Abstract:
A glass manufacturing apparatus can include a conduit connected to a delivery vessel and an inlet of a forming vessel. The conduit includes a closed sidewall surrounding a channel extending in a flow direction of the conduit. The closed sidewall is continuous from the delivery vessel to the inlet of the forming vessel to define a closed atmosphere from the delivery vessel, through the conduit, and through the inlet of the forming vessel. The glass manufacturing apparatus can include a heating enclosure including a heating wall and a first heating element. The heating wall surrounds a chamber within which the conduit extends. The first heating element is positioned within the chamber between the heating wall and the conduit to increase a temperature within the channel. Methods for manufacturing a glass ribbon with a glass manufacturing apparatus are provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.
Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.
Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a glass sheet with reduced zircon inclusions in the glass sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises heating elements distributed vertically between the weirs of a forming wedge and the root of the forming wedge, and wherein a thermal barrier is disposed between adjacent heating elements. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.
Abstract:
A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming vessel including a first end and a second end. The first end includes a vessel surface defining a recess. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a compression block positioned within the recess and including a first surface and a contact surface that contacts the vessel surface. The compression block applies a force to the forming vessel. The first surface includes a non-planar shape. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a support apparatus including a support surface supporting the compression block. The support surface is in contact with a portion of the first surface.
Abstract:
Described herein are glass forming apparatuses with cooled muffle assemblies and methods for using the same to form glass ribbons. According to one embodiment, a muffle assembly for a fusion forming apparatus may include a muffle frame comprising a back wall, a front wall opposite the back wall, and a pair of sidewalls joining the front wall to the back wall in a closed-loop. At least one first cooling tube may extend through the back wall and the front wall across the closed-loop. At least one second cooling tube may extend through the back wall and the front wall across the closed loop such that the at least one second cooling tube is spaced apart from and parallel with the at least one first cooling tube.
Abstract:
A glass manufacturing apparatus includes an enclosure including an interior area and a vessel positioned at least partially within the interior area of the enclosure. The vessel includes a trough and a forming wedge including a pair of downwardly inclined surfaces that converge at a root of the vessel. A draw plane extends from the root of the vessel through an opening of the enclosure in a draw direction. The apparatus includes a thermal shield moveable along an adjustment direction extending perpendicular to the draw plane. The thermal shield includes a non-metallic outer shell and a thermal insulating core. Additionally, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon with the glass manufacturing apparatus are provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.
Abstract:
A method for forming a glass sheet with reduced inclusions is disclosed. The method includes flowing molten glass over converging forming surfaces of a forming body positioned within an enclosure. The forming body is heated with a plurality of heating elements separated from the forming body by an inner wall of the enclosure. The temperature T2 at the bottom of the forming body is decoupled from the temperature T1 at the top of the forming body by an insulating thermal barrier positioned between two adjacent heating elements of the plurality of heating elements such that a change in T2 does not cause a substantial change in T1.