# US 2014/0190213 A1 · Method and apparatus for pressure control of glass-making thickness-control zone

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- Number: US 2014/0190213 A1
- Document ID: US20140190213A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/204,161
- Filed: 2014-03-11
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2009-11-30
- Assignees: Corning Incorporated
- Applicants: Corning Incorporated
- Inventors: Paul Gregory Chalk; Ahdi El Kahlout; Shawn Rachelle Markham
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190213A1

## CPC

- C03B 17/067: {combined with thermal conditioning of the sheets}
- C03B 17/064: {by the overflow downdraw fusion process; Isopipes therefor}
- C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES

## Abstract

Managing pressure within a thickness-control-zone (muffle door) housing (20) relative to pressures in a glass-making machine enclosure (60) and an upper chamber (40)—that is disposed outside the enclosure—so as to minimize or control undesired airflows that would adversely affect thickness (9) of glass ribbon (8). According to one pressure-management technique, the pressure at a location (25) in the housing (20) is managed so as to be less than the pressure at a location (65) that is within the enclosure (60) as well as both outside and adjacent to the housing. In the event of a leak, as by a crack or unintended opening in the housing, for example, this pressure difference reduces or prevents airflow toward the ribbon and, thereby, undesired thickness variation in the ribbon. According to a second pressure-management technique, the pressure at location (25) is managed so as to be greater than the pressure in the upper chamber.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-10. (canceled)

### Claim 11

An apparatus, for making glass, comprising:
a forming body having an end from which the glass is drawn;
a housing having a front wall, the front wall facing the end of the forming body, a first pressure existing at a location that is in the housing and adjacent to the front wall;
a tube including an outlet disposed within the housing;
a fluid source coupled to the tube so as to deliver fluid through the outlet to control the temperature of the front wall; and
an enclosure surrounding the forming body and the housing, a second pressure existing at a second location that is in the enclosure as well as both outside and adjacent to the housing,
wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
a chamber disposed around a portion of the enclosure in which is disposed the housing, a third pressure existing in the chamber; and
a second tube coupled for fluid communication between the housing and the chamber.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising one of a vacuum, pump, blower, fan, or compressor, disposed in fluid communication with the second tube so as to be capable of moving fluid from the housing to the chamber.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pressure is greater than the third pressure.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
a chamber disposed around a portion of the enclosure in which is disposed the housing, a third pressure existing in the chamber; and
a second tube coupled for fluid communication between the housing and a space outside the chamber.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first pressure is greater than the third pressure.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one of a vacuum, pump, blower, fan, or compressor, disposed in fluid communication with the second tube so as to be capable of moving fluid from the housing to the space outside the chamber.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising one of a vacuum, pump, blower, fan, or compressor, disposed in fluid communication with the housing so as to be capable of removing fluid from the housing.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a chamber disposed around a portion of the enclosure in which is disposed the housing, a third pressure existing in the chamber, wherein the first pressure is greater than the third pressure.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a chamber disposed around a portion of the enclosure in which is disposed the housing, a third pressure existing in the chamber, wherein the first pressure is greater than the third pressure.