WO2021262473A1

WO2021262473A1 - Glass condition measurement apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021262473A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/037328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis; Juan Camilo ISAZA; Edward Lee KIMBLE III; Kevin Scott Riegel
Original assignee: Corning Incorporated
Priority date: 2020-06-25
Filing date: 2021-06-15
Publication date: 2021-12-30
Also published as: CN219546867U

Abstract

A measurement apparatus includes a measuring probe, a support structure, a cantilevered arm extending between the support structure and the measuring probe, and a support arm extending between the support structure and the cantilevered arm. The cantilevered arm is movably connected to the support arm.

Description

GLASS CONDITION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/044,280 filed on June 25, 2020, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for measuring a glass condition and more particularly to an apparatus for measuring a condition of molten glass within a glass melt system.

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, molten glass can be formed into glass sheets by flowing the molten glass through a glass melt system of a glass manufacturing apparatus. During such process, it may be desirable to measure a condition of the molten glass, such as the molten glass temperature, flowrate, viscosity, level, etc. Such measurement(s) can be taken, for example, by inserting a probe into the molten glass at one or more locations of the glass manufacturing apparatus. In such applications, it would be advantageous to continually measure a condition of the molten glass by an independently and adequately supported probe that can be moved between different locations of the glass manufacturing apparatus.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein include a measurement apparatus. The apparatus includes a measuring probe, a support structure, a cantilevered arm extending between the support structure and the measuring probe, and a support arm extending between the support structure and the cantilevered arm. The cantilevered arm is movably connected to the support arm.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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

[0007] FIG. l is a schematic view of an example fusion down draw glass making apparatus and process; and

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an example measurement apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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. [0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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 includes one or more additional components, such as heating elements (as will be described in more detail herein) 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.

[0015] 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 may be constructed from refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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, may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12

[0018] 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 batch materials 24 that can be fed into melting vessel 14 of glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. Raw batch 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 batch 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 batch materials 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream from melting vessel 14. Raw batch materials 24 within melting vessel 14 can thereafter be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0019] 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 100% to about 60% by weight platinum and about 0% to about 40% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals can include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof. Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) precious metal alloys are also possible.

[0020] 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.

[0021] Bubbles may be removed from molten glass 28 within fining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, raw batch 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.

[0022] 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 may be 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.

[0023] 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 may be 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.

[0024] 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, 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 42. Molten glass delivered to the forming body 42 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 glass ribbon 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.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an example measurement apparatus 200 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Measurement apparatus 200 includes a measuring probe 202 configured to measure a condition of molten glass (not shown) flowing within a glass manufacturing apparatus (generically indicated by dashed box) 10, such as the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 shown and described with reference to FIG. 1. [0026] For example, measuring probe 202 can measure a condition of molten glass flowing within any conduit or vessel shown and described with reference to FIG. 1, such as melting vessel 14, first connecting conduit 32, fining vessel 34, second connecting conduit 38, mixing vessel 36, third connecting conduit 46, delivery vessel 40, exit conduit 44, and/or inlet conduit 50. In addition, measuring probe 202 can be configured to measure one or more molten glass conditions, which, while not limited, may, for example, include molten glass temperature, viscosity, flowrate, and/or level (specifically, the level of the molten glass flowing within any of the aforementioned vessels or conduits of glass manufacturing apparatus 10).

[0027] Measurement apparatus 200 also includes a support structure 204, a cantilevered arm 206 extending between the support structure 204 and the measuring probe 202, and a support arm 208 extending between the support structure 204 and the cantilevered arm 206. As shown in FIG. 2, support structure 204 includes base 214 and cantilevered arm 206 is movably connected to support arm 208 at approximately the midpoint (or center of mass) of cantilevered arm 206 and end of support arm 208 via sliding mechanism 216, wherein sliding mechanism 216 allows vertical movement (i.e., movement in the Z direction) of cantilevered arm 206 relative to support arm 208.

[0028] As further shown in FIG. 2, measurement apparatus 200 also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism 210 where a first end 206A of the cantilevered arm 206 is connected to the measuring probe 202 and a second end 206B of the cantilevered arm 206 is connected to the vertical adjustment mechanism 210. The vertical adjustment mechanism 210 can vertically move the cantilevered arm 206 relative to the support arm 208 (i.e., move the cantilevered arm 206 in the Z direction relative to the support arm 208), wherein cantilevered arm 206 vertically slides relative to support arm 208 along sliding mechanism 216.

[0029] In certain exemplary embodiments, measuring probe 202 measures a level of molten glass within glass manufacturing apparatus 10, such as the level of molten glass flowing within any of the aforementioned vessels or conduits of glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In response to a change of the level of molten glass within the glass manufacturing apparatus 10, vertical adjustment mechanism 210 can vertically move the cantilevered arm 206 relative to the support arm 208 (i.e., move the cantilevered arm 206 in the Z direction relative to the support arm 208).

[0030] For example, measuring probe 202 can be calibrated to associate a measured condition such as current, voltage, or pressure with a predetermined depth of the probe within molten glass, as known by persons having ordinary skill in the art. A change of the level of molten glass within glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can, in turn, cause a change in the measured condition such that returning the measured condition to the previous setpoint necessitates changing the level of the probe, which can be accomplished by the vertical adjustment mechanism 210, which vertically moves the measuring probe 202 (i.e., in the Z direction) in conjunction with vertically moving cantilevered arm 206. The vertical movement of cantilevered arm 206 can then be correlated to the change of the level of molten glass with glass manufacturing apparatus 10, which can be measured or recorded by vertical adjustment mechanism 210.

[0031] Vertical adjustment mechanism 210 can include those known by persons having ordinary skill in the art. An exemplary vertical adjustment mechanism 210 is the 10260A Hercu-Line actuator available from Honeywell.

[0032] As additionally shown in FIG. 2, measurement apparatus 200 also includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism 212 that can move the cantilevered arm 206 (and, hence, the measuring probe 202) and the support arm 208 in biaxial horizontal directions (i.e., in the X and Y directions) relative to base 214. Specifically, horizontal adjustment mechanism 212 includes a first horizontal adjustment mechanism 212A that can move the cantilevered arm 206 and the support arm 208 in a first horizontal direction (i.e., in the X direction) and a second horizontal adjustment mechanism 212B that can move the cantilevered arm 206 and the support arm 208 in a second horizontal direction (i.e., in the Y direction). In addition, while first horizontal adjustment mechanism 212A and second horizontal adjustment mechanism 212B are shown as having a dovetail sliding mechanism (which can be activated, for example, by a motor, such as a servo motor), embodiments disclosed herein include other types of horizontal adjustment mechanisms as known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

[0033] As further shown in FIG. 2, measurement apparatus 200 also includes an atmosphere control device 218 that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of measuring probe 202. Atmosphere control device 218 can, for example, help minimize defects that otherwise may be present in an area proximate the free surface of molten glass where the measuring probe 202 is inserted within glass manufacturing apparatus 10. An exemplary atmosphere control device 218 that can be used in conjunction with embodiments disclosed herein is shown and described in U.S. patent no. 8,978,419, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable atmosphere control devices known to persons having ordinary skill in the art may also be used.

[0034] Components of measurement apparatus 200, such as support structure 204, cantilevered arm 206, and support arm 208, can comprise materials providing sufficient mechanical properties to enable support of the first end 206A of the cantilevered arm 206 while measuring probe 202 and atmosphere control device 218 are suspended from first end 206A. Such support should result in minimal vertical displacement of first end 206A of cantilevered arm 206 (i.e., displacement of first end 206A in the Z direction that can result from deformation of cantilevered arm 206 and/or support arm 208 and/or support structure 204) as such vertical displacement can result in undesirable effects, such as suboptimal operation of measuring probe 202.

[0035] In certain exemplary embodiments, support structure 204, cantilevered arm 206, and support arm 208 each comprise aluminum.

[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments, vertical displacement of first end 206A of cantilevered arm 206 is less than about 0.1 millimeter, such as less than about 0.05 millimeters, such as from about 0.01 millimeter to about 0.1 millimeter, and further such as from about 0.02 millimeters to about 0.05 millimeters. Such vertical displacement ranges can include those in which measuring probe 202 and atmosphere control device 218 are suspended from first end 206A.

[0037] Embodiments disclosed herein include those in which measurement apparatus 200 is movable relative to glass manufacturing apparatus 10. Such embodiments include those in which measurement apparatus 200 can be independently moved to proximate to various conduits or vessels of glass manufacturing apparatus 10, such that measuring probe 202 can continuously measure one or more conditions of molten glass flowing within glass manufacturing apparatus 200 in any such conduit or vessel. Such embodiments can also include those in which measurement apparatus 200 does not require any mechanical support from glass manufacturing apparatus 10 in order to meet the vertical displacement ranges of first end 206A of cantilevered arm 206, as described above.

[0038] While the above embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process and a slot draw process, it is to be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, up-draw processes, tube drawing processes, and press-rolling processes.

[0039] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to embodiment 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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A measurement apparatus comprising: a measuring probe; a support structure; a cantilevered arm extending between the support structure and the measuring probe; and a support arm extending between the support structure and the cantilevered arm; wherein the cantilevered arm is movably connected to the support arm.

2. The apparatus of the claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a vertical adjustment mechanism and a first end of the cantilevered arm is connected to the measuring probe and a second end of the cantilevered arm is connected to the vertical adjustment mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measuring probe measures a level of molten glass within a glass manufacturing apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertical adjustment mechanism can vertically move the cantilevered arm relative to the support arm in response to a change of the level of molten glass within the glass manufacturing apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is movable relative to the glass manufacturing apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a horizontal adjustment mechanism that can move the cantilevered arm and the support arm in biaxial horizontal directions.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises an atmosphere control device that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the measuring probe.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure, cantilevered arm, and support arm each comprise aluminum.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the cantilevered arm has a vertical displacement of less than about 0.1 millimeter.