WO2022026207A1 - Appareil et procédé pour former du verre ayant un profil d'épaisseur amélioré - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour former du verre ayant un profil d'épaisseur amélioré Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022026207A1
WO2022026207A1 PCT/US2021/041920 US2021041920W WO2022026207A1 WO 2022026207 A1 WO2022026207 A1 WO 2022026207A1 US 2021041920 W US2021041920 W US 2021041920W WO 2022026207 A1 WO2022026207 A1 WO 2022026207A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
glass ribbon
glass
thermal conditioning
conditioning device
mobile thermal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2021/041920
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Allan Mark Fredholm
Original Assignee
Corning Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Corning Incorporated filed Critical Corning Incorporated
Publication of WO2022026207A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022026207A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/06—Forming glass sheets
    • C03B17/067—Forming glass sheets combined with thermal conditioning of the sheets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B13/00—Rolling molten glass, i.e. where the molten glass is shaped by rolling
    • C03B13/04—Rolling non-patterned sheets continuously
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/06—Forming glass sheets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/06—Forming glass sheets
    • C03B17/064—Forming glass sheets by the overflow downdraw fusion process; Isopipes therefor

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method to form glass and more specifically an apparatus and method to form glass with an improved thickness profile.
  • molten glass can be formed into glass sheets by flowing the molten glass from a forming device.
  • Such process typically involves imparting a pulling force onto the molten glass as it cools.
  • significant challenges may exist in producing glass sheets with acceptable characteristics, such as thickness uniformity, using a reasonable pulling force. For example, if the viscosity of a given glass composition exiting a forming device is relatively high, a relatively thin glass ribbon with relatively uniform thickness may be difficult to obtain.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein include a method of manufacturing a glass article.
  • the method includes flowing molten glass from a glass delivery device to form a glass ribbon.
  • the method also includes flowing the glass ribbon through a mobile thermal conditioning device positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to a travel path of the glass ribbon, the mobile thermal conditioning device including at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism.
  • the method includes applying a drawing force to the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device has a first maximum thickness and the glass ribbon downstream of mobile thermal conditioning device has a second maximum thickness that is less than the first maximum thickness.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article.
  • the apparatus includes a glass delivery device.
  • the apparatus also includes a mobile thermal conditioning device configured to be positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to a travel path of a glass ribbon.
  • the mobile thermal conditioning device includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism and is configured to reduce a maximum thickness of the glass ribbon subjected to an applied drawing force such that a second maximum thickness of the glass ribbon downstream of the of the mobile thermal conditioning device is less than a first maximum thickness of the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device.
  • FIG. l is a schematic view of an example fusion down draw glass making apparatus and process
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 3 is schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device and a forming roll in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device and two opposing forming rolls in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a thermal conditioning module in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a mobile thermal conditioning device and a feedback control mechanism in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • 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.
  • heating mechanism refers to a mechanism that either raises the temperature of a glass ribbon or 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • molten glass refers to a glass composition that is at or above its liquidus temperature (the temperature above which no crystalline phase can coexist in equilibrium with the glass).
  • liquidus viscosity refers to the viscosity of a glass composition at its liquidus temperature.
  • the term “mobile thermal conditioning device” refers to a device comprising at least one heating mechanism and/or at least one cooling mechanism that is movable between varying positions relative to a glass ribbon while being operable to affect heat transfer between the glass ribbon and the heating and/or cooling mechanism(s) at those positions.
  • the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can comprise a glass melting furnace 12 that can include a 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.
  • glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulation components) that reduce heat lost from a vicinity of the melting vessel.
  • glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic devices and/or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt.
  • glass melting furnace 12 may include support structures (e.g., support chassis, support member, etc.) or other components.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the glass manufacturing 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 [0028] 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream relative to glass melting furnace 12.
  • a portion of downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • platinum -rhodium alloy including from about 100% to about 60% by weight platinum and about 0% to about 40% by weight rhodium.
  • suitable metals can include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof.
  • Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) precious metal alloys are also possible.
  • 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.
  • a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel such as fining vessel 34
  • molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34 by way of first connecting conduit 32.
  • 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.
  • other conditioning vessels may be positioned downstream of melting vessel 14, for example between melting vessel 14 and fining vessel 34.
  • 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.
  • Bubbles may be removed from molten glass 28 within fining vessel 34 by various techniques.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • fining vessel 34 may be coupled to mixing vessel 36 by way of a second connecting conduit 38.
  • 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.
  • mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of fining vessel 34, mixing vessel 36 may be positioned upstream from fining vessel 34.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46.
  • molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46.
  • gravity may drive molten glass 28 through an interior pathway of third connecting conduit 46 from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus 10 that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of glass delivery device (forming body 42) relative to a travel path of glass ribbon 58.
  • glass ribbon 58 flows from forming device (forming body 42) and between first thermal conditioning module 150A and opposing second thermal conditioning module 150B of mobile thermal conditioning device 150, wherein first thermal conditioning module 150A is positioned proximate to a first side of glass ribbon 58 and second thermal conditioning module 150B is positioned proximate to a second side of the glass ribbon 58.
  • a closest distance between forming device (e.g., between bottom edge 56 of forming body 42) and mobile thermal conditioning device 150 may, for example, range from about 50 millimeters to about 5 meters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • Mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism, where one or more of such mechanisms are collectively represented as first and second thermal conditioning mechanisms 152A and 152B in FIG. 2, where first thermal conditioning mechanism 152A is associated with first thermal conditioning module 150A and second thermal conditioning mechanism 152B is associated with second thermal conditioning module 150B.
  • a drawing force is applied to glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of opposing sets of edge rolls 72A, 72B, and/or opposing sets of pulling rolls 82A, 82B.
  • FIG. 2 shows one set of opposing edge rolls and pulling rolls, embodiments disclosed herein can include more than one set of opposing edge rolls and/or more than one set of pulling rolls.
  • glass ribbon 58 upstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a first maximum thickness T1 and glass ribbon 58 downstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a second maximum thickness T2 that is less than the first maximum thickness Tl.
  • Mobile thermal conditioning device 150 as shown in FIG. 2 also includes a sliding mechanism, wherein first thermal conditioning module 150A is laterally movable along first sliding mechanism 154A (as shown by arrow Al) and second thermal conditioning module 150B is laterally moveable along second sliding mechanism 154B (as shown by arrow A2).
  • Such sliding mechanisms can enable first and second thermal conditioning modules 150A, 150B, to be laterally moveable between first and second positions, wherein the first positions are closer to the glass ribbon than the second positions.
  • First and second sliding mechanisms 154A, 154B can be activated, for example, by an internal or external power source, such as a motor (e.g., a servo motor), and/or by manual power.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus 10 that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 and a forming roll 160 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of glass delivery device (forming body 42) relative to a travel path of glass ribbon 58 and forming roll 160 is positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (forming body 42) and upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58.
  • Forming roll 160 contacts a first side of glass ribbon 58 and rotates in the direction indicated by the dashed and curved arrow.
  • forming roll 160 can be configured in accordance with forming rolls shown and described in W02009/070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Forming roll 160 can be configured so as to provide a controllable adhesion force between the forming roll 160 and the glass ribbon 58.
  • the diameter of forming roll 160 while not limited to any particular value, may, for example, range from about 50 millimeters to about 500 millimeters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • forming roll 160 may be comprised of a refractory material, which, while not limited to any particular refractory material, may comprise a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel and/or nickel and/or cobalt-based alloys) and/or a refractory ceramic material.
  • Forming roll 160 may also comprise one or more mechanisms for controlling its temperature, such as a cooling mechanism, wherein a cooling fluid flows through or around forming roll 160.
  • forming roll 160 may comprise at least one channel (not shown) configured to flow a cooling fluid therethrough.
  • the cooling fluid can comprise a liquid, such as water, or a gas, such as nitrogen or air, and/or a mixture of liquid and gas.
  • a closest distance between forming device (e.g., between bottom edge 56 of forming body 42) and forming roll 160 may, for example, range from about 10 millimeters to about 250 millimeters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • a closest distance between forming roll 160 and mobile thermal conditioning device 150 while not limited, may, for example, range from about 10 millimeters to about 5 meters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device 150 has the same configuration and components as the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 shown and described with respect to FIG. 2, including opposing first and second thermal conditioning modules 150A, 150B, first and second thermal conditioning mechanisms 152A, 152B, first and second sliding mechanisms 154A, 154B, and first and second support brackets 156A, 156B.
  • a drawing force is applied to glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of opposing sets of edge rolls 72A, 72B, and/or opposing sets of pulling rolls 82A, 82B.
  • FIG. 3 shows one set of opposing edge rolls and pulling rolls, embodiments disclosed herein can include more than one set of opposing edge rolls and/or more than one set of pulling rolls.
  • glass ribbon 58 upstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a first maximum thickness T1 and glass ribbon 58 downstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a second maximum thickness T2 that is less than the first maximum thickness Tl.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an example glass manufacturing apparatus 10 that includes a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 and two opposing forming rolls 180A, 180B, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of glass delivery device (delivery apparatus 142) relative to a travel path of glass ribbon 58 and opposing first and second forming rolls 180A, 180B are positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (delivery apparatus 142) and upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58.
  • First forming roll 180A contacts a first side of glass ribbon 58 and opposing second forming roll 180B contacts a second side of glass ribbon 58, wherein each of first and second forming rolls 180 A, 180B rotate in the directions indicated by the dashed and curved arrows.
  • opposing first and second forming rolls 180A, 180B can be configured in accordance with forming rolls shown and described in W02009/070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the diameter of forming rolls 180A, 180B may, for example, range from about 20 millimeters to about 400 millimeters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • forming rolls 180A, 180B may be comprised of a refractory material, which, while not limited to any particular refractory material, may comprise a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel and/or nickel and/or cobalt-based alloys) and/or a refractory ceramic material.
  • Forming rolls 180A, 180B may also comprise one or more mechanisms for controlling their temperatures, such as a cooling mechanism, wherein a cooling fluid flows through or around forming rolls 180A, 180B.
  • a cooling fluid flows through or around forming rolls 180A, 180B.
  • forming rolls 180A, 180B may each comprise at least one channel (not shown) configured to flow a cooling fluid therethrough.
  • the cooling fluid can comprise a liquid, such as water, or a gas, such as nitrogen or air, and/or a mixture of liquid and gas.
  • a closest distance between forming device e.g., between delivery slot 144 of delivery apparatus 142 and forming rolls 180A, 180B, while not limited to any particular value, may, for example, range from about 10 millimeters to about 250 millimeters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • delivery slot 144 may be at a lower elevation than the highest elevation of forming rolls 180A, 180B, such as up to 30 millimeters lower than the highest elevation of forming rolls 180A, 180B.
  • a closest distance between forming rolls 180A, 180B, and mobile thermal conditioning device 150 may, for example, range from about 10 millimeters to about 5 meters and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • Delivery apparatus 142 may, for example, be comprised of a refractory which, while not limited to any particular refractory material, may comprise a metallic material (e.g., platinum or an alloy thereof) and/or a refractory ceramic material.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device 150 has the same configuration and components as the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, including opposing first and second thermal conditioning modules 150A, 150B, first and second thermal conditioning mechanisms 152A, 152B, first and second sliding mechanisms 154A, 154B, and first and second support brackets 156 A, 156B.
  • a drawing force is applied to glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of opposing sets of edge rolls 72A, 72B, and/or opposing sets of pulling rolls 82A, 82B.
  • FIG. 4 shows one set of opposing edge rolls and pulling rolls, embodiments disclosed herein can include more than one set of opposing edge rolls and/or more than one set of pulling rolls.
  • glass ribbon 58 upstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a first maximum thickness T1 and glass ribbon 58 downstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a second maximum thickness T2 that is less than the first maximum thickness Tl.
  • the first maximum thickness Tl can range from about 1.5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, such as from about 2 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, and further such as from about 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters and the second maximum thickness T2 can range from about 0.3 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, such as from about 0.4 millimeters to about 1.2 millimeters, and further such as from about 0.5 millimeters to about 1 millimeter.
  • a difference between first maximum thickness T1 and second maximum thickness T2 can range from about 0.5 millimeters to about 9.5 millimeters, such as from about 0.8 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, and further such as from about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters.
  • molten glass flowing from forming device can comprise a liquidus viscosity of less than or equal to about 100 kilopoise (kP), such as a liquidus viscosity ranging from about 100 poise (P) to about 100 kilopoise (kP), and further such as a liquidus viscosity ranging from about 500 poise (P) to about 50 kilopoise (kP), and yet further such as a liquidus viscosity ranging from about 1 kilopoise (kP) to about 20 kilopoise (kP) and all ranges and subranges in between.
  • kP kilopoise
  • molten glass flowing from forming device can comprise a liquidus temperature of greater than or equal to about 900°C, such as a liquidus temperature ranging from about 900°C to about 1,450°C, and further such as a liquidus temperature ranging from about 950°C to about 1,400°C, and yet further such as a liquidus temperature ranging from about 1,000°C to about 1,350°C.
  • the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 formed from flowing molten glass from forming device rapidly increases as glass ribbon 58 flows from forming device along its travel path, particularly in the case where glass ribbon 58 contacts at least one forming roll positioned downstream of the forming device (e.g., single forming roll 160 of FIG. 3 or opposing first and second forming rolls 180A, 180B of FIG. 4).
  • the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 may be greater than or equal to about 10 5 poise, such as a viscosity at or above the softening point of the glass (i.e., a viscosity of greater than or equal to about 10 76 poise), such as a viscosity of greater than or equal to about 10 8 poise, and further such as a viscosity of greater than or equal to about 10 9 poise, including a viscosity ranging from about 10 5 poise to about 10 12 poise, and further including a viscosity ranging from about 10 76 poise to about 10 112 poise so as to develop a reversible adhesion between the forming roll(s) and the glass ribbon 58.
  • the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 can continue to increase as it flows along its travel path toward mobile thermal conditioning device 150.
  • the viscosity of glass ribbon 58 entering thermal conditioning device 150 can be greater than or equal to about 10 5 poise, such as greater than or equal to about 10 7 6 poise, and further such as greater than or equal to about 10 9 poise, and yet further such as greater than or equal to about 10 10 poise, such as from about 10 5 poise to about 10 12 poise and further such as from about 10 7 6 poise to about 10 11 poise.
  • Mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes at least one of a heating mechanism and/or a cooling mechanism so as to affect heat transfer between the glass ribbon 58 and the heating and/or cooling mechanism(s). Such heat transfer can, in turn, affect the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 flowing through mobile thermal conditioning device 150, such that the glass ribbon 58 exiting mobile thermal conditioning device 150 has a viscosity that is less than or greater than the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 entering mobile thermal conditioning device 150.
  • the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 exiting mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is less than the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 entering mobile thermal conditioning device 150. In certain exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of glass ribbon 58 exiting thermal conditioning device 150 can be less than or equal to about 10 10 poise, such as from about 10 5 poise to about 10 10 poise and further such as from about 10 76 poise to about 10 9 poise.
  • mobile thermal conditioning device can enable drawing the glass ribbon 58 with a reasonable drawing force (e.g., via edge rolls 72A, 72B, and/or pulling rolls 82A, 82B).
  • drawing force may be less than about 200 Newtons per meter (N/m), such as less than about 150 Newtons per meter (N/m), and further such as less than about 100 Newtons per meter (N/m), such as from about 10 Newtons per meter (N/m) to about 200 Newtons per meter (N/m), and further such as from about 50 Newtons per meter (N/m) to about 150 Newtons per meter (N/m).
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a thermal conditioning module 150A in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • Thermal conditioning module 150A is shown as facing a widthwise portion of a glass ribbon 58 and comprises a thermal conditioning mechanism 152A that includes thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5. While FIG. 5 shows five thermal conditioning zones, embodiments disclosed herein include thermal conditioning mechanisms that may include any number of thermal conditioning zones.
  • Thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 may each comprise one or more of a heating mechanism and/or a cooling mechanism and may each be independently controllable to enable varying amounts of heat transfer between the thermal conditioning zones and the glass ribbon 58.
  • thermal conditioning zones help enable thermal conditioning mechanism 152A and, hence, thermal conditioning module 150A to enable varying amounts of heat transfer between the thermal conditioning module 150A and the glass ribbon 58.
  • each conditioning module may be independently controllable to enable varying amounts of heat transfer between the conditioning modules and the glass ribbon 58.
  • thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 comprise a heating mechanism
  • such heating mechanism may, for example, comprise electrical resistance-based heating mechanisms (such as heating elements comprising molybdenum disilicide (MoS ) having, for example, a U-shaped configuration), combustion- based heating mechanisms (such as natural gas burners), laser-based heating mechanisms (such as scanning carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers), or induction-based heating mechanisms to name a few.
  • electrical resistance-based heating mechanisms such as heating elements comprising molybdenum disilicide (MoS ) having, for example, a U-shaped configuration
  • combustion- based heating mechanisms such as natural gas burners
  • laser-based heating mechanisms such as scanning carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers
  • induction-based heating mechanisms to name a few.
  • thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 comprise a cooling mechanism
  • such cooling mechanism may, for example, comprise convection-based cooling mechanisms (such as exposure to a flow of fluid, such as forced air) or radiation-based cooling mechanisms (such as a mechanism that provides a view factor between a relatively cold surface and the glass ribbon, wherein the cold surface may have a high emissivity and may extend between the glass ribbon and a cooling fluid) to name a few.
  • the heating and/or cooling mechanisms can be configured and controlled to vary the amount of heat transfer between the conditioning module(s) and the glass ribbon 58 as a function of time and/or space.
  • the heating and/or cooling mechanisms can be configured and controlled such that the heat transfer between each of the first and second conditioning modules 150A and 150B varies along a width of the glass ribbon 58.
  • each of thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 may be independently controlled to effectuate different amounts of heat transfer between the first conditioning module 150A and different widthwise portions of the glass ribbon 58. This can enable, among other things, improved thickness control and/or improved thickness uniformity of the glass ribbon 58.
  • Heat transfer between each of the first and second conditioning modules 150A and 150B and the glass ribbon 58 can also be adjusted or controlled by using first and second sliding mechanisms 154A and 154B to move the first and second conditioning modules 150A and 150B relatively closer to or farther from the glass ribbon 58.
  • First conditioning module 150A and, hence, mobile thermal conditioning device 150 comprises a height that extends along a direction of the travel path of the glass ribbon (shown as ⁇ ’ in FIG. 5) and a width that extends along a width of the glass ribbon (shown as ‘W’ in FIG. 5).
  • the width of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is greater than the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device. For example, as shown in FIG.
  • the width of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is at least 1.5 times, such as at least 2 times, and further such as at least 2.5 times, and yet further such as at least 3 times the height of mobile thermal conditioning device 150, including from about 1.5 to about 20 times the height of mobile thermal conditioning device, such as from about 2 to about 10 times the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device. Minimizing the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 can help minimize the travel path length of the glass ribbon 58, resulting in a lower process footprint.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 and a feedback control mechanism 300 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
  • Feedback control mechanism 300 includes a controller 200 that is configured to receive signals from one or more condition measuring devices (shown in FIG. 6 as Ml and M2, wherein Ml is upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58 and M2 is downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58).
  • controller 200 can send signals to first and second conditioning modules 150A and 150B so as to control heat transfer between first and second thermal conditioning mechanisms 152A and 152B and glass ribbon 58.
  • Such control can, for example, include control of thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 shown in FIG. 5.
  • Glass ribbon 58 conditions measured by condition measuring devices Ml and M2 can, for example, include ribbon temperature (e.g., by methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as thermocouples, infrared pyrometers, infrared scanners, thermal cameras, or laser temperature measuring techniques) and/or ribbon thickness, including thickness variation of the ribbon in the widthwise direction and/or as a function of time (e.g., by methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as laser measurement techniques or confocal optical sensors).
  • ribbon temperature e.g., by methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as thermocouples, infrared pyrometers, infrared scanners, thermal cameras, or laser temperature measuring techniques
  • ribbon thickness including thickness variation of the ribbon in the widthwise direction and/or as a function of time (e.g., by methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as laser measurement techniques or confocal optical sensors).

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil et procédé de fabrication d'un article en verre comprenant un dispositif de distribution de verre et un dispositif de conditionnement thermique mobile en aval du dispositif de distribution de verre par rapport à un trajet de déplacement d'un ruban de verre. Le dispositif de conditionnement thermique mobile comprend un mécanisme de chauffage et/ou un mécanisme de refroidissement et réduit une épaisseur maximale du ruban de verre soumis à une force de traction appliquée de telle sorte qu'une seconde épaisseur maximale du ruban de verre en aval du dispositif de conditionnement thermique mobile est inférieure à une première épaisseur maximale du ruban de verre en amont du dispositif de conditionnement thermique mobile.
PCT/US2021/041920 2020-07-29 2021-07-16 Appareil et procédé pour former du verre ayant un profil d'épaisseur amélioré WO2022026207A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202063058081P 2020-07-29 2020-07-29
US63/058,081 2020-07-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022026207A1 true WO2022026207A1 (fr) 2022-02-03

Family

ID=80038092

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2021/041920 WO2022026207A1 (fr) 2020-07-29 2021-07-16 Appareil et procédé pour former du verre ayant un profil d'épaisseur amélioré

Country Status (2)

Country Link
TW (1) TW202206381A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022026207A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090100873A1 (en) * 2005-07-21 2009-04-23 Douglas Clippinger Allan Method of making a glass sheet using controlled cooling
US20090314032A1 (en) * 2006-10-24 2009-12-24 Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd Glass ribbon producing apparatus and process for producing the same
WO2011047008A1 (fr) * 2009-10-14 2011-04-21 Corning Incorporated Procédé et appareil de commande d'épaisseur de feuille
US20110289967A1 (en) * 2010-05-26 2011-12-01 Burdette Steven R Radiation collimator for infrared heating and/or cooling of a moving glass sheet
WO2018200237A1 (fr) * 2017-04-24 2018-11-01 Corning Incorporated Appareil de fusion-étirage et procédé de fabrication d'un ruban de verre

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090100873A1 (en) * 2005-07-21 2009-04-23 Douglas Clippinger Allan Method of making a glass sheet using controlled cooling
US20090314032A1 (en) * 2006-10-24 2009-12-24 Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd Glass ribbon producing apparatus and process for producing the same
WO2011047008A1 (fr) * 2009-10-14 2011-04-21 Corning Incorporated Procédé et appareil de commande d'épaisseur de feuille
US20110289967A1 (en) * 2010-05-26 2011-12-01 Burdette Steven R Radiation collimator for infrared heating and/or cooling of a moving glass sheet
WO2018200237A1 (fr) * 2017-04-24 2018-11-01 Corning Incorporated Appareil de fusion-étirage et procédé de fabrication d'un ruban de verre

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW202206381A (zh) 2022-02-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11512015B2 (en) Method and apparatus for glass ribbon thermal control
US11427493B2 (en) Method and apparatus for managing glass ribbon cooling
WO2017223034A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé d'orientation de la distribution de verre
WO2019018670A1 (fr) Procédé et appareil de transfert de chaleur de ruban de verre réglable
WO2022026207A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé pour former du verre ayant un profil d'épaisseur amélioré
US20230286850A1 (en) Apparatus and method to improve attributes of drawn glass
WO2021262473A1 (fr) Appareil de mesure de l'état du verre
US20230278906A1 (en) Glass forming body and method of making a glass article using the same
WO2018081664A1 (fr) Contrôle de viscosité de métal liquide de verre fondu
US20230120775A1 (en) Apparatus and method for reducing defects in glass melt systems
WO2023075985A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de transport à écoulement de fluide réglable
WO2023239754A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de rainurage de verre
WO2023219798A1 (fr) Ensemble plaque d'étanchéité pour rouleau de formation de verre
WO2024091384A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de fabrication d'un article en verre
TW202408948A (zh) 用於玻璃成形輥的密封板組件
WO2023163897A1 (fr) Fours de fusion de verre et récipients à performance thermique améliorée
WO2018064034A1 (fr) Procédé et appareil de gestion thermique d'un ruban en verre
TW202413298A (zh) 玻璃切割裝置和方法
WO2024102286A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé d'amélioration de la qualité de surface d'une feuille de verre
CN118176169A (zh) 具有可调节流体流量的输送设备和方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 21849110

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 21849110

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1