200827313 九、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明是和混合熔融玻璃有關，尤其是關於一種在玻 璃熔融物内提供足夠的聲能以提高均勻性的波導管組件。 【先前技術】 目前製造技術所製造的玻璃片不只具備高光學品質， 而且還可作為電路系統的基板。這種玻璃片應用的一個例 子就是液晶顯示幕(LCD)。作為LCD基板的玻璃必須具有某 些特性，而這些特性是根據最終形成玻璃片的玻璃溶融物 而定。 一般而言，在LCD使用的玻璃是一種無驗高銘爛石夕酸化 學成份。LCD使用的玻璃片或板是藉由控制液態玻璃，也就 是所謂的玻璃熔融物的冷卻而形成。然而，玻璃熔融物通 常包含不勻雜質，使得所產生的玻璃片無法滿足所需的品 質。這種不勻雜質可能包括固體或氣體的夾雜物，小量的 偏肖隹岔度，以及化學成份於玻璃溶融物内。後者的現象通 常被稱為索狀物。索狀物不平均的分佈可能降低所產生玻 璃片的可用性。例如在液晶顯示裝置中，索狀物可能導致 顯示時視覺上不吸引人的反常現象。尤其是索狀物會造成 局部區域有不同的折射率。不同折射率的局部區域可能會 使所產生的玻璃不適合於某些精確的使用。 先前，我們使用機械攪拌器直接機械性攪拌玻璃熔融 物。然而，玻璃熔融物的高溫和侵略性的玻璃成份可能令 人無法直接使用機械性攪拌。攪拌的元件必須由昂貴的耐 200827313 火金屬成份製成，通常是用鉑或鉑铑合金以抵抗高溫環境 。尤其是高剪應力可能腐蝕攪拌元件和含有玻璃的容器， 其導致令人討厭的粒子產生於熔融玻璃中。 通常是以超音波能量形式表現的振動能量已被使用在 各式各樣的應用中。超音波能量最常被使用的地方就是在 清潔作業時攪拌流體，例如利用超音波清洗珠寶。在工業 上的應用，超音波能量常常被用來除氣。也就是說，用來從 液體中移除氣體夾雜物。 美國第4, 316, 734號專利中製造玻璃的過程是利用超 音波能量使小籽子(氣泡)聚結成較大的氣泡，無須改變玻 璃熔融物的黏度就以較快的速度浮除。因此，譬如可以藉 由降低溫度以增加玻璃熔融物的黏度，而不必過度影響熔 嘁物内較大型氣泡上升的速度。降低炼融物溫度也算是有 思義的節約能源。 美國第4,316, 734號專利係關於選擇一種頻率和能量 強度而對應於聲能來源和玻璃間之介面處聲阻抗以及玻 璃動態黏度，使玻璃内一定百分比的氣泡得以向上移動。 美國第2, 635, 388號專利也關於一種從溶融玻璃中移 除氣體夾雜物的方法。美國第2, 635, 388號專利說明如何 使用一種加熱元件埋入熔融玻璃内以及產生超音波振動。 加熱辑在熔融物内產生局部性高溫，低黏度的區域，當和 =動件產生的攪拌—起作用將有助於聚集氣泡，使其離 1破每。加熱而產生的對流氣流會使所有玻璃體積最終通 過局部高溫區域。 第6 頁 200827313 雖然這些和其他方法藉著運用聲能從玻璃移除氣泡方 已稍有成效，但在混合熔融玻璃以達到玻璃均勾化方面（ • 移除化學的不勻雜質)並沒有顯著的成效。的確，美國第2, ’ 635,388號專利中說明的方法必須在玻璃熔融物内插入一 ，加熱的振動元件。玻璃熔融物的高溫和化學的侵蝕環境 1根f70件的姆，歧少是元件週雛的置換而導致流 程中斷、加熱振動元件經過一段時間後的溶解，以及玻璃 • _物可能断_。__滅需要—觀合玻璃的 方法，可以有效_除玻璃熔融物中的索狀物而不會遇到 在熔融物内插入額外元件的缺點。 【發明内容】 本說明描述了-種方法可以利驗導管組件引入某特 定頻率的超音波，並且無論是贿續波的形式或長(多循環 )爆發的财在狀的辨值刊人_縣物。激發信 號波形的帛-近似是正弦式的ϋ祕縣物巾顯著地 _ 為絲性，所產生聲場中的波形可能會有所不同。為了配 合實施和理論上的敘述，多循環爆發可以同樣地被視為連 續波信號。因此激發設備内的聲場基本上可被視為單音的 (單頻率）。 將來自射頻功率源的電子輸入能轉換成聲輸出能量到 熔融物的激發設備是由菊鏈系列的元件所組成： 1·適當的轉換器，由一個或以上的有功(壓電的)元件 組成，前後質量互補； 2·選擇性匹配鏈結，堅固的物體合併個別的或漸進的 200827313 直徑階 3· #型波導管，通常是固定直徑的圓柱型桿。 ，了確保有效的傳輸通過這個鏈，每個元件都設計成 和目標頻率是共振的。假使共振裝置的損耗是可忽略的， 被^、恶限阻抗對比(無限硬或無限軟)的元件終止，其 大小應該剛好等於波長的一半。 、将定核形的波長等於音速，因而所考慮採用的材料和 波型根_·分。於是對於某特定頻率，由各式不同材 料構成鏈#各個元件之間波長是顯著不同的。更且，波形 在某種私度上疋根據元件的橫截面和橫截面上的變異而有 倒是較少程度地影響波長。最後—點，聲速在實際材 料内疋因溫度而有所變化，波長也是同樣的情況。 為了產生一個更有效的激發鏈，所有元件應該調整為 =同的解。由於每種元件偏離簡單假設的偏差可能都不 盡相同，這種不同可能需要針對每個元件而有不同的調整 。例如，在匹配的鏈結中，直徑階躍並不是無限陡的:在運 作期間使用-個有限的内圓角半徑來限制鏈結中產生的應 力。這内圓角有點影響到最佳長度。 波導管組件可以在一適當的共振頻率下被驅動，譬如 大約是在20千赫和40千赫之間，以提供足夠的聲功率到玻 璃熔融物，加強玻璃熔融物内的混合情形。聲功率耦合到 玻璃熔融物隶好大於約5瓦特(W)，最好是至少約3〇瓦特(w) ，更好是至少約40瓦特，更更好是至少約5〇瓦特。依據本項 發明的實施範例，可以提供充足的聲功率到玻璃混合體以 200827313 產生非線性聲效應，特別是聲流。 在一個實施範例中，說明了一種混合玻璃熔融物的方 法，其包括產生聲波，藉著波導管耦合聲波到玻璃熔融物， 在其中聲波提供充足的聲功率到玻璃熔融物，在玻璃熔融 物内產生聲流。 藉著將波導管聲搞合到玻璃熔融物，以及沿著波導管 的縱向尺寸產生駐波，就可以提供玻璃溶融物充足的聲能， 例如超音波能以加強玻璃熔融物内的均質性。 在另一個實施範例中，說明了提供充足的聲能給容器 内玻璃熔融物的-種設備，其包括產生聲波的轉換器，聲輕 合到轉換n和玻觀祕的波導管，在其巾波導管被設計 成可在波導管⑽—定的聲波鮮產生駐波，並在玻璃熔 融物内產生聲流。 人們了解本發明之先前—般綱及下淋發明詳細說 =之實施例詳細說明在於提供概念或架構以了解申請專利 範圍界定出本發明之原理及特性。 所包含附圖在於提供更進一步了解本發明，以及在此 ί入作為發載明書之—部份。_顯示出本發明不同的 貫施例及隨同詳細說明以解釋本發明之原理及 【實施方式】 u 聲音是經由或傳導-觀如液體或空氣介質的一種振 ι 肢概的_。修，#觸擊響 鈐時產生振動。響鈴的邊緣相對於圍繞著 當邊緣向外移動時在空氣中產生—_域顧當邊緣 200827313 向内移動時產生一低壓區域。高健區域分別稱為所謂的 壓縮和稀疏區域，藉著影響空氣的毗鄰分子如同波一般通 過介質4氣巾齡子根據交替的高低壓向後或向前移動， 然後依序作用在毗鄰分子上，接著再作用在其她鄰分子上 等等。因此高健ϋ域如同具有特定幅度和波長的波通過 介質。當其通過時，通過的波會在空間發散，並且因吸收作 用而損耗能量。通過的波也會和其他的波產生建設性或破 壞性的父互作用。例如，這種波可能和其他反射波(譬如從 物體表面）重疊，致使這兩種波互相加強而產生駐波。這種 f月形在兩種波互相同相位時會發生。駐波定義了個別對應 於最小和最大壓力區的波節和反波節。駐波可以在反射的 環境中產生，例如藉著調整通過波的波長(頻率)至一半波 長的適當的倍數，使得反射波好好的重疊。 一般的駐波是相當強的。然而過強的聲音可能在其通 寺產生非線性敝應。這種非線性的反應可能^括 震波、聲飽和(介質無法吸收額外的聲能)和聲流，或是聲 波通過介質淨流動所導致的過程。也就是說，上述振動的 分子亚不只是在-平均位置原處作移動而沒有整體真正改 麦位置。在聲流動過程中，分子平均位置是確實地改變。 聲流已經翻絲作舰的摘，譬如鑛相對低溫 的液體，移動氣泡，以及微滴身士出液體。聲流也被運用來局 部混合非常小的液體量(即微流體混合）。較困難的事情是 要使聲流在南黏度、高溫大量的液體中，譬如大量玻璃製 造作業中的熔融玻璃有效且省錢地混合或均勾化玻璃。 第10頁 200827313 所謂玻璃包含各種在其個別軟化點之上的玻璃組成份 :通系玻璃溶融物大約是在刪弋和17〇『c之間。玻璃包 含-種無規的、液體狀(非晶形)分子結構的材料。玻璃的 製造過程需要將原材料加熱到足以產生完全溶化的熔融物 ，當冷卻雜融齡㈣堅硬而沒有結㉟。麟或是玻璃 熔融物可能是任何各種各樣的成份，包括蘇打石灰玻璃、 鉛玻璃、硼矽酸玻璃、高銘石夕酸玻璃、96_石玻璃、$ 化的矽石玻璃和高鋁硼矽酸玻璃。所謂聲波則是想涵蓋藉 由介質傳輸的機械振動。在某一設置中，聲波是在超音波 範圍之内，目標頻率大約是在2〇千赫和4〇千赫之間。 本發明包括圖1所示的波導管組件10,用來促供聲能經 由耸波至包含在容器14内的玻璃熔融物12，因而混合玻璃 熔融物。 谷态14可以是任何各式各樣的設置。在一項設置中， 容器14界定出熔融玻璃流動路徑，其連結波導管組件選 取出，以允5午在流動路控橫截面一定百分比區域内進行混、 合。因而谷态可以接受由上游位置而來的玻璃熔融物以及 允許玻璃熔融物流到下游位置。例如，容器14可以是炫融 玻璃流過的管線。在該設置中，容器14包括一開放的頂端 以允許波導管組件進入並接觸玻璃熔融物。一般認為容器 在玻璃熔融物水平下可以包括一個通道口或孔徑，—部分 的波導管組件置於其中以耦合波導管組件和玻璃熔融物。 而另一種構造則是波導管組件可聲麴合至容器的外部表面 以避免之前所描述先前技術混和方式的缺點。所謂的聲耗 第11頁 200827313 合是指第一個元件耦合至第二個元件，以這種方式可使聲 波從第一個元件通過至第二個元件，最好但不一定必要= 最小的幅度彳員耗。 容器14最好由諸如鉑或鉑铑合金的耐火金屬所構成 譬如包含80%銘-20%錄的合金。容器14最好包括一個入口 端和一個出口端，使得熔融玻璃可以連續或半連續破璃製 造作業的方式流經容器。然而值得注意的是本發明的方法 也可實施於不流動的熔融玻璃。 波導管組件10被設計用來有效轉換射頻功率為聲功率 ’並包括一轉換器16以達成此種轉換，再由一個波導管傳 輸產生的聲功率至玻璃熔融物12。為了提升功率傳輸的效 率，波導管組件10被設計成可用來匹配元件内的聲阻抗，以 及在特定頻率時產生共振。因而我們可假設在共振元件内 的損耗是可忽略的，而且波導管組件可以藉由具無限阻抗 對比(無限硬或無限軟)的元件終止，波導管組件的縱軸長 度應該剛好等於波長的一半。 在一實施範例，波導管18的第一端20通過容器14,聲麵 合至玻璃熔融物12,而波導管18的第二端22則聲耦合至轉 換器16。波導管18(和波導管組件1〇)有第一熱端20,通常 是超過1200QC，大約在1200°C和1700°C之間，而較冷的第二 端22最好是在周圍溫度或至少有助於轉換器運作的溫度。 傳統的超音波轉換器通常只能承受到約50°C的温度。在較 高的溫度，由於熱膨脹導致的内部分解或退極化，轉換器將 會遭到永久性的破壞。在某一設置中，轉換器的溫度最好 第12 頁 200827313 維持在1()0°(:町，祕更進—步設置巾，最好條5(rc。 α雛器16的功能是將射頻功率轉換成振動運動。轉換 器可以是任何各式各樣業界使用的轉換器，像是 或T〇npilz麵的超音波轉換器。該項技術為人所知的，轉 換器由錢產生ϋ 24和轴辨放枝、26。接^ 號產生g料由控制ϋ %例如魏式控彻來控制。 輸入至轉換益的激發信號電壓和頻率可以由控制哭沈 # 來控制’以使轉換器16維持在可產生有效超音波的最:運 作狀況。也就是說，波導管組件1〇是以共振頻率來驅動。 LangeVin_轉絲尤細具神触觸寬而著名， 共振的特性則是視其介質而定。因為波導管組件，特別是 波導管，可能暴露在某-溫度範圍，共振頻率則可能因溫度 而異。 為了匹配轉換器16和波導管18之間的聲阻抗，波導管 18可能包含-舰配鏈結30的部份。在某一設置中，如圖 瞻2所示，匹配鏈結30被設計成在匹配鍵結内具有約等於目標 頻率波長-半繼。因此，所選用相容的材質，嬖如鋼 其長度約等於鋼内目標信號波長的_半。雖_$_ 作為匹配鏈結30’但只要是聲性質和損耗可為人接受的豆 ，材質也可使用，對每一種材質而言，都要選擇匹配鏈結的 取佳長度以使轉換器的聲阻抗與波導管的聲輸入阻抗相匹 配。 曰、匹_結30被設計成在轉換器和匹配鏈結界面處，盡 域少信號反射，在匹配鏈結和波導管其餘部分的界面處 200827313 也是如此。因此’在制固界面處的反射功率量被盡量減少， 以盡量放大輸送到玻璃熔融物12的總功率。 ’ 如上所述，轉換器16在波導管端22處聲耦合至波導管 18。波導管18的另一端20則浸入玻璃溶融物内，或最好聲 耦合至容器14的外部表面，以使聲功率透過容器μ轉移到 玻璃熔融物。 圖3-4是依據本發明的實施範例將波導管18聲麵合至 谷斋14之數種方法。圖3顯示出一個附加到容器μ外部表 面的内螺紋化插座(接頭)32。依此圖示，波導管π的端部 20包含外部螺紋，使得波導管18可以旋轉至插座犯。 以變化，圖4所示的一個較佳實施範例，波導管18在端部2〇 包含大小配合附加到容器14外部表面的螺紋化突緣(接頭） 34的内螺紋化凹處。突緣34最好是焊接至容器μ。突緣34 的端部表面23最好是垂直於突緣18的縱軸(突緣34的端面 是平的)，然後橫跨整個端面接觸突緣34的内凹處，使得聲 功率不會只藉由螺紋化接觸而耦合。 波導管18被選在目標頻率共振(維持駐波）。因而波導 官18的長度最好約等於波導管中目標頻率波長的一半。在 某些實施範例中，波導管18可部份浸入玻璃熔融物12内，而 波導管未浸入的長度可當作轉換器16和玻璃熔融物12之間 的熱緩衝區。在未浸入的實施範例中，整個波導管18的長 度可當作一個熱緩衝區。 波導管18最好由足以抗高溫的材質所構成。因為不管 波導管18是接觸熔融玻璃或只是接觸容器14,在玻璃製造 第14 頁 200827313 作業令有些情況可能超過160(rc。令人滿意的材料包括重 鋁土、陶龙，或在⑥溫會轉高彈性模數的财火金屬合金 諸如鋁土、錯土和Pt-Rh合金。 雖然波導管18通常是圓柱形或簡單的階狀靜八形铁 而據我們所知，波導管18也可以是鐘形、碑形，或卷_、 開縫或未開縫）。波導管18可以是實心棒或一根管或具有 大約實心棒直徑的空心圓筒。 • 在一項設置中’冷卻流體36被導引卿份波導管18(或 匹配鏈結3〇,假如使用情況)以協助提供轉換器16適當的操 作溫度。冷卻流可以是在周圍溫度(即室溫)下穩定流速之 流動空氣。然__所知，冷赠也可岐已冷卻的氣 流。更進-步瞭解的是，波導管越短越需要更多的冷卻，可 能包含更高速的急速冷卻流體。通常冷卻流體被導引通過 轉換器附近的波導管(或匹配鏈結）。冷卻流體轉在穩定 的狀況有利於波導管18達到平衡狀態。 • 由於波導管18包含-個熱的端部和一個冷的端部，沿 t波導管軸產生-娜度，這纽變聲波通過波導管 的速，。由轉換器產生的聲波頻率可依據需要調整來維持 波導&組件10内的共振以提供充足的聲能到玻璃溶融物u 。在超音«絲^_的,_方面也會目溫度差異而改 變。因此，即使波導管藉由頻率調整而保持共振，轉換器的 電輸入阻抗也可能有不同的共振。沿著在玻璃溶融物砂 室溫轉換16之間波導管組件1〇的溫度梯度，主要合導致 沿著波導管組件縱轴的聲 200827313 因而改鲶始、度。廷兩種效應共同導致聲阻抗沿著波導管元 件長度之相對變化，其定義為聲壓除以最終體積速度。因 此’在選擇設備ίο的組成，譬如波導管材質、長度和橫截面 時，應该要考慮沿著波導管組件縱軸，溫度所導致聲阻抗的 變化。 波導管18的最佳長度主要決定於波導管的材質選擇和 運作#職鱗管触度。麵她_，最令人滿意的 波18長度大約是目標聲波鮮—個波長的波導管長度 ，因為这種長度可以提供沿著波導管長度足夠的溫度梯度， 使轉換器16得以在靴以下運作以及允許波導管組件1〇 經由信號頻率加以調整以在共振頻率下操作。 當波導管18聲耦合至玻璃熔融物12時，波導管以超音 波振動的形式經由容器14輸聲功率至玻璃熔融物。由於 引入足夠的功率至玻璃熔融物，玻璃熔融物的移動促使充 分的混合贿料產生破麟融_均雜。也就是說， 可以減対錄並均自錄在整做璃溶融物 〇在一些實 施|巳例中，箄功率耦合至玻璃熔融物也可能產姐融物的 空洞現象(cavitation)，其會在熔融物内導闕部性高流 速。藉著真空氣泡位;t止的建立，在其中紐可以聚結並上 升到玻璃熔融物表面，空洞現象也可能有助於玻璃的精煉（ 移除氣體夾雜物）。 在實施範例中，可以利用一個以上的波導管組件來加 強混合玻璃。圖5所示的實施範例是兩個波導管實體地轉 合至容器14。這兩個波導管的縱軸最好是正交的。所以我 第16 頁 200827313 們知道可使用兩個以上的波導管。請參照圖6,其中所顯示 的示意圖是依據本發明實施範例的玻璃製造系統，其使 用炼化處理方式製造玻璃片。例如，嫁化處理方式說明於200827313 IX. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hybrid molten glass, and more particularly to a waveguide assembly that provides sufficient acoustic energy within a glass melt to improve uniformity. [Prior Art] The glass sheets manufactured by the current manufacturing technology not only have high optical quality, but also serve as substrates for circuit systems. An example of such a glass sheet application is a liquid crystal display (LCD). The glass as the LCD substrate must have certain characteristics which are determined by the glass melt which ultimately forms the glass sheet. In general, the glass used in LCDs is a chemical-free chemical composition. The glass sheets or sheets used in LCDs are formed by controlling the cooling of liquid glass, the so-called glass melt. However, the glass melt usually contains uneven impurities, so that the resulting glass sheet does not satisfy the desired quality. Such uneven impurities may include solid or gaseous inclusions, small amounts of eccentricity, and chemical composition in the glass melt. The latter phenomenon is often referred to as a cord. The uneven distribution of the cords may reduce the usability of the resulting glass sheets. For example, in a liquid crystal display device, the cord may cause an abnormal phenomenon that is visually unattractive when displayed. In particular, the cords cause localized regions with different refractive indices. Localized regions of different refractive indices may make the resulting glass unsuitable for some precise use. Previously, we used a mechanical stirrer to directly mechanically agitate the glass melt. However, the high temperature and aggressive glass composition of the glass melt may make it impossible to use mechanical agitation directly. The agitated components must be made of expensive 200827313 fire metal components, usually with platinum or platinum rhodium alloys to withstand high temperatures. In particular, high shear stress can corrode the stirring element and the container containing the glass, which causes the objectionable particles to be generated in the molten glass. Vibrational energy, usually expressed in the form of ultrasonic energy, has been used in a wide variety of applications. The most common use of ultrasonic energy is to stir fluids during cleaning operations, such as cleaning jewels with ultrasonic waves. In industrial applications, ultrasonic energy is often used to degas. That is, it is used to remove gas inclusions from the liquid. The process of making glass in U.S. Patent No. 4,316,734 is the use of ultrasonic energy to coalesce small seeds (bubbles) into larger bubbles which are removed at a faster rate without changing the viscosity of the glass melt. Thus, for example, the temperature of the glass melt can be increased by lowering the temperature without excessively affecting the rate at which larger bubbles rise within the melt. Reducing the temperature of the smelt is also a saving energy source. U.S. Patent No. 4,316,734 discloses the selection of a frequency and energy intensity corresponding to the acoustic impedance at the interface between the source of acoustic energy and the glass and the dynamic viscosity of the glass, causing a certain percentage of the bubbles within the glass to move upward. U.S. Patent No. 2,635,388 is also incorporated herein incorporated by reference. U.S. Patent No. 2,635,388 describes how to use a heating element to embed in molten glass and to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The heating sequence creates a localized high temperature in the melt, and the low-viscosity area, when stirred and reacted with the moving parts, will help to collect the bubbles, causing them to break away from each other. The convective airflow generated by heating causes all of the glass volume to eventually pass through the local high temperature region. Page 6 200827313 Although these and other methods have been somewhat effective in removing bubbles from glass by using acoustic energy, there is no significant difference in the mixing of molten glass to achieve glass homogenization (• removal of chemically uneven impurities) The effectiveness. Indeed, the method described in U.S. Patent No. 2,635,388, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The high temperature of the glass melt and the chemically corrosive environment. One f70 piece of the m, the difference is the replacement of the component, which causes the process to be interrupted, the heating of the vibrating element after a period of dissolution, and the glass. __ Destroy requires a method of viewing the glass that can effectively remove the cord from the glass melt without encountering the disadvantage of inserting additional components into the melt. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This description describes a method that can be used to test the introduction of ultrasonic waves at a particular frequency by a catheter assembly, and whether it is a form of bribery wave or a long (multi-cycle) burst of financial value Things. The 帛-approximation of the excitation signal waveform is a sinusoidal ϋ 县 县 物 显 显 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ In order to comply with the implementation and theoretical narrative, multi-cycle bursts can equally be considered as continuous wave signals. Thus the sound field within the excitation device can be considered substantially as a single tone (single frequency). The excitation device that converts the input energy from the RF power source into acoustic output energy to the melt is composed of components of the daisy chain: 1. A suitable converter consisting of one or more active (piezoelectric) components , before and after the mass complement; 2 · Selective matching links, sturdy objects combined with individual or progressive 200827313 diameter step 3 · #-type waveguide, usually a fixed diameter cylindrical rod. To ensure efficient transmission through this chain, each component is designed to resonate with the target frequency. If the loss of the resonant device is negligible, it is terminated by a component that is contrasted (infinitely hard or infinitely soft) and should be exactly half the wavelength. The wavelength of the nucleation is equal to the speed of sound, so the material and wave root used are considered to be used. Thus, for a particular frequency, the chain is made up of different materials. The wavelengths between the various elements are significantly different. Moreover, the waveform has a degree of privacy that affects the wavelength to a lesser extent depending on the cross-section and cross-section variations of the component. Finally, at the point where the speed of sound varies in the actual material due to temperature, the wavelength is the same. In order to produce a more efficient excitation chain, all components should be adjusted to the same solution. Since the deviation of each component from the simple assumption may be different, this difference may require different adjustments for each component. For example, in a matched chain, the diameter step is not infinitely steep: a limited fillet radius is used during operation to limit the stress generated in the chain. This fillet affects the best length. The waveguide assembly can be driven at a suitable resonant frequency, such as between about 20 kHz and 40 kHz, to provide sufficient acoustic power to the glass melt to enhance mixing within the glass melt. The acoustic power coupled to the glass melt is preferably greater than about 5 watts (W), preferably at least about 3 watts (w), more preferably at least about 40 watts, and even more preferably at least about 5 watts. According to an embodiment of the present invention, sufficient acoustic power can be supplied to the glass hybrid to produce a nonlinear acoustic effect, particularly acoustic flow, at 200827313. In one embodiment, a method of mixing a glass melt is described that includes generating an acoustic wave that couples acoustic waves to a glass melt by a waveguide, wherein the acoustic wave provides sufficient acoustic power to the glass melt, within the glass melt Produce a sound stream. By engaging the waveguide sound into the glass melt and creating standing waves along the longitudinal dimension of the waveguide, sufficient acoustic energy of the glass melt, such as ultrasonic energy, can be provided to enhance homogeneity within the glass melt. In another embodiment, a device for providing sufficient acoustic energy to a glass melt in a container is illustrated, which includes a transducer that produces sound waves, which is lightly coupled to a waveguide that converts n and glass, in its towel. The waveguide is designed to produce standing waves in the waveguide (10)-defined acoustic waves and to create an acoustic flow within the glass melt. It is to be understood that the detailed description of the present invention is intended to provide a The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, The various embodiments of the invention and the accompanying detailed description are set forth to explain the principles of the invention and the embodiments of the invention, and the sound is a vibrational or illuminating medium such as a liquid or air medium. Repair, #打打响 产生 produces vibration. The edge of the bell produces a low pressure region relative to the surrounding air that moves in the air as it moves outwardly. The high-health regions are called so-called compressed and sparse regions, respectively, and the adjacent molecules that affect the air move backwards or forwards according to the alternating high and low pressures through the medium 4 airbags, and then act on adjacent molecules in sequence. Then it acts on its neighbors and so on. Therefore, the high-energy field acts like a wave with a specific amplitude and wavelength through the medium. As it passes, the passing waves diverge in space and lose energy due to absorption. The waves that pass through will also interact with other waves to create constructive or destructive fathers. For example, such waves may overlap with other reflected waves (e.g., from the surface of the object) such that the two waves reinforce each other to produce a standing wave. This f-shaped shape occurs when the two waves are in the same phase. Standing waves define individual nodes and anti-nodes that correspond to the minimum and maximum pressure zones. The standing wave can be generated in a reflective environment, for example by adjusting the wavelength (frequency) of the wave to an appropriate multiple of half the wavelength so that the reflected wave overlaps well. The general standing wave is quite strong. However, an excessively strong sound may produce a nonlinear response in its temple. This non-linear response may include seismic waves, acoustic saturation (the medium cannot absorb additional acoustic energy), and acoustic flow, or the process by which sound waves flow through the medium. That is to say, the molecular sub-vibration of the above vibration does not only move at the original position but does not have the overall true position of the wheat. During the sound flow, the average position of the molecules is surely changed. The sound stream has been turned into a ship's pick, such as the relatively low temperature liquid, moving bubbles, and the liquid droplets. Sound flow is also used to locally mix very small amounts of liquid (i.e., microfluidic mixing). The more difficult thing is to make the sound flow in a large viscosity, high temperature liquid, such as molten glass in a large number of glass manufacturing operations, to effectively and cost-effectively mix or homogenize the glass. Page 10 200827313 The so-called glass contains various glass components above its individual softening point: the through-glass fused material is approximately between 弋 and 17〇 cc. The glass contains a material of a random, liquid (amorphous) molecular structure. The glass manufacturing process requires heating the raw material to a melt sufficient to produce a complete melt, which is hard to cool when the cooling age is (4) and has no knots 35. Lin or glass melt may be any of a wide variety of ingredients, including soda lime glass, lead glass, borosilicate glass, Gao Mingshi acid glass, 96_ stone glass, strontium glass and high aluminum borosilicate glass. The so-called sound wave is intended to cover the mechanical vibration transmitted by the medium. In one setting, the sound wave is within the ultrasonic range and the target frequency is approximately between 2 kHz and 4 kHz. The present invention includes the waveguide assembly 10 of Figure 1 for facilitating the supply of acoustic energy to the glass melt 12 contained within the vessel 14 thereby mixing the glass melt. The valley state 14 can be any of a wide variety of settings. In one arrangement, the container 14 defines a molten glass flow path that is coupled to the waveguide assembly to allow mixing at a certain percentage of the flow path cross section at 5 o'clock. The valley state thus accepts the glass melt from the upstream location and allows the glass melt stream to be downstream. For example, the container 14 can be a line through which the glazed glass flows. In this arrangement, the container 14 includes an open top end to allow the waveguide assembly to enter and contact the glass melt. It is believed that the container may include a passage opening or aperture at the glass melt level, with a portion of the waveguide assembly disposed therein to couple the waveguide assembly and the glass melt. Yet another configuration is that the waveguide assembly can be acoustically coupled to the exterior surface of the container to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art mixing methods previously described. The so-called sound consumption page 11 200827313 means that the first element is coupled to the second element, in such a way that the sound wave can pass from the first element to the second element, preferably but not necessarily = minimum The rate of employee spending. The container 14 is preferably constructed of a refractory metal such as platinum or a platinum rhodium alloy, such as an alloy containing 80% of the -20%. The container 14 preferably includes an inlet end and an outlet end such that the molten glass can flow through the container in a continuous or semi-continuous glass making operation. It is to be noted, however, that the method of the present invention can also be practiced on molten glass that does not flow. The waveguide assembly 10 is designed to efficiently convert RF power to acoustic power' and includes a converter 16 to effect such conversion, and the resulting acoustic power is transmitted by a waveguide to the glass melt 12. To increase the efficiency of power transfer, the waveguide assembly 10 is designed to match the acoustic impedance within the component and to create resonance at a particular frequency. Thus we can assume that the losses in the resonant element are negligible, and that the waveguide assembly can be terminated by an element with infinite impedance contrast (infinite hard or infinite soft), the longitudinal axis length of the waveguide assembly should be exactly half the wavelength . In one embodiment, the first end 20 of the waveguide 18 is acoustically coupled to the glass melt 12 through the container 14, and the second end 22 of the waveguide 18 is acoustically coupled to the converter 16. The waveguide 18 (and the waveguide assembly 1A) has a first hot end 20, typically over 1200 QC, between about 1200 ° C and 1700 ° C, while the cooler second end 22 is preferably at ambient temperature or At least the temperature that helps the converter operate. Conventional ultrasonic transducers typically can only withstand temperatures of about 50 °C. At higher temperatures, the converter will be permanently destroyed by internal decomposition or depolarization due to thermal expansion. In a certain setting, the temperature of the converter is best maintained on page 12, 200827313 at 1 () 0 ° (: machi, secret more step-by-step setting towel, preferably strip 5 (rc. 雏 雏 16 function is to The RF power is converted into a vibrating motion. The converter can be any of a variety of converters used in the industry, such as the T〇npilz-faced ultrasonic transducer. The technology is known, and the converter is generated by money. 24 and the axis discriminate, 26. The signal generated by the control is controlled by the control ϋ %, for example, Wei control. The voltage and frequency of the excitation signal input to the conversion can be controlled by the control crying # to make the converter 16 is maintained at the most operational state that produces effective ultrasound. That is, the waveguide assembly 1〇 is driven at a resonant frequency. LangeVin_ turns is especially famous for its wide touch, and the characteristic of resonance is Depending on the medium, the waveguide assembly, especially the waveguide, may be exposed to a certain temperature range, and the resonant frequency may vary with temperature. To match the acoustic impedance between the converter 16 and the waveguide 18, the waveguide 18 May contain a part of the ship's distribution chain 30. At some Centering, as shown in Figure 2, the matching link 30 is designed to have a wavelength equal to the target frequency within the matching bond - semi-continuous. Therefore, a compatible material, such as steel, is selected to be approximately equal in length to the steel. _ half of the target signal wavelength. Although _$_ is used as the matching link 30', as long as it is acceptable for sound properties and loss, the material can also be used. For each material, the matching link must be selected. Take a good length to match the acoustic impedance of the converter to the acoustic input impedance of the waveguide. The 曰, _ junction 30 is designed to have less signal reflection at the converter and matching link interface, in matching the link and The same is true for the rest of the waveguide at 200827313. Therefore, the amount of reflected power at the solidification interface is minimized to maximize the total power delivered to the glass melt 12. 'As noted above, the converter 16 is in the waveguide The end 22 is acoustically coupled to the waveguide 18. The other end 20 of the waveguide 18 is immersed in the glass melt or, preferably, acoustically coupled to the outer surface of the container 14 to transfer acoustic power through the container μ to the glass melt. 3-4 is Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of acoustically combining the waveguide 18 to the Guzan 14. Figure 3 shows an internally threaded socket (joint) 32 attached to the outer surface of the container μ. As shown, the waveguide π The end portion 20 includes external threads such that the waveguide 18 can be rotated to the socket. In a variation, as shown in a preferred embodiment of Figure 4, the waveguide 18 includes a size fit to the outer surface of the container 14 at the end portion 2 The internally threaded recess of the threaded flange (joint) 34. The flange 34 is preferably welded to the container μ. The end surface 23 of the flange 34 is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange 18 (the flange 34 The end face is flat and then contacts the recess of the flange 34 across the entire end face so that the acoustic power is not coupled by only the threaded contact. The waveguide 18 is selected to resonate at the target frequency (maintaining standing waves). Thus the length of the waveguide 18 is preferably approximately equal to half the wavelength of the target frequency in the waveguide. In some embodiments, the waveguide 18 may be partially immersed in the glass melt 12, and the length of the waveguide not immersed may serve as a thermal buffer between the converter 16 and the glass melt 12. In the embodiment that is not immersed, the length of the entire waveguide 18 can be considered as a thermal buffer. The waveguide 18 is preferably constructed of a material that is sufficiently resistant to high temperatures. Because regardless of whether the waveguide 18 is in contact with the molten glass or just in contact with the container 14, the operation of the glass may be more than 160 (rc.) Satisfactory materials include heavy alumina, Tao Long, or at 6 temperature sessions. a high-elastic modulus of fossil metal alloys such as alumina, misc and Pt-Rh alloys. Although the waveguide 18 is usually cylindrical or simple stepped static octagonal iron, as far as we know, the waveguide 18 can also It is a bell shape, a monument, or a roll _, slit or unslotted). The waveguide 18 can be a solid rod or a tube or a hollow cylinder having a diameter of about a solid rod. • In one setup the 'cooling fluid 36 is directed to the waveguide waveguide 18 (or matching link 3〇, if used) to assist in providing the converter 16 with the proper operating temperature. The cooling stream can be a flowing air that stabilizes the flow rate at ambient temperature (i.e., room temperature). However, __ knows that a cold gift can also lick a cooled air stream. A further step-by-step understanding is that the shorter the waveguide, the more cooling it needs, and the higher the speed of the rapid cooling fluid. Typically the cooling fluid is directed through a waveguide (or matching link) near the converter. The steady state of the cooling fluid facilitates the equilibrium of the waveguide 18. • Since the waveguide 18 contains a hot end and a cold end, the Na-degree is generated along the t-coupling axis, which changes the speed of the acoustic wave through the waveguide. The frequency of the acoustic waves generated by the transducer can be adjusted as needed to maintain resonance within the waveguide & assembly 10 to provide sufficient acoustic energy to the glass melt u. In the super sound «wire ^ _, _ will also change the temperature difference. Therefore, even if the waveguide remains resonant by frequency adjustment, the electrical input impedance of the converter may have different resonances. The temperature gradient along the waveguide assembly 1 转换 between the room temperature conversion 16 of the glass melt sand, which primarily results in a sound along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide assembly 200827313 thus changes the degree. The two effects together result in a relative change in acoustic impedance along the length of the waveguide element, defined as the sound pressure divided by the final volumetric velocity. Therefore, when selecting the composition of the device ίο, such as the waveguide material, length and cross section, the change in acoustic impedance caused by the temperature along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide assembly should be considered. The optimum length of the waveguide 18 is primarily determined by the choice of material for the waveguide and the operational scale of the tube. Face _, the most satisfactory wave 18 length is approximately the waveguide length of the target sound wave, because this length provides a sufficient temperature gradient along the length of the waveguide, allowing the converter 16 to operate below the boot And allowing the waveguide assembly 1 to be adjusted via the signal frequency to operate at the resonant frequency. When the waveguide 18 is acoustically coupled to the glass melt 12, the waveguide delivers acoustic power to the glass melt via the vessel 14 in the form of ultrasonic vibrations. Due to the introduction of sufficient power to the glass melt, the movement of the glass melt promotes the formation of a sufficient mixed bribe. That is to say, it can be reduced and recorded in the whole glass smelt. In some implementations, 箄 power coupling to the glass melt may also produce cavitation of the sister melt, which will The melt has a high velocity in the crucible. By the establishment of the vacuum bubble position; in which the bond can be coalesced and lifted up to the surface of the glass melt, the void phenomenon may also contribute to the refining of the glass (removal of gas inclusions). In an embodiment, more than one waveguide assembly can be utilized to enhance the hybrid glass. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that the two waveguides are physically transferred to the container 14. The longitudinal axes of the two waveguides are preferably orthogonal. So I am on page 16 200827313 We know that more than two waveguides can be used. Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a schematic view of a glass manufacturing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention which utilizes a refining process to produce a glass sheet. For example, the method of marrying is described in
Dockerty之美國第3, 338, 696號專利。範例性熔化玻璃製 造系統42包括溶爐44(熔化器44)，在裡未加工的材料由圖 中箭頭46處引入，然後熔化以形成熔融玻璃12。再者，玻璃 製造系統42通常包括由鉑或含鉑金屬譬如鉑铑、鉑銀和其 ⑩ 組合所製成，但也可以由耐火金屬像是鉬、鈀、銖、鈕、 欽、鶴或疋其合金所構成。含翻的元件可包括精煉容器 (即精煉容器管50)、熔化器至精煉容器連接管52、混合容 器54(即勝室54)、精煉容器至攪拌室連接管％、配送容 器58(即碗狀容器58)、攪拌室至碗狀容器連接管6〇和降流 管62。熔融玻璃供應至耦合到成形容器邸（即溶化管66)的 入口 64處。經由入口 64處供應至成形容器66的熔融玻璃溢 出成形容器66,然後分成二股分開的玻璃流向下成形容器 _ 66會聚之外側表面。這二股分開的玻璃流，再結合在會聚成 升7表面的父界線處以形成單一玻璃片68。通常成形容器 是由陶瓷或玻璃陶瓷耐火材料所構成。 由於分開的玻璃流下降到成形容器邸會聚成形表面的 卜P表面,並不與成形表面接觸，有原始外表面的結合玻璃 片而適合於製造液晶顯示板。 ，依據本發明的實施範例，設備10最好也可以使用在玻 璃製造系統42含翻的部份之内。例如，一個或以上的設備 ίο可以耸耦合至熔化器至精煉容器連接管56或攪拌室54以 第17頁 200827313 W合溶1一玻靖。在傳統的授拌室内，攪;摔器70在溶融玻璃 内旋轉以均質化玻璃。設備10可以用來輔助擾拌器70,像 是藉由在擾拌器旋轉時，同時施力0超音波能至玻璃熔融物 ，或是也可用設備10取代擾拌器70。 範例1: 在某特疋溫度下，南铭棚砍酸玻璃屑在置於溶爐的鈾 錄掛禍(容器）内再溶化，其中的熔爐溫度在既扣和1535 °c之間變化。由氧化鋁部份和鋼阻抗匹配部分構成的波導 管藉由將氧化铭部份浸入於玻璃溶融物内以聲輕合運作於 大約在20千赫25千赫間之Tonpilz類型的超音波轉換器至 玻璃熔融物。氧化鋁部份的直徑約22公釐，長度約43.2公 分。顯著的共振情況在約21·丨千赫和214千赫之間的操作 頻率下達成，如同轉換器電阻抗最小值所示(頻率會根據先 前的細調整，_翻鱗管溫度相_共振）。在· °C的溶爐溫度下可達到44瓦的最大輸出功率。加入約測 ppm里的氧化铦以作為聲流視覺上的確認。玻璃被冷卻後 __贼倾細打聲流導致的氧化 鈷染色和玻璃的混合。 範例2: 在1350 C和1侧c之間的溫度下，高銘石夕酸玻璃在 置^爐的紐糊(容!!)娜化，迦繼齡持14耽 的派度。由氧化鋁部姊鋼阻抗匹配部分構成的波導管被 ^合樹愤大約在2G千祕千赫間之Tonpilz 類型的超 統娜份的紐㈣毫米， 200827313 長度約43· 2公分。藉由螺紋化突緣焊接雖禍的外部表面 以及在波導管氧化銘部份之内螺紋化凹處，波導管的氧^ 紹部份實際地搞合至坩堝。阻抗匹配部分經由加強黏 螺_合糊絲。顯轴共赌贴約22· 5千赫和烈千 赫之間的操作頻率下達成，如同轉換器電阻抗最小值所示（ 頻率會根縣前的細贱轉_波導管溫度相關的 /、振)。輸入至玻璃熔融物的功率約在4〇瓦和瓦之間。 、熟知此技術者對本發明能夠作各種變化及改變而並不 f脫離本發明讀神及範圍。本發明各種變化及改變均含 i於下列f請翻細及制等航範圍内。 【附圖簡單說明】 ^第一圖是依據本發明的一個實施範例之設備截面圖， 該設備在範例性圓柱形容器中混合熔融玻璃。 第二圖是依據本發明實施例之另一個實施範例中混合 玻璃的設備截面圖，其中波導管包含阻抗匹配部分。 *第二圖和第四圖是利用螺紋化插座（第三圖)和螺紋化 大緣(第四目)將料管絲合至容财法喊面圖。 第五圖是依據本發明的實施範例之另一範例設備的截 面圖，其中用了兩個波導管聲耦合到容器。 第六圖是利用本發明的實施範例熔化玻璃製造處理過 程的不意圖。 附圖元件數字元號說明： 波導管組件10;玻璃熔融物12;容器14;轉換器16; 波導管18;端部20,22;端部表面23;信號產生器24;功 第19 頁 200827313 率放大器26;控制器28;匹配鏈結30;螺紋化插座32;螺 紋化突緣34;冷流36;玻璃製造系統42;溶爐44;箭頭 46;精煉容器50;連接管52;攪拌室54;連接管56;配送 容器58;連接管60;降流管62;入口 64;成形容器66;玻 璃片68;授拌器70。Dockerty's US Patent No. 3, 338, 696. The exemplary molten glass manufacturing system 42 includes a melting furnace 44 (melter 44) into which unprocessed material is introduced by arrows 46 in the figure and then melted to form molten glass 12. Further, the glass manufacturing system 42 generally comprises a combination of platinum or a platinum-containing metal such as platinum rhodium, platinum silver, and a combination thereof, but may also be made of a refractory metal such as molybdenum, palladium, rhodium, knob, chin, crane or ruthenium. It is composed of alloys. The tumbling element may include a refining vessel (ie, refining vessel tube 50), a melter to refining vessel connecting pipe 52, a mixing vessel 54 (ie, a winch chamber 54), a refining vessel to a mixing chamber connecting pipe%, and a dispensing container 58 (ie, a bowl) The container 58), the stirring chamber to the bowl-shaped container connecting tube 6〇 and the downflow tube 62. The molten glass is supplied to an inlet 64 that is coupled to the forming vessel crucible (i.e., the melting tube 66). The molten glass supplied to the forming vessel 66 via the inlet 64 overflows the forming vessel 66, and then splits into two separate glass streams to form the outer surface of the container _66. The two separate streams of glass are combined at the parent boundary line that converges into the surface of the liter 7 to form a single piece of glass 68. Usually the shaped container is made of ceramic or glass ceramic refractory. Since the separated glass flow is lowered to the surface of the forming container, the surface of the surface of the forming surface is not in contact with the forming surface, and the original outer surface is bonded to the glass sheet to be suitable for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel. Apparatus 10 may preferably also be used within the portion of the glass manufacturing system 42 that is turned over in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, one or more devices ίο can be coupled to the melter to the refining vessel connection tube 56 or the agitation chamber 54 to page 17 200827313 W. In a conventional mixing chamber, the stirrer 70 is rotated within the molten glass to homogenize the glass. The apparatus 10 can be used to assist the scrambler 70, such as by applying a force of 0 ultrasonic waves to the glass melt while the scrambler is rotating, or the scrambler 70 can be replaced by the apparatus 10. Example 1: At a special temperature, the south shed slashed acid glass slag was re-dissolved in the uranium recording container (container) placed in the furnace, and the furnace temperature was changed between the buckle and 1535 °c. A waveguide composed of an alumina portion and a steel impedance matching portion is operated by a immersion in the glass melt to acoustically operate a Tonpilz type ultrasonic transducer of approximately 20 kHz and 25 kHz. To the glass melt. The alumina portion has a diameter of about 22 mm and a length of about 43.2 cm. The significant resonance is achieved at an operating frequency between approximately 21 丨 kHz and 214 kHz, as indicated by the minimum value of the converter's electrical impedance (the frequency will be adjusted according to the previous fine, _ squaring temperature _ resonance) . The maximum output power of 44 watts is achieved at a furnace temperature of °C. The cerium oxide in the ppm was added to visually confirm the acoustic flow. After the glass is cooled, the __ thief pours the sound of cobalt and the mixing of the glass. Example 2: At the temperature between 1350 C and 1 side c, Gao Mingshixi acid glass is placed in the furnace's new paste (容!!) Nahua, Jia Jiling holds 14耽. The waveguide consisting of the impedance matching part of the alumina section 姊 steel is irritated by the Tonpilz type of the Tonpilz type of New Zealand (4) mm, which is about 23.2 cm in length. The oxygenated portion of the waveguide is actually engaged to the enthalpy by the external surface of the threaded flange weld and the threaded recess within the oxidized portion of the waveguide. The impedance matching portion is reinforced by a viscous screw. The axis of the total gambling is achieved at an operating frequency of approximately 22·5 kHz and 千千赫, as indicated by the minimum value of the converter's electrical impedance (the frequency is related to the fineness of the tube before the county). Vibration). The power input to the glass melt is between about 4 watts and watts. It is to be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes and changes in the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications of the present invention are included in the following ranges of f and fine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The first drawing is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention which mixes molten glass in an exemplary cylindrical container. The second drawing is a cross-sectional view of a device for mixing glass according to another embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the waveguide includes an impedance matching portion. *The second and fourth figures are the use of a threaded socket (third diagram) and a threaded large edge (fourth order) to wire the tube to the face of the financial method. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which two waveguides are acoustically coupled to a container. The sixth drawing is a schematic view of the process of manufacturing a molten glass using the embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 10 is a waveguide assembly 10; glass melt 12; container 14; converter 16; waveguide 18; ends 20, 22; end surface 23; signal generator 24; Rate amplifier 26; controller 28; matching link 30; threaded socket 32; threaded flange 34; cold flow 36; glass manufacturing system 42; furnace 44; arrow 46; refining vessel 50; connecting tube 52; 54; connecting tube 56; dispensing container 58; connecting tube 60; downflow tube 62; inlet 64; forming container 66; glass sheet 68;
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