TWI441785B - Float bath for manufacturing glass, float glass forming method utilizing the same and method for installing barriers to the float bath - Google Patents

Description

Method for making glass floating bath, method for forming float glass using the same, and method for providing barrier in floating bath

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0036528, filed on Apr. 20, 2010, to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a float bath for making glass, a method for forming float glass using the float bath, and a method for providing a barrier in a float bath. More particularly, the present invention relates to a float bath for making glass having a preferred barrier mounting structure for controlling the flow of molten metal contained in a float bath, and the present invention also relates to a method of forming float glass using the float bath And a method of providing a barrier in the float bath.

In general, a device for producing float glass (also known as sheet glass, flat glass or plate glass) using a float glass production method is used for producing a float having a predetermined size (width, thickness or the like). Glass, which continuously supplies molten glass to a flowing molten metal (such as molten tin or tin alloy) stored in a float bath, at which time the molten glass floats on the molten metal to form a molten glass having a fixed thickness. The ribbon is pulled and the glass ribbon is pulled towards the annealing furnace near the exit of the float bath.

Here, the molten metal is exemplified by tin or a tin alloy having a specific gravity larger than that of the molten glass. The molten metal is housed in a float chamber, and a reducing atmosphere of hydrogen (H ₂ ) and/or nitrogen (N ₂ ) will be introduced therein. The float bath in the float chamber contains molten metal therein. The float bath is a horizontally extending structure and includes a high heat resistant material such as bottom blocks. When the molten glass moves from the upstream end to the downstream end of the float bath, it forms a molten glass ribbon. The molten glass ribbon is taken out at the downstream end of the float bath, which is referred to as a take-off point, which is removed from the molten metal and transferred to the annealing furnace of the next step. In addition, the inlet and outlet of the float chamber should have a specific temperature gradient, and the molten metal in contact with the molten glass and the upper portion of the float chamber should also have a temperature gradient.

However, since the tin which is often used as a molten metal rapidly conducts heat and is in a liquid state, the temperature gradient of the floating chamber is easily destroyed by the heat convection phenomenon at the equilibrium temperature. Therefore, the float bath should have a sufficient length. Similarly, the air above the molten metal has a predetermined equilibrium temperature difference due to the convection phenomenon, so the float bath must be constructed to have a structure of sufficient length. Further, a forming member (such as a so-called 'top-roll') is disposed in a predetermined region of the float bath to stretch the width of the glass ribbon to adjust the thickness of the float glass. Therefore, the area where the pull is provided is heated by the heating element. Accordingly, it is also necessary to increase the length of the float bath.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional float bath, and FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a conventional float bath of FIG.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the conventional floating bath 1 has a barrier element 3 which is mounted in the width direction of the bottom block 2. The barrier element 3 is used to reduce or limit the mixing of the molten metal M in the high temperature zone and the low temperature zone in the float bath 1 to maintain a predetermined temperature difference (temperature gradient) between the two zones. In other words, the barrier member 3 serves to maintain the molten metal M at a high temperature forming region upstream of the float bath 1. The barrier member 3 is generally made of a carbon material or the like. Further, the barrier member 3 is embedded in a dovetail slot formed in the bottom pad 2. A mounting groove 6 is provided in the bottom block 2 adjacent to the side block 5 of the float bath 1 so that the barrier member 3 can be embedded therein.

However, since the upper portion of the mounting groove 6 is opened when the float glass 1 is formed into the float glass G, the molten metal M is collected in the mounting groove 6. Further, the molten metal M may float in a region above the mounting groove 6. Therefore, the barrier element 3 of the conventional floating bath 1 cannot block the flow of the molten metal M in the width direction of at least one end of the float bath 1. In addition, since the molten metal M collected in the mounting groove 6 may flow in a rotating manner, the barrier member 3 is restricted in controlling the flow of the molten metal M.

At the same time, some conventional examples have been provided with a barrier in the width direction of the entire length of the bottom block. However, for this purpose, the side spacers are to be installed after the barrier is placed over the entire length of the bottom spacer. In this case, when the barrier must be repaired or replaced, the side spacers must first be removed from the bottom spacer, which is very difficult and not economical.

The present invention is to solve the conventional technical problems. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a floating bath for making glass, which can stably and easily set the barrier element in the width direction of the entire length of the floating bath, thereby ensuring easy Repair and replace the barrier element without removing the side block from the bottom block. The present invention also provides a method of making a float glass using the float bath, and a method of providing a barrier in the float bath.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a float bath for making glass, comprising: a groove formed in a bottom block of a float bath, and a molten metal will be filled in the float bath; a barrier element, It can be embedded in the groove; a receiving portion formed on at least one side of the pad in contact with the bottom pad, the weir is in communication with the groove; and a placing component disposed in the cavity In the portion, the crucible is connected to one end of the blocking member.

Preferably, the placement component comprises: a barrier portion that is in contact with at least one end of the barrier element to provide a barrier to the width direction over the entire length of the float bath; and a side portion that is perpendicular to the barrier portion Protruding to form a plane substantially the same as the side spacers.

Preferably, the floating bath further includes a fixing member for fixing the placing member to the receiving portion.

Preferably, the fixing member comprises: a fixing protrusion which can be embedded in the fixing groove formed in the placing component; and a fixing body extending from the fixing protrusion and disposed on the side pad.

Preferably, the groove is dovetail-shaped, and the barrier has a dovetail-shaped embedded portion that can be embedded in the dovetail-shaped groove.

Preferably, the barrier element has a plurality of barriers that are in continuous contact with each other and have a predetermined length.

Preferably, the barrier element is formed from the same material as the bottom spacer.

Preferably, the barrier element comprises a refractory brick.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing a barrier in a floating bath, the floating bath including a bottom block having a groove in a width direction and a side spacer having a receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion is The trenches are connected, and the method comprises the steps of: (a) continuously embedding a plurality of barriers in the trenches via the receiving portion; (b) placing a placing component on the receiving portion to enable the placing The element is in contact with the outermost barrier closest to the side spacer; and (c) the mounting element is secured.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming a float glass comprising: continuously supplying molten glass to one side of a molten metal from one end of a float bath; forming a glass on the molten metal into a glass ribbon; The other end of the bath is continuously pulled out of the glass ribbon.

The method for producing a glass float bath, the method for forming a float glass using the float bath, and the method for providing a barrier block in the float bath have the following effects.

First, since it is convenient to arrange the barrier member on the entire bottom surface of the float bath, the temperature gradient required for the float bath can be more stably maintained.

Second, the barrier can be easily separated through the receptacle formed in the side spacers without removing the side spacers from the bottom spacer.

Other objects and aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the appended claims.

It should be understood that the terms used in this specification and the accompanying claims are not to be construed as limited to the general and lexical meaning, but based on the principle that the inventors can appropriately define the terms, based on the technology corresponding to the present invention. The best explanation of the point of view. Therefore, the description herein is for the purpose of illustration and description, and the claims

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a side cross-sectional view of a float bath according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the float bath of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a barrier embedded in a bottom block in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view showing the state in which the float bath is joined.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the embodiment of the float bath 100 for making glass includes a trench 112 formed in the bottom spacer 110 of the float bath 100; a blocking member 120 that can be embedded in the trench 112. The accommodating portion 132 is formed in the side pad 130 in contact with the bottom pad 110, so that the accommodating portion 132 communicates with the groove 112; and a placing component 140 is disposed in the accommodating portion 132. And can be connected to one end of at least one barrier element 120.

The float bath 100 of the present embodiment is for preparing glass via a so-called float process, and the upper portion of the float bath 100 is substantially sealed by a top cover (not shown) having a resistive heating element (not shown). .

Molten metal M (such as molten tin or molten tin alloy) is stored in the float bath 100. The molten glass G flows into the float bath 100, and its flow rate is controlled by a gate (not shown) upstream of the float bath 100. When the molten glass G is moved from the upstream of the float bath 100 to the downstream, the molten metal M flows along with the molten glass G. During this process, the molten metal M flows from the upstream of the float bath 100 to the downstream, which is maintained at a relatively high temperature due to the temperature gradient of the float bath 100, and the molten metal flows from the center of the float bath 100. To both sides. When the molten glass G is moved from the upstream to the downstream, it is formed into a thin strip having a predetermined thickness and width, and is pulled by a lift-out rollers (not shown) provided at the outlet of the floating chamber. Out, leaving the surface of the molten metal M at the point of removal. Further, after the rolls are lifted, the float glass G is moved toward the annealing furnace (not shown) of the subsequent step.

The internal atmosphere of the floating chamber is composed of a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, and maintains the pressure of the gas mixture slightly above ambient pressure. The temperature of the molten metal M and the ribbon-shaped molten glass G is maintained at about 600 to 1300 ° C by the resistance heating element. The molten glass G is non-alkaline glass, soda-lime glass or the like. The principle and structure of the flow of molten metal (M) in the float bath 100, and the input, banding, movement and discharge of the molten glass G are conventional techniques of the float glass production process, and will not be described herein.

The bottom block 110 of the float bath 100 is constructed by arranging a plurality of refractory-containing blocks B (see FIG. 5), such as refractory bricks. The bottom block 110 is surrounded by a steel casing (not shown) for protection. The spacing between the blocks B of the bottom block 110 of the float bath 100 is preferably determined by considering the height of the block itself. In addition, each mass B must have corrosion resistance to molten metal M, alkali resistance to K ₂ O or Na ₂ O in glass G, and must be resistant to temperature changes caused by exchange or replacement of glass products. Fragmentation. Moreover, the side spacers 130 that are in contact with the bottom pad 110 are disposed on both sides of the floating bath 100.

The groove 112 formed in the bottom block 110 is exemplarily disposed near the shoulder, and is narrowed by a high temperature wide portion (not shown) upstream of the floating bath 100 to a low temperature narrow portion (not shown) at the downstream. The trench 112 preferably has a dovetail shape. The groove 112 is formed in the width direction of the entire length of the float bath 100.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the groove 112 has a dovetail-shaped first portion 114 into which the barrier member 120 can be embedded, and for the barrier member 120 to be embedded from at least one side of the bottom block toward the center. The second portion 116 is placed. The first portion 114 of the trench 112 has a dovetail shape as described above. However, the width of the second portion 116 is greater than the width of the embedded portion 122 of each barrier 120 and is at least greater than the length of each barrier, as described above, to provide space for the embedded barrier element 120. In addition, the second portion 116 of the trench 112 is preferably formed on both sides of the floating bath 100. Here, the barrier element 120 can be embedded in the center by both sides of the floating bath to facilitate the installation of the barrier element 120. In addition, it is also easier to consider the length of the float bath 100 and set the appropriate number of barriers 121.

The barrier element 120 is for reducing and/or limiting the mixing of the molten metal M between the wide portion and the narrow portion of the float bath 100, and the barrier member 120 is for maintaining the molten metal M at a region formed at a high temperature upstream. The barrier element 120 of this embodiment does not move and is secured to the bottom block 110. When the barrier member 120 is immersed in the molten metal M (stored on the bottom spacer 110), the barrier member 120 is very close to the molten glass G, but is fixed at a position that does not come into contact with the lower surface of the molten glass G. Accordingly, the size (especially height) of the barrier element 120 can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

The barrier element 120 includes a plurality of barriers 121 that are in continuous contact with each other and have a predetermined length. Each barrier 121 is made of the same material as the bottom spacer, such as a refractory brick. As described above, the barrier 121 includes a dovetail-shaped embedded portion 122 that can be embedded in the groove 112, and a barrier body 124 that protrudes from the embedded portion 122. The present invention uses a refractory material in place of the carbon material conventionally used for the barrier member 120 to prevent the oxygen contained in the float bath 100 or the like from causing oxidation of the barrier member 120 to form a small flaw.

The side pad 130 includes a receiving portion 130 that is in contact with the bottom pad 110 of the float bath 100. The accommodating portion 132 forms a recessed region on the inner side of the side spacer 130 to have substantially the same width as the second portion 116 of the trench 112.

The placement member 140 is embedded in the receiving portion 132 of the side spacer 130 and the second portion 116 of the groove 223, and the at least one end of the blocking member 120 is extended to the side spacer 130, so the placing member 140 is The role of extending the length of the barrier element 120 to the overall length of the float bath 100 is played. In other words, the placement member 140 is in contact with at least one end of the barrier member 120, and functions to block the molten metal M over the entire width of the float bath 100 on both sides of the float bath 100. To this end, the placement component 140 includes a barrier portion 142 at the second portion 116 of the trench 112 and a side portion 144 that protrudes perpendicular to the barrier portion 142 and is located at the accommodating portion 132 to form substantially the same as the side spacer 130. flat. Therefore, the placement member 140 has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape. Further, the horizontal portion of the placement member 140 is the blocking portion 142, and the vertical portion thereof is the side portion 144. The placement element 140 is formed from the same material as the side spacers 130.

In another embodiment, the groove 112 formed in the bottom block 110 of the floating bath 100 may have only the first portion 114 and not the second portion, and the side spacer 130 receiving portion 132 of the former embodiment may be As the second part. Here, it is understood by those skilled in the art that a sufficient length of the receiving portion 132 can be formed in the width direction of the side spacers 130 so that each of the barriers 121 can be embedded therein.

The float bath 100 of the present embodiment further includes a fixing member 150 for fixing the placing member 140 to the receiving portion 132. The fixing member 150 may be T-shaped as an example, and the T-shaped fixing member 150 includes a fixing convex portion 152 that can be embedded in the fixing groove 145 (formed on the upper surface of the side portion 144 of the placing member 140), and the self-fixing convex portion. The fixing body 154 extends and is disposed on the side pad 130. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that in addition to the T-shape, the fastener 150 can be other types of engaging elements, such as hooks and bolts.

In another embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the barrier element 120 can be applied to various types of barrier systems that are fixed to the length of the float bath 100.

The invention has been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention,

1,100. . . Floating bath

2,110. . . Bottom block

3,120. . . Barrier element

4,112. . . Trench

5,130. . . Side pad

6. . . Mounting groove

114. . . First

116. . . Second part

121. . . Barrier

122. . . Embedded part

124. . . Barrier body

132. . . Housing

140. . . Placing components

142. . . Barrier

144. . . Side

145. . . Fixed slot

150. . . Fastener

152. . . Fixed projection

154. . . Fixed body

G. . . Molten glass

M. . . Molten metal

B. . . Lumps

Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional float bath.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a conventional floating bath of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a float bath in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the float bath of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing the insertion of a barrier into a bottom block in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the state in which the float bath is joined.

100. . . Floating bath

110. . . Bottom block

112. . . Trench

116. . . Second part

120. . . Barrier element

121. . . Barrier

130. . . Side pad

132. . . Housing

140. . . Placing components

142. . . Barrier

144. . . Side

145. . . Fixed slot

150. . . Fastener

152. . . Fixed projection

154. . . Fixed body

Claims (10)

A float bath for making glass, comprising: a groove formed in a bottom block of one of the width directions of the float bath; a barrier element embedded in the groove; a receiving portion, Forming a recessed area on the inner side of the at least one side pad combined with the bottom pad, the 俾 is spatially connected to the groove; and a placing component disposed in the accommodating portion, One end of the barrier element is connected in the width direction. The floating bath for making glass according to claim 1, wherein the placing component comprises: a blocking portion that is in contact with at least one end of the blocking member, and provides a width direction blocking on the entire length of the floating bath And a side portion that protrudes perpendicular to the blocking portion to form a plane substantially the same as the side spacer. The float bath for making glass according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixing member for fixing the placing component to the receiving portion. The float bath for making glass according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member comprises: a fixing protrusion which can be embedded in a fixing groove formed in the placing component; and a fixing body Extending from the fixing protrusion and disposed on the side pad. The float bath for making glass according to claim 1, wherein the groove is dovetail-shaped, and the barrier has a dovetail-shaped embedded portion that can be embedded in the dovetail-shaped groove. The float bath for making glass according to claim 5, wherein the barrier element has a plurality of barriers that are in continuous contact with each other and have a predetermined length. The float bath for making glass according to claim 1, wherein the barrier element is formed of the same material as the bottom spacer. The blasting bath for making glass according to claim 7, wherein the barrier element comprises a refractory brick. A method for providing a barrier in a floating bath, the floating bath including a bottom block having a groove in a width direction and a side spacer having a receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion forms a recessed portion on the inner side thereof Spatially connected to the trench, and the method comprises: (a) continuously embedding a plurality of barriers in the trench; (b) disposing a placement component in the receiving portion, and causing the placement component to The outermost barrier contact closest to the side spacer; and (c) securing the placement component. A method of forming a float glass, comprising: continuously supplying a molten glass to a molten metal at one end of the float bath according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The glass is formed as a glass ribbon; and the glass ribbon is continuously drawn from the other end of the float bath.