontal direction.Inlet end force of compression 436 is applied to by compressed block 437 and forms structural base, and compressed block is designed to have the little frictional force along application of force direction.Inlet end force of compression 436 is produced by inlet end applicator 438.Far-end force of compression 426 is applied to by compressed block 434 and forms structural base.Far-end force of compression 426 is produced by far-end applicator 428.Far-end force of compression 426 must be slightly larger than inlet end force of compression 436, with compensation inlet tube seal compression power 429.Form structural base force of compression 426 and 436 and apply, and in whole Production Flow Charts, remain on the level of identical and/or any programming in advance with low frictional force.Applicator 428 and 438 is preferably operating motor.

Another significant improvement for prior art is presented among Figure 44 A to 44D.What show among the figure is that sheet glass forms device 440, and wherein, the weight that forms structure is bearing on the inlet end by inlet end supporting and compressed block 421.In addition, by the little seal compression power 429 at surperficial 449 places, inlet end structure 445 flatly retrains and forms structure.The weight that forms structure is supported by far-end supporting and compressed block 422 at far-end.Inlet end force of compression 436 is applied to the bottom that forms structure by inlet end supporting and compressed block 421.Inlet end force of compression 436 is produced by inlet end applicator 448.Far-end force of compression 426 is applied to the bottom that forms structure by far-end supporting and compressed block 422.Far-end force of compression 426 is produced by far-end applicator 428.Far-end force of compression 426 must be slightly larger than inlet end force of compression 436, with compensation inlet tube seal compression power 429.Forming structural base force of compression 426 and 436 remains in whole Production Flow Charts on identical and/or any level of programming in advance.Applicator 428 and 438 is preferably operating motor.

Applicator is applied to power in the corresponding supporting and compressed block along relative longitudinal direction 175, and like this, bigger compression is born than the top that forms structure in the bottom that forms structure.In a preferred embodiment, form stress under compression in the structural base and be between 1.25 and 4 times that form stress under compression in the structural top, in another preferred embodiment, forming stress under compression in the structural base is to form between 1.75 and 2.5 times of stress under compression in the structural top.The bottom that forms structure has bigger heat resistanceheat resistant creep ability than the top that forms structure, and the bottom that forms structure is identical with the top that forms structure because of the linear deformation size that thermal creep causes.Therefore, any distortion that forms structure that is caused by thermal creep changes the influence with minimum for sheet thickness.

Can be used for another additional embodiment in the prior-art devices and adjust inlet end termly and adjust screw 424, the variation in the sealing force 429 when forming the linear deformation that structure causes because of thermal creep with compensation in the Production Flow Chart process.Also can monitor the moment of torsion of adjusting on the screw 424; Yet frictional force can make the actual indicated torque precision of telltale that forms the sealing force 429 on the structure 9 that is applied to become bad.This embodiment of the present invention and counter-intuitive can make operator very nervous because adjust the integrity that this adjustment screw 424 reduces inlet tube 8 and form the glass capsulation between the structure 9 along a certain direction.

Plate upper surface tension effect

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the width and the angle that form the inversion gradient of wedge can change surface tension and the physical effect that sheet glass is narrowed down with change.In addition, the width and the inversion angle of gradient can increase so that structure is more firm, therefore resist thermal creep more.

Figure 21 A to 21G illustrates the shape of the formation structure of prior art.The cross section of the wedge-like portion among Figure 21 C to 21G is uniform on the whole use length that form structure.The width 211 that forms structure is identical on each cross section with the angle 210 of being inverted the gradient.When molten glass 10 downward vertical components 211 along formation wedge 9 flow, surface tension and muscle power have minimum influence to plate width 212, and when molten glass 10 flow through the inversion gradient part 210 that forms wedge 9 vertically down, surface tension and muscle power acted on and make plate 213 narrower.

Figure 22 A to 22G illustrates and forms the same widths 211 of structure on its total length, and the angle 210 of being inverted the gradient form structure in intracardiac identical (Figure 21 D-21F), the angle 220 of the inversion gradient at each end place reduces.The inversion gradient 220 that this reduces has the equilibrated effect for the stress of surface tension and muscle power, therefore reduces narrowing down of plate 223.

Figure 23 A to 23G illustrates width 211 that forms structure and the angle 210 of being inverted the gradient, and they are in the formation structure intracardiac identical (Figure 21 D to 21F and Figure 22 D to 22F), and the width 231 of the formation structure at every end place reduces with the angle 230 of being inverted the gradient.For the effect of Figure 22 A to 22G, this width that reduces 231 and the inversion gradient 230 have the equilibrated effect for the stress of surface tension and muscle power, have therefore further reduced narrowing down of plate 233.

Figure 24 A to 24G illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein, the width 211 that forms structure is identical with embodiment among Figure 23 A to 23G with 230 with the angle 210 of the inversion gradient with 231, what make an exception is, form the angle 240 of the inversion gradient at structure centre place, Figure 24 E is inverted the gradient 210 and 230 greater than other basically.The section modulus that this bigger angle has improved structure makes it more firm, therefore is difficult for causing thermal creep.Keep end construction identical, have identical with Figure 23 A to 23G basically effect, therefore do not influence for narrowing down of plate 243 for surface tension and physical stress with Figure 23 A to 23G.

Produce dull and stereotyped

U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 only consider to form flowing of glass in the structure, and the supposition glass of from form structural base, pulling out will be thickness evenly and smooth even because glass flows to the thickness of the glass flows of solidifying key point.In practice, glass must traverse its width and preferably cool off, and forms stress to produce in solidification process, and it forms a flat board.The present invention changes and forms stress and cooling distribution, so that the plate that forms is congenitally smooth.

Figure 25 A to 25D illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, but the shape that forms the root 116 of wedge 259 is not straight the parabolic shape of successive arc protruding upward 250.This causes from forming glass that wedge 251 center pullings go out than cold soon from forming the glass that each edge 252 pulling of wedge go out.This is added on the glass 251 of local solidification at plate center stress, causes that plate is more smooth not to have a warpage.

The variation of parabolical vertical dimension 257 the glass horizontal length 258 that cover to form structure 259 1% and 10% between, preferable scope is 3% to 5%.The inversion gradient angle 254 of the inflow end of formation structure 259 and the formation wedge of far-end is identical with the inversion gradient angle 255 that forms structure 259 centers.

Figure 26 A to 26D illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein, root 116 shapes that form wedge 269 are the para-curve 250 that continuous upwards arc protrudes shown in Figure 25 A to 25D, but the formation wedge that wherein, forms structure 269 inflow ends and far-end is inverted the angle of gradient 264 and is inverted the angle of gradient less than the center that forms structure 269 basically.Figure 26 A illustrates break line 263, the cut-off point when the initial top of its formation inversion gradient is level, and Figure 25 A illustrates break line 253, the cut-off point when the initial top of its formation inversion gradient is parabolic arc.

The equation of the viscous force in the glass flows is as follows:

F＝μ*dv/dx＝u*dv/dz*dz/dx (1)

Wherein:

The F=viscous force

μ=absolute viscosity

V=speed

The equation that description power is changed carries out differential:

dF＝μ*d(dv/dx)+(dv/dx)*dμ (2)

During parabolic equation:

z＝k*x ² (3)

Wherein:

The z=Z-axis

The x=transverse axis

The k=rate constant

To the x differentiate:

dz/dx＝2*k*x (4)

Composite equation (1) and (4)

F＝μ*dv/dz*2*k*x (5)

To x differentiate and combination

dF/dx＝2*k*(μ*x*d(dv/dz)/dx+x*(dv/dz)*dμ/dx+μ*dv/dz) (6)

If μ is that constant and dv/dz are very little with respect to x, then

dF/dx≈2*k*μdv/dz (7)

Equation (4) shows that para-curve is constant with respect to the change of shape of x.Equation (7) is controlled temperature distribution (x direction) longitudinally if show us, and then power is essentially constant for the variation of x.Relatively the form of equation (7) and the form of equation (4) as seen use parabolic shape consistent with fluid flow equation.

With reference to Figure 27 A to 27E, according to equation (2) with to the hypothesis of equation (7), it is crucial that the regional inner control glass temperature at formation structure 259 that forms at sheet glass and 269 root 116 places distributes.The variation of glass viscosity (d μ) is the function of the glass temperature at different sites place in the sheet glass that forms.In Figure 25 A and 26A, this is the C.T. at position 251 and 252 places.The process temperature that forms the weir 115 at structure 259 and 269 tops place is higher than the temperature at root 116 places.Figure 39 D illustrates the typical temperature difference of 50 degree Celsius, and it is very typical in the formation structure 9 of prior art shape.The end 256 and 266 that forms structure 259 and 269 extends to correspondingly that to form the zone lower than centre portions 255 and 265, therefore, may stand bigger thermosteresis.From the end 256 and 266 and a large amount of thermosteresis of spilling of centre portions 255 and 265 radiate from forming 113 bottoms, chamber by the opening that the edges 217,273 and 274 in the bottom door 272 provide.(Figure 27 E) in the prior art, these 272 have straight preglabellar field 271, by making the gap 276 between all doors less or bigger, laterally move into and shift out with control radiating thermosteresis.In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, preglabellar field 273 shapes of door are para-curve 273, with control from the end 256 that forms structure 259 and 269 and 266 and centre portions 255 and 265 spill the relatively hot loss that comes.In another preferred embodiment, preglabellar field 274 shapes of door are a series of straight line portioies 274, with control from the end 256 that forms structure 259 and 269 and 266 and centre portions 255 and 265 spill the relatively hot loss that comes.Preglabellar field 273 and 274 correct shape are preferably determined by analysis of Heat Transfer and/or test.

In above paragraph, supposed that the longitudinal temperature distribution at root 250 places should be invariable to obey equation (7).In another preferred embodiment, require the temperature at formation 252 places, plate end to be lower than the temperature that forms 251 places, plate center.Producing longitudinally according to this situation of equation (6), power distributes.

Internal edge 271,273 that the radiation heat loss who spills from the bottom that forms structure 9 for control is definite and 274 shape, be not limited to and have continuous arc parabola shaped 250 formation structure protruding upward, and the needs that can be used for having Any shape are vertically controlled radiation heat loss's formation structure 9.

Reduce air leaking

U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 couplings that mainly depend on careful design and material prevent the crack and the opening of any material.For the operation in initial operation and the manufacturing process process, these cracks and opening are the roots of air leaking.This embodiment of the present invention provides discrete pressure equilibrium technology, like this, even have leakage paths or the leakage paths that grows up when starting in operating process, also has only minimum air can flow through these leakage paths.

Form sheet glass by the bottom pulling glass that forms structure from overflow.The glass of fusing is cooled off and solidified to mode with carefulness control.Optimal cooling phenomenon is radiation, and radiation is cooled off by whole wall thickness of glass basically equably.The cooling of the convection current on cooled glass surface mainly also is a factor.The convection current cooling must accurately be controlled, because when it is excessive, the pulling process is had unsettled influence.Observed wild effect is the periodical change at plate plate thickness during by pulling.This phenomenon is referred to as " vibration " and is a kind of phenomenon that is manifested in actual all glass downdraw process.

The service temperature in the formation zone of " flooding process " is generally 1250 ℃, and is positioned at the chamber roof place that has open bottom, is generally 3 meters height, contains the normal atmosphere of heat.Because roughly 3 meters high temperature airs that column is high are arranged, the normal atmosphere that forms in the plate zone is higher than the pressure that forms the device outside.Therefore, any crack or opening have formed gas channel, and thus, air flows into the interior through chamber of open bottom of chamber, and flows out crack or opening.When this leakage paths reaches such degree, that is, when it increases the convection current cooling widely in the formation zone at root 116 places that form structure 9, will form the periodical change (vibration) of plate thickness.

In order to make air flow through opening, to opposite side pressure reduction must be arranged from a side of opening.Present invention resides in and adjust interior the pressure in each major parts that forms device, approach zero to the pressure reduction that forms the zone so that traverse any leakage paths.Therefore, if an opening be exist or grow up, then since the pressure reduction of forced air flow can be left in the basket, so the very little air leakage will take place or not have air leaking.

Referring now to Figure 28 A to 32B, Figure 28 A and 28B illustrate the cooling of glass glass when melted state carries out the transition to solid state.This process must careful control.This process of cooling originates in the just bottom of the formation device 9 above root 116, in shielded box zone 280, and along with molten glass plate 11 continues by isolating chamber door zone 114, when plate leaves transitional region 281, obtains basically solidifying.The process of cooling of control continues in annealing device and pulling machine zone 282, to discharge the internal stress in the curing glass plate 12.

Four are used for controlling the embodiment that forms chamber pressure reduction and are presented at Figure 29 A to 32B.They are respectively: a) interpolation is flowed and is pressurizeed, and b) stream is flowed out in restriction, c) in the inflow vacuum, and d) be surrounded with pressurised chamber.Any of these control method can be used for control pressure in shielded box zone 280, isolation chamber door zone 114, transitional region 281 or annealing and pulling machine zone 282, require to decide on unique design.Yet important purpose is, the equilibrium separation environment of plant leave the heating region that forms chamber or each side of barrier film of cooled region on pressure.The present invention also is applicable to enforcement " flooding process ", and wherein, the gas in the formation chamber is the gas outside the air, that is, and and nitrogen etc.

Specifically, Figure 29 A and 29B illustrate the embodiment in shielded box zone 280, its demonstration is incorporated into the air 290 in the shielded box heated chamber 131, and air 290 is preferably pre-warmed, so that the pressure in the heated chamber 131 equals the contiguous pressure that forms in the chamber 113.The wall 132 that separates two chambers in the shielded box is configured to polylith usually, therefore, leaks randomly easily.Pressure between two chambers of balance will make leakage flow reduce to minimum.

Figure 30 A and 30B illustrate the embodiment that isolates chamber door zone 114, and it comprises outlet limiting device 300 for withdrawing from each airflow of isolating chamber door 301.The dimensional change of this limiting device is so that the air pressure of isolating in the chamber door chamber 302 keeps equaling the contiguous air pressure that forms in the chamber 303.Flow into the air flowing of isolating in the chamber door 301 by cooling tube 141 and enough overcome any leakage paths usually, therefore,, improved the interior pressure of isolating in the chamber door chamber 302 with respect to the contiguous pressure that forms chamber 303.

With reference to Figure 51,52 and 53, another kind will the leakage from isolation chamber door 301 be reduced to minimum method by any junction or crack, be the refrigerative air mass flow of accurately controlling inflow 511 and flowing out 517 isolation chamber door chambers 302.Figure 51 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and wherein, device 512 controls flow into the cooling air mass flow 511 in the shielded box door chamber 302, and install the cooling air mass flow 512 that shielded box door chamber 302 is flowed out in 516 controls.Flow into to isolate total cooling air mass flow 511 measured and control device 512 adjustings when it flows to indivedual flow conditioner 513 in the chamber door 301, it is proportional to the cooling flow in indivedual cooling tubes 141, U.S. Patent No. 3,682,609 are described this, and this paper quotes it for your guidance.Cooling air withdraws from by a plurality of outlets 514 isolates chamber door 301 and enters in the collector 515 and enter and measure and control device 516, and this is measured and the outflow of control device 516 adjusting cooling air mass flows 517.In this embodiment, flow into the cooling air mass flow 511 of isolating chamber door 301 and be adjusted to identical value, therefore, do not have pure air leaking crack in isolating chamber door 301 and the joint with the cooling air mass flow 512 that flows out isolation chamber door 301.All be sealed if isolate all leakage paths of chamber door 301 outsides, the front 518 that does not then have to leak from isolation chamber door 301 flows in the internal chamber 113 that forms device.Another supplementary features of this embodiment are that total cooling air mass flow is controlled to a steady state value, and this has stablized the power loss of isolating in the chamber door zone 114 again.

In another embodiment, device 512 is measured and is flowed into the cooling air mass flow 511 of isolating in the chamber door 301, measure the cooling air mass flow 517 that flows out isolation chamber door 301 and install 516, and control effusive cooling air mass flow 517, it is equaled by the value of installing the 512 leaked-in air mass flows 511 that record.Set indivedual flow conditioners 513 and can determine cooling air mass flow 511.

In another embodiment, each discrete flow conditioner rises do to be measured and control device 523, thus, observed value and equal to flow into and isolate the interior cooling air mass flow 511 of chamber door 301.Device 516 measure to flow out is isolated the cooling air mass flow 517 of chamber doors 301, and controlled chilling air mass flow 517 makes it equal value by the determined air mass flow 511 of observed value summation of device 523.

Figure 31 A and 31B illustrate the embodiment of transitional region 281, and it has the cooling air 310 that pressure raises, and this cooling air enters cooling chamber 311 and withdraws from 312 and enter in the vacuum source 314 of adjusting from each transitional region 313.The required a large amount of air of transitional region internal cooling promote the pressure in the transition cooling chamber 311 usually, make it be higher than the contiguous pressure that forms chamber 315.Therefore, need vacuum source 314 to reduce pressure, and adjust to the pressure of the pressure equilibriums in the transition cooling chamber 311 in the adjacent formation chamber 315.

Figure 32 A and 32B illustrate an embodiment in annealing device and pulling machine zone 282, and it comprises a pair of pressure equilibrium chamber 320 that is positioned on annealing device and pulling machine 282 each end.Adjust pressure in the balance chamber 321 and make pressure in its chamber 322 that equals to anneal.Select the chamber at every end place, be positioned at the end because be used for the bearing and the adjustment mechanism of pulling roller 111.Another alternate structure can be a single pressure equilibrium chamber 320, and it surrounds whole annealing device and pulling machine 282, or a plurality of discrete pressure equilibrium chamber 320, as long as they are needed when considering special the design.

Control convection current cooling

Back with reference to Figure 51 to 53, by accurately controlling cooling air mass flow 511 that flows in the shielded box door 301 and the cooling air mass flow 517 and 527 that flows out isolation chamber door 301, control the convection current cooling of isolating in the chamber door zone 114.When glass formed plate at root 116 places that form structure 9, the cooling of glass mainly was the radiation to the front surface 518 of isolating the isolation chamber door 301 in the chamber door zone 114.Isolating the temperature of the front surface 518 of chamber door 301 is mainly regulated by total cooling air mass flow 511.If there is air to flow to transitional region 281, compulsory glass convection current cooling is arranged also in isolating chamber door zone 114 then from shielded box chamber 113.

Figure 52 illustrates and isolates chamber door 301, and it has a plurality of vent openings 529 on top surface.These vent openings 529 are led to shielded box chamber 113, to provide air-flow 528 to the forced convection cooling of isolating glass in the chamber door zone 114.Measure the cooling air mass flows 511 that flow in the isolation chamber door 301 and also regulate with indivedual flow conditioners 523, flow conditioner 523 guiding cooling airflows arrive the front surface 518 of isolating chamber door 301.By the measurement and the control device 526 of the effusive cooling air mass flow 527 of a plurality of adjustings, cooling air withdraws from isolates chamber door 301.The convection current refrigerative withdraws from the air mass flow 528 of isolating chamber door and equals to flow into the cooling air mass flow 511 of isolating in the chamber door 301 and flow out poor between the cooling air mass flow 527 of isolating chamber door 301.Convection current refrigerative air mass flow 528 enters shielded box chamber 113 by vent openings 529, withdraw from downwards by isolating chamber door zone 114, thus the molten glass 10 that is forming plate 111 at root 116 places that form structure 9 is provided the forced convection amount of cooling water of control.As previously mentioned herein, over-drastic forced convection amount of cooling water can cause glass flow rate circulation (" vibration "), causes the variation of plate thickness.Another supplementary features of this embodiment are that total cooling air mass flow is controlled to a steady state value, and this has stablized the power loss of isolating in the chamber door zone 114 again.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling air mass flow 511 that flows in the isolation chamber door 301 is measured and regulated to device 512, measure the air mass flow 517 that flows out isolation chamber door 301 and install 516, and control effusive air mass flow 517, make it equal to deduct the value of the cooling air mass flow 528 of needed forced convection by device 512 air mass flows that record 511.

Shielded box chamber 302 and the vent openings 529 that contains between the chamber that plate forms structure 113 must be enough greatly, with the pressure between two chambers of balance basically, like this, there is not air to let out by crack and opening between the glass of the root 116 of shielded box chamber 302 and the clapboard of wandering about as a refugee formation structure 9.

Compensation to the creep of refractory materials Nonlinear thermal

The refractory materials that forms structure 9 and its supporting structure has high compressive strength and low tensile strength.As most of structured material, when being subjected to stress under the high temperature, they also can change shape.The U.S. Patent No. 6 that is entitled as " SAG CONTROL OF ISOPIPES USED IN MAKING SHEETGLASS BY THE FUSION PROCESS (being used for making the sagging control of the isometrical pipe of sheet glass) " from announcement on December 13rd, 2005 by fusion process, 974, recently the data that obtains in 786, defined the thermal creep material behavior of zircon, this paper quotes above-mentioned patent for your guidance.Zircon is the best materials of the structure of structure formation at present.How these thermal creep features are influenced the analysis of manufacturing processed, motivation of the present invention is provided.

The present invention includes minimum embodiment is reduced in the vertical deformation that forms structure, thus, vertical deformation is near zero.This forms higher output and postpones and stops production run for changing the formation structure.

Figure 33 A-33D illustrates the principle part of typical case's " flooding process " manufacturing system.Molten glass 10 flows out from smelting furnace and forehearth, and its necessary basically all even chemical ingredients of temperature is even, and molten glass 10 enters to form device and flow into plate and forms in the structure 9.U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696 and the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 6,748,765,6,889,526,6,895,782,6,990,834 and 6,997,017 and patent application serial number No.11/006,251,11/006,251,11/060,139 and 11/184,212 has described sheet glass in detail forms device, and it is the formation structure 9 of wedge shape that this sheet glass forms device.This paper quotes these patents and patent application for your guidance.Basically the weir 115 of the straight grade that parallels with wedge 116 most advanced and sophisticated edges has formed each sidepiece of the groove 129 in the structure 9.The sidepiece 118 of bottom land 117 and groove 129 forms certain profile, provides uniform glass distribution with the top to each side weir 115.Then, glass flows on the top of each side weir 115, and each sidepiece that forms structure 9 along wedge shape is downward, is connected root 116 and formation molten glass plate.Then, be cooled and form the uniform curing glass plate 11 of thickness basically when molten glass molten glass when root 116 is pulled out.

The useful width 331 that forms plate 11 is forming on 70% the magnitude of structure 9 roots 116 longitudinal lengths, and this useful width 331 is formed by the glass that overflows weir 115 region intermediates 337.Formed the useless end 334 and 335 of sheet glass at the inlet end zone 336 that forms structure 9 and glass that remote area 338 overflows.Therefore, the most important thing is that the region intermediate 337 that forms structure 9 remains uniform shape in the Production Flow Chart process, so that the thickness in the hermetic unit of plate is constant thickness.

Figure 34 A to 34D forms structure 9 typical effect of thermal creep in shape when illustrating near the bottom of the formation structure 9 different force of compression are applied to root 116.Figure 34 A shows not have under the compressive load situation, and it is sagging in the centre to form structure 9, makes 115 tops, weir and root 116 existing curved 171, and bottom land 117 curvature 171 change.This curvature 171 causes molten glass 10 no longer to flow with invariable thickness 172 above weir 115.Specifically, curvature 171 allows more glass, and 115 region intermediate 337 overflows on the weir, causes the distribution of uneven plate thickness.Form structure 9 and have with dashed lines 344 and 349 initial lengths 346 that limit.Do not having under the situation of external load, weir 115 shortens gradually and root 116 is elongated gradually.Forming structure 9 length at neutral axis 341 places does not change.Neutral axis 341 as used herein has defined the horizontal plane that forms in the structure, wherein, when forming structure 9 and do not having under the external force situation to be out of shape because of himself action of gravity, does not have linear deformation in this horizontal plane.Neutral axis 341 as used herein is also distinguished between the top and bottom that forms structure 9; The top or the top that form structure 9 are vertically to be positioned at neutral axis 341 tops, and bottom or bottom are vertically to be positioned at neutral axis 341 belows.

It is sagging for minimum that optimal compression load 345 effects that Figure 34 B is illustrated near formation structure 9 bottoms the root 116 form structure down.Under optimal load, weir 115 and root 116 all are out of shape (shortening) to roughly the same length 347.Figure 34 C shows, if too many load 342 is applied near the bottom of the formation structure 9 the root 116, then root 116 is exceedingly compressed, and therefore forms towards groove weir 115, the shape protruding upward 342 of trench bottom 117 and root 116.Root 116 is out of shape severely more than weir 115, and this can be from finding out with respect to relatively moving of dotted line 344 and 349.The effect of Figure 34 A to 34C representative thermal creep in the same time period.Figure 34 D shows the formation structure 9 that is deformed to length 348 with aximal deformation value more.In than the long time of Production Flow Chart, apply the distortion that correct load 345 causes this increase.Refer back to Figure 33, the distortion of this increase has disadvantageous effect to the useful width of making 331 of plate, because useful plate width 331 is the functions that form structure region intermediate 337 width.The linear deformation on region intermediate 337 tops must be substantially equal to the region intermediate linear deformation at 337 ends, so that region intermediate keeps its shape, therefore forms the useful width 331 of the manufacturing plate 11 of uniform thickness.In the time period that prolongs, the distortion of this increase finally can cause the termination of Production Flow Chart, because useful plate width 331 is not enough.

The present invention recognizes the height nonlinear characteristic that is used to construct the refractory materials thermal creep that forms structure.This preferred refractory materials that is used to form structure is a zircon, and is used to form the refractory materials of structure in the past such as such other material of aluminum oxide.Figure 35 is the graphic representation as the zircon thermal creep coefficient of pressure and temperature function, and it is by U.S. Patent No. 6,974, and data define in 786.Known to the inventor, in general document, can not get this data.Data among Figure 35 are from U.S. Patent No. 6,974, derive among Fig. 2 B, 3A in 786 and the 3B.Because the raw data non-availability, so the match of the judgement of representative of the curve of Figure 35 and data, therefore, precision can only be enough to representative trend rather than absolute precision.Need carry out extrapolation to obtain being indicated prophesy in the stress range to data for the thermal creep coefficient by model.

Figure 36 and 37 illustrates the thermo-creep deformation by the prior art prophesy, and the determined creep strain of the present invention is presented in Figure 40 and 41.These figure are results of finite element analysis (FEA) model of various various boundary and material behavior, and to represent the manufacturing cycle of scale-up factor 10 be the thermo-creep deformation of the expectation in 2 years.As hereinafter discussing, the variable of being considered in the analysis comprises loading, density and the thermal creep coefficient/Young's modulus of bulk shape, power, but is not weight of glass.

Software is used for finite element analysis.

The FEA grid that forms structure is presented among Figure 39 A and the 39B.Form structure and vertically be bearing in first end 391 and second end 392 respectively.Form structure and longitudinally constrain in 393.Figure 39 B shows half model of employing, owing to present symmetry in vertical surface 394.Power is shown as zone 395 with the zone that uniform pressure is applied to first end and second end in Figure 39 A and 39C.

The formation structure 9 of model is 2.00 meters for forming structure root length.The last size of refractory materials piece to be analyzed is 2.20 meters and takes advantage of 0.66 meter high to take advantage of 0.20 meter wide.Glass mobile trench bottom therein is level, and the gradient that forms weir, structural top place is negative 5.73 degree.Angle at the bottom of the root is 33.4 degree.Known to the applicant, used size is not accurately to represent the employed physical size of any special manufacturers of using flooding process; Yet these sizes are typical sizes that those skilled in the art may select.

In forming structure and form on the structure mobile glass weight and be not included in the total load as its part.It is minimum for the influence of distortion amplitude that glass weight is included, and can ignore the effect of deformed shape.Glass weight included require to be applied to the power that forms on the bottom, structure end and become big pro rata according to glass weight.To adopt the density of material that forms structure 9 be 4000kg/m ³

The thermal creep coefficients that are used for Figure 36,37 and 38 calculating are according to the 250psi of Figure 35 and 1215 ℃ condition.Linear stress finite element analysis program is used to simulate thermal creep, and the thermal creep coefficient multiply by the inverse that the timed interval is similar to Young's modulus.Employed thermal creep coefficient value is 2e-8in/in/hr/psi.The Young's modulus that is used to simulate thermal creep is 11.4e6psi.Figure 36,37,38,40 and 41 result amplify 40000 times, show 10 times the distortion that takes place after 2 years.For Figure 36, the power that is applied to first end and the second end bottom is 0 (zero) lb, is 2250lb for Figure 37, and is 3195lb for Figure 38.

Figure 36,37,38,40 and 41 is graphic results of FEA.Use Figure 36 as an example, the shape that forms the shadow image 361 of structure show for the specific border condition for formation structure that Figure 36 did to calculate with respect to the not distortion of warp mesh 362.Shade is corresponding to meridional stress tensor X-X, and its numerical values recited defines in the legend of the corresponding diagram upper right corner.

Figure 36,37 and 38 is to use the result of linear FEA to the thermal creep of the prophesy of this final condition work.The shade representative negative 450000 of profile is to positive 450000 Newton/meter ²The value of the meridional stress tensor of scale.

The shape representative of the shadow image 361 among Figure 36 is used linear FEA and is not used 10 times the thermal creep of compressive load indication after 2 years if form the structure bottom.The shape representative of the shadow image 371 among Figure 37 is used linear FEA if 10 times the thermal creep of compressive load indication after 2 years used in the formation structure bottom of U.S. Patent No. 3,519,411.The shape representative of the shadow image 381 among Figure 38 uses 10 times the thermal creep of linear FEA indication after 2 years to obtain to form in the region intermediate 387 the straight basically shape at structure 9 tops.Notice that region intermediate 387 (among Figure 38 form structure 387) has straight basically shape, and inlet end zone 386 and remote area 388 are arcs slightly protruding upward.Keep above the weir 115 of this shape in region intermediate 387 evenly flowing, above end regions 386 and 388 weirs, keep flowing of variation.Formed plate has constant thickness in the middle portion of sealing, but thickness is different with shape in no end.Preferably, be substantially equal to form distortion or strain in the structure 9 bottom region intermediates, obtain to form the straight shape of the middle portion at structure 9 tops thus by making the distortion that forms in the structure 9 top region intermediates or strain.

The stress-strain model that forms structure is the short beam model.Stress distributes, and it can not be determined with the plain mode of the stress-strain model of long beam, because short beam has tangible more end effect than long beam.Vertically but force of compression is applied to the position 384 and 385 places that form in the structure 9 bottom image patterns 38 and forms stress raisers.These special stress concentration are positioned at the place, application point of vertical force of compression.

The thermo-creep deformation (thermal creep strain) that stress and formation structure generate is caused by gravity, and described gravity forms shearing and moment of flexure in forming structure.Vertical shear is caused at each end by forming structure support, and bigger at end regions 386 and 388 places.Moment of flexure is in the region intermediate maximum that forms structure.Moment of flexure forms main distortion; Yet shearing and moment of flexure must take in analysis.Finite element analysis (FEM) is the preferred technique that design forms the structure compressive load.

Form structural shape for some, the specific combination of shearing and moment of flexure can be implemented U.S. Patent Application Serial Number No.11/184 ideally, 212 stage compression power technology.

Figure 39 D illustrates and forms the temperature distribution that structure presents in the nonlinear model.The top is 50 ℃ with the temperature difference at the end.The temperature that is adopted may be represented the actual temperature difference that any particular manufacturer experienced of using flooding process in out of true ground; Yet this temperature difference is the selected typical temperature difference of those skilled in the art.

Figure 40 and 41 illustrates the thermal creep of being foretold by the change material characteristic among the linear stress FEA that simulates the Nonlinear thermal creep.The shade representative negative 1250000 of profile is to positive 250000 Newton/meter ²The value of the meridional stress tensor of scale.

The shape representative of the shadow image 401 among Figure 40 is used non-linear FEA if 10 times the thermal creep of compressive load indication after 2 years used in the formation structure bottom of Figure 38.This is the nonlinear analysis that Figure 38 structure loads.

The shape of the shadow image 411 among Figure 41 is nonlinear analyses, the hot sagging situation that its prophesy is minimum.The power of zero vertical deformation basically that forms the structure prophesy is 6, and 075lbs is with respect to the power 3 of linear analysis prophesy shown in Figure 38,195lbs.Produce the stable power 6 that forms structure 9 shapes, 075lbs almost is 2, three times of 250lbs power, and according to U.S. Patent No. 3,519,411 claim, linear analysis requires to produce zero longitudinal tension force in forming structure 9.Notice that the region intermediate 417 that forms structure among Figure 41 has straight basically shape, and inlet end zone 416 and remote area 418 are arcs slightly protruding upward.Keep above the weir 115 of this shape in region intermediate 417 evenly flowing, above end regions 416 and 418 weirs, keep flowing of variation.Formed plate has constant thickness in the middle portion of sealing, but thickness is different with shape in no end.Because the Nonlinear thermal creep properties of zircon refractory material, by making stress under compression in the region intermediate that forms structure 9 bottoms or bottom, can obtain to form the straight shape of the middle portion at structure 9 tops basically greater than the stress under compression in the region intermediate that forms structure 9 tops or top.These stress levels produce linear deformation or the strain that equates in the top of region intermediate 417 and bottom.Formation structure 9 bottoms are applied vertical force of compression can form stress raisers at position such as the zone in Figure 41 414 and 415.

Linear deformation 413 on the nonlinear analysis indication 16mm magnitude is because produce the compressive load that stable formation structure 9 shapes need improve.The load (U.S. Patent No. 6,889,526) of linear analysis that is applied to Figure 38 of nonlinear analysis has produced linear deformation or the strain 403 on the 8mm magnitude, as shown in figure 40.If the width 331 of useful plate 11 is crucial and the design's width 346 has nargin, the initial length 346 that forms structure 9 so can be done longly to compensate the distortion of this increase.

The nonlinear analysis here is the simplified example to the nonlinear analysis of known generating structure enforcement.Grid is quite thick, and the thermal creep coefficient value is an iteration vertically.Also have, can obtain than the FEA program that employed program is more complicated here, its automatically iteration as the thermal creep coefficient of stress and temperature function.

Scan U.S. Patent No. 6,974,786 data demonstrate the wide variation among a plurality of specimen test results under same test conditions.This changing unit ground is testing error; Yet different batches zircon refractory materials have very big variation probability for temperature and stress aspect the numerical value of thermal creep characteristic and the slope.Therefore, the formation structure with different batch of material manufacturings has different thermal creep characteristics.Analysis described here can use the mean value of thermal creep characteristic to implement to form structure 9 designs; Yet indivedual distortion that form structure 9 may be different from the distortion of prophesy in the production environment.In order to correct this kind variation in the distortion, can adopt patent application serial number No.11/184,212 feedback control strategy, this paper are quoted this patent for your guidance.

In one embodiment, the compression-loaded that forms structure can be by the mode (U.S. Patent No. 3 of the prior art of Cortright, 519,411) implement, wherein, stationary positioned by at one end adjust bolt 424 and at the other end place by effective horizontal load 426 application of forces, can constrain in longitudinal direction 175 with forming structure 9.Device among this embodiment is presented among Figure 42 A to 42D, but the power 426 that applies is much larger than the power of Cortright regulation.In the application of this embodiment, adjust screw 424 and adjust termly load being remained on, on the 834 desired sizes as U.S. Patent No. 6,990.

In other embodiments, shown in Figure 43 and 44, power 426 and 436 is applied to U.S. Patent No. 6,990 as useful load, each end of 834 formation structure, and this paper quotes this patent for your guidance.

In another embodiment, as shown in figure 45, the 3rd useful load 457 is induced the far-end of present formation structure, enters U.S. Patent No. 6,990, the hydrostatic pressure of the glass 429 of 834 formation structure to provide sealing force to overcome.In this embodiment, force of compression 436 and 456 has equal size, but direction is opposite.

Key concept of the present invention is that the end that forms structure is applied the stress that power and/or moment cause with balancing gravity, therefore in fact eliminated the effect on the molten glass stream that thermal creep causes.

Although described the present invention with reference to various embodiment, should be realized that the present invention can also be further used for various other embodiment.

Therefore, should be understood that embodiments of the invention described here just illustrate the application of the principles of the present invention.The details of the illustrated embodiment of institute's reference here is not intended to limit the scope of claims, and these features that claims itself are enumerated are counted as elite of the present invention place.

Claims (44)

1. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, and the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, when molten glass overflows the described sidepiece of described groove, form the described of structure along described clapboard and flow downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

A) at least one inlet end compressed block, described inlet end compressed block is positioned at the inlet end of described formation structure, and wherein, described inlet end compressed block is positioned at the place, bottom of described formation structure;

B) at least one far-end compressed block, described far-end compressed block are positioned at an end relative with described inlet end compressed block of described formation structure, and wherein, described far-end compressed block is positioned at the place, described bottom of described formation structure;

C) inlet end applicator, wherein, described inlet end applicator is applied to described inlet end compressed block with power, so that the described inlet end bottom of described formation structure is out of shape along the longitudinal direction by thermal creep; And

D) the first far-end applicator, wherein, the described first far-end applicator is applied to described far-end compressed block with power, so that the described far-end bottom of described formation structure is out of shape along the longitudinal direction by thermal creep;

Wherein, described applicator is applied to corresponding compressed block along relative longitudinal direction with power, so that the compression of the described bottom of described formation structure is significantly greater than the top of described formation structure, like this, there is bigger heat resistanceheat resistant creep ability the described bottom of described formation structure than the described top of described formation structure, and the distortion size that the described bottom of described formation structure is caused by thermal creep along the longitudinal direction is identical with the described described top that forms structure;

Like this, any distortion of the described shaped structure that is caused by thermal creep has minimum influence for the variation in thickness of described sheet glass.

2. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, when region intermediate was measured, the stress under compression in the described bottom of described formation structure was between 1.25 and 4 times of stress under compression in the described top of described formation structure.

3. device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, when described region intermediate was measured, the stress under compression in the described bottom of described formation structure was between 1.75 and 2.5 times of stress under compression in the described top of described formation structure.

4. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described inlet end applicator is that inlet end is adjusted screw.

5. device as claimed in claim 4, it is characterized in that, adjust described inlet end termly and adjust screw to keep being applied to the power of described inlet end compressed block, so that edge, the bottom of the described inlet end of the described formation structure longitudinal direction opposite with the distortion at the place, bottom of the described far-end of described formation structure is out of shape by thermal creep.

6. device as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, when region intermediate was measured, the stress under compression in the described bottom of described formation structure was between 1.25 and 4 times of stress under compression in the described top of described formation structure.

7. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, when described region intermediate was measured, the stress under compression in the described bottom of described formation structure was between 1.75 and 2.5 times of stress under compression in the described top of described formation structure.

8. device as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the described first far-end applicator is selected from following: operating motor, adjustment spring, cylinder, hydro-cylinder, electric motor and gravity and lever system.

9. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described inlet end applicator is selected from following: operating motor, adjustment spring, cylinder, hydro-cylinder, electric motor and gravity and lever system.

10. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the described first far-end applicator is selected from following: operating motor, adjustment spring, cylinder, hydro-cylinder, electric motor and gravity and lever system.

11. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described inlet end compressed block supports described groove.

12. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described far-end compressed block supports described groove.

13. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise the second far-end applicator, wherein, the described second far-end applicator applies power to the top of the described far-end of described formation structure, comes balance to flow into the hydraulic pressure of the glass in the described formation structure to produce sealing force.

14. device as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, the described second far-end applicator is selected from following: operating motor, adjustment screw, adjustment spring, cylinder, hydro-cylinder, electric motor and gravity and lever system.

15. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

A) at least one inlet end compressed block, described inlet end compressed block is positioned at the inlet end of described formation structure; And

B) at least one far-end compressed block, described far-end compressed block are positioned at an end relative with described inlet end compressed block of described formation structure;

Wherein, the shape of described inlet end compressed block and the described far-end compressed block power in the described formation structure that is suitable for distributing, action of gravity with the described formation structure of balance, like this, the power that applies makes the interior refractory materials of region intermediate of described formation structure stand the thermo compression strain that equates basically in a longitudinal direction to the bottom of described region intermediate from the top of described region intermediate, thereby therefore the action of gravity of described formation structure of balance and described molten glass basically reduces the sagging of described region intermediate.

16. device as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described inlet end compressed block supports described groove.

17. device as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described far-end compressed block supports described groove.

18. a method that reduces to form the sagging rate of groove, described formation groove have longitudinal axis, region intermediate, first end and with the described first end second opposed end, described method comprises:

A) described formation structure is fixed on the bottom of described first end; And

B) bottom to described second end applies power, so that all material in the region intermediate of described formation structure stands the distribution of such power, the distribution of this power produces the thermo compression strain that equates basically along the longitudinal direction from the top to the bottom, in described formation structure, to form the distribution of such power, the distribution of this power is the action of gravity of the described formation structure of balance and described molten glass basically, therefore, reduce the sagging of described region intermediate.

19. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, also is included in the step that described formation structure is supported at described first end and the described second end place.

20. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

A) at least one inlet end compressed block, described inlet end compressed block is positioned at the inlet end of described formation structure; And

B) at least one far-end compressed block, described far-end compressed block are positioned at an end relative with described inlet end compressed block of described formation structure;

Wherein, the shape of described inlet end compressed block and the described far-end compressed block power in the described formation structure that is suitable for distributing, action of gravity with the described formation structure of balance, like this, the power that applies forms force of compression in described formation structural base, longitudinal center place in described formation structure is measured, and the described force of compression at described formation structural base place is equal to or greater than the force of compression at described formation structural top place; Like this, any distortion of the described formation structure that causes because of thermal creep has minimum influence to the variation in thickness of described sheet glass.

21. device as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, the described power that applies is in the required power of compressed state greater than the bottom that makes described formation structure.

22. a method that reduces to form the sagging rate of structure, described formation structure have longitudinal axis, region intermediate, first end and with the described first end second opposed end, described method comprises:

A) in the described formation structure of the lower constraint of described first end; And

B) bottom to described second end applies power, make when measuring at the longitudinal center of described formation structure place, the force of compression that records at described formation structural base place is more than or equal to the force of compression that records at described formation structural top place, in described formation structure, to form the distribution of such power, the distribution of described power is the action of gravity of the described formation structure of balance and described molten glass basically, therefore, reduce the sagging of described region intermediate.

23. method as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, also is included in the step that described formation structure is supported at described first end and the described second end place.

24. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

The bottom of described clapboard formation structure has the continuous parabolical arc along direction protruding upward, so that the described plate that is formed by described device is flat.

25. device as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, the inversion gradient that described wedge shape forms structure keeps constant angle with respect to vertical direction.

26. device as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, the inversion gradient that described wedge shape forms structure has less angle than the center that forms structure in described wedge shape with respect to vertical direction at inlet end and far-end.

27. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

The bottom opening that contains the chamber of described device has the width that changes along the longitudinal direction, so that vertically the radiation heat loss's who spills from the described chamber that contains described device size is controlled to different value along described longitudinal direction.

28. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the inflow pipe that is used for handling molten glass, the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

Downtake is connected to an end of the described inflow pipe relative with described groove, and wherein, the bottom of described downtake is positioned at the glass free surface or the lower face of described inflow pipe, and described downtake and described inflow pipe have a size and dimension; And

At least one well heater adds in the described free surface zone, maintains the temperature that is higher than the glass metal phase line with the glass temperature with described free surface place.

29. device as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, described well heater prevents to form glass and loses glossy homogeneity defective.

30. device as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, described well heater is the part of described downtake bottom.

31. device as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, described well heater is the part at described inflow pipe top.

32. device as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, comprises that also at least one centers on the sealing block of described downtake, wherein, described well heater is the part of described sealing block.

33. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the inflow pipe that is used for handling molten glass, the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

Downtake is connected to an end of the described inflow pipe relative with described groove, and wherein, the bottom of described downtake is positioned at the glass free surface of described inflow pipe, and described downtake and described inflow pipe have a size and dimension; And

At least one well heater adds in the described free surface zone, maintains the temperature that is higher than the glass metal phase line with the glass temperature with described free surface place.

34. device as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, described well heater prevents to form glass and loses glossy homogeneity defective.

35. device as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, described well heater is the part of described downtake bottom.

36. device as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, described well heater is the part at described inflow pipe top.

37. device as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, comprises that also at least one centers on the sealing block of described downtake, wherein, described well heater is the part of described sealing block.

38. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the inflow pipe that is used for handling molten glass, the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

Downtake is connected to an end of the described inflow pipe relative with described groove, and wherein, in the junction of described downtake and described inflow pipe, tapered section is attached in the described inflow pipe at the vertical position place on glass free surface.

39. device as claimed in claim 38 is characterized in that, the folded half-angle of described tapered section is between 10 and 50 degree, and the summit of described tapered section is above described tapered section.

40. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

A) at least one flows into flow measuring apparatus, and described inflow flow measuring apparatus is measured and flowed into the air mass flow of isolating in the chamber door chamber; And

B) at least one flows out flow measuring apparatus, and described outflow flow measuring apparatus is measured the air mass flow that flows out described isolation chamber door chamber;

Wherein, described outflow flow measuring apparatus is regulated the cooling air that flows out described isolation chamber door chamber, make it equal to flow into the interior observed value of described isolation chamber door chamber, so, do not have air by described isolation chamber door chamber with flow out crack and the opening that described clapboard forms between the glass of structural base and let out.

41. device as claimed in claim 40 is characterized in that, the cooling air that described inflow flow measuring apparatus will flow in the described isolation chamber door chamber is adjusted to steady state value, so that the power loss of isolating in the chamber door zone is constant.

42. modifying device that is used to form sheet glass, wherein, described device comprises the groove that is used to admit molten glass, the plate that described groove has the wedge shape of being attached to forms structural sidepiece, described plate form structure have be focused at described wedge bottom to the descending slope sidepiece, like this, overflow the described sidepiece of described groove when molten glass, forming the described of structure along described clapboard flows downward to the descending slope sidepiece, meet when the described bottom of described wedge, form sheet glass, wherein, improvements comprise:

A) at least one flows into flow measuring apparatus, and described inflow flow measuring apparatus is measured and flowed into the air mass flow of isolating in the chamber door chamber;

B) at least one flows out flow measuring apparatus, and described outflow flow measuring apparatus is measured the air mass flow that flows out described isolation chamber door chamber;

C) at least one is positioned at the vent openings of described isolation chamber door chamber roof, and described vent openings allows air at described isolation chamber door chamber with comprise between the chamber that described plate forms structure and flow;

Wherein, described outflow flow measuring apparatus is regulated the cooling air that flows out described isolation chamber door chamber, makes it equal to flow into observed value in the described isolation chamber door chamber and deducts cooling and flow out the amount that described clapboard forms the air mass flow of the required forced convection of the glass of structural base.

43. device as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, the cooling air that described inflow flow measuring apparatus will flow in the described isolation chamber door chamber is adjusted to steady state value, so that the power loss of isolating in the chamber door zone is constant.

44. device as claimed in claim 42, it is characterized in that, described isolation chamber door chamber and the described vent openings that contains between the described chamber that described plate forms structure are enough big, so that balance described isolation chamber door chamber and contain pressure between the described chamber that described plate forms structure basically, like this, there is not air by described isolation chamber door chamber with flow out crack and the opening that described clapboard forms between the glass of structural base and let out.

45. device as claimed in claim 43, it is characterized in that, described isolation chamber door chamber and the described vent openings that contains between the described chamber that described plate forms structure are enough big, so that balance described isolation chamber door chamber and contain pressure between the described chamber that described plate forms structure basically, like this, there is not air by described isolation chamber door chamber with flow out crack and the opening that described clapboard forms between the glass of structural base and let out.

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