Abstract:
Apparatus for conveying molten glass includes an electrical flange attached to a metallic vessel and an electrical flange support apparatus coupled to an electrode portion of the electrical flange and configured to prevent distortion of the metallic vessel and misalignment between the metallic vessel and an adjacent metallic vessel. A bracing assembly is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for shrinking bubbles on the free surface of a volume of molten glass contained within or flowing through a vessel, thereby minimizing re-entrainment of the bubbles into the volume of molten glass and reducing the occurrence of bubbles in finished glass products produced from the molten glass. Methods of identifying a source location for the bubbles is also described.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus for conditioning molten glass. The apparatus includes a connecting tube assembly having a conduit for conveying the molten glass, the conduit including at least two flanges and a sealing member disposed between the at least two flanges around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall of the conduit, the at least two flanges and the sealing member. An atmosphere within the volume may be controlled such that a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen or a predetermined partial pressure of oxygen may be maintained within the volume. A current may be established between the at least two flanges to heat the conduit.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of making molten glass. The apparatus includes a glass former having a slot orifice design to deliver a glass ribbon. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a slot extension, and external structural reinforcements. In some embodiments, the orifice opening distance of the slot extension varies along the width of the orifice. In some embodiments, the orifice has an orifice opening distance that is smaller at the center of the slot extension than at the edges of the slot extension, which limits glass flow at the center of the slot extension. Also disclosed is a method of making glass using the disclosed apparatus.
Abstract:
A molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall at least partially defining a containment area and an opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve mounted at least partially within the opening of the wall of the container. A thermocouple can be positioned within an internal bore of the protective sleeve. A method of processing molten material can include inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve fabricated from a refractory ceramic material, and measuring a temperature of material within a containment area of a container with the thermocouple.
Abstract:
A laminate fusion draw apparatus including: a core isopipe having a first core melter; a clad isopipe having a clad melter; a first core down comer between the core melter and the core isopipe; and a second clad down comer between the clad melter and the clad isopipe, the second clad down comer having an independently adjustable linear and horizontal position with respect to a fixed horizontal position of the first down comer, and the core melter and the clad melter are linearly moveable for relative movement in the same or opposite horizontal direction, as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of using the apparatus where the first core down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the first inlet tube, and the second clad down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the second inlet tube.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for producing display quality glass sheets are provided in which the batch materials for making the sheets are melted in a furnace whose glass-engaging surfaces comprise zirconia (ZrO2). By using molybdenum electrodes, instead of the conventional tin electrodes, to electrically heat the molten glass, the wear rate per unit area of the furnace's glass-engaging, zirconia-containing surfaces are reduced by more than 50%, thus reducing zirconia levels (solid+dissolved) in the finished glass by at least a similar amount. As a consequence of this reduction, rejection rates of finished glass sheets are lowered, which is of particular value in the production of glass sheets of large dimensions, as desired by display manufacturers and other users of such sheets.
Abstract:
Apparatus for conveying molten glass includes an electrical flange attached to a metallic vessel and an electrical flange support apparatus coupled to an electrode portion of the electrical flange and configured to prevent distortion of the metallic vessel and misalignment between the metallic vessel and an adjacent metallic vessel. A bracing assembly is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are modular molten glass delivery apparatuses and glass manufacturing apparatuses including the same. A module of a modular molten glass delivery apparatus includes a lower carriage comprising a plurality of lower carriage rollers. An upper rail system is supported on the lower carriage. The upper rail system includes upper support rails oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal. The module further includes an upper carriage. The upper carriage includes a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal and a plurality of upper carriage rollers engaged with the upper support rails of the upper rail system to facilitate translation of the upper carriage on the upper rail system. A support frame is coupled to the base plate and a molten glass delivery conduit assembly is supported on the base plate within the support frame.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are modular molten glass delivery apparatuses and glass manufacturing apparatuses including the same. A module of a modular molten glass delivery apparatus includes a lower carriage comprising a plurality of lower carriage rollers. An upper rail system is supported on the lower carriage. The upper rail system includes upper support rails oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal. The module further includes an upper carriage. The upper carriage includes a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal and a plurality of upper carriage rollers engaged with the upper support rails of the upper rail system to facilitate translation of the upper carriage on the upper rail system. A support frame is coupled to the base plate and a molten glass delivery conduit assembly is supported on the base plate within the support frame.