JP2017530085A - Glass manufacturing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming device and a housing having a float bath. A plurality of rollers is at least partially disposed within the housing and is configured to extend a glass ribbon from the molding device, through the housing, and over the float bath along a stretching path. ing. The glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises a thermal device configured to selectively control the local thickness of the glass ribbon at a plurality of individual locations on the glass ribbon. The method for producing a glass ribbon selectively stretches the glass ribbon over a float bath in the housing, and selectively selects a local thickness of at least one of a plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon in the housing. Including the step of controlling.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

  This application is incorporated by reference in its entirety and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/053386, filed 22 September 2014 Insist on the interest of priority under Article 119.

  The present disclosure generally relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus and method, and more particularly to a glass manufacturing apparatus and method including a float process.

  Glass manufacturing equipment and methods are used to form glass ribbons that may be wound into rolls or divided into glass plates. Glass ribbons can be used for displays and other applications. In particular, glass manufacturing apparatuses and methods for the float process include a float bath on which a glass ribbon floats and on which a glass ribbon is stretched.

  The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some exemplary aspects described in the detailed description.

  In the first aspect of the present disclosure, the glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming device, a housing, a plurality of rollers, and a thermal device. The housing includes a float bath, and the plurality of rollers are at least partially disposed within the housing. The plurality of rollers are configured to draw the glass ribbon along the drawing path from the forming device, through the housing, and over the float bath. The thermal device has a local thickness of the glass ribbon defined primarily by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon at a plurality of discrete locations of the glass ribbon. Is configured to selectively control.

  In an example of the first aspect, in each of the plurality of individual positions, the thermal device selectively increases the local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon, and the glass ribbon Configured to selectively reduce the local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual positions.

  In a further example of the first aspect, the glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises a controller. The controller is configured to operate the thermal device to selectively control the local thickness of the glass ribbon at each of a plurality of individual locations. In one example, the controller is configured to operate the thermal device based on the measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon, and the measured thickness Is mainly defined by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon.

  In another example of the first aspect, the thermal device comprises a plurality of thermal elements each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of individual locations. In one example, the plurality of thermal elements are disposed along a thermal path that extends in a direction transverse to the stretching path.

  In yet another example of the first aspect, the plurality of rollers includes a pair of upstream rollers and a pair of downstream rollers. The pair of upstream rollers is configured to contact the upstream end of the glass ribbon. The pair of downstream rollers is configured to be spaced from the pair of upstream rollers along the stretching path and to contact the downstream end of the glass ribbon. In one example, at least one of the plurality of individual locations is at least partially positioned between the upstream pair of rollers and the downstream pair of rollers.

In yet another embodiment of the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of discrete positions, relative to the extension surface extending along an extended path, it has an area in the range of about 2 cm 2 ^~ about 25 cm ^2.

  In yet another example of the first aspect, at least a portion of the thermal device is less than about 0.25 inches from the stretched surface extending along the stretch path.

  In yet another example of the first aspect, the thermal device includes a plurality of tubes configured to circulate fluid therethrough. The circulating fluid is configured to transfer heat and selectively change the local temperature of the glass ribbon. In one example, the plurality of tubes are disposed within the casing. In another example, the plurality of tubes include ceramic and the casing includes silicon carbide.

  In yet another example of the first aspect, the thermal device includes a fluid jet configured to selectively contact fluid at one or more of a plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon.

  In yet another example of the first aspect, at least a portion of the thermal device is immersed in the float bath. In one example, the immersed portion of the thermal device is configured to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath.

  The first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the first aspect described above.

  In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a glass ribbon includes a step of stretching the glass ribbon over a float bath in a housing. The method further includes selectively controlling a local thickness of at least one of a plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon within the housing, the local thickness being a first major surface of the glass ribbon and a first thickness. Mainly defined by the glass between the two main surfaces.

  In an example of the second aspect, the method further includes controlling at least one local temperature of the plurality of individual locations to control a corresponding local thickness of the glass ribbon. In one example, the step of controlling the local temperature is based on the measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass plate cut from the glass ribbon, and the measured thickness is determined based on the glass ribbon. Primarily defined by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface.

  In another example of the second aspect, the method includes one of a plurality of individual positions based on a measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon. Further comprising the step of selecting the above, the measured thickness is primarily defined by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon. In one example, the method further includes the step of controlling the local temperature of each of the selected one or more individual locations based on the measurement.

  In yet another example of the second aspect, the method selectively controls the local temperature of the float bath to selectively control the local thickness of at least one of the plurality of individual positions. The method further includes a step. In one example, the method further includes selectively inducing current in the float bath to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath.

  The second aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the second aspect described above.

  These and other aspects will be better understood when the following detailed description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Side view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure. 1 is a top view of a portion of an example glass manufacturing apparatus along line 2-2 in FIG. Front sectional view of the first example thermal device Enlarged view of region 4 of the thermal device as the first example of FIG. Front sectional view of a second example thermal device Enlarged view of region 6 of the second example thermal device of FIG. Front sectional view of a third example thermal device Enlarged view of region 8 of the thermal device as the third example of FIG.

  Examples will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 101 is provided with various exemplary features that can be used alone or in combination to manufacture a glass ribbon 105. As shown in the figure, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 includes a melting tank 107, a forming device 103, a float tank 110, and a casing 112 that at least partially surrounds the tank 110, an annealing apparatus 115, a cooling area 120, and a lift-off area 125. sell.

  In one example, the melting tank 107 includes a furnace in which glass batch material is introduced as indicated by arrow 121. The glass batch material may be premixed in some examples and may be added to the melt tank 107 continuously or intermittently. Once in the melting tank 107, the glass batch material is heated and melted to form a molten glass 123. In one example, the molten glass 123 can flow directly from the melting tank 107 over the forming device 103 into the float tank 110. In a further example, the molten glass 123 can be treated or adjusted to remove impurities, bubbles, or other inclusions prior to the formation of the glass ribbon 105 in the float tank 110. A variety of forming devices may be used to manufacture the glass ribbon 105 according to aspects of the present disclosure. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (housing 112 is not shown for clarity purposes), forming device 103 has spouts or ceramic lipstones that allow molten glass 123 to flow into float tank 110. It may be provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 can form a glass ribbon 105 having a width “W” extending between the first end portion 105 a and the second end portion 105 b of the glass ribbon 105. it can.

  From the float tank 110, the features of which are more fully described below, the glass ribbon 105 can be further drawn or transported through an annealing device 115 as shown in FIG. In one example, the annealing device 115 includes a plurality of rollers (not shown) that transport the glass ribbon 105. In another example, the annealing device 115 includes an annealing oven 116 where the glass ribbon 105 is cooled. In yet another example, the glass ribbon 105 can be slowly cooled to prevent stress buildup in the glass ribbon 105. After passing through the annealing device 115, the glass ribbon 105 may continue to be further drawn or transported through the cooling region 120. In one example, the glass ribbon 105 is subsequently cooled and solidified within the cooling zone 120. Once the glass ribbon 105 is sufficiently cooled, the glass ribbon may be further processed. In one example, the glass ribbon is used to remove edges of the glass ribbon that can be damaged by rollers or other devices used to stretch, stretch, or otherwise manipulate the glass ribbon during the glass manufacturing process. It may be trimmed or cut. In another example, the glass ribbon 105 can be cut into individual glass plates 127a, 127b of predetermined dimensions. In the lift-off region 125, a robotic arm or other device (not shown) can lift the individual glass plates 127a, 127b and move the individual glass plates to different locations. For example, the individual glass plates 127a, 127b can be packaged and / or transported to a vehicle or other transport device (not shown) for transport to a location some distance away from the glass manufacturing apparatus 101. . In yet another example, the individual glass plates 127a, 127b may be stored or stacked for later use. In yet another example, the glass ribbon 105 is not cut into individual glass plates, but rather, the glass ribbon 105 may remain substantially continuous for a period of time, eg, rolled and stored. It may be in the state of a roll (not shown).

  In yet another example, float tank 110 may include a container or reservoir (hereinafter generally referred to as “float bath 111”) for holding materials such as float bath material. As shown in FIG. 2, the float bath 111 includes an upstream end 118 and a downstream end 119, and the upstream end 118 is located closer to the molding device 103 than the downstream end 119. In one example, the float bath 111 includes a molten material such as molten or liquid tin. In yet another example, the float bath 111 may include lead or other alloy having a relatively low melting point. In yet another example, the float bath 111 may form a shallow pool within the float tank 110. Returning to FIG. 1, the float bath 111 may be surrounded by a housing 112 that is provided in the float tank 110 and may include an atmosphere 113 containing a gaseous medium. In one example, atmosphere 113 is a reducing atmosphere in which oxidation is prevented by removing oxygen and other oxidizing gases or vapors. In another example, the atmosphere 113 may be heated to control the temperature of the atmosphere 113 in the housing 112.

  As further shown in FIG. 2, when the glass ribbon 105 leaves the forming device 103 and enters the float tank 110, the glass ribbon 105 is poured, for example, onto the surface of a float bath 111 in which the glass ribbon 105 can float. May be. In one example, based on at least gravity acting on the glass ribbon 105 in a direction opposite to the resistance of the surface tension of the float bath 111, the glass ribbon 105 moves when the glass ribbon 105 floats on the surface of the float bath 111. It can flatten or expand naturally within the float tank 110. This natural flattening or spreading of the glass ribbon 105 can help in the production of thin glass ribbons.

  In another example, force may be applied on the glass ribbon 105 by a mechanical device to further manipulate or control various characteristics such as width, length, and / or thickness of the glass ribbon 105. For example, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 stretches the glass ribbon 105 from the forming device 103 into the float tank 110 and through the housing 112 along the stretching path 104 in the direction from the upstream end 118 to the downstream end 119. A plurality of rollers 102 configured to assist may be provided. In one example, the plurality of rollers 102 may be at least partially disposed within the housing 112 to help stretch the glass ribbon 105 into a flat plate as the glass ribbon 105 cools. As discussed more fully below, the thermal device 150 may also be at least partially disposed within the housing 112.

  Various defects in the glass ribbon during the glass manufacturing process, for example when melting glass batch materials to form molten glass, or when forming and stretching the glass ribbon using rollers or other devices Can be captured. Defects can include glass ribbon waviness, glass ribbon thickness variations, and other impurities or undesirable properties or defects in the glass ribbon. In one example, thickness variations can occur based on variations in the local viscosity of the glass ribbon. Variations in the local viscosity of the glass ribbon can occur based on local variations in glass composition and / or local temperature variations in the glass ribbon, which result in glass ribbon viscosity non-uniformity. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the glass ribbon 105 may include a first main surface 221 and a second main surface 222, and the thickness “t” of the glass ribbon may be the first and second main surfaces 221. , 222 can be defined primarily by glass with no or slight presence of impurities (eg, bubbles). In one example, the local overthickness at individual locations of the glass ribbon can be greater than a desired thickness, such as the thickness of an adjacent portion of the glass ribbon or the target thickness of the glass ribbon. Local over-thickness can occur primarily as a result of excessive glass volume between the first major surface 221 of the glass ribbon 105 and the second major surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at discrete locations. In fact, the foam will not be present or will result in a relatively small contribution to excessive local thickness. Rather, the excessive local thickness is primarily or completely the result of an excessive volume of glass between the first major surface 221 and the second major surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at discrete locations.

  In another example, the local under-thickness at individual locations of the glass ribbon can be less than a desired thickness, such as the thickness of the adjacent portion of the glass ribbon or the target thickness of the glass ribbon. The local under-thickness may be mainly due to a lack of glass volume between the first major surface 221 of the glass ribbon 105 and the second major surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at discrete locations. In fact, the foam will not be present or will result in a relatively small contribution to the under-local thickness. Rather, the under-local thickness is primarily or completely the result of the lack of glass volume between the first major surface 221 and the second major surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at discrete locations.

  In one example, a thermal device 150 is provided in the housing 112 to control the local temperature of the glass ribbon, thereby controlling the corresponding local viscosity of the glass ribbon, which corresponds to the corresponding local viscosity of the glass ribbon. Can be used for thickness control. The thermal device 150 has no impurities (for example, bubbles) between the first and second main surfaces 221 and 222 at a plurality of individual positions (for example, 106a, 106b, 106c) of the glass ribbon 105 or impurities (for example, For example, it can be configured to selectively control the local thickness of the glass ribbon 105, which is mainly defined by glass with a small amount of bubbles). In one example, the thermal device 150 can be configured to selectively increase the local temperature of the glass ribbon at one or more of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c). In another example, the thermal device 150 can be configured to selectively reduce the local temperature of the glass ribbon at one or more of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c). In yet another example, at each of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c), the thermal device 150 selectively selects a local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon. It can be configured to increase and selectively reduce the local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon.

  It should be understood that the thermal device 150 can be configured to selectively increase, decrease, or maintain the local temperature of the glass ribbon at any one of a plurality of individual locations on the glass ribbon. For example, by way of example, the thermal device 150 increases the local temperature at a first individual location (eg, 106a), decreases the local temperature at a second individual location (eg, 106b), and the third individual location. May be configured to maintain a local temperature at a location (eg, 106c). The thermal device 150 may be configured to simultaneously and separately, as well as at a predetermined time interval or at any point in time, at any one of a plurality of individual positions, the first and second major surfaces 221 of the glass ribbon 105, 222 is configured to selectively control the local thickness of glass ribbons defined primarily by glass that is free of impurities (eg, bubbles) or has few impurities (eg, bubbles). sell.

  By increasing the local temperature of the glass ribbon, the corresponding local viscosity of the glass ribbon is similarly reduced, and as a result, the local thickness of the glass ribbon is reduced. Increasing the local temperature may be desirable to address local overthickness at discrete locations on the glass ribbon. As discussed above, the local over-thickness can be attributed primarily to the excess volume of glass between the first and second major surfaces 221, 222 of the glass ribbon 105. By increasing the local temperature of the glass ribbon at discrete locations with local over-thickness, the local viscosity of the glass ribbon at discrete locations is reduced. As a result, the glass at the individual locations will flow more freely outward, thereby reducing the volume of the glass at the individual locations, so that the local over-thickness matches the adjacent portion of the glass ribbon. Or reduced to approach the target thickness of the glass ribbon.

  Alternatively, by reducing the local temperature of the glass ribbon, the corresponding local viscosity of the glass ribbon increases as well, and as a result, the local thickness of the glass ribbon increases.

  Lowering the local temperature may be desirable to address local under-thickness at discrete locations on the glass ribbon. As discussed above, the local under-thickness may be due primarily to a lack of glass volume between the first and second major surfaces 221, 222 of the glass ribbon 105. By reducing the local temperature of the glass ribbon at discrete locations with local under-thickness, the local viscosity of the glass ribbon at discrete locations is increased. As a result, the outward flow of glass at the individual locations is relatively limited, thereby increasing the glass volume at the individual locations, so that the local under-thickness is matched to the adjacent portion of the glass ribbon. Or to approach the target thickness of the glass ribbon.

  Thus, in one example, individual locations of a glass ribbon having a local thickness greater than the desired thickness can be selectively heated to reduce the local viscosity, thus reducing the local thickness while At individual locations of the glass ribbon having a local thickness less than the thickness of the glass ribbon, it can be selectively cooled to reduce the local viscosity and thus increase the local thickness.

  In yet another example, the plurality of rollers 102 may include a pair of upstream rollers 102 a configured to contact the upstream end of the glass ribbon 105. The plurality of rollers 102 may further include a pair of downstream rollers 102 b that are spaced from the pair of upstream rollers along the stretching path 104 and are configured to contact the downstream end of the glass ribbon 105. In one example, at least one of the plurality of individual positions (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c) is at least partially positioned between the pair of upstream rollers 102a and the pair of downstream rollers 102b. In another example, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 can include a third pair of rollers 102c disposed at an arbitrary position between the pair of upstream rollers 102a and the pair of downstream rollers 102b. In still other examples, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may include any number of additional rollers disposed at different positions along the glass ribbon 105. In yet another example, the roller can stretch and stretch the glass ribbon 105 in various directions, including a direction substantially transverse to the stretching path 104. Furthermore, the glass ribbon 105 can also be stretched in a substantially horizontal direction over the float bath 111 such that at least a portion of the glass ribbon 105 floats on the surface of the float bath 111. Furthermore, the glass ribbon 105 may be stretched away from the float bath 111 for further processing of the glass ribbon 105.

  In yet another example, the thermal device 150 can include a plurality of thermal elements (eg, 150a, 150b, 150c), each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c). A plurality of thermal elements (eg, 150 a, 150 b, 150 c) can be disposed along a thermal path 130 that extends in a direction transverse to the stretching path 104. In other examples, multiple thermal devices, each with one or more thermal elements, can be placed at various locations within the housing 112. A plurality of thermal devices (examples of which are more fully described below) can be placed at any location along the stretching path 104 and at any location across the width “W” of the glass ribbon 105 so that the glass ribbon The local thickness of the glass ribbon defined primarily by the glass between the first major surface 221 and the second major surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at one or more individual locations may be controlled. For example, at any point in time, all or none or one or more of the thermal elements in the thermal device, or all or one or more of the thermal ribbons may be the local thickness of the glass ribbon at any corresponding individual location of the glass ribbon. Can be configured to operate.

  As further shown in FIG. 2, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 is mainly configured by the glass between the first main surface 221 and the second main surface 222 of the glass ribbon 105 at each of the plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon 105. Configured to operate the thermal device 150 to selectively control the local thickness of the glass ribbon 105 defined (eg, “program”, “encoding”, “design”, and / or “fabrication”). ]) Controller 140 (eg, a programmable logic controller). In one example, the controller 140 may be configured to operate the thermal device 150 based on the measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon. Is mainly defined by the glass between the first and second major faces 221, 222. In one example, the thickness can be obtained using an on-line measurement of the thickness of the glass ribbon 105 as manufactured. The thickness measurement can be, for example, a single measurement or multiple measurements corresponding to the measured thickness of the glass ribbon at one or more locations on the glass ribbon. In other examples, the measurement can be obtained over a period of time or in an instantaneous time to include, for example, the average thickness of the glass ribbon at one or more locations on the glass ribbon. In yet another example, the measurements can be obtained from one or more individual glass plates cut from a glass ribbon. Similarly, measurements obtained from individual glass plates may correspond to thicknesses at one or more locations on the individual glass plates. In other examples, the controller 140 may determine the thermal device based on other factors or variables including, but not limited to, various properties of the glass ribbon, such as, for example, the temperature of the glass ribbon at one or more locations on the glass ribbon. 150 can be configured to operate.

  An example of a thermal device 150 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which includes a plurality of tubes 302 configured to circulate fluid through the interior (arrow 161, FIG. 4). 163 and 164). The circulating fluid is configured to selectively change the local temperature of the glass ribbon 105 by transferring heat. For example, a cooling fluid (represented by 161) may be circulated through one or more of the plurality of tubes 302 to provide different positions away from one or more of the plurality of individual positions (eg, 106d). Heat can be transferred (eg, removed) to the A heated fluid (represented by 163) is circulated through one or more of the plurality of tubes 302, as well as one or more different or additional ones of the plurality of tubes, such that one of a plurality of individual locations (eg 106e) Heat can be transferred (eg, heated) to more than one. The cooling fluid 161 and / or the heating fluid 163 is recirculated through the thermal device 150 and transfers heat in any one or more of the multiple locations as indicated by arrows 164. The local temperature of the glass ribbon can be controlled. As further illustrated, the plurality of tubes 302 may be disposed within the casing 303. The selected one or more of the plurality of tubes 302 may be between a selected position of the casing 303 and one or more of a plurality of individual positions (eg, 106d, 106e) and / or a plurality of individual It may be configured to inject a circulating fluid into the casing 303 such that heat is transferred between one or more of the positions (eg, 106d, 106e) and the casing 303. In one example, the plurality of tubes 302 includes a ceramic material and the casing 303 includes silicon carbide. In other examples, the plurality of tubes 302 and the casing 303 may be spaced at regular intervals to allow recirculation or flow of the atmosphere 113 within the housing 112.

As shown in FIG. 4, at least a part of the second major surface 222 can be in contact with and float on the surface of the float bath 111. In yet another example, the first major surface 221 may be on the opposite side of the second major surface 222 and may be substantially parallel to the second major surface 222. For example, the first main surface 221 may have a surface opposite to the second main surface 222, and at least a part of the second main surface 222 floats on the surface of the float bath 111 and floats. It is in contact with the bus 111. In one example, at least a portion of the thermal device 150 is less than 0.25 inches from a stretched surface (e.g., the first major surface 221 of the glass ribbon 105) that extends along the stretch path 104 indicated by the region 223. It can be. In another example, at least one of a plurality of discrete locations (e.g. 106a, 106b) has an area in the range of about 2 cm ² ~ about 25 cm ² with respect to extension surface extending along an extended path 104 sell. In other examples, high precision thermal control can be achieved, and this high precision control includes a length scale ranging from about 2 cm to about 5 cm. In other examples, individual location refinement or refinement may include any level of refinement or refinement in which thermal device 150 is configured to control the local thickness of the glass ribbon.

Another example of a thermal device 150 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which is configured such that the fluid 105 strikes one or more of a plurality of individual locations on the glass ribbon 105. A fluid jet. The thermal device can comprise a plurality of pipes 502 that each can selectively direct fluid to strike the glass ribbon as a fluid jet. In one example, the fluid is a cooling fluid that forms a cooling jet 160 that impinges on the glass ribbon to reduce the local temperature at an individual location (eg, 106f) of the glass ribbon 105. In another example, the fluid is a reactive fluid that forms a flame 162 that strikes the glass ribbon so as to increase the local temperature of an individual location (eg, 106 g) of the glass ribbon 105. In yet another example, the cooling jet 160 may include a reducing atmosphere or reducing fluid, such as the atmosphere 113, within the housing 112. The reducing fluid may comprise a mixture of N ₂ and H ₂ or other gases or gas mixtures that are compatible with the atmosphere 113. In yet another example, the flame 162 may be generated by a combustion reaction of a fuel rich fluid (eg, O ₂ or ambient air). In some examples, the flame 162 may strike the glass ribbon at a temperature in the range of about 2200 ° C to 3200 ° C.

  Yet another example of a thermal device 150 in which at least a portion of the thermal device 150 is immersed in the float bath 111 is shown in FIGS. In one example, the thermal device 150 may be fully immersed in the float bath 111. In another example, the immersion portion is configured to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath 111. The thermal device 150 may comprise a plurality of probes 702 that may each include a heating and / or cooling element 165 disposed within the refractory sheath 166. By controlling the temperature of one or more probes, the local temperature of the float bath 111 can also be controlled, and thus at a plurality of individual positions (eg 106h, 106i) of the glass ribbon 105 floating on the float bath 111. A corresponding temperature change is applied at one or more of the positions.

  It should be understood that the controller 140 can be configured to operate any of the example thermal devices 150 described above, as well as other thermal devices not specified, either alone or in combination. Further, as described above, any of the exemplary thermal devices 150, as well as any of the features of the exemplary thermal devices, including alone or not explicitly described herein, Use in combination with other example thermal devices and other example features of other example thermal devices to localize the glass ribbon at one or more of a plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon. Thickness can be controlled. In other examples, the one or more controllers may be configured to operate the thermal device and to run a closed loop control system so that the thermal device operates.

  In one example, the method for manufacturing the glass ribbon includes a step of stretching the glass ribbon 105 over the float bath 111 in the housing 112. The method includes selectively controlling the local thickness of at least one of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c) of the glass ribbon 105 within the housing 112, the local thickness. The height is mainly defined by the glass between the first main surface 221 and the second main surface 222. The method may include controlling a local temperature at at least one of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c) to control a corresponding local thickness of the glass ribbon 105. In one example, the step of controlling the local temperature may be based on measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass plate cut from the glass ribbon, and the measured thickness is the first major surface. And is mainly defined by the glass between the second main surface. In yet another example, the method is based on measurements of at least one of the thickness of a glass ribbon and the thickness of a glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c). Selecting one or more of them. In one example, the method further includes controlling the local temperature of each of the selected one or more individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c) based on the measurements. In yet another example, the method selectively controls the local temperature of the float bath 111 to select a local thickness at least one of a plurality of individual locations (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c). A step of automatically controlling. In yet another example, the method may further include selectively inducing current in the float bath 111 to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath 111.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

  Hereinafter, preferable embodiments of the present invention will be described in terms of items.

Embodiment 1
Molding device;
A housing with a float bath;
A plurality of rollers at least partially disposed within the housing, the roller being configured to extend a glass ribbon from the forming device, through the housing, and over the float bath along a stretching path. A plurality of rollers; and a local thickness of the glass ribbon defined primarily by glass between a first main surface and a second main surface of the glass ribbon at a plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising a thermal device configured to selectively control the thickness.

Embodiment 2
In each of the plurality of individual locations, the thermal device selectively increases a local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon, and the plurality of the glass ribbons The glass manufacturing apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the glass manufacturing apparatus is configured to selectively reduce a local temperature of at least one of the individual positions.

Embodiment 3
Embodiment 1 further comprising a controller configured to operate the thermal device to selectively control the local thickness of the glass ribbon at each of the plurality of individual locations. The glass manufacturing apparatus as described in.

Embodiment 4
The controller is configured to operate the thermal device based on a measurement of at least one of a thickness of the glass ribbon and a thickness of a glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon, and the measured thickness is The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment, which is mainly defined by the glass between the first main surface and the second main surface of the glass ribbon.

Embodiment 5
A plurality of heat elements, wherein the heat devices are a plurality of heat elements each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of individual positions, the heat devices being disposed along a heat path extending in a direction transverse to the stretching path. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, which includes an element.

Embodiment 6
The plurality of rollers are
A pair of upstream rollers configured to contact the upstream end of the glass ribbon;
A pair of downstream rollers configured to be spaced apart from the pair of upstream rollers along the stretching path and to contact a downstream end of the glass ribbon;
Including
The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein at least one of the plurality of individual positions is at least partially positioned between the pair of upstream rollers and the pair of downstream rollers. .

Embodiment 7
It said plurality of at least one of the discrete positions, but with respect to extension surface extending along the stretching path, and having an area within the range of about 2 cm 2 ^~ about 25 cm ^2, according to Embodiment 1 Glass manufacturing equipment.

Embodiment 8
The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein at least a portion of the thermal device is less than about 0.25 inches from a stretched surface extending along the stretch path.

Embodiment 9
The thermal device comprises a plurality of tubes configured to allow fluid to circulate therethrough so that the circulating fluid can transfer heat to selectively change the local temperature of the glass ribbon. It is comprised, The glass manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.

Embodiment 10
The glass manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 9, wherein the plurality of tubes are disposed in a casing, the plurality of tubes include ceramic, and the casing includes silicon carbide.

Embodiment 11
The embodiment of claim 1, wherein the thermal device includes a fluid jet configured to selectively impinge fluid on one or more of the plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon. Glass manufacturing equipment.

Embodiment 12
The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein at least a part of the thermal device is immersed in a float bath.

Embodiment 13
The glass manufacturing apparatus according to embodiment 12, wherein the immersion part of the thermal device is configured to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath.

Embodiment 14
Stretching a glass ribbon over a float bath in a housing; and selectively controlling a local thickness of at least one of a plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon in the housing; The method for producing a glass ribbon, comprising: a step in which the local thickness is mainly defined by the glass between the first main surface and the second main surface of the glass ribbon.

Embodiment 15
The method of embodiment 14, further comprising controlling a local temperature of at least one of a plurality of individual locations to control a corresponding local thickness of the glass ribbon.

Embodiment 16
The method further includes a step of controlling the local temperature based on measurement of at least one of a thickness of the glass ribbon and a thickness of a glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon, wherein the measured thickness is the glass Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 15 wherein the method is primarily defined by glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of a ribbon.

Embodiment 17
The step of selecting one or more of the plurality of individual positions based on measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon, wherein the measurement 15. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising the step wherein the measured thickness is primarily defined by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon.

Embodiment 18
18. The method of embodiment 17, further comprising controlling a local temperature of each of the selected one or more individual locations based on the measurement.

Embodiment 19
15. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising selectively controlling a local temperature of the float bath to selectively control the local thickness at at least one of the plurality of individual locations. .

Embodiment 20.
20. The method of embodiment 19, further comprising selectively inducing current in the float bath to selectively control the local temperature of the float bath.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Glass manufacturing apparatus 102 Several roller 102a A pair of upstream roller 102b A pair of downstream roller 102c A pair of 3rd roller 103 Forming device 104 Drawing path 105 Glass ribbon 105a 1st edge part 105b 2nd edge part 106a- 106i Individual position 107 Melting tank 110 Float tank 111 Float bath 112 Housing 113 Atmosphere 115 Annealing device 118 Upstream end 119 Downstream end 120 Cooling region 123 Molten glass 125 Lift-off region 127a, 127b Glass plate 130 Heat path 140 Controller 150 Thermal device 150a 150b, 150c Plural thermal elements 160 Cooling jet 162 Flame 165 Heating and / or cooling element 166 Refractory sheath 221 First main surface 222 Second main surface 302 Multiple Tube 303 casing 502 multiple pipes 702 a plurality of probes

Claims (10)

Molding device;
A housing with a float bath;
A plurality of rollers at least partially disposed within the housing, the roller being configured to extend a glass ribbon from the forming device, through the housing, and over the float bath along a stretching path. A plurality of rollers; and a local thickness of the glass ribbon defined by the glass between the first main surface and the second main surface of the glass ribbon at a plurality of individual positions of the glass ribbon. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising a thermal device configured to be selectively controlled.   In each of the plurality of individual locations, the thermal device selectively increases a local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon, and the plurality of the glass ribbons The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to selectively reduce a local temperature of at least one of the individual positions.   A plurality of heat elements, wherein the heat devices are a plurality of heat elements each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of individual positions, the heat devices being disposed along a heat path extending in a direction transverse to the stretching path. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an element. Said plurality of at least one of the discrete positions, but characterized by having a surface area in the range of about 2 cm 2 ^~ about 25 cm ² with respect to extension surface extending along the stretching path, of claims 1 to 3 The glass manufacturing apparatus as described in any one.   The thermal device comprises a plurality of tubes configured to allow fluid to circulate therethrough so that the circulating fluid can transfer heat to selectively change the local temperature of the glass ribbon. It is comprised, The glass manufacturing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The thermal device of claim 1, wherein the thermal device includes a fluid jet configured to selectively impinge fluid on one or more of the plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon. The glass manufacturing apparatus as described in any one. Stretching a glass ribbon over a float bath in a housing; and selectively controlling a local thickness of at least one of a plurality of individual locations of the glass ribbon in the housing; The method for producing a glass ribbon, comprising: a step in which the local thickness is defined by glass between a first main surface and a second main surface of the glass ribbon.   The method of claim 7, further comprising controlling a local temperature of at least one of the plurality of individual locations to control a corresponding local thickness of the glass ribbon. The step of selecting one or more of the plurality of individual positions based on measurement of at least one of the thickness of the glass ribbon and the thickness of the glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon, wherein the measurement 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising the step of the defined thickness being defined by the glass between the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon. 10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising selectively controlling a local temperature of the float bath to selectively control a local thickness of the at least one position among the plurality of individual positions. The method according to claim 1.

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