TW202012321A - Reconfigurable muffle housings for use in glass manufacturing operations - Google Patents

Abstract

Reconfigurable muffle housings and glass manufacturing apparatuses having reconfigurable muffle housings are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a reconfigurable muffle housing for use in a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a modular interior portion that is removably and replacably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion. The reconfigurable muffle housing has an interior volume for at least partially enclosing a forming device that is configured to produce a glass ribbon.

Description

Reconfigurable sleeve housing for glass manufacturing operations

Related application

This application claims the priority rights of US Provisional Application No. 62/681380 filed on June 6, 2018 under the Patent Law, and its contents are relied on and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The general system of this specification relates to sleeve housings used in glass manufacturing operations, and more specifically, to sleeve housings with modular components.

The glass ribbon can be formed by a fusion process. Compared with alternative processes, the fusion process produces glass with a relatively small number of defects and excellent surface quality (such as flatness and smoothness). Because of these properties, the fusion process is widely used to produce glass substrates used in the manufacture of LEDs, LCDs, and OLED displays and other substrates that benefit from excellent flatness and smoothness.

In the fusion process, the molten glass is fed to the shaped body (sometimes called "homogeneous tube" in some fusion processes). The shaped body is usually held in an elevated position and supported within the sleeve housing. However, once in use, the conventional sleeve housing does not have a modified or capable configuration until the sleeve housing ceases to be used. This makes it difficult, expensive, or impossible to change the size of the homogenous tube in the sleeve housing, for example, which may be beneficial to meet the new specifications of the glass ribbon.

Therefore, a reconfigurable sleeve housing is needed.

This document discloses a reconfigurable sleeve housing and glass manufacturing equipment having a reconfigurable sleeve housing. Such a reconfigurable sleeve housing can be modified during its service life to accommodate alternative components and/or can be assembled using modular components so that the reconfigurable sleeve housing can accommodate shaped bodies of various lengths.

According to some embodiments, a reconfigurable sleeve housing for glass manufacturing equipment includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a modularized internal portion, the modularized internal portion is removable and Removably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion. The reconfigurable sleeve housing has an internal volume for at least partially enclosing a forming device that is configured to produce a glass ribbon.

According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a glass ribbon includes the step of introducing molten glass into a glass manufacturing apparatus having a first forming device and one coupled to and at least partially surrounding the first forming device A reconfigurable sleeve housing, wherein the reconfigurable sleeve housing includes: a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first modular internal portion, the modular internal portion is removable Except and interchangeably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion. The method further includes the steps of: forming a glass ribbon in the glass manufacturing equipment; terminating the formation of the glass ribbon; removing and replacing the first modular internal portion with a second modular internal portion; and in the A glass ribbon is formed in the glass manufacturing equipment.

According to some embodiments, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon having a width extending between a first edge portion and a second edge portion; and a reconfigurable sleeve The barrel housing is coupled to the forming device. The reconfigurable sleeve housing includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a modularized inner portion that is removable and replaceably coupled to the first end portion And the second end portion.

It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claimed subject matter. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and the drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of various embodiments.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but focus on explaining the principles of the exemplary embodiments.

The numerical values including the end points of the range can be expressed herein as approximations preceded by the terms "about", "approximately" and the like. In this case, other embodiments include specific values. Regardless of whether the numerical value is expressed as an approximate value, the present invention includes two embodiments: one is expressed as an approximate value, and the other is not expressed as an approximate value. It will be further understood that the endpoint of each range is important relative to and independent of the other endpoint.

Directional terms used in this text-for example, up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom-are only made with reference to the drawings drawn and are not meant to imply absolute orientation.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the present invention is directed to a reconfigurable sleeve housing for glass manufacturing equipment. In conventional glass manufacturing equipment for glass forming processes, the forming device is positioned at least partially within the sleeve housing. The sleeve housing supports the forming device so that the forming device can be held in place relative to other components of the glass manufacturing equipment. Conventional sleeve housings also allow attachment of various components, such as temperature sensors that assess the temperature of the glass and sleeve doors, which can be changed in position relative to the glass drawer to control the temperature of the glass as it flows away from the forming device. However, the conventional sleeve housing is usually a one-piece structure, so that all components of the sleeve housing are permanently coupled to each other. Therefore, the conventional sleeve housing cannot be easily changed or adapted to various sizes of forming devices. In addition, because the conventional sleeve housing has an integrated structure, the conventional sleeve housing is generally not suitable for upgrading components.

The reconfigurable sleeve housing according to the present invention includes modular elements that can be selectively attached to each other, so that the reconfigurable sleeve housing can be modified to accommodate various sized forming devices. Using such a reconfigurable sleeve housing can reduce the costs associated with changing from one size forming device to a second size forming device, and can reduce material inventory and time for making such changes.

In addition, certain components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing may be subject to different thermal loads from molten glass and heating elements located within the reconfigurable sleeve housing. The service life of components may vary due to thermal load. Because some components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing can be easily removed and replaced, components with a shorter service life can be replaced, while components with a longer service life can be maintained, thereby further reducing operating glass manufacturing The cost of equipment.

In addition, the reconfigurable sleeve housing according to the present invention allows certain modular components to be easily upgraded over the life of the reconfigurable sleeve housing. This upgraded component can be replaced to enhance the efficiency of the glass manufacturing equipment, or to ensure the common operating efficiency of various glass manufacturing equipment, so that the operator of this glass manufacturing equipment is familiar with its operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 is depicted. In the depicted embodiment, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 that partially surrounds the forming device 110. As will be described in more detail below, the forming device 110 is supported in a position within the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 such that the molten glass flowing into the forming device 110 overflows the upper part of the forming device along the forming surface 114 of the forming device 110 and melts Synthetic glass ribbon 90, which is pulled out in the downstream direction by a pulling roller (not shown). When the glass ribbon 90 is away from the forming device 110 and the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, the glass ribbon 90 remains in a position spaced from the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 includes a first end portion 130, a second end portion 140, and a modular inner portion 150, which is removable and replaceably coupled Connected to both the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140. In the depicted embodiment, each of the first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, and the modular inner portion 150 includes a base portion 132, 142, 152 and a riser portion 134, 144, 154, which Coupling with each other to form respective first end portion 130, second end portion 140 and modularized inner portion 150. In the depicted embodiment, the base portions 132, 142, 152 and the riser portions 134, 144, 154 are removable and interchangeably coupled to each other, however, in other embodiments, the base portions 132, 142, 152 The individual riser portions 134, 144, 154 may be permanently coupled to each other.

In order to accommodate forming devices 110 of various sizes, especially of various lengths 118, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 may include modular internal portions 150 having various lengths 157. The interface attachment points of the various modular inner parts 150 can be consistent, so that the modular inner parts 150 with various lengths 157 can be easily replaced into the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, and the same The first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140. Therefore, such a modular design may allow a single first end portion 130 and a single second end portion 140 to be put into use with forming devices 110 of various sizes.

In various embodiments, the variation of the length 157 of the modular inner portion 150 may be close to the variation of the length 118 of the corresponding forming device 110, such that the first and second forming devices 110 positioned within the reconfigurable sleeve housing The longitudinal size difference between them closely matches the total length 127 of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. In various embodiments, the major portion of the change in the length 118 of the forming device 110 can be accommodated by the modularized inner portion 150. For example, the length 157 of the modularized inner portion 150 may correspond to about 75% or more of the length 118 of the various forming devices 110, such as about 80% or more, such as about 85% or more, such as about 90 % Or more, for example about 95% or more. Also, a suitably sized modular inner portion 150 that matches the forming device 110 allows the same first end portion 130 and second end portion 140 to be used with the first and second forming devices 110, the first and second forming The length 118 of the device varies by up to 50%, for example up to 40%, for example up to 35%, for example up to 30%, for example up to 25%, for example up to 20%.

The first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, and the modularized inner portion 150 may be made of corrosion-resistant steel suitable for use at high temperatures. Such steels include, for example, COR-TEN and 440 CRES steels.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, and the modularized inner portion 150 may be coupled to each other using a mechanical device 160, such as fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, pins, latches, and the like.

The first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, and the modularized inner portion 150 may be coupled to each other at the interfaces 136, 146, 156. The interfaces 136, 146, 156 may allow the respective first end portion 130 or second end portion 140 to be attached to the modular inner portion 150, and limit the amount of air that can be exhausted from the interior of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. Limiting the amount of air that can be discharged from the interior of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 through the interfaces 136, 146, 156 can better maintain the thermal conditions in the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, and can reduce local Changes in stress and/or thickness in the glass ribbon 90 caused by thermal changes.

In various embodiments, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 may include gaskets 162 positioned between adjacent interfaces 136, 146, 156. In some embodiments, the gasket 162 may be compressed between adjacent interfaces 136, 146, 156 during assembly to accommodate changes in contact between adjacent interfaces 136, 146, 156. In some embodiments, the gasket 162 may be made of a material having a characteristic of maintaining a high temperature, such as silicone, including room temperature vulcanizing ("RTV") silicone. In some embodiments, the gasket 162 may be made of metal, such as steel, copper, brass, or the like. In such an embodiment, the gasket 162 may also include a coating along the sealing surface of the gasket 162, such as copper or steel. Gasket 162 may further reduce the rate of air leakage between interfaces 136, 146, 156. In some embodiments, gaskets may also be positioned between adjacent base portions 132, 142, 152 and riser portions 134, 144, 154 to reduce the rate of air leakage between these components.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, in various embodiments, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 may also include a cooling channel 170 that extends from the first end portion 130 to the modular inner portion 150 And extends to the second end portion 140. The pressurized fluid may be directed along the cooling channel 170 to draw heat away from the first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, or the modular inner portion 150. The rate of heat injection into the pressurized fluid may be modified based on the temperature difference between the pressurized fluid and the surface of the cooling channel 170 and the flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the cooling channel 170. In some embodiments, the cooling channel 170 may be an internal passage through which pressurized fluid flows.

In various embodiments, the cooling channel 170 may be incorporated into the duct 158 that forms part of the structure of the modular inner portion 150. In the depicted embodiment, the pipe 158 is welded to the plate 159 to form a welded structure of the modular inner portion 150. Such a welded structure of pipe 158 and plate 159 can exhibit strength and rigidity that exceeds conventional designs.

Still referring to Figures 1 and 2 together, one installation of the forming device 110 within the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 is depicted. A series of support blocks (not shown) can be positioned to contact both the forming device 110 and the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 and maintain the position of the forming device 110 relative to the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2, the homogenized molten glass entering the groove in the forming device 110 overflows the upper portion of the forming device 110 and flows along the forming surface 114 of the forming device 110. The forming surface 114 of the forming device 110 converges at the root 116. The molten glass flowing along the forming surface 114 converges at the root 116 and joins to form the glass ribbon 90. Because the surface of the molten glass facing away from the forming surface 114 does not come into contact with any components after overflowing the upper part of the forming device 110, the resulting glass ribbon 90 exhibits few defects and has excellent flatness compared to other glass forming techniques.

When the glass ribbon 90 flows out of the forming device 110, an additional component (not shown) of the glass manufacturing equipment comes into contact with the edge (ie, "bead") of the glass ribbon 90, for example, to apply a directional force to the glass ribbon 90 and Control the solidification process of the glass ribbon 90.

The shaped body 110 is generally formed of refractory ceramic materials that are chemically compatible with molten glass and can withstand the high temperatures associated with the fusion forming process. Typical materials for forming shaped bodies include, but are not limited to, zircon, silicon carbide, phosphorite and/or alumina-based refractory ceramics.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 includes various components for adjusting parameters of the molten glass and the resulting glass ribbon 90. As shown, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 includes a heating assembly surround 190 within the base portion 152 of the modularized inner portion 150. The heating assembly surround 190 may exhibit a shape that is continuous along its periphery and extends to a position near the first end portion 130, the second end portion 140, and the modularized inner portion 150. The heating assembly surround 190 may exhibit an opening generally located in the center of the heating assembly surround 190, wherein the opening defines the heating assembly opening 192. The heating assembly opening 192 may define an envelope through which various components may be transferred from outside the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 to inside the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. Such components that pass through the opening of the heating assembly may include a heating element 194, a retractable thickness control device 196, and a sensor 198 and their electrical or mechanical connection to external components.

As is generally known, the heating element 194 may be a resistance heating element that generates heat when electric current passes. The retractable thickness control device 196 may include elements that extend and retract toward and away from the glass ribbon 90 to adjust the thermal energy that escapes from the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 or is directed back to the glass ribbon 90. The sensor 198 may include, for example, a pyrometer that evaluates the surface temperature of the glass ribbon 90 without contacting the glass ribbon 90 itself.

The heating element 194 positioned relative to the modular inner portion 150 of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 and the retractable thickness control device 196 can be controlled to modify the temperature of the glass so that the resulting glass ribbon 90 exhibits the desired when formed The size and internal stress characteristics. The heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196 can be controlled to maintain the desired temperature distribution within the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, and in particular on the glass ribbon 90. The positioning of the heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196 can control the thermal load imparted to the glass ribbon 90 and can control the viewing angle factor of the glass ribbon 90 so that the radiant energy is directed to the desired location on the glass ribbon 90.

Due to the modularization provided by the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, various configurations of the heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196 can be assembled into the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. This may allow, for example, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 to be equipped with modified components over the life of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, thereby modifying the performance of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the required parameters.

In various embodiments, the assembly can be assembled into the heating assembly surround 190 of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 to change the control of the heat directed into the glass ribbon 90. For example, the heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196 may be selectively changed based on the specifications of the specific configuration of the glass ribbon 90 or based on newly developed technology. In various embodiments, the heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196 can be resized and repositioned within the heating assembly surround 190 to modify the amount of heat directed into the glass ribbon 90, including by modifying The viewing angle factor of the heating element 194 evaluated at 90 degrees makes it possible to control the heat transfer from the radiation.

In various embodiments, the heating element 194 may be replaced at different times during the life of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, thereby allowing improvements in the material technology of the heating element 194 to be incorporated into the reconfigurable sleeve In the housing 120.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the heating assembly surround 190 may exhibit a continuous shape along its periphery and define an opening through the central portion of the heating assembly opening 192. Because the heating assembly surround 190 has a continuous periphery, the heating assembly surround 190 can increase the overall rigidity of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. The increased rigidity of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 can provide a more rigid support for the forming device 110, and can contribute to smaller changes and more precise adjustments than sleeve housings without such rigidity Sex manufacturing process. During operation of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100, the heating assembly surround 190 may remain tensioned to provide the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 with the exhibited stiffness.

In addition, the increased stiffness provided by the heating assembly surround 190 can minimize the structural load directed through the heating element 194 and the retractable thickness control device 196. Due to the increase in the mechanical structure provided by the heating assembly surround 190 to the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, the heating assembly surround 190 can be removed and replaced more easily than conventional sleeve housings The components inside. In particular, the increased mechanical structure provided by the heating assembly surround 190 may provide between the heating element 194 and the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 and the retractable thickness control device 196 and the reconfigurable sleeve The attachment points between the housings 120 are more reliably positioned. Compared to conventional sleeve housings, the increased mechanical structure provided by the heating assembly surround 190 can, for example, increase the dimensional stability of the attachment point of the retractable thickness control device 196. For example, by ensuring that the misalignment of the retractable thickness control device 196 is minimized, the increased dimensional stability can increase the operability of the retractable thickness control device 196.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 may further include an inner post 128 that is positioned at least partially within the heating assembly opening 192 of the heating assembly surround 190. In some embodiments, the inner strut 128 may be coupled to the heating assembly surround 190. In other embodiments, the inner strut 128 may be coupled to the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. Components of the heating assembly, including heating element 194 and/or retractable thickness control device 196, may be coupled to the internal strut 128. This arrangement allows the components of the heating assembly to be fixed within the opening 192 of the heating assembly, and can improve the reliability of placement and operation of the components of the heating assembly.

In operation, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 will generally remain in a single configuration for use in glass forming operations using a specific forming device 110. When it is necessary to modify the forming device 110, for example, to produce glass ribbons 90 having different dimensional characteristics, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may be off-line. The first forming device 110 will be removed from the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120, and the reconfigurable sleeve housing will be formed by the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 and the modularized inner portion 150 Separated and removed. An alternative second modularized inner portion 150 having a different size than the first modularized inner portion 150 will be introduced and mounted to the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 to form a Two reconfigurable sleeve housings 120 of different sizes for the forming device 110. Therefore, the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 can be used with various configurations of the modularized inner portion 150 to obtain the desired reconfigurable sleeve housing 120.

Alternatively, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 can be easily reconfigured so that various components can be installed into the heating assembly surround 190 at different times during the life of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. For example, various arrangements of heating elements 194, retractable thickness control device 196, and sensors 198 may be positioned within the heating assembly surround 190. In detail, because these components can be modularly installed into the heating assembly enclosure 190, the components can be selectively replaced or upgraded based on additional development and demonstrations that provide the required performance. Components that can be easily replaced or upgraded can allow modification and the glass forming process of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. In conventional sleeve housings, the replacement and upgrade of these components may be limited, and thus it may not be easy to change the glass manufacturing process using such conventional sleeve housings.

In addition, some components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 may experience a longer service life than other components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120. In one example, when operating under the same conditions for the same duration, the service life of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 may exceed the service life of the modularized inner portion 150. In this example, the difference in the service life of the components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 can be attributed to the thermal energy introduced by each component, and may be subject to local temperatures and thermal energy introduced by radiation from molten glass and glass ribbon Impact. In some embodiments, for example, the viewing angle factor from the molten glass and glass ribbon to the modularized inner portion 150 may exceed the viewing angle factor from the molten glass and glass ribbon to the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 .

In such an example, the temperature experienced by the modular inner portion 150 during operation may exceed the temperature experienced by the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140. In such an example, the corrosion rate of the modularized inner portion 150 may exceed the corrosion rates of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140. Alternatively, the creep life of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 may exceed the creep life of the modularized inner portion 150. As used herein, "creep life" refers to the life of a component that is affected by high temperature and stress and may fail under the creep state according to the characteristics of the component material. In the event of corrosion or creep life failure, the service life of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 exceeds the service life of the modularized internal portion 150. Because the modularized inner portion 150 tends to exhibit a shorter lifespan than the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140, the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 can meet multiple requirements The modular internal part 150 is used together. Therefore, the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 according to the present invention can provide an extended cost of using the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 compared to conventional sleeve housings in which equivalent components are no longer used save.

In addition, because the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 according to the present invention exhibits a modular design, the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 140 and various modular inner portions 150 can be kept at a low inventory level, To meet the needs of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 120 of various sizes. Therefore, compared to the inventory costs of conventional sleeve housings, the conventional costs associated with inventory, such as storage costs, raw material costs, and obsolete costs, can be reduced.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a reconfigurable sleeve housing 320 is depicted. The reconfigurable sleeve housing 320 includes a plurality of base portions 332, 342, 352 and a plurality of riser portions 334, 344, 354 coupled to the respective base portions 332, 342, 352. Each of the riser portions 334, 344, 354 includes an upper riser portion 336, 346, 356 and a lower riser portion 338, 348, 358, which are coupled to each other to form the riser portions 334, 344, 354. In various embodiments, the upper riser portion 336, 346, 356 and the lower riser portion 338, 348, 358 may be coupled to each other with a mechanical device 160, such as fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, pins, latches, and the like. In other embodiments, upper riser portions 336, 346, 356 and lower riser portions 338, 348, 358 may be welded to each other to form respective upper riser portions 336, 346, 356 and lower riser portions 338, 348, 358 welding parts.

Similar to the embodiments discussed above, embodiments including upper riser portions 336, 346, 356 and lower riser portions 338, 348, 358 may allow adjustment of the height of the resulting riser portions 334, 344, 354 to accommodate Various height forming devices 310. Similarly, the inventory level of the components of the reconfigurable sleeve housing 320 can be minimized, so that the cost associated with inventory can be reduced compared to the inventory cost of conventional sleeve housings.

It should now be understood that the reconfigurable sleeve housing according to the present invention can be modified during its service life to accommodate alternative components and/or can be assembled using modular components so that the reconfigurable sleeve housing can be adapted Shaped bodies of various lengths. The reconfigurable sleeve housing includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a modular inner portion that is removable and replaceably coupled to the first end portion and the second end portion Both. The reconfigurable sleeve housing has an internal volume for at least partially enclosing the forming device that is configured to produce a glass ribbon.

In a first aspect, a reconfigurable sleeve housing for a glass manufacturing facility, the reconfigurable sleeve housing includes: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a mold An assembled internal portion that is removably and replaceably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the reconfigurable sleeve housing includes an internal volume for at least partially closing A forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon.

In a second aspect, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon having a width extending between a first edge portion and a second edge portion; a reconfigurable The sleeve housing is coupled to the forming device. The reconfigurable sleeve housing includes: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a modular internal portion, removable and replaceable Is coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion.

In a third aspect, wherein at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the modularized internal portion includes a base portion and a riser portion, the base portion and the riser portion may be Removably and interchangeably coupled to each other.

In a fourth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the first to third aspects, wherein the first end portion and the modularized inner portion are attached to each other along an interface.

In the fifth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the fourth aspect, wherein the interfaces between the coupled components further include gaskets.

In the sixth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the first to fifth aspects, wherein one of the modularized inner portions has a creep life less than one of the first end portion and the second end portion Creep life.

In the seventh aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the modularized inner portion includes a heating assembly surround.

In the eighth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the seventh aspect, wherein the heating assembly surround includes a heating assembly opening, and at least one heater element and at least one heater element are positioned inside the heating assembly opening At least one retractable thickness control device.

In the ninth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the seventh aspect, wherein a lower support member of the heating assembly surrounding member is kept under tension.

In the tenth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the ninth aspect, further includes an internal strut positioned at least partially within the heating assembly opening, wherein at least some of the heating assembly The component is coupled to the internal strut.

In the eleventh aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the reconfigurable sleeve housing further includes extending from the first end portion to the second end portion One cooling channel.

In the twelfth aspect, the reconfigurable sleeve housing of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are coupled to the modularized inner portion by a mechanical device .

In a thirteenth aspect, a method of manufacturing a glass ribbon includes the following steps: introducing molten glass to a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first forming device and at least partially surrounding the first forming device One of the reconfigurable sleeve housings includes: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a first modular internal portion, removable and replaceable Groundly coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion; forming a glass ribbon in the glass manufacturing equipment; terminating the formation of the glass ribbon; removing and replacing the with a second modular internal portion The first modularized internal part; and forming a glass ribbon in the glass manufacturing equipment.

In the fourteenth aspect, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the first end portion and the modularized inner portion are attached to each other along an interface.

In the fifteenth aspect, the method for manufacturing a glass ribbon of the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect further includes the steps of removing and replacing the first forming device with a second forming device, wherein the first forming device A length change from the second forming device is at least 25%.

In the sixteenth aspect, the method for manufacturing a glass ribbon of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the first modularized inner portion and the second modularized inner portion each include a heating assembly surrounding member , And the configuration of one of the heating assemblies varies between the first modularized internal portion and the second modularized internal portion.

In the seventeenth aspect, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon of the sixteenth aspect, wherein each of the heating assemblies of the first modular internal portion and the second modular internal portion includes At least one retractable thickness control device and at least one heater element.

90: glass ribbon 100: glass manufacturing equipment 110: forming device 114: forming surface 116: Root 118: Length 120: reconfigurable sleeve housing 127: total length 128: internal pillar 130: first end part 132: base part 134: riser section 136: Interface 140: second end part 142: base part 144: riser section 146: Interface 150: Modular internal part 152: base part 154: riser section 156: Interface 157: Length 158: Pipeline 159: Sheet 160: mechanical device 162: Washer 170: cooling channel 190: heating assembly surround 192: Heating assembly opening 194: Heating element 196: Retractable thickness control equipment 198: Sensor 310: forming device 320: reconfigurable sleeve housing 332: base part 334: riser section 336: Upper riser section 338: Lower riser section 342: base part 344: riser section 348: Lower riser section 352: base part 354: riser section 358: Lower riser section

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1 shown along line 2-2; and

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

Domestic hosting information no

Overseas hosting information no

90: glass ribbon

110: forming device

114: forming surface

116: Root

120: reconfigurable sleeve housing

128: internal pillar

152: base part

154: riser section

158: Pipeline

159: Sheet

160: mechanical device

170: cooling channel

190: heating assembly surround

192: Heating assembly opening

194: Heating element

196: Retractable thickness control equipment

198: Sensor

Claims (20)

A reconfigurable sleeve housing for a glass manufacturing equipment. The reconfigurable sleeve housing includes: A first end portion; a second end portion; and a modular inner portion that is removable and replaceably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the reconfigurable The sleeve housing contains an internal volume for at least partially enclosing a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the modularized inner portion includes a base portion and a riser portion, The base portion and the stand pipe portion are removably and interchangeably coupled to each other. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein the first end portion and the modularized inner portion are attached to each other along an interface. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 3, wherein the interfaces between the coupled components further include gaskets. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein one of the modularized internal portions has a creep life less than one of the first end portion and the second end portion. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein the modularized inner portion includes a heating assembly surround. The reconfigurable sleeve housing according to claim 6, wherein the heating assembly surround includes a heating assembly opening, and at least one heater element and at least one retractable member are positioned inside the heating assembly opening Thickness control equipment. The reconfigurable sleeve housing as recited in claim 6, wherein a lower support member of the heating assembly surround is kept under tension. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 7, further comprising an internal strut positioned at least partially within the heating assembly opening, wherein at least some components of the heating assembly are coupled to the Internal pillar. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable sleeve housing further includes a cooling channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The reconfigurable sleeve housing of claim 1, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are coupled to the modular inner portion by mechanical means. A method for manufacturing a glass ribbon includes the following steps: Introducing the molten glass into a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first forming device and a reconfigurable sleeve housing at least partially surrounding one of the first forming devices, the reconfigurable sleeve housing Contains: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a first modular inner portion that is removable and replaceably coupled to both the first end portion and the second end portion; Forming a glass ribbon in the glass manufacturing equipment; terminating the formation of the glass ribbon; removing and replacing the first modular internal portion with a second modular internal portion; and forming a glass ribbon in the glass manufacturing equipment. The method of manufacturing a glass ribbon according to claim 12, wherein the first end portion and the modularized inner portion are attached to each other along an interface. The method for manufacturing a glass ribbon as described in claim 12, further comprising the steps of removing and replacing the first forming device with a second forming device, wherein between the first forming device and the second forming device A length change is at least 25%. The method for manufacturing a glass ribbon as described in claim 12, wherein the first modularized inner portion and the second modularized inner portion each include a heating assembly surround, and one of the heating assemblies is disposed at The first modular internal part and the second modular internal part vary. The method of manufacturing a glass ribbon as described in claim 15, wherein each of the heating assemblies of the first modular inner portion and the second modular inner portion includes at least one retractable thickness Control equipment and at least one heater element. A glass manufacturing equipment, including: A forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon having a width extending between a first edge portion and a second edge portion; a reconfigurable sleeve housing coupled to the forming device, the The reconfigurable sleeve housing includes: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a modular inner portion that is removable and replaceably coupled to the first end portion and the second end Part of both. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the modularized inner portion includes a base portion and a riser portion, the base portion and the The riser sections are removable and interchangeably coupled to each other. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first end portion and the modularized internal portion and the second end portion and the modularized internal portion include an interface. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 17, wherein a creep life of one of the modularized internal parts is less than one of the first end part and the second end part.

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