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WO2017176868A1 - Procédés et appareil de production d'un ruban de verre - Google Patents

Procédés et appareil de production d'un ruban de verre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017176868A1
WO2017176868A1 PCT/US2017/026116 US2017026116W WO2017176868A1 WO 2017176868 A1 WO2017176868 A1 WO 2017176868A1 US 2017026116 W US2017026116 W US 2017026116W WO 2017176868 A1 WO2017176868 A1 WO 2017176868A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
glass ribbon
draw
end wall
vacuum
glass
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2017/026116
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anmol AGRAWAL
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Corning Inc
Original Assignee
Corning Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Corning Inc filed Critical Corning Inc
Priority to CN201780022413.1A priority Critical patent/CN108883957B/zh
Priority to JP2018551813A priority patent/JP7045320B2/ja
Priority to KR1020187032100A priority patent/KR102308664B1/ko
Publication of WO2017176868A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017176868A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/06—Forming glass sheets
    • C03B17/067—Forming glass sheets combined with thermal conditioning of the sheets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B15/00—Drawing glass upwardly from the melt
    • C03B15/02—Drawing glass sheets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/06—Forming glass sheets
    • C03B17/064—Forming glass sheets by the overflow downdraw fusion process; Isopipes therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2205/00—Fibre drawing or extruding details
    • C03B2205/08—Sub-atmospheric pressure applied, e.g. vacuum

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for producing glass ribbon and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for producing a glass ribbon with at least one vacuum source configured to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon.
  • WIPO publication No. WO2014/193780 that published December 4, 2014 to Welles (hereinafter the Welles publication) discloses a plurality of vacuum ports laterally disposed along major surfaces of a glass ribbon.
  • a first set of multiple vacuum ports associated with the first major surface of the glass ribbon are in communication with a first vacuum plenum conduit to provide pressure uniformity across the first set of multiple vacuum ports.
  • a second set of multiple vacuum ports associated with the second major surface of the glass ribbon are in communication with a second vacuum plenum conduit to provide pressure uniformity across the second set of multiple vacuum ports.
  • the multiple vacuum port design of the Welles publication can provide desired cooling of the glass ribbon in various applications.
  • the glass ribbon of the Welles publication may be drawn at a glass ribbon mass flow rate "Mglass" and the cooling fluid flow through all of the multiple vacuum ports may be drawn at a combined mass flow rate "Mair”.
  • FIG. 7 of the instant application demonstrates simulated test results associated with cooling the glass ribbon with a cooling apparatus similar to the multiple vacuum port design of the Welles publication discussed above.
  • FIG. 7 is a simulation showing changes in a temperature difference between: (1) natural cooling without use of the multiple vacuum port design of the Welles publication; and (2) forced cooling using the multiple vacuum port design similar to the Welles publication discussed above at a ratio of "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e., Mair/Mglass) of 0.179 with all the vacuum ports opened.
  • FIGS. 7-9 the vertical axis (“y" axis) represents the distance, in inches, below the root of the forming wedge while the horizontal axis (“x" axis) represents the distance, in inches, from the glass ribbon center.
  • FIG. 7 demonstrates desirable results, at least from 114.3 centimeters (45 inches) to 177.8 centimeters (70 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours 701a-f extend substantially along respective uniform horizontal pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • the multiple vent port design of the Welles publication may present problems such as too many control variables, higher costs of the relatively complex system, difficulty of operation, and the possibly oversized vacuum plenum conduits that contribute to a relatively large footprint of the multiple vent port design and may obstruct access to areas of the multiple vent port design.
  • the vacuum ports of the Welles publication may act as a heat sink since they face the major surface of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 8 is a simulation similar to FIG. 7 associated with a simplified multiple vacuum port design similar to the Welles publication discussed above but where only the central two vacuum ports are open with the remaining vent ports turned off.
  • FIG. 8 provides a simulation similar to the simulation of FIG. 7 with the ratio Mair/Mglass of 0.179 but only removing the cooling fluid flow from the interior of the shroud only with the central two ports associated with the central portion of each of the two major surfaces of the glass ribbon rather than all of the ports extending across the width of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 8 also demonstrates desirable results at least from about 114.3 centimeters (45 inches) to about 165.1 centimeters (65 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours 801a-d likewise extend substantially along respective uniform horizontal pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon.
  • the test results of FIG. 8 suggest that the multiple vent port design of the Welles publication discussed above may be simplified to only include two functional ports on each side near the center of the glass ribbon.
  • the simplified multiple vent port design of the Welles publication discussed above may thereby provide a substantially constant temperature difference across a width of the central portion of the glass ribbon while avoiding the problems or reducing the severity of the problems that may be associated with the more complex design using all of the vents of the multiple vent port design of the Welles publication discussed above.
  • the simplified multiple vent port design of the Welles publication discussed above may not provide a substantially constant temperature difference across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon at increased rates of gas removal from the interior of the shroud.
  • FIG. 9 simulates how the simplified multiple vent port design of the Welles publication (associated with the test results of FIG. 8) would perform with a ratio Mair/Mglass of 1.071 while only removing the cooling fluid flow with the central two ports associated with each of the two major surfaces of the glass ribbon. As can be seen in FIG.
  • the temperature difference contours 901a-c in the central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of a width of the glass ribbon are relatively jagged and do not extend respective uniform horizontal pressure differential paths.
  • the temperature difference at the higher gas removal rate is not constant across the entire width of the glass ribbon and therefore may provide an ineffective design.
  • a cooling apparatus that can accommodate a wide range gas removal rates (e.g., relatively high cooling rates) with temperature differentials being substantially constant across a central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • cooling apparatus that is: (1) easier to operate with less control variables; (2) inexpensive to produce; (3) reduced in size with a minimal footprint; (4) easily accessible; and/or (5) minimize the exposure of the major surface(s) of the glass ribbon to a heat sink due to vacuum ports facing the major surface(s).
  • Example apparatus and methods of the present disclosure provide convection heat transfer by producing convection currents that expose the glass sheet to cooling air or other gases to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon.
  • the convection currents are produced by using a vacuum source to cause a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon.
  • Such convection cooling systems can provide effective cooling at locations downstream from the drawing device and/or with glass that is being drawn at lower temperatures.
  • a method of producing a glass ribbon can include drawing a glass ribbon along a draw direction.
  • the glass ribbon may include a first major surface and a second major surface. Each of the first major surface and the second major surface may extend between opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • the method can further include applying a vacuum only to at least one vacuum port located laterally outside of at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon with a cooling fluid flow generated at least partially by the vacuum being applied to the at least one vacuum port.
  • the method may further include contacting at least one of the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon with the cooling fluid flow.
  • applying the vacuum may promote an upstream portion of the cooling fluid flow to travel along an upstream flow direction that is substantially opposite to the draw direction. [0013] In another embodiment, applying the vacuum may promote a downstream portion of the cooling fluid flow to travel along a downstream flow direction that extends across the draw direction.
  • the method may further include drawing the glass ribbon at a glass ribbon mass flow rate (Mglass) and drawing the cooling fluid flow through all of the at least one vacuum port at a combined mass flow rate (Mair), wherein a ratio of Mair with respect to Mglass is within a range of from about 0.036 to about 7.143.
  • Mglass glass ribbon mass flow rate
  • Mair combined mass flow rate
  • the ratio of Mair with respect to Mglass is within a range of from about 0.357 to about 2.143.
  • the ratio of Mair with respect to Mglass is within a range of from about 0.357 to about 1.071.
  • the glass ribbon may be drawn by fusion drawing the glass ribbon from a root of a forming wedge.
  • a draw apparatus for producing a glass ribbon can include a draw path for a glass ribbon defined by the draw apparatus.
  • the draw path can be positioned along a draw direction of the draw apparatus.
  • the draw path can include a transverse cross section taken perpendicular to the draw direction.
  • the draw apparatus can further include a shroud circumscribing the transverse cross section of the draw path.
  • the draw apparatus can still further include at least one vacuum port including a passage extending through one of a first end wall and a second end wall of the shroud. At least one vacuum port may include a passage extending through one of a first end wall and a second end wall of the shroud.
  • a first lateral end of the transverse cross section of the draw path can face the first end wall of the shroud and second lateral end of the transverse cross section of the draw path can face the second end wall of the shroud.
  • the first end wall of the shroud may be located laterally outside of the first lateral end of the transverse cross section of the draw path and the second end wall of the shroud may be located laterally outside of the second lateral end of the transverse cross section of the draw path.
  • the at least one vacuum port may consist of all of the vacuum ports of the draw apparatus.
  • the at least one vacuum port can include at least one vacuum port in the first end wall and at least one vacuum port in the second end wall. [0021] In another embodiment, the at least one vacuum port may include two vacuum ports in the first end wall.
  • a plane passing through the first lateral end and the second lateral end may extend between the two vacuum ports.
  • the at least one vacuum port may further include two additional vacuum ports in the second end wall.
  • a plane passing through the first lateral end and the second lateral end may extend between the two vacuum ports in the first end wall and the two additional vacuum ports in the second end wall.
  • a glass apparatus can include a glass ribbon and a draw apparatus.
  • the glass ribbon can include a first major surface and a second major surface, and each of the first major surface and the second major surface may extend between opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon may further extend through the draw path.
  • a first edge of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon can face the first end wall of the shroud and a second edge of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon can face the second end wall of the shroud.
  • the first major surface of the glass ribbon can face a first sidewall of the shroud and the second major surface of the glass ribbon can face a second sidewall of the shroud.
  • neither the first sidewall of the shroud nor the second sidewall of the shroud includes a vacuum port.
  • a fluid intake axis of the at least one vacuum port may be substantially parallel to the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon may extend along a draw plane of the draw path, wherein the at least one vacuum port is offset from the draw plane.
  • a glass apparatus can include a glass ribbon, a shroud, and at least one vacuum port.
  • the glass ribbon may extend along a draw direction and can include a first major surface and a second major surface. Each of the first major surface and the second major surface may extend between opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • a plane of the glass ribbon can extend in the draw direction and through the opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • the shroud may include an interior surface circumscribing a length of the glass ribbon extending along the draw direction.
  • a first area of the interior surface can be defined by a projection of the first major surface in a first direction perpendicular to the plane.
  • a second area of the interior surface can be defined by a projection of the second major surface in a second direction perpendicular to the plane and opposite the first direction.
  • the at least one vacuum port can include a passage extending through the interior surface of the shroud at a location outside of the first and second area of the interior surface.
  • the at least one vacuum port may consist of all of the vacuum ports of the draw apparatus.
  • the shroud may include a first sidewall including the first area of the interior surface, a second sidewall including the second area of the interior surface, a first end wall joining a first end of the first sidewall and a first end of the second sidewall, and a second end wall joining a second end of the first sidewall and a second end of the second sidewall.
  • the at least one vacuum port may be located in at least one of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
  • the at least one vacuum port may be located in at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall.
  • the at least one vacuum port can include two vacuum ports in the first end wall.
  • the plane can pass between the two vacuum ports in the first sidewall.
  • the at least one vacuum port may include two additional vacuum ports in the second end wall.
  • the plane may pass between the two vacuum ports in the first end wall and the two additional vacuum ports in the second end wall.
  • neither the first sidewall of the shroud nor the second sidewall of the shroud includes a vacuum port.
  • a fluid intake axis of the at least one vacuum port may be substantially parallel to the first major surface and the second major surface of the glass ribbon.
  • the at least one vacuum port can be offset from the plane.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example glass apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the glass apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a glass ribbon being drawn off a forming wedge of the example glass apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of an example convection cooling device of the glass apparatus along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating example features of the convection cooling device of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a glass apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIGS. 7-14 demonstrate simulated test results associated with cooling a glass ribbon.
  • Apparatus of the disclosure can comprise the illustrated glass apparatus 101 including a draw apparatus 102 and a glass ribbon 103 being drawn from the draw apparatus.
  • the glass ribbon 103 includes a first major surface 104a and a second major surface 104b extending between a first lateral edge 103a and a second lateral edge 103b with a thickness "T" between the edges of from about 50 microns to about 750 microns.
  • the thickness "T" is from about 100 microns to 500 microns.
  • the thickness "T" is from about 200 microns to about 400 microns and can be about 300 microns in further embodiments.
  • the draw apparatus 102 can comprise the illustrated fusion down-draw apparatus although other down-draw apparatus, up-draw apparatus, slot-draw apparatus, float apparatus, press-roll apparatus or other draw apparatus may be incorporated with the glass apparatus 101 in further embodiments.
  • the present disclosure provides for control of viscosity and temperature cooling curves to provide process stability and facilitate quality performance.
  • proper cooling below a forming vessel 143 can help provide the glass ribbon with sufficient cooling and high-enough viscosity to minimize ribbon bagginess, i.e., the tendency of the ribbon to deform uncontrollably, such as unevenly under its own weight.
  • Proper cooling below the forming vessel 143 can also help stabilize thickness and provide shape control.
  • proper cooling can help provide appropriate transitioning and conditioning of the glass ribbon into the visco-elastic region where final glass ribbon flatness, stress, and shape is controlled.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates possible features of the glass apparatus 101 in accordance with just one embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can include a melting vessel 105 configured to receive batch material 107 from a storage bin 109.
  • the batch material 107 can be introduced by a batch delivery device 111 powered by a motor 113.
  • An optional controller 115 can be configured to activate the motor 113 to introduce a desired amount of batch material 107 into the melting vessel 105, as indicated by arrow 117.
  • a metal probe 119 can be used to measure a free surface of a glass melt 121 within a standpipe 123 and communicate the measured information to the controller 115 by way of a communication line 125.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can also include a fining vessel 127, such as a fining tube, located downstream from the melting vessel 105 and coupled to the melting vessel 105 by way of a first connecting tube 129.
  • a mixing vessel 131 such as a stir chamber, can also be located downstream from the fining vessel 127 and a delivery vessel 133 may be located downstream from the mixing vessel 131.
  • a second connecting tube 135 can couple the fining vessel 127 to the mixing vessel 131 and a third connecting tube 137 can couple the mixing vessel 131 to the delivery vessel 133.
  • a downcomer 139 can be positioned to deliver glass melt 121 from the delivery vessel 133 to the draw apparatus 102.
  • the draw apparatus 102 can comprise the forming vessel 143 provided with an inlet 141 to receive glass melt from the downcomer 139.
  • the melting vessel 105, fining vessel 127, the mixing vessel 131, delivery vessel 133, and forming vessel 143 are examples of glass melt stations that may be located in series along the glass apparatus 101.
  • the melting vessel 105 is typically made from a refractory material, such as refractory (e.g. ceramic) brick.
  • the glass apparatus 101 may further include components that are typically made from platinum or platinum-containing metals such as platinum-rhodium, platinum-iridium and combinations thereof, but which may also comprise such refractory metals such as molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, ruthenium, osmium, zirconium, and alloys thereof and/or zirconium dioxide.
  • the platinum-containing components can include one or more of the first connecting tube 129, the fining vessel 127 (e.g., finer tube), the second connecting tube 135, the standpipe 123, the mixing vessel 131 (e.g., a stir chamber), the third connecting tube 137, the delivery vessel 133 (e.g., a bowl), the downcomer 139 and the inlet 141.
  • the forming vessel 143 is also made from a refractory material and is designed to form the glass ribbon 103.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the example glass apparatus 101 along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • the forming vessel 143 includes a forming wedge 201 comprising a pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions 203, 205 extending between opposed ends of the forming wedge 201.
  • the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions 203, 205 converge along a draw direction 207 to form a root 209.
  • a draw plane 211 of the glass apparatus 101 extends through the root 209 wherein the glass ribbon 103 may be drawn in the draw direction 207 along the draw plane 211 of the glass apparatus 101.
  • the draw plane 211 of the glass apparatus 101 can bisect the root 209 although the draw plane 211 of the glass apparatus 101 may extend at other orientations with respect to the root 209.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can also include at least one edge roller assembly including a pair of edge rollers configured to engage a corresponding one of a first lateral edge 103a and a second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103 as the ribbon is drawn off the root 209 of the forming wedge 201.
  • the pair of edge rollers facilitates proper finishing of the edges of the glass ribbon. Edge roller finishing provides desired edge characteristics and proper fusion of the edge portions of the molten glass being pulled off opposed surfaces of an edge director 212 associated with the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions 203, 205.
  • a first edge roller assembly 213a is associated with the first lateral edge 103a and, as further shown in FIG. 3, a second edge roller assembly 213b is associated with the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • Each edge roller assembly 213a, 213b can be substantially identical to one another although the pairs of edge rollers may have different characteristics in further examples.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can further include a first and second pull roll assembly 301a, 301b for each respective first lateral edge 103a and second lateral edge 103b to facilitate pulling of the glass ribbon 103 in the draw direction 207 along the draw plane 211 of the glass apparatus 101.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can further include a cutting device 303 that allows the glass ribbon 103 to be cut into distinct glass sheets 305.
  • the glass sheets 305 may be subdivided into individual glass sheets for incorporating in the various display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), and plasma display panels (PDPs).
  • Cutting devices may include laser devices, mechanical scoring devices, traveling anvil machines and/or other devices configured to cut the glass ribbon 103 into the distinct glass sheets 305.
  • the glass melt 121 can flow into a trough 215 of the forming vessel 143.
  • the glass melt 121 can then simultaneously flow over corresponding weirs 217a, 217b and downward over the outer surfaces 219a, 219b of the corresponding weirs 217a, 217b.
  • Respective streams of glass melt then converge along the downwardly inclined forming surface portions 203, 205 to the root 209 of the forming vessel 143.
  • the glass ribbon 103 is then drawn off the root 209 in the draw plane 211 along draw direction 207.
  • the glass ribbon 103 is drawn from the root 209 in the draw direction 207 from a viscous zone 307 to a setting zone 309.
  • the glass ribbon 103 is set from a viscous state to an elastic state with the desired cross-sectional profile.
  • the glass ribbon is then drawn from the setting zone 309 to an elastic zone 311.
  • the profile of the glass ribbon from the viscous zone 307 is frozen as a characteristic of the glass ribbon.
  • the set ribbon may be flexed away from this configuration, internal stresses can cause the glass ribbon to bias back to the original set profile in the elastic state.
  • the ribbon may also be flexed away in a viscous state, internal stresses are lacking to cause the glass ribbon to bias back to the original state prior to flexing away from the original configuration.
  • the glass apparatus 101 can comprise a fusion draw machine 313 provided with each edge roller assembly 213a, 213b and the first and second pull roll assembly 301a, 301b.
  • the glass ribbon can further be drawn below the fusion draw machine 313 by a distance 150 before being cut into the individual sheets 305.
  • any of the draw apparatus 102 of the disclosure can include a convection cooling device 401, schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, configured to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid (e.g., vapor, gas such as air, etc.) to flow along the glass ribbon 103.
  • the convection cooling device can be positioned to cool the glass ribbon 103 by way of convection in the setting zone 309 and/or the elastic zone 311.
  • the convection cooling device 401 can be positioned to cool the glass ribbon within at least a portion of the setting zone 309 and at least a portion of the elastic zone 311.
  • the convection cooling device 401 can be positioned to cool the glass ribbon only within at least a portion of the elastic zone 311.
  • the convection cooling device 401 can be positioned to cool the glass ribbon only within at least a portion of the elastic zone 311 that is positioned entirely below the fusion draw machine 313 although the convection cooling device may be positioned partially or entirely within the fusion draw machine in further examples.
  • Some embodiments of the disclosure include the glass apparatus 101 that includes the draw apparatus 102 in combination with the glass ribbon 103.
  • the glass apparatus 101 includes the draw apparatus 102 for drawing the glass ribbon 103 during a draw procedure.
  • Embodiments of the disclosure can provide the draw apparatus 102 with a convection cooling device.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a convection cooling device 401 of the draw apparatus 102 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
  • the draw apparatus 102 can include a draw path 403 defined by the draw apparatus 102 for the glass ribbon 103.
  • the draw path may include a portion of the draw plane 211 extending below the root wherein a width of the draw path between the first lateral end 403a and the second lateral end 403b of the draw path is equal to a width of the location where the ribbon is drawn from the forming device.
  • the width of the draw path can may be equal to a width "Wl" of the forming wedge 201, a width of the root, or a portion of the width of the root extending between the edge directors 212.
  • the width of the draw path can comprise a width of a slot from which glass is drawn from a slot draw process.
  • the width of the draw path can be defined by other features of the forming device that help define the resulting width of the glass ribbon.
  • the width of the draw path can be considered the width of the glass ribbon passing through the draw path at that location.
  • the width of a transverse cross section of the draw path between the first lateral end 403a and the second lateral end 403b in FIG. 4 can be equal to the width "W" of the glass ribbon at that location.
  • the draw path may also be at least partially defined by the orientation of the forming device, forces that are applied to the glass ribbon, etc.
  • the draw path may be influenced during a draw process, for example, by applying force to the glass ribbon to alter the draw path of the glass ribbon during the drawing process. Such forces, may bend the glass ribbon and consequently bend the draw path of the glass ribbon as the glass ribbon is drawn from the forming device.
  • the draw path is represented by the dashed line 403 wherein the glass ribbon is shown being drawn through the draw path.
  • the draw path 403 may be positioned along the draw direction 207 of the draw apparatus 102.
  • the draw path 403 includes a transverse cross section taken perpendicular to the draw direction 207.
  • the outer periphery of the draw path 403 can match the outer periphery of the illustrated glass ribbon 103. Consequently, the draw path can extend in the draw direction 207 of the draw plane 211 of the draw apparatus 102.
  • the draw path 403 can include a first lateral end 403a that may be coincident with the first lateral edge 103a of the glass ribbon 103.
  • transverse cross section of the draw path 403 can include a second lateral end 403b that may be coincident with the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 can include a first side 405a that can be coincident with a first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon and a second side 405b that can be coincident with a second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103. It will therefore be appreciated that, as illustrated, the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 can be substantially identical to a corresponding transverse cross-sectional profile of the glass ribbon 103 taken perpendicular to the draw direction 207.
  • the draw apparatus 102 can further include a shroud 407 circumscribing the transverse cross section of the draw path 403.
  • the shroud can be formed from a wide range of insulating materials capable of withstanding the high temperature conditions associated with the glass manufacturing process.
  • the shroud can include a wide range of shapes and sizes.
  • the shroud can include one or more walls that circumscribe the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 to define an interior area 409.
  • the draw path can extend along the draw plane 211 that divides the interior area 409 into a first portion 409a bordered by the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103 and a second portion 409b bordered by the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the illustrated shroud 407 includes four walls although one wall (e.g., an oblong or circular wall), two walls (e.g., D-shaped wall), three walls (e.g., triangular shaped wall), or five or more walls may be provided.
  • the walls are substantially planar walls although different shaped walls may be provided.
  • the walls may comprise curvilinear walls (e.g., inwardly concave, inwardly convex, sinusoidal), a plurality of segments such as a stepped shape, peaks and valleys or other shape.
  • the shroud 407 includes four walls that can optionally be planar walls including a first sidewall 411a and a second sidewall 411b positioned opposite the first sidewall 411a.
  • the first sidewall 411a includes a first inner side surface 412a that faces a second inner side surface 412b of the second sidewall 411b.
  • the first inner side surface 412a may be parallel to the second inner side surface 412b.
  • a depth "D" of the interior area 409 of the shroud 407 is defined between the first inner side surface 412a and the second inner side surface 412b.
  • a first end wall 413a can join a first end of the first sidewall 411a and a first end of the second sidewall 411b.
  • a second end wall 413b can join a second end of the first sidewall 411a and a second end of the second sidewall 411b.
  • the first end wall 413a includes a first inner end surface 414a that faces a second inner end surface 414b of the second end wall 413b.
  • the first inner end surface 414a can be parallel to the second inner end surface 414b.
  • a width "W2" of the inner area 409 of the shroud 407 can be defined between the first inner end surface 414a and the second inner end surface 414b.
  • a ratio of "W2" with respect to "D" can be within a range of from about 0.4 to about 20, and in another embodiment, the ratio W2 D can be from about 1 to about 15, and in still another embodiment, the ratio W2 D can be from about 2.5 to about 10.
  • the width "W2" of the inner area 409 can be greater than a width "W" of the glass ribbon 103 being drawn along the draw path 403 within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407.
  • the first end surface 414a of the first end wall 413a can be located laterally outside of the first lateral edge 103a of the glass ribbon 103 and the first lateral end 403a of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 by a first lateral distance 415a.
  • the second end surface 414b of the second end wall 413b can be located laterally outside of the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103 and the second lateral end 403b of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 by a second lateral distance 415b.
  • laterally outside is intended to mean a location that is not within: (1) a projection 437a of the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103 in a first direction 439a perpendicular to the first major surface 104a, or (2) a projection 437b of the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103 in a second direction 439b perpendicular to the second major surface 104b, wherein the second direction 439b is opposite the first direction 439a.
  • the first and second lateral distance 415a, 415b can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the draw direction 207.
  • the first lateral distance 415a can be substantially equal to the second lateral distance 415b although different lateral distances may be provided in further embodiments.
  • "W2" is the sum of "W", 415a and 415b.
  • 415a and 415b may be equal to one another such that the center of "W" is coincident with the center of "W2".
  • the ratio of "W2" with respect to “W” can be within a range of from about 1.01 to about 2, an in another embodiment the ratio W2/W can be from about 1.03 to about 1.5, and in still another embodiment the ratio W2/W can be from about 1.06 to about 2 although other ratios may be provided in further examples.
  • Relatively smaller lateral distances 415a, 415b within these ranges can be desired to reduce material costs and the size of the shroud.
  • relatively larger lateral distances 415a, 415b within these ranges can help position vacuum ports (described more fully below) further laterally outside of the first and second lateral end 403a, 403b of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 and/or further laterally outside the first and second lateral edge 103a, 103b of the glass ribbon 103 to help improve the temperature difference uniformity across the width of the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can therefore extend through the draw path 403 within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407.
  • the first lateral edge 103a of the glass ribbon 103 and the first lateral end 403a of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 can each face the first end surface 414a of the first end wall 413a of the shroud 407.
  • the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103 and the second lateral end 403b of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 can each face the second end surface 414b of the second end wall 413b of the shroud 407.
  • the draw apparatus of the present disclosure can further include at least one vacuum port. Any number of vacuum ports may be provided in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
  • the at least one vacuum port can be provided in any wall of the shroud 407 such as the first end wall 413a, the second end wall 413b, the first sidewall 411a and/or the second sidewall 411b.
  • the passage 421 can extend through the corresponding wall and the inner surface of the corresponding wall.
  • one or more vacuum ports 417a, 417b may be provided in the first end wall 413a of the shroud 407 and one or more vacuum ports 419a, 419b may be provided in the second end wall 413b of the shroud 407.
  • the first end wall 413a and associated vacuum ports 417a, 417b are located laterally outside of the first lateral end 403a of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 and being located laterally outside of the first lateral edge 103a of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the first end wall 413a and associated vacuum ports 417a, 417b are each located outside of the projection 437a of the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103 in the first direction 439a perpendicular to the first major surface 104a.
  • first end wall 413a and associated vacuum ports 417a, 417b are each located outside of the projection 437b of the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103 in the second direction 439b perpendicular to the second major surface 104b, wherein the second direction 439b is opposite the first direction 439a
  • the second end wall 413b and associated vacuum ports 419a, 419b are located laterally outside of the second lateral end 403b of the transverse cross section of the draw path 403 and being located laterally outside of the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the second end wall 413b and associated vacuum ports 419a, 419b are each located outside of the projection 437a of the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103 in the first direction 439a perpendicular to the first major surface 104a.
  • the second end wall 413b and associated vacuum ports 419a, 419b are each located outside of the projection 437b of the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103 in the second direction 439b perpendicular to the second major surface 104b, wherein the second direction 439b is opposite the first direction 439a.
  • the first sidewall 411a and/or the second sidewall 411b may include one or more vacuum ports that are located laterally outside of the of the first lateral end 403a/first lateral edge 103a and laterally outside the second lateral end 403b/second lateral edge 103b.
  • the draw plane 211 can comprise a plane extending in the draw direction 207 and through the opposed edges 103a, 103b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • An interior surface of the shroud 407 e.g., the interior surfaces 412a, 412b, 414a, 414b circumscribes a length of the glass ribbon 103 along the draw direction 207.
  • a first area 441a of the interior surface (e.g., a portion of the surface 412a) is defined by the projection 437a of the first major surface 104a in the direction 439a perpendicular to the plane 211.
  • a second area 441b of the interior surface (e.g., a portion of the surface 412b) is defined by the projection 437b of the second major surface 104b in the direction 439b perpendicular to the plane 211.
  • the at least one vacuum port can include the passage 421 extending through the interior surface of the shroud 407 at a location outside of the first area 441a and the second area 441b of the interior surface.
  • the location outside of the first area 441a and the second area 441b can be the entire first inner end surface 414a of the first end wall 413a and the entire second inner end surface 414b of the second wall 413b. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the location outside of the first area 441a and the second area 441b can be the end portions of the first inner side surface 412a of the first sidewall 411a and the second inner side surface 412b of the second sidewall 411b. As shown, the length of these end portions of the first and second inner side surface 412a, 412b can have respective lengths equal to the first and second lateral distances 415a, 415b.
  • the at least one vacuum port consists of all of the vacuum ports of the draw apparatus 102. Indeed, as shown, some embodiments may only include vacuum ports in the first end wall 413a and/or the second end wall 413b with no vacuum ports in the first sidewall 411a or the second sidewall 411b.
  • the first end wall 413a includes one or more vacuum ports with no other vacuum ports in the sidewalls 411a, 411b or the second end wall 413b.
  • only the second end wall 413b includes one or more vacuum ports with no other vacuum ports in the sidewalls 411a, 411b or the first end wall 413a.
  • the at least one vacuum port can include at least one vacuum port (e.g., one or any number of vacuum ports) in the first end wall 413a and at least one vacuum port (e,g., one or any number of vacuum ports) in the second end wall 413b with no other vacuum ports in the sidewalls 411a, 411b.
  • first end wall 413a may include a first vacuum port 417a and a second vacuum port 417b and the second end wall 413b may include a first vacuum port 419a and a second vacuum port 419b.
  • a plane (e.g., the draw plane 211) of the draw path 403 may extend between the first vacuum port 417a and the second vacuum port 417b of the first end wall 413a.
  • the plane (e.g., the draw plane 211) of the draw path 403 may extend between the first vacuum port 419a and the second vacuum port 419b of the second end wall 413b.
  • Providing the plane positioned between the corresponding first and second vacuum ports allows for the vacuum ports to draw cooling fluid along the first portion 409a of the interior area 409 to cool the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon and also draw cooling fluid along the second portion 409b of the interior area 409 to cool the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon.
  • providing the plane (e.g., the draw plane 211) of the draw path that bisects the distance between the corresponding pair of vacuum ports can promote equal cooling along the major surfaces of the glass ribbon.
  • a pair of vacuum ports 417a, 419a in the first and second end walls 413a, 413b may be coaxially aligned with one another.
  • another pair of vacuum ports 417b, 419b may be coaxially aligned with one another.
  • Providing coaxial alignment can allow for symmetrical cooling to facilitate equal drawing of cooling fluid through the corresponding first portion 409a and second portion 409b of the interior area 409 in use.
  • pairs of vacuum ports may be offset from the draw plane 211.
  • the pair of vacuum ports 417a, 419a may be aligned along a respective fluid intake axis 420 spaced a distance 423a from the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103 (or corresponding to first side 405a of the draw path 403).
  • the pair of vacuum ports 417b, 419b may be aligned along a fluid intake axis 422 spaced a distance 423b from the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103 (corresponding to the second side 405b of the draw path 403).
  • the distances 423a, 423b may be different from one another.
  • the distances 423a, 423b may be substantially equal to promote equal cooling on each major surface of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the fluid intake axis means an axis extending through the opening of the vacuum port extending in a direction that is the resultant vector of the glass flowing through the opening of the vacuum port when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum port to draw gas into the vacuum port.
  • the fluid intake axis 420, 422 of any of the vacuum ports may be substantially parallel to the first major surface 104a and the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103. Providing axes that are parallel to the major surfaces of the glass ribbon can help develop a desired fluid flow profile that promotes relatively even cooling along the glass ribbon when compared to other configurations.
  • Each vacuum port may have a fluid flow adjustment device associated with the vacuum port to allow fine tuning of the fluid flow rate through the vacuum port relative to the other vacuum ports.
  • each vacuum port may include an adjustment device 425.
  • the adjustment device 425 may comprise a restriction plate 501 with a plurality of differently sized openings 503a, 503b, 503c. In the illustrated position, a smaller opening 503a is aligned with the passage to restrict flow. In order to reduce the flow restriction, the restriction plate may be moved in direction 505 until one of the larger sized openings 503b, 503c is aligned with the passage to provide the desired flow restriction.
  • a common coupling conduit 427a may be used to provide a common fluid connection between a vacuum source 429 and a pair of the vacuum ports 417a, 417b.
  • the vacuum source 429 can comprise a vacuum chamber, a blower, pump, fan, or other vacuum device.
  • the common coupling conduit 427a may form a T-joint with a first conduit 431a that is connected to the fluid source 429 by a fluid source conduit 433.
  • another common coupling conduit 427b may be used to provide a common fluid connection between the vacuum source 429 and a pair of the vacuum ports 419a, 419b.
  • the common coupling conduit 427b may form a T-joint with a second conduit 431b that is connected to the fluid source 429 by a fluid source conduit 433.
  • Providing the common coupling conduits 427a, 427b can simplify the design, where relative fluid intake from the vacuum ports 417a, 417b and the vacuum ports 419a, 419b can be adjusted by way of the adjustment devices 425.
  • relative fluid intake from the vacuum ports 417a, 417b associated with the first end wall 413a can be adjusted with a first side valve 435a.
  • relative fluid intake from the vacuum ports 419a, 419b associated with the second end wall 413b may be adjusted with the second side valve 435b.
  • vacuum ports 417a, 419a may be connected together with a common coupling conduit and the other vacuum ports 417b, 419b may be connected together with another common coupling.
  • a first valve may be used to adjust the fluid intake from the vacuum ports 417a, 419a while a second valve may be used to adjust the fluid intake from the vacuum ports 417b, 419b.
  • a plurality of ports may be provided at alternate and/or a plurality of elevations within the shroud 407.
  • the schematic cross section of FIG. 6, shows the one embodiment of a convection cooling apparatus that includes a plurality of elevations.
  • a first pair of the previously described first and second vacuum ports 419a, 419b can optionally be provided in the second end wall 413b at a first elevation 601.
  • a second pair of the previously described first and second vacuum ports 419a, 419b can also be provided in the second end wall 413b at a higher elevation 603.
  • similar or identical vacuum ports may be provided in the first end wall 413a. Providing the vacuum ports at different elevations can help control the cooling rate at various elevational locations of the glass ribbon along the draw direction 207.
  • the method can include drawing the glass ribbon 103 in the draw direction 207.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn with a width "W" between opposed edges 103a, 103b of the glass ribbon.
  • the drawn glass ribbon 103 includes the first major surface 104a and the second major surface 104b that extend between the opposed edges 103a, 103b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • many alternative draw apparatus may be provided to draw the glass ribbon 103.
  • the glass ribbon may be optionally fusion drawn from the root 209 of the forming wedge 201 discussed above.
  • the method can further include applying a vacuum only to at least one vacuum port located laterally outside of at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • the method can apply a vacuum to one or any plurality of vacuum ports that are all located laterally outside of at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon without applying a vacuum to any vacuum port located laterally inside of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • vacuum can refer to pressures that are lower than the atmosphere surrounding the shroud 407. Consequently, placing the vacuum ports in communication with a vacuum source can likewise result in lowering the pressure within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407 to a pressure lower than the atmosphere surrounding the shroud 407.
  • the at least one of the plurality of vacuum ports may be positioned in one or both of the first sidewall 411a and the second sidewall 411b. In such examples, all of the vacuum ports are located laterally outside of the at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • a passage 421 of a vacuum port may extend through the first inner side surface 412a of the first sidewall 411a at a location outside of the first area 441a.
  • a passage 421 of a vacuum port may extend through the second inner side surface 412b of the second sidewall 411b at a location outside of the second area 441b.
  • the plurality of vacuum ports may be positioned in one of the first sidewall 411a and the second sidewall 411b in addition to one of the first end wall 413a and the second end wall 413b. In further embodiments, the plurality of vacuum ports may only be positioned in the first end wall 413a and/or the second end wall 413b. In such examples, each vacuum port is located laterally outside of the at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG.
  • the first vacuum port 417a and the second vacuum port 417b each include the passage 421 passing through the first end wall 413a with an opening in the first inner end surface 414a that is located laterally outside of the first lateral edge 103a of the glass ribbon 103 by the first lateral distance 415a.
  • the first vacuum port 419a and the second vacuum port 419b each include the passage 421 passing through the second end wall 413b with an opening in the second inner end surface 414b that is located laterally outside of the second lateral edge 103b of the glass ribbon 103 by the second lateral distance 415b
  • Methods of the disclosure can promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon as it is drawn through the shroud 407.
  • the freshly drawn glass ribbon 103 may be relatively hot when being drawn through the shroud 407.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may therefore heat the air or other gas within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407.
  • the heating the gas within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407 reduces the density of the gas, such that the density of the gas within the interior area 409 of the shroud 407 is less than the density of the lower-temperature gas outside of the shroud 407.
  • a directional component or the resultant vector of the direction 608 can be opposite with respect to the draw direction 207.
  • the draw direction may also include a directional component or a resultant vector in the direction of gravity.
  • the shroud 407 can act as a chimney wherein gas 605a, 605b may be drawn through a lower opening 607a of the interior area 409 and portions of the gas 606a, 606b being subsequently released through the upper opening 607b.
  • At least a portion of the gas 605a can travel along an upstream path 609a, an intermediate path 611a and a downstream path 613a within the first portion 409a of the interior area 409 to cool the first major surface 104a of the glass ribbon 103.
  • at least a portion of the gas 605b can travel along an upstream path 609b, an intermediate path 611b and a downstream path 613b within the second portion 409b of the interior area 409 to cool the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the gas traveling upward through the corresponding upstream path 609a, 609b, the corresponding intermediate path 611a, 611b, and the corresponding downstream path 613a, 613b prior to exiting the upper opening 607b of the interior area 409 can provide convection cooling of the glass ribbon as the glass ribbon is being drawn through the interior 409 of the shroud 407.
  • a shroud 407 may be maintained at the same height or may even be provided at a reduced height to avoid material costs involved with increasing the height of the shroud.
  • the method can include the step of applying a vacuum to one or any plurality of the vacuum ports located laterally outside of the at least one of the opposed edges 103a, 103b of the glass ribbon 103 as described above.
  • the vacuum source 429 may draw fluid (e.g., air or other gas) through the fluid source conduit 433 that draws fluid through the first conduit 431a and the second conduit 431b at a proportional rate adjusted by the first side valve 435a and the second side valve 435b.
  • fluid can then be drawn through the common coupling conduit 427a where fluid can then be drawn through the passage 421 of the first vacuum port 417a and the second vacuum port 417b at a proportional rate adjusted by the adjustment device 425 associated with each of the first vacuum port 417a and the second vacuum port 417b.
  • fluid can also be drawn through the common coupling conduit 427b where fluid can then be drawn through the passage 421 of the first vacuum port 419a and the second vacuum port 419b at a proportional rate adjusted by the adjustment device 425 associated with each of the first vacuum port 419a and the second vacuum port 419b.
  • applying the vacuum to the at least one vacuum port can promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon, such as enhance existing convection cooling of the glass ribbon, with a cooling fluid flow generated at least partially by the vacuum being applied to the at least one vacuum port.
  • applying the vacuum can increase convection cooling of the glass ribbon above and beyond what is achieved by convection cooling driven by the chimney effect discussed above.
  • drawing gas through the first vacuum port 417a of the first end wall 413a at the first elevation 601 and drawing gas through the first vacuum port 419a of the second end wall 413b at the first elevation 601 can cause a downstream portion of the gas traveling along the upstream path 609a of the first portion 409a of the interior area 409 to travel along a transverse path 610a and into the respective first vacuum port 417a, 419a at the first elevation 601.
  • applying vacuum to the first vacuum ports 417a, 419a at the first elevation 601 can increase flow rate of the fluid along the upstream path 609a and consequently increase the convection cooling of the glass ribbon along the upstream path 609a.
  • drawing gas through the second vacuum port 417b of the first end wall 413a at the first elevation 601 and drawing gas through the second vacuum port 419b of the second end wall 413b at the first elevation 601 can cause a downstream portion of the gas traveling along the upstream path 609b of the second portion 409b of the interior area 409 to travel along a transverse path 610b and into the respective second vacuum port 417b, 419b at the first elevation 601.
  • applying vacuum to the second vacuum ports 417b, 419b at the first elevation 601 can increase flow rate of the fluid along the upstream path 609b and consequently increase the convection cooling of the glass ribbon along the upstream path 609b.
  • drawing gas through the first vacuum port 417a of the first end wall 413a at the second elevation 603 and drawing gas through the first vacuum port 419a of the second end wall 413b at the second elevation 603 can cause a downstream portion of the gas traveling along the intermediate path 611a of the first portion 409a of the interior area 409 to travel along a transverse path 612a and into the respective first vacuum port 417a, 419a at the second elevation 603.
  • applying vacuum to the first vacuum ports 417a, 419a at the second elevation 603 can increase flow rate of the fluid along the upstream path 609a and the intermediate path 611a and consequently increase the convection cooling of the glass ribbon along the upstream path 609a and the intermediate path 611a.
  • drawing gas through the second vacuum port 417b of the first end wall 413a at the second elevation 603 and drawing gas through the second vacuum port 419b of the second end wall 413b at the second elevation 603 can cause a downstream portion of the gas traveling along the intermediate path 611b of the second portion 409b of the interior area 409 to travel along a transverse path 612b and into the respective second vacuum port 417b, 419b at the second elevation 603.
  • applying vacuum to the second vacuum ports 417b, 419b at the second elevation 603 can increase flow rate of the fluid along the upstream path 609b and the intermediate path 611b and consequently increase the convection cooling of the glass ribbon along the upstream path 609b and the intermediate path 611b.
  • any of the embodiment of the disclosure can include contacting the first major surface 104a and/or the second major surface 104b of the glass ribbon 103 with the cooling fluid flow.
  • Providing direct contact of the fluid with the glass ribbon can increase the cooling convection of the glass ribbon without relying on conduction or radiation heat transfer that may be incorporated in heat transfer panels (not shown) in further examples of the disclosure.
  • applying the vacuum may promote an upstream portion of the cooling fluid flow to travel along an upstream flow direction that is substantially opposite to the draw direction.
  • the vacuum can promote a downstream portion of the cooling fluid flow to travel along a downstream flow direction that extends across the draw direction.
  • the upstream paths 609a, 609b illustrate that cooling fluid flow can travel along an upstream flow direction 609 that is substantially opposite the draw direction 207.
  • the vacuum can also promote a downstream portion of the cooling fluid to travel along a transverse path 610a, 610b that is transverse to the draw direction 207 by extending across, such as perpendicular, to the draw direction 207.
  • the vacuum can also promote fluid flowing along intermediate paths 611a, 611b (that are upstream relative to the transverse paths 612a, 612b), to travel along the upstream flow direction 608 that is substantially opposite the draw direction 207. Further, the vacuum can also promote cooling fluid to travel along a transverse path 612a, 612b that is transverse to the draw direction 207 by extend across, such as perpendicular, to the draw direction 207.
  • the combined mass flow rate of the air can be related to the mass flow rate of the glass ribbon being drawn.
  • the glass ribbon may be drawn at a glass ribbon mass flow rate "Mglass" and the cooling fluid flow may be drawn through all of the at least one vacuum port at a combined mass flow rate "Mair".
  • a combined cooling fluid flow rate is the flow rate through each of the fluid ports added together.
  • the ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” is within a range of from about 0.036 to about 7.143.
  • the ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e., Mair/Mglass) is within a range of from about 0.357 to about 2.143.
  • the ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e., Mair/Mglass) is within a range of from about 0.357 to about 1.071.
  • FIGS. 10-14 demonstrate simulated test results associated with cooling the glass ribbon with a cooling apparatus with all of the vacuum ports located laterally outside of the at least one of the opposed edges of the glass ribbon.
  • the vertical axis (“y" axis) represents the distance, in inches, below the root of the forming wedge while the horizontal axis (“x" axis) represents the distance, in inches, from the glass ribbon center.
  • FIGS. 10-14 are simulations at various exemplary combined flow rates showing desirable results. Specifically, each of FIGS. 10-14 is a simulation showing changes in a temperature difference between: (1) natural cooling without use of the vacuum ports of the present application; and (2) forced cooling using the vacuum port design of the present application at various combined flow rates.
  • FIG. 10 is a simulation with a ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e.,
  • FIG. 10 demonstrates desirable results, at least from about 114.3 centimeters (45 inches) to about 165.1 centimeters (65 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours lOOla-c extend substantially along relatively uniform pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 11 is a simulation with a ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e.,
  • FIG. 11 demonstrates desirable results, at least from about 101.6 centimeters (40 inches) to about 203.2 centimeters (80 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours llOla-e extend substantially along relatively uniform pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 12 is a simulation with a ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass" (i.e.,
  • FIG. 12 demonstrates desirable results, at least from about 88.9 centimeters (35 inches) to about 203.2 centimeters (80 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours 1201a-k extend substantially along relatively uniform pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 13 is a simulation with a ratio "Mair” with respect to "Mglass” (i.e.,
  • FIG. 13 demonstrates desirable results, at least from about 101.6 centimeters (40 inches) to about 203.2 centimeters (80 inches) below the root of the forming wedge. Indeed, as shown, temperature difference contours 1301a-h extend substantially along relatively uniform pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.
  • FIG. 14 is a simulation with a ratio "Mair" with respect to "Mglass" (i.e.,
  • FIG. 14 demonstrates desirable results, at least from about 152.4 centimeters (60 inches) to about 203.2 centimeters (80 inches) below the root of the forming wedge.
  • temperature difference contours 1401a-e extend substantially along relatively uniform pressure differential paths through a central portion [e.g., ⁇ 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) from the glass ribbon center] of the width of the glass ribbon, indicating the temperature difference remains substantially constant across the width of the central portion of the glass ribbon.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés de production d'un ruban de verre qui comprennent chacun l'étirage d'un ruban de verre le long d'une direction d'étirage et l'application d'un vide uniquement à au moins un orifice de vide situé latéralement à l'extérieur d'au moins un des bords opposés du ruban de verre pour favoriser le refroidissement par convection du ruban de verre avec un flux de fluide de refroidissement généré au moins partiellement par le vide appliqué à l'au moins un orifice de vide. Dans d'autres modes de réalisation, l'appareil d'aspiration comprend au moins un orifice d'aspiration comprenant un passage s'étendant à travers l'une des première paroi d'extrémité et seconde paroi d'extrémité de l'enveloppe. Chacune des première paroi d'extrémité et seconde paroi d'extrémité sont situées latéralement à l'extérieur des première extrémité latérale et seconde extrémité latérale correspondantes d'une section transversale d'un trajet d'étirage.
PCT/US2017/026116 2016-04-05 2017-04-05 Procédés et appareil de production d'un ruban de verre Ceased WO2017176868A1 (fr)

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CN201780022413.1A CN108883957B (zh) 2016-04-05 2017-04-05 生产玻璃带的方法和设备
JP2018551813A JP7045320B2 (ja) 2016-04-05 2017-04-05 ガラスリボンの製造方法及び装置
KR1020187032100A KR102308664B1 (ko) 2016-04-05 2017-04-05 유리 리본 제조용 장치 및 방법들

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US20120318020A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-20 Robert Delia Apparatus and methods for producing a glass ribbon
US20130133368A1 (en) * 2011-11-29 2013-05-30 Olivier Fournel Temperature Control of Glass Ribbons During Forming
WO2014193780A1 (fr) * 2013-05-31 2014-12-04 Corning Incorporated Procédés et appareil de production d'un ruban de verre

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JP7045320B2 (ja) 2022-03-31
CN108883957A (zh) 2018-11-23
TW201739707A (zh) 2017-11-16
TWI733791B (zh) 2021-07-21
CN108883957B (zh) 2021-10-15
KR20180123724A (ko) 2018-11-19
JP2019513670A (ja) 2019-05-30
KR102308664B1 (ko) 2021-10-05

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