WO2019018670A1

WO2019018670A1 - Method and apparatus for adjustable glass ribbon heat transfer

Info

Publication number: WO2019018670A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/042925
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomohiro ABURADA; Robert Delia; Alper Ozturk; Justin Shane STARKEY; Jae Hyun Yu
Original assignee: Corning Incorporated
Priority date: 2017-07-21
Filing date: 2018-07-19
Publication date: 2019-01-24
Also published as: JP2020528394A; KR20200033897A; CN111032586A; TW201908250A

Abstract

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass article includes flowing a glass ribbon through a housing having first and second side walls. The apparatus includes a modular cartridge that is removably positioned in at least one of first and second side walls and the modular cartridge includes at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component extending between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTABLE GLASS RIBBON HEAT TRANSFER

Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S.

Provisional Application Serial No. 62/535, 374 filed on July 21, 2017, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing glass articles and more particularly to methods and apparatuses that provide for adjustable glass ribbon heat transfer in the manufacture of glass articles.

Background

[0003] In the production of glass articles, such as glass sheets for display applications, including televisions and hand held devices, such as telephones and tablets, the glass articles can be produced from a ribbon of glass that continuously flows through a housing. The housing can include an upper wall section that provides physical separation between the glass ribbon and processing equipment, such as heating and cooling equipment. This upper wall section can not only act as a physical barrier to protect such equipment but can also provide a thermal effect in smoothing thermal gradients experienced by the glass ribbon. This thermal effect is believed to affect certain glass properties such as thickness uniformity and surface flatness or waviness.

[0004] However, the physical barrier between the glass ribbon and processing equipment, such as cooling equipment, can lessen the heat removal capacity of that equipment. Such heat removal becomes increasingly important at elevated glass flow rates, for glasses with low specific heat capacity and/or emissivity, glasses with high viscosity, and/or relatively cold ribbon temperatures. In addition, differences in glass flow rates, specific heat capacity, emissivity, and viscosity can require differing optimal conditions with respect to heat transfer between the glass ribbon and processing equipment, such as heating and cooling equipment. eengineering or retrofitting an existing upper wall section and associated processing equipment to account for such differences can involve significant expense and process down time. Accordingly, a need exists for an upper wall section that can adjustably account for such differences without significant expense and process down time. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments disclosed herein include an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article. The apparatus includes a housing that includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing is configured to at least partially enclose a glass ribbon having first and second opposing major surfaces extending in a lengthwise and widthwise direction. The first and second side walls are configured to extend along at least a portion of first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon in the lengthwise and widthwise directions. The apparatus also includes a modular cartridge removably positioned in at least one of first and second side walls. The modular cartridge includes at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component configured to extend between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon. A view factor between the glass ribbon and the at least one heat transfer mechanism is greater when the removable wall component is absent than when the removable wall component is present.

[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for manufacturing a glass article. The method includes flowing a glass ribbon having first and second opposing major surfaces extending in a lengthwise and widthwise direction through a housing that includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls extend along at least a portion of first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon in the lengthwise and widthwise directions. A modular cartridge is removably positioned in at least one of first and second side walls. The modular cartridge includes at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component extending between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon. A view factor between the glass ribbon and the at least one heat transfer mechanism is greater when the removable wall component is absent than when the removable wall component is present.

[0007] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the disclosed embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example fusion down draw glass-making apparatus and process;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an end cutaway schematic view of a glass ribbon forming apparatus and process including modular cartridges removably positioned in first and second side walls of the apparatus;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2 wherein a cooling mechanism has been removed from the apparatus;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 4 wherein modular cartridges are removed from the apparatus;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2 wherein removable wall components are absent;

[0015] FIG. 7 is an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 6 wherein modular cartridges are removed from the apparatus;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side cutaway schematic view of modular cartridges slidably positioned on a support frame of a glass ribbon forming apparatus; and

[0017] FIG. 9 is an end cutaway schematic view of a removable wall component slidably positioned on a modular cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0019] Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, for example by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0020] Directional terms as used herein - for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom - are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0021] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0022] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] As used herein, the term "heating mechanism" refers to a mechanism that provides reduced heat transfer from at least a portion of the glass ribbon relative to a condition where such heating mechanism is absent. The reduced heat transfer could occur through at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation. For example, the heating mechanism could provide for a reduced temperature differential between at least a portion of the glass ribbon and its environment relative to a condition where such heating mechanism is absent.

[0024] As used herein, the term "cooling mechanism" refers to a mechanism that provides increased heat transfer from at least a portion of the glass ribbon relative to a condition where such cooling mechanism is absent. The increased heat transfer could occur through at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation. For example, the cooling mechanism could provide for an increased temperature differential between at least a portion of the glass ribbon and its environment relative to a condition where such cooling mechanism is absent.

[0025] As used herein, the term "heat transfer mechanism" refers to at least one of a heating mechanism and a cooling mechanism.

[0026] As used herein, the term "view factor" refers to the proportion of the radiation which leaves a surface and strikes another surface, such as the proportion of the radiation that leaves a glass ribbon and strikes a heat transfer mechanism.

[0027] As used herein, the term "housing" refers to an enclosure in which a glass ribbon is formed, wherein as the glass ribbon travels through the housing, it generally cools from a relatively higher to relatively lower temperature. While embodiments disclosed herein have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process, wherein a glass ribbon flows down through the housing in a generally vertical direction, it is to be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, slot draw processes, up-draw processes, and press-rolling processes, wherein the glass ribbon may flow through the housing in a variety of directions, such as a generally vertical direction or a generally horizontal direction.

[0028] Shown in FIG. 1 is an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can comprise a glass melting furnace 12 that can include a melting vessel 14. In addition to melting vessel 14, glass melting furnace 12 can optionally include one or more additional components such as heating elements (e.g., combustion burners or electrodes) that heat raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In further examples, glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulation components) that reduce heat lost from a vicinity of the melting vessel. In still further examples, glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic devices and/or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt. Still further, glass melting furnace 12 may include support structures (e.g., support chassis, support member, etc.) or other components.

[0029] Glass melting vessel 14 is typically comprised of refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, for example a refractory ceramic material comprising alumina or zirconia. In some examples glass melting vessel 14 maybe constructed from refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0030] In some examples, the glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a glass substrate, for example a glass ribbon of a continuous length. In some examples, the glass melting furnace of the disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus comprising a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a down-draw apparatus such as a fusion process, an up- draw apparatus, a press-rolling apparatus, a tube drawing apparatus or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. By way of example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0031] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (e.g., fusion down-draw apparatus 10) can optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 that is positioned upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14. In some examples, a portion of, or the entire upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16, maybe incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0032] As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 can include a storage bin 18, a raw material delivery device 20 and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device. Storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw materials 24 that can be fed into melting vessel 14 of glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. Raw materials 24 typically comprise one or more glass forming metal oxides and one or more modifying agents. In some examples, raw material delivery device 20 can be powered by motor 22 such that raw material delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of raw materials 24 from the storage bin 18 to melting vessel 14. In further examples, motor 22 can power raw material delivery device 20 to introduce raw materials 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream from melting vessel 14. Raw materials 24 within melting vessel 14 can thereafter be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0033] Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream relative to glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, a portion of downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. In some instances, first connecting conduit 32 discussed below, or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30, may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. Elements of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus, including first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from a precious metal. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy including from about 70 to about 90% by weight platinum and about 10% to about 30% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals can include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof.

[0034] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel, such as fining vessel 34, located downstream from melting vessel 14 and coupled to melting vessel 14 by way of the above-referenced first connecting conduit 32. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34 by way of first connecting conduit 32. For instance, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass through an interior pathway of first connecting conduit 32 from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34. It should be understood, however, that other conditioning vessels may be positioned downstream of melting vessel 14, for example between melting vessel 14 and fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be employed between the melting vessel and the fining vessel wherein molten glass from a primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the fining vessel.

[0035] Bubbles may be removed from molten glass 28 within fining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, raw materials 24 may include multivalent compounds (i.e. fining agents) such as tin oxide that, when heated, undergo a chemical reduction reaction and release oxygen. Other suitable fining agents include without limitation arsenic, antimony, iron and cerium. Fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature greater than the melting vessel temperature, thereby heating the molten glass and the fining agent. Oxygen bubbles produced by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the fining agent(s) rise through the molten glass within the fining vessel, wherein gases in the molten glass produced in the melting furnace can diffuse or coalesce into the oxygen bubbles produced by the fining agent. The enlarged gas bubbles can then rise to a free surface of the molten glass in the fining vessel and thereafter be vented out of the fining vessel. The oxygen bubbles can further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the fining vessel.

[0036] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include another conditioning vessel such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing the molten glass. Mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream from the fining vessel 34. Mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a homogenous glass melt composition, thereby reducing cords of chemical or thermal inhomogeneity that may otherwise exist within the fined molten glass exiting the fining vessel. As shown, fining vessel 34 maybe coupled to mixing vessel 36 by way of a second connecting conduit 38. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the fining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 by way of second connecting conduit 38. For instance, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass through an interior pathway of second connecting conduit 38 from fining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36. It should be noted that while mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of fining vessel 34, mixing vessel 36 may be positioned upstream from fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, for example a mixing vessel upstream from fining vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream from fining vessel 34. These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

[0037] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include another conditioning vessel such as delivery vessel 40 that may be located downstream from mixing vessel 36. Delivery vessel 40 may condition molten glass 28 to be fed into a downstream forming device. For instance, delivery vessel 40 can act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to adjust and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 to forming body 42 by way of exit conduit 44. As shown, mixing vessel 36 maybe coupled to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46. For instance, gravity may drive molten glass 28 through an interior pathway of third connecting conduit 46 from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40.

[0038] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include forming apparatus 48 comprising the above-referenced forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50. Exit conduit 44 can be positioned to deliver molten glass 28 from delivery vessel 40 to inlet conduit 50 of forming apparatus 48. For example in examples, exit conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced apart from an inner surface of inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface of molten glass positioned between the outer surface of exit conduit 44 and the inner surface of inlet conduit 50. Forming body 42 in a fusion down draw glass-making apparatus can comprise a trough 52 positioned in an upper surface of the forming body and converging forming surfaces 54 that converge in a draw direction along a bottom edge 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to the forming body trough via delivery vessel 40, exit conduit 44 and inlet conduit 50 overflows side walls of the trough and descends along the converging forming surfaces 54 as separate flows of molten glass. The separate flows of molten glass join below and along bottom edge 56 to produce a single ribbon of glass 58 that is drawn in a draw or flow direction 60 from bottom edge 56 by applying tension to the glass ribbon, such as by gravity, edge rolls 72 and pulling rolls 82, to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and a viscosity of the glass increases. Accordingly, glass ribbon 58 goes through a visco -elastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. Glass ribbon 58 may, in some embodiments, be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separation apparatus 100 in an elastic region of the glass ribbon. A robot 64 may then transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system using gripping tool 65, whereupon the individual glass sheets may be further processed.

[0039] FIG. 2 is an end cutaway schematic view of a glass ribbon forming apparatus and process including a modular cartridge 210 that includes a heating mechanism 230 comprising an electrical resistance element 214 and insulation package 212. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, glass ribbon 58 flows lengthwise in draw or flow direction 60 below bottom edge 56 of forming body 42 and between first and second side walls 202 of a housing 200. Housing 200 can be generally separated from forming body enclosure 208 by separation members 206, wherein, with reference to draw or flow direction 60 of glass ribbon 58, housing 200 is downstream relative to forming body enclosure 208.

[0040] Modular cartridge 210 also includes a removable wall component 218 that extends between heating mechanism 230 and glass ribbon 58. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, removable wall components 218 are co-planar with first and second side walls 202, wherein the planes are generally parallel with the flow direction 60 of the glass ribbon 58.

[0041] Each removable wall component 218 may comprise a material or materials that are the same or different than the material or materials comprising first and second side walls 202. In certain exemplary embodiments, each removable wall component 218 and each of first and second side walls 202 comprise a material having relatively high thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures while maintaining high mechanical integrity such temperatures, such as temperatures above about 750°C. Exemplary materials for removable wall components 218 and first and second side walls 202 can include at least one of various grades of silicon carbide, alumina refractories, zircon-based refractories, titanium-based steel alloys, and nickel-based steel alloys. Removable wall components 218 may also be coated with a high emissivity coating, such as M700 Black coating available from Cetek.

[0042] While the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows a modular cartridge 210 comprising a heating mechanism 230 comprising an electrical resistance element 214 and insulation package 212, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include other types of heating mechanisms, such as, for example, heating mechanisms comprising inductive heating, flame heating, plasma heating, vibration heating, laser heating, and microwave heating.

[0043] Modular cartridge 210 may also extend around or comprise at least one heating mechanism, such as a heating mechanism comprising bar or rod-shaped electrically resistive heating elements that extend substantially parallel to the glass ribbon 58 in the widthwise direction and are connected to a suitable electrical supply Bar or rod-shaped heating elements may, for example, comprise silicon carbide, molybdenum disilicide, Nichrome, platinum alloys, and various commercial heater compositions known to persons of skill in the art. Commercially available resistance heated rods include silicon carbide Starbars® available from 1 Squared Element Co. and Globars™ available from Sandvik.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, modular cartridge 210 extends around a cooling mechanism 228 comprising conduits 216 with a cooling fluid flowing therethrough. The conduits 216 extend between heating mechanism 230 and glass ribbon 58. In addition, removable wall component 218 extends between conduits 216 and glass ribbon 58.

[0045] In certain exemplary embodiments, the cooling fluid flowing through conduits 216 can comprise a liquid, such as water. In certain exemplary embodiments, the cooling fluid flowing through conduits 216 can comprise a gas, such as air. And while FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 show conduits 216 with a generally circular cross section, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include those in which conduits have other cross-sectional geometries such as elliptical or polygonal. Moreover, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the diameter or cross-sectional area of each conduit 216 is approximately the same or varies along its longitudinal length, depending on the desired amount of heat transfer from the glass ribbon 58, such as when differing amounts of heat transfer are desired from the glass ribbon 58 in its widthwise direction. In addition, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the longitudinal length of each conduit 216 is the same or different and may or may not entirely extend across the glass ribbon 58 in its widthwise direction.

[0046] Exemplary materials for conduits 210 include those that possess good mechanical and oxidation properties at elevated temperatures, including various steel alloys, including stainless steel, such as 300 series stainless steel.

[0047] Embodiments disclosed herein also include those in which a high emissivity coating is deposited on at least part of an outside surface of each conduit 216 in order to affect the radiation heat transfer between the glass ribbon 58 and the conduit 216, wherein the same or different coatings may be deposited on the outside surface of each conduit 216 along its longitudinal length, depending on the desired amount of heat transfer from the glass ribbon 58. Exemplary high emissivity coatings should be stable at elevated temperatures and have good adherence to materials such as stainless steel. An exemplary high emissivity coating is M700 Black coating available from Cetek.

[0048] Each conduit 216 can include one or more fluid channels extending along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths, including embodiments in which at least one channel circumferentially surrounds at least one other channel, such as when a cooling fluid is introduced into the conduit at a first end, flows along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the conduit along a first channel and then flows back to the first end of the conduit along a second channel that either circumferentially surrounds or is circumferentially surrounded by the first channel. These and additional exemplary embodiments of conduits 216 are, for example, described in WO2006/044929A1 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] While FIG. 2 shows modular cartridge 210 extending around three conduits 216 on each side of glass ribbon 58, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein may include those in which modular cartridge 210 extends around any number of conduits and/or any other type of cooling mechanism 228. Embodiments disclosed herein also include those in which modular cartridge 210 extends around at least one heating mechanism.

[0050] In addition, while modular cartridge 210 may extend around a cooling mechanism 228, such as shown in FIG. 2, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which modular cartridge comprises at least one cooling mechanism 228. For example, modular cartridge may extend around or comprise a convective cooling mechanism, such as a vacuum cooling mechanism that includes a plurality of vacuum ports, such as described in

WO2014/193780A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] Modular cartridge 210 may also extend around or comprise a cooling mechanism 228 that comprises a plurality of cooling tubes each comprising a longitudinal axis extending substantially orthogonal to flow direction 60. Each cooling tube includes an open end that can be positioned adjacent to removable wall component 218 and can be supplied with a cooling fluid, such as air, that is exhausted from open ends of cooling tubes and impinges against a back surface of removable wall component 218. The supply of fluid to cooling tubes can be individually controlled such that a temperature distribution can be controlled or varied in the widthwise direction of glass ribbon 58. Exemplary cooling tubes include those described in U.S. patent nos. 3,682,609 and 3,723,082 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] Modular cartridge 210 may also extend around or comprise a cooling mechanism 228 that utilizes an evaporative cooling effect to for the purposes of enhancing heat transfer, such as radiation heat transfer, from the glass ribbon 58. Such cooling mechanisms can, for example, include an evaporator unit that includes a liquid reservoir configured to receive a working liquid, such as water, and a heat transfer element configured to be placed in thermal contact with the working liquid received in the liquid reservoir, wherein the heat transfer element can be configured to cool the glass ribbon 58 by receiving radiant heat from the glass ribbon 58 and transferring the heat to the working liquid received in the liquid reservoir, thereby transforming an amount of the working liquid to a vapor. These and additional exemplary embodiments of cooling mechanisms utilizing an evaporative cooling effect are, for example, described in US2016/0046518 Al , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] Other cooling mechanisms that can be used with embodiments disclosed herein include those that include a plurality of cooling coils positioned along a cooling axis extending transverse to a flow direction 60 of the glass ribbon 58, such as those, for example, described in WO2012/174353A2, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such cooling coils could be used in combination with and/or in substitution for conduits 216.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a top cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2, wherein glass ribbon 58 is shown having, in the widthwise direction, a first end 58A, a first bead region 58B, a central region 58C, a second bead region 58D, and a second end 58E. While FIG. 3 shows four modular cartridges 210 extending along opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon 58 in the widthwise direction, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein are not so limited and may include any number of modular cartridges extending in the widthwise direction.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a top cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2, wherein cooling mechanism 228 comprising conduits 216 with a cooling fluid flowing therethrough have been removed from the apparatus. For example, conduits 216 may be removed along their axial directions through one of side walls 202 wherein each of side walls 202 comprises an opening through which conduits 216 extend.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 4 wherein modular cartridges 210 are removed from the apparatus subsequent to removal of cooling mechanism 228 comprising conduits 216. In FIG. 5, modular cartridges 212, including removable wall component 218 and heating mechanism 230 comprising electrical resistance element 214 and insulation package 212 are removed from the apparatus in opposing directions, shown by arrows A and B, that are approximately perpendicular to the flow direction 60 of the glass ribbon 58 when viewed from an end of the glass ribbon forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 5.

[0057] Subsequent to removal of modular cartridges 210 from the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, such modular cartridges may be replaced with replacement cartridges. Such replacement cartridges may include modular cartridges that are the same or different as the modular cartridges being replaced. For example, replacement cartridges may include modular cartridges 210 wherein removable wall component 218 has been removed.

Replacement cartridges may also include modular cartridges comprising at least one heat transfer mechanism that effects a greater or lesser amount of heat transfer from the glass ribbon than the heat transfer mechanism in the modular cartridge that was removed from the apparatus.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 2, wherein removable wall components 218 (shown in FIGS. 2-5) are absent. When a removable wall component 218 is absent from modular cartridge 210, a view factor between glass ribbon 58 and any heat transfer mechanism that the modular cartridge 210 extends around or comprises is greater than when the removable wall component 218 is present. For example, in FIG. 6, where removable wall component 218 (shown in FIGS. 2-5) is absent, a view factor between glass ribbon 58 and heating mechanism 230 comprising electrical resistance element 214 and insulation package 212 and between glass ribbon 58 and cooling mechanism 228 comprising conduits 216 with a cooling fluid flowing therethrough is greater than when the removable wall component 218 is present.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an end cutaway schematic view of the glass ribbon forming apparatus and process of FIG. 6 wherein modular cartridges 210 are removed from the apparatus. In contrast to FIG. 5, wherein cooling mechanism 228 comprising conduits 216 have been removed from the apparatus, in FIG. 7, wherein removable wall component 218 is absent, conduits 216 remain present in the apparatus as modular cartridges 210 are removed. As with FIG. 5, modular cartridges 212, including heating mechanism 230 comprising electrical resistance element 214 and insulation package 212 are removed from the apparatus in opposing directions, shown by arrows A and B, that are approximately perpendicular to the flow direction 60 of the glass ribbon 58 when viewed from an end of the glass ribbon forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a side cutaway schematic view of modular cartridges 210 including removable wall components 218 that are removably positioned by being slidably positioned on a support frame 220 of a glass ribbon forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, support frame 220 comprises guide features 222, which enable modular cartridges 210 to be positioned at a set, predetermined location in the widthwise direction of the glass ribbon while being slidably positionable away from (such as in the direction shown by arrows A and B in FIGS. 5 and 7) or toward the ribbon along the longitudinal length of the guide features 222. Exemplary materials for support frame 220 include those possessing good mechanical and oxidation properties at elevated temperatures, such as various steel alloys.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows an end cutaway schematic view of a removable wall component 218 that is removably positioned by being slidably positioned on a modular cartridge 210, which modular cartridge 210 is, in turn, slidably positioned on a support frame 220 as described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, modular cartridge 210 comprises guide features 224 and 226, which enables removable wall component 218 to be fixedly positioned when the modular cartridge 210 is fully inserted into the apparatus (such as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2-4) and slidably removable from modular cartridge 210, when, for example, modular cartridge 210 is removed from apparatus.

[0062] In embodiments disclosed herein, modular cartridges 210 may be moved manually or by an automated system that includes, for example, at least one servo motor.

[0063] While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-7 show one modular cartridge 210 extending along first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon 58 the lengthwise direction (i.e. vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 2, 5-7), it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein are not so limited and may include any number of modular cartridges extending in the lengthwise direction. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include an apparatus comprising an MxN matrix of modular cartridges 210 that extend along at least a portion of first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon 58 the lengthwise and widthwise directions (wherein M refers to the number of modular cartridges 210 extending along the widthwise direction and N refers to the number of modular cartridges 210 extend along the lengthwise direction), wherein each of the modular cartridges 210 can be independently operated as well as independently removed and replaced. Each of such modular cartridges 210 can comprise at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component 218 configured to extend between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon, wherein a view factor between the glass ribbon and the at least one heat transfer mechanism is greater when the removable wall component 218 is absent than when the removable wall component 218 is present.

[0064] The independent operation and removal and replacement of modular cartridges 210 as well as the removability of wall component 218 can enable greater flexibility in the design and operation of glass manufacturing apparatuses, such that a virtually unlimited number of configurations utilizing various heat transfer mechanisms can be realized, wherein the configurations can be rapidly changed (for example, in response to a change in glass composition, glass flow rate, glass viscosity, glass temperature, glass emissivity, etc.) with minimal process down time. For example, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which an apparatus comprises a plurality of modular cartridges 210, wherein different modular cartridges 210 comprise or extend around different heat transfer mechanisms.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include those in which an apparatus comprises a plurality of modular cartridges 210, wherein different modular cartridges 210 comprise or extend around the same heat transfer mechanisms that are operated the same or differently (for example, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which electrical resistance elements 214 of different modular cartridges 210 are operated at the same or different power levels). Embodiments disclosed herein also include those in which an apparatus comprises a plurality of modular cartridges 210, wherein different modular cartridges 210 comprise or extend around the same or different insulation packages 212. Embodiments disclosed herein also include those in which an apparatus comprises at least one modular cartridge 210 wherein a removable wall component 218 is present while simultaneously comprising at least one modular cartridge 210 wherein a removable wall component 218 is absent.

[0065] While the above embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process, it is to be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, slot draw processes, up-draw processes, and press-rolling processes.

[0066] Such processes can be used to make glass articles, which can be used, for example, in electronic devices as well as for other applications.

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

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Claims

What is claimed is:

An apparatus for manufacturing a glass article comprising:

a housing comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, the housing configured to at least partially enclose a glass ribbon having first and second opposing major surfaces extending in a lengthwise and widthwise direction, wherein the first and second side walls are configured to extend along at least a portion of first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon in the lengthwise and widthwise directions;

a modular cartridge removably positioned in at least one of first and second side walls, the modular cartridge comprising at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component configured to extend between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon, wherein a view factor between the glass ribbon and the at least one heat transfer mechanism is greater when the removable wall component is absent than when the removable wall component is present.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer mechanism comprises a heating mechanism.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer mechanism comprises a cooling mechanism.

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the modular cartridge extends around a cooling mechanism.

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cooling mechanism is configured to extend between the heating mechanism and the glass ribbon.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a conduit with a cooling fluid flowing therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heating mechanism comprises an electrical resistance heating mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the modular cartridge is configured to be removable from the apparatus subsequent to removal of the removable wall component or removal of the cooling mechanism from the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable wall component is co-planar with the sidewall wherein the modular cartridge is removably positioned.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one modular cartridge is removably positioned in both of first and second side walls.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of modular cartridges that are independently operated.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one

modular cartridge wherein the removable wall component is present and at least one modular cartridge wherein the removable wall component is absent.

13. A method for manufacturing a glass article comprising:

flowing a glass ribbon having first and second opposing major surfaces extending in a lengthwise and widthwise direction through a housing comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls extend along at least a portion of first and second opposing major surfaces of the glass ribbon in the lengthwise and widthwise directions; and wherein:

a modular cartridge is removably positioned in at least one of first and second side walls, the modular cartridge comprising at least one heat transfer mechanism and a removable wall component extending between the at least one heat transfer mechanism and the glass ribbon, wherein a view factor between the glass ribbon and the at least one heat transfer mechanism is greater when the removable wall component is absent than when the removable wall component is present.

The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one heat transfer mechanism comprises a heating mechanism.

The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one heat transfer mechanism comprises a cooling mechanism.

The method of claim 14, wherein the modular cartridge extends around a cooling mechanism.

The method of claim 16, wherein the cooling mechanism extends between the heating mechanism and the glass ribbon.

The method of claim 17, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a conduit with a cooling fluid flowing therethrough.

The method of claim 14, wherein the heating mechanism comprises an

electrical resistance heating mechanism.

The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises removing the modular cartridge from the apparatus subsequent to removing the removable wall component or the cooling mechanism from the apparatus.

The method of claim 13, wherein the removable wall component is co-planar with the sidewall wherein the modular cartridge is removably positioned.

The method of claim 13, wherein at least one modular cartridge is removably positioned in both of first and second side walls.

The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises removing the modular cartridge from the apparatus and replacing it with a modular cartridge comprising at least one heat transfer mechanism that effects a greater or lesser amount of heat transfer from the glass ribbon than the heat transfer mechanism in the modular cartridge that was removed from the apparatus.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises independently operating a plurality of modular cartridges.

25. A glass article made by the method of claim 13.

26. An electronic device comprising the glass article of claim 25.