TW202206381A - Apparatus and method to form glass with improved thickness profile - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a glass article includes a glass delivery device and a mobile thermal conditioning device downstream of the glass delivery device relative to a travel path of a glass ribbon. The mobile thermal conditioning device includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism and reduces a maximum thickness of the glass ribbon subjected to an applied drawing force such that a second maximum thickness of the glass ribbon downstream of the of the mobile thermal conditioning device is less than a first maximum thickness of the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device.

Description

Apparatus and method for forming glass with improved thickness profile

This application claims the benefit of priority under the patent law of US Provisional Application Serial No. 63/058,081, filed on July 29, 2020, upon which this application relies and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. into this article.

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods of forming glass, and more specifically to apparatuses and methods of forming glass with improved thickness profiles.

In the production of glass articles such as glass sheets for display applications including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablet computers, molten glass may be formed into glass sheets by flowing molten glass from a forming apparatus. Such processes typically involve imparting a tensile force to the molten glass as it cools. Depending on the glass composition and desired thickness of the glass, significant challenges can exist in producing glass sheets with acceptable properties such as thickness uniformity using reasonable draw forces. For example, if the viscosity of a given glass composition present in the forming apparatus is relatively high, it may be difficult to obtain relatively thin glass ribbons of relatively uniform thickness. In view of the trend towards thinner and thinner glasses, it would be desirable to produce relatively thin glass sheets of relatively uniform thickness from a variety of different glass compositions, particularly those initially formed at relatively high viscosities.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a method of making a glass article. The method includes flowing molten glass from a glass delivery device to form a glass ribbon. The method also includes flowing the glass ribbon through a mobile thermal conditioning device positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon, the mobile thermal conditioning device including at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism. Additionally, the method also includes applying a pulling force to the glass ribbon. The glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device has a first maximum thickness, and the glass ribbon downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device has a second maximum thickness that is less than the first maximum thickness.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article. The apparatus includes a glass delivery device. The apparatus also includes a mobile thermal conditioning device configured to be positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon. The mobile thermal conditioning device includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism and is configured to reduce the maximum thickness of the glass ribbon subjected to the applied pulling force such that the second maximum thickness of the glass ribbon located downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device is less than the maximum thickness of the glass ribbon located downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device The first maximum thickness of the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are set forth in the following detailed description and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or by practicing the disclosed embodiments as described herein (including the following detailed description, claims and drawings) will be partially apparent.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value and/or to "about" another particular value. When expressing this range, another embodiment includes from one particular value and/or to another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations (eg, by use of the antecedent "about"), it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that an endpoint of each of the ranges is significant with respect to and independent of the other endpoints.

Directional terms as used herein—eg, top, bottom, right, left, front, back, top, bottom are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply an absolute orientation.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring the steps of the method to be performed in a particular order, nor is it intended to require any device-specific orientation. Thus, where a method claim does not actually recite the order in which the steps of the method are to be followed, or any device claim does not actually recite the order or orientation of individual components, or otherwise does not in the claim or description Where steps are explicitly stated to be limited to a particular order, or to the extent that a particular order or orientation of components of a device is not recited, no order or orientation is intended in any way. This applies to any possible non-expressive basis for interpretation, including: logical terms, flow of operations, component order, or component orientation relative to step configuration; ordinary meaning derived from grammatical organization or notation; and descriptions described in the specification The number or type of embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms "a (a/an)", and "the/the (the)" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" includes aspects having two or more of such elements, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "heating mechanism" refers to a mechanism that increases the temperature of the glass ribbon or provides reduced heat transfer from at least a portion of the glass ribbon relative to conditions in which such heating mechanisms are absent. Reduced heat transfer can occur through at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation. For example, the heating mechanism may provide a reduced temperature difference between at least a portion of the glass ribbon and its environment relative to conditions in which such heating mechanism is absent.

As used herein, the term "cooling mechanism" refers to a mechanism that provides increased heat transfer from at least a portion of the glass ribbon relative to the absence of such cooling mechanism. Increased heat transfer can occur through at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation. For example, the cooling mechanism may provide an increased temperature difference between at least a portion of the glass ribbon and its environment relative to conditions in which such cooling mechanism is absent.

As used herein, the term "molten glass" refers to a glass composition at or above the liquidus temperature (up to the temperature at which the amorphous phase can coexist in equilibrium with the glass).

As used herein, the term "liquidus viscosity" refers to the viscosity of a glass composition at its liquidus temperature.

As used herein, the term "mobile thermal conditioning device" refers to a device that includes at least one heating mechanism and/or at least one cooling mechanism capable of varying positions relative to the glass ribbon move while being operable to effect heat transfer between the glass ribbon and one or more heating and/or cooling mechanisms at those locations.

Shown in FIG. 1 is an exemplary glass manufacturing facility 10 . In some examples, glass manufacturing facility 10 may include glass melting furnace 12 , which may include melting vessel 14 . In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 includes one or more additional components, such as heating elements (as will be described in greater detail herein) that heat and convert the raw material into molten glass. In other examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (eg, insulating components) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting furnace. In still other examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and/or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of raw materials into a glass melt. Still further, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (eg, a support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

The glass melting vessel 14 typically contains a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, eg, a refractory ceramic material including alumina or zirconia. In some examples, the glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic tiles. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in greater detail below.

In some examples, glass melting furnaces may be incorporated as part of glass manufacturing equipment to manufacture glass substrates, eg, continuous lengths of glass ribbon. In some examples, the glass melting furnaces of the present disclosure may be incorporated as components of glass manufacturing equipment, including slot draw equipment, floating pond equipment, down draw equipment such as fusion processes, up draw equipment, calendering equipment, tubes The drawing apparatus may be a component of any other glass making apparatus that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. By way of example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fused down draw glassmaking apparatus 10 for fusing draw glass ribbons for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

Glassmaking apparatus 10 (eg, fusion drawdown apparatus 10 ) may optionally include upstream glassmaking apparatus 16 positioned upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14 . In some examples, a portion or the entire upstream glassmaking facility 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12 .

As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass making facility 16 may include a storage bin 18, a raw material delivery device 20, and a motor 22 coupled to the raw material delivery device. Silo 18 may be configured to store an amount of raw material that may be fed to melting vessel 14 of glass melting furnace 12 , as indicated by arrow 26 . The raw material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, raw material delivery device 20 may be powered by motor 22 such that raw material delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from storage bin 18 to melting vessel 14 . In other examples, the motor 22 may power the raw material delivery device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass sensed downstream from the melting vessel 14 . The raw material 24 within the melting vessel 14 may then be heated to form the molten glass 28 .

The glass manufacturing facility 10 may also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing facility 30 positioned downstream relative to the glass melting furnace 12 . In some examples, a portion of downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12 . In some cases, the first connecting conduit 32 or other portions of the downstream glassmaking equipment 30 discussed below may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12 . Elements of the downstream glass making equipment, including the first connecting conduit 32, may be formed of precious metals. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and palladium or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of glass manufacturing equipment may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy comprising from about 100% to about 60% by weight platinum and from about 0% to about 40% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof. Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) noble metal alloys are also possible.

Downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may include a first conditioning (ie, processing) vessel, such as refining vessel 34 located downstream of melting vessel 14 and coupled to melting vessel 14 by means of the first connecting conduit 32 mentioned above. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to refining vessel 34 via first connecting conduit 32 . For example, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to travel from melting vessel 14 to refining vessel 34 through the interior path of first connecting conduit 32 . However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be positioned downstream of the melting vessel 14 , such as between the melting vessel 14 and the refining vessel 34 . In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be employed between the melting vessel and the refining vessel, wherein the molten glass from the main melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process or cooled below the melt in the melting vessel before entering the refining vessel The temperature of the glass.

Air bubbles may be removed from the molten glass 28 within the refining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, the raw material 24 may include a multivalent compound (ie, a refining agent) such as tin oxide that undergoes a chemical reduction reaction and releases oxygen when heated. Other suitable refining agents include, without limitation, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The refining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than the melting vessel temperature, thereby heating the molten glass and the refining agent. Oxygen bubbles produced by chemical reduction induced by the temperature of one or more refining agents increase throughout the molten glass in the refining vessel, where the gas in the molten glass produced in the melting furnace can diffuse or coalesce into the glass produced by the refining agents. in oxygen bubbles. The enlarged gas bubbles may then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the refining grass and then be discharged from the refining vessel. The oxygen bubbles can further initiate mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the refining vessel.

Downstream glass making equipment 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. A mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the refining vessel 34 . The mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a uniform glass melt composition, thereby reducing the binding of chemical or thermal inhomogeneities that may otherwise exist within the refined molten glass exiting the refining vessel. As shown, the refining vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing vessel 36 by means of a second connecting conduit 38 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from refining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 via second connecting conduit 38 . For example, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to travel from refining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 through the interior path of second connecting conduit 38 . It should be noted that although the mixing vessel 36 is illustrated as being downstream of the refining vessel 34 , the mixing vessel 36 may also be positioned upstream of the refining vessel 34 . In some embodiments, downstream glass making facility 30 may include a plurality of mixing vessels, eg, a mixing vessel upstream of refining vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of refining vessel 34 . These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

Downstream glass making facility 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as delivery vessel 40 , which may be located downstream of mixing vessel 36 . The delivery vessel 40 may condition the molten glass 28 to be fed into the downstream forming apparatus. For example, delivery vessel 40 may act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to regulate and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 to molding body 42 via outlet conduit 44 . As shown, the mixing container 36 may be coupled to the delivery container 40 by means of a third connecting conduit 46 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40 via third connecting conduit 46 . For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 through the interior path of the second connecting conduit 46 from the mixing vessel 36 to the delivery vessel 40 .

Downstream glass making equipment 30 may further include forming equipment 48 including the above-mentioned forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50 . The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to deliver the molten glass 28 from the delivery vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48 . For example, outlet conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced from the inner surface of inlet conduit 50 , thereby positioning the free surface of the molten glass between the outer surface of outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of inlet conduit 50 . The molding body 42 in the fusion down draw glass making apparatus may include a runner 52 positioned in the upper surface of the molding body and in the polymeric molding surface 54 that converges along the bottom edge 56 of the molding body 42 in the drawing direction. Molten glass delivered to the launder of forming body 42 via delivery vessel 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows the sidewalls of the launder and descends along polymeric forming surface 54 as a separate stream of molten glass. The separate streams of molten glass meet below and along the bottom edge 56 to produce a single glass ribbon 58 that is drawn during extraction by applying tension to the glass ribbon, such as by gravity, edger roll 72, and pull roll 82. It is drawn from the bottom edge 56 in the pull or flow direction 60 to control the size of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional properties. Glass ribbon 58 may be separated into individual glass sheets 62 in some embodiments by glass separation apparatus 100 in the elastic region of the glass ribbon. The robot 64 can then use the gripping tool 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to the conveyor system, whereupon the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including a mobile thermal regulation device 150 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 2 , the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (molding body 42 ) relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58 . Specifically, the glass ribbon 58 flows from the forming device (the forming body 42 ) and between the first thermal conditioning module 150A and the opposite second thermal conditioning module 150B of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 , wherein the first thermal conditioning module 150A Positioned adjacent to a first side of glass ribbon 58 , and second thermal conditioning module 150B is positioned adjacent to a second side of glass ribbon 58 .

The closest distance between the molding device and the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 (eg, between the bottom edge 56 of the molding body 42 ), although not limited to any particular value, may range, for example, between about 50 millimeters to about 5 meters and all ranges and subranges in between.

The mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism, wherein one or more of such mechanisms are collectively represented in FIG. 2 as a first thermal adjustment mechanism 152A and a second thermal adjustment mechanism 152B, wherein The first thermal regulation mechanism 152A is associated with the first thermal regulation module 150A, and the second thermal regulation mechanism 152B is associated with the second thermal regulation module 150B.

As further shown in FIG. 2, a pulling force is applied to the glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of the opposing set of edger rolls 72A, 72B and/or the opposing set of pulling rolls 82A, 82B. And while Figure 2 illustrates one set of opposing edger rolls and pull rolls, embodiments disclosed herein may include more than one set of opposing edger rolls and/or more than one set of pull rolls.

2, the glass ribbon 58 upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a first maximum thickness T1, and the glass ribbon 58 downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a second maximum thickness that is less than the first maximum thickness T1 T2.

The mobile thermal adjustment device 150 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a sliding mechanism, wherein the first thermal adjustment module 150A can move laterally along the first sliding mechanism 154A (as shown by arrow A1 ), and the second thermal adjustment module Group 150B can move laterally along second sliding mechanism 154B (as indicated by arrow A2). Such a sliding mechanism may enable the first thermal regulation module 150A and the second thermal regulation module 150B to move laterally between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to the glass ribbon than the second position. The first sliding mechanism 154A and the second sliding mechanism 154B may be activated, for example, by an internal or external power source such as a motor (eg, a servo motor) and/or by a manual power source. The first sliding mechanism 154A and the second sliding mechanism 154B are connected to the first thermal adjustment module 150A and the second thermal adjustment module 150B through the first supporting chassis 156A and the second supporting chassis 156B.

3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 and forming rolls 160, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (forming body 42) relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58, and the forming roller 160 is positioned relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58 at the glass delivery device Downstream of (molded body 42 ) and upstream of the active thermal regulation device 150 . The forming roller 160 contacts the first side of the glass ribbon 58 and rotates in the direction indicated by the dashed and curved arrows and .

In certain exemplary embodiments, the forming rolls 160 may be configured according to the forming rolls shown and described in WO2009/070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The forming roll 160 may be configured to provide a controllable bond between the forming roll 160 and the glass ribbon 58 . While not limited to any particular value, the diameter of forming roll 160 may, for example, be in the range of about 50 millimeters to about 500 millimeters, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. Additionally, forming roll 160 may include a refractory material, which, while not limited to any particular refractory material, may include metallic materials (eg, stainless steel and/or nickel and/or cobalt based alloys) and/or refractory ceramic materials.

The forming roll 160 may also include one or more mechanisms for controlling its temperature, such as a cooling mechanism, wherein cooling fluid flows through or around the forming roll 160 . For example, forming roll 160 may include at least one channel (not shown) configured to flow cooling fluid therethrough. Depending on the configuration of the temperature control mechanism, the cooling fluid may comprise a liquid such as water or a gas such as nitrogen or air and/or a mixture of liquid and gas.

The closest distance between the forming device and the forming rolls 160 (eg, between the bottom edges 56 of the forming bodies 42 ), although not limited to any particular value, may range, for example, between about 10 millimeters to about 250 millimeters and all ranges and the subranges in between. The closest distance between the forming roll 160 and the mobile thermal conditioning device 150, although not limiting, may be, for example, in the range between about 10 millimeters and about 5 meters, and all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the mobile thermal adjustment device 150 has the same configuration and components as the mobile thermal adjustment device 150 shown and described with reference to FIG. 2 , including a first thermal adjustment module 150A and a second thermal adjustment module. 150B, a first thermal adjustment mechanism 152A and a second thermal adjustment mechanism 152B, a first sliding mechanism 154A and a second sliding mechanism 154B, and a first supporting chassis 156A and a second supporting chassis 156B.

As further shown in FIG. 3, a pulling force is applied to the glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of the opposing set of edger rolls 72A, 72B and/or the opposing set of pulling rolls 82A, 82B. And while FIG. 3 illustrates one set of opposing edge nip rolls and pull rolls, embodiments disclosed herein may include more than one set of opposing edge nip rolls and/or more than one set of pull rolls.

3, the glass ribbon 58 upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a first maximum thickness T1, and the glass ribbon 58 downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a second maximum thickness that is less than the first maximum thickness T1 T2.

4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including a mobile thermal conditioning device 150 and two opposing forming rolls 180A, 180B, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (delivery apparatus 142) relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon 58 and relative to the glass ribbon relative to the first forming roll 180A and the second forming roll 180B The travel path of 58 is positioned downstream of the glass delivery device (delivery apparatus 142 ) and upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 . The first forming roll 180A contacts the first side of the glass ribbon 58 and the second side of the glass ribbon 58 opposite the second forming roll 180B, wherein each of the first forming roll 180A and the second forming roll 180B are formed by Rotate in the direction indicated by the dashed and curved arrows.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the opposing first forming roll 180A and second forming roll 180B may be configured according to the forming rolls shown and described in WO2009/070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. While not limited to any particular value, the diameter of the forming rolls 180A, 180B may, for example, range from about 20 millimeters to about 400 millimeters and all ranges and subranges therebetween. Additionally, the forming rolls 180A, 180B may include refractory materials, which, while not limited to any particular refractory material, may include metallic materials (eg, stainless steel and/or nickel and/or cobalt based alloys) and/or refractory ceramic materials.

The forming rolls 180A, 180B may also include one or more mechanisms for controlling their temperature, such as a cooling mechanism, wherein cooling fluid flows through or around the forming rolls 180A, 180B. For example, forming rolls 180A, 180B may each include at least one channel (not shown) configured to flow cooling fluid therethrough. Depending on the configuration of the temperature control mechanism, the cooling fluid may comprise a liquid such as water or a gas such as nitrogen or air and/or a mixture of liquid and gas.

The closest distance between the forming device and the forming rollers 180A, 180B (eg, between the delivery slots 144 of the delivery device 142 ), although not limited to any particular value, may range, for example, between about 10 millimeters to about 250 millimeters and all ranges and subranges in between. In certain exemplary embodiments, delivery slot 144 may be at a lower height than the highest height of forming rolls 180A, 180B, such as up to 30 mm below the highest height of forming rolls 180A, 180B.

The closest distance between the forming rollers 180A, 180B and the mobile thermal conditioning device 150, although not limiting, may range, for example, between about 10 millimeters and about 5 meters, and all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. The delivery device 142 may, for example, comprise a refractory material, which, although not limited to any particular refractory material, may comprise a metallic material (eg, platinum or alloys thereof) and/or a refractory ceramic material.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the mobile thermal adjustment device 150 has the same configuration and components as the mobile thermal adjustment device 150 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , including a first thermal adjustment module 150A and a second thermal adjustment module 150A. The thermal adjustment module 150B, the first thermal adjustment mechanism 152A and the second thermal adjustment mechanism 152B, the first sliding mechanism 154A and the second sliding mechanism 154B, and the first supporting chassis 156A and the second supporting chassis 156B.

As further shown in FIG. 4, a pulling force is applied to the glass ribbon 58 by, for example, one or more of the opposing sets of edger rolls 72A, 72B and/or the opposing sets of pulling rolls 82A, 82B. And while FIG. 4 illustrates one set of opposing edging rolls and pulling rolls, embodiments disclosed herein may include more than one set of opposing edging rolls and/or more than one set of pulling rolls.

4, the glass ribbon 58 upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a first maximum thickness T1, and the glass ribbon 58 downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes a second maximum thickness that is less than the first maximum thickness T1 T2.

In certain exemplary embodiments, including those shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the first maximum thickness T1 may be in the range of about 1.5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, and further such as from about 2 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, and further such as from about 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters, and the second maximum thickness T2 may be in the range of about 0.3 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, such as from about 0.4 millimeters to about 1.2 millimeters, and further such as from about in the range of 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the difference between the first maximum thickness T1 and the second maximum thickness T2 (ie, T1-T2) may be from about 0.5 millimeters to about 9.5 millimeters, such as from about 0.8 millimeters to about 8 millimeters millimeters, and further such as in the range from about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters.

In certain exemplary embodiments, molten glass flowing from a forming apparatus (eg, forming body 42 or delivery device 142 ) may contain a liquidus viscosity of less than or equal to about 100 kilopoise (kP), such as at about 100 poise (P) to a liquidus viscosity in the range of about 100 kilopoise (kP), and further such as a liquidus viscosity in the range of about 500 poise (P) to about 50 kilopoise (kP), and still further such as in Liquidus viscosity in the range of about 1 kilopoise (kP) to about 20 kilopoise (kP) and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In certain exemplary embodiments, molten glass flowing from a forming apparatus (eg, forming body 42 or delivery device 142 ) may contain a liquidus temperature greater than or equal to about 900°C, such as between about 900°C and about 1,450°C liquidus temperature in the range, and further such as a liquidus temperature in the range of about 950°C to about 1,400°C, and still further such as a liquidus temperature in the range of about 1,000°C to about 1,350°C.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of glass ribbon 58 formed from flowing molten glass from a forming device (eg, forming body 42 or delivery device 142 ) as glass ribbon 58 flows from the forming device along its path of travel , particularly where glass ribbon 58 contacts at least one forming roll positioned downstream of the forming device (eg, single forming roll 160 in Figure 3 or opposing first forming roll 180A and second forming roll 180B in Figure 4) Rapid increase. For example, after contact with the at least one forming roll, the glass ribbon 58 may have a viscosity greater than or equal to about ¹⁰ poise, such as a viscosity at or above the softening point of the glass (ie, a viscosity greater than or equal to about 10 ^7.6 poise) , such as viscosities greater than or equal to about ¹⁰ poises, and further such as viscosities greater than or equal to about ¹⁰ poises, including viscosities in the range of about ¹⁰ poises to about ¹⁰ poises, and further including viscosities in the range of about 10 ^7.6 poises to A viscosity in the range of about 10 ^11.2 poise to develop a reversible bond between one or more forming rolls and the glass ribbon 58 .

The viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 may continue to increase as it flows along the path of travel toward the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of glass ribbon 58 entering thermal conditioning device 150 may be greater than or equal to about ¹⁰ poise, such as greater than or equal to about 10 ^7.6 poise, and further such as greater than or equal to about 10 poise, and again Further such as greater than or equal to about 10 ¹⁰ poise, such as from about 10 ⁵ poise to about 10 ¹² poise and further such as from about 10 ^7.6 poise to about 10 ¹¹ poise.

The mobile thermal conditioning device 150 includes at least one of a heating mechanism and/or a cooling mechanism to effect heat transfer between the glass ribbon 58 and the one or more heating and/or cooling mechanisms. Such heat transfer can in turn affect the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 flowing through the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 such that the glass ribbon 58 exiting the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 has a viscosity less than or greater than the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 entering the mobile thermal conditioning device 150. viscosity.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 exiting the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is less than the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 entering the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of glass ribbon 58 exiting thermal conditioning device 150 may be less than or equal to about ¹⁰ poises, such as from about 10 ⁵ poises to about 10 ¹⁰ poises and further such as from about 10 ^7.6 poises to about 10 ⁹ Poise.

By reducing the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58, the mobile thermal conditioning device may enable the glass ribbon 58 to be drawn with a reasonable pulling force (eg, via edger rolls 72A, 72B and/or pull rolls 82A, 82B). For example, the pulling force may be less than about 200 Newtons/meter (N/m), such as less than about 150 Newtons/meter (N/m), and further such as less than about 100 Newtons/meter (N/m), such as from About 10 Newtons/meter (N/m) to about 200 Newtons/meter (N/m), and further such as from about 50 Newtons/meter (N/m) to about 150 Newtons/meter (N/m) ).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a thermal regulation module 150A according to embodiments disclosed herein. Thermal conditioning module 150A is shown facing a lateral portion of glass ribbon 58 and includes thermal conditioning mechanism 152A including thermal conditioning zones 152A1 , 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5. Although FIG. 5 illustrates five thermal regulation zones, embodiments disclosed herein include thermal regulation mechanisms, which may include any number of thermal regulation zones.

The thermal conditioning zones 152A1 , 152A2 , 152A3 , 152A4 and 152A5 may each include one or more of a heating mechanism and/or a cooling mechanism and may each be independently controllable to achieve varying amounts between the thermal conditioning zones and the glass ribbon 58 . heat transfer. Thus, the thermal conditioning zone helps to enable the thermal conditioning mechanism 152A, and thus the thermal conditioning module 150A, to achieve varying amounts of heat transfer between the thermal conditioning module 150A and the glass ribbon 58 . Furthermore, when the apparatus 10 includes two relative adjustment modules such as the first adjustment module 150A and the second adjustment module 150B as shown and described in FIGS. 2-4, each adjustment module may be capable of independent Controlled to achieve varying amounts of heat transfer between the conditioning die and the glass ribbon 58 .

When thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 include heating mechanisms, such heating mechanisms may, for example, include resistance-based heating mechanisms (such as, for example, heating elements comprising molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2 ₎ having a U-shaped configuration) , combustion-based heating mechanisms (such as natural gas burners), laser-based heating mechanisms (such as scanning carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) lasers), or induction-based heating mechanisms, to name a few.

When thermal conditioning zones 152A1, 152A2, 152A3, 152A4, and 152A5 include cooling mechanisms, such cooling mechanisms may, for example, include convection-based cooling mechanisms (such as exposure to fluids such as forced air flow) or radiation-based cooling mechanisms (such as in relative Mechanisms that provide a horizon factor between the cold surface and the glass ribbon, where the cold surface can have high emissivity and can extend between the glass ribbon and the cooling fluid), to name a few.

The heating and/or cooling surfaces can be configured and controlled to vary the amount of heat transfer between the one or more modulation modules and the glass ribbon 58 as a function of time and/or space. For example, the heating and/or cooling mechanisms may be configured and controlled such that the heat transfer between each of the first conditioning module 150A and the second conditioning module 150B varies along the width of the glass ribbon 58 . For example, each of the thermal conditioning zones 152A1 , 152A2 , 152A3 , 152A4 , and 152A5 can be independently controlled to achieve different amounts of heat transfer between the first conditioning module 150A and different lateral portions of the glass ribbon 58 . This may also achieve, among other things, improved thickness control and/or improved thickness uniformity of the glass ribbon 58 .

Heat transfer between each of the first conditioning module 150A and the second conditioning module 150B may also be regulated or controlled by using the first sliding mechanism 154A and the second sliding mechanism 154B to allow the first conditioning The module 150A and the second conditioning module 150B are moved relatively closer to or away from the glass ribbon 58 .

The first conditioning module 150A, and thus the mobile thermal conditioning device 150, includes a height extending along the direction of the travel path of the glass ribbon (shown as "H" in FIG. 5) and a width extending along the width of the glass ribbon (paragraph 5). 5 is shown as "W" in the figure). In certain exemplary embodiments, the width of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is greater than the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, W>H, and in certain exemplary embodiments, the width of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150 is at least 1.5 times the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device 150, such as at least 2 times, and further Such as at least 2.5 times, and still further such as at least 3 times, includes from about 1.5 times to about 20 times the height of the tethered thermostatic device, such as from about 2 to about 10 times the height of the tethered thermostatic device. Minimizing the height of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 may help minimize the path length of glass ribbon 58 travel, resulting in a lower process footprint.

6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a mobile thermal regulation device 150 and a feedback control mechanism 300 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The feedback control mechanism 300 includes a controller 200 that is configured to measure thermal conditions from one or more condition measurement devices (illustrated as M1 and M2 in FIG. Upstream of device 150, and downstream of mobile thermal conditioning device 150 relative to the travel path of glass ribbon 58, M2 receives the signal. In response to measuring at least one condition of the glass ribbon 58 based on, for example, from one or more condition measuring devices, the controller 200 may send a signal to the first conditioning module 150A and the second conditioning module 150B to control the first conditioning module 150A and the second conditioning module 150B. Heat transfer between the thermal regulation mechanism 152A and the second thermal regulation mechanism 152B and the glass ribbon 58 . Such control may include, for example, control of the thermal conditioning zones 152A1 , 152A2 , 152A3 , 152A4 and 152A5 shown in FIG. 5 .

Glass ribbon 58 conditions measured by condition measuring devices M1 and M2 may, for example, include ribbon temperature (eg, by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art such as thermocouples, infrared pyrometers, infrared scanners, thermal imagers, or laser temperature measurement techniques) and/or tape thickness, including tape thickness variation in the lateral direction and/or over time (eg, by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as laser measurement techniques or confocal optical sensor).

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process and/or a slot draw process, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, up draw processes, tube Pulling process and pressing roller process.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

10: Glass manufacturing equipment 100: Glass separation equipment 12: Glass melting furnace 14: Melting Vessel 142: Delivery Equipment 144: Delivery Slot 150: Mobile Thermal Regulation Device 150A: The first thermal regulation module 150B: Opposite second thermal regulation module 152A: First Thermal Regulation Mechanism 152A1~152A5: Thermal regulation area 152B: Second Thermal Regulation Mechanism 154A: First sliding mechanism 154B: Second sliding mechanism 156A: First support chassis 156B: Second support chassis 16: Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 160: Forming Roller 18: Storage Warehouse 180A, 180B: Forming rollers 20: Raw material delivery device 200: Controller 22: Motor 24: Original batch of materials 26: Arrow 28: Molten Glass 30: Downstream Glass Manufacturing Equipment 300: Feedback Control Mechanism 32: The first connecting conduit 34: Refinement Vessel 36: Mixing Vessel 38: Second connecting conduit 40: Delivery Container 42: Forming the main body 44: Outlet catheter 46: Third connecting conduit 48:Moulding equipment 50: Inlet conduit 52: Launder 54: Polymer molding surface 56: Bottom edge 58: Glass Ribbon 60: Pull or flow direction 62: Individual glass panels 64: Robot 65: Clamping tool 72, 72A, 72B: Edge Roller 82, 82A, 82B: traction rollers A1: Arrow A2: Arrow H: height M1: Condition measuring device M2: Condition measuring device T1: The first maximum thickness T2: Second maximum thickness W: width

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion down-draw glass fabrication equipment and process;

2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a mobile thermal regulation device according to embodiments disclosed herein;

3 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a mobile thermal conditioning device and forming rolls in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

4 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a mobile thermal conditioning device and two opposing forming rolls in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a thermal regulation module according to embodiments disclosed herein; and

6 is a schematic diagram of a mobile thermal regulation device and feedback control mechanism according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Domestic storage information (please note in the order of storage institution, date and number) without Foreign deposit information (please note in the order of deposit country, institution, date and number) without

10: Glass manufacturing equipment

150: Mobile Thermal Regulation Device

150A: The first thermal regulation module

150B: Opposite second thermal regulation module

152A: First Thermal Regulation Mechanism

152B: Second Thermal Regulation Mechanism

154A: First sliding mechanism

154B: Second sliding mechanism

156A: First support chassis

156B: Second support chassis

42: Forming the main body

56: Bottom edge

58: Glass Ribbon

72A: Edge Roller

72B: Edge Roller

82A: Traction Roller

82B: Traction Roller

A1: Arrow

A2: Arrow

T1: The first maximum thickness

T2: Second maximum thickness

Claims (29)

A method of manufacturing a glass object, comprising the steps of: flowing molten glass from a glass delivery device to form a glass ribbon; flowing the glass ribbon through a mobile thermal conditioning device positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to a path of travel of the glass ribbon, the mobile thermal conditioning device including at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism; and A pulling force is applied to the glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device includes a first maximum thickness, and the glass ribbon downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device includes a first maximum thickness less than the first maximum thickness. 2. Maximum thickness. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of contacting the glass ribbon with at least one forming roller positioned downstream of the glass delivery device and upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device relative to the path of travel of the glass ribbon. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one forming roll comprises a single forming roll contacting a first side of the glass ribbon. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one forming roll comprises a first forming roll contacting a first side of the glass ribbon and an opposing second forming roll contacting a second side of the glass ribbon. The method of claim 1, wherein the first maximum thickness is in the range of about 1.5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, and the second maximum thickness is in the range of about 0.3 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters. The method of claim 1, wherein the molten glass comprises a liquidus viscosity of less than or equal to about 100 kilopoise (kP). The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile thermal conditioning device comprises: a first thermal conditioning module positioned adjacent a first side of the glass ribbon, and a first thermal conditioning module positioned adjacent a second side of the glass ribbon an opposite to the second thermal regulation module module. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile thermal regulation device comprises: a sliding mechanism, and each of the first thermal regulation module and the second thermal regulation module is capable of sliding along the sliding mechanism in a Lateral movement between a position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to the glass ribbon than the second position. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module includes a heating mechanism. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module can be independently controlled to achieve varying amounts of heat between the conditioning modules and the glass ribbon transfer. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat transfer between each of the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module and the glass ribbon varies along a width of the glass ribbon. The method of claim 10, further comprising a feedback control mechanism that controls the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module in response to a measurement of at least one condition of the glass ribbon. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulling force is less than about 200 Newtons/meter (N/m). The method of claim 1, wherein the moving thermal conditioning device comprises: a height extending along a direction of the travel path of the glass ribbon and a width extending along a width of the glass ribbon, wherein the moving The width of the thermal regulation device is greater than the height of the mobile thermal regulation device. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: aligning the glass ribbon with at least one of an edger roll or a draw roll positioned downstream of the moving thermal conditioning device relative to the travel path of the glass ribbon touch. An apparatus for making a glass object, comprising: a glass delivery device; a mobile thermal conditioning device configured to be positioned downstream of the glass delivery device relative to a travel path of a glass ribbon, the mobile thermal conditioning device comprising at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism and is configured to reduce a maximum thickness of the glass ribbon subjected to an applied pulling force such that a second maximum thickness of the glass ribbon downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device is less than the glass ribbon upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device One of the first maximum thickness. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one forming roll configured to be positioned downstream of the glass delivery device and upstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device relative to the path of travel of the glass ribbon. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one forming roll comprises a single forming roll configured to contact a first side of the glass ribbon. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one forming roll comprises a first forming roll configured to contact a first side of the glass ribbon and an opposing forming roll configured to contact a second side of the glass ribbon The second forming roll. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mobile thermal regulation device comprises a first thermal regulation module configured to be positioned adjacent to a first side of the glass ribbon, and a first thermal regulation module configured to be adjacent to the glass ribbon An opposite second thermal regulation module positioned on the second side. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the mobile thermal regulation device includes a sliding mechanism, and each of the first thermal regulation module and the second thermal regulation module is capable of sliding in the first thermal regulation module along the sliding mechanism. There is lateral movement between a position and a second position, wherein the first position is configured to be closer to the glass ribbon than the second position. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module each include a heating mechanism. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module can be independently controlled to achieve varying amounts of heat between the conditioning modules and the glass ribbon transfer. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein heat transfer between the first conditioning module and the second conditioning module and the glass ribbon is configured to vary along a width of the glass ribbon. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a feedback control mechanism that controls the first adjustment module and the second adjustment module in response to a measurement result of at least one condition of the glass ribbon. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mobile thermal conditioning device comprises a height configured to extend along a direction of the travel path of the glass ribbon and a height configured to extend along a width of the glass ribbon Width, wherein the width of the mobile thermal conditioning device is greater than the height of the mobile thermal conditioning device. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one of an edging roll or a pulling roll configured to contact the glass ribbon, the at least one of the edging roll or the pulling roll relative to the glass The travel path of the belt is downstream of the mobile thermal conditioning device. A glass object made by the method of any one of claims 1 to 15. An electronic device comprising the glass object of claim 28.

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