TW202110755A - Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a glass ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a first conduit extending between a delivery vessel and a receiving vessel. The first conduit includes a first channel extending in a first flow direction of the first conduit. The first conduit directs a first quantity of molten material from the delivery vessel, through the first channel, and to the receiving vessel. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a second conduit extending between the delivery vessel and the receiving vessel. The second conduit includes a second channel extending in a second flow direction of the second conduit. The second conduit directs a second quantity of the molten material from the delivery vessel, through the second channel, and to the receiving vessel. Methods include manufacturing a glass ribbon with the glass manufacturing apparatus.

Description

Method and equipment for manufacturing glass ribbon

This application claims the priority rights of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/851,814 filed on May 23, 2019 in accordance with the patent law. This case is based on its content, and its content is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure generally relates to a method for manufacturing a glass ribbon, and more specifically relates to a method for manufacturing a glass ribbon using a glass manufacturing equipment including a first conduit and a second conduit.

It is known to use glass manufacturing equipment to manufacture molten materials into glass ribbons. It is known that conventional glass manufacturing equipment delivers molten material from a delivery container to a receiving container through a conduit. In order to increase the amount of heat extracted from the molten material flowing through the conduit, the length of the conduit can be increased. However, due to the size constraints of the structure housing the glass manufacturing equipment, increasing the length of the duct beyond a certain size may not be beneficial. An alternative approach involves increasing the cross-sectional size of the catheter. However, as the cross-sectional size of the duct increases, the temperature gradient of the molten material from the center of the duct to the side wall of the duct also increases, which may result in unstable flow of the molten material.

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some examples described in the implementation mode.

In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing equipment includes a plurality of conduits extending between the delivery container and the receiving container, wherein the molten material is conveyed through the plurality of conduits. Compared with a single catheter, a plurality of catheters can include a shorter length and a smaller cross-sectional size. The existing structure accommodating the glass manufacturing equipment can accommodate a plurality of pipes with a shorter length without increasing the size. In addition, by providing a plurality of tubes, the total surface area of the tubes can be greater than the surface area of a single tube, thereby increasing the heat extraction from the molten material flowing through the plurality of tubes. Therefore, the heat extraction from the molten material can be increased without increasing the overall length of the duct.

According to some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus includes a first conduit extending between the delivery container and the receiving container. The first duct includes a first passage extending along a first flow direction of the first duct. The first conduit may be configured to guide the first amount of molten material from the delivery container through the first channel to the receiving container. The glass manufacturing equipment includes a second conduit extending between the delivery container and the receiving container. The second duct includes a second passage extending along the second flow direction of the second duct. The second conduit may be configured to guide the second amount of molten material from the delivery container through the second channel to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the first conduit includes a first tube extending between the first end and the second end. The first conduit defines a first inlet orifice at the first end of the first pipe and a first outlet orifice at the second end of the first pipe.

In some embodiments, the first end of the first tube may be attached to the delivery container, and the second end of the first tube may be attached to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the first conduit may be configured to receive a first amount of molten material from a first delivery orifice in the delivery container, and to deliver the first amount of molten material to a first receiving orifice in the receiving container .

In some embodiments, the second conduit includes a second tube extending between the first end and the second end. The second conduit defines a second inlet orifice at the first end of the second pipe and a second outlet orifice at the second end of the second pipe.

In some embodiments, the first end of the second tube may be attached to the delivery container, and the second end of the second tube may be attached to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the second conduit may be configured to receive a second amount of molten material from a second delivery orifice in the delivery container, and to deliver the second amount of molten material to a second receiving orifice in the receiving container .

In some embodiments, the first inlet orifice may be different from the second inlet orifice, and the first outlet orifice may be different from the second outlet orifice.

In some embodiments, the first conduit may include a first intermediate conduit, and the second conduit may include a second intermediate conduit.

In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing facility includes a first central duct, and the first central duct includes a first central channel extending along a first central flow direction of the first central duct. The first central duct system extends between the upstream end and the downstream end. The upstream end of the first central pipe may be attached to the delivery container, and the downstream end of the first central pipe may be attached to the first and second intermediate pipes.

In some embodiments, the first central conduit may be configured to receive a first amount of molten material and a second amount of molten material from a delivery container in the first central channel, and to deliver the first amount of molten material to the first An intermediate duct and deliver the second amount of molten material to the second intermediate duct.

In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing facility includes a second central conduit, and the second central conduit includes a second central channel extending along a second central flow direction of the second central conduit. The second central duct system extends between the upstream end and the downstream end. The upstream end of the second central duct may be attached to the first and second central ducts, and the downstream end of the second central duct may be attached to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the second central pipe may be configured to receive a first amount of molten material from the first intermediate pipe and a second amount of molten material from the second intermediate pipe within the second central pipe, and to transfer the first The quantity of molten material and the second quantity of molten material are delivered to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing equipment includes a mixer positioned in one or more of the first channel or the second channel. The mixer may be configured to change the flow profile of one or more of the first amount of molten material in the first channel or the second amount of molten material in the second channel.

In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing a glass ribbon using glass manufacturing equipment includes the steps of: delivering a first amount of molten material from a delivery container to a first channel of a first conduit. These methods include the following steps: delivering a second amount of molten material from the delivery container to the second channel of the second conduit. These methods include the following steps: transferring a first amount of molten material from a first channel to a receiving container. These methods include the following steps: transferring a second amount of molten material from the second channel to the receiving container.

In some embodiments, the step of delivering the first amount includes the step of directing the first amount of molten material through the first delivery orifice in the delivery container and the first inlet orifice in the first conduit.

In some embodiments, the step of delivering the second amount includes the step of directing the second amount of molten material through the second delivery orifice in the delivery container and the second inlet orifice in the second conduit.

In some embodiments, the step of delivering the first amount of molten material includes the step of: receiving the first amount of molten material in the first central channel of the first central conduit.

In some embodiments, the step of delivering the second amount of molten material includes the step of: receiving the second amount of molten material in the first central channel of the first central conduit.

In some embodiments, the methods include the following steps: positioning the mixer in one or more of the first channel or the second channel to change the first amount of molten material or the second channel in the first channel A flow profile of one or more of the second amount of molten material in the channel.

In the following implementations, additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be described, and those with ordinary knowledge in the field will be able to partially understand the additional features and advantages based on the description, or by practicing in this article (including the subsequent Implementation, the scope of patent application, and the accompanying drawings) described embodiments to understand additional features and advantages. It should be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the essence and characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and these accompanying drawings are incorporated into this specification and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, explain the principle and operation thereof.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the exemplary embodiment, and a more complete description of the embodiment will be given hereinafter. Wherever possible, the same reference symbols are 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 regarded as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

This disclosure relates to a glass manufacturing equipment and a method for manufacturing glass. The method and apparatus for manufacturing glass will now be described with an exemplary embodiment for manufacturing a glass ribbon using a certain amount of molten material. As shown schematically in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the exemplary glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include a glass melting and delivery equipment 102 and a forming equipment 101. The forming equipment 101 includes a device designed to use a certain amount of molten material 121 to produce The ribbon 103 forms a container 140. In some embodiments, the ribbon 103 may include a central portion positioned between opposite edge portions (eg, edge beads) formed along the first outer edge 153 and the second outer edge 155 of the ribbon 103 152, wherein the thickness of the edge beads may be greater than the thickness of the central part. In addition, in some embodiments, the separated glass ribbon 104 may be separated from the ribbon 103 by a glass separator 149 (eg, scoring, scoring wheel, diamond tip, laser, etc.) along the separation path 151.

In some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 may include a melting vessel 105 that is oriented to receive a batch of material 107 from a storage tank 109. The batch material 107 can be introduced by the batch delivery device 111 powered by the motor 113. In some embodiments, the selectable controller 115 can be operated to activate the motor 113 to introduce a desired amount of batch material 107 into the melting vessel 105, as indicated by the arrow 117. The melting vessel 105 may heat the batch material 107 to provide the molten material 121. In some embodiments, a plurality of melting vessels 105 may be provided, wherein one or more conduits (eg, conduit 128) are connected between the plurality of melting vessels 105. In some embodiments, the melting probe 119 can be used to measure the level of the molten material 121 in the vertical pipe 123 and transmit the measurement information to the controller 115 through the communication line 125. In addition, in some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery device 102 may include a first conditioning station. The first conditioning station includes a clarification vessel 127 and is located downstream of the melting vessel 105 and is coupled to the melting vessel by a first connecting conduit 129. 105. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the melting vessel 105 to the clarification vessel 127 through the first connecting conduit 129. For example, in some embodiments, gravity may drive the molten material 121 from the melting vessel 105 to the clarification vessel 127 through the internal path of the first connecting conduit 129. In addition, in some embodiments, air bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 in the clarification vessel 127 by various techniques.

In some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 may further include a second conditioning station that includes a mixing chamber 131 that may be located downstream of the clarification vessel 127. The mixing chamber 131 may be used to provide a uniform composition of the molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating inhomogeneities that may otherwise exist in the molten material 121 leaving the clarification vessel 127. As shown in the figure, the clarification container 127 may be coupled to the mixing chamber 131 via the second connecting pipe 135. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the clarification vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131 through the second connecting duct 135. For example, in some embodiments, gravity may drive the molten material 121 from the clarification vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131 through the internal path of the second connecting duct 135.

In addition, in some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 may include a third conditioning station that includes a delivery chamber 133 that may be located downstream of the mixing chamber 131. In some embodiments, the delivery chamber 133 can regulate the molten material 121 fed to the inlet duct 141. For example, the delivery chamber 133 can be used as an accumulator and/or a flow controller to adjust and provide a consistent flow of the molten material 121 to the inlet conduit 141. As shown in the figure, the mixing chamber 131 may be coupled to the delivery chamber 133 by a third connecting pipe 137. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery chamber 133 by the third connecting conduit 137. For example, in some embodiments, gravity may drive the molten material 121 from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery chamber 133 through the internal path of the third connecting duct 137. As further illustrated, in some embodiments, the delivery line 139 may be positioned to deliver the molten material 121 to the forming apparatus 101 (eg, the inlet conduit 141 forming the container 140).

The forming apparatus 101 may include various embodiments of the forming container according to the features of the present disclosure, and include a forming container having a wedges for fusing and stretching a glass ribbon, and a forming container having a slot for slot-stretching the glass ribbon , Or a forming container provided with a pressing roller for the pressing roller from the glass ribbon forming the container. By way of illustration, the forming container 140 shown and disclosed below can be provided to fuse and pull the molten material 121 from the bottom edge (defined as the root 145) of the forming wedge 209 to produce a ribbon of molten material 103. For example, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be delivered from the inlet conduit 141 to the forming vessel 140. Then, the molten material 121 may be formed into a ribbon 103 based in part on the structure of the forming container 140. For example, as shown in the figure, the molten material 121 may be stretched from the bottom edge (eg, the root 145) of the forming container 140 along a stretching path extending in the stretching direction 154 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the edge guides 163, 164 may guide the molten material 121 away from the forming container 140 and partially define the width “W” of the ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the width “W” of the belt 103 extends between the first outer edge 153 of the belt 103 and the second outer edge 155 of the belt 103.

In some embodiments, the width "W" of the ribbon 103 extending between the first outer edge 153 of the ribbon 103 and the second outer edge 155 of the ribbon 103 may be greater than or equal to about 20 millimeters (mm ) (For example, greater than or equal to about 50mm, such as greater than or equal to about 100mm, such as greater than or equal to about 500mm, such as greater than or equal to about 1000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 2000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 3000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 4000mm ), but other widths smaller or larger than the above-mentioned width may be provided in further embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the width "W" of the ribbon 103 may range from about 20 mm to about 4000 mm (for example, about 50 mm to about 4000 mm, for example, about 100 mm to about 4000 mm, for example, about 500 mm to about 4000 mm, For example, about 1000mm to about 4000mm, for example, about 2000mm to about 4000mm, for example, about 3000mm to about 4000mm, for example, about 20mm to about 3000mm, for example, about 50mm to about 3000mm, for example, about 100mm to about 3000mm, for example, about 500mm to about 3000mm, for example About 1000 mm to about 3000 mm, for example, about 2000 mm to about 3000 mm, for example, about 2000 mm to about 2500 mm, and all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween).

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the forming apparatus 101 (for example, the forming container 140) along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. In some embodiments, the forming vessel 140 may include a groove 201 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet duct 141. For the purpose of illustration and for the sake of clarity, the hatching of the molten material 121 is removed from FIG. 2. The forming container 140 may further include a forming wedge 209, which includes a pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 extending between opposite ends 210, 211 (see FIG. 1) of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 forming the wedge 209 may converge along the stretching direction 154 to intersect along the root 145 forming the container 140. The stretching plane 213 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may extend through the root 145 along the stretching direction 154. In some embodiments, the ribbon 103 may be stretched in the stretching direction 154 along the stretching plane 213. As shown in the figure, the stretched plane 213 may be halved by the root 145 to form the wedge 209, but in some embodiments, the stretched plane 213 may extend in other orientations relative to the root 145.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 may flow into the groove 201 forming the container 140 in the direction 156 and along the groove 201 forming the container 140. Then, the molten material 121 can flow out of the groove 201 by flowing through the corresponding weirs 203, 204 at the same time and flowing down through the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204. Then, the corresponding flow of molten material 121 can flow along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209, and drawn from the root 145 of the forming container 140, where the fluid converges and fuses into a ribbon. 103. Then, the ribbon 103 can be pulled out from the root 145 along the stretching direction 154 in the stretching plane 213. In some embodiments, the ribbon 103 includes one or more material states depending on the vertical position of the ribbon 103. For example, at one location, the ribbon 103 may include a viscous molten material 121, and at another location, the ribbon 103 may include a glassy amorphous solid (for example, a glass ribbon).

The ribbon 103 includes a first main surface 215 and a second main surface 216. The first main surface 215 and the second main surface 216 face opposite directions, and define the thickness "T" (for example, the average thickness) of the ribbon 103 . In some embodiments, the thickness "T" of the ribbon 103 may be less than or equal to about 2 millimeters (mm), less than or equal to about 1 millimeter, less than or equal to about 0.5 mm, for example, less than or equal to about 300 microns (μm). ), less than or equal to about 200 microns, or less than or equal to about 100 microns, but other thicknesses may be provided in further embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness "T" of the ribbon 103 may range from about 20 μm to about 200 μm, about 50 μm to about 750 μm, about 100 μm to about 700 μm, about 200 μm to about 600 μm, and about 300 μm to about 300 μm. About 500 μm, about 50 μm to about 500 μm, about 50 μm to about 700 μm, about 50 μm to about 600 μm, about 50 μm to about 500 μm, about 50 μm to about 400 μm, about 50 μm to about 300 μm, about 50 μm to about 200 μm, about 50 μm to about 100 μm , About 25 μm to about 125 μm, including all ranges and sub-ranges of thicknesses therebetween. In addition, the ribbon 103 may include various components (for example, soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass or alkali-free glass, alkali metal aluminosilicate glass, alkaline earth metal aluminum Silicate glass, etc.).

In some embodiments, the glass separator 149 (see Figure 1) can then separate the glass ribbon 104 from the ribbon 103 along the separation path 151, and stack them to form a stack or winding of the separated glass ribbon 104 To the storage roller. Then, the separated glass ribbon can be processed into a desired application (for example, a display application). For example, the separated glass ribbon can be used in various display applications, including liquid crystal displays (LCD), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLED), plasma display panels (PDP), touch sensing Devices, photovoltaics, and other electronic displays.

Referring to Fig. 1, a plurality of catheters 128 are schematically shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include a delivery container 301 and a receiving container 303. The delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 may be substantially hollow, and may contain a cavity that can be used to contain the molten material 121. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be transferred from the delivery container 301 to the receiving container 303 (for example, the delivery container 301 is positioned upstream of the receiving container 303). As shown in the schematic illustration of the positioning of the plurality of conduits 128 in the embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 in FIG. 1, the delivery container 301 may include, for example, a melting container 105, a clarification container 127, a mixing chamber 131, or a delivery chamber One or more of the chambers 133. The receiving container 303 may include, for example, one or more of a clarification container 127, a mixing chamber 131, a delivery chamber 133, or a forming container 140. In some embodiments, the delivery container 301 may include the melting container 105 and the receiving container 303 may include the clarification container 127. In some embodiments, the delivery container 301 may include a clarification container 127 and the receiving container 303 may include a mixing chamber 131. In some embodiments, the delivery container 301 may include a mixing chamber 131 and the receiving container 303 may include a delivery chamber 133. In some embodiments, the delivery container 301 may include the delivery chamber 133 and the receiving container 303 may include the forming container 140.

Figures 1 and 3 illustrate features of an embodiment of a plurality of conduits 128 for conveying the molten material 121 between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 (for example, from the delivery container 301 to the receiving container 303). In some embodiments, a plurality of conduits 128 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 (for example, relative to the flow of the molten material 121, the plurality of conduits 128 are positioned downstream of the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 Upstream). In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 may include a first connecting conduit 129 extending between the melting vessel 105 and the clarification vessel 127 (for example, when the delivery vessel 301 includes the melting vessel 105 and the receiving vessel 303 includes the clarification vessel 127) ). In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 may include a second connecting conduit 135 extending between the clarification vessel 127 and the mixing chamber 131 (for example, when the delivery vessel 301 includes the clarification vessel 127 and the receiving vessel 303 includes the mixing chamber 131 hours). In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 may include a third connecting conduit 137 extending between the mixing chamber 131 and the delivery chamber 133 (for example, when the delivery container 301 contains the mixing chamber 131 and the receiving container 303 contains the delivery Chamber 133 hours). In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 may include a delivery line 139 extending between the delivery chamber 133 and the forming container 140 (for example, when the delivery container 301 includes the delivery chamber 133 and the receiving container 303 includes the forming container 140 Time). Therefore, in some embodiments, the delivery container 301, the receiving container 303, and the plurality of conduits 128 may represent several different structures of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the glass manufacturing equipment 100 along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Although the plurality of tubes 128 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include any number of tubes, in some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first tube 401 and a second tube 403. The first conduit 401 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, by extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, the first tube 401 may be directly attached to the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4). However, the first tube 401 is not limited to direct attachment, and in some embodiments, the first tube 401 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, and there is a gap positioned between the first tube 401 and the delivery container 301. And/or one or more intermediate structures, pipes, tubes, etc. between the first pipe 401 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, the first duct 401 may include a first channel 405 extending along a first flow direction 407 (eg, a linear first flow direction) of the first duct 401. For example, the first duct 401 may be substantially hollow, wherein the first duct 401 surrounds the first passage 405.

The first conduit 401 can guide the first amount 409 of molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 through the first channel 405 to reach the receiving container 303. For example, the first amount 409 of molten material 121 may flow from the delivery container 301 through the first channel 405 of the first conduit 401 along the first flow direction 407 to reach the receiving container 303. The first duct 401 may include several different structures, but may be substantially hollow, and may define a first passage 405. For example, the first pipe 401 may include a first pipe 413 extending between the first end 415 and the second end 417. The first pipeline 413 may contain one or more of platinum, rhodium, platinum rhodium, iridium, and the like. The first pipeline 413 may include a cross-sectional shape of one or more of several types of the first pipeline 413 or alternatives to the first pipeline 413 (for example, a circle, a quadrilateral, an ellipse, etc.). In some embodiments, the first end 415 of the first tube 413 may be attached to the delivery container 301, and the second end 417 of the first tube 413 may be attached to the receiving container 303. The first pipeline 413 may be attached to the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 in several ways (for example, by mechanical fasteners, welding, etc.). In some embodiments, the first pipeline 413 may be substantially straight and may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 along the first axis 451. The first conduit 401 may define a first inlet orifice 421 at the first end 415 of the first pipe 413 and a first outlet orifice 423 at the second end 417 of the first pipe 413. In some embodiments, the first conduit 401 may receive a first amount 409 of molten material 121 from the first delivery orifice 427 in the delivery container 301 (for example, the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301), and transfer the first amount 409 of molten material 121 The molten material 121 is delivered to the first receiving orifice 429 in the receiving container 303 (for example, the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303).

The structure of the second duct 403 may be similar to the first duct 401 (for example, the length, cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional area, and/or axial orientation are substantially the same). For example, the second conduit 403 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, by extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, the second tube 403 can be directly attached to the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4). However, the second conduit 403 is not limited to direct attachment, and in some embodiments, the second conduit 403 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, with a second conduit 403 and the delivery container 301 positioned therebetween. And/or one or more intermediate structures, pipes, tubes, etc. between the second duct 403 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, the second duct 403 may extend substantially parallel to the first duct 401, wherein the first duct 401 and the second duct 403 are spaced apart from each other. For example, the first pipe 401 and the second pipe 403 may be spaced apart to form a gap 441 between the first pipe 401 and the second pipe 403, wherein the molten material 121 may not flow through the gap 441. In some embodiments, the second duct 403 may include a second channel 445 extending along the second flow direction 447 (eg, a linear second flow direction) of the second duct 403. For example, the second duct 403 may be substantially hollow, where the second duct 403 surrounds the second passage 445. In some embodiments, the first flow direction 407 may be a linear direction, the second flow direction 447 may be a linear direction, and the second flow direction 447 may be substantially parallel to the first flow direction 407. The second duct 403 may extend parallel or non-parallel to the first duct 401, and may have the same or different length as the first duct 401.

The second conduit 403 can guide the second amount 449 of molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 through the second channel 445 to the receiving container 303. For example, the second quantity 449 of molten material 121 may flow from the delivery container 301 through the second channel 445 of the second conduit 403 along the second flow direction 447 to reach the receiving container 303. The second conduit 403 may contain several different structures, but may be substantially hollow, and may define a second passage 445. For example, the second pipe 403 may include a second pipe 453 extending between the first end 455 and the second end 457. The second pipeline 453 may contain one or more of platinum, rhodium, platinum rhodium, iridium, and the like. The second pipeline 453 may include a cross-sectional shape of one or more of several second pipelines 453 or alternatives to the second pipeline 453 (for example, circular, quadrilateral, oval, etc.). In some embodiments, the first end 455 of the second tube 453 may be attached to the delivery container 301, and the second end 457 of the second tube 453 may be attached to the receiving container 303. The second pipeline 453 may be attached to the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 in several ways (for example, by mechanical fasteners, welding, etc.). In some embodiments, the second pipeline 453 may be substantially straight and extend along the second axis 452 between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, the distance separating the first pipe 413 of the first pipe 401 from the second pipe 453 of the second pipe 403 may be along the first flow direction 407 and the second flow direction 447 and along the first flow direction 407 and 447. The lengths of the pipe 413 and the second pipe 453 are substantially constant. The second conduit 403 may define a second inlet orifice 461 at the first end 455 of the second pipe 453 and a second outlet orifice 463 at the second end 457 of the second pipe 453. In some embodiments, the second conduit 403 may receive the second amount 449 of molten material 121 from the second delivery orifice 467 in the delivery container 301 (for example, the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301), and transfer the second amount 449 of molten material 121 The molten material 121 is delivered to the second receiving orifice 469 in the receiving container 303 (for example, the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303).

In some embodiments, the first inlet orifice 421 may be different from the second inlet orifice 461, and the first outlet orifice 423 may be different from the second outlet orifice 463. For example, by being different, the first inlet orifice 421 can be spaced apart and separated from the second inlet orifice 461, so that the first amount 409 of molten material 121 can flow through the first inlet orifice 421 without flowing The molten material 121 passing through the second inlet orifice 461 and the second amount 449 may flow through the second inlet orifice 461 without flowing through the first inlet orifice 421. In some embodiments, the first outlet orifice 423 can be spaced apart and separated from the second outlet orifice 463 by the difference, so that the first amount 409 of molten material 121 can flow through the first outlet orifice 423 without The molten material 121 that will flow through the second outlet orifice 463 and the second amount 449 may flow through the second outlet orifice 463 instead of the first outlet orifice 423. In some embodiments, both the first outlet opening 423 and the second outlet opening 463 may extend through the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303 at spaced locations of the side wall 304. In some embodiments, the first delivery orifice 427 of the delivery container 301 may be different from the second delivery orifice 467 of the delivery container 301. In some embodiments, both the first delivery aperture 427 and the second delivery aperture 467 may extend through the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301 at spaced locations of the side wall 302. In some embodiments, the first receiving aperture 429 of the receiving container 303 may be different from the second receiving aperture 469 of the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, both the first receiving aperture 429 and the second receiving aperture 469 may extend through the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303 at spaced apart positions of the side wall 304. In some embodiments, although the first duct 401 and the second duct 403 are different and separated, the second flow direction 447 (eg, linear flow direction) may be substantially parallel to the first flow direction 407 (eg, linear flow direction) . For example, the first quantity 409 of molten material 121 may flow through the first duct 401 along the first flow direction 407, and is substantially parallel to the second quantity 449 flowing through the second duct 403 along the second flow direction 447. The molten material 121. With the spaced apart first conduit 401 and the second conduit 403 and the corresponding orifices in the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, certain parts of the molten material 121 in the delivery container 301 can pass through the first conduit 401 or One of the second ducts 403 without cross-contamination.

In some embodiments, the first duct 401 and the second duct 403 may be arranged side by side along a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, where the direction of gravity is shown as a downward direction in Figure 3, and as a downward direction in Figure 4 The figure shows the direction to enter the page. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first duct 401 may extend along the first axis 451, and the second duct 403 may extend along the second axis 452. The first axis 451 and the second axis 452 may be linear and substantially parallel, wherein the parallel axes (for example, the first axis 451 and the second axis 452) are located in a plane that may be perpendicular to the direction of gravity. However, the first tube 401 and the second tube 403 are not limited to this arrangement, and in some embodiments, the first tube 401 and the second tube 403 may be arranged on top of each other. For example, in some embodiments, the first duct 401 may extend along the first axis 451, and the second duct 403 may extend along the second axis 452, where the first axis 451 and the second axis 452 may be located including In the plane of the direction of gravity. The first tube 401 and the second tube 403 are not limited to these configurations, and in some embodiments, the first tube 401 may not extend parallel to the second tube 403. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, even if the first duct 401 extends parallel to the second duct 403, the first axis 451 and the second axis 452 may be located in a plane forming a certain angle, but may be non-parallel and non-parallel. Perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 104 using the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include the following steps: delivering the first amount 409 of the molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 to the first channel 405 of the first conduit 401. For example, the first amount of molten material 121 of 409 may flow from the delivery container 301 through the first delivery orifice 427 in the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301 and the first inlet orifice 421 in the first pipeline 413, and enter The first passage 405 of the first duct 401. Therefore, the step of delivering the first amount 409 may include the following steps: guiding the first amount 409 of molten material 121 through the first delivery orifice 427 in the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301 and the first inlet hole in the first conduit 401口421. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 104 using the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include the following steps: let the first amount 409 of the molten material 121 pass from the first channel 405 to the receiving container 303. For example, the first quantity 409 may flow through the first channel 405, and may pass through the first outlet opening 423 and the first receiving orifice 429 in the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303, so that it can be received in the receiving container 303. A first quantity of 409 molten material 121.

In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 104 using the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include the following steps: delivering the second amount 449 of the molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 to the second channel 445 of the second conduit 403. For example, the second quantity 449 of molten material 121 can flow from the delivery container 301 through the second delivery orifice 467 in the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301 and the second inlet orifice 461 in the second pipeline 453, and enter The second passage 445 of the second duct 403. Therefore, the step of delivering the second quantity 449 may include the following steps: guiding the molten material 121 of the second quantity 449 through the second delivery orifice 467 in the side wall 302 of the delivery container 301 and the second inlet hole in the second conduit 403口461. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 104 using the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include the following steps: let the second quantity 449 of the molten material 121 pass from the second channel 445 to the receiving container 303. For example, the second quantity 449 can flow through the second channel 445, and can pass through the second outlet opening 463 and the second receiving opening 469 in the side wall 304 of the receiving container 303, so that it can be received in the receiving container 303. The second quantity 449 of molten material 121.

Referring to Fig. 5, an additional embodiment of a plurality of catheters 128 (for example, as shown in Fig. 3) is shown. In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 is not limited to the first conduit 401 and the second conduit 403 extending substantially parallel to each other between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In contrast, in some embodiments, the plurality of ducts 128 of the glass manufacturing equipment 100 includes a first central duct 501, a second central duct 503, a first intermediate duct 505, and a second intermediate duct 507. In some embodiments, the first conduit (for example, the first conduit 401) may include a first intermediate conduit 505, and the second conduit (for example, the second conduit 403) may include a second intermediate conduit 507. The first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503 may be positioned on opposite sides of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507. For example, the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be positioned between the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503. In some embodiments, the first central duct 501 may be positioned upstream (eg, on the upstream side) of the first intermediate duct 505 and the second intermediate duct 507. The second central duct 503 may be positioned downstream (for example, on the downstream side) of the first intermediate duct 505 and the second intermediate duct 507. In some embodiments, the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be spirally wound with each other between the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503. For example, the upstream ends of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be attached to the first central pipe 501. In some embodiments, the upstream end of the first intermediate pipe 505 may be attached to a first position of the downstream end of the first central pipe 501, and the upstream end of the second intermediate pipe 507 may be attached to the downstream of the first central pipe 501 The second position of the end. As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, compared to the second position of the downstream end of the first central pipe 501, the first position of the downstream end of the first central pipe 501 may be located at a lower height relative to gravity. The downstream ends of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be attached to the second central pipe 503. In some embodiments, the downstream end of the first intermediate pipe 505 may be attached to the first position of the upstream end of the second central pipe 503, and the downstream end of the second intermediate pipe 507 may be attached to the upstream of the second central pipe 503 The second position of the end. As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, compared to the second position of the upstream end of the second central pipe 503, the first position of the upstream end of the second central pipe 503 may be located at a higher height relative to gravity.

Referring to Fig. 6, a schematic cross-sectional representation of the helical twist in a plurality of catheters 128 generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 is shown. In some embodiments, the first central duct 501 may extend between the upstream end 601 and the downstream end 603. The upstream end 601 of the first central pipe 501 may be attached to the delivery container 301, and the downstream end 603 of the first central pipe 501 may be attached to the upstream ends of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507. For example, the upstream end 601 of the first central conduit 501 may be attached to the delivery container 301 in several ways (for example, by mechanical fasteners, welding, etc.). In some embodiments, the downstream end 603 of the first central pipe 501 may be attached to the upstream ends of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 in several ways (for example, by mechanical fasteners, welding, etc.).

The first central duct 501 may include a first central channel 605 extending along the first central flow direction 607 (eg, linear flow direction) of the first central duct 501. In some embodiments, the first central conduit 501 may receive a first amount 611 of molten material 121 and a second amount of 613 molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 in the first central channel 605. The first central conduit 501 can deliver a first amount 611 of molten material 121 to the first intermediate conduit 505 and a second amount 613 of molten material 121 to the second intermediate conduit 507. In some embodiments, the first central duct 501 may define a first central entrance aperture 617 at the upstream end 601 of the first central duct 501. The first central duct 501 may define a first central outlet orifice 619 and a second central outlet orifice 621 at the downstream end 603 of the first central duct 501. In some embodiments, the first central conduit 501 can receive a first amount 611 and a second amount 613 of molten material 121 from the delivery orifice 622 in the delivery container 301, and transfer the first amount of molten material 121 through the first central outlet orifice 619 The molten material 121 of 611 is delivered to the first intermediate duct 505, and the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 is delivered to the second intermediate duct 507 through the second central outlet orifice 621.

The first intermediate duct 505 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, by extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, the first intermediate conduit 505 can deliver the first amount of molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 to the receiving container 303 without directly attaching it. Connect to the delivery container 301 or the receiving container 303. For example, the first intermediate duct 505 may be attached to the first central duct 501 and the second central duct 503. The first intermediate duct 505 may include a first channel 625 extending along the first flow direction 627 (eg, linear flow direction) of the first intermediate duct 505. For example, the first intermediate duct 505 may be substantially hollow, wherein the first intermediate duct 505 surrounds the first passage 625.

The first intermediate duct 505 can guide the first amount 611 of molten material 121 from the first central duct 501 through the first channel 625 to the second central duct 503. For example, the first amount 611 of molten material 121 may flow from the first central pipe 501 along the first flow direction 627 through the first channel 625 to reach the second central pipe 503. The first intermediate duct 505 may include several different structures, but may be substantially hollow, and may define a first channel 625. For example, the first intermediate duct 505 may include a first pipe 629 extending between the first end 631 and the second end 633. The first pipeline 629 may contain one or more of platinum, rhodium, platinum rhodium, iridium, and the like. The first pipe 629 may include a cross-sectional shape of one or more of several types of the first pipe 629 or alternatives of the first pipe 629 (for example, a circle, a quadrilateral, an ellipse, etc.). In some embodiments, the first pipeline 629 may be attached to the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503 in various ways (for example, by means of fasteners, welding, etc.). For example, the first end 631 of the first pipe 629 may be attached to the first central pipe 501, and the second end 633 of the first pipe 629 may be attached to the second central pipe 503. In some embodiments, the first pipeline 629 may non-linearly extend between the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503. The first intermediate duct 505 may define a first inlet orifice 635 at the first end 631 of the first pipe 629 and a first outlet orifice 637 at the second end 633 of the first pipe 629. In some embodiments, the first intermediate duct 505 may receive a first amount 611 of molten material 121 from the first central outlet orifice 619 in the first central duct 501, and deliver the first amount of molten material 121 to the first central outlet orifice 619. The second central entrance orifice 639 in the two central conduits 503.

The second intermediate duct 507 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, by extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, the second intermediate pipe 507 can deliver the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 to the receiving container 303 without being directly attached. Connect to the delivery container 301 or the receiving container 303. For example, the second intermediate duct 507 may be attached to the first central duct 501 and the second central duct 503. The second intermediate duct 507 may include a second passage 645 extending along the second flow direction 647 (eg, linear flow direction) of the second intermediate duct 507. For example, the second intermediate duct 507 may be substantially hollow, wherein the second intermediate duct 507 surrounds the second passage 645. In some embodiments, the second flow direction 647 may be substantially parallel to the first flow direction 627.

The second intermediate pipe 507 can guide the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 from the first central pipe 501 through the second channel 645 to the second central pipe 503. For example, the second amount 613 of molten material 121 may flow from the first central pipe 501 along the second flow direction 647 through the second channel 645 to reach the second central pipe 503. The second intermediate duct 507 may contain several different structures, but may be substantially hollow, and may define a second channel 645. For example, the second intermediate duct 507 may include a second pipe 649 extending between the first end 651 and the second end 653. The second pipeline 649 may contain one or more of platinum, rhodium, platinum rhodium, iridium, and the like. The second pipeline 649 may include a cross-sectional shape of one or more of several second pipelines 649 or alternatives to the second pipeline 649 (for example, a circle, a quadrilateral, an ellipse, etc.). The second pipeline 649 can be attached to the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503 in several ways (for example, by means of fasteners, welding, etc.). For example, the first end 651 of the second tube 649 may be attached to the first central tube 501, and the second end 653 of the second tube 649 may be attached to the second central tube 503. In some embodiments, the second pipeline 649 may extend non-linearly between the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503. The second pipe 649 may define a second inlet orifice 655 at the first end 651 of the second pipe 649 and a second outlet orifice 657 at the second end 653 of the second pipe 649. In some embodiments, the second intermediate duct 507 may receive a second amount 613 of molten material 121 from the second central outlet orifice 621 in the first central duct 501, and deliver the second amount 613 of molten material 121 to the The third central entrance orifice 659 in the second central conduit 503.

In some embodiments, the first inlet orifice 635 may be different from the second inlet orifice 655, and the first outlet orifice 637 may be different from the second outlet orifice 657. For example, in some embodiments, the first inlet orifice 635 can be spaced and separated from the second inlet orifice 655 by the difference, so that the first amount of molten material 121 can flow through the first inlet orifice. The port 635 does not flow through the second inlet orifice 655, and the second amount 613 of molten material 121 may flow through the second inlet orifice 655 without flowing through the first inlet orifice 635. In some embodiments, the first outlet orifice 637 can be spaced and separated from the second outlet orifice 657 by difference, so that the first amount of molten material 121 can flow through the first outlet orifice 637 without The molten material 121 that will flow through the second outlet orifice 657 and the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 may flow through the second outlet orifice 657 instead of the first outlet orifice 637. In some embodiments, the first central outlet orifice 619 of the first central conduit 501 may be different from the second central outlet orifice 621 of the first central conduit 501, while the second central inlet orifice 639 of the second central conduit 503 It may be different from the third central entrance aperture 659 of the second central duct 503. In some embodiments, the first inlet orifice 635 may be tangent to or touching the second inlet orifice 655 (eg, there is no wall between adjacent orifices). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the first outlet orifice 637 may be tangent to or touching the second outlet orifice 657 (eg, there is no wall between adjacent orifices).

The second central duct 503 may extend between the upstream end 661 and the downstream end 663. The upstream end 661 of the second central pipe 503 may be attached to the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507, and the downstream end 663 of the second central pipe 503 may be attached to the receiving container 303. The second central duct 503 may include a second central channel 665 extending along the second central flow direction 667 (eg, linear flow direction) of the second central duct 503. In some embodiments, the second central pipe 503 may receive a first amount 611 of molten material 121 from the first intermediate pipe 505 and a second amount 613 of molten material 121 from the second intermediate pipe 507 within the second central pipe 503 . The second central duct 503 can deliver the first amount 611 of the molten material 121 and the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 to the receiving container 303.

In some embodiments, the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 can help to mix the molten material 121. In some embodiments, the first amount 611 of molten material 121 may accumulate near the bottom of the delivery container 301 and the first central conduit 501, while the second amount 613 of molten material 121 may be above the first amount 611. It accumulates near the top of the delivery container 301 and the first central duct 501. The first central outlet orifice 619 and the first inlet orifice 635 may be located below the second central outlet orifice 621 and the second inlet orifice 655 with respect to the direction of gravity 671. For example, the first central outlet orifice 619 and the first inlet orifice 635 may be located close to the bottom of the first central duct 501, and the second central outlet orifice 621 and the second inlet orifice 655 may be located close to the first center. The top of the duct 501. Therefore, the first amount 611 of molten material 121 can be received in the first channel 625 of the first intermediate duct 505, and the second amount of 613 molten material 121 can be received in the second channel 645 of the second intermediate duct 507 .

The first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may extend non-linearly between the first central pipe 501 and the second central pipe 503. For example, in some embodiments, the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be partially helically wound with each other, so that the first intermediate pipe 505 extends upward from the first central pipe 501 to the second central pipe 503. The second intermediate duct 507 extends downward from the first central duct 501 to the second central duct 503. In some embodiments, the second outlet orifice 657 and the third central inlet orifice 659 may be located below the first outlet orifice 637 and the second central inlet orifice 639 with respect to the direction of gravity 671. For example, the second outlet orifice 657 and the third central inlet orifice 659 may be located near the bottom of the second central duct 503, and the first outlet orifice 637 and the second central inlet orifice 639 may be located near the second center. The top of the duct 503. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first end 631 of the first intermediate pipe 505 may be located below the first end 651 of the second intermediate pipe 507, and the second end 633 of the first intermediate pipe 505 may be located on the second intermediate pipe. 507 above the second end 653. In some embodiments, the first central duct 501 may extend along the first central axis 681 and the second central duct 503 may extend along the second central axis 683. In some embodiments, the first center tube 501 may extend substantially coaxially with the second center tube 503, wherein the first center axis 681 is substantially collinear with the second center axis 683. In some embodiments, the first central axis 681 and the second central axis 683 may be located in a plane that may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity 671. The first intermediate duct 505 may be located at the lower side of the plane adjacent to the first central duct 501 and may be located at the upper side of the plane adjacent to the second central duct 503. The second intermediate duct 507 may be located on the upper side of the plane adjacent to the first central pipe 501 and may be located on the lower side of the plane adjacent to the second central pipe 503. Therefore, the first amount 611 of molten material 121 can be delivered from the bottom of the first central duct 501 to the top of the second central duct 503. The second amount 613 of molten material 121 can be delivered from the top of the first central duct 501 to the bottom of the second central duct 503. Therefore, this winding arrangement of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 can reverse the flow profile of the molten material 121 and reduce the first amount 611 and the second amount 613 of the molten material that can be received in the second central pipe 503. Material 121 is mixed.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first intermediate duct 505 and the second intermediate duct 507 may be different from the cross-sectional dimensions of the first central duct 501 and the second central duct 503. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be smaller than the cross-sectional size of the first central pipe 501. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 may be smaller than the cross-sectional size of the second central pipe 503. Compared with the first center tube 501 and the second center tube 503, since the first center tube 505 and the second center tube 507 include a reduced cross-sectional size, several benefits can be realized. For example, compared to a single pipe containing a larger cross-sectional size of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507, due to the larger surface area of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507, the flow through the first intermediate pipe The heat extraction of the first quantity 611 of the molten material 121 of the duct 505 and the second quantity 613 of the molten material 121 flowing through the second intermediate duct 507 may be increased. By increasing the heat extraction of the molten material 121 of the first quantity 611 and the second quantity 613, the length of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 can be reduced compared to a single pipe including a larger cross-sectional size. In addition, since greater heat extraction can be achieved downstream of the delivery container 301 in the first intermediate duct 505 and the second intermediate duct 507, a greater power density can be applied to the molten material 121 in the delivery container 301. In some embodiments, the increased heat extraction can further reduce the first amount 611 of molten material 121 in the first intermediate pipe 505 (for example, between the center of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the wall of the first pipe 629) and The temperature gradient of the second amount 613 of the molten material 121 in the second intermediate pipe 507 (for example, between the center of the second intermediate pipe 507 and the wall of the second pipe 649). For example, in the case where the cross-sectional dimensions of the first intermediate pipe 505 and the second intermediate pipe 507 are small, from the center of the pipe (for example, the first intermediate pipe 505 or the second intermediate pipe 507) to (for example, the first intermediate pipe 507) The distance between the wall of a pipe 629 or the second pipe 649 can be reduced, allowing the temperature near the wall to change to more quickly affect the temperature of the first number 611 or the second number 613 near the center of the duct.

Referring to Figure 7, an additional embodiment of a plurality of catheters 128 is shown. In some embodiments, the plurality of conduits 128 is not limited to the first conduit 401 and the second conduit 403 extending substantially parallel to each other between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4), and the plurality of conduits 128 The duct 128 is not limited to the first central duct 501, the second central duct 503, the first intermediate duct 505, and the second intermediate duct 507 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6). In contrast, in some embodiments, the plurality of ducts 128 of the glass manufacturing equipment 100 includes a first duct 401, a second duct 403, a third duct 701, a fourth duct 703, and a first central duct 705.

In some embodiments, the first catheter 401 may be similar to the first catheter 401 shown in FIG. 4. For example, the first conduit 401 may include a first channel 405 extending along the first flow direction 407, a first pipe 413 extending between the first end 415 and the second end 417, and defining a first inlet orifice 421 and the first outlet orifice 423. The first conduit 401 may receive a first amount 409 of molten material 121 in the first channel 405. In some embodiments, the second catheter 403 may be similar (eg, substantially the same) as the second catheter 403 shown in FIG. 4. For example, the second conduit 403 may include a second channel 445 extending along the second flow direction 447, and a second pipe 453 extending between the first end 455 and the second end 457, defining a second inlet orifice 461 and the second outlet orifice 463. The second conduit 403 may receive a second amount 449 of molten material 121 in the second channel 445.

The third conduit 701 may be similar to (eg, substantially the same) as the first conduit 401 and the second conduit 403. For example, the third conduit 701 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 in a direction that may be substantially parallel to the first conduit 401 and the second conduit 403 (for example, Figs. 3 to 4 and Figs. Figure 6). The third duct 701 may include a third channel 711 and extend along a third flow direction 713 (for example, a linear flow direction) of the third duct 701. The third duct 701 can guide the third amount 715 of molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 through the third channel 711 to the first central duct 705. In some embodiments, the third conduit 701 may include a third pipe 717 extending between the first end 719 and the second end 721. The third conduit 701 may define a third inlet orifice 725 at the first end 719 of the third pipe 717 and a third outlet orifice 727 at the second end 721 of the third pipe 717. In some embodiments, the first end 719 of the third tube 717 may be attached to the delivery container 301, and the second end 721 of the third tube 717 may be attached to the first central conduit 705.

The fourth duct 703 may be similar to (eg, substantially the same) as the first duct 401, the second duct 403, and the third duct 701. For example, the fourth duct 703 may extend between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 in a direction that may be substantially parallel to the first duct 401, the second duct 403, and the third duct 701 (for example, FIG. 3 To Figure 4 and Figure 6). The fourth duct 703 may include a fourth channel 731 and extend along the fourth flow direction 733 (for example, a linear flow direction) of the fourth duct 703. The fourth duct 703 can guide the fourth quantity 735 of molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 through the fourth channel 731 to the first central duct 705. In some embodiments, the fourth duct 703 may include a fourth pipe 737 extending between the first end 739 and the second end 741. The fourth duct 703 may define a fourth inlet orifice 745 at the first end 739 of the fourth pipe 737 and a fourth outlet orifice 747 at the second end 741 of the fourth pipe 737. In some embodiments, the first end 739 of the fourth tube 737 may be attached to the delivery container 301, and the second end 741 of the fourth tube 737 may be attached to the first central conduit 705. In some embodiments, the first flow direction 407 may be a linear direction, the second flow direction 447 may be a linear direction, the third flow direction 713 may be a linear direction, and the fourth flow direction 733 may be a linear direction, for example , The first flow direction 407, the second flow direction 447, the third flow direction 713, and the fourth flow direction 733 are substantially parallel.

The first central duct 705 may be similar (eg, substantially the same) as the second central duct 503 shown in FIG. 6. For example, the first central tube 705 may extend between the first end 751 and the second end 753. The first end 751 of the first central tube 705 may be attached to the first tube 401, the second tube 403, the third tube 701, and the fourth tube 703. The second end 753 of the first central pipe 705 may be attached to the receiving container 303. In some embodiments, the first central duct 705 may include a first central passage (e.g., similar to the first central passage 605) extending along the first central flow direction 755 (e.g., linear flow direction) of the first central duct 705 And the second central channel 665). The first central pipe 705 may receive a first amount of 409 of molten material 121 from the first pipe 401, a second amount of 449 of molten material 121 from the second pipe 403, and a third amount of molten material 121 from the third pipe 701 in the first central channel. The number 715 of the molten material 121, and the fourth number 735 of the molten material 121 is received from the fourth duct 703. The first central conduit 705 can deliver a first amount of 409 of molten material 121, a second amount of 449 of molten material 121, a third amount of 715 of molten material 121, and a fourth amount of 735 of molten material 121 to the receiving container 303. For example, in some embodiments, the step of delivering the first amount 409 of molten material 121 may include the following step: receiving a first amount of 409 of molten material 121 in the first central channel of the first central conduit 705. In some embodiments, the step of delivering the second amount 449 of molten material 121 may include the following step: receiving the second amount of 449 molten material 121 in the first central channel of the first central conduit 705.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first duct 401, the second duct 403, the third duct 701, and the fourth duct 703 may be different from the cross-sectional dimensions of the first central duct 705. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first duct 401, the second duct 403, the third duct 701, and the fourth duct 703 may be smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the first central duct 705. As described with respect to FIGS. 5-6, the reduced cross-sectional size of the first tube 401, the second tube 403, the third tube 701, and the fourth tube 703 can produce several benefits, such as increased molten material 121 (eg, first quantity 409, second quantity 449, third quantity 715, and/or fourth quantity 735) heat extraction. Therefore, the increased heat extraction may allow the reduced length of the first duct 401, the second duct 403, the third duct 701, and the fourth duct 703 to flow through the first duct 401, the second duct 403, the third duct 701, And the reduced temperature gradient of the molten material of the fourth tube 703, and the greater power density applied to the upstream of the first tube 401, the second tube 403, the third tube 701, and the fourth tube 703 in the delivery container 301 .

Fig. 8 illustrates an additional embodiment of the first catheter 401 or the second catheter 403 viewed from the angle of the line segment 8 of Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a mixer 801 positioned in one or more of the first duct 401 or the second duct 403. The mixer 801 can change the melting of the first amount 409 of the molten material 121 in the first channel 405 (for example, the first conduit 401) or the second amount of 449 in the second channel 445 (for example, the second conduit 403). The flow distribution curve of one or more of the materials 121. In some embodiments, the mixer 801 may be positioned in the first channel 405 of the first duct 401 instead of being positioned in the second channel 445 of the second duct 403. In some embodiments, the mixer 801 may be positioned in the second channel 445 of the second duct 403 instead of being positioned in the first channel 405 of the first duct 401. In some embodiments, the mixer 801 may be positioned in both the first passage 405 of the first duct 401 and the second passage 445 of the second duct 403. In some embodiments, the mixer 801 may not be positioned in the first duct 401 or in the second duct 403. The mixer 801 may not be limited to be positioned in the first duct 401 and/or the second duct 403 (for example, the duct shown in FIG. 4). In contrast, additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the mixer 801 may be positioned in the first channel 625 of the first intermediate duct 505 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6), the second intermediate duct 507 The second channel 645 (for example, as shown in Figs. 5 to 6), the third channel 711 of the third tube 701 (for example, as shown in Fig. 7), and the fourth channel 731 of the fourth tube 703 (for example, Figure 7), or one or more of the central ducts 501, 503, 705 (for example, shown in Figures 5 to 7).

In some embodiments, the mixer 801 can change the flow distribution curve of the molten material 121 in the conduit (for example, the first conduit 401, the second conduit 403, etc.). For example, the mixer 801 may include a pair of spiral blades extending between the upstream end and the downstream end. One spiral blade may extend from a lower height to a higher height from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the other spiral blade may extend from a higher height to a lower height from the upstream end to the downstream end. When the molten material 121 passes through the mixer 801, the flow rate distribution curve of the molten material 121 can be changed. For example, in some embodiments, the mixer 801 can guide the molten material 121 at a higher height at the upstream end to a lower height at the downstream end and by guiding the molten material 121 at a lower height at the upstream end. The position of the molten material 121 passing through the mixer 801 is reversed to a higher height of the downstream end. Therefore, the mixer 801 can change the flow distribution curve of the molten material 121 by mixing the molten material 121 in the duct. In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing the glass ribbon 104 using the glass manufacturing equipment 100 may include the following steps: positioning the mixer 801 in one or more of the first channel 405 or the second channel 445 to change the first channel 405 or the second channel 445. The flow distribution curve of one or more of the first quantity 409 of molten material 121 in one channel 405 or the second quantity 449 of molten material 121 in the second channel 445.

In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may provide several benefits associated with conveying the molten material 121 from the delivery container 301 to the receiving container 303 through the plurality of conduits 128. For example, compared to a single tube extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303, the plurality of tubes 128 may include an increased surface area while providing an increased surface-to-volume ratio. The increased surface-to-volume ratio can increase the efficiency of heat extraction of the molten material 121 flowing through the plurality of conduits 128, thereby reducing the larger thermal gradient within the molten material 121. Therefore, the length of the plurality of ducts 128 can be shorter than that of a single duct. Due to the reduced length of the plurality of ducts 128, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can adapt to relatively small building sizes and constraints. In addition, the plurality of conduits 128 may include a smaller cross-sectional dimension (eg, diameter) than a single conduit. For example, the diameter of a single conduit extending between the delivery container 301 and the receiving container 303 is larger than the diameter of the plurality of conduits 128, wherein the larger diameter generates a larger thermal gradient in the molten material 121 flowing through the single conduit. This larger thermal gradient may reduce heat extraction efficiency and may reduce the temperature control of the molten material 121. In addition, in the case where a single conduit contains a larger diameter, the molten material 121 flowing through the single conduit may have a larger velocity at the center of the conduit, but may have a lower velocity adjacent to the sidewall of the conduit. This speed difference may become large enough to make the flow unstable. Each of the plurality of ducts 128 may include a smaller cross-sectional size, which may allow the thermal gradient of the molten material 121 flowing through each of the plurality of ducts 128 to be reduced, and to better control the plurality of ducts 128 The temperature of the molten material 121 inside. For example, compared to a larger single duct, the distance from the center of one of the plurality of ducts 128 to the side wall of one of the plurality of ducts 128 can be reduced, thereby reducing the flow through the plurality of ducts 128. The temperature gradient and speed of the molten material 121 of one are different. Therefore, the speed of the molten material 121 flowing through the plurality of conduits 128 can be better controlled, and the possibility of unstable flow can be reduced.

In addition, in some embodiments, a plurality of conduits 128 can promote the mixing of the molten material 121. For example, the molten material 121 in the delivery container 301 may not be uniform. In some embodiments, the first composition of the molten material 121 may be positioned at the bottom of the delivery container 301. In some embodiments, a different second composition of the molten material 121 may be positioned at the top of the delivery container 301. In order to homogenize these components of the molten material 121, a plurality of pipes 128 may be spirally wound with each other (for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6). This spiral winding of the plurality of conduits 128 may allow the molten material 121 in the delivery container 301 to be better mixed after being received in the receiving container 303. For example, the first composition of the molten material 121 positioned at the bottom of the delivery container 301 can be delivered to the top of the receiving container 303, and the second composition of the molten material 121 positioned at the top of the delivery container 301 can be delivered To the bottom of the receiving container 303. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of conduits 128 may include a mixer 801 to further mix the molten material 121 flowing through the plurality of conduits 128.

It should be understood that although various embodiments have been described in detail for certain illustrative and specific examples, the present disclosure should not be regarded as limited thereto, because the disclosed features are not deviated from the scope of the following patent applications Various modifications and combinations of the system are possible.

100: Glass manufacturing equipment 101: Forming equipment 102: Glass melting and delivery equipment 103: Ribbon 104: glass ribbon 105: melting vessel 107: batch materials 109: Storage Box 111: Batch delivery device 113: Motor 115: Controller 117: Arrow 119: Melting Probe 121: molten material 123: Standpipe 125: communication line 127: Clarification Vessel 128: Catheter 129: The first connecting duct 131: Mixing chamber 133: Delivery Chamber 135: The second connecting duct 137: Third connecting duct 139: Delivery Line 140: form a container 141: inlet duct 145: Root 149: Glass separator 151: Separation Path 152: central part 153: First Outer Edge 154: Stretching direction 155: second outer edge 156: direction 163: Edge Guide 164: Edge Guide 201: groove 203: Weir 204: Weir 205: outer surface 206: outer surface 207: Inclined downward convergent surface part 208: Inclined downward convergent surface part 209: Forming a Wedge 213: Stretching plane 215: The first major surface 216: second main surface 301: delivery container 302: Sidewall 303: receiving container 304: side wall 401: first catheter 403: second catheter 405: First channel 407: First Flow Direction 409: The first quantity 413: first pipeline 415: first end 417: second end 421: First Entrance Orifice 423: first exit orifice 427: First Delivery Orifice 429: first receiving port 441: gap 445: second channel 447: Second Flow Direction 449: second quantity 451: first axis 452: second axis 453: second pipeline 455: first end 457: second end 461: Second Entrance Orifice 463: second outlet port 467: Second Delivery Orifice 469: second receiving port 501: First central catheter 503: second central catheter 505: first intermediate duct 507: second intermediate duct 601: Upstream 603: Downstream 605: The first central channel 607: First Center Flow Direction 611: first quantity 613: second quantity 617: First Center Entrance Orifice 619: The first center exit orifice 621: The second center exit orifice 622: Delivery Orifice 625: first channel 627: First Flow Direction 629: first pipeline 631: first end 633: second end 635: First Entrance Orifice 637: first exit orifice 639: Second Center Entrance Orifice 645: second channel 647: Second Flow Direction 649: second pipeline 651: first end 653: second end 655: Second Entrance Orifice 657: second exit port 659: Third Center Entrance Orifice 661: Upstream 663: Downstream 665: Second Center Passage 667: The second center flow direction 671: Gravity Direction 681: first central axis 683: second central axis 701: Third Conduit 703: Fourth Conduit 705: First central catheter 711: third channel 713: Third Flow Direction 715: third quantity 717: third pipeline 719: first end 721: second end 725: Third Entrance Orifice 727: Third Exit Orifice 731: Fourth Channel 733: Fourth Flow Direction 735: fourth quantity 737: fourth pipeline 739: first end 741: second end 745: Fourth Entrance Orifice 747: Fourth Exit Orifice 751: first end 753: second end 755: First center flow direction 801: Mixer

These and other features, embodiments, and advantages can be better understood when reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a glass manufacturing equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the glass manufacturing equipment along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged part of the glass manufacturing equipment of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of conduits of the glass manufacturing equipment along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a plurality of conduits of the glass manufacturing equipment according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional representation of the helical twist of a plurality of conduits of the glass manufacturing equipment generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a plurality of conduits of the glass manufacturing equipment according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged part of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a mixer positioned in a conduit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

121: molten material

128: Catheter

401: first catheter

403: second catheter

405: First channel

407: First Flow Direction

409: The first quantity

413: first pipeline

415: first end

417: second end

421: First Entrance Orifice

423: first exit orifice

427: First Delivery Orifice

429: first receiving port

445: second channel

447: Second Flow Direction

449: second quantity

453: second pipeline

455: first end

457: second end

461: Second Entrance Orifice

463: second outlet port

467: Second Delivery Orifice

469: second receiving port

701: Third Conduit

703: Fourth Conduit

705: First central catheter

711: third channel

713: Third Flow Direction

715: third quantity

717: third pipeline

719: first end

721: second end

725: Third Entrance Orifice

727: Third Exit Orifice

731: Fourth Channel

733: Fourth Flow Direction

735: fourth quantity

737: fourth pipeline

739: first end

741: second end

745: Fourth Entrance Orifice

747: Fourth Exit Orifice

751: first end

753: second end

755: First center flow direction

Claims (20)

A glass manufacturing equipment, including: A first conduit extending between a delivery container and a receiving container, the first conduit including a first channel extending along a first flow direction of the first conduit, the first conduit being configured to connect a The first amount of molten material is guided from the delivery container through the first passage to reach the receiving container; and A second conduit extends between the delivery container and the receiving container, the second conduit includes a second channel extending along a second flow direction of the second conduit, and the second conduit is configured to connect a A second amount of the molten material is guided from the delivery container through the second channel to reach the receiving container. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe includes a first pipe extending between a first end and a second end, and the first pipe is located on the first pipe of the first pipe. A first inlet orifice is defined at one end, and a first outlet orifice is defined at the second end of the first pipeline. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, wherein the first end of the first pipe is attached to the delivery container, and the second end of the first pipe is attached to the receiving container. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first conduit is configured to receive the first amount of the molten material from a first delivery orifice in the delivery container, and the first amount of the molten material The material is delivered to a first receiving orifice in the receiving container. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, wherein the second pipe includes a second pipe extending between a first end and a second end, and the second pipe is located at the first end of the second pipe. A second inlet orifice is defined at one end, and a second outlet orifice is defined at the second end of the second pipeline. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first end of the second pipeline is attached to the delivery container, and the second end of the second pipeline is attached to the receiving container. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second conduit is configured to receive the second amount of the molten material from a second delivery orifice in the delivery container, and the second amount of the molten material The material is delivered to a second receiving orifice in the receiving container. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, wherein the first inlet orifice is different from the second inlet orifice, and the first outlet orifice is different from the second outlet orifice. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe includes a first intermediate pipe, and the second pipe includes a second intermediate pipe. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, further comprising a first central duct, the first central duct comprising a first central passage extending along a first central flow direction of the first central duct, the first The central duct extends between an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of the first central duct is attached to the delivery container, and the downstream end of the first central duct is attached to the first middle The conduit and the second intermediate conduit. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first central conduit is configured to receive the first amount of the molten material and the second amount of the molten material from the delivery container in the first central passage, And delivering the first amount of the molten material to the first intermediate duct, and delivering the second amount of the molten material to the second intermediate duct. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, further comprising a second central duct, the second central duct comprising a second central passage extending along a second central flow direction of the second central duct, the second central duct The central duct extends between an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of the second central duct is attached to the first intermediate duct and the second intermediate duct, and the downstream end of the second central duct It is attached to the receiving container. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second central pipe is configured to receive the first amount of the molten material from the first intermediate pipe and from the second intermediate pipe within the second central pipe The second amount of the molten material, and the first amount of the molten material and the second amount of the molten material are delivered to the receiving container. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a mixer positioned in one or more of the first channel or the second channel, the mixer being configured to change the A flow distribution curve of one or more of the first quantity of the molten material or the second quantity of the molten material in the second channel. A method for manufacturing a glass ribbon using a glass manufacturing equipment. The method includes the following steps: Delivering a first amount of molten material from a delivery container to a first channel of a first conduit; Delivering a second amount of the molten material from the delivery container to a second channel of a second conduit; Transferring the first amount of the molten material from the first channel to a receiving container; and The second amount of the molten material is transferred from the second channel to the receiving container. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of delivering the first amount includes the step of: guiding the first amount of the molten material through a first delivery orifice in the delivery container and into the first conduit One of the first entrance orifice. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of delivering the second amount includes the step of guiding the second amount of the molten material through a second delivery orifice in the delivery container and into the second conduit Of a second entrance orifice. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of delivering the first amount of the molten material includes the step of: receiving the first amount of the molten material in a first central channel of a first central conduit. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of delivering the second amount of the molten material comprises the step of: receiving the second amount of the molten material in the first central channel of the first central conduit. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: positioning a mixer in one or more of the first channel or the second channel to change the first quantity in the first channel A flow distribution curve of one or more of the molten material or the second quantity of the molten material in the second channel.

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