Apparatus and method for conditioning molten glass
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsGilbert De Angelis, Pierre Laronze
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 (108) including at least two flanges (112, 114) and a sealing member (118) disposed between the at least two flanges (112, 114) around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall (110) of the conduit, the at least two flanges (112, 114) and the sealing member (118). 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.
Claims18
An apparatus for conditioning molten glass comprising:
- a conduit extending through a wall of a refractory vessel;
- a first flange joined to the conduit;
- a second flange joined to the conduit and spaced apart from the first flange such that the first flange is positioned between the second flange and the vessel;
- a sealing member sealed to the first and second flanges around outer edge regions thereof to form an enclosed volume;
- and
- a first refractory insulating material positioned within the enclosed volume,
- the apparatus further comprising a gas delivery tube extending through the sealing member, the gas delivery tube configured to supply a gas to the enclosed volume.
An apparatus for conditioning molten glass comprising:
- a refractory vessel;
- a conduit extending through a wall of the refractory vessel, the conduit comprising an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall joined to the outer wall at a first end of the outer wall and spaced apart from the outer wall at an opposite end of the outer wall;
- a first flange coupled to the outer wall of the conduit and positioned adjacent the refractory vessel;
- a second flange coupled to the outer wall of the conduit and spaced apart from the first flange, the first flange positioned between the second flange and the vessel;
- a first refractory insulating material positioned between the first flange and the second flange;
- a third flange coupled to the inner wall of the conduit and spaced apart from the second flange, the second flange positioned between the first flange and the third flange;
- a second refractory insulating material positioned between the second flange and the third flange;
- and
- a sealing member disposed between the second flange and the third flange, thereby forming an enclosed volume,
- the apparatus further comprising a gas supply tube extending through the sealing member and configured to supply a gas to the enclosed volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.