TW202035312A - Conduit heating apparatus and method with improved corrosion resistance - Google Patents

Abstract

A conduit heating apparatus and a method of heating a conduit. The conduit heating apparatus includes an annular heating element circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the conduit. The annular heating element includes an annular channel and the method includes flowing a cooling fluid therethrough. The annular heating element also includes an interface region extending between the annular channel and a refractory ceramic material contained in an atmosphere. A temperature at a boundary between the interface region the refractory ceramic material is above the dew point of the atmosphere.

Description

Catheter heating equipment and method with improved corrosion resistance

This application claims the priority rights of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/805,332 filed on February 14, 2019 under the Patent Law, based on the content of this case and the content of this case is incorporated by reference in its entirety This article.

The present disclosure generally relates to the heating of conduits, such as the heating of metal conduits used in glass melting systems, and more specifically to the heating of conduits with improved corrosion resistance.

In the production of glass products, such as glass sheets for display applications (including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablet computers), molten materials are usually transported through one or more conduits, such as precious metals (such as platinum) Constitute the catheter. The above-mentioned catheter can be directly heated, for example, by an electric flange, which includes a metal material surrounding the catheter in a circumferential direction. Water cooling channels can help manage the temperature of the flange.

In the above system, the catheter is usually packaged in a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, which can be further contained in a capsule of a controlled atmosphere. A controlled atmosphere capsule is usually a relatively humid environment with a dew point substantially higher than the temperature of the fluid cooling channel. When the outside of the channel is in direct contact with the refractory material, water condenses along the interface between the channel and the refractory material, which can greatly accelerate the corrosion of the channel material, thereby not only shortening the service life of the channel but also the service life of the flange. It is desirable to find a solution to this problem, and this solution does not substantially adversely affect system operating parameters or capabilities.

The embodiments disclosed herein include catheter heating devices. The catheter heating device includes an annular heating element circumferentially surrounding at least a part of the catheter. The annular heating element includes an annular channel that is configured to allow cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The annular heating element is at least partially surrounded by the refractory ceramic material contained in the atmosphere. The dew point of the atmosphere is higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid. The heating element includes an interface area, and the interface area includes a metal or a metal alloy. The interface area extends between the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material. The temperature of the interface area at the boundary between the interface area and the refractory ceramic material is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere.

The embodiments disclosed herein also include methods of heating the catheter. The method includes the step of circumferentially surrounding at least a part of the catheter by an annular heating element. The annular heating element includes an annular channel and a cooling fluid flowing therethrough. The annular heating element is at least partially surrounded by the refractory ceramic material contained in the atmosphere. The dew point of the atmosphere is higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid. The heating element includes an interface area, and the interface area includes a metal or a metal alloy. The interface area extends between the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material. The temperature of the interface area at the boundary between the interface area and the refractory ceramic material is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere.

The additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in the following embodiments, and part of them will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this embodiment, or by practicing the embodiments described herein Acknowledge that this article contains the following embodiments, the scope of patent application and drawings.

It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following embodiments present embodiments intended to provide a summary or architecture for understanding the essence and characteristics of the embodiments claimed in this case. The drawings are included herein to provide further understanding, and the drawings are incorporated into this specification and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure, and the drawings and description together are used to explain the principles and operations of the various embodiments.

Now, reference will be made in detail to the existing preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference symbols will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

A range can be expressed herein as from "about" one specific value, and/or to "about" another specific value. When the above range is expressed, another embodiment encompasses from one specific value and/or to another specific value. Similarly, when a numerical value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the specific value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each range are meaningful with respect to and independent of the other endpoint.

The directional terms used in this article—for example, up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom—are only made with reference to the drawing scheme, and do not intend to imply absolute orientation.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, any method described herein is never intended to be interpreted as requiring the steps of the method to be executed in a specific order, nor is it required to be executed in any device-specific orientation. Therefore, when the method claim does not actually describe the order in which the steps of the method are to be followed, or when any equipment claim does not actually describe the order or orientation of individual components, or when the patent application scope or description is combined When it is not otherwise specified that the steps will be limited to a specific order, or when the specific order or orientation of the components of the device is not described, it is never intended to infer the order or orientation in any aspect. This applies to any possible non-expressive interpretation basis, including: logical matters concerning the arrangement of steps, operating procedures, the order of components or the orientation of components; simple meanings derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; descriptions in the manual The number or type of embodiments.

As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural indicators. Thus, for example, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, references to "a" component include aspects having two or more of the aforementioned components.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary glass manufacturing facility 10. In some examples, the glass manufacturing facility 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12, and the glass melting furnace 12 may include a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (eg, burners or electrodes) that heat the raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a thermal management device (eg, thermal insulation) that reduces heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic devices and/or electromechanical devices that help to melt the raw materials into glass melt. Furthermore, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a supporting structure (for example, a supporting chassis, a supporting member, etc.) or other components.

The glass melting vessel 14 is generally composed of a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, for example, a refractory ceramic material including alumina or zirconia. In some examples, the glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic tiles. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

In some examples, a glass melting furnace can be incorporated as a part of glass manufacturing equipment to manufacture glass substrates, for example, a continuous length of glass ribbon. In some examples, the glass melting furnace of the present disclosure can be incorporated as a part of glass manufacturing equipment, which includes slot draw equipment, float bath equipment, and down-draw equipment. ) Equipment (such as a melting process), up-draw equipment, press-rolling equipment, tube drawing equipment, or any other glass manufacturing equipment that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. As an example, Fig. 1 schematically shows the glass melting furnace 12 as a component of the melting and drawing glass manufacturing equipment 10, which is used for melting and drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

The glass manufacturing facility 10 (for example, the fusion down-drawing facility 10) may optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing facility 16 that is located upstream with respect to the glass melting vessel 14. In some examples, part or all of the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may include a storage bin 18, a material conveying device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the material conveying device. The storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantitative amount of raw material 24 that can be fed into the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12 as indicated by the arrow 26. The raw material 24 generally includes one or more glass forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the material conveying device 20 may be powered by the motor 22 so that the material conveying device 20 conveys a predetermined amount of the material 24 from the storage bin 18 to the melting vessel 14. In a further example, the motor 22 may power the raw material conveying device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass sensed downstream of the melting vessel 14. Thereafter, the raw material 24 in the vessel 14 may be heated and melted to form the molten glass 28.

The glass manufacturing facility 10 may also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing facility 30 located downstream from the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, a part of the downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some cases, the first connecting duct 32 discussed below or other parts of the downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. The components of the downstream glass manufacturing equipment (including the first connecting duct 32) may be formed of precious metals. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals or alloys thereof selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium. For example, the downstream components of the glass manufacturing equipment may be formed of a platinum-rhodium alloy, which contains from about 70% to about 90% by weight of platinum and from about 10% to about 30% by weight of rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof.

The downstream glass manufacturing facility 30 may include a first conditioning (ie, processing) vessel, such as a clarification vessel 34, which is located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and is coupled to the melting vessel 14 by the above-mentioned first connecting conduit 32. In some examples, the molten glass 28 can be gravity fed from the melting vessel 14 to the clarification vessel 34 via the first connecting conduit 32. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass through the internal path of the first connecting conduit 32 from the melting vessel 14 to the clarifying vessel 34. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14, for example between the melting vessel 14 and the clarification vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel can be used between the melting vessel and the clarification vessel, in which the molten glass from the primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or is cooled to lower than the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the clarification vessel The temperature of the temperature.

The bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 in the clarification vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, the raw material 24 may include a multivalent compound (ie, a fining agent), such as tin oxide, which undergoes a chemical reduction reaction and releases oxygen when heated. Other suitable clarifying agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The clarification vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature of the melting vessel, thereby heating the molten glass and the clarifying agent. The oxygen bubbles generated by the chemical reduction induced by the temperature of one or more fining agents rise through the molten glass in the clarification vessel, where the gas in the molten glass generated in the melting furnace can diffuse or coalesce into the fining agent Oxygen bubbles. Subsequently, the enlarged bubbles can rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the clarification vessel and then be discharged from the clarification vessel. Oxygen bubbles can further cause mechanical mixing of molten glass in the clarification vessel.

The downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may further include another adjustment vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the clarification vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a homogeneous glass melt composition, thereby reducing the chemical or thermal inhomogeneity cords that might otherwise exist in the clarified molten glass leaving the refining vessel. As shown in the figure, the clarification container 34 may be coupled to the mixing container 36 by the second connecting pipe 38. In some examples, the molten glass 28 can be gravity fed from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass through the internal path of the second connecting conduit 38 from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36. It should be noted that although the mixing vessel 36 is illustrated as being downstream of the clarification vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of the clarification vessel 34. In some embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may include a plurality of mixing vessels, such as a mixing vessel upstream of the clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of the clarification vessel 34. These multiple mixing containers may have the same design, or they may have different designs.

The downstream glass manufacturing facility 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a delivery vessel 40 that may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36. The conveying container 40 can adjust the molten glass 28 to be fed to the downstream forming device. For example, the delivery container 40 can be used as an accumulator and/or a flow controller to adjust and/or provide a consistent flow of the molten glass 28 to the forming body 42 through the outlet duct 44. As shown in the figure, the mixing container 36 may be coupled to the delivery container 40 by a third connecting pipe 46. In some examples, the molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the mixing container 36 to the conveying container 40 through the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity can drive the molten glass 28 from the mixing container 36 to the delivery container 40 through the internal path of the third connecting conduit 46.

The downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may further include a molding equipment 48, which includes the aforementioned molding body 42 and the inlet duct 50. The outlet duct 44 may be positioned to convey the molten glass 28 from the conveying container 40 to the inlet duct 50 of the forming device 48. For example, in an example, the outlet duct 44 may be nested within the inner surface of the inlet duct 50 and spaced from the inner surface, thereby providing freedom for the molten glass between the outer surface of the outlet duct 44 and the inner surface of the inlet duct 50 surface. The molded body 42 in the fusion down-draw glass manufacturing equipment may include a groove 52 located in the upper surface of the molded body and a convergent molding surface 54 that converges in the drawing direction along the bottom edge 56 of the molded body. The molten glass delivered to the molding tank through the transportation container 40, the outlet duct 44, and the inlet duct 50 overflows the side wall of the tank and descends along the convergent molding surface 54 as individual molten glass streams. The individual molten glass flows are connected below the bottom edge 56 and along the bottom edge 56 to produce a single glass ribbon 58, which is removed from the bottom edge 56 by applying tension to the glass ribbon (such as by gravity, edge roller 72, and pull roller 82). This single glass ribbon 58 is drawn along the drawing or flow direction 60 to control the size of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. Therefore, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a visco-elastic transition and obtains mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass sheets 62 in the elastic region of the glass ribbon by the glass separating device 100. Subsequently, the robot 64 can use the clamping tool 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to the conveying system, where the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the annular heating element 100. The annular heating element 100 circumferentially surrounds a portion of the duct. This part is shown as the connecting duct 38 in Figure 2, although it should be understood that one or more annular heating elements 100 can circumferentially surround any of the catheters shown in Figure 1. In certain exemplary embodiments, the annular heating element 100 may include the same or similar material as the connecting duct 38. For example, when the connecting pipe includes platinum, the annular heating element 100 may also include platinum. The annular heating element 100 may also include other materials, for example, at least one of nickel and copper, and an alloy including at least one of nickel, copper, rhodium, palladium, and platinum. In addition, as known to those skilled in the art, the annular heating element 100 may be connected to a power source (not shown), such as a power source. This in turn may cause resistance heating of the annular heating element 100, which in turn may heat the connecting duct 38 and the molten material (such as molten glass 28) flowing through the connecting duct 38 to a desired temperature.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the annular heating element 100. The annular heating element 100 circumferentially surrounds the duct (ie, the connecting duct 38) and is surrounded by the refractory ceramic material 200 contained in the atmosphere 300. The annular heating element 100 includes a relatively thin area 102 circumferentially surrounded by a relatively thick area 104, which is in turn circumferentially surrounded by an annular channel 106 that is configured to allow cooling fluid to flow therethrough .

The relatively thin region 102, the relatively thick region 104, and the annular channel 106 may include the same or different materials from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, each of the relatively thin region 102, the relatively thick region 104, and the annular channel 106 includes at least one of nickel and copper, and includes nickel, copper, rhodium, palladium, and platinum. At least one of the alloys.

The refractory ceramic material 200, although not limited to any particular material, may include alumina, zircon, calcium aluminate, zirconia, and oxide ceramics (including at least one of calcium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, and zirconium). At least one of them. For example, the embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which the refractory ceramic material 200 is contained in a system including a stent shell (including, for example, fused zirconia) and at least one castable refractory in the shell and surrounding the conduit The materials are, for example, disclosed in WO2009/058330, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The atmosphere 300 can be contained and maintained in a system, and this system controls at least a part of the surrounding environment of the glass manufacturing equipment 30, including the pipe (ie, the connecting pipe 38) and the refractory ceramic material 200. For example, the system may include a control system and a capsule. The control system and the capsule are used to control the level of hydrogen around at least a part of the glass manufacturing equipment 30 so as to suppress the formation of gaseous inclusions and surface blistering in individual glass sheets 62. The system can also be used to help cool molten glass 28 as molten glass 28 travels between containers in glass manufacturing facility 30. The system can also be used to maintain the atmosphere 300 to contain the least oxygen around the container in order to reduce the oxidation of precious metals on the container. An exemplary system is illustrated and described in WO 2006/115972, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of the annular heating element 100 that includes the annular cooling fluid channel 106. Like the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the annular heating element 100 includes a relatively thin area 102 circumferentially surrounded by a relatively thick area 104. The relatively thick area 104 is then circumferentially surrounded by the annular channel 106, which is annular The passage 106 is configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough. The annular heating element 100 containing the annular channel 106 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the cooling fluid 150 may include a liquid, such as water. The cooling fluid 150 may also include oil and/or anti-corrosion additives. The cooling fluid 150 may also include a gas, for example, at least one gas selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen, and neon.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the temperature of the cooling fluid 150, although not limited to any specific value, may be less than or equal to about 60°C, such as from about 0°C to about 60°C, and further, for example, from about 10°C. °C to about 50°C, and still further such as from about 20°C to about 40°C, and still further such as from about 25°C to about 35°C.

The embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150. Although the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is not limited to any specific value, in certain exemplary embodiments it may be at least about 60°C, such as at least about 65°C, and further such as at least about 70°C, such as from about 60° C to about 100°C, and further such as from about 65°C to about 95°C, and still further such as from about 70°C to about 90°C.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is at least about 5°C higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150, such as at least about 10°C, and further such as at least about 15°C, and still further such as at least about 20° C, and still further such as at least about 25°C, and even still further such as at least about 30°C, including from about 5°C to about 70°C, such as from about 10°C to about 60°C, and Further such as from about 15°C to about 50°C, and yet further such as from about 20°C to about 40°C.

Figure 5 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of the annular heating element 100, which includes an annular housing 108 surrounding the annular passage 106 (configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough) and the annular cooling fluid passage 106 and the annular housing The fluid gap 160 extends between the bodies 108. The annular heating element 100 containing the annular housing 108 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200. The annular housing 108 and the fluid gap 160 include an interface area (illustrated as I in Figure 9A) extending between the annular channel 106 and the refractory ceramic material 200.

Figure 6 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of the annular heating element 100, which includes an annular housing 108 surrounding an alternately configured annular passage 106 and a fluid gap 160 extending between the annular cooling fluid passage 106 and the annular housing 108 The annular channel 106 of this alternative configuration has a greater degree of contact with the relatively thicker region 104 and is configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough. The annular heating element 100 containing the annular housing 108 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200. The annular housing 108 and the fluid gap 160 include an interface area (illustrated as I in Figure 9A) extending between the annular channel 106 and the refractory ceramic material 200.

Figure 7 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of the annular heating element 100, which includes an annular housing 108 surrounding an alternatively configured annular passage 106 and a fluid gap 160 extending between the annular cooling fluid passage 106 and the annular housing 108 The annular channel 106 of this alternative configuration has a D-shaped cross-section and is configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough. The annular heating element 100 containing the annular housing 108 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200. The annular housing 108 and the fluid gap 160 include an interface area (illustrated as I in Figure 9A) extending between the annular channel 106 and the refractory ceramic material 200.

Figure 8 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of the annular heating element 100 that includes the annular ring 110 between at least a portion of the annular channel 106 (configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough) and the refractory ceramic material 200. The annular heating element 100 including the annular ring 110 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200. The annular ring 110 includes an interface area (illustrated as I in Figure 9B) extending between the annular channel 106 and the refractory ceramic material 200. In certain exemplary embodiments, the annular ring 110 may include at least one of nickel, copper, and an alloy including at least one of nickel, copper, rhodium, palladium, and platinum.

9A and 9B illustrate an exploded side cross-sectional view of a part of the annular heating element 100, which includes the annular housing 108 (Figure 9A) or the annular ring 110 (Figure 9B), respectively. The temperature of the interface area I at the boundary B between the interface area I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere (300 in the illustration in Figure 3).

Figures 10A and 10B respectively illustrate a schematic side sectional view and an exploded side sectional view of a part of the annular heating element 100, which part contains at least a part of the annular channel 106 (configured to allow the cooling fluid 150 to flow therethrough) and refractory ceramic An alternative embodiment of the annular ring 110 between the materials 200. The annular heating element 100 including the annular ring 110 is surrounded by a refractory ceramic material 200. The annular ring 110 includes an interface area (illustrated as I in Figure 10B) extending between the annular channel 106 and the refractory ceramic material 200. The temperature of the interface area I at the boundary B between the interface area I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere (300 in the illustration in Figure 3). In certain exemplary embodiments, the annular ring 110 may include at least one of nickel, copper, and an alloy including at least one of nickel, copper, rhodium, palladium, and platinum.

Therefore, the embodiment disclosed herein includes the temperature of the interface region I at the boundary B between the interface region I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300 and the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is higher than the cooling fluid flowing through the annular channel 106 Example of a temperature of 150. For example, in some embodiments, the temperature of the interface region I at the boundary B between the interface region I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300 by at least about 5°C, such as at least about 10°C, and further For example, at least about 15°C, including from about 5°C to about 100°C, such as from about 10°C to about 50°C, and the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is at least higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150 flowing through the annular channel 106 About 5°C, such as at least about 10°C, and further such as at least about 15°C, and still further such as at least about 20°C, and still further such as at least about 25°C, and even still further such as at least about 30°C, including from about 5°C to about 70°C, such as from about 10°C to about 60°C, and further such as from about 15°C to about 50°C, and further such as from about 20°C C to about 40°C.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the temperature of the interface region I at the boundary B between the interface region I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is at least about 65°C, such as at least about 75°C, and further such as at least about 85°C , Such as from about 65°C to about 200°C, including from about 75°C to about 150°C, and further including from about 85°C to about 125°C. At the same time, the temperature of the interface area I at the boundary B between the interface area I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300, and the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150, where the temperature of the cooling fluid 150 is less than or Equal to about 60°C, such as from about 0°C to about 60°C, and further such as from about 10°C to about 50°C, and still further such as from about 20°C to about 40°C, and more Further, for example, from about 25°C to about 35°C.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is at least about 60°C, such as at least about 65°C, and further such as at least about 70°C, such as from about 60°C to about 100°C, and further Such as from about 65°C to about 95°C, and still further such as from about 70°C to about 90°C. At the same time, the temperature of the interface area I at the boundary B between the interface area I and the refractory ceramic material 200 is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300, and the dew point of the atmosphere 300 is higher than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150.

When the interface region I includes the fluid gap 160, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9A, the fluid gap 160 may, for example, include gas, such as air. In addition, the temperature and dew point of the gas in the fluid gap 160 can be controlled within a predetermined temperature and dew point range. For example, the temperature of the gas in the fluid gap 160 can be controlled to be higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300. In addition, the dew point of the gas in the fluid gap 160 is controlled to be lower than the temperature of the cooling fluid 150 flowing through the annular channel 106.

For example, the temperature of the gas in the fluid gap 160 can be controlled to help make the temperature of the interface region I at the boundary B between the interface region I and the refractory ceramic material 200 higher than the dew point of the atmosphere 300. In certain exemplary embodiments, the temperature of the gas in the fluid gap 160 may be at least about 60°C, such as from about 60°C to about 120°C, including from about 70°C to about 100°C. At the same time, the dew point of the gas in the fluid gap 160 may be, for example, less than about 25°C, and further such as less than about 15°C, such as from about -25°C to about 25°C, including from about -15°C to about 15°C. °C.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the fluid gap 160 may also include a liquid, such as a hydrophobic liquid, such as oil. The fluid gap may also include hydrophilic liquids, such as aqueous liquids including anti-corrosion additives.

Figure 11 shows a schematic front sectional view of the annular heating element 100. The annular heating element 100 circumferentially surrounds the duct 38 and is surrounded by the refractory ceramic material 200, wherein the center X of the annular heating element 100 is offset from the center Y of the duct 38. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the annular heating element 100 includes a relatively thin area 102 circumferentially surrounded by a relatively thick area 104. The relatively thick area 104 is then circumferentially surrounded by an annular channel 106. The channel 106 is configured to allow cooling fluid to flow therethrough. In some embodiments, offsetting the annular heating element 100 from the conduit 38 may cause the current flowing through the conduit material to be more evenly distributed.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to the fusion down-draw method, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as a floating process, a groove drawing process, a top drawing process, a tube drawing process, and a pressing roll process.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is expected to cover these modifications and changes, as long as they fall within the scope of the attached patent application and their equivalents.

10: Glass manufacturing equipment/melting down-drawing equipment 12: Glass melting furnace 14: melting container/glass melting container 16: Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 18: Storage warehouse 20: Raw material conveying device 22: Motor 24: raw materials 26: Arrow 28: molten glass 30: Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 32: The first connecting duct 34: Clarification container 36: mixing container 38: second connecting duct 40: conveying container 42: molding 44: Outlet duct 46: third connecting duct 48: molding equipment 50: inlet duct 52: Slot 54: Convergent molding surface 56: bottom edge 58: glass ribbon 60: drawing or flow direction 62: glass sheet 64: Robot 65: clamping tool 72: edge roller 82: Pull roll 100: Glass separation equipment/ring heating element 102: area 104: area 106: Ring channel / ring cooling fluid channel 108: Ring shell 110: Ring 150: Cooling fluid 160: fluid gap 200: Refractory ceramic material 300: Atmosphere B: boundary I: Interface area

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion down-draw glass manufacturing equipment and process;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an annular heating element, which circumferentially surrounds a part of the duct;

Figure 3 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the annular heating element, which surrounds the pipe circumferentially and is surrounded by refractory ceramic materials contained in the atmosphere;

Figure 4 is a schematic side sectional view of a part of the annular heating element, this part contains the annular cooling fluid channel;

Figure 5 is a schematic side sectional view of a part of the annular heating element, this part includes an annular casing surrounding the annular cooling fluid channel and a fluid gap extending between the annular cooling fluid channel and the annular casing;

Figure 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a part of the annular heating element. This part includes an annular casing surrounding an alternatively configured annular cooling fluid passage and a fluid gap extending between the annular cooling fluid passage and the annular casing;

Figure 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a part of the annular heating element, this part includes an annular casing surrounding an alternatively configured annular cooling fluid passage and a fluid gap extending between the annular cooling fluid passage and the annular casing;

Figure 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a part of the annular heating element, this part including the annular ring between at least a part of the annular cooling fluid channel and the refractory ceramic material;

Figures 9A and 9B are exploded side cross-sectional views of a part of the annular heating element, which includes an annular shell or an annular ring, respectively;

Figures 10A and 10B are schematic side cross-sectional views and exploded side cross-sectional views of a part of the annular heating element, which includes an alternative embodiment of the annular ring between at least a part of the annular cooling fluid channel and the refractory ceramic material; and

Figure 11 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the annular heating element. The annular heating element circumferentially surrounds the pipe and is surrounded by refractory ceramic material, wherein the center of the annular heating element is offset from the center of the pipe.

Domestic deposit information (please note in the order of deposit institution, date and number) no Foreign hosting information (please note in the order of hosting country, institution, date and number) no

100: Ring heating element

102: area

104: area

106: Ring channel / ring cooling fluid channel

108: Ring shell

150: Cooling fluid

160: fluid gap

200: Refractory ceramic material

Claims (20)

A catheter heating device, including: An annular heating element circumferentially surrounding at least a part of the duct, the annular heating element including an annular channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough; among them: The annular heating element is at least partially surrounded by a refractory ceramic material contained in an atmosphere; A dew point of the atmosphere is higher than a temperature of the cooling fluid; and The heating element includes an interface area, the interface area includes a metal or metal alloy, the interface area extends between the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material, wherein at a boundary between the interface area and the refractory ceramic material The temperature of one of the interface areas is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere. The device according to claim 1, wherein the interface area includes an annular casing surrounding the annular passage and a fluid gap extending between the annular passage and the annular casing. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fluid gap includes air. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fluid gap includes a gas, and a temperature and dew point of the gas are controlled within a predetermined temperature and dew point range. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the temperature of the gas is controlled to be higher than the dew point of the atmosphere, and the dew point of the gas is controlled to be lower than the temperature of the cooling fluid. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface area includes an annular ring between at least a portion of the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal or metal alloy is selected from nickel, copper, palladium or platinum or alloys thereof. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fluid includes a liquid. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid includes water. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fluid includes at least one selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen, and neon. A method of heating a catheter, the method comprising the following steps: An annular heating element circumferentially surrounds at least a part of the duct, the annular heating element includes an annular channel and a cooling fluid flowing therethrough; among them: The annular heating element is at least partially surrounded by a refractory ceramic material contained in an atmosphere; A dew point of the atmosphere is higher than a temperature of the cooling fluid; and The heating element includes an interface area, the interface area includes a metal or metal alloy, the interface area extends between the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material, wherein at a boundary between the interface area and the refractory ceramic material The temperature of one of the interface areas is higher than the dew point of the atmosphere. The method according to claim 11, wherein the interface area includes an annular shell surrounding the annular channel and a fluid gap extending between the annular channel and the annular shell. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid gap includes air. The method according to claim 12, wherein the fluid gap includes a gas, and a temperature and a dew point of the gas are controlled within a predetermined temperature and dew point range. The method according to claim 14, wherein the temperature of the gas is controlled to be higher than the dew point of the atmosphere, and the dew point of the gas is controlled to be lower than the temperature of the cooling fluid. The method of claim 11, wherein the interface area includes an annular ring between at least a portion of the annular channel and the refractory ceramic material. The method according to claim 11, wherein the metal or metal alloy is selected from nickel, copper, palladium or platinum or alloys thereof. The method of claim 11, wherein the cooling fluid includes a liquid. The method of claim 18, wherein the liquid includes water. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cooling fluid includes at least one selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen, and neon.

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