TW201819318A - Glass manufacturing apparatus and methods of forming a glass ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus to draw a glass ribbon from a quantity of molten material may include a forming vessel including a trough and a conduit segment in fluid communication with the trough. At least one conduit may be disposed outside of the conduit segment. In another embodiment, a method of forming a glass ribbon from a quantity of molten material may include cooling molten material traveling along a lateral direction within a conduit segment while passing cooling fluid through at least one conduit disposed outside of the conduit segment.

Description

Glass manufacturing equipment and method for forming glass ribbon

This application claims U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 415,080 filed on October 31, 2016 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 536,505 filed on July 25, 2017 in accordance with Article 28 of the Patent Law The priority right of No., the content of each application is hereby taken as the basis and the entire content is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing equipment and methods for forming a glass ribbon, and more particularly to the glass manufacturing equipment including at least one conduit disposed outside a conduit section, and including cooling in a conduit A method of forming a glass ribbon that moves molten material along a side direction in a section and laterally conveys the cooled molten material from the duct section along the lateral direction to the forming container.

It is known to transfer molten material through an inlet duct section to a forming container in which the molten material can be drawn into a glass ribbon. What is needed is an effective way to increase the viscosity of the molten material being introduced into the forming vessel while minimizing the core-forming effect of the molten material, which may be a response when the molten material moves to the forming vessel It is generated when the molten material is cooled.

In the following, some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention are described. It should be understood that any specific embodiment can be used alone or in combination with each other.

Specific Example 1. A glass manufacturing apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon from a certain amount of molten material. The apparatus may include a forming container including a water tank extending along a side direction. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a conduit section in fluid communication with the water tank, such as connected to the water tank. The conduit section may extend laterally along a conduit shaft, the conduit shaft including the lateral direction to laterally transfer molten material from the conduit section to the water tank along the lateral direction. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include at least one conduit disposed outside the conduit section.

Specific embodiment 2. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 1, wherein the at least one duct may include an axial duct extending laterally along an axis parallel to the duct axis of the duct section.

Specific Embodiment 3. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the specific embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the at least one duct may include a lateral duct extending along an axis transverse to the duct axis of the duct section.

Specific Example 4. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 1, wherein the at least one conduit may include a plurality of conduits. Each of the plurality of catheters may include an internal passageway including a maximum dimension obtained perpendicular to an axis of the corresponding catheter, wherein the maximum dimension of at least one of the plurality of catheters is smaller than the other of the plurality of catheters. The maximum size of a catheter.

Specific Example 5. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the specific embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the at least one conduit may be at least partially disposed in an inner hole defined by a material that at least partially encapsulates the conduit section.

Specific embodiment 6. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 5, wherein the at least one conduit is movable relative to the inner hole between an insertion portion and a retracted portion.

Specific embodiment 7. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 5, wherein the at least one duct may include an axial duct extending laterally along an axis parallel to the duct axis of the duct section. The at least one catheter is movable relative to the inner hole between an insertion portion and a retracted portion.

Specific embodiment 8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 7, wherein the at least one conduit may include at least two conduits, the conduits are coupled to move together between the insertion portion and the retracted portion.

Specific embodiment 9. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 7, wherein the at least one pipe may include a first pipe and a second pipe. The first conduit moves independently of the second conduit.

Specific embodiment 10. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 1, wherein the at least one conduit may include a plurality of axial conduits, and the conduits are spaced along a radial path circumscribing one of the conduit segments.

Specific Example 11. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 1, wherein the at least one catheter can be wound around the catheter shaft of the catheter segment.

Specific Embodiment 12. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to the specific embodiment 11, wherein the at least one pipe can be wound along a radial path circumscribing one of the pipe sections.

Specific Example 13. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of embodiments 11 to 12, wherein a fluid source can be connected to an inlet port of the at least one conduit.

Specific Example 14. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the specific embodiments 1 to 13, wherein an elongated electrically conductive element can be wound around the catheter section.

Specific Example 15. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the specific embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the at least one conduit may include an induction coil of a circuit.

Specific embodiment 16. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the specific embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the shaped container may contain a wedge defining a portion.

Specific embodiment 17. A method of forming a glass ribbon using a certain amount of molten material. The method may include cooling molten material moving in a lateral direction in a duct section while passing the cooling fluid through at least one duct disposed outside the duct section. The method may further include laterally transferring the cooled molten material from the conduit section to a forming container in the lateral direction. The method may further include drawing the cooled molten material from the forming container into the glass ribbon.

Specific Example 18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the laterally conveying the cooled molten material may include laterally conveying the cooled molten material to a water tank of the forming container in the lateral direction. The method may include subsequently overflowing the cooled molten material through the opposite overflow of the water tank. The method may include subsequently drawing the cooled molten material through the root of one of the wedges of the forming container in a fusion-drawn manner into the glass ribbon.

Specific Embodiment 19. The method of any one of embodiments 17 and 18, wherein the at least one catheter may include an axial catheter. The cooling of the molten material may include passing the cooling fluid through the axial conduit in the lateral direction.

Specific Embodiment 20. The method as in any one of the specific embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the at least one catheter may include a transverse catheter. The cooling of the molten material may include passing the cooling fluid through the lateral duct transverse to the lateral direction.

Specific embodiment 21. The method of any one of the specific embodiments 17 to 20, further comprising removing the at least one conduit to adjust a cooling rate of the molten material in the conduit section.

Specific Embodiment 22. The method of any one of specific embodiments 17 to 21, further comprising moving the at least one conduit relative to the conduit section along an axis of the at least one conduit to adjust a cooling rate of the molten material in the conduit section.

Specific Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 22, wherein moving the at least one catheter may include moving at least two catheters together with respect to the catheter segment.

Specific Embodiment 24. The method of any one of embodiments 17 and 18, wherein cooling the molten material may include passing the cooling fluid through the at least one conduit wound around a conduit shaft of the conduit section.

Specific Example 25. The method of embodiment 24 further comprises passing an electric current through the at least one conduit to heat the conduit section by induction heating.

Specific Example 26. A method of forming a glass ribbon using a certain amount of molten material. The method may include utilizing a heating device to heat the molten material in a conduit section to cool the molten material to a first cooling temperature in the conduit section to slow down the temperature along the conduit section. Cooling of the molten material moving sideways to provide the molten material to a forming container at a first cooling temperature. The method may further include conveying the molten material cooled to the first cooling temperature laterally from the conduit section to the forming container in the lateral direction. The method may further include drawing the cooled molten material from the forming container into the glass ribbon. The method may then further include using the cooling fluid to pass through at least one conduit disposed outside the conduit section to remove heat from the molten material within the conduit section to cool within the conduit section along the lateral direction. The method of moving the molten material increases the viscosity of the molten material in the duct section, thereby providing the molten material to the forming container at a second cooling temperature, which is lower than the first cooling temperature. A cooling temperature.

Specific Example 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein heating the molten material in the conduit section may include passing an electric current through the at least one conduit to heat the conduit section by induction heating.

The following detailed description presents many specific embodiments of the disclosed invention and is intended to provide an overview and framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the specific embodiments as described and claimed. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of these specific embodiments, and are incorporated and constructed as part of this application. The drawings describe various specific embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description are used to explain the principles and operations of the present disclosure.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate most specific embodiments of the present disclosure, to more fully describe the apparatus and method. Wherever possible, use the same reference symbols to indicate the same or similar parts. However, the disclosed invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein.

Various glass manufacturing equipment and methods of the present disclosure can be used to produce a glass ribbon and further processed into one or more glass sheets. For example, the glass manufacturing facility may be configured to produce a glass ribbon using melt-down, roll, slot-draw, or other glass forming techniques.

Glass ribbons from any of these processes can then be split to provide glass sheets suitable for further processing into the desired display applications. These glass sheets can be used in a wide range of display applications, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLED), plasma displays (PDP), or other similar displays.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 that draws a glass ribbon 103 from a quantity of molten material 121. For the purpose of drawing, the glass manufacturing equipment 101 is depicted as a melting down-drawing equipment. However, in further specific embodiments, other glass manufacturing equipment (eg, roll equipment, slit drawing equipment, etc.) may be provided as described. The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may include a melting container 105 oriented to receive a batch 107 from a storage tank 109. The batch 107 can be introduced using a batch transfer device 111 driven by a motor 113. A selective controller 115 may be operated to activate the motor 113 to introduce the required amount of batch 107 into the melting vessel 105 as indicated by arrow 117. A glass melting probe 119 can be used to measure the height of the molten material 121 in a standpipe 123, and transmit the measurement information to the controller 115 using the communication line 125.

The glass manufacturing equipment 101 may also include a refining container 127 located downstream of the melting container 105, and is connected to the melting container 105 by a first connection pipe 129. In certain embodiments, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the melting vessel 105 to the refining vessel 127 using the first connection conduit 129. For example, gravity can act to drive the molten material 121 through the internal passage of the first connection duct 129. Within the refining container 127, bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 using various techniques.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may further include a mixing container 131 located downstream of the refining container 127. The mixing container 131 can be used to provide a uniform composition of the molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating the non-uniform core formation effect, which may exist in the molten material 121 when the molten material 121 leaves the refining container 127. As shown, the refining container 127 can be connected to the mixing container 131 by a second connecting pipe 135. In certain embodiments, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the refining container 127 to the mixing container 131 using the second connection conduit 135. For example, gravity may act to drive the molten material 121 from the refining container 127 to the mixing container 131 through the internal passage of the second connection pipe 135.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may further include a transfer container 133 located downstream of the mixing container 131. The transfer container 133 can adjust the molten material 121 fed to an inlet duct 141. For example, the transfer container 133 can be used as a stacker and / or flow controller to adjust and provide a uniform flow of the molten material 121 to the inlet duct 141. As shown, the mixing container 131 can be connected to the transfer container 133 by a third connecting pipe 137. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the mixing container 131 to the transfer container 133 using the third connection pipe 137. For example, gravity may act to drive the molten material 121 from the mixing container 131 to the transfer container 133 through the internal passage of the third connection duct 137.

As further depicted, a transfer tube 139 may be provided to transfer the molten material 121 to the inlet duct 141. As shown in the depicted specific embodiment, the inlet duct 141 may include a vertical duct section 143 and a lateral duct section 145, the vertical duct section 143 includes a vertical duct shaft 143a, and the lateral duct section 145 includes a Lateral catheter shaft 145a. As shown, in some embodiments, the vertical duct section 143 may extend along the vertical duct axis 143a, which extends in the direction of gravity. However, in a further specific embodiment, the vertical duct The shaft 143a may extend at an angle with respect to the gravity. Therefore, "vertical" in the phrases "vertical catheter shaft" and "vertical catheter segment" may include a shaft or catheter segment that extends entirely in the direction of gravity. In addition, the words "vertical" in the phrases "vertical catheter shaft" and "vertical catheter segment" may include shafts or catheter segments extending within +/- 5 degrees from the direction of gravity. As further illustrated, in some embodiments, the vertical duct section 143 may extend along the vertical duct shaft 143a, and the vertical duct shaft 143a extends along a pulling direction 157 defined by the glass manufacturing apparatus 101, However, in a further specific embodiment, the vertical catheter shaft 143a may also extend at an angle with respect to the pulling direction 157. Therefore, "vertical" in the phrases "vertical catheter shaft" and "vertical catheter section" may include a shaft or a catheter section that extends completely in the direction in which the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 is pulled 157. In addition, "vertical" in the phrases "vertical catheter shaft" and "vertical catheter segment" may include a shaft or catheter segment extending within +/- 5 degrees from the pulling direction 157. In some specific embodiments, the pulling direction 157 may be the same direction as the direction of gravity. However, in further specific embodiments, the pulling direction may also extend at a non-zero angle with respect to the direction of gravity.

As further illustrated, in certain embodiments, the lateral catheter segment 145 may extend along the lateral catheter shaft 145a, and as shown, the lateral catheter shaft 145a may be perpendicular to the vertical catheter shaft 143a However, in a further specific embodiment, the lateral catheter shaft 145a may extend at other angles that are non-zero relative to the vertical catheter shaft 143a. Therefore, the words "lateral" in the phrase "lateral catheter shaft", "lateral catheter segment", or "lateral direction" may include shafts and catheters that extend completely in a direction perpendicular to the vertical catheter shaft 143a. Paragraph or direction. In addition, the words "lateral" in the phrase "lateral catheter shaft", "lateral catheter segment", or "lateral direction" may include +/- 5 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical catheter shaft 143a apart. Duct extension. Additionally or alternatively, as shown, further specific embodiments may provide that the lateral catheter shaft 145a is perpendicular to gravity. However, in further specific embodiments, the lateral catheter shaft 145a may be non-zero relative to gravity. angle. Therefore, "lateral" in the phrase "lateral catheter shaft", "lateral catheter segment" or "lateral direction" may include an axis, catheter segment or direction that extends completely in a direction perpendicular to gravity. In addition, the words "lateral" in the phrase "lateral catheter shaft", "lateral catheter segment" or "lateral direction" may include a catheter segment extending within +/- 5 degrees from the direction of gravity.

In certain embodiments, gravity can drive the molten material 121 along the vertical conduit axis 143a through a vertical internal passage through one of the vertical conduit sections 143. The molten material 121 may then change direction to a lateral movement in an elbow tube portion 144, in the lateral direction 159 of the lateral catheter shaft 145a, and along the lateral catheter shaft 145a through the side of the lateral catheter segment 145 Access to the interior. The molten material 121 can continue to move in the lateral direction 159 (for example, the linear lateral direction shown) and has been received by the water tank 147 of a forming container 140. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water tank 147 extends along the lateral direction 159. Therefore, the molten material 121 can further continue to move in the lateral direction 159 (for example, the linear lateral direction shown) while passing through one of the water tanks 147 into the portion 146. Therefore, in certain embodiments, as shown, the lateral conduit section 145 may be in fluid communication with the water tank 147. For example, the lateral duct section 145 may be connected to the water tank 147 to provide fluid communication between the lateral duct section 145 and the water tank 147. The lateral duct section 145 may extend along the lateral duct shaft 145a in the lateral direction 159 of the lateral duct shaft 145a to transfer molten material from the lateral duct section 145 along the lateral direction 159 To the water tank 147. Therefore, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 can move in the same lateral direction 159 (for example, the linear lateral direction), while passing through the lateral duct section 145, and simultaneously to the water tank 147. Proceed to section 146.

After passing through the entering portion 146 of the water tank 147, the forming container 140 can pull the molten material 121 into the glass ribbon 103. For example, as shown, the molten material 121 may be drawn through the root portion 142 of a forming container 140. The width “W” of the glass ribbon may extend between a first vertical edge 153 of the glass ribbon 103 and a second vertical edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown, the shaped container 140 may include a water tank 147 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet conduit 141. The forming container 140 may further include a forming wedge 209 including a pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207a, 207b extending between opposite ends of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined merging surface portions 207a, 207b of the forming wedge 209 merge along a pulling direction 211 to stagger along a bottom edge that defines the root portion 142. A pulling plane 213 extends through the root portion 142. The glass ribbon 103 can be pulled along the pulling plane 213 in the pulling direction 211. As shown, the pulling plane 213 may bisect the root portion 142, but the pulling plane 213 may also extend in other orientations relative to the root portion 142.

Referring to FIG. 2, in a specific embodiment, the molten material 121 may flow to the water tank 147 of the forming container 140 in the lateral direction 159. The molten material 121 can then overflow from the water tank 147 by flowing through the corresponding overflow ports 203a, 203b at the same time, and flow down through the outer surfaces 205a, 205b of the corresponding overflow ports 203a, 203b. A plurality of individual molten material streams 121 may then flow along the shaped downwardly merging surface portions 207a, 207b of the forming wedge 209 to be drawn through the root 142 of the forming container 140, where the flows merge The glass ribbon 103 is melted. The glass ribbon 103 can then be pulled away from the root 142 in the pulling plane 213 along the pulling direction 211, and then a glass sheet 104 can be further separated from the glass ribbon 103 (refer to FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn from the root portion 142, and has a first major surface 215 a of the glass ribbon 103 and a first surface 215 a of the glass ribbon 103 facing the opposite direction and defining the thickness “T” of the glass ribbon 103. The two main surfaces 215b, for example, the thickness T may be less than or equal to about 2mm, less than or equal to about 1mm, less than or equal to about 0.5mm, less than or equal to about 500µm, such as less than or equal to about 300µm, such as less than or equal to about 200µm, or It appears to be less than or equal to about 100 μm, however, other thicknesses may be provided in further embodiments. In addition, the glass ribbon 103 may include various compositions including, but not limited to, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass, or alkali-free glass.

Returning to FIGS. 3 to 13, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may further include at least one duct to cool the molten material 121 and thereby increase the viscosity of the molten material 121 in the inlet duct 141 lateral duct section 145. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 10, the at least one duct may include a plurality of ducts disposed outside the lateral duct section 145 to cool the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145. As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the at least one catheter may include a plurality of axial catheters 301a to 301e. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of catheters may include an axial catheter. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, at least one catheter system of the plurality of catheters may include a lateral catheter 305 a to 305 b.

As shown, in some embodiments, each of the axial and lateral conduits may include a tube 307, which may include, for example, metal (e.g., stainless steel) or may be used to cool the Other materials that operate at the temperature of the molten material. In some specific embodiments, the pipe fittings 307 shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 may be the same as each other. However, in alternative embodiments, the pipe fittings 307 may have different configurations. Unless otherwise stated, the pipe fittings 307 of the axial duct 301a depicted in FIG. 3 will be similarly applied to the pipe fittings 307 of the remaining axial pipes 301b to 301e and the transverse pipes 305a to 305b in this description. Way to understand. The pipe 307 may include a first end portion 307a and a second end portion 307b, and the pipe 307 extends continuously between the first end portion 307a and the second end portion 307b to define an internal passage 309. A fluid source 311 (eg, fan, blower, pressurized container, pump) may be connected to the first end portion 307a to transfer fluid 315 from the fluid source 311 to the first end portion 307a of the pipe 307. In some embodiments, the fluid source 311 may be directly connected to the first end portion 307a of the tube 307. In a further specific embodiment, as shown, a flexible connecting pipe 313 may provide a connection between the first end portion 307a of the pipe member 307 and the fluid source 311. The fluid source 311 can transfer the fluid from the fluid source 311 by means of connection between the first end portion 307a of the pipe member 307 and the fluid source 311 (for example, direct connection or indirect connection using the flexible connection pipe 313). 315 to the first end portion 307a of the pipe member 307 to move along the internal passage 309 in the direction 317 thereafter. The fluid 315 finally exits through an orifice 319 of the second end portion 307b of the tube 307. In some embodiments, the fluid source 311 may be operated by a controller 349 to increase fluid flow, reduce fluid flow, or perform discontinuous fluid flow to one of the plurality of conduits 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b, or Multiple catheters.

FIG. 6 depicts a possible alternative catheter 601 that can be used as any or all of the plurality of catheters of the present disclosure. As shown, the replacement conduit 601 includes a tube 603, which may have a first end portion 603a and a second end portion 603b, similar to the tube 307. However, as shown, the orifice of the second end portion 603b can be plugged by a blocking member 605 to avoid or reduce the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the orifice of the second end portion 603b. On the contrary, as shown, the pipe 603 may include a plurality of apertures 607 along the length of the pipe 603 from the first end portion 603a to the second end portion 603b of the pipe 603. This construction can help provide fluid at the initial temperature along the full insertion length to provide a more consistent convective cooling effect along the full length of the tube 603.

In some embodiments, as shown, the axial ducts 301a to 301e and the lateral ducts 305a to 305b may be integrated into a bayonet cooling device. For the purposes of the disclosed invention, a bayonet cooling device includes an inner fluid path disposed within an outer fluid path, wherein one of a heated fluid or a cooling fluid is designated to follow the inner fluid path along a first direction. Flow with one of the external fluid paths, and the other of the heated fluid or the cooling fluid is then designated to follow one of the internal fluid path and the external fluid path in a second direction opposite to the first direction The other flows. For example, as described below and depicted in the illustrations, a cooling fluid may flow along the inner fluid path along a first direction, and then the fluid may leave the inner fluid path to eventually enter the outer The fluid path is heated when the fluid is pulled along the outer fluid path in a second direction opposite the first direction. In another example, although not shown, the cooling fluid may be heated when it initially flows along the external fluid path in the first direction, and then the heated fluid may be heated in a second direction opposite to the first direction It is pulled in the direction along the inner fluid path to remove the heated fluid.

In some embodiments, the bayonet cooling device includes the pipe member 307 and an outer pipe member 327. Indeed, after passing through the orifice 319 at the second end portion 307b of the pipe 307, the fluid may return along a return path 329, which may be defined between the pipe 307 and the outer pipe 327, where The fluid absorbs heat in a thermal conversion manner (eg, convection, conduction), thereby acting as a heat sink to absorb heat, and thereby cooling the molten material 121 moving within the lateral duct section 145. Like the pipe 307, the outer pipe 327 may contain metal (eg, stainless steel) or other materials that can withstand the operating temperature while promoting heat conversion. As shown, certain embodiments may include a fluid return area 323 to operably receive the fluid along the return path 329. In such a specific embodiment, a flexible connecting pipe 325 can connect the fluid return area 323 to the return path, but in a further specific embodiment, the fluid return area can be directly connected to the return path. If the fluid return area 323 is provided, the fluid return area 323 can be operated by the controller 349, and the controller 349 can also operate the fluid source 311 in some specific embodiments. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the return path 329 may be placed in communication with the fluid source 311 to circulate the fluid in a closed loop path. In such a specific embodiment, a heat exchanger may be provided to remove heat from the fluid from the return path 329. Although not shown, in another specific embodiment, the return path may be open to the surrounding environment, and the heated fluid is distributed to the surrounding environment here. In certain embodiments, the fluid passing through the tube 307 may include a liquid (eg, water), air, vapor, or other gas or liquid.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the pipe fitting 307 of any one of the axial or transverse conduits may be integrated into a bayonet catheter having the outer pipe fitting 327. A first end 327a and a second end 327b, wherein the fluid leaving the orifice 319 of the second end portion 307b of the pipe 308 can move in a second direction 321 opposite to the direction 317, and the fluid follows the return path 329 moves through the tube 307.

In some embodiments, the axial ducts 301a to 301e and the lateral ducts 305a to 305b may be provided with a protective sleeve 331, which is designed to protect the cooling duct and / or bayonet device, and also helps maintain the An inner hole 333 defined at least partially by the material of the lateral conduit segment 145 is enclosed. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 331 may include silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, mullite, quartz, or other materials with high thermal shock resistance and high thermal conductivity.

Each of the plurality of ducts 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b may be at least partially disposed in a corresponding inner hole 333 of the plurality of inner holes defined by a material that at least partially encapsulates the lateral duct section 145. In some embodiments, the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b may not include the outer tube 327 or the protective sleeve 331. In such a specific embodiment, the fluid released from the orifice 319 can directly contact the material 335, 339. In alternative embodiments, to assist in protecting the material 335, 339, the protective sleeve 331 may be provided. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve may be molded, such as permanently molded with the material 335, 339, so the protective sleeve 331 is not designed to move relative to the material 335, 339. In such a specific embodiment, each of the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b can be moved relative to the protective sleeve 331. In such a specific embodiment, the catheters of the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b may be at least partially disposed in the individual protective sleeve, and each protective sleeve 331 and the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a The corresponding conduits to 305b may be at least partially provided in the corresponding inner hole 333.

In a further specific embodiment, if the outer pipe 327 is provided, each of the plurality of pipes 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b may be at least partially disposed in the outer pipe 327. In such a specific embodiment, both the conduit of the plurality of conduits 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b and the corresponding outer tube member 327 are at least partially disposed in the corresponding inner hole 333. If the protective sleeve 331 is provided, the conduits of the plurality of conduits 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b, the corresponding outer tube piece 327, and the corresponding protective sleeve 331 are all partially disposed in the corresponding inner hole 333.

Various materials may be used to assist in encapsulating at least the lateral conduit section 141 of the inlet conduit 141. Such a material may assist in controlling the heat transfer from at least the lateral duct section 145. In addition, such materials may include a number of different materials in certain embodiments. For example, as shown, the material may include a first thermally insulating material 335, which may at least partially encapsulate the majority of the lateral duct segments 145 positioned between the axial and lateral ducts 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b Portion 145 with the lateral catheter segment. Such a material may be highly thermally conductive to facilitate thermal conversion between the lateral conduit segments 145 and the axial and lateral conduits 301a-301e, 305a-305b. In a further specific embodiment, the first thermal insulation material 335 may be electrically isolated to avoid a selective elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 wrapped around the lateral duct section 145 and the axial and / or lateral ducts. And / or electrical communication between parts of the relevant bayonet device. A specific embodiment of the first heat insulating material 335 may include silicon nitride and high-density alumina.

In addition, a second thermal insulation material 339 may be provided, which also at least partially encapsulates at least the lateral duct section 145 and the first thermal insulation material 335 (if provided). Compared to the first thermal insulation material 335, the second thermal insulation material 339 may have a relatively low thermal conductivity to assist in avoiding or controlling heat loss from the lateral duct section 145. In some embodiments, the second heat-insulating material 339 may include a heat-resistant refractory brick, alumina, zircon, silicon dioxide, and the like.

Although not shown, in some embodiments, the material may include the same material. For example, all thermal insulation materials may be provided by the first thermal insulation material 335, which is a highly thermally conductive material and is highly electrically isolated. This specific embodiment is useful in applications where the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 is used and where heat loss from the lateral duct segment 145 is not a consideration due to a failure to insulate the lateral duct segment 147. In a further specific embodiment, all thermal insulation materials may include the second thermal insulation material 339, which does not need to electrically isolate an elongated electrically conductive heating element, and still needs to help avoid heat or control from the side to the duct section In a specific embodiment of the heat loss of 145, it does not have electrical isolation properties.

In certain embodiments including both the first and second heat-insulating materials 335, 339, the inner holes 333 may be selectively defined by both the first and second heat-insulating materials 335, 339. In such a specific embodiment, the first thermal insulation material 335 can facilitate the heat transfer from the lateral duct section 145 to the axial and lateral ducts 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b, and at the same time the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 is galvanically isolated. At the same time, the second insulation material 339 may be provided on the outside to help avoid thermal damage.

Referring to FIG. 4, in certain embodiments, each of the axial conduits 301a to 301e may have an axis 303, such as the axis of symmetry depicted. Each axis 303 of the axial ducts 301a to 301e may be parallel to each other, and the shafts 303 of the paired axial ducts may be separated from each other by an equal distance "D", however, in a further specific embodiment, Use different distances. In addition, the plurality of axial catheters may be spaced apart from one another along a radial path, such as the circular radial path 401 depicted, which may be concentric with the lateral catheter segment 145. Indeed, as shown, in some embodiments, all such shafts 303 pass through the circular radial path 401 that is concentric with the lateral duct segment 145, so that at each of the lateral duct segments 145, Radial positions provide the same cooling rate. In certain embodiments including the selective elongated electrically conductive heating element 337, the radial path 401 (eg, a circular radial path) may circumscribe the lateral conduit segment 145 and the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 .

As shown, one or all of the axial catheters 301a to 301e may extend laterally along an axis 303 parallel to the lateral catheter shaft 145a of the lateral catheter segment 145. By providing the shafts 303 of the axial conduits 301a to 301e parallel to the lateral conduit shaft 145a, the axial adjustment of the axial conduits 301a to 301e can be performed without changing the axial conduits and the lateral The radial distance "R" between the lateral sides of the catheter section 145 and the catheter shaft 145a.

As shown, in certain embodiments, the radial distance “R” may be the radius of the circular radial path 401, so the shaft 303 of each of the axial ducts 301a to 301e may be connected to the The lateral catheter shafts 145a are separated by the same radial distance. Therefore, consistent cooling can be provided around the lateral duct segment 145 at the determined required radial distance "R" to provide effective cooling of the lateral duct segment 145. In addition, due to the parallel nature of the shaft 303 of each of the axial ducts 301a to 301e and the lateral duct shaft 145a of the lateral duct section 145, the cooling effect can be maintained along the lateral duct shaft 145a, and Regardless of the axial adjustment position of the axial ducts 301a to 301e relative to the lateral duct section 145. Therefore, in some specific embodiments, since the axial lengths of the axial ducts 301a to 301e and the corresponding lengths of the lateral duct sections 145 are radially separated by a fixed radial distance "R", it is possible to The corresponding length of the conduit segments 145 provides more effective and consistent cooling regardless of the adjusted axial position of the axial conduits 301a to 301e relative to the corresponding inner bore 333.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b is movable between an insertion position and a retracted position relative to the corresponding inner hole 333. For example, the discussion of the axial catheter 301a will first be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, but unless specifically stated, it is understood that any of the plurality of remaining catheters 301b to 301e, 305a to 305b may also be used, Achieve similar or identical relative movements. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the catheter 301 a can be moved to the position shown in FIG. 3 in the inward direction of the double arrow 341. In the position, the return path 329 may be maximized, thereby maximizing the cooling flow rate. In order to reduce the cooling rate, in some specific embodiments, the duct 301 a may be moved to the position shown in FIG. 8 in the outward direction of the double arrow 341. In said position, this return path can be minimized, thereby minimizing the cooling flow rate.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b is independently movable relative to the other catheter of the plurality of catheters. For example, each of the lateral ducts 305a, 305b can move independently along the double arrow 341 relative to the other ducts. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, any one of the axial catheters 301 a to 301 e can move independently along the corresponding double arrow 341 relative to all other catheters of the plurality of catheters. Allowing independent adjustments can assist in controlling the cooling rate at most different radial locations around the lateral duct section 145.

In certain embodiments, at least two catheters of the plurality of catheters may be coupled to move together between the inserted position and the retracted position. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, all of the axial catheters 301 a to 301 e may be connected together by a bracket 343. However, in a further specific embodiment, two or any number of the axial catheters may be connected to each other. together. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, due to the bracket 343, all of the axial catheters 301a to 301e can be moved together between the insertion position of FIG. 3 and the retracted position of FIG. 7. Allowing multiple axial ducts to move together may allow simultaneous cooling adjustments to selected radial positions, such as all radial positions associated with such axial ducts, to simplify cooling and to bypass the lateral duct section 145 Provides consistent cooling at most radial locations.

As mentioned previously, most of the plurality of catheters may optionally include one or more lateral catheters 305a, 305b. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lateral catheters 305a, 305b may be transverse to the lateral catheter. Section 145 extends laterally to a shaft 303 of the catheter shaft 145a. Indeed, the axis 303 of the lateral ducts 305a, 305b may extend in a direction that is not parallel to the direction of the lateral duct axis 145a. In contrast, the direction of the axis 303 of the lateral ducts 305a, 305b extends at a non-zero angle with respect to the direction of the lateral duct axis 145a. In the depicted specific embodiment, the direction of the axis 303 of the lateral conduits 305a, 305b extends at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the direction of the lateral conduit axis 145a. It will be understood from FIG. 3 that the axial insertion of the axial conduits can be prevented due to the interference of the vertical conduit section 143. Thus, the lateral ducts 305a, 305b provide a lateral solution to reach the upper region and thus assist in cooling the region above the lateral duct section 145.

As discussed above, most embodiments of the present disclosure can provide that the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b can be independently moved, or the plurality of catheters can be moved together to adjust the relationship with the catheter. Cooling rate. Additionally or alternatively, in a further embodiment, the flow rate of the fluid may be adjusted to change the cooling rate of the conduit. In addition, other duct designs with different cooling rates can be provided. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the plurality of catheters 1001 includes an internal passage 1003 having a maximum dimension 1005 on an axis 1007 perpendicular to the corresponding catheter 1001. As shown, the maximum size 1005 (for example, the inner diameter) of the catheter 1001 may be larger than the corresponding maximum size 701 (for example, the inner diameter, refer to FIG. 7) of the pipe 307 in the embodiment shown in FIG. Indeed, we can choose the maximum size 1005 to be larger than the maximum size 701 to increase the flow rate and thereby increase the cooling rate associated with the duct. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, it may be useful to select ducts having different maximum sizes to provide different cooling rates at different locations relative to the lateral duct section 145. For example, we can select the maximum size 701 of at least one of the plurality of conduits to be smaller than the maximum size of another conduit 1005 to reduce the cooling rate at the specific location.

The features of the disclosed invention may allow the rapid removal of a bayonet device to be replaced with another bayonet device, or to operate in a manner that does not even cool at a particular location. For example, the bayonet device including the pipe member 307 and the outer pipe member 327 can be closely fitted but slidably received in the protective sleeve 331. Therefore, if necessary, the bayonet device including the pipe member 307 and the outer pipe member 327 can be removed axially from the protective sleeve 331, as shown in FIG. 9. If you need to doubt the cooling effect at this position, you can insert a plug 901 at this position. Therefore, the cooling effect in this position can be minimized, while other ducts can still be used to continue cooling the lateral duct section 145 at the desired radial position. Alternatively, another bayonet device such as the pipe fitting 1002 and the outer pipe fitting 1009 may be inserted into the protective sleeve 331. Since the maximum size 1005 is increased relative to the maximum size 701 of the removal bayonet device, the cooling effect can be increased at this position.

Figures 11 and 12 depict alternative embodiments of the inlet conduit 141. Unless otherwise stated, the inlet conduit 141 may include similar or identical features discussed with respect to the inlet conduit 141 discussed above. The at least one catheter of FIGS. 11 and 12 may include one or more catheters. For example, the at least one catheter may include two catheters 1101a, 1101b. However, in a further embodiment, a single catheter or three or more than three catheters may be provided. Providing most ducts may provide most cooling areas along the lateral direction 159 to allow independent cooling in each area, provide more consistent cooling between those areas, and / or provide along the lateral direction 159 More efficient cooling.

As shown, in some embodiments, each of the catheters 1101a, 1101b can be wound around a lateral catheter shaft 145a of the lateral catheter segment 145. Each conduit may include a tube 1103 that defines an internal fluid path 1105. A fluid, such as a liquid (eg, water), air, vapor, or other gas or liquid, may be confined within the interior of the tube 1103 to move along the internal fluid path 1105. The (etc.) tube 1103 may include metal (eg, stainless steel, copper) or other materials that may facilitate heat conversion. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the pipes 1103 having the internal fluid path 1105 can be wound around the lateral conduit shaft 145 a of the lateral conduit section 145. Indeed, as shown, each of the catheters 1101a, 1101b can be wound in a lateral direction 159, in which continuous winding, such as each continuous winding, can surround the lateral catheter shaft in the lateral direction 159 145a spirally wound. In certain embodiments, one or more windings of the catheter may be wound at different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145, or may be at different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145 Continuous alternate winding. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in some specific embodiments, the windings may be at a first distance 1107 from the outer surface of the lateral duct segment 145 and at a second distance from the outer surface of the lateral duct segment 145. 1109, the second distance 1109 is greater than the first distance 1107. As shown schematically in FIG. 12, the windings can all be positioned along substantially the same distance from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145. Although not shown, in some embodiments, a plurality of catheters may be provided at a number of different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145. For example, a first duct may be wound at the first distance 1107, and a second duct may be wound at the second distance 1109. The second distance 1109 is greater than the first distance 1107, so the first duct may It is positioned radially between the outer surface of the lateral conduit segment 145 and the second conduit. In some specific embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, the windings can be staggered, so the windings of the catheter are continuously converted between a first winding distance 1107 and a second winding distance 1109 ( For example, continuous conversion), and the second winding distance 1109 is greater than the first winding distance 1107. In addition, as shown, certain embodiments may selectively provide the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 (as discussed above), which is positioned at the distances 1107, 1109. Therefore, the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 is positioned at The lateral duct section 145 is between each of the ducts 1101a, 1101b.

Figures 12 and 13 depict alternative embodiments of the inlet conduit 141. Unless otherwise stated, the inlet conduit 141 may include similar or identical features discussed for any of the inlet conduits 141 referred to above. For example, unless otherwise specified, the catheter of FIG. 13 may include similar or identical features to the inlet catheter of FIG. 11. Indeed, referring to FIG. 13, the at least one catheter may include two catheters 1101a, 1101b, however, in a further embodiment, a single catheter or three or more than three catheters may be provided. Providing most ducts may provide most cooling areas along the lateral direction 159 to allow independent cooling in each area, provide more consistent cooling between those areas, and / or provide along the lateral direction 159 More efficient cooling.

As shown in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, each of the catheters 1101 a and 1101 b can be wound around the lateral catheter shaft 145 a of the lateral catheter segment 145. Each conduit may include a tube 1103 that defines an internal fluid path 1105. A fluid, such as a liquid (eg, water), air, vapor, or other gas or liquid, may be confined within the interior of the tube 1103 to move along the internal fluid path 1105. The (etc.) tube 1103 may include metal (eg, stainless steel, copper) or other materials that may facilitate heat conversion. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pipes 1103 having the internal fluid path 1105 may be wound around the lateral catheter shaft 145 a of the lateral catheter section 145. Indeed, as shown, each of the catheters 1101a, 1101b can be wound in a lateral direction 159, in which continuous winding, such as each continuous winding, can surround the lateral catheter shaft in the lateral direction 159 145a spirally wound. In some embodiments, the winding system of the catheter may be wound at different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145, or may be wound at different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145 Continuous alternate winding. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the windings may be at a first distance 1107 from the outer surface of the lateral duct segment 145 and at a second distance from the outer surface of the lateral duct segment 145 1109, the second distance 1109 is greater than the first distance 1107. As shown schematically in FIG. 12, the windings of FIG. 13 are the same as the windings of FIG. 11, and can be positioned along substantially the same distance from the outer surface of the lateral duct section 145. Although not shown, in some embodiments, a plurality of catheters may be provided at a number of different distances from the outer surface of the lateral catheter segment 145. For example, a first duct may be wound at the first distance 1107, and a second duct may be wound at the first distance 1109. The second distance 1109 is greater than the first distance 1107, so the first duct It is positioned radially between the outer surface of the lateral conduit segment 145 and the second conduit. As in FIG. 11, in some specific embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the windings can be staggered, so the windings of the catheter are at a first winding distance 1107 and a second winding distance 1109. The second winding distance 1109 is greater than the first winding distance 1107.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, in some specific embodiments, the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 of FIG. 11 may not be provided. In contrast, at least one conduit, such as the conduits 1101a, 1101b, may be provided in the form of a circuit induction coil to promote induction heating of the lateral conduit section 145. In some embodiments, only a single catheter can be used as an induction coil in a circuit. For example, only one of the two conduits 1101a, 1101b can be arranged as an induction coil, although both conduits 1101a, 1101b are depicted as induction coils in a circuit. In some embodiments, the two conduits 1101a, 1101b can be arranged in a circuit in series or in parallel to operate simultaneously. Alternatively, each of the catheters 1101a, 1101b may be provided in a separate discrete circuit or sub-circuit to allow independent operation of each induction coil to facilitate induction at most different lateral positions of the lateral catheter segment 145 Heating strength. Although not shown, in a specific embodiment in which it is not desired to continuously provide a plurality of separation catheters along the length of the catheter section 145, the two catheters 1101a, 1101b may also be provided as a single catheter.

As discussed above, a variety of materials may be used to assist in encapsulating at least the lateral conduit section 145 of the inlet conduit 141. Such a material may assist in controlling the heat transfer from at least the lateral duct section 145. In addition, such materials may include a number of different materials in certain embodiments. For example, as shown, the material may include the first thermal insulation material 335 as discussed above, which may at least partially encapsulate the lateral conduit segments 145 and the conduits 1101a, 1101b. Such a material may be highly thermally conductive to facilitate heat transfer between the lateral conduit segment 145 and the conduits 1101a, 1101b. In a further specific embodiment, the first thermal insulation material 335 may be electrically isolated to avoid electrical contact between the ducts 1101a, 1101b and the lateral duct section 145. In a further specific embodiment, when the pipes 1101a, 1101b are used as induction coils, the first heat insulation material 335 can prevent the induction heating of the lateral pipe section 145 from being interfered by the pipes 1101a, 1101b. A specific embodiment of the first heat insulating material 335 may include silicon nitride and high-density aluminum oxide.

In addition, the second insulation material 339 discussed above may be provided, which also at least partially encapsulates at least the lateral duct section 145 and the first insulation material 335 (if provided). Compared to the first thermal insulation material 335, the second thermal insulation material 339 may have a relatively low thermal conductivity to assist in avoiding or controlling heat loss from the lateral duct section 145. In some embodiments, the second heat-insulating material 339 may include a heat-resistant refractory brick, alumina, zircon, silicon dioxide, and the like.

Compared with the specific embodiment of the inlet duct 141 shown in FIG. 11, for the specific embodiment of the inlet duct 141 shown in FIG. 13, less heat insulating material may be required. Indeed, the specific embodiment of the inlet duct 141 shown in FIG. 11 depicts a relatively thick section T1 that provides space for the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337. In contrast, the specific embodiment of the inlet duct 141 shown in FIG. 13 depicts a relatively thin section T2 because no additional space is needed for the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337. Indeed, the heating of FIG. 13 can be achieved with the same ducts 1101, 110b used for cooling. As shown in FIG. 13, since the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 may not be provided in this specific embodiment, the catheters 1101 and 110b may be disposed closer to the lateral catheter segment 145 for radial contraction. For example, as shown, the first distance 1107 and the second distance 1109 in FIG. 13 may be smaller than the first distance 1107 and the second distance 1109 in FIG. 11, thereby reducing the thickness profile. As shown in FIG. 13, reducing the thickness profile can save material costs by eliminating potentially costly heating elements 337. In addition, eliminating the elongated electrically conductive heating element can simplify the design, while maintaining the ability to heat the molten material 121 along the lateral duct section by using the ducts 1101a, 1101b as both a cooling coil and an induction coil. .

A method of forming the glass ribbon 103 from the quantitative molten material 121 will now be discussed. These methods will be discussed with reference to the described pull-down melting procedure, wherein the forming container 140 includes a water tank 147, although other glass forming techniques that integrate the features of the disclosed invention while integrating the creative aspects of the disclosed invention may also be used.

As previously discussed, the batch 107 may be processed into a molten material 121 in the melting vessel. In some specific embodiments, the molten material 121 may then be processed to various processing stations, such as a refining container 127, a mixing chamber 131, and a transfer container 133. In some specific embodiments, although not shown, more or fewer processing stations may be provided in further specific embodiments, and / or the drawing processing stations may be provided in different orders. For example, certain embodiments may include a majority of refining stations and / or a plurality of hybrid stations, while further embodiments may omit the processing station and / or the hybrid station. In a further specific embodiment, as shown, the refining station (if provided) may be disposed upstream of the hybrid station, but further specific embodiments may provide the refining station disposed downstream of the hybrid station. Furthermore, although not shown, the transport container 133 may be omitted in a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the molten material may pass directly from the mixing chamber 133 or the refining container 127 to the transfer pipe 139.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer tube 139 may include a vertical transfer tube. However, in a further specific embodiment, a non-vertical transfer tube may be provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 139 a of the transfer tube 139 may be disposed in the interior of the vertical conduit section 143 of the inlet conduit 141. In the illustrated embodiment, the end portion 139a of the transfer tube 139 may be disposed above the free surface 345 of the molten material 121 in the vertical duct section 143, however, in a further specific embodiment, it may be in a further specific embodiment An end portion 139a providing the transfer tube 139 is disposed at or below the free surface 345 of the molten material 121.

In certain embodiments, as previously discussed, gravity may then drive the molten material 121 along the vertical conduit axis 143a through a vertical internal passage through one of the vertical conduit segments 143. The molten material 121 may follow the elbow portion to change direction to move laterally along the lateral catheter shaft 145a in the lateral direction 159 of the lateral catheter shaft 145a through the side of the lateral catheter shaft 145a to the inside. path. The molten material 121 may continue to move along the lateral direction 159 (eg, the linear lateral direction of the drawing) received by a water tank 147 of a forming container 140.

After passing through the entering portion 146 of the water tank 147, the forming container 140 can pull the molten material 121 into the glass ribbon 103. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the molten material 121 may be pulled through a root portion 142 of a forming container 140. Over time, it may be desirable to adjust the viscosity of the molten material that is transferred to the inlet portion 146 of the water tank 147. For example, after a period of time, the processing conditions may adjust the characteristics of the forming container 140. For example, under operating conditions of weight and high temperature, the shaped container may experience thermal latent changes. Such changes in the shaped container 140 may adversely affect the characteristics of the glass ribbon formed using the shaped container 140. In order to resist the adverse effects due to certain changes in the forming container 140, the viscosity of the molten material 121 may be adjusted. Adjusting the viscosity of the molten material 121 can avoid or delay the time and cost required to replace the deformed formed container 140 with a new formed container.

In a specific embodiment, the molten material may be cooled as it passes through the inlet duct 141. To slow down the cooling process, the inlet duct 141 may be at least partially encapsulated by the second thermal insulation material 339 to assist in resisting heat transfer from the molten material 121 through the inlet duct 141 to the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, a heating device can be used to further slow down the cooling. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 11 to 13, the method may include cooling the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145, and simultaneously operating a heating device to heat the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145. In order to slow down the cooling of the molten material 121 moving in the lateral direction 159 in the lateral duct section 145 to provide the molten material 121 to a forming container 140 at a first cooling temperature.

According to various aspects of the presently disclosed invention, various heating devices can be used. In certain embodiments, the heating device may include one of the external thermal heating devices applied to the lateral conduit section 145. Such a heating device may include an elongated heating element that can be heated by resistance heating. In some specific embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the heating device may include the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337, which may be spirally wound around the lateral duct segment 145 and may be connected to the lateral duct segment The outer surface of 145 is in contact. In some embodiments, an electrical device 347 may be provided, which includes a relay and a power source. Electric wires 349a, 349b may be connected to opposite ends of the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337. In addition, the controller 349 can be designed to operate the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337, for example by interfacing with the electrical device 347 relay. For example, a temperature sensor (not shown) may provide feedback to the controller 349, which operates the relay and power supply to provide appropriate power using the wires 349a, 349b to increase or decrease heating by the elongated electrical conduction The element 337 provides heat to the molten material 121 passing through the lateral duct section 145.

In a further specific embodiment, an electric current may flow through the lateral conduit section 145 to heat the molten material using direct resistance heating of the lateral conduit section 145. In some embodiments, most electrical leads may be connected to the lateral conduit segment 145 to heat the lateral conduit segment 145 using direct resistance heating. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, an inductor may be used to heat the lateral duct section 145 by a direct resistance heating method. Indeed, as discussed above, the conduits 1101a, 1101b can be arranged as inductors in a circuit to facilitate current flow through the lateral conduit section 145 to heat the lateral conduit section 145 using direct resistance heating. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, electrical devices 347 and 348 may be provided, which include a relay and a power source. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the wires 349 a and 349 b associated with the first electrical device 347 may be connected to the inlet port 1111 a and the outlet port 1111 b of the first conduit 1101 a, respectively. Similarly, the wires 350a, 350b associated with the second electrical device 348 may be connected to the inlet port 1111a and the outlet port 1111b of the second conduit 1101b, respectively. In addition, the controller 349 can be designed to operate the induction coils, for example, by interfacing with the electrical devices 347, 348 relays. For example, a (or most) temperature sensor (not shown) may provide feedback to the controller 349, which operates the relays and power supplies of the electrical devices 347, 347 to utilize the wires 349a, 349b, 350a, 350b provides appropriate power to increase or decrease the heat provided by the conduits 1101a, 1101b as induction coils. Indeed, the ducts 1101a, 1101b can be used as sensors to provide direct resistance heating of the lateral duct section 145 to heat the molten material 121 passing through the lateral duct section 145.

If the heating device is used (for example, referring to FIGS. 11 to 13), the viscosity of the molten material transferred to the forming container 140 can be increased by reducing the heat supplied by the (or other) heating elements 337, 338. . The viscosity of the molten material can be further increased over time by further reducing the heat supplied by the (or other) heating elements 337, 338. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 13, the cooling fluid may selectively pass through the ducts 1101 a and 1101 b to cool the duct sections, and the duct sections are used as sensors to heat the lateral duct section 145. Therefore, the cooling fluid can help avoid excessive heating of the ducts 1101a, 1101b, while using the ducts 1101a, 1101b as induction coils to heat the lateral duct section 145. In some embodiments, the heating device can be turned off to avoid further reducing the cooling rate due to the heat supplied by the heating device. If further increase in viscosity is required, the method may further include reducing or not heating the at least one conduit by passing (or continuing to) the cooling fluid through the elongated electrically conductive heating element 337 or the conduits 1101a, 1101b. Way, the step of increasing the viscosity of the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145 is added. In such an example, passing the cooling fluid through the at least one duct removes heat from the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145 to cool the lateral duct section 145 along the lateral direction 159 The molten material 121 is moved, thereby providing the molten material 121 to the forming container at a second cooling temperature, which is lower than the first cooling temperature discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 10, the method may include increasing the inside of the lateral duct segment 145 by passing a cooling fluid through the plurality of ducts 301 a to 301 e, 305 a to 305 b disposed outside the lateral duct segment 145 The molten material 121 is viscous in order to remove heat from the molten material in the lateral duct section 145 to cool the molten material 121 moving in the lateral duct section 145 in the lateral direction 159. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be cooled to a second temperature, which is lower than the first cooling temperature achieved with or without the heating device.

In some embodiments, the method may include laterally conveying the cooled molten material into the water tank 147 of the forming container 140 in the lateral direction 159, and allowing the cooled molten material to overflow through the opposite side of the water tank. Overflow ports 203a, 203b. The cooled molten material may then be melted and pulled down through the root 142 of the forming wedge 209 of the forming container 140 into the glass ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the method may include providing some or all of the plurality of conduits as an axial conduit 301a to 301e, wherein cooling the molten material includes passing a cooling fluid 315 through the lateral direction 159 Each of these axial catheters. In a further specific embodiment, at least one of the plurality of conduits may include the lateral conduits 305a to 305b, and wherein cooling of the molten material includes passing a cooling fluid through the at least one in a direction transverse to the lateral direction 159. Transverse conduits 305a to 305b.

In some embodiments, the method may include removing at least one of the plurality of ducts 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b to adjust a cooling rate of the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in a specific embodiment in which a specific position is no longer required to be cooled by an axial duct, the axial duct 301 a may be removed and optionally replaced by the plug 901.

In a further specific embodiment, the method may include moving the at least one catheter relative to the lateral catheter segment 145 along the axis of the at least one of the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b to adjust the inside of the catheter segment. The cooling rate of the molten material. In certain embodiments, one or all of the ducts can be independently moved to allow radial cooling rate control at most radial positions around the lateral duct section 145. In a further specific embodiment, at least two of the plurality of catheters may be moved together with respect to the lateral catheter segment 145. For example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the axial catheters 301a to 301e can all be connected together, for example, using the bracket 343, so all of the axial catheters can be between a retracted and extended position. Adjustment.

In certain embodiments, the drawing bayonet cooling device may be provided, wherein the conduit includes the drawing tube 308, which may be installed within the outer tube 327. In certain embodiments, the tube 307 can be generally operated to have a maximum insertion position as shown in FIG. 3 and a maximum retracted position as shown in FIG. 7, where the orifice 319 is at the maximum insertion position It is spaced from the inner end surface of the outer pipe 327, and a stopper (not shown) prevents the pipe 307 from retracting further from the outer pipe 327 at the maximum retracted position. If the bayonet device is injured or if a bayonet device with different cooling characteristics is required (for example, refer to the bayonet device of FIG. 10), the bayonet device including the pipe 307 and the outer pipe 327 can be protected from the protection. The sleeve 331 is removed laterally and replaced with the required new bayonet device.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the method may include increasing the temperature in the lateral duct segment 145 by passing a cooling fluid through the internal fluid paths 1105 of the ducts 1101a, 1101b disposed outside the lateral duct segment 145. The molten material 121 is viscous in order to remove heat from the molten material in the lateral duct section 145 to cool the molten material 121 moving in the lateral duct section 145 in the lateral direction 159. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be cooled to a second temperature, which is lower than the first cooling temperature achieved with or without the heating device.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the fluid source 311 can be connected to the inlet ports 1111 a of the pipes 1101 a and 1101 b by using a fluid transfer line 1113 a. As further illustrated, the fluid return area 323 may be connected to the outlet ports 1111b of the conduits 1101a, 1101b using a fluid transfer line 1113b. In operation, the fluid source 311 can use the fluid transfer line 1113a to transfer the fluid to the inlet ports 1111a of the conduits 1101a, 1101b. The fluid then moves along the internal fluid path 1105, such as spirally moving along the internal fluid path 1105 to the outlet ports 1111b of the conduits 1101a, 1101b to draw heat from the side toward the molten material 121 within the conduit section 145. The heated fluid may then be removed from the outlet port 1111b by the fluid transfer line 1113b to be received by the fluid return area 323. In some embodiments, a heat exchanger may be provided to remove heat from the fluid return area 323, and then return the cooling fluid to the fluid source 311 to circulate through the cooling circuit.

In certain embodiments, the controller 349 may be designed to control one or both of the fluid source 311 and / or the fluid return area 323 to increase or decrease the fluid flow rate along the internal fluid path 1105. Fluid flow rate. Therefore, the controller 349 can assist in controlling the thermal conversion provided by the ducts 1101a, 1101b, and thereby allow control of the temperature and related viscosity of the molten material 121 in the lateral duct section 145. In addition, the cooling fluid flow rate through each of the ducts 1101a, 1101b can be independently controlled by the controller 349 to provide the required cooling characteristics along the sidewall to the length of the duct section 145.

In some embodiments, the at least one catheter, such as the plurality of catheters 301a to 301e, 305a to 305b, and / or the catheters 1101a, 1101b of FIGS. At least one of the conduits may be configured to cool the lateral conduit section 145, where the lateral conduit section 145 is the last chance that the molten material may affect the viscosity of the molten material before entering the inlet portion 146 of the forming container 140. Although cooling in the vertical duct section 143 is also possible in some specific embodiments, in further specific embodiments, it may be advantageous to limit or avoid cooling that actively empties into the vertical duct section 143. For example, because the molten material may be quickly drawn into a glass ribbon 103 after entering the water tank 147. Therefore, in certain embodiments, actively controlled cooling may be performed mainly or completely within the lateral duct section 145 to minimize or eliminate core formation effects, which may otherwise develop in the molten material flowing through the duct . Indeed, if active cooling is established at a more upstream position, such as in the vertical duct section 143 of the inlet duct 141 or even in the delivery tube 139, an unwanted core formation effect may develop, of which the closest to the vertical The relatively low temperature molten material on the inner surface of the conduit section 143 or the delivery tube 139 will move at a slower rate than the relatively high temperature molten material of the material flow core. Such a difference in the moving speed between the core and the periphery of the cross section of the molten material glass flow may cause unwanted properties of the glass ribbon 103. With a larger moving distance to the forming container 140 entering portion 146, there is a great opportunity for this unwanted core formation effect to develop. The present disclosure utilizes a way of minimizing or avoiding the core formation effect by locating a position where the viscosity of the molten material passes from the inlet duct 141 to the lateral duct section 145 of the forming container 140 is significantly or completely increased. Avoid unnecessary attributes in the glass ribbon 103.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed invention without departing from the scope of these additional patent applications. Therefore, it is expected that as long as they fall within the scope of these additional patent applications and their equivalents, the present disclosure encompasses modifications and changes to the specific embodiments provided herein.

101‧‧‧ glass manufacturing equipment

103‧‧‧glass ribbon

104‧‧‧ glass

105‧‧‧melt container

107‧‧‧ batch

109‧‧‧Storage Box

111‧‧‧batch transfer device

113‧‧‧ Motor

115‧‧‧controller

117‧‧‧arrow

119‧‧‧glass melting probe

121‧‧‧ Molten Materials

123‧‧‧Standpipe

125‧‧‧communication line

127‧‧‧refining container

129‧‧‧first connection catheter

131‧‧‧mixing container

133‧‧‧Transport container

135‧‧‧Second connection catheter

137‧‧‧Third connection catheter

139‧‧‧Transportation tube

139a‧‧‧ end of transfer tube

140‧‧‧formed container

141‧‧‧Inlet conduit

142‧‧‧Root of forming container

143‧‧‧Vertical Duct

143a‧‧‧Vertical catheter shaft

144‧‧‧ elbow tube

145‧‧‧ Lateral catheter segment

145a‧‧‧ Lateral catheter shaft

146‧‧‧Sink entry

147‧‧‧Sink

153‧‧‧first vertical edge

155‧‧‧ second vertical edge

157‧‧‧pull direction

159‧‧‧pull direction

203a‧‧‧ Overflow port

203b‧‧‧overflow port

205a‧‧‧outer surface

205b‧‧‧outer surface

207a‧‧‧ inclined downward

207b‧‧‧ inclined downward

209‧‧‧shaped wedge

211‧‧‧pull direction

213‧‧‧Pull the plane

215a‧‧‧First major surface

215b‧‧‧Second major surface

301a‧‧‧Axial catheter

301b‧‧‧Axial catheter

301c‧‧‧Axial catheter

301d‧‧‧Axial catheter

301e‧‧‧Axial catheter

303‧‧‧axis

305a‧‧‧ lateral duct

305b‧‧‧transverse catheter

307‧‧‧Pipe Fittings

307a‧‧‧Pipe end part

307b‧‧‧Second end of pipe fittings

309‧‧‧ Internal access

311‧‧‧ fluid source

313‧‧‧Flexible connecting pipe

315‧‧‧fluid

317‧‧‧direction

319‧‧‧ orifice

321‧‧‧second direction

323‧‧‧fluid return area

325‧‧‧ flexible connection pipe

327‧‧‧outer pipe fittings

327a‧‧‧First end of outer pipe fittings

327b‧‧‧Second end of outer tube

329‧‧‧Return path

331‧‧‧Protective case

333‧‧‧Inner hole

335‧‧‧The first thermal insulation material

337‧‧‧Slim, electrically conductive heating element

339‧‧‧Second insulation material

341‧‧‧double arrow

343‧‧‧carriage

345‧‧‧free surface

347‧‧‧Electrical device

348‧‧‧Electrical device

349‧‧‧controller

349a‧‧‧Wire

349b‧‧‧Wire

350a‧‧‧Wire

350b‧‧‧Wire

401‧‧‧ circular radial path

601‧‧‧ alternative catheter

603‧‧‧pipe fittings

603a‧‧‧Pipe end part

603b‧‧‧Second end of pipe fittings

605‧‧‧blocking piece

607‧‧‧ Aperture

701‧‧‧Maximum catheter size

901‧‧‧ plug

1001‧‧‧ Catheter

1002‧‧‧Pipe Fittings

1003‧‧‧ Internal access

1005‧‧‧ maximum catheter size

1007‧‧‧ Catheter shaft

1009‧‧‧outer pipe fittings

1103‧‧‧Pipe Fittings

1105‧‧‧ Internal Fluid Path

1107‧‧‧First Distance

1109‧‧‧Second Distance

1101a‧‧‧ Catheter

1101b‧‧‧ Catheter

1111a‧‧‧Inlet port

1111b‧‧‧ exit port

1113a‧‧‧fluid transfer line

1113b‧‧‧ fluid transfer line

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure can be further understood when reading with reference to these drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a glass manufacturing apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon from a certain amount of molten material;

2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the glass manufacturing equipment along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the glass manufacturing equipment taken at a perspective 3 of FIG. 1; FIG.

4 is a cross-section of a portion of the glass manufacturing equipment taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

5 is a cross-section of a part of the glass manufacturing equipment taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a fluid cooling duct;

7 depicts each of the plurality of axial fluid conduits of FIG. 3 being retracted together to a retracted position relative to an inner hole;

8 depicts that one axial fluid conduit of the plurality of axial fluid conduits is movable relative to the other axial fluid conduits of the other axial fluid conduit to a retracted position independent of an inner hole;

Figure 9 depicts an axial fluid conduit of the plurality of axial fluid conduit tubes, which is being removed from an inner bore;

10 depicts another embodiment of an axial fluid conduit being inserted into the inner bore of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another specific embodiment of a part of the glass manufacturing equipment taken from the perspective 3 of FIG. 1; FIG.

12 is a schematic diagram of at least one catheter wrapped around a catheter shaft of a catheter segment; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another specific embodiment of a part of the glass manufacturing equipment taken at a perspective 3 of FIG. 1.

Domestic hosting information (please note in order of hosting institution, date, and number) None

Information on foreign deposits (please note in order of deposit country, institution, date, and number) None

Claims (27)

A glass manufacturing device for drawing a glass ribbon from a certain amount of molten material, the device includes: a forming container, the forming container including a water tank extending along a side direction; a conduit section, the conduit section and The water tank is in fluid communication, and the duct section extends laterally along a duct axis, and includes the lateral direction to laterally transfer molten material from the duct section to the water tank along the lateral direction; at least one duct, which It is arranged outside the catheter segment. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes an axial conduit extending laterally along an axis parallel to the conduit axis of the conduit section. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes a lateral conduit extending along an axis transverse to the conduit axis of the conduit segment. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of conduits, and each of the plurality of conduits includes an internal passageway including a maximum dimension obtained perpendicular to an axis of the corresponding conduit, The maximum size of at least one of the plurality of conduits is smaller than the maximum size of another one of the plurality of conduits. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit is at least partially disposed in an inner hole defined by a material that at least partially encapsulates the conduit section. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one conduit is movable relative to the inner hole between an insertion portion and a retracted portion. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, wherein the at least one conduit includes an axial conduit that extends laterally along an axis parallel to the conduit axis of the conduit section, and the at least one conduit system can be connected with an insertion portion A retracted portion moves relative to the inner hole. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one conduit includes at least two conduits which are coupled to move together between the insertion portion and the retracted portion. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, wherein the at least one duct includes a first duct and a second duct, and wherein the first duct is independently moved relative to the second duct. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of axial conduits spaced apart along a radial path circumscribing the conduit section. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one catheter is wound around a catheter shaft of the catheter segment. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one duct is wound along a radial path circumscribing to the duct section. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid source connected to the inlet port of the at least one conduit. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated electrically conductive element wound around the catheter section. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes an induction coil of a circuit. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming container includes a wedge defining a portion. A method for forming a glass ribbon using a certain amount of molten material, the method includes: cooling a molten material moving in a side direction in a duct section while passing the cooling fluid through at least one duct disposed outside the duct section ; Transferring the cooled molten material laterally from the duct section to a forming container in the lateral direction; and drawing the cooled molten material from the forming container into the glass ribbon. The method of claim 17, wherein laterally transferring the cooled molten material includes laterally transferring the cooled molten material into a water tank of the forming container in the lateral direction, and then overflowing the cooled molten material through The opposite overflow port of the water tank, and then the cooled molten material is pulled through the root of one of the wedges of the forming container in a fusion drawing manner to become the glass ribbon. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one conduit comprises an axial conduit, and the cooling of the molten material comprises passing the cooling fluid through the axial conduit in the lateral direction. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one conduit comprises a lateral conduit, and the cooling of the molten material comprises passing the cooling fluid through the lateral conduit transverse to the lateral direction. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the at least one duct to adjust a cooling rate of the molten material in the duct section. The method of claim 17, further comprising moving the at least one conduit relative to the conduit section along an axis of the at least one conduit to adjust a cooling rate of the molten material in the conduit section. The method of claim 22, wherein the moving of the at least one catheter comprises moving at least two catheters together with respect to the catheter segment. The method of claim 17, wherein cooling the molten material comprises passing the cooling fluid through the at least one conduit wrapped around a conduit shaft of the conduit section. The method of claim 24, further comprising passing an electric current through the at least one conduit to heat the conduit section using induction heating. A method for forming a glass ribbon using a certain amount of molten material, the method includes: operating a heating device to cool the molten material in a duct section to a first place by heating the molten material in a duct section Cooling temperature to slow down the cooling of the molten material moving along the side direction in the duct section; the molten material cooled to the first cooling temperature is transferred from the duct section to the side direction Forming a container; drawing the cooled molten material from the forming container into the glass ribbon; and then using the cooling fluid to pass through at least one conduit disposed outside the conduit section to remove the molten material from the conduit section Heat to increase the viscosity of the molten material in the duct section by cooling the molten material moving in the lateral direction in the duct section, thereby providing the molten material at a second cooling temperature To the forming container, the second cooling temperature is lower than the first cooling temperature. The method of claim 26, wherein heating the molten material in the conduit section includes passing an electric current through the at least one conduit to heat the conduit section using induction heating.