CN111511694A

CN111511694A - Glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: CN111511694A
Application number: CN201880083378.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 韩胜一; 金义皓
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2017-12-08
Filing date: 2018-12-06
Publication date: 2020-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-06
Also published as: TW201925106A; KR102417853B1; TWI794353B; CN111511694B; KR20190068311A; WO2019113287A1; JP7286647B2; JP2021505520A

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a melting vessel within which batch material is melted into molten glass, a purge vessel to condition the molten glass, a connecting tube having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the melting vessel and the second end is in fluid communication with the purge vessel, and a flange connected to the connecting tube, wherein the flange is connected to a power source and configured to apply an electric current to the connecting tube to heat the connecting tube, wherein the connecting tube extends linearly from the first end to the second end.

Description

Glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method

Technical Field

The priority of korean patent application No. 10-2017-.

The present invention relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus and a glass manufacturing method, and more particularly, to a glass manufacturing apparatus and a glass manufacturing method capable of preventing damage due to high-temperature molten glass.

Background

Molten glass is produced by melting batch materials corresponding to raw materials and is subjected to processing, such as refining, stirring, and molding, to produce a glass product. To process the molten glass, the molten glass is heated to an elevated temperature and conveyed to the equipment of each process. Therefore, there is a need for a glass manufacturing apparatus that can process and convey molten glass while preventing damage due to high-temperature molten glass.

Disclosure of Invention

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a melting vessel within which batch material is melted into molten glass, a purge vessel to condition the molten glass, a connecting tube having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the melting vessel and the second end is in fluid communication with the purge vessel, and a flange connected to the connecting tube, wherein the flange is connected to a power source and configured to apply an electric current to the connecting tube to heat the connecting tube, wherein the connecting tube extends linearly from the first end to the second end.

According to one or more embodiments, the connecting tube may have a single-piece structure.

According to one or more embodiments, the connecting tube has an upward inclination from the first end to the second end.

According to one or more embodiments, the connecting tube has an inlet into which the molten glass flows, and an outlet from which the molten glass is discharged. A cross section of the connection pipe perpendicular to an extending direction of the connection pipe may have a circular shape with a fixed diameter between the inlet and the outlet, and the outlet may have an elliptical cross section.

According to one or more embodiments, the flange may comprise a first flange adjacent the first end, and a second flange adjacent the second end.

According to one or more embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a support structure for supporting the connection pipe.

According to one or more embodiments, the support structure may comprise a bracket surrounding at least a portion of the connecting tube.

According to one or more embodiments, the bracket extends linearly along the extending direction of the connecting tube.

According to one or more embodiments, the bracket may have a single-piece structure.

According to one or more embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises a cushion layer disposed between the bracket and an outer surface of the connecting tube.

According to one or more embodiments, the connecting tube comprises at least one of platinum and alloys thereof.

According to one or more embodiments, the connecting tube has a diameter that gradually increases towards the second end.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a connecting tube extending between a melting vessel and a purge vessel to deliver molten glass within the melting vessel to the purge vessel and configured to heat the molten glass passing through the connecting tube, wherein the connecting tube extends linearly from an inlet into which the molten glass from the melting vessel flows to an outlet from which the molten glass is discharged to the purge vessel, and wherein each of the inlet and the outlet has an elliptical cross-section.

According to one or more embodiments, the outlet is located at a higher level than the inlet.

According to one or more embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a flange connected to the connecting tube, and a power source connected to the flange, and the glass manufacturing apparatus may be configured to apply a current from the power source to the connecting tube via the flange to heat the molten glass passing through the connecting tube.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a bracket surrounding at least a portion of the connecting tube, and a cushion layer disposed between an outer surface of the connecting tube and the bracket and surrounding the connecting tube.

According to one or more embodiments, the bracket may extend linearly along the connecting tube and may have a single-piece structure.

According to one or more embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the outlet may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the connection pipe perpendicular to the extension direction of the connection pipe.

According to one or more embodiments, the outlet may have a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the inlet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a glass-separation manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming molten glass by melting batch material within a melting vessel, flowing the molten glass from the melting vessel to a purge vessel via a connecting tube, and conditioning the molten glass by heating the molten glass passing through the purge vessel, wherein, in the step of flowing the molten glass, the molten glass flows along the connecting tube that extends linearly from a first end of the connecting tube connected to the melting vessel to a second end of the connecting tube connected to the purge vessel, and applying an electric current to the connecting tube such that the molten glass flowing along the connecting tube is heated.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of portion II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connecting tube and flange of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including a support structure (which includes a bracket) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view including a connecting tube according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of bubbles as molten glass flows through a connecting tube according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of bubbles when molten glass flows through the connecting tube according to the comparative example;

fig. 8A is a sectional view illustrating an amount of heat generated from a connection pipe heated via a flange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8B is a sectional view showing the amount of heat generated from a connection pipe heated via a flange according to a comparative example;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a glass manufacturing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The present subject matter may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited by the relative sizes or spacings as illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Although terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various components, the components are not limited to the above terms. The above terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first component may represent a second component, or a second component may represent a first component without conflict.

The terminology used herein in the various exemplary embodiments is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and is not to be construed as limiting various other embodiments. Unless otherwise defined in context, singular meanings include plural meanings. The terms "comprises" or "comprising," as used herein in various exemplary embodiments, may indicate the presence of the corresponding function, operation, or component and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an embodiment can be implemented in different ways, the order of certain processes can be changed from the order described. For example, two processes described in succession may be executed substantially concurrently or in the reverse order from that described.

For example, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The term "and/or," as used herein, includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a glass manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, a glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a melting vessel 110, a purge vessel 120, and a connecting tube 130.

The melting vessel 110 may be configured to contain Molten Glass (MG) produced by melting batch materials corresponding to the raw materials. Batch material may be introduced into the melting vessel 110 through an inlet in the wall of the melting vessel 110 in the direction of arrow a 1. The melting vessel 110 will produce Molten Glass (MG) by melting batch materials. In some embodiments, a scavenger, such as tin oxide, may be added to the batch.

The purge vessel 120 is located downstream of the melting vessel 110 and purges Molten Glass (MG) supplied from the melting vessel 110. Molten Glass (MG) is conditioned in the fining vessel 120. That is, purge vessel 120 heats and conditions the Molten Glass (MG), including removing bubbles (i.e., gaseous inclusions) from the Molten Glass (MG) as the Molten Glass (MG) passes through purge vessel 120. Specifically, the purge vessel 120 heats the Molten Glass (MG), and the purge agent contained in the Molten Glass (MG) generates oxygen due to a reduction reaction. Bubbles contained in the Molten Glass (MG), for example, bubbles containing oxygen, carbon dioxide, and/or sulfur dioxide, combine with oxygen generated due to the reduction reaction of the purifying agent to increase the volume. The generated bubbles float to the free surface of the Molten Glass (MG) in the purge vessel 120, and leave the Molten Glass (MG) at the free surface. The bubbles can be discharged out of the purge vessel 120 through the gas phase space located at the upper portion of the purge vessel 120.

The connection pipe 130 interconnects the melting vessel 110 and the purge vessel 120. The connection pipe 130 provides a passage through which Molten Glass (MG) flows and delivers the Molten Glass (MG) contained in the melting vessel 110 to the purge vessel 120. That is, the Molten Glass (MG) contained in the melting vessel 110 flows from the melting vessel 110 to the purge vessel 120 in the arrow directions a2, a3, and a4 along the connecting pipe 130.

The connection tube 130 may include a material having conductivity and may be used under high temperature conditions. In some exemplary embodiments, the connecting tube 130 may be made of a platinum-containing metal, such as platinum, platinum-rhodium, platinum-iridium, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the connection tube 130 may include a heat-resistant metal, such as molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, ruthenium, osmium, zirconium, or alloys thereof, and/or zirconium dioxide.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 is configured to heat the Molten Glass (MG) passing through the connecting pipe 130 in such a manner that the Molten Glass (MG) is kept above a predetermined temperature (i.e., the Molten Glass (MG) is prevented from cooling below the predetermined temperature) until the Molten Glass (MG) reaches the purge vessel 120. For example, cooling of the Molten Glass (MG) can be prevented by supplying heat to the Molten Glass (MG) greater than heat loss due to conduction and convection of heat of the Molten Glass (MG) flowing through the connecting pipe 130. For example, when the batch material is heated to a temperature to produce Molten Glass (MG) in melting vessel 110 at a first temperature and the Molten Glass (MG) is heated to a temperature to purify the Molten Glass (MG) in purge vessel 120 at a second temperature, the molten glass MG passing through connecting tube 130 is heated to a temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may be configured to directly heat Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connecting tube 130. In particular, the connecting tube 130 is configured to be heated by an electric current flowing through the wall of the connecting tube 130. Since the connection pipe 130 is heated by the current, the Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connection pipe 130 is heated. For example, when the connection tube 130 includes platinum, the connection tube 130 may be referred to as a Direct Heating Platinum System (DHPS).

In some embodiments, to apply current to the Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connecting tube 130, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a flange 140 connected to the connecting tube 130, and a power source 141 electrically connected to the flange 140 via a cable 143. The power supply 141 may generate Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). A plurality of flanges 140 may be provided. For example, two flanges 140 may be provided at both ends of the connection pipe 130.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part II of fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connection pipe 130 and the flange 140 of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the connection pipe 130 may have a linear pipe shape. Herein, the fact that the connection pipe 130 has a linear pipe shape means that the connection pipe 130 linearly extends in a direction and does not include a bent or curved portion along its length.

That is, the connection pipe 130 may linearly extend from a first end 130e1 of the connection pipe 130 to a second end 130e2 of the connection pipe 130, the first end 130e1 being connected to the melting vessel 110, the second end 130e2 being connected to the purge vessel 120 and being opposite to the first end 130e 1. First end 130e1 is in fluid communication with melting vessel 110, and second end 130e2 is in fluid communication with purge vessel 120. In other words, the connection pipe 130 linearly extends from an inlet 130i of the connection pipe 130 to an outlet 130o of the connection pipe 130, the inlet 130i allowing the Molten Glass (MG) from the melting vessel 110 to flow in, and the outlet 130o discharging the Molten Glass (MG) to the purge vessel 120.

Since the connection pipe 130 has a linear pipe shape, the connection pipe 130 may have a single-piece structure. In this context, a single piece refers to a structure configured as one piece, rather than using a device such as a coupler.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the connection pipe 130 linearly extends, stagnation of bubbles contained in the Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connection pipe 130 can be avoided, and damage to the connection pipe 130 due to heat concentration can be avoided. The above-described effects will be described in detail with reference to fig. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B as follows.

The connection pipe 130 has an inclination and guides the Molten Glass (MG) from the inlet 130i to the outlet 130o, the outlet 130o being located at a higher layer than the inlet 130 i. That is, the connection pipe 130 may be inclined at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to an arbitrary reference surface (e.g., X-Y plane) perpendicular to the gravity direction (e.g., opposite to the Z direction). In other words, the connection pipe 130 extends linearly such that the central axis ax of the connection pipe 130 is inclined at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the reference surface.

The cross-section of the connection pipe 130 perpendicular to the extending direction of the connection pipe 130 (i.e., the central axis ax) may, for example, have a circular shape with a fixed diameter D, and the inlet 130i and the outlet 130o of the connection pipe 130 may, for example, have elliptical cross-sections, as shown in FIG. 3, the inlet 130i may have an elliptical cross-section, having a major axis (L a) and a minor axis (Sa). As used herein, the major axis (L a) may extend in the Z direction of FIG. 2, and the minor axis (Sa) may extend in the Y direction of FIG. 2. similarly, the outlet 130o may also have an elliptical cross-section, having a major axis and a minor axis.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view for describing a support structure 150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket 151 of fig. 4.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a support structure 150 for supporting the connection pipe 130. The support structure 150 may be provided to protect the connection pipe 130 from external impact and to thermally insulate the connection pipe 130 from the external environment. The support structure 150 may include a bracket 151 and a cushion layer 153. In some exemplary embodiments, the bracket 151 and the cushion layer 153 may include a heat-resistant material.

The bracket 151 may be configured to surround an outer surface of at least a portion of the connection pipe 130, and be configured to have a groove 152 in which the connection pipe 130 is disposed. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the bracket 151 may include a bottom portion, and two side wall portions extending from the bottom portion and spaced apart from each other by disposing the connection pipe 130 therebetween.

The cushion 153 surrounds the outer surface of the connection pipe 130. At least a portion of the cushion 153 may be disposed between the outer surface of the connection tube 130 and the bracket 151 to fill a space between the connection tube 130 and the bracket 151.

As shown in fig. 5, the bracket 151 linearly extends along the connection pipe 130. The bracket 151 may have a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the bracket 151 linearly extends from the first end to the second end. In addition, the bracket 151 may be inclined at an angle with respect to a reference surface, which corresponds to an angle at which the connection pipe 130 is inclined with respect to the reference surface (e.g., X-Y plane).

Since the bracket 151 linearly extends, the bracket 151 may have a single-piece structure.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view for explaining a connector tube 130a including an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 6, the connection pipe 130a may linearly extend from the inlet 130i ' to the outlet 130o ' and have a diameter gradually increasing toward the outlet 130o '. In other words, the diameter D2 of the connecting tube 130a located proximate to the second end 130e2' connected to the purge vessel 120 may be greater than the diameter D1 of the connecting tube 130a located proximate to the first end 130e1 connected to the melting vessel 110. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the outlet 130o 'of the connection pipe 130a may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet 130i' of the connection pipe 130 a.

Since the connection pipe 130a may have an increasing diameter, a space in which bubbles within the Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connection pipe 130a move may locally increase near the outlet 130 o'. Therefore, the mobility of bubbles contained in the Molten Glass (MG) is less likely to be restricted near the outlet 130o', and retention of bubbles can be reduced.

Fig. 7A is a sectional view showing the flow of bubbles (B L) when Molten Glass (MG) flows through the connecting pipe 130 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fig. 7B is a sectional view showing the flow of bubbles (B L) when Molten Glass (MG) flows through the connecting pipe 230 according to the comparative example;

referring to fig. 7A, bubbles (B L) contained in the Molten Glass (MG) move in a direction from an inlet 130i to an outlet 130o of the connecting pipe 130 according to the flow of the Molten Glass (MG) flowing along the connecting pipe 130, bubbles (B L) having a lower density than the Molten Glass (MG) have buoyancy and thus move toward and along the upper wall of the connecting pipe 130, and bubbles (B L) easily move along the connecting pipe 130 to the outlet 130o as the connecting pipe 130 linearly extends, as shown in fig. 7A.

Referring to fig. 7B, the connection pipe 230 according to the comparative example may have a bent portion, that is, the connection pipe 230 may include a combination of a linear pipe and a bent pipe, as shown in part a of fig. 7B, retention of bubbles (B L) may occur at the bent portion of the connection pipe 230, that is, in the vicinity of the bent portion, the speed of the Molten Glass (MG) may be locally reduced, and an irregular flow, such as a vortex, may be generated, and thus, bubbles (B L) in the Molten Glass (MG) may be retained in the vicinity of the bent portion, in a region where the bubbles (B L) are retained, an oxidation reaction may occur between oxygen contained in the bubbles (B L) and metal contained in the connection pipe 230, the connection pipe 230 may be corroded due to the oxidation reaction of the connection pipe 230, and thus, the Molten Glass (MG) may leak from the connection pipe 230, and furthermore, the bent portion of the connection pipe 230 may be a portion to which the linear pipe is connected to the bent portion, and may be accelerated due to the bubbles (B L).

Fig. 8A is a sectional view illustrating an amount of heat generated from the connection pipe 130 heated via the flange 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8B is a sectional view showing the amount of heat generated from the connection pipe 230 heated via the flange 140 according to the comparative example. In fig. 8A and 8B, the relatively darker areas represent areas from which a relatively larger amount of heat is generated, and the relatively lighter areas represent areas from which a relatively smaller amount of heat is generated.

Referring to fig. 8A, when current is applied to the connection pipe 130 through the flanges 140 connected to both ends of the connection pipe 130, the connection pipe 130 is heated. A relatively high current density is generated at the region where the connection pipe 130 contacts the flange 140, and thus a relatively large amount of heat is generated from the region.

Referring to fig. 8B, the connection pipe 230 according to the comparative example may have a bent portion. That is, the connection pipe 230 may include a combination of a linear pipe and a bent pipe. As shown in part B of fig. 8B, a relatively large amount of heat is generated from the bent portion of the connection pipe 230. That is, a high current density occurs, and thus a hot spot is generated at the bent portion of the connection pipe 230. The hot spot may accelerate oxidation of the connection tube 230 and cause rupture of the connection tube 230. In particular, the portion of the linear tube connected to the bending tube may be relatively weak, and thus the rupture of the connection tube 230 caused by the hot spot may easily occur therein.

As described above with reference to fig. 7B and 8B, since the connection pipe 230 according to the comparative example has the bent portion, oxidation of the connection pipe 230 due to stagnation of the bubbles (B L) is accelerated, and the connection pipe 230 is broken due to heat concentration when the connection pipe 230 is broken, the Molten Glass (MG) leaks to possibly cause a major downtime even though other portions are still normally operated.

However, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the connection pipe 130 linearly extends, damage of the connection pipe 130 due to retention of the bubble (B L) may be prevented by increasing mobility of the bubble (B L), and damage of the connection pipe 130 due to concentration of current density may also be prevented, and equipment contamination due to leakage of Molten Glass (MG) may be prevented and a lifespan of final equipment may be increased because damage of the connection pipe 130 is prevented, in particular, a glass manufacturing apparatus including the connection pipe 130 according to the present disclosure may have a lifespan at least greater than about 40%, for example, at least greater than about 50%, compared to an apparatus including the connection pipe 230 according to the comparative example, for example, a glass manufacturing apparatus including the connection pipe 130 according to the present disclosure may have a lifespan from greater than about 40% to greater than about 100%, compared to an apparatus including the connection pipe 230 according to the comparative example.

Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a glass manufacturing system 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 9, a glass manufacturing system 1000 may include a melting vessel 110, a purge vessel 120, a stir vessel 1410, a delivery vessel 1420, and a forming apparatus 1510. As shown in fig. 9, melting vessel 110, purge vessel 120, stirring vessel 1410, delivery vessel 1420, and forming apparatus 1510 are a series of examples located in a molten glass station.

The melting vessel 110 will receive batch 1011 from the reservoir 1010. The melting vessel 110 melts the batch material 1011. Batch 1011 is fed by a batch delivery device 1013 controlled by a motor 1015. Alternatively, the controller 1017 may be configured to operate the motor 1015 to inject a desired amount of batch material 1011 into the melting vessel 110, as shown by arrow a 1. The glass level probe 1017 may be used to measure the level of Molten Glass (MG) in the standpipe 1021 and communicate the measured information to the controller 1017 via communication line 1023.

Purge vessel 120, such as a purge tube, may be located downstream of melting vessel 110 and connected to melting vessel 110 via first connection tube 130. A flange 140 for applying power to the first connection pipe 130 is connected to the first connection pipe 130. The first connection tube 130 may comprise the connection tube described above with respect to fig. 1-3 and 6, and the flange 140 may comprise the flange described above with respect to fig. 1-3 and 6. Furthermore, although not shown in fig. 9, in order to support the first connection tube 130, a support structure 150 as described above with respect to fig. 4 and 5 may be provided.

A stirred vessel 1410, such as a stirred chamber, would be located downstream of the purge vessel 120. The stirring vessel 1410 homogenizes the Molten Glass (MG) supplied from the fining vessel 120. That is, the stirring vessel 1410 stirs the Molten Glass (MG) so that the composition of the Molten Glass (MG) is uniformly distributed. A transfer vessel 1420, such as a bowl, may be located downstream of the mix vessel 1410. As shown in fig. 9, a second connecting tube 1430 connects the purge vessel 120 to the stirred vessel 1410, and a third connecting tube 1440 connects the stirred vessel 1410 to the delivery vessel 1420.

As shown in fig. 9, an outlet conduit 1450 may be provided to convey Molten Glass (MG) from the conveying vessel 1420 to the inlet 1520 of the forming vessel 1510. Forming apparatus 1510 receives a supply of Molten Glass (MG) from delivery vessel 1420 and forms the Molten Glass (MG). The forming apparatus 1510 will form Molten Glass (MG) into a sheet-like glass product 1511. For example, forming apparatus 1510 may include a fusion draw machine to form Molten Glass (MG).

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should be able to modify and implement the present disclosure in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed by the appended claims. Therefore, future modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure should not depart from the technology of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. It is to be understood that the description of features or aspects of each embodiment may be applied to other similar features or aspects of other embodiments in general.

Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art may effect various changes in form and detail to understand what is defined in the following claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a melting vessel configured to melt a batch material into molten glass;

a fining vessel configured to condition the molten glass;

a connecting tube having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the melting vessel and the second end is in fluid communication with the purge vessel; and

a flange connected to the connection pipe, wherein the flange is connected to a power source and configured to apply a current for heating the connection pipe to the connection pipe,

wherein the connecting tube extends linearly from the first end to the second end.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting tube has a single piece construction.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting tube has an upward slope from the first end to the second end.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connecting tube has an inlet into which the molten glass flows, and an outlet from which the molten glass is discharged,

a cross section of the connection pipe perpendicular to an extending direction of the connection pipe, has a circular shape with a fixed diameter between the inlet and the outlet, and

the outlet has an elliptical cross-section.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a first flange abutting the first end, and a second flange abutting the second end.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support structure for supporting the connecting tube.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support structure comprises a bracket surrounding at least a portion of the connecting tube.

8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the carriage extends linearly along an extension direction of the connecting tube.

9. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the carriage has a single piece construction.

10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a cushion layer disposed between the bracket and an outer surface of the connecting tube.

11. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting tube comprises at least one of an alloy of platinum and platinum.

12. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting tube has a diameter that gradually increases toward the second end.

13. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising a connecting tube extending between a melting vessel and a fining vessel to deliver molten glass within the melting vessel to the fining vessel and configured to heat the molten glass passing through the connecting tube,

wherein the connecting pipe extends linearly from an inlet into which the molten glass from the melting vessel flows to an outlet from which the molten glass is discharged to the purge vessel, and

wherein each of the inlet and the outlet has an elliptical cross-section.

14. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the outlet is located at a higher level than the inlet.

15. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a flange connected to the connecting tube, and a power source connected to the flange,

wherein the glass manufacturing apparatus is configured to apply an electrical current from the power source to the connecting tube via the flange to heat the molten glass passing through the connecting tube.

16. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a bracket surrounding at least a portion of the connection tube; and

a cushion layer disposed between an outer surface of the connection pipe and the bracket, and surrounding the connection pipe.

17. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bracket extends linearly along the connecting tube and has a single-piece construction.

18. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13, wherein a cross-sectional area of the outlet is greater than a cross-sectional area of the connecting tube perpendicular to the direction of extension of the connecting tube.

19. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

20. A method of making glass comprising:

forming molten glass by melting the batch material in the melting vessel;

flowing the molten glass from the melting vessel to a purge vessel via a connecting tube; and

conditioning the molten glass by heating the molten glass passing through the fining vessel,

wherein the molten glass flows along the connection pipe linearly extending from a first end of the connection pipe connected to the melting vessel to a second end of the connection pipe connected to the purge vessel in flowing the molten glass, and a current is applied to the connection pipe so that the molten glass flowing along the connection pipe is heated.