Overflow downdraw glass forming method and apparatus
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorRichard B. Pitbladdo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.
Claims14
An improved apparatus for forming sheet glass, wherein the apparatus includes an inflow pipe for delivering molten glass, a trough for receiving molten glass that has sides attached to a wedged shaped sheet forming structure that has downwardly sloping sides converging at the bottom of the wedge such that a glass sheet is formed when molten glass flows over the sides of the trough, down the downwardly sloping sides of the wedged shaped sheet forming structure and meets at the bottom of wedge, and wherein the improvement comprises:
- a downcomer pipe connected to an end of the inflow pipe opposite the trough, wherein a bottom end of the downcomer pipe is located at or below a glass free surface in the inflow pipe and the downcomer pipe and the inflow pipe have a size and shape;
- and
- at least one heater added to apply heat to the molten glass in an area of the free surface to maintain a glass temperature at the free surface above a glass liquidus temperature.
An improved apparatus for forming sheet glass, wherein the apparatus includes an inflow pipe for delivering molten glass, a trough for receiving molten glass that has sides attached to a wedged shaped sheet forming structure that has downwardly sloping sides converging at the bottom of the wedge such that a glass sheet is formed when molten glass flows over the sides of the trough, down the downwardly sloping sides of the wedged shaped sheet forming structure and meets at the bottom of wedge, and wherein the improvement comprises:
- a downcomer pipe connected to an end of the inflow pipe opposite the trough, wherein a bottom end of the downcomer pipe is located above a glass free surface in the inflow pipe and the downcomer pipe and the inflow pipe have a size and shape;
- and
- at least one heater added to apply heat to the molten glass in an area of the free surface to maintain a glass temperature at the free surface above a glass liquidus temperature.
An improved apparatus for forming sheet glass, wherein the apparatus includes an inflow pipe for delivering molten glass, a trough for receiving molten glass that has sides attached to a wedged shaped sheet forming structure that has downwardly sloping sides converging at the bottom of the wedge such that a glass sheet is formed when molten glass flows over the sides of the trough, down the downwardly sloping sides of the wedged shaped sheet forming structure and meets at the bottom of wedge, and wherein the improvement comprises:
- a downcomer pipe connected to an end of the inflow pipe opposite the trough, wherein a conical section is incorporated in the inflow pipe at a vertical location of a glass free surface at a juncture of the downcomer pipe and inflow pipe.
An improved apparatus for forming sheet glass, wherein the apparatus includes a trough for receiving molten glass that has sides attached to a wedged shaped sheet forming structure that has downwardly sloping sides converging at the bottom of the wedge such that a glass sheet is formed when molten glass flows over the sides of the trough, down the downwardly sloping sides of the edged shaped sheet forming structure and meets at the bottom of the wedge, and wherein the improvement comprises:
- a) at least one inflow measurement device that measures a mass flow of air into a muffle door chamber;
- b) at least one outflow measurement device that measures a mass flow of air out of the muffle door chamber;
- and
- c) at least one vent opening in a top of the muffle door chamber that allows air flow between the muffle door chamber and a chamber containing the sheet forming structure;
- wherein the outflow measurement device regulates cooling air flowing out of the muffle door chamber equal to a measured value that flows into the muffle door chamber minus a quantity of forced convection air mass flow desired for cooling the glass flowing off a bottom of the wedged shaped sheet forming structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.