JP2019500302A - Glass redraw system and method of forming thin glass using glass redraw system - Google Patents

Abstract

  A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, a decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing, a preheating region positioned between the furnace inlet and the decay heating unit, and a furnace exit; A glass redraw system comprising a redraw furnace having an annealing region positioned between the decay heating unit. The glass redraw system is coupled to the furnace housing and extends to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating or annealing regions, and to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating or annealing regions. It further includes one or more heat modifying gates that inhibit heat transfer along.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

  This application claims the benefit of priority under Section 119 of the United States Code, Volume 35 “Patent Law” of US Provisional Application No. 62/260792 filed Nov. 30, 2015, , In its entirety, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  Embodiments described herein generally relate to glass redraw systems and methods of forming sheet glass using glass redraw systems.

  The glass plate can be formed using various processes. For example, the glass plate can be formed using a fusion downdraw method, a slot downdraw method, a float method, or the like. Furthermore, the thickness of the glass plate can be reduced by thinning the glass plate using etching or grinding methods. However, there is a need for alternative methods of forming thin glass.

  In some embodiments, a glass redraw system includes a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, a decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing, and between the furnace inlet and the decay heating unit. And a redraw furnace having a preheating region positioned in the region and an annealing region positioned between the furnace outlet and the decay heating unit. The glass redraw system is coupled to the furnace housing and extends to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating or annealing regions, and to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating or annealing regions. It further includes one or more heat modifying gates that inhibit heat transfer along.

  In some embodiments, a glass redraw system has a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, and is coupled to the furnace housing and configured to output heat to the furnace housing. And a redraw furnace having a configured decay heating unit. A redraw path extends through the furnace channel. Further, the damping roller assembly includes one or more motorized roller pairs of rollers that extend into the furnace channel in the transport direction at a location downstream of the damping heating unit, the one or more motorized roller pairs of the rollers in the redraw path. Adjustable between the stretched position along and the retracted position away from the redraw path, and further, one or more motorized roller pairs of rollers are used to apply vertical tension to the preform glass plate Engageable with preform glass plate.

  In still some other embodiments, a method of dampening a preform glass sheet includes suspending the preform glass sheet in a redraw furnace using a supply unit. A redraw furnace has a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, and a plurality of heating coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing Includes units. This method uses a plurality of heating units so that at least a portion of the preform glass plate is heated to a softening temperature (or a temperature close to the softening temperature at which the glass may be drawn). A dampening roller assembly that extends the first surface and the second surface of the preform glass sheet to a furnace channel in a conveying direction at a position downstream of one or more dampening heating units of the plurality of heating units; Engaging one or more roller cylinders of the damping roller assembly so that the thickness of the preform glass plate is attenuated (ie, the sheet is drawn) as the preform glass plate translates in the transport direction. Applying vertical tension to the preform glass plate by rotating.

  The above and further features provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

  The embodiments described in the drawings are exemplary, exemplary in nature, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like structure is indicated with like reference numerals.

Schematic cross-sectional view of a glass redraw system including a redraw furnace, a redraw drive system, and a recovery unit, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Schematic of a preform glass plate according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the redraw furnace of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 1 is a schematic diagram of the redraw furnace of FIG. 1 including a first plurality of heating units, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Schematic of redraw system controller and components of glass redraw system communicatively coupled to redraw system controller 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the redraw furnace of FIG. 1 and two thermally modified gates coupled to the redraw furnace, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. 1 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary temperature gradient of the redraw furnace of FIG. 1 along a redraw path, in accordance with one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. 1 is a schematic diagram of a glass hanger system of the redraw drive system of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a glass clamping base of the glass hanger system of FIG. 8, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 10 is a schematic diagram of the redraw furnace of FIG. 1 including a plurality of roller assemblies of a redraw drive system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of an exemplary roller assembly of the redraw furnace and redraw drive system of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments described herein. Schematic side cross-sectional view of an exemplary roller assembly having pivotable rollers in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

  Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for dampening preform glass plates using a glass redraw system. In some embodiments, the glass redraw system includes a redraw furnace having a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, and the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel. It includes a plurality of heating units coupled to the furnace housing so that it can. In some embodiments, the glass redraw system further includes a redraw path extending through the furnace channel and extending between the furnace inlet and the recovery unit. In some embodiments, the redraw furnace further includes a plurality of furnace areas including an attenuation area having one or more attenuation heating units. In operation, when multiple heating units output heat to the furnace channel, one or more decay heating units output heat at a higher temperature than other heating units coupled to the furnace housing, and the redraw path The transverse preform glass plate is heated to a softening temperature in the decay region, and in some embodiments, within a range of temperatures where the viscosity increases sufficiently to allow the preform glass plate to be reshaped. The preform glass plate may be slightly lower than the softening temperature. The glass redraw system guides the preform glass plate by engaging the preform glass plate to damp the thickness of the preform glass plate, and a glass supply system that suspends the preform glass plate in the furnace channel And a plurality of roller assemblies positioned along the redraw path to apply vertical tension through the furnace housing. Various systems and methods for attenuating preform glass plates using a glass redraw system are described in more detail herein with particular reference to the corresponding figures.

  As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to the thickness direction from the front to the rear of the glass redraw system, for example, the longitudinal direction is the first of the redraw furnaces described herein. And between the first and second surfaces of the preform glass sheet when the preform glass sheet crosses the redraw path (ie, in the +/− Y direction shown). . The term “lateral” refers to the front-to-back width direction of the glass redraw system, for example, the lateral direction extends between the first and second edge walls of the redraw furnace described herein. , Extending between the first and second edges of the preform glass plate when traversing the redraw path (ie in the +/− X direction shown) and transverse to the longitudinal direction It is. The term “vertical direction” refers to the up and down direction of the glass redraw system (ie, in the +/− Z direction shown) and is transverse to the lateral and longitudinal directions.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, the glass redraw system 100 is shown to include a redraw furnace 200, a redraw drive system 300 that includes a supply unit 310 and a plurality of roller assemblies 330, and a collection unit 400. The redraw path 102 extends through the redraw furnace 200, for example, through the furnace channel 216 and ends at the collection unit 400. As used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are comparative terms that indicate the relative positions of components along the redraw path 102. For example, if the first component is closer to the collection unit 400 along the redraw path 102 than the second component, the first component is “downstream” of the second component and the second component The component is “upstream” of the first component. During operation, the preform glass plate 110 may travel in the transport direction 104 along the redraw path 102 through the redraw furnace 200, and the redraw furnace 200 heats the preform glass plate 110. Further, the redraw drive system 300 may engage the preform glass plate 110 to translate the glass from the preform glass plate 110 along the redraw path 102 between the furnace inlet 230 and the collection unit 400. When the preform glass plate 110 and glass drawn therefrom are heated by a redraw furnace, the thickness T and width W of the resulting glass plate (FIG. 2) are the tensile forces applied by the redraw drive system 300. It may be changed by.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, preform glass plate 110 may be any exemplary glass plate, such as soda lime glass, fused silica glass, “Corning Inc.” Gorilla (registered) sold by Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY. Trademark) glass (eg, “Corning” code 2319), “Corning” EAGLE XG®, “Corning” Lotus® glass, and the like. The preform glass plate 110 may be formed using any glass manufacturing method, for example, a fusion draw method, a slot draw method, a down draw method, an up draw method, a float method, or the like. The preform glass plate 110 includes a first surface 112 opposite the second surface 114 and a first edge 116 opposite the second edge 118. The first and second surfaces 112, 114 extend between the first and second edges 116, 118, and in some embodiments, are each substantially planar. The preform glass plate 110 also includes a lateral center 115 positioned substantially midway between the first edge 116 and the second edge 118. The thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 may be measured in the longitudinal direction between the first surface 112 and the second surface 114, and the width W of the preform glass plate 110 is determined by the first edge. It may be measured laterally between 116 and the second edge 118. It should be understood that the preform glass plate 110 may comprise any glass composition and any size. Further, the preform glass plate 110 may be formed in a spool that may be unrolled to introduce the preform glass plate 110 into the furnace channel 216 of the redraw furnace 200, as will be described below. Furthermore, the preform glass plate 110 may be a laminated glass plate provided with two or more laminated glass layers.

  In some embodiments, the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 is from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm before the glass is drawn from the preform glass plate 110 to traverse the redraw path 102. The glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 and crossing the redraw path has a thickness of about 10 μm to about 500 μm, such as about 10 μm to about 480 μm, about 10 μm to about 460 μm, about 10 μm to about 440 μm, about 10 μm. To about 420 μm, from about 10 μm to about 400 μm, from about 10 μm to about 380 μm, from about 10 μm to about 360 μm, from about 10 μm to about 340 μm, from about 10 μm to about 320 μm, from about 10 μm to about 300 μm, from about 10 μm to About 280 μm, about 10 μm to about 260 μm, about 10 μm to about 240 μm, about 10 μm to about 220 μm, about 10 μm to about 200 μm, about 10 μm to about 180 μm, about 10 μm to about 160 μm, about 10 μm to about Up to 140μm, About 10 μm to about 120 μm, about 10 μm to about 100 μm, about 10 μm to about 80 μm, about 10 μm to about 60 μm, about 10 μm to about 40 μm, about 10 μm to about 20 μm, about 20 μm to about 500 μm, about 40 μm to about 500 μm, about 60 μm to about 500 μm, about 80 μm to about 500 μm, about 100 μm to about 500 μm, about 120 μm to about 500 μm, about 140 μm to about 500 μm, about 160 μm to about 500 μm, about 180 μm To about 500 μm, about 200 μm to about 500 μm, about 220 μm to about 500 μm, about 240 μm to about 500 μm, about 260 μm to about 500 μm, about 280 μm to about 500 μm, about 300 μm to about 500 μm, about 320 μm m to about 500 μm, about 340 μm to about 500 μm, about 360 μm to about 500 μm, about 380 μm to about 500 μm, about 400 μm to about 500 μm, about 400 μm to about 500 μm, about 420 μm to about 500 μm, about 440 μm To about 500 μm, from about 460 μm to about 500 μm, from about 480 μm to about 500 μm, from about 20 μm to about 480 μm, from about 40 μm to about 460 μm, from about 60 μm to about 440 μm, from about 80 μm to about 420 μm, from about 100 μm About 400 μm, about 120 μm to about 380 μm, about 140 μm to about 360 μm, about 160 μm to about 340 μm, about 180 μm to about 320 μm, about 200 μm to about 300 μm, about 220 μm to about 280 μm From about 240μm to about 260 .mu.m, about 25 [mu] m, 50 [mu] m, 100 [mu] m, may have a like to 200 [mu] m. For example, the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 before the glass is drawn from the preform glass plate 110 to cross the redraw path 102 is the thickness of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 and across the redraw path 102. From about 5 times to about 15 times the size of T. Further, the width W of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 may be changed when the glass crosses the redraw path 102.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the redraw furnace 200 includes a first surface wall 222 that faces the second surface wall 224, a first edge wall 226 that faces the second edge wall 228, and A furnace housing 210 having a furnace channel 216 positioned between first and second surface walls 222, 224 and first and second edge walls 226, 228 is provided. In some embodiments, the furnace housing 210 has one or more thermal insulation materials, such as alumina-silica, silica, zirconia-based fiberboard, silica block, mullite block, quartz, glass ceramic with high softening temperature, and the like. May be provided. The furnace housing 210 further includes a furnace inlet 230 positioned at the inlet end 212 of the redraw furnace 200 and a furnace outlet 232 positioned at the outlet end 214 of the redraw furnace 200. During operation, the furnace housing 210 may help maintain a controlled environment within the redraw furnace 200. For example, in some embodiments, the furnace housing 210 includes a clean room and / or an inert gas atmosphere therein.

  The redraw path 102 extends through the furnace channel 216 and ends at the recovery unit 400. During operation, the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom may travel along the redraw path 102 in the transport direction 104 through the redraw furnace 200. As the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom travel through the furnace housing 210 along the redraw path 102, the glass from the first surface 112 of the preform glass plate 110 becomes the first surface wall. 222, the glass from the second surface 114 may face the second surface wall 224, and the glass from the first edge 116 faces the first edge wall 226. Alternatively, the glass from the second edge 118 may face the second edge wall 228. Although the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn from it have been described as traversing the redraw path 102 in a particular orientation, this need not be the case and the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom are drawn. It should be understood that the glass may have different orientations while traversing the redraw path 102.

  As shown in FIG. 3, redraw furnace 200 includes temporary furnace inlet cover 234 and temporary furnace outlet detachably engageable with furnace housing 210 to cover furnace inlet 230 and furnace outlet 232, respectively. A cover 236 may also be provided. In operation, the temporary furnace inlet cover 234 and the temporary furnace outlet cover 236 may be engaged with the furnace housing 210 during the preheating process, for example, before the preform glass plate 110 is introduced into the furnace channel 216. After the preheating process, the temporary furnace inlet cover 234 may be removed so that the supply unit 310 can engage the redraw furnace 200 at the furnace inlet 230 to introduce the preform glass sheet 110 into the furnace channel 216. When the supply unit 310 engages the redraw furnace 200, the temporary furnace outlet cover 236 may be removed, and the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom pass through the furnace outlet 232 across the redraw path 102. The furnace channel 216 may be exited.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the redraw furnace 200 includes a plurality of furnace regions 240, for example, a staging region 242, a preheating region 244, an attenuation region 246, and an annealing region 248. In some embodiments, one or more heating units 250a, 250b may be coupled to portions of the furnace housing 210 within the preheat region 244, the attenuation region 246, and the anneal region 248. For example, the one or more heating units include a first plurality of heating units 250a coupled to the first surface wall 222 and vertically spaced along the first surface wall 222, and a second surface wall. A second plurality of heating units 250b coupled to 224 and vertically spaced along the second surface wall 224 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the individual heating units (252a, 245a, 256a, 258a, 260a, 262a, 264a) of the first plurality of heating units 250a and the individual of the second plurality of heating units 250b The heating units (252b, 254b, 256b, 258b, 260b, 262b, 264b) may be positioned at a common vertical position along the first and second surface walls 222, 224, respectively, facing each other Also good. The first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b are each positioned and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace channel 216. During operation, when the preform glass plate 110 is positioned in the furnace channel 216 and when glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is traversing the redraw path 102, the first and second plurality of heatings. The heat output by the units 250a and 250b changes the temperature of the preform glass plate 110 and the temperature of the glass drawn from it to facilitate the attenuation of the glass thickness T drawn from the preform glass plate 110. May be.

  The glass redraw system 100 may further comprise a redraw system controller 150, as schematically shown in FIG. The redraw system controller 150 may comprise any exemplary computing device that receives information and stores machine-readable instructions, eg, RAM, ROM, flash memory, hard drive, or machine-readable instructions. One including any processing unit configured to execute from one or more memory modules 156 comprising any device capable of being accessed by one or more processors 152 from machine-readable instructions The above processor 152 may be provided. Each of the one or more processors 152 may be a controller, an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer, or any other computing device.

  In addition, one or more processors 152 and one or more memory modules 156 are coupled to the communication path 154. As used herein, the term “communicatively coupled” means that coupled components are used to transmit data signals to each other, for example, electrical signals via conductive media, and electromagnetic signals via air. This means that an optical signal can be exchanged via an optical waveguide. Therefore, the communication path 154 may be formed from any medium capable of transmitting a signal, for example, a conductive wire, a conductive wire, an optical waveguide, or the like. In some embodiments, the communication path 154 may facilitate transmission of a wireless signal, eg, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. Further, the communication path 154 may be formed from a combination of media capable of transmitting signals.

  Still referring to FIG. 5, the redraw system controller 150 includes each of the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b, and the redraw furnace 200 includes a supply unit 310 and a plurality of roller assemblies 330. , May be communicatively coupled to the redraw drive system 300 and to the collection unit 400, and signals may be transmitted and received, respectively, along the communication path 154, for example. Further, the redraw system controller 150 may receive signals based on instructions stored in the one or more memory modules 156 and / or received by the redraw system controller 150, for example, one or more users. It may be provided in response to user input received by an input device 158, eg, a haptic or audible input device. For example, the redraw system controller 150 may send a communication signal to control the amount of heat output by each heating unit of the plurality of heating units 250a, 250b, for example, to control the temperature in the furnace channel 216. It may be provided to the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b.

  For ease of understanding, the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b and the furnace region 240 are further described below with respect to the first plurality of heating units 250a positioned along the first surface wall 222. This will be described in detail. The description of each individual heating unit of the plurality of first heating units 250a is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and positioned at a common vertical position as each individual heating unit of the first plurality of heating units 250a. It should be understood that this applies to the corresponding individual heating unit of the second plurality of heating units 250b.

  Referring again to FIG. 4, each heating unit of the first plurality of heating units 250a further includes a plurality of heating elements 250a 'positioned laterally adjacent along each heating unit. During operation, each heating element 250a ′ of the first plurality of heating units 250a is configured to output heat in a controllable and variable temperature, eg, in response to a signal received from the redraw system controller 150. May be. In some embodiments, individual heating unit heating elements 250a 'may output heat uniformly, and in some embodiments, each heating unit 250a heating element 250a' may be a preform glass. The length of the preform glass plate 110 (FIG. 2) and the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 as the plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom traverse the redraw path 102. Heat may be variably output so that the adjacent portions are heated to different temperatures at different locations between the first edge 116 and the second edge 118. Further, the heating element 250a 'may include any exemplary heating device, such as a resistance heater, such as a molybdenum disilicide heater, an induction heater, or a combination thereof.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the staging area 242 may be positioned near the furnace inlet 230 between the furnace inlet 230 and the preheat area 244. In the staging area 242, the furnace housing 210 may be provided with insulation and in some embodiments may not include any heating unit. In operation, the staging area 242 holds the preform glass sheet 110 before the preform glass sheet 110 and the glass drawn therefrom cross the preheat area 244, the attenuation area 246, and the anneal area 248 along the redraw path 102. Provide location. In an alternative embodiment, the redraw furnace 200 does not include a staging area 242.

  The preheating region 244 is upstream of the attenuation region 246 adjacent to the attenuation region 246 so that the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom cross the redraw path 102 from the preheating region 244 to the attenuation region 246 in the transport direction 104. May be positioned between the staging area 242 and the attenuation area 246. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the preheating region 244 comprises a first preheating unit 252a positioned vertically adjacent to the second preheating unit 254a. Although two preheating units 252a, 254a are shown along the first surface wall 222, the preheating region 244 may comprise any number of preheating units. Further, the first and second preheating units 252a, 254a each include one or more heating elements 252a ', 254a', 252a ", 254a", 252a "", 254a "". For example, the first and second preheating units 252a, 254a may be disposed between the first edge heating element 252a ′, 254a ′ and the second edge heating element 252a ′ ″, 254a ′ ″, respectively. Positioned central heating elements 252a ", 254a" are provided. Three heating elements are shown in each of the first and second preheating units 252a, 254a, but each preheating unit 252a, 254a may comprise any number of heating elements.

  During operation, the first preheating unit 252a may output heat at a lower temperature than the second preheating unit 254a, although any heat output is contemplated. In some embodiments, the first preheating unit 252a may be configured to output heat from about 600 ° C. to about 700 ° C., eg, about 625 ° C., 650 ° C., 675 ° C., etc. When the reformed glass plate 110 is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the first preheating unit 252a, it is adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110. The portion is adapted to have a temperature from about 400 ° C. to about 500 ° C., for example, about 425 ° C., 450 ° C., 475 ° C., etc. Further, each heating element 252a'-252a '' 'of the first preheating unit 252a may output heat at a uniform temperature or at a different temperature. For example, in some embodiments, the central heating element 252a '' of the first preheating unit 252a includes each of the first and second edge heating elements 252a ', 252a' '' of the first preheating unit 252a. Heat may be output at a higher temperature. However, it should be understood that other relative heat output combinations are contemplated.

  During operation, the second preheating unit 254a may be configured to output heat from about 800 ° C. to about 900 ° C., for example, about 825 ° C., 850 ° C., 875 ° C., etc. Is positioned longitudinally adjacent to the second preheating unit 254a in the redraw path 102 and is adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 (FIG. 2). The portion is adapted to have a temperature from about 600 ° C. to about 700 ° C., for example, about 625 ° C., 650 ° C., 675 ° C., etc. Further, each heating element 254a'-254a '' 'of the second preheating unit 254a may output heat at a uniform temperature or at a different temperature. For example, in some embodiments, the central heating element 254a ″ of the first preheating unit 254a is each of the first and second edge heating elements 254a ′, 254a ′ ″ of the second preheating unit 254a. Heat may be output at a higher temperature. However, it should be understood that other relative heat output combinations are contemplated.

  Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the attenuation region 246 is positioned between the preheating region 244 and the annealing region 248 upstream of and adjacent to the annealing region 248, and the preform glass plate 110. The glass drawn out from the glass may cross the redraw path 102 from the attenuation region 246 to the annealing region 248 in the transport direction 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the attenuation region 246 comprises an attenuation heating unit 256a that includes five attenuation heating elements 256a'-256a "" ". For example, the decay heating unit 256a includes a first intermediate decay heating element 256a '' positioned between the central decay heating element 256a ′ ″ and the first edge decay heating element 256a ′, and a central decay heating element. A second intermediate decay heating element 256a ″ ″ positioned between the body 256a ′ ″ and the second edge decay heating element 256a ′ ″ ″.

  FIG. 4 shows an exemplary attenuation region 246 with a single attenuation heating unit 256a having five attenuation heating elements 256a′-256a ′ ″ ″, but the attenuation region 246 may be in any number of lateral directions. It should be understood that any number of vertically adjacent decay heating units 256a may be provided, each of which may comprise an adjacent decay heating element. Further, in some embodiments, the decay heating unit 256a is from about 1 inch (2.54 cm) to 12 inches (about 30.48 cm), such as 2 inches (5.08 cm), 4 inches (10.16 cm), 6 inches ( 15.24 cm), 8 inches (20.32 cm), 10 inches (25.40 cm), etc., with vertical heights, each of preheating units 252a, 254a and annealing heating units 258a-264a described below. May be less than each.

  In some embodiments, the decay heating unit 256a may output heat at a higher temperature than both the first and second preheating units 252a, 254a, although any heat output is contemplated. In some embodiments, the decay heating unit 256a may output heat from 1300 ° C. to about 1700 ° C., eg, about 1400 ° C., 1500 ° C., 1600 ° C., etc., and is drawn from the preform glass plate 110. Adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the glass drawn from the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 when the glass is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the decay heating unit 256a. The portion to be provided has a temperature of about 900 ° C. to about 1300 ° C., for example, about 1000 ° C., 1100 ° C., 1200 ° C., or the like. Further, each heating element 256a'-256a "" "of the decay heating unit 256a may output heat at a uniform temperature or at a different temperature. For example, in one embodiment, the central attenuation heating element 256a ′ ″ is larger than the first and second edge attenuation heating elements 256a ′, 256a ′ ″ ″ and the first and second intermediate attenuations. Heat may be output at a temperature higher than each of the heating elements 256a ″, 256a ″ ″. However, it should be understood that other relative heat output combinations are contemplated.

  During operation, the decay heating unit 256a heats each part of the preform glass plate 110 positioned within the decay region 246 to a softening temperature, and in some embodiments, a temperature range in which the preform glass plate increases in viscosity. Heating inward, these temperatures may be below the softening temperature. When the softening temperature is reached, or when the viscosity temperature is lower than the softening temperature, the preform glass plate 110 is viscous and, as will be described below, the tensile force applied by the redraw drive system 300 is determined by the preform glass plate. A thickness T of 110 may be attenuated. Furthermore, the softening temperature of the preform glass plate 110 may be lower than the glass lump forming temperature of the preform glass plate 110, for example, may be lower than the temperature at which the preform glass plate 110 starts to become a glass lump. It should be understood that different embodiments of the preform glass plate 110 may have different softening temperatures. For example, the thickness and composition of the preform glass plate 110 may change the softening temperature of the preform glass plate 110.

  Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the anneal region 248 is positioned upstream of the furnace outlet 232 and adjacent to the furnace outlet 232, between the damping region 246 and the furnace outlet 232, and the preform glass plate 110. The glass drawn from may be allowed to cross the redraw path 102 from the annealing region 248 to the furnace outlet 232 in the transport direction 104. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the anneal region 248 comprises a plurality of anneal heating units, eg, four anneal heating units 258a, 260a, 262a, 264a. The first annealing heating unit 258a is positioned adjacent to the attenuation region 246 and perpendicular to the downstream side of the attenuation region 246, and the second annealing heating unit 260a is adjacent to the first annealing heating unit 258a and Positioned vertically downstream of the first annealing heating unit 258a, the third annealing heating unit 262a is adjacent to the second annealing heating unit 260a and perpendicular to the downstream side of the second annealing heating unit 260a. Positioned, the fourth annealing heating unit 264a is positioned vertically adjacent to the third annealing heating unit 262a and downstream of the third annealing heating unit 262a. Although four annealing heating units are shown, it should be understood that any number of annealing heating units are contemplated.

  Furthermore, each annealing heating unit may include a plurality of annealing heating elements. For example, each annealing heating unit 258a-264a may be interposed between a respective first edge annealing heating element 258a'-264a 'and a respective second edge annealing heating element 258a' ''-264a '' '. A positioned central anneal heating element 258a "-264a" may be provided. Although three annealing heating elements are shown in each of the annealing heating units 258a-264a, it should be understood that each annealing heating unit 258a-264a may comprise any number of annealing heating elements. Further, each annealing heating element of each annealing heating unit 258a-264a may output heat at a uniform temperature or at a different temperature. For example, in some embodiments, the central annealing heating element 258a "-264a" of each annealing heating unit 258a-264a includes each of the first edge annealing heating elements 258a'-264a 'and each annealing heating unit. Heat may be output at a temperature greater than the temperature of the heat output by each of the second edge anneal heating elements 258a ′ ″-264a ′ ″ of 258a-264a. However, it should be understood that other relative heat output combinations are contemplated.

  The first annealing heating unit 258a may output heat at a higher temperature than each subsequent downstream annealing heating unit (eg, the second, third and fourth annealing heating units 260a-264a), The glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 can be annealed as the glass crosses the redraw path 102. For example, the first annealing heating unit 258a may be configured to output heat from about 1000 ° C. to about 1300 ° C., for example, about 1050 ° C., 1150 ° C., 1250 ° C., etc. In the longitudinal direction of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 when the glass drawn from is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the first annealing heating unit 258a. Glass drawn from adjacent portions may be provided with a temperature from about 750 ° C. to about 950 ° C., for example, about 800 ° C., 862 ° C., 900 ° C., or the like.

  The second annealing heating unit 260a may output heat at a higher temperature than each subsequent downstream annealing heating unit (eg, the third and fourth annealing heating units 262a-264a). For example, the second annealing heating unit 260a may be configured to output heat from about 900 ° C. to about 1200 ° C., for example, about 975 ° C., 1022 ° C., 1100 ° C., etc. When the glass drawn from is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the second annealing heating unit 260a, in the longitudinal direction of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 The glass drawn from adjacent portions may be provided with a temperature from about 650 ° C. to about 850 ° C., for example, about 700 ° C., 722 ° C., 800 ° C., and the like.

  The third annealing heating unit 262a may output heat at a higher temperature than each subsequent downstream annealing heating unit (eg, the fourth annealing heating unit 264a). For example, the third annealing heating unit 262a may be configured to output heat from about 800 ° C. to about 1100 ° C., for example, about 850 ° C., 935 ° C., 1000 ° C., etc. In the longitudinal direction of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 when the glass drawn from is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the third annealing heating unit 262a. Glass drawn from adjacent portions may be provided with temperatures from about 550 ° C. to about 750 ° C., for example, about 600 ° C., 635 ° C., 650 ° C., 700 ° C.

  In some embodiments, the fourth anneal heating unit 264a outputs heat from about 700 ° C. to about 1000 ° C., eg, about 750 ° C., 800 ° C., 845 ° C., 900 ° C., 950 ° C., etc. The glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is positioned in the redraw path 102 longitudinally adjacent to the fourth anneal heating unit 264a and the first and The glass drawn from the longitudinally adjacent portion of the second surface 112, 114 may have a temperature from about 450 ° C. to about 650 ° C., for example, about 500 ° C., 545 ° C., 600 ° C., etc. It has become. Further, in some embodiments, the temperature in the furnace channel 216 at the furnace outlet 232 may comprise from about 125 ° C. to about 325 ° C., such as about 150 ° C., 200 ° C., 300 ° C., and the like.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the glass redraw system 100 is coupled to one or more of, for example, a first surface wall 222, a second surface wall 224, a first edge wall 226, a second edge wall 228, And / or may include one or more heat spreaders 130 positioned within the furnace housing 210 coupled to one or more of the plurality of heating units 250. The one or more heat spreaders 130 may comprise a block of a high thermal conductivity material, such as silicon carbide, copper or platinum, which functions to distribute heat uniformly in the glass redraw system. Individual heat spreaders 130 may be positioned through redraw furnace 200, for example, in preheat region 244, attenuation region 246, and / or anneal region 248. During operation, each heat spreader 130 may evenly distribute the heat output by the plurality of heating units 250 along the heat spreader 130, for example, along the surface of the heat spreader 130 facing the furnace channel 216. . When an individual heat spreader 130 is positioned adjacent to an individual heating unit, the heat spreader 130 heats uniformly along the heating unit to manage temperature gradients in both the lateral and vertical directions. It may be dispersed. In addition, during operation, the one or more heat spreaders 130 may have a uniform temperature at discrete locations within the furnace channel 216 adjacent to each heating unit and heating element of the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b. May be maintained. Some alternative embodiments of the glass redraw system 100 may not include one or more heat spreaders 130.

  In some embodiments, the width of the one or more heat spreaders 130 is at least as wide as a drawn glass plate made from the preform glass plate 110. That is, in operation, the heat spreader 130 functions to evenly distribute heat over the entire width of the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom, so that the drawn sheet is spread over its entire width. Thickness uniformity and uniform stress profile are provided. Uniform heat distribution is particularly advantageous in the damping region 246 where thickness variations and stresses are incorporated into the glass plate as it travels through the viscoelastic region. Also, in some embodiments, the height of the one or more heat spreaders 130 to advantageously affect the thickness uniformity and low stress profile of the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom. It is advantageous to adapt the (z-direction dimension) to the height of the attenuation region 246.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the glass redraw system 100 further includes one or more heat modifying gates 120 a, 120 b coupled to the furnace housing 210 and extending to the furnace channel 216. Each thermal change gate 120a, 120b is coupled to a first gate portion 122a, 122b coupled to the first surface wall 222 of the furnace housing 210 and to a second surface wall 224 of the furnace housing 210. Second gate portions 124a and 124b are provided. In some embodiments, the one or more heat modifying gates 120a, 120b are slidably coupled to the furnace housing, and the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b and 124a, 124b each include, for example, The position 126 can be moved in the longitudinal direction between the retracted position 126 and the expanded position 128. At the extended position 128, the first and second gate portions 122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b are positioned within the furnace channel 216 and end longitudinally adjacent to the redraw path 102. At the position 126 after retraction, the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b are removed from the furnace channel 216, for example, retreating toward the first and second surface walls 222, 224, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second surface walls 222, 224 are retracted. It should be understood that the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b and 124a, 124b may also be positioned between the retracted position 126 and the extended position 128. Further, in some embodiments, one or more heat modifying gates 120a, 120b may be fixedly coupled to the furnace housing 210, and the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b are: Extends to the furnace channel 216 and ends longitudinally adjacent to the redraw path 102.

  During operation, the heat change gates 120a, 120b may change heat transfer in the vertical direction through the furnace channel 216. When the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b are positioned in the furnace channel 216, for example, at the extended position 128, the heat change gate 120 directs heat transfer through the heat change gate 120. And may be restricted in the vertical direction. It is contemplated that the one or more heat modifying gates 120a, b may be constructed of any material suitable to provide thermal insulation between the furnace regions 240. For example, it is contemplated that the one or more thermal modification gates 120a, 120b may be constructed of metal or refractory, such as Haynes 230 ™ high temperature material sold by Haynes International, Kokomo, Indiana. In some embodiments, the material at the portion of the thermal change gate opposite the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom reduces the thickness variation and / or stress scarring of the glass plate. It may be a good heat conductor. In some embodiments, the thermal modification gates 120a, b are configured to limit heat transfer in the vertical direction (eg, the z-direction) to help provide good thermal control, particularly in the attenuation region 246. As long as it functions, it need not be adjustable (ie, slidable or otherwise movable between the extended position and the retracted position).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the one or more heat change gates 120a, 120b include an upstream heat change gate 121 and a downstream heat change gate 120b. The upstream heat change gate 120a may be positioned between the preheating region 244 and the attenuation region 246, for example, between the second preheating unit 254a, 254b and the attenuation heating unit 256a, 256b. The downstream heat change gate 120b may be positioned between the anneal region 248 and the decay region 246, for example, between the decay heating unit 256a, 256b and the first anneal heating unit 258a, 258b. It should be understood that any number of thermal modification gates 120a, b are contemplated.

  During operation, the upstream heat change gate 120a may control and inhibit heat transfer between the preheat region 244 and the attenuation region 246, and the downstream heat change gate 120b may transfer heat transfer to the anneal region 248 and the attenuation region. You may control between H.246. When the upstream and downstream thermal change gates 120a, 120b are positioned in the furnace channel 216, for example, at the extended position 128, the redraw path 102 and the first and second gate portions 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b The gap in the furnace channel 216 between each of the two is limited to limit heat transfer in the furnace channel 216 between the preheat region 244 and one or both of the anneal region 248 and the attenuation region 246. Become. By controlling the heat transfer, the heat change gates 120a, 120b cause a rapid temperature gradient between the preheat region 244 and the attenuation region 246 and a rapid temperature gradient between the anneal region 248 and the attenuation region 246. make it easier.

  During operation, the rapid temperature gradient causes a uniform attenuation of the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 through the attenuation region 246 as the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom cross the redraw path 102. Can be easy. Further, the thermal change gates 120a, 120b are necessary to achieve the desired temperature in the attenuation region 246 by limiting the heat escape between the attenuation region 246, the preheat region 244, and the anneal region 248. Can reduce the amount of power consumed. In addition, the combination of one or more heat spreaders 130 and upstream and downstream thermal change gates 120a, 120b positioned within the attenuation region 246 may result in the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom being the attenuation region. When traversing 246, a narrow attenuation region 246 with uniform controlled heat radiating onto the preform glass plate 110 and the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of glass drawn therefrom may be generated.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary vertical temperature gradient 500 of the redraw furnace 200 along the redraw path 102 is shown graphically. In particular, FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an estimated heating unit temperature 502 for each individual heating unit 250a, 250b (eg, heating units 252a-264a) along the redraw path 102, and the preform glass plate along the redraw path 102. And / or schematically shows an estimated temperature 504 of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate. As shown in FIG. 7, the temperature of the redraw furnace 200 increases along the redraw path 102 from the preheating region 244 to the attenuation region 246 and then decreases 102 along the redraw path via the anneal region 248. Sometimes. Further, FIG. 7 illustrates first and second preheating units 252a, 254a, decay heating unit 256a, first, second, third, and fourth annealing heating units 258a-264a along the redraw path 102, upstream. The location of the side and downstream heat change gates 120a, 120b is schematically shown.

  In some embodiments, it is advantageous for the preform glass plate 110 to have a narrow band (in the transport direction 104) that is heated to a viscous state in the damping region 246. This narrow band provides strong but short heat to provide good attenuation in the thickness direction (T) from the thickness of the preform glass plate 110 to the desired thickness for the glass plate drawn from the preform glass plate 110. May be generated by promoting spikes. That is, it is easier to control the narrow attenuation region 246 to have a uniform heat distribution so that there is a low thickness variation in the drawn glass plate. The heat distribution in the attenuation region 246 controls the heating elements of the attenuation heating units 256a, 256b, controls the heat distribution using the heat spreader 130, and controls the convective flow in the furnace channel 216. (E.g., by using a gas extraction tube 280 (see FIG. 3) and using an adiabatic gate including a thermal modification gate 120 to control fluid flow through the furnace channel 216). May be controlled by these factors.

  Further, in a narrow attenuation region, undesirable attenuation is reduced in the width direction (W) of the drawn glass plate formed from the preform glass plate 110. If the damping region is too large in the z direction, the glass plate will take too much time in a viscous state, which can undesirably cause out-of-plane shapes or warping. At a location upstream of the attenuation region 246, i.e., in the preheating region 244, the preform glass plate 110 is moderately heated to promote maximum relaxation in the glass plate prior to entering the attenuation region 246. That is, if the preform glass plate 110 still has too much stress when the preform glass plate 110 enters the higher temperature decay region 246, the preform glass plate 110 may disadvantageously experience thermal shock. . In addition, the glass plate can pass through a viscous / viscoelastic state and can cool more rapidly after entering the elastic state, reducing the possibility of thermal shock, undesirable stress profiles, heat marks, and the like. Thus, downstream of the attenuation region, the temperature gradient may drop somewhat quickly but remains uniform across the entire width (W) of the glass sheet.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, the supply unit 310 of the redraw drive system 300 introduces the preform glass plate 110 into the redraw furnace 200 and suspends the preform glass plate 110 into the furnace channel. The preform glass plate 110 is configured to translate along at least a part of the redraw path 102. As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, the supply unit 310 includes a glass clamping base 322, a hanger driving system 328, and a glass clamping base 322 and a hanger that are engageable with the preform glass plate 110. A glass hanger system 312 that includes one or more suspension shafts 314a, 314b coupled to the drive system 328 and extending between the glass clamping base 322 and the hanger drive system 328 is provided. The glass hanger system 312 further includes a hanger cover 320 that is removably engageable with the inlet end 212 of the furnace housing 210 to seal the furnace inlet 230. In other embodiments, the supply unit 310 can be used to replace the preform glass plate 110 with the redraw furnace 200 and the redraw path 102, such as when the substitute supply unit 310 is, for example, in the form of a roll. There may be provided a roll supply device configured to output the output.

  In some embodiments, the one or more suspension shafts 314a, 314b of the glass hanger system 312 include a first suspension shaft 314a having a first shaft end 316 and a second shaft end 318, respectively. A second hanging shaft 314b is provided. The first and second suspended shafts 314 a, 314 b are each coupled to the hanger drive system 328 at the first shaft end 316 and are coupled to the glass clamping base 322 at the second shaft end 318. In some embodiments, the suspension shaft 314 is coupled to the hanger drive system 328 using a universal joint 360. As shown in FIG. 8, one or more suspension shafts 314 extend through the hanger cover 320 and the first shaft end when the hanger cover 320 is coupled to the furnace housing 210. 316 ends outside the furnace casing 210 and the second shaft end 318 ends within the furnace casing 210. The hanger cover 320 includes a cover portion 372, a locking mechanism 374, and one or more gaskets 376, eg, a donut gasket comprising a deformable elastic material, such as silicone. One or more gaskets 376 may seal the furnace inlet 230 of the furnace housing 210 to the hanger cover 320 when the hanger cover 320 is engaged with the furnace housing 210.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the glass clamping base 322 includes a base housing 323, a hanger handle 326 removably coupled to the base housing 323, and a glass clamp 324 coupled to the hanger handle 326. The base housing 323 may comprise any thermal insulation material, such as alumina-silica, silica, zirconia-based fiberboard, and the like. Glass clamp 324 includes a clamping mechanism, such as a rubber strip clamp that includes silicone or other polymers. For example, the glass clamp 324 may use a high temperature resistant silicone material as a nosing material. The glass clamp 324 is removably engageable with the preform glass plate 110 and may hold the preform glass plate 110 when the preform glass plate 110 is suspended in the furnace channel 216. Further, the hanger handle 326 may include an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the glass clamp 324 to engage and disengage from the preform glass plate 110. Further, the base housing 323 may be coupled to the second shaft end 318 of the first and second suspended shafts 314a, 314b.

  The hanger handle 326 and glass clamp 324 are removable from the base housing 323 and the glass clamp 324 can be engaged with the preform glass plate 110 before the glass hanger system 312 is engaged with the furnace housing 210. It is getting better. A hanger handle 326 and glass clamp 324 that hold the preform glass plate 110 may be coupled to the base of the 323 housing, and the hanger cover 320 may be used to introduce the preform glass plate 110 into the furnace channel 216 of the redraw furnace 200. It may be engaged with the furnace inlet 230 of the furnace housing 210. Further, hanger handle 326 and base housing 323 may insulate glass clamp 324 to maintain glass clamp 324 below about 250 ° C. when glass sandwich base 322 is positioned within furnace channel 216.

  Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 8, the hanger drive system 328 includes a screw jack system (eg, a ball screw or the like, and may be ball screw guided or slide guided). System), a belt driving system that may be ball guiding, sliding guiding, or wheel guiding, a belt driving system having a servo motor, a rack and pinion system, and the like. Further, in some embodiments, the preform glass plate may be driven into the redraw furnace 200 using a set of edge rollers. In operation, the hanger drive system 328 may translate the suspension shafts 314 a, 314 b and the glass clamping base 322 along a portion of the redraw path 102, for example, in the transport direction 104 or in the reverse direction 106. For example, the hanger drive system 328 may translate the suspension shaft 314 from the furnace inlet 230 along a portion of the redraw path 102 and upstream of the damping region 246, eg, upstream of the upstream heat change gate 120a. It may stop at a location on the side, a location upstream of the positioning roller assembly 330a (FIG. 10), or another location within the staging area 242 or preheat area 244.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the glass hanger system 312 is also coupled to a first shaft end 316 and / or a second shaft end 318 of each of one or more suspended shafts 314a, 314b. One or more load cells 362a, 362b may be provided. For example, the first load cell 362a may be positioned between the first suspension shaft 314a and the hanger drive system 328, and the second load cell 362b may be positioned between the second suspension shaft 314b and the hanger drive system 328. Between them. During operation, the first and second load cells 362a, 362b are applied to the first and second suspension shafts 314a, 314b, respectively, for example, when the glass hanger system 312 holds the preform glass plate 110, respectively. The measured tension may be measured. During operation, the load cells 362a, 362b may be used when one or more roller assemblies 330 () of the redraw drive system 300 (FIG. 10), for example, as described below, when the preform glass plate 110 crosses the redraw path 102. 10), the tension applied to the preform glass plate 110 when the tension is applied to the preform glass plate 110 may be measured. Further, one or more load cells 362a, 362b may be communicatively coupled to the redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5), and the tension measured by the load cells 362a, 362b may be one of the redraw system controller 150. The above processor 152 and one or more memory modules 156 may be analyzed.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 10, and 11, the redraw drive system 300 is positioned at a plurality of roller assemblies 330 a-330 d, for example, each at different vertical positions along the redraw path 102. , A positioning roller assembly 330a, a first damping roller assembly 330b, a second damping roller assembly 330c, and a recovery roller assembly 330d. As shown in FIG. 11, each roller assembly 330 a-330 d includes a first pair of rollers 332 a and a second pair extending from a vertically common location along the redraw path 102 toward the redraw path 102. A pair of rollers 332b is included, and the redraw path 102 is positioned therebetween. For example, in some embodiments, the first pair of rollers 332a may extend through the first edge wall 226 of the furnace housing 210 and the second pair of rollers 332b It may extend through the second edge wall 228 of 210. (For example, the positioning roller assembly 330a and the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c extend through the second edge wall 228 of the furnace housing 210 as shown in FIG. Also good).

  In operation, roller assemblies 330a-330d provide mechanical operation of preform glass plate 110 and glass plates drawn therefrom. In order to maintain the benefits of good thermal control, it is advantageous to have good mechanical operation of the preform glass plate 110 and the glass plate drawn therefrom when traversing the glass redraw system 100 and redraw path 102. That is, if the preform glass plate 110 and the glass plate drawn from it meander in the glass redraw system 100, for example, in the furnace channel 216 due to poor machine operation, the preform glass plate 110 and the glass plate drawn out of the preform glass plate 110 When it approaches a different heating element or moves away from various heating elements, it tends to be subjected to uneven heating. However, when the glass plate is stably transported through the glass redraw system 100 for effective machine operation, it will be subject to the desired thermal regulation, which is maintained as desired. It will be. In this regard, in some embodiments it may be desirable to position the positioning roller assembly 330a directly above the damping region. When the positioning roller assembly 330a is located directly above the damping region, the preform glass plate 110 may advantageously be located near the center of the system just prior to undergoing damping. In addition, the rollers of the positioning roller assembly 330a act as a heat sink and therefore maintain physical dimensional control (ie, necking of the width preform glass plate before reaching the desired position to be damped). Which can result in increased draw repeatability). In some embodiments, the roller assemblies 330b and / or 330c may be positioned directly below the attenuation region to similarly control the position of the glass sheet in the attenuation region.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a and 332b include a first roller 334 and a second roller 336, respectively. The first and second rollers 334, 336 include a roller shaft 338 having a first end and a second end, and a roller cylinder 340 coupled to the roller shaft 338 at the second end, respectively. Prepare. In some embodiments, the first and second rollers 334, 336 are motorized. In these electrically powered embodiments, the first and second rollers 334, 336 further comprise a roller drive system 350 coupled to the first end of the roller shaft 338. Although a single roller drive system 350 is shown in FIG. 11 to engage the first and second rollers 334, 336 of each pair of rollers 332a, 332b, in other embodiments, each pair of rollers 332a. Each of the first and second rollers 334, 336 of 332b may include an individual roller drive system 350.

  Each roller drive system 350 may comprise any motor configured to provide a rotational drive force to the roller shaft 338 to rotate the roller shaft 338 and the roller cylinder 340. The roller drive system 350 may also be communicatively coupled to the redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5), and the redraw system controller 150 may output a control signal to the roller drive system 350. Further, the roller drive system 350 may operate in speed mode or torque mode. In the speed mode, the roller driving system 350 outputs a speed driving force to the roller shaft 338 to rotate the roller shaft 338 at a constant speed. In the torque mode, the roller driving system 350 outputs a torque driving force to the roller shaft 338 in order to rotate the roller shaft 338 with a constant torque. In still other embodiments, the roller drive system 350 may alternatively output a speed drive force or a torque drive force, and the speed of the speed drive force and the torque of the torque drive force may be, for example, the redraw system controller 150. May be adjustable based on a control signal from and / or a user input received by the user input device 158 of the redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5).

  10 and 11, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b may be positioned along the redraw path 102 and the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b Each of the roller cylinders 340 includes first and second surfaces of the preform glass plate 110 when the preform glass plate 110 is longitudinally positioned adjacent to the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b. 112 and 114 may be contacted. For example, each roller cylinder 340 in the first pair of rollers 332a may include one of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 between the first edge 116 and the lateral center 115. Each roller cylinder 340 of the second pair of rollers 332b may be in contact with the first and second of the preform glass plate 110 between the second edge 118 and the lateral center 115. One of the surfaces 112, 114 may be contacted.

  Further, the first and second pairs of the first and second rollers 334 and 336 of the rollers 332a and 332b can each be adjusted between the extended position 335 and the retracted position 337. In the extended position 335, the first and second rollers 334, 336 are positioned at the edge of the redraw path 102, and the roller cylinders 340 of the first and second rollers 334, 336 are positioned on the preform glass plate 110. Is in contact with the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 when longitudinally adjacent to the roller cylinder 340. At the position 337 after retraction, the first and second rollers 334 and 336 are removed from the edge of the redraw path 102, and the roller cylinder 340 of the first and second rollers 334 and 336 is moved to the preform glass plate 110. Does not contact the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 when positioned in the redraw path 102 adjacent longitudinally to the roller cylinder 340. In addition, the roller cylinder 340 is between about 1 inch (2.54 cm) and about 20 inches (50.8 cm) between the extended position 335 and the retracted position 337, for example, 4 inches (10.16 cm), 6 inches. (20.32 cm), 8 inch (20.32 cm), 10 inch (25.40 cm), 12 inch (30.48 cm), 15 inch (38.1 cm), 18 inch (45.72 cm), etc. may be adjusted.

  The first and second rollers 334, 336 may be either lateral or longitudinal to translate the first and second rollers 332, 334 between the extended position 335 and the retracted position 337, or It may be adjustable in both. For example, when the first and second rollers 334 and 336 can be adjusted in the lateral direction (FIG. 10), the first and second rollers 334 and 336 have a position 335 after expansion and a position 337 after retraction. May move in the +/− x direction so as to move in the horizontal direction. Further, the first and second rollers 334 and 336 can be engaged with the preform glass plate 110 having various widths W by adjusting the lateral direction. Further, when the first and second rollers 334 and 336 are adjustable in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 11), the first and second rollers 334 and 336 have positions 335 after being extended and positions 337 after being retracted. May move in the +/− Y direction to move in the longitudinal direction. Further, the first and second rollers 334 and 336 can be engaged with the preform glass plate 110 having various thicknesses T by the adjustability in the longitudinal direction.

  Although it has been previously described that the interaction of the first and second rollers 334, 336 engages the preform glass plate 110, this is true for any roller in the staging area 242 and preheat area 244. Similarly, the first and second rollers 334, 336 may also engage the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 so as to be true in the anneal region 248. That is, the preform glass plate 110 is introduced into the attenuation region 246 through the staging region 242 and the preheating region 244 (as by the supply unit 310). In the damping region 246, the preform glass plate 110 is attenuated in thickness T by the interaction between the supply unit 310 and the first damping roller assembly 330b, and the glass drawn out from the preform glass plate 110 is generated. Is done. Thereafter, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is attenuated in width W between the first damping roller assembly 300b and the second damping roller assembly 330c.

  Referring now to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, some or all of the first and second rollers 334, 336 of the plurality of roller assemblies 330 may be pivotable. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the first and second rollers 334, 336 may pivot about the roller joint 339 vertically in the upstream direction and vertically in the downstream direction. For example, the first and second rollers 334, 336 may move vertically to the lateral (X) axis in the downstream direction to an angle −α and vertically (X) axis in the upstream direction. Relative to the roller joint 339 to an angle + α. In some embodiments, the roller coupling 339 may be positioned within the roller drive system 350 that provides tilt drive force to pivot the first and second rollers 334, 336. It may be output. When the first and second rollers 334, 336 are pivoted to an angle +/− α, the first and second rollers 334, 336 cause the tensile force to be applied to the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom. May be applied in both the vertical and lateral directions.

  For example, when the first and second rollers 334, 336 are positioned at a -α angle, the first and second rollers 334, 336 move the preform glass plate 110 or the glass thickness T drawn therefrom. A tensile force for widening the preform glass plate 110 or the glass drawn therefrom may be applied while damping. On the other hand, the pair of first and second rollers 334 and 336 of the rollers 332a and 332b corresponds to the position of the other pair of first and second rollers 334 and 336 of the rollers 332b and 332a in the Z-axis direction. In order to adjust the balance, positioning may be performed in the + α angle direction. Further, in some embodiments, the first and second rollers may be pivoted longitudinally about the roller joint 339, eg, away from the edge of the redraw path 102, such first And the second rollers 334, 336 may pivot between a position 335 after extension and a position 337 after retraction.

  Referring again to FIGS. 3, 10, and 11, the positioning roller assembly 330a may extend laterally to the furnace channel 216 in a vertical position upstream of the damped heating units 256a, 256b. For example, the first pair of rollers 332a of the positioning roller assembly 330a may extend through the first edge wall 226, and the second pair of rollers 332b of the positioning roller assembly 330a may be the second It may extend through the edge wall 228. As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of the positioning roller assembly 330a are disposed in the preheating region 244, for example, between the first and second preheating units 252a, 254a. It may be positioned vertically. The first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of the positioning roller assembly 330a are rotationally non-driven (ie, as the preform glass plate 110 moves as the preform glass plate 110 is moved by the redraw drive system 300). Idling for rotation) and should not be coupled to the roller drive system 350. In operation, the positioning roller assembly 330 a engages the preform glass plate 110 to place the preform glass plate 110 equidistant from the first and second surface walls 222, 224 of the furnace housing 210. The heat is equal to both the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 as the preform glass plate 110 traverses the redraw path 102. It may be applied.

  Further, when the preform glass plate 110 traverses the redraw path 102 through the preheating region 244, the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 are the first of both pairs of rollers 332a, 332b. And the second roller 334, 336 may contact the positioning roller assembly 330a longitudinally between the first and second rollers 334, 336 of both pairs of rollers 332a, 332b Adjustment is possible between 335 and the position 337 after retraction. During operation, both pairs of rollers 332a and 332b of the positioning roller assembly 330a are positioned at a position 337 after retraction before the preform glass plate 110 is longitudinally adjacent to the positioning roller assembly 330a. When the plate 110 is longitudinally adjacent to the positioning roller assembly 330a to engage the preform glass plate 110, it may be actuated to the extended position 335.

  Still referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the first damping roller assembly 330 b is laterally directed to the furnace channel 216 of the furnace housing 210 in a vertical position downstream of the damping heating units 256 a, 256 b of the redraw furnace 200. It may extend. For example, the first pair of rollers 332a of the first damping roller assembly 330b may extend through the first edge wall 226 and the second of the rollers 332b of the first damping roller assembly 330b. The pair may extend through the second edge wall 228. As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of the first damping roller assembly 330b are vertically between the damping heating unit 256a and the first annealing heating unit 258a. May be positioned. The first damping roller assembly 330b is electrically powered and is coupled to the roller shaft 338 and is configured to rotate the roller shaft 338 and the roller cylinder 340 of the first damping roller assembly 330b. The roller drive system 350 is provided. Further, the one or more roller drive systems 350 may selectively rotate the roller shaft 338 and the roller cylinder 340 of the first damping roller assembly 330b in a speed control mode or a torque control mode. Further, the first pair of rollers 332a may rotate at a different rotational speed than the second pair of rollers 332b, and the first pair of rollers 332a has a different tensile force than the second pair of rollers 332b. Is applied.

  In operation, each roller cylinder 340 of the first damping roller assembly 330b has a tangential speed of the roller cylinder 340 at the point of contact between the roller cylinder 340 and the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn therefrom). And the translation of the preform glass plate 110 in the transport direction 104 may rotate so that it may be substantially the same or different. In some embodiments, the tangential speed of each roller cylinder 340 is from about 5 times to about the translational motion of the preform glass plate 110 (eg, the translational speed of the glass clamping base 322 that holds the preform glass plate 110). Up to 15 times faster, for example, about 8 times faster, 10 times faster, 12 times faster, etc. During operation, the roller cylinder 340 may apply a tensile force to the preform glass plate 110 when the tangential speed of the roller cylinder 340 is faster than the translational movement of the preform glass plate 110 in the transport direction 104. Further, the first damping roller assembly 330b is positioned downstream of the damping region 246, and the segment of the preform glass plate 110 that contacts the first damping roller assembly 330b is the first damping roller assembly 330b. A temperature higher than the softening temperature or the viscosity temperature of the preform glass plate 110 may be provided so that the tensile force applied by the step dampens the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the second damping roller assembly 330c may extend laterally to the furnace channel 216 of the furnace housing 210 in a vertical position downstream of the first damping roller assembly 330b. Good. As one non-limiting example, the second damping roller assembly 330c may be positioned vertically between the first and second anneal heating units 258a, 260a. Further, the second damping roller assembly 330c may comprise substantially the same components and may operate substantially the same as the first damping roller assembly 330b. Further, in some embodiments, the redraw drive system 300 does not include the second damping roller assembly 330c, and in other embodiments, the redraw driving system 300 includes, for example, the second damping roller assembly 330c and a furnace. A further dampening roller assembly positioned between the outlet 232 is provided.

  The first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of both the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c are adjustable between an extended position 335 and a retracted position 337. Also good. During operation, when the preform glass plate 110 traverses the redraw path 102, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c are aligned with the preform glass plate 110. In order to engage the preform glass plate 110, each may be positioned in the retracted position 337 before being positioned vertically adjacent to the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c. The preform glass plate 110 may be actuated to an extended position 335 when vertically adjacent to the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c, respectively. In operation, when the preform glass plate 110 is engaged with the collection roller assembly 330d, the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b and 330c are operated to return to the retracted position 337, and the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b and 330c Contact between the second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c and the preform glass plate 110 and / or the glass drawn therefrom is removed. Further, in some embodiments, the roller cylinder 340 of the positioning roller assembly 330a, the first damping roller assembly 330b, and the second damping roller assembly 330c is refractory, such as Nichias SD-115 (trademark). ) (Manufactured by Nichias Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), high temperature ceramic material, metal, mica, etc. may be provided, and the roller cylinder 340 can withstand the temperature in the furnace casing 210 without deformation or melting. ing.

  Still referring to FIG. 10, the collection roller assembly 330d may be positioned outside the furnace housing 210 at a vertical position below the furnace outlet 232 of the furnace housing 210, and the furnace outlet 232, the collection unit 400, May be positioned between. In some embodiments, the collection roller assembly 330d may be coupled to the furnace housing 210 at the outlet end 214 using, for example, a carriage, bracket, or the like. The collection roller assembly 330d may be electrically powered and is coupled to a roller shaft 338 and is configured to rotate one or more roller drive systems configured to rotate the roller shaft 338 and the roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d. 350 may be provided. One or more roller drive systems 350 of the collection roller assembly 330d may be selectively rotated in a speed control mode or a torque control mode. Further, the first pair of rollers 332a may rotate at a different rotational speed than the second pair of rollers 332b, and the first pair of rollers 332a has a different tensile force than the second pair of rollers 332b. Is applied. Further, the first and second pairs of rollers 332a, 332b of the collection roller assembly 330d engage the preform glass plate 110 to apply a tensile force to the preform glass plate 110 in a speed mode or a torque mode. May be. In some embodiments, the assertive force on the preform glass plate 110 comes from the collection roller assembly 330d when, for example, the first and second roller assemblies 300b, 300c are each in the retracted position 337. May be. With this configuration, when a tension that attenuates the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 is applied by the collection roller assembly 330d, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 has a first tension roller assembly. It may have less warpage than when applied with 330b and / or second damping roller assembly 330c alone, i.e. it may be flatter.

  During operation, each roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d is preformed in the tangential speed of the roller cylinder 340 at the point of contact between the roller cylinder 340 and the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 and in the transport direction 104. The glass plate 110 may rotate so that the translational motion of the glass plate 110 may be substantially the same or different. When the tangential speed of the roller cylinder 340 is faster than the translational movement of the preform glass plate 110 in the transport direction 104, the roller cylinder 340 has a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform glass plate 110. A tensile force may be applied to the preform glass plate 110 to attenuate the thickness T of the portion. In some embodiments, each roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d may rotate faster or slower than each roller cylinder of the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c. In other embodiments, each roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d may rotate at approximately the same speed as each roller cylinder 340 of the first and second damping roller assemblies 330b, 330c.

  In some embodiments, the roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d touches the glass when it is at a much lower temperature than when it is in the damping region, and thus a polymeric material such as rubber, silicone, Viton ™ (fluorocarbon elastomer), fluorosilicone, etc. may be provided, and the roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d is low to prevent glass crack formation in the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110. It engages with the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 by the nip force. Further, the collection roller assembly 330d may guide the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 toward the collection unit 400.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the recovery unit 400 may include a recovery spool 410 and a cutting device 420. The redraw path 102 ends at the collection unit 400, and the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 may be collected by the collection unit 400 after leaving the redraw furnace 200 and passing through the collection roller assembly 330d. For example, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 may be collected by winding it on the collection spool 410. In operation, the collection spool 410 can rotate about its axis, such rotation can wind the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 onto the collection spool 410 and / or redraw the drawn glass. It may help to pull out from the furnace 200. In some embodiments, the collection spool 410 comprises a substantially cylindrical body that may be wrapped with glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110. Further, the diameter of the collection spool 410 may be configured based on the bending radius of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110. For example, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 may have a smaller bending radius than the glass drawn from the thicker preform glass plate 110 as the glass becomes thinner. Accordingly, the larger the glass plate, the larger the recovery spool 410 may be desired for the recovery, and the thinner the glass plate, the smaller the recovery spool 410 may be desired. The cylindrical body has a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the cross section of the retrieval spool 410 may have a triangular, rectangular, oval, or another suitable polygonal or non-polygonal shape.

  Cutting device 420 may comprise a score wheel, scribing tip, cutting disc, laser, torch, fluid jet, bending device, another suitable cutting device, or a combination thereof. During operation, when the glass plate exits the redraw furnace 200 with a necking thickness, the cutting device 420 may cut the glass plate. That is, at the end of the flow, the preform glass plate 110 pulls the preform glass plate 110 while there is no longer enough material left to produce the desired thickness of the drawn glass plate. When continuing, the drawn glass sheet will typically reach a point where it begins to dampen and deform in both the thickness and width directions. For example, a glass plate may neck to a necking thickness that is less than the desired thickness. At this point, the preform glass plate 110 can no longer produce the desired drawn glass plate, and the process proceeds to the drawn glass plate having the desired thickness, i.e. necking thickness. It ends by cutting the portion of the glass plate that has reached from the rest of the glass plate. When the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is cut, the final portion of the drawn glass plate is wound on the collection spool 410, and the remaining portion of the preform glass plate 110 is still a glass hanger. Being engaged with system 312, it may be removed from redraw furnace 200 and detached from glass hanger system 312. Thereafter, when a new preform glass plate 110 is loaded into the glass hanger system 312, the process may be restarted from the beginning.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1-12, the glass redraw system 100 is configured such that when the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 reaches the recovery unit 400, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 has a thickness of less than about 100 μm. May be used to damp the preform glass plate 110. Although multiple steps are described below, the glass redraw system 100 may perform the preform glass plate using only some of the steps described below, or using additional steps not described. It should be understood that 110 may be used to attenuate. Moreover, although the steps are described in a particular order, other orders are also contemplated. First, the redraw furnace 200 may be preheated to raise the temperature in the furnace channel 216. While the redraw furnace 200 is preheated, the temporary furnace inlet cover 234 may engage the furnace casing 210 to cover the furnace inlet 230, and the temporary furnace outlet cover 236 may engage the furnace casing 210 to The outlet 232 may be covered. Next, a part or all of the roller assembly 330, for example, the positioning roller assembly 330a, the first and second damping roller assemblies 300b and 300c, and the recovery roller assembly 330d are directed into the position 337 after retraction. May be activated.

  Further, the glass hanger system 312 may engage the preform glass plate 110 manually or automatically. For example, the hanger handle 326 and the glass clamp 324 may be removed from the base housing 323, and the glass clamp 324 may be clamped on the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110, and the hanger handle Hanger handle 326 may be coupled to base housing 323 such that 326, glass clamp 324 and preform glass plate 110 are engaged with glass hanger system 312. Next, the preform glass plate 110 may be suspended in the furnace casing 210. For example, the temporary furnace inlet cover 234 may be removed from the furnace inlet 230, the base housing 323 and the preform glass plate 110 may be inserted into the furnace channel 216, and the hanger cover 320 is attached to the inlet end of the furnace housing 210. 212 may be coupled to seal the furnace inlet 230. When the inlet end 212 of the furnace casing 210 is sealed, the temporary furnace outlet cover 236 may be removed.

  The glass hanger system 312 may then translate the preform glass plate 110 in the transport direction 104 along the redraw path 102 using the hanger drive system 328. When the preform glass plate 110 is adjacent to the positioning roller assembly 330a in the longitudinal direction, the positioning roller assembly 330a is actuated from the retracted position 337 into the extended position 335, thereby positioning the roller assembly. A 330 a roller cylinder 340 may engage the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110. Further, when the preform glass plate 110 is adjacent to the first damping roller assembly 330b in the longitudinal direction, the first damping roller assembly 330b is moved from the retracted position 337 toward the extended position 335. In operation, the roller cylinder 340 of the first damping roller assembly 330 b may engage the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110.

  When the first damping roller assembly 330b is engaged with the preform glass plate 110, the glass hanger system 312 may stop translating the preform glass plate 110 and the first damping roller assembly The first and second pairs of rollers 330b are pivoted by one or more roller drive systems 350 to apply vertical tension to the preform glass plate 110 to damp the preform glass plate 110. The glass drawn from the reformed glass plate 110 may be translated along the redraw path 102. When the glass hanger system 312 stops translating the preform glass plate 110, the heat applied to the preform glass plate 110 by the plurality of heating units 250 and the preform glass plate by the first damping roller assembly 330b. The attenuation of the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 generated by the combination of tensions applied to 110 causes the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom to translate in the transport direction 104 along the redraw path 102. May continue.

  In some embodiments, the first dampening roller assembly 330b is in torque mode when initially contacting the preform glass plate 110 such that the vertical tension applied to the preform glass plate 110 may be gradually increased. May work. Further, since the first damping roller assembly 330b engages the preform glass plate 110 in the furnace channel 216, the waste portion of the preform glass plate 110 may be limited. That is, in a typical glass redraw system, the first pulling roller is located at the exit of the system. Thus, at the beginning of the flow, the preform glass plate is heated at the exit of the system until the glass mass finally engages the pulling roller until the glass mass travels the entire distance of the glass redraw system, and at the system exit. The glass mass can be pulled with control to produce the desired thickness of the drawn glass sheet. In this case, a considerable amount of material melts from the preform glass plate before a glass plate with a desired thickness can be produced.

  On the other hand, in the current glass redraw system 100, the first dampening roller assembly 330b and / or the second dampening roller assembly 330c is used to produce a glass mass at a much earlier time, for example, in the furnace channel 216. Can be engaged, resulting in less waste of material from the preform glass plate 110 before the drawn glass plate of the desired thickness is produced. For example, the first damping roller assembly 330b may be configured such that the waste portion of the preform glass plate may include less than 20% of the preform glass plate, such as less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, etc. The renovated glass plate 110 may be engaged. Further, in an embodiment comprising a second damping roller assembly 330c, when the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom is vertically adjacent to the second damping roller assembly 330c, the second The damping roller assembly 330c is operated from the retracted position 337 to the extended position 335, and the roller cylinder 340 of the second damping roller assembly 330c is pulled out from the preform glass plate 110. May engage two surfaces 112, 114.

  Next, when the preform glass plate 110 or the glass drawn therefrom is vertically adjacent to the collecting roller assembly 330d, the collecting roller assembly 330d is operated toward the extended position 335, and The roller cylinder 340 of the collection roller assembly 330d may engage the preform glass plate 110 or the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of glass drawn therefrom. Thereafter, the collecting roller assembly 330d may be rotated to apply vertical tension and tensile force to the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom. In some embodiments, the collection roller assembly 330d may operate in a speed mode to apply a constant tensile force to the preform glass plate 110 to attenuate the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110. . After the preform glass plate 110 or the glass drawn therefrom reaches the collection unit 400, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is collected by the collection unit 400 and wound, for example, on the collection spool 410. . The glass drawn from the preform glass plate is cut using the cutting device 420 of the recovery unit 400 when the desired length of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is achieved, for example.

  The roller assemblies 330a-d may be used in various ways to tension the preform glass plate 110 and thus draw the preform glass plate 110 to the resulting desired thickness. For example, while the positioning roller assembly 330a is described above as being used as an idle positioning device, in some embodiments it can include a driven roll. Further, for example, by driving the roller assemblies 330a-d, at least one operates in a constant speed mode to control the thickness of the resulting glass sheet drawn from the preform glass sheet 110, On the other hand, other roller assemblies may be driven in torque mode. For example, the first damping roller assembly 330b can operate in torque mode, the second damping roller assembly 330c can operate in torque mode, and the collection roller assembly 330d can operate in speed mode. Can be operated. In other embodiments, the first dampening roller assembly 330b can operate in torque mode, the second dampening roller assembly 330c can operate in speed mode, and the recovery roller assembly 330d can be Can operate in torque mode. In other embodiments, the first damping roller assembly 330b can be operated in speed mode, the second damping roller assembly 330c can be operated in torque mode, and the recovery roller assembly 330d can be Can operate in torque mode.

  In other embodiments, the first and second dampening roller assemblies 330b, 330c may be the only roller assemblies that engage the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom. In these embodiments, the torque setting and horizontal tension (as by tilting the roll angle α) are adjusted by the roller assemblies 330b, 330c to control the ribbon shape in the damping region 246 to achieve ribbon stress reduction. As a result, ribbon flattening and process stability are obtained. In some variations of these embodiments, the collection roller assembly 330d may be used in a constant speed mode to control thickness and increase process stability.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the glass redraw system 100 further includes a plurality of sensing devices, such as a pyrometer 140, a thermocouple 142, a glass thickness measurement gauge 144, and a thermal line scanner 148. Prepare. Each of the plurality of sensing devices is communicatively coupled to the redraw system controller 150 along a communication path 154 for sending sensor signals relating to sensor measurements to the redraw system controller 150 and receiving control signals from the redraw system controller 150. May be. During operation, sensor signals received from one or more sensing devices may be stored in one or more memory modules 156 of the redraw system controller 150, and the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b. (E.g., thermal output), compared to signals received from redraw drive system 300, e.g., first and second load cells 362a, 362b (e.g., tension applied to preform glass plate 110) of glass hanger system 312 There are things to do. Based on this comparison, the redraw system controller 150 determines various operational functions of the glass redraw system 100, such as the rotational speed and / or torque of the plurality of roller assemblies 330a-330d, the translation speed of the glass hanger system 312, the glass The alignment of the hanger system 312 and the temperature output by the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b may be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of thermocouples 142 are positioned within the furnace housing 210, for example, first and second surface walls 222, 224 and first and second edge walls 226, 228 may be coupled. Further, the thermocouple 142 may be coupled to the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b or positioned adjacent to the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b. is there. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermocouples 142 may comprise a thermal control thermocouple 142a and / or a process control thermocouple 142b (FIG. 5). Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more thermocouples 142 may include a glass that includes a glass clamp 324 (FIG. 9), for example, when the glass clamp 324 (FIG. 9) comprises silicone. It may be coupled to the base housing 323 of the glass hanger system 312 to monitor the temperature of the hanger system 312.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, the thermal control thermocouple 142a measures the temperature of individual heating units and / or individual heating elements. For example, the thermal control thermocouple 142a is adjacent to the individual heating units of the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b in a common vertical position along the first and second surface walls 222, 224, respectively. May be positioned. Further, the process control thermocouple 142b may be positioned in the furnace housing 210 and may measure the air temperature in the furnace channel 216. In operation, the furnace between the preform glass sheet 110 and the first and second surface walls 222, 224, for example, when the preform glass sheet 110 is positioned within the furnace channel 216 across the redraw path 102. The air temperature in channel 216 may be measured by process control thermocouple 142b. The temperature in the furnace channel 216 provides information about the longitudinal position of the preform glass sheet 110 in the furnace channel 216 to the redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5). Further, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, the glass redraw system 100 may further comprise one or more alarm devices 147 communicatively coupled to the thermocouple 142 and the redraw system controller 150. The one or more alarm devices 147 may comprise any audible or visual alarm device, for example when the furnace channel 216 has a threshold value when the thermocouple 142 measures a temperature in the furnace channel 216 that is greater than the threshold temperature. An alarm signal is activated and output in order to alert the user that the temperature has been exceeded.

  For example, when the heating units 250a and 250b adjacent in the longitudinal direction output heat at the same temperature, the air temperature between the first surface wall 222 and the first surface 112 of the preform glass plate 110 is second. If the air temperature between the surface wall 224 of the glass plate 110 and the second surface 114 of the preform glass plate 110 is the same, the redraw system controller 150 causes the preform glass plate 110 to be longitudinally centered in the furnace channel 216. It may be determined that Further, if these temperatures are different, the redraw system controller 150 may cause the preform glass plate 110 to be longitudinally off-center, eg, the first and second surface walls 222, 224 than the other of the first and second surface walls 222, 224. It may be determined that it is close to one of the second surface walls 222 and 224. Based on this feedback, the redraw system controller 150 may, for example, change the position of the glass hanger system 312 and / or change the appropriate pair of positions of the rollers 332a, 332b of the plurality of roller assemblies 330a-330d. By doing so, the position of the preform glass plate 110 in the furnace channel 216 may be changed.

  Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pyrometer 140 determines the temperature of the preform glass plate 110 or glass first and second surfaces 112, 114 drawn therefrom along the redraw path 102. It is configured to measure in a vertical position. In operation, pyrometer 140 irradiates electromagnetic radiation onto preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom, receives a return signal, and measures the temperature of preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom. The determination may be made based on the noise level of the return signal. In some embodiments, pyrometer 140 is configured to output 7.8 μm wavelength electromagnetic radiation, wherein the 7.8 μm wavelength electromagnetic radiation comprises an exemplary glass plate having a thickness T from about 25 μm to about 200 μm. May be used to measure the temperature. Further, pyrometer 140 may be configured to output electromagnetic radiation at other wavelengths contemplated, for example, wavelengths from about 5 μm to about 15 μm.

  In some embodiments, the pyrometer 140 may extend through the first and second surface walls 222, 224 of the furnace housing 210. In other embodiments, the furnace housing 210 may include the first surface wall 222, the second, such that one or more pyrometers 140 may output electromagnetic radiation to the furnace channel 216 via a plurality of optical slots. A plurality of optical slots extending through one or more of the surface wall 224, the first edge wall 226, and the second edge wall 228.

  In operation, the pyrometer 140 is configured to draw the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom when the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 or the glass drawn therefrom traverses the redraw path 102 through one or more furnace regions 240. May be positioned along various vertical positions of the furnace housing 210 to determine the temperature of the furnace housing 210. In some embodiments, the pyrometer 140 is stationary and in other embodiments, the pyrometer 140 may be configured to scan across the width of the sheet (ie, one pyrometer is glass). Many pyrometers 140 may take a number of readings at various points across the width of the plate), and individual pyrometers 140 may, for example, produce a temperature profile of the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom. The temperature of the reformed glass plate 110 or the glass drawn therefrom may be measured between the first edge 116 and the second edge 118. In addition, the temperature of the preform glass plate 110 (as measured by the pyrometer 140) or the glass drawn therefrom is measured using the redraw system controller 150 (as measured by the thermal control thermocouple 142a) and The temperature output by the second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b and the temperature of the furnace channel 216 (measured by the process control thermocouple 142b) may be compared. By this comparison, the redraw system controller 150 allows the temperature of the heating units 250a, 250b, the temperature of the furnace channel 216, and the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom. The redraw system controller 150 includes a heat output by the heating units 250a, 250b, a translation speed of the glass hanger system 312 and a motorized pair of rollers 332a, 332b. The torque, rotation speed, and position of the roller assembly 330 can be changed, and the preform glass plate 110 may be attenuated to a desired thickness T.

  In some embodiments, pyrometer 140 may be used to measure sheet shape. That is, the temperature of the first and second surfaces 112, 114 may be monitored, and when there is a temperature change beyond a typical amount, there is an undesirable sheet shape, for example, parts of the glass plate are desired It may be determined that it is deviated from the plane. On the other hand, when the pyrometer 140 shows very little temperature change, it can be determined that there are few undesirable sheet shapes. The redraw system controller 150 can determine when there is a desired or undesirable sheet shape by monitoring the temperature change from the pyrometer 140, and the rest of the glass redraw system to reduce the sheet shape. Can be adjusted. For example, the remainder of the glass redraw system 100 may include a heating unit 250, a heating element 250 ′, a roller assembly 330, a coolant fluid flow (described below), a gas extraction facility (to facilitate sheet flattening) (Described below) and the like.

  Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the glass thickness measurement gauge 144 can measure the preform glass plate 110 or the glass thickness T drawn therefrom at one or more vertical positions along the redraw path 102. You may measure. The glass thickness measurement gauge 144 may include, for example, a spectral interference laser displacement meter, a high-precision confocal color difference meter, a laser confocal sensor, and the like as sold by Keyence. In some embodiments, a gauge having a working distance higher than the working distance of the gauge described above may be desirable. In some embodiments, the glass thickness measurement gauge 144 is for measuring the thickness T of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 after the thickness T has been attenuated by the roller assemblies 330b-d. It may be positioned downstream of the collection roller assembly 330d at the furnace outlet 232. The glass thickness gauge 144 may be fixed or scanning. In some embodiments, the plurality of glass thickness gauges 144 measure the thickness T of the glass drawn from or from the preform glass plate 110 at a plurality of lateral positions. The redraw system controller 150 may be positioned laterally adjacent to a common vertical position so that the preform glass plate 110 or glass drawn therefrom may be first and second edges. It may be determined whether or not there is a uniform attenuation between the sections 116 and 118.

  Further, the thermal line scanner 148 may be positioned vertically at the furnace outlet 232, for example, downstream of the glass thickness measuring gauge 144, and the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 is recovered from the furnace outlet 232. You may measure the temperature of the glass pulled out from the preform glass plate 110, when translating between the units 400. FIG. In operation, the thermal line scanner 148 measures the temperature profile of the glass first and second surfaces 112, 114 drawn from the preform glass plate 110 between the first and second edges 116, 118. Also good. During operation, the temperature measurement result of the thermal line scanner 148 shows that the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 exits the furnace outlet 232 and then the temperature of the glass drawn from the preform glass plate 110 and the preform glass plate 110. In order to determine a correlation with the thickness of the drawn glass, for example, the redraw system controller 150 may be used to compare with the thickness measurement result of the glass thickness measurement gauge 144.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, the redraw furnace 200 and the redraw drive system 300 may each be fluidly cooled using a coolant fluid, such as air, water, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the redraw furnace 200 is positioned within one or more of the first surface wall 222, the second surface wall 224, the first edge wall 226, and the second edge wall 228. A plurality of fluid cooling channels 270 may be provided. The fluid cooling channel 270 comprises one or more pipes, tubes, etc. that provide a fluid path. In addition, the plurality of fluid cooling channels 270 may be fluidly coupled to one or more reservoirs 272 (FIG. 3) and one or more pump pumping systems 274 (FIG. 3), wherein the coolant fluid is a plurality of fluid cooling channels. It may be continuously pumped through 270 such that heat is removed from the furnace housing 210.

  In some embodiments, the volume and rate of coolant fluid flowing through the fluid cooling channel 270 is altered, for example, by one or more pump pumping systems 274 to control the cooling of the furnace housing 210. Also good. Further, a plurality of fluid cooling channels 270 may be positioned within the furnace housing 210 such that the fluid cooling channels 270 may be positioned adjacent to different furnace regions 240. In operation, the plurality of fluid cooling channels 270 may be independently controlled. As a non-limiting example, if more cooling is desired in the anneal region 248, the fluid cooling channel 270 positioned in the furnace housing 210 adjacent to the anneal region 248 can increase the coolant fluid. Volume and / or speed may be received. Further, one or more pump pumping systems 274 may be communicatively coupled to the redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5) to provide control signals to the pump pumping system 274. It should be understood that by controlling the volume and velocity of the coolant fluid through the individual fluid cooling channels 270, the temperature of each part of the furnace housing 210 in the different furnace regions 240 may be selectively controlled. is there.

  In some embodiments, the fluid cooling channel 270 or other flow path may extend to various components of the glass redraw system 100, and coolant fluid passes through the various components of the glass redraw system 100. It may be circulated. For example, one or more fluid cooling channels 270 may include a heat change gate 120, a heat spreader 130, a pyrometer 140, a thermocouple 142, a suspension shaft 314 and glass sandwiching base 322 of a glass hanger system 312, and a plurality of roller sets It may be positioned within each roller shaft 338 of the solid 330.

  In operation, circulating cooling fluid through the individual components may cool these components while heat is being output to the furnace channel 216. For example, circulating cooling fluid (eg, air) through each roller shaft 338 may minimize sag (eg, vertical sag) of the roller shaft 338 extending to the furnace channel 216. Furthermore, during fluid cooling, the roller shaft 338 and roller cylinder 340 remove heat near the first and second edges 116, 118 of the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn therefrom) To reduce the viscosity of the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn therefrom) along the first and second edges 116, 118, the preform glass plate 110 (or drawn therefrom) It may operate as a heat sink at discrete locations along the first and second surfaces 112, 114 of the glass. By reducing the viscosity of the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn therefrom) along the first and second edges 116, 118, the preform glass plate 110 (or drawn therefrom). As the glass) crosses the redraw path 102, the attenuation of the width W of the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn from it) may be reduced. Further, the circulating cooling fluid that passes through the suspension shaft 314 and the glass clamping base 322 of the glass hanger system 312 further causes the glass clamp 324 to move about 250 ° C. when the glass clamping base 322 is positioned in the furnace channel 216, for example. Cooling may be provided to the glass clamp 324 when the glass clamp 324 comprises silicone to maintain below.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the redraw furnace 200 may further include one or more edge cooling bayonets 290 that extend to a furnace channel 216 that terminates adjacent to the redraw path 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the edge cooling bayonet 290 is positioned in the anneal region 248, but any number of edge cooling bayonets 290 may be positioned in any of the furnace regions 240. You should understand that. In some embodiments, one or more edge cooling bayonets 290 are fluidly coupled to the plurality of fluid cooling channels 270 such that coolant fluid may flow through the edge cooling bayonet 290. In other embodiments, the edge cooling bayonet 290 may receive coolant fluid from one or more reservoirs 272 (FIG. 3) independent of the plurality of fluid cooling channels 270. In operation, the edge cooling bayonet 290 allows the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn from it) to pass through the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn from it) as it crosses the redraw path 102. The first and second edges 116, 118 may be cooled. The first and second edges 116, 118 may be reinforced by localized cooling of the first and second edges 116, 118 of the preform glass plate 110 (or glass drawn therefrom). The attenuation of the width W can be minimized.

  Referring now to FIG. 3, the redraw furnace 200 may further comprise one or more gas extraction tubes 280 configured to remove gas from the furnace channel 216. In some embodiments, the gas extraction tube 280 may be fluidly coupled to the gas extraction pump 285 so that the gas extraction tube 280 may actively extract gas from the furnace channel 216. . In other embodiments, the gas extraction tube 280 may provide gas to a gas extraction pump, for example, when an air stream is present in the furnace channel 216 and / or when the furnace channel 216 comprises a pressure above atmospheric pressure. It is configured to passively output from the furnace channel 216 without using 285. One or more gas extraction tubes 280 may extend through one or more of the first and second surface walls 222, 224 and the first and second edge walls 226, 228. In some embodiments, the gas extraction tube 280 can be sealed to seal the furnace channel 216. In some embodiments, the gas extraction tube 280 is positioned in the anneal region 248, the attenuation region 246, or both. For example, the gas extraction tube 280 may be positioned vertically downstream of the attenuation region 246 to minimize air flow within the attenuation region.

  During operation, the vertical temperature gradient 500 (FIG. 7) formed in the furnace channel 216 by the first and second plurality of heating units 250a, 250b leaks from the furnace inlet 230 (eg, from the hanger cover 320). In some cases, an airflow may be generated in the furnace channel 216, for example, between the outlet end 214 and the inlet end 212. In operation, the gas extraction tube 280 extracts gas from the furnace housing 210, for example, from the annealing region 248 and / or the attenuation region 246, to reduce the airflow flowing through the attenuation region 246. By restricting the airflow through the damping region 246, the airflow does not affect the thickness T of the preform glass plate 110 (eg, airflow is undesirable on the preform glass plate 110 and the glass drawn therefrom). The preform glass plate 110 may be heated and attenuated (without producing a thickness feature).

  Still referring to FIG. 3, the redraw furnace 200 may further include one or more gas injection tubes 282 that are structurally configured to introduce gas into the furnace channel 216. The gas injection tube 282 may be fluidly coupled to the gas injection pump 286 such that the gas injection tube 282 may actively introduce gas into the furnace channel 216. In embodiments where the gas extraction tube 280 is fluidly coupled to the gas extraction pump 285, the gas injection tube 282 may be fluidly coupled to the gas extraction pump 285 or the gas injection pump 286. One or more gas injection tubes 282 may extend through one or more of the first and second surface walls 222, 224 and the first and second edge walls 226, 228. In some embodiments, the gas injection tube 282 can be sealed to seal the furnace channel 216. The gas injection tube 282 may be positioned within the staging area 242, the preheat area 244, or both, and reduces the gas pressure to counter the upstream air flow caused by the increased temperature in the attenuation area 246. The gas is configured to be introduced vertically upstream of the attenuation region 246 to increase upstream.

  Further, gas extraction pump 285 and gas injection pump 286 may each be communicatively coupled to redraw system controller 150 (FIG. 5) to provide control signals to gas extraction pump 285 and gas injection pump 286, respectively. . The glass redraw system 100 may also include one or more pressure sensors 149 (FIG. 5) positioned within the furnace housing 210 and communicatively coupled to the redraw system controller 150. One or more pressure sensors 149 are structurally configured to measure pressure and / or air flow within the furnace housing 210 and output sensor signals to the redraw system controller 150. In operation, the redraw system controller 150 may be used, for example, to minimize air flow in the furnace channel 216 and / or limit air flow in the furnace channel 216 to laminar air flow, for example. A gas extraction pump 285 may be used to control the volume and rate of gas removed from the furnace channel 216 based on the pressure and / or air flow signal measured by the pressure sensor 149, and the gas injection pump 286 may be used to control the volume and rate of gas introduced into the furnace channel 216.

  It should be understood that the embodiments described herein provide a system and method for dampening preform glass plates using a glass redraw system. The glass redraw system includes a redraw furnace having a plurality of heating units coupled to a furnace housing and configured to output heat to a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet. The redraw furnace includes a preheat region, a decay region, and an anneal region, and when multiple heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the decay region reaches a higher temperature than the preheat region and the anneal region and crosses the redraw path. The preform glass plate may be heated to the softening temperature in the attenuation region. The redraw system may further include a heat spreader and a heat change gate configured to generate a sharp temperature gradient between the attenuation region and the adjacent furnace region. Further, the glass redraw system engages the preform glass plate (or glass drawn therefrom) and guides the preform glass plate (or glass drawn therefrom) through the furnace housing. A plurality of roller assemblies configured to apply vertical tension to damp the thickness of the preform glass sheet. The systems and methods described herein are drawn glass having a uniform thickness throughout the width (as well as along the length) and having low warpage (ie, having good flatness). Systems and methods are provided for consistently and efficiently attenuating the thickness of a preform glass plate to form a plate.

  While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

  It should also be understood that the systems and methods for attenuating preform glass sheets using the glass redraw system described herein may be described in terms of several embodiments. In a first aspect, a glass redraw system includes a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between a furnace inlet and a furnace outlet, a decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing, between the furnace inlet and the decay heating unit. A redraw furnace having a positioned preheat region and an anneal region positioned between the furnace outlet and the decay heating unit. The glass redraw system is also coupled to the furnace housing to suppress heat transfer along the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheat zone or the anneal zone, One or more thermal change gates may be included that extend into one of the regions to the furnace channel.

  A second aspect includes the glass redraw system of the first aspect, wherein the one or more heat change gates are positioned upstream of the attenuation heating unit in the transport direction between the attenuation heating unit and the preheating region. A side heat change gate and a downstream heat change gate positioned downstream of the decay heating unit in the transport direction between the decay heating unit and the anneal region.

  A third aspect includes the glass redraw system of the first or second aspect, wherein one or more heat modifying gates are coupled to the first surface wall of the furnace housing and extend through the furnace channel. Each includes a first gate portion extending longitudinally toward the path and a second gate portion coupled to the second surface wall of the furnace housing and extending longitudinally toward the redraw path.

  A fourth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the third aspect, wherein the one or more heat modifying gates are such that the first gate portion and the second gate portion are each movable longitudinally. It is slidably coupled to the body.

  A fifth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the third or fourth aspect, wherein the first gate portion and the second gate portion are each in a longitudinal direction between a position after retraction and a position after extension. In the position after retraction, the first gate portion and the second gate portion are removed from the furnace channel, and in the extended position, the first gate portion and the second gate portion are redrawn. End in the longitudinal direction adjacent to the path.

  In a sixth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to fifth aspects further includes a heat spreader positioned between the damped heating unit and a redraw path extending through the furnace channel. The heat spreader is configured to distribute heat vertically and laterally along the heat spreader.

  In a seventh aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to sixth aspects further includes a plurality of heating units, the plurality of heating units being a decay heating unit, a furnace housing within the preheating region A combined preheating unit and an annealing heating unit coupled to the furnace housing in the annealing region.

  The eighth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the seventh aspect, and when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the decay heating unit has a higher temperature than each of the preheating unit and the annealing heating unit. To output.

  A ninth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the seventh or eighth aspect, and the plurality of heating units each include a plurality of laterally adjacent heating elements.

  A tenth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the ninth aspect, wherein the decay heating unit comprises a heating element that is laterally adjacent to both the preheating unit and the annealing heating unit.

  An eleventh aspect includes a glass redraw system of any combination of the seventh to tenth aspects, and the plurality of heating units each include a resistance heater, an induction heater, or a combination thereof.

  The twelfth aspect includes a glass redraw system of any combination of the seventh to eleventh aspects, and when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the preheating unit can heat from about 600 ° C. to about Output at temperatures up to 900 ° C., the decay heating unit outputs heat at a temperature from about 1300 ° C. to about 1700 ° C., and the annealing heating unit outputs heat at a temperature from about 700 ° C. to about 1000 ° C. .

  A thirteenth aspect includes a glass redraw system of any combination of the seventh to twelfth aspects, the furnace housing includes a first surface wall opposite the second surface wall, and a plurality of heating units Individual heating units are coupled to the first surface wall and the second surface wall in a common vertical position, and each individual heating unit coupled to the first surface wall is coupled to the second surface wall. It is adapted to be longitudinally aligned with the individual heating units.

  In a fourteenth aspect, a glass redraw system of any combination of the seventh through thirteenth aspects is positioned between an individual heating unit of the plurality of heating units and a redraw path extending through the furnace channel. Further including a heat spreader, the heat spreader is configured to distribute heat vertically and laterally along the heat spreader.

  In a fifteenth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to fourteenth aspects is positioned within one or more walls of the furnace housing and directs coolant fluid in one or more fluid cooling channels. One or more fluid cooling channels fluidly coupled to a fluid pump pumping system that is structurally configured to circulate.

  In a sixteenth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first through fifteenth aspects includes one or more edges extending to the furnace channel and terminating adjacent to the redraw path extending through the furnace channel. Further includes a cooling bayonet.

  In a seventeenth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to sixteenth aspects includes one or more gas extraction tubes fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and vertically positioned downstream of the damped heating unit. And the one or more gas extraction tubes are structurally configured to remove gas from the furnace channel.

  In an eighteenth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to seventeenth aspects includes one or more gas injection tubes fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and vertically positioned upstream of the damped heating unit. The one or more gas injection tubes are structurally configured to input gas into the furnace channel.

  In a nineteenth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to eighteenth aspects further comprises a plurality of roller assemblies positioned along a redraw path extending through the furnace channel. The roller assembly includes an attenuation roller assembly positioned on the downstream side of the attenuation heating unit in the conveyance direction, and a recovery roller assembly positioned on the downstream side of the attenuation roller assembly in the conveyance direction. And the collection roller assembly each includes one or more electric roller pairs of rollers configured to engage the glass plate and apply tension to the glass plate.

  In a twentieth aspect of the glass redraw system of the nineteenth aspect, the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly and the collection roller assembly operate in one of a torque mode and a speed mode, and in the torque mode One or more electric pairs of rollers rotate at a constant torque, and in the speed mode, one or more electric pairs of rollers rotate at a constant speed.

  In a twenty-first aspect of the glass redraw system of the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, the damping roller assembly is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position. The roller cylinder of the assembly is positioned at the edge of the redraw path, and the roller cylinder of the damping roller assembly is removed from the redraw path in the position after retraction.

  In a twenty-second aspect of the glass redraw system of any combination of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, the dampening roller assembly is pivotable in a downstream direction vertically about the roller joint, and the dampening roller assembly One or more motorized pairs of rollers of the dampening roller assembly are engaged with the glass plate so that the tension is perpendicular to the glass plate and when the dampening roller assembly is pivoted vertically in the downstream direction and The voltage is applied in both directions.

  In a twenty-third aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to twenty-second aspects is engageable with the furnace inlet and is configured to suspend the preform glass sheet in the furnace channel Further included.

  A twenty-fourth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the twenty-third aspect, wherein the supply unit includes a glass hanger system, the glass hanger system having a glass clamping base having a glass clamp engageable with a preform glass plate, and A hanger drive system and one or more suspension shafts coupled to the hanger drive system and the glass sandwiching base and extending between the hanger drive system and the glass sandwich base, the hanger drive system comprising the glass sandwich base and one or more suspensions The shaft is structurally configured to translate along a portion of a redraw path extending through the furnace channel.

  A twenty-fifth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the twenty-fourth aspect, wherein the glass hanger system further includes a hanger cover engageable with the furnace housing to cover a furnace inlet of the furnace housing. The hanging shaft extends through the hanger cover.

  In a twenty-sixth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to twenty-fifth aspects further includes a recovery unit, and the redraw path extends through the furnace channel and terminates at the recovery unit.

  A twenty-seventh aspect includes the glass redraw system of the twenty-sixth aspect, and the collection unit further includes a collection spool and a cutting device.

  In a twenty-eighth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the first to twenty-seventh aspects comprises one or more pyrometers, one or more thermocouples, one or more glass thickness measurement gauges, and 1 It further includes one or more thermal line scanners.

  A twenty-ninth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the twenty-eighth aspect, wherein at least one thermocouple is positioned within the furnace housing, the at least one glass thickness measurement gauge and the at least one thermal line scanner are configured to And the recovery unit.

  In a thirtieth aspect, a glass redraw system is structurally configured to couple a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between a furnace inlet and a furnace outlet, and to couple heat to the furnace housing to output heat. A redraw furnace having a configured decay heating unit, a redraw path extending through the furnace channel, and one or more motorized pairs of rollers extending to the furnace channel in a transport direction at a location downstream of the decay heating unit One or more motorized pairs of rollers, including a dampening roller assembly, are adjustable between an extended position along the redraw path and a retracted position away from the redraw path, and one or more of the rollers The electric pair can be engaged with the preform glass plate to apply vertical tension to the preform glass plate.

  A thirty-first aspect includes the glass redraw system of the thirty aspect, wherein one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the damping roller assembly includes a roller shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end. Each roller shaft is mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a first shaft end and is coupled to a roller cylinder at a second shaft end.

  A thirty-second aspect includes the glass redraw system of the thirty-first aspect, wherein each roller cylinder of one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the damping roller assembly comprises a refractory.

  A thirty-third aspect includes the glass redraw system of the thirty-first or thirty-second aspect, wherein each roller shaft of one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the damping roller assembly extends through the damping roller assembly. One or more fluid cooling channels are provided.

  A thirty-fourth aspect includes a glass redraw system of any combination of the thirty-third to thirty-third aspects, wherein one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the damping roller assembly are activated when the damping roller assembly is activated. It operates in torque mode so that one or more motorized pairs of rollers rotate at a constant torque.

  A thirty-fifth aspect includes a glass redraw system of any combination of the thirtieth to thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the damping roller assembly is pivotable about the roller joint vertically in the downstream direction, and the damping roller The assembly includes a tension roller perpendicular to the glass plate when one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the damping roller assembly are engaged with the glass plate and the damping roller assembly is pivoted vertically in the downstream direction. It is adapted to be applied both in the direction and in the lateral direction.

  In a thirty-sixth aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the thirtieth to thirty-fifth aspects includes a collection roller assembly having one or more pairs of electric rollers positioned between the furnace outlet and the collection unit. And wherein the one or more pairs of electric rollers are engageable with the glass plate and are adjacent to the redraw path so as to apply vertical tension to the glass plate.

  A thirty-seventh aspect includes the glass redraw system of the thirty-sixth aspect, wherein one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the collection roller assembly includes a roller shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end. Each roller shaft is mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a first shaft end and is coupled to a roller cylinder at a second shaft end.

  A thirty-eighth aspect includes the glass redraw system of the thirty-sixth aspect or the thirty-seventh aspect, wherein each roller cylinder of one or more motorized pairs of rollers of the collection roller assembly includes a polymeric material.

  The thirty-ninth aspect includes any combination of glass redraw systems from the thirty-sixth aspect to the thirty-eighth aspect, wherein one or more motorized pairs of the rollers of the collecting roller assembly are activated when the collecting roller set One or more motorized pairs of three-dimensional rollers operate in a speed mode so that they rotate at a constant speed.

  The 40th aspect includes any combination of glass redraw systems from the 36th aspect to the 39th aspect, wherein the redraw path extends through the furnace channel and terminates at the collection unit, One or more motorized pairs of rollers can be adjusted between an extended position along the redraw path and a retracted position away from the redraw path.

  In a forty-first aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the thirty to forty aspects further includes a positioning roller assembly extending to the furnace channel in the transport direction at a position upstream of the decay heating unit, the positioning roller assembly The assembly is adjustable between an extended position along the redraw path and a retracted position away from the redraw path.

  In a forty-second aspect, the glass redraw system of any combination of the thirty-first through forty-first aspects further includes a plurality of heating units, wherein the plurality of heating units is an attenuation coupled to the furnace housing within the attenuation region A heating unit, a preheating unit coupled to the furnace housing in the preheating region, and an annealing heating unit coupled to the furnace housing in the annealing region.

  When the forty-third aspect includes the glass redraw system of the forty-second aspect, and when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the decay heating unit has a higher temperature than each of the preheating unit and the annealing heating unit. To output.

  In a forty-fourth aspect, a method for attenuating a preform glass sheet includes suspending the preform glass sheet in a redraw furnace using a supply unit. A redraw furnace has a furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet, and a plurality of heating coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing The method includes the steps of heating the preform glass plate using a plurality of heating units such that at least a portion of the preform glass plate is heated to a softening temperature; Engaging the surface of the first and second surfaces with a damped roller assembly extending to the furnace channel in a conveying direction at a position downstream of one or more damped heating units of the plurality of heating units; Pretension the vertical tension by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the damping roller assembly so that the thickness of the preform glass plate is attenuated when translating in the direction. Further comprising a step of applying the Mugarasu plate.

  A forty-fifth aspect includes the method of the forty-fourth aspect, wherein one or more roller cylinders of the damping roller assembly rotate in a torque mode.

  In the forty-sixth aspect, the method according to the forty-fourth aspect or the forty-fifth aspect includes the steps of feeding the glass drawn from the first surface and the second surface of the preform glass plate in the conveying direction to the damping roller assembly and the furnace outlet. The method further includes engaging the collection roller assembly positioned on both downstream sides.

  In a forty-seventh aspect, the method of the forty-sixth aspect further includes the step of detaching the damping roller assembly from the preform glass sheet when the preform glass sheet is engaged with the collection roller assembly.

  In the forty-eighth aspect, the method of the forty-sixth aspect or the forty-seventh aspect further includes applying normal tension to the preform glass plate by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly.

  A forty-ninth aspect includes the method of the forty-eighth aspect, wherein one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly rotate in a speed mode.

  In the fifty aspect, any combination method from the forty-fourth aspect to the forty-ninth aspect comprises receiving the glass drawn from the preform glass plate with a recovery unit positioned downstream of the furnace outlet. In addition.

  A 55th aspect includes the method of the 50th aspect, wherein when the glass drawn from the preform glass plate is received by the collection unit, the glass drawn from the preform glass plate has a thickness of less than about 100 μm. including.

  The 52nd aspect includes any combination of the methods from the 44th aspect to the 51st aspect, the supply unit includes a glass hanger system, and the glass hanger system is glass that is engageable with a preform glass plate. A glass clamping base having a clamp, and one or more suspension shafts coupled to the hanger driving system and the glass clamping base and extending between the hanger driving system and the glass clamping base, the hanger driving system comprising the glass clamping The base and one or more suspension shafts are structurally configured to translate along a portion of a redraw path that extends through the furnace channel.

  In a fifty-third aspect, the method of the fifty-second aspect is to translate the glass sandwiching base and the preform glass plate in the transport direction so that when the preform glass plate is engaged with the damping roller assembly, the glass sandwiching base and the preform are moved. The method further includes stopping the translation of the reformed glass plate.

  In the 54th aspect, any combination method from the 44th aspect to the 53rd aspect includes a preform glass plate positioned adjacent to the positioning roller assembly, and the preform glass plate positioned longitudinally adjacent to the positioning roller assembly. And engaging the positioning roller assembly with the preform glass plate when the preform glass plate is engaged with the damping roller assembly.

  The 55th aspect includes any combination of methods from the 44th aspect to the 54th aspect, and when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the one or more decay heating units Output at a higher temperature than one or more of the remaining heating units.

  A fifty-sixth aspect includes any combination of methods from the forty-fourth aspect to the fifty-fifth aspect, and the preform glass plate includes a laminated glass plate.

  A fifty-seventh aspect includes any combination of methods from the forty-fourth aspect to the fifty-sixth aspect, and the preform glass plate includes a wound glass plate.

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

Embodiment 1
In the glass redraw system,
A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet;
A decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing;
A preheating area positioned between the furnace inlet and the decay heating unit;
A redraw furnace including an annealing region positioned between the furnace outlet and the decay heating unit;
Between the decay heating unit and the one of the preheating region or the annealing region coupled to the furnace housing and extending to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating region or the annealing region. One or more heat modifying gates that inhibit heat transfer along the furnace channel of
A glass redraw system.

Embodiment 2
The one or more heat change gates;
An upstream heat change gate positioned upstream of the attenuation heating unit in the conveying direction between the attenuation heating unit and the preheating region;
The glass redrawing system according to embodiment 1, further comprising a downstream heat change gate positioned downstream of the attenuation heating unit in the transport direction between the attenuation heating unit and the annealing region.

Embodiment 3
A first gate portion that is coupled to a first surface wall of the furnace housing and extends longitudinally toward a redraw path extending through the furnace channel; and Each including a second gate portion coupled to a second surface wall of the furnace housing and extending longitudinally toward the redraw path, wherein the one or more thermal modification gates are the first gate portion and the The glass redraw system of embodiment 1, wherein the second gate portions are each slidably coupled to the furnace housing such that each second gate portion is movable in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiment 4
A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between a furnace inlet and a furnace outlet in a glass redraw system;
A redraw furnace, including a decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing;
A redraw path extending through the furnace channel;
A dampening roller assembly comprising one or more electric roller pairs of rollers extending to the furnace channel in a conveying direction at a position downstream of the dampening heating unit, wherein the one or more electric roller pairs of rollers comprises the one or more electric roller pairs Adjustable between a stretched position along the redraw path and a retracted position away from the redraw path, the one or more electric roller pairs of rollers applying vertical tension to the preform glass plate A dampening roller assembly that is engageable with a preform glass plate to
With
The one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the dampening roller assembly each include a roller shaft with a first shaft end and a second shaft end, each roller shaft having the first shaft end. Mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a portion and coupled to a roller cylinder at the second shaft end;
Torque mode such that when the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly are actuated, the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly rotate with a constant torque. A glass redraw system that works with

Embodiment 5
A heat spreader positioned between the damped heating unit and a redraw path extending through the furnace channel, the heat spreader dissipating heat vertically and laterally along the heat spreader; The glass redraw system as described in any one of Embodiment 1 to 4 comprised by this.

Embodiment 6
One or more gas extraction tubes fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and vertically positioned downstream of the decay heating unit, the one or more gas extraction tubes removing gas from the furnace channel The one or more gas extraction tubes, which are structurally configured as follows:
One or more gas injection tubes that are fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and positioned vertically upstream of the decay heating unit and are structurally configured to input gas into the furnace channel 1 Two or more gas injection tubes;
6. The glass redraw system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, further comprising at least one of the following.

Embodiment 7
And further comprising a supply unit engageable with the furnace inlet and configured to suspend a preform glass plate in the furnace channel, the supply unit comprising a glass hanger system, the glass hanger system comprising:
A glass clamping base having a glass clamp engageable with a preform glass plate;
One or more suspension shafts coupled to the hanger drive system and the glass sandwiching base and extending between the hanger drive system and the glass sandwich base, the hanger drive system comprising the glass sandwich base and the 1 The one or more suspension shafts configured to translate one or more suspension shafts along a portion of a redraw path extending through the furnace channel;
A hanger cover engageable with the furnace housing to cover the furnace inlet of the furnace housing, the one or more suspension shafts extending through the hanger cover; The glass redraw system as described in any one of Embodiment 1 to 6 containing this.

Embodiment 8
Embodiments 1 to 7 further comprising a collection unit, wherein a redraw path extends through the furnace channel and terminates at the collection unit, the collection unit further comprising a collection spool and a cutting device. The described glass redraw system.

Embodiment 9
The damping roller assembly is configured such that the damping roller assembly is pivoted vertically in the downstream direction with the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly engaged with the glass plate. 5. The glass of embodiment 4, wherein the dampening roller assembly is pivotable about the roller joint vertically in the downstream direction so that the damping roller assembly applies tension both vertically and laterally to the glass plate. Redraw system.

Embodiment 10
The apparatus further includes a collection roller assembly including one or more pairs of electric rollers positioned between the furnace outlet and the collection unit, wherein the one or more pairs of electric rollers are engageable with the glass plate. Adjacent to the redraw path so as to apply vertical tension to the glass plate,
The one or more motorized roller pairs of the rollers of the collection roller assembly each include a roller shaft including a first shaft end and a second shaft end, each roller shaft including the first shaft end. Mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a portion and coupled to a roller cylinder at the second shaft end;
Embodiment 10. The glass redraw system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each roller cylinder of the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the collection roller assembly comprises a polymeric material.

Embodiment 11
A plurality of heating units, the plurality of heating units being coupled to the furnace housing in a decay region; a preheating unit coupled to the furnace housing in a preheat region; and annealing. An annealing heating unit coupled to the furnace housing in a region, and when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the decay heating unit is configured to transmit heat to the preheating unit and the annealing heating unit. The glass redrawing system according to Embodiment 4 or 9, which outputs at a temperature higher than each.

Embodiment 12
In the method of attenuating the preform glass plate,
Suspending a preform glass plate in a redraw furnace using a supply unit, the redraw furnace comprising:
A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet;
A plurality of heating units coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing; and
Heating the preform glass plate using the plurality of heating units such that at least a portion of the preform glass plate is heated to a softening temperature;
Engaging the first and second surfaces of the preform glass plate with a dampening roller assembly extending to the furnace channel in a transport direction at a position downstream of one or more dampening heating units of the plurality of heating units. And steps to
The vertical tension is applied to the preform by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the damping roller assembly such that the thickness of the preform glass plate is attenuated when the preform glass plate translates in the transport direction. Applying to the glass plate;
Including a method.

Embodiment 13
A collection roller assembly in which the glass drawn from the first surface and the second surface of the preform glass plate is positioned downstream of both the damping roller assembly and the furnace outlet in the transport direction; Engaging, and
Detaching the damping roller assembly from the preform glass plate when the preform glass plate is engaged with the collection roller assembly;
Applying vertical tension to the preform glass plate by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly, wherein the one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly are in a speed mode; The step of rotating at
Further including
Embodiment 13. The method according to embodiment 12.

Embodiment 14
The supply unit includes a glass hanger system, and the glass hanger system includes:
A glass clamping base having a glass clamp engageable with a preform glass plate;
A hanger drive system and one or more suspension shafts coupled to the glass clamping base and extending between the hanger drive system and the glass clamping base,
The hanger drive system is structurally configured to translate the glass clamping base and the one or more suspension shafts along a portion of a redraw path extending through the furnace channel;
The method translates the glass clamping base and the preform glass plate in the transport direction, and the glass clamping base and the preform glass plate when the preform glass plate is engaged with the damping roller assembly. 14. The method of embodiment 12 or 13, further comprising the step of stopping the translation of.

Embodiment 15
The preform glass plate is engaged with a positioning roller assembly when the preform glass plate is longitudinally adjacent to the positioning roller assembly, and the preform glass plate is engaged with the damping roller assembly. 15. The method of any one of embodiments 12 to 14, further comprising the step of detaching the positioning roller assembly from the preform glass plate when mated.

Embodiment 16
Embodiments 12-15, wherein when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel, the one or more decay heating units output heat at a higher temperature than the one or more remaining heating units. The method according to any one of the above.

212 inlet end 300 redraw driving system 100 glass redrawing system 230 furnace inlet 310 supply unit 200 redraw furnace 224 second surface wall 104 transport direction 250b heating unit 252a heating unit 330a positioning roller assembly 280 gas extraction tube 254b heating unit 102 redraw Path 110 preform glass plate 270 fluid cooling channel 256b heating unit 120b heat change gate 142 thermocouple 130 heat spreader 258b heating unit 330b first damping roller assembly 280 gas extraction tube 260b heating unit 262b heating unit 264b heating unit 232 furnace outlet 330d roller assembly 400 recovery unit 410 recovery spool 290 edge cooling bayonet 420 Disconnection device 142 thermocouple 214 outlet end 264a heating unit 262a heating unit 330c second damping roller assembly 258a first annealing heating unit 256a damping heating unit 254a second preheating unit 252a first preheating unit 250a heating unit 222 First surface wall 210 Furnace housing 240 Furnace region 242 Staging region 244 Preheating region 246 Attenuation region 248 Annealing region

Claims (11)

A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between a furnace inlet and a furnace outlet in a glass redraw system;
A decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing;
A preheating area positioned between the furnace inlet and the decay heating unit;
A redraw furnace including an annealing region positioned between the furnace outlet and the decay heating unit;
Between the decay heating unit and the one of the preheating region or the annealing region coupled to the furnace housing and extending to the furnace channel between the decay heating unit and one of the preheating region or the annealing region. One or more heat change gates that inhibit heat transfer along the furnace channel, wherein the one or more heat change gates are:
An upstream heat change gate positioned upstream of the attenuation heating unit in the conveying direction between the attenuation heating unit and the preheating region;
The one or more heat change gates comprising a downstream heat change gate positioned downstream of the decay heating unit in a transport direction between the decay heating unit and the anneal region;
With
A first gate portion, wherein each of the one or more thermal change gates is coupled to a first surface wall of the furnace housing and extends longitudinally toward a redraw path extending through the furnace channel; and A second gate portion coupled to the second surface wall of the furnace housing and extending longitudinally toward the redraw path, wherein the one or more thermal change gates are the first gate portion and A glass redraw system slidably coupled to the furnace housing such that the second gate portions are each movable in a longitudinal direction. A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between a furnace inlet and a furnace outlet in a glass redraw system;
A redraw furnace including a decay heating unit coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing;
A redraw path extending through the furnace channel;
A dampening roller assembly comprising one or more electric roller pairs of rollers extending to the furnace channel in a conveying direction at a position downstream of the dampening heating unit, wherein the one or more electric roller pairs of rollers comprises the one or more electric roller pairs Adjustable between a stretched position along the redraw path and a retracted position away from the redraw path, the one or more electric roller pairs of rollers provide vertical tension to the preform glass plate Said damping roller assembly being engageable with a preform glass plate for applying;
With
The one or more motorized roller pairs of the rollers of the dampening roller assembly each include a roller shaft including a first shaft end and a second shaft end, each roller shaft including the first shaft end. Mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a portion and coupled to a roller cylinder at the second shaft end;
Torque mode such that when the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly are actuated, the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly rotate with a constant torque. A glass redraw system that works with   A heat spreader positioned between the damped heating unit and a redraw path extending through the furnace channel, the heat spreader dissipating heat vertically and laterally along the heat spreader; The glass redraw system of Claim 1 or 2 comprised by these. One or more gas extraction tubes fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and vertically positioned downstream of the decay heating unit, the one or more gas extraction tubes removing gas from the furnace channel The one or more gas extraction tubes, which are structurally configured as follows:
One or more gas injection tubes fluidly coupled to the furnace channel and positioned vertically upstream of the decay heating unit, wherein the one or more gas injection tubes input gas into the furnace channel. 4. The glass redraw system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one of the one or more gas injection tubes configured structurally as described above. A supply unit engageable with the furnace inlet and configured to suspend a preform glass plate in the furnace channel, the supply unit comprising a glass hanger system, the glass hanger system comprising:
A glass clamping base having a glass clamp engageable with a preform glass plate; a hanger driving system; and one or more suspension shafts coupled to the glass clamping base and extending between the hanger driving system and the glass clamping base Wherein the hanger drive system is structurally configured to translate the glass clamping base and the one or more suspension shafts along a portion of a redraw path extending through the furnace channel. Said one or more suspension shafts;
A hanger cover engagable with the furnace housing covering the furnace inlet of the furnace housing, wherein the one or more suspension shafts extend through the hanger cover. The glass redrawing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the supply unit.   The damping roller assembly is pivoted in the vertically downstream direction with the one or more motorized roller pairs of the rollers of the damping roller assembly engaged with the glass plate. The glass redraw of claim 2 wherein the dampening roller assembly is pivotable about the roller joint vertically and downstream to apply tension to the glass sheet both vertically and laterally. system. A collection roller assembly including one or more pairs of electric rollers positioned between the furnace outlet and the collection unit, wherein the one or more pairs of electric rollers are engageable with a glass plate. Further comprising the collection roller assembly adjacent to the redraw path to apply vertical tension to the glass plate;
The one or more motorized roller pairs of the rollers of the collection roller assembly each include a roller shaft including a first shaft end and a second shaft end, each roller shaft including the first shaft end. Mechanically engaged with a roller drive system at a portion and coupled to a roller cylinder at the second shaft end;
The glass redraw system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each roller cylinder of the one or more electric roller pairs of the rollers of the collection roller assembly comprises a polymeric material. In the method of attenuating the preform glass plate,
Suspending a preform glass plate in a redraw furnace using a supply unit, the redraw furnace comprising:
A furnace housing having a furnace channel extending between the furnace inlet and the furnace outlet;
A plurality of heating units coupled to the furnace housing and structurally configured to output heat to the furnace housing; and
Heating the preform glass plate using the plurality of heating units such that at least a portion of the preform glass plate is heated to a softening temperature;
Engaging the first and second surfaces of the preform glass plate with a dampening roller assembly extending to the furnace channel in a transport direction at a position downstream of one or more dampening heating units of the plurality of heating units. And steps to
The vertical tension is applied to the preform by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the damping roller assembly such that the thickness of the preform glass plate is attenuated when the preform glass plate translates in the transport direction. Applying to a glass plate. A collection roller assembly in which the glass drawn from the first surface and the second surface of the preform glass plate is positioned downstream of both the damping roller assembly and the furnace outlet in the transport direction; Engaging, and
Detaching the damping roller assembly from the preform glass plate when the preform glass plate is engaged with the collection roller assembly;
Applying vertical tension to the preform glass plate by rotating one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly, wherein the one or more roller cylinders of the collection roller assembly are in a speed mode; Rotating at said step;
The method of claim 8, further comprising: The supply unit includes a glass hanger system, and the glass hanger system includes:
A glass clamping base having a glass clamp engageable with a preform glass plate;
One or more suspension shafts coupled to the hanger drive system and the glass clamping base and extending between the hanger drive system and the glass clamping base;
Including
The hanger drive system is structurally configured to translate the glass clamping base and the one or more suspension shafts along a portion of a redraw path extending through the furnace channel;
The method translates the glass clamping base and the preform glass plate in the transport direction, and the glass clamping base and the preform glass plate when the preform glass plate is engaged with the damping roller assembly. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of stopping the translation of.   11. The one or more decay heating units output heat at a higher temperature than one or more remaining heating units when the plurality of heating units output heat to the furnace channel. The method according to any one of the above.

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