Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
  • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
  • C03B18/04—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon
  • C03B18/06—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon using mechanical means, e.g. restrictor bars, edge rollers
• • 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
  • C03B17/061—Forming glass sheets by lateral drawing or extrusion
• • 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
  • 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
  • C03B17/068—Means for providing the drawing force, e.g. traction or draw rollers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
  • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
  • C03B18/04—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon
  • C03B18/10—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon using electric means
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
  • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
  • C03B18/18—Controlling or regulating the temperature of the float bath; Composition or purification of the float bath
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P40/00—Technologies relating to the processing of minerals
  • Y02P40/50—Glass production, e.g. reusing waste heat during processing or shaping
  • Y02P40/57—Improving the yield, e-g- reduction of reject rates

Definitions

• the disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods including a float process.
• Glass manufacturing apparatus and methods are used to a form glass ribbon that may be separated into glass sheets, or rolled, and which may be used for display and other applications.
• Glass manufacturing apparatus and methods particular to the float process include a float bath on which the glass ribbon floats and over which the glass ribbon is drawn.
• a glass manufacturing apparatus in a first aspect of the disclosure, includes a forming device that produces a glass ribbon including a width.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a float bath comprising an upstream end and a downstream end.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus also includes a first pull roll device arranged at least partially between the upstream end and the downstream end of the float bath.
• the first pull roll device is configured to draw the glass ribbon from the forming device over the float bath from the upstream end to the downstream end along a draw path extending transverse to the width of the glass ribbon.
• the first pull roll device includes a first upstream roller arranged SP14-188
• the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller pinch the glass ribbon to produce a pinch force in the glass ribbon.
• at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller is adjustable to adjust the pinch force.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a second pull roll device arranged downstream along the draw path at least partially between the first pull roll device and the downstream end of the float bath.
• the second pull roll device is configured to further draw the glass ribbon over the float bath from the first pull roll device to the downstream end along the draw path.
• the second pull roll device includes a first downstream roller arranged above the first major surface of the glass ribbon and a second downstream roller arranged below the second major surface of the glass ribbon.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a control device.
• the control device is configured to operate the first pull roll device and the second pull roll device such that at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity.
• control device is further configured to adjust the substantially constant torque of the at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller based on an operating condition of at least one of the first pull roll device and the second pull roll device.
• At least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller includes a cooling system.
• the cooling system cools at least an edge portion of the glass ribbon.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus further includes an idle roller.
• the second upstream roller is at least partially submerged in the float bath.
• At least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller is arranged substantially outside a width of the float bath.
• the first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the first aspect discussed above.
• a method of manufacturing a glass ribbon includes the steps of forming a glass ribbon including a width.
• the method further includes the step of drawing the glass ribbon over a float bath from an upstream end of the float bath to a downstream end of the float bath.
• the method further includes the step of pinching the glass ribbon between a first upstream roller and a second upstream roller of a first pull roll device.
• the first pull roll device is arranged at least partially between the upstream end and the downstream end of the float bath.
• the first upstream roller is arranged above a first major surface of the glass ribbon and the second upstream roller is arranged below a second major surface of the glass ribbon.
• the method further includes the step of pinching the glass ribbon between a first downstream roller and a second downstream roller of a second pull roll device.
• the second pull roll device is arranged at least partially between the first pull roll device and the downstream end of the float bath.
• the first downstream roller is arranged above the first major surface of the glass ribbon and the second downstream roller is arranged below the second major surface of the glass ribbon.
• the method further includes the step of operating at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller such that at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller rotates with a substantially constant torque.
• the method further includes the step of operating at least one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller such that at least one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity.
• the method further includes the step of adjusting the substantially constant torque of the at least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller based on an operating condition of at least one of the first pull roll device and the second pull roll device.
• the method further includes the step of cooling at least a portion of the glass ribbon.
• the portion of the glass ribbon is an edge portion of the glass ribbon.
• the second upstream roller is at least partially submerged in the float bath.
• At least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller is arranged substantially outside a width of the float bath.
• the method further includes the step of inducing a magnetic field in the float bath for circulating at least an amount of the float bath.
• the second aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the second aspect discussed above.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first example glass manufacturing apparatus
• FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a second example glass manufacturing apparatus
• FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the first example glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 illustrates a forming device of the second example glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the second example glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a glass manufacturing apparatus
• FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a pull roll apparatus of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 6; SP14-188
• FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of another example glass manufacturing apparatus, including a roller at least partially submerged in a float bath;
• FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 8
• FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 8
• FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of another example glass manufacturing apparatus, including a roller arranged substantially outside a width of a float bath;
• FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 11;
• FIG. 14 illustrates a detail view of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG.
• FIG. 15 illustrates an example pull roll apparatus of the glass manufacturing apparatus
• FIG. 16 illustrates another example pull roll apparatus of the glass manufacturing apparatus
• FIG. 17 illustrates the example pull roll apparatus of FIG. 16.
• a first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 is provided with various example features that may be used either alone or in combination to manufacture a first glass ribbon 105.
• the first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may comprise a melting tank 107, a first forming device 103, a first float tank 110, an annealer 115, a cool-down region 120, and a lift-off region 125.
• the melting tank 107 comprises a furnace wherein glass batch materials are introduced as shown by arrow 121.
• the glass batch materials can be pre-mixed, in some examples, and can be added to the melting tank 107 continuously or intermittently.
• the glass batch materials are heated and melt to form a first molten glass 123.
• the first molten glass 123 then flows from the melting tank 107 over the first forming device 103 into the first float tank 110.
• the first molten glass 123 can be treated or conditioned to remove impurities, bubbles, or other inclusions prior to forming the first glass ribbon 105 in the float tank 110.
• the first forming device 103 can comprise a spout 109 over which the first molten glass 123 flows into the first float tank 110.
• the first forming device 103 produces the first glass ribbon 105 including a first width "Wl" extending between a first edge portion 105a and a second edge portion 105b of the first glass ribbon 105.
• the size, such as the first width "Wl" of the first glass ribbon 105 can be controlled by varying the size (e.g. increasing or decreasing a dimension such as a width) of the spout 109.
• a wider spout can produce a wider width glass ribbon as compared to a narrower spout which can produce a narrower width glass ribbon.
• the first glass ribbon 105 can be further drawn or transported through the annealer 115, as shown in FIG. 1.
• the annealer 115 comprises a plurality of rollers (not shown) on which the first glass ribbon 105 is transported.
• the annealer 115 comprises an annealer oven 116, wherein the first glass ribbon 105 is cooled.
• the first glass ribbon 105 can be cooled slowly to prevent stresses from building up in the first glass ribbon 105. Once through the annealer 115, the first glass ribbon 105 can continue to be further drawn or transported through the cool-down region 120.
• the first glass ribbon 105 continues to cool and harden in the cool- down region 120. Once the first glass ribbon 105 has sufficiently cooled, the first glass ribbon can be further processed. In one example, the first glass ribbon can be trimmed or cut to remove edges of the first glass ribbon, which can become marred by a first pull roll SP14-188
• the first glass ribbon 105 can be cut into first individual glass sheets 127a, 127b of a predetermined size.
• a robotic arm or other device (not shown) can lift the first individual glass sheets 127a, 127b and move the individual first glass sheets to a different location.
• the first individual glass sheets 127a, 127b can be transferred to a vehicle or other conveyance device (not shown) for transport to a location located at a distance away from the first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101.
• the first individual glass sheets 127a, 127b can be stored or stacked for future use.
• the first glass ribbon 105 is not cut into first individual glass sheets; rather, the first glass ribbon 105 can remain substantially continuous over a period of time and can be, for example, rolled into a roll (not shown).
• a second example glass manufacturing apparatus 201 is provided with various example features that may be used either alone or in combination to manufacture a second glass ribbon 205.
• the second example glass manufacturing apparatus 201 may comprise a melting vessel 207, a fining vessel 209, a mixing vessel 211, a delivery vessel 213, a second forming device 203, a second float tank 210, and a separating device 219.
• the melting vessel 207 is where glass batch materials are introduced as shown by arrow 221 and melted to form a second molten glass 223.
• the fining vessel 209 has a high temperature processing area that receives the second molten glass 223 (not shown at this point) from the melting vessel 207. It is in the fining vessel 209 where bubbles can be removed from the second molten glass 223.
• the fining vessel 209 is connected to the mixing vessel 211 by a finer to stir chamber connecting tube 225.
• the mixing vessel 211 is connected to the delivery vessel 213 by a stir chamber to bowl connecting tube 227.
• the delivery vessel 213 delivers the second molten glass 223 through a downcomer 229 to an inlet 231 and into the second forming device 203.
• the second forming device 203 can include an opening 233 that receives the second molten glass 223 which flows into a trough 235. As best shown in FIG. 4, the second molten glass 223 overflows from the SP14-188
• the root 239 is where the two sides 237a, 237b come together and where the two overflow walls of second molten glass 223 flowing over each of the two sides 237a, 237b fuse together as the second glass ribbon 205 at the root 239.
• a portion of the second glass ribbon 205 is drawn off the root 239 into a viscous zone 241 wherein the second glass ribbon 205 begins to thin to a final thickness.
• the second glass ribbon may comprise a setting zone 243 and/or an elastic zone 245.
• the second forming device 203 produces the second glass ribbon 205 including a second width "W2" extending between a first edge portion 205a and a second edge portion 205b of the second glass ribbon 205.
• the second glass ribbon 205 can then flow or be drawn into the second float tank 210, the features of which are described more fully below.
• a separating device 219 may be provided to sequentially separate a plurality of second individual glass sheets 247a, 247b from the second glass ribbon 205 over a period of time.
• the second example glass manufacturing apparatus 201 may also be provided without a separating device 219, such that the second glass ribbon 205 can remain substantially continuous over a period of time.
• the glass ribbon may be wound on a storage roll wherein the separating device may be provided to separate the glass ribbon at a later time after the storage roll is fully loaded with a winding of glass ribbon and is subsequently unrolled.
• the first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 and the second example glass manufacturing apparatus 201 can further respectively include a first pull roll apparatus 102 and a second pull roll apparatus 202 to help draw the first glass ribbon 105 and the second glass ribbon 205 from the first forming device 103 and the second forming device 203 into the first float tank 110 and the second float tank 210.
• the first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 can include a first pull roll apparatus 102 configured to help draw the first glass ribbon 105 from the spout 109 to the first float tank 110 along a first draw path 104.
• the second example glass manufacturing SP14-188 the second example glass manufacturing SP14-188
• apparatus 201 can include a second pull roll apparatus 202 configured to help draw the second glass ribbon 205 from the root 239 into the second float tank 210 along a second draw path 204.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an example glass manufacturing apparatus 301 including an example float tank 310 and example pull roll apparatus 302 in accordance with examples of the disclosure.
• the example float tank 310 and example pull roll apparatus 302 can be used either alone or in combination with any of the features of the first example glass manufacturing apparatus 101 and the second example glass manufacturing apparatus 201 discussed above, including in place of the first and second float tank 110, 210 and the first and second pull roll apparatus 102, 202.
• an example glass ribbon 305 will be described with the understanding that the example glass ribbon 305 can be formed by an example forming device 303 which can include either of the first forming device 103 and/or the second forming device 203, described above, as well as any other forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon.
• the float tank 310 can comprise a container or vessel for holding a material, such as a float bath material, (referred to, hereinafter, generally as "a float bath 317").
• a float bath 317 comprises an upstream end 318 and a downstream end 319, wherein the upstream end 318 is located closer to a forming device 303 than the downstream end 319.
• the float bath 317 comprises a molten material.
• the float bath 317 includes molten or liquid tin.
• the float bath 317 can include lead or other alloys with a low melting point.
• the float tank 310 can contain a shallow pool of the float bath 317.
• the glass ribbon 305 when the glass ribbon 305 leaves the forming device 303 and enters the float tank 310, the glass ribbon 305 can, for example, pour onto a surface 323 of the float bath 317 on which the glass ribbon 305 can then float.
• the glass ribbon 305 can naturally smooth or spread about the float tank 310 as the glass ribbon 305 floats on the surface 323 of the float bath 317. This natural smoothing or spreading of the glass ribbon 305 can aid in the production of a thin glass ribbon having a width "W" and a SP14-188
• mechanical devices e.g. a pull roll apparatus
• mechanical devices can impart forces on the glass ribbon 305 to further manipulate or control various characteristics, such as a width, a length, or a thickness, of the glass ribbon 305.
• the glass ribbon 305 can comprise a first major surface 321 and a second major surface 322 wherein the thickness "t" is defined between the first and second major surfaces 321, 322.
• at least a portion of the second major surface 322 can be in contact with and float on the surface 323 of the float bath 317.
• the first major surface 321 can be opposite to and substantially parallel with the second major surface 322.
• the first major surface 321 can include a surface opposite the second major surface 322, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface 322 is floating on and in contact with the surface 323 of the float bath 317.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 comprises a pull roll apparatus 302.
• An example pull roll apparatus 302 with some features of the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 removed for clarity, is shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with one example of the disclosure, although other pull roll device constructions and configurations may be provided in further examples.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 comprises a first pull roll device 701 configured to draw the glass ribbon 305 from the forming device 303 (shown in FIG. 6) over the float bath 317 from the upstream end 318 to the downstream end 319 along the draw path 304 extending transverse to the width "W" of the glass ribbon 305.
• the first pull roll device 701 is arranged at least partially between the upstream end 318 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the first pull roll device 701 can comprise a first upstream roller 711 arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) the first major surface 321 of the glass ribbon 305 and a second upstream roller 715 arranged below (e.g., at least partially arranged below as shown) the second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can comprise another first pull roll device 703 which can comprise another first upstream roller 713 arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) the first major surface 321 SP14-188
• the first pull roll device 701 can be arranged at one side of the glass ribbon 305 for interacting with the first edge portion 305a of the glass ribbon 305, and the other first pull roll device 703 can be arranged at another side, such as an opposite side, of the glass ribbon 305 for interacting with the second edge portion 305b of the glass ribbon 305.
• the first pull roll device 701 and the other first pull roll device 703 can be configured to draw the glass ribbon in a direction along the draw path 304 as shown by arrow 720.
• the first pull roll device 701 and the other first pull roll device 703 can also be configured to stretch the glass ribbon 305 in a direction substantially transverse to the draw path 304 as shown by arrow 721.
• the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller 711, 715 of the first pull roll device 701 can each be provided with a respective refractory roll covering 731, 735 configured to engage the first edge portion 305a of the glass ribbon 305 therebetween.
• At least one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller 711, 715 may be provided with a respective motor 741, 745.
• both the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller 711, 715 can be provided with a respective motor 741, 745.
• only one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller 711, 715 may be provided with a motor wherein the other upstream roller may be provided with a bearing such that only one of the first upstream roller and the second upstream roller 711, 715 is driven.
• the other first upstream roller and the other second upstream roller 713, 717 of the other first pull roll device 703 can each be provided with a respective refractory roll covering 733, 737 configured to engage the second edge portion 305b of the glass ribbon 305 therebetween.
• At least one of the other first upstream roller and the other second upstream roller 713, 717 may be provided with a respective motor 743, 747.
• both the other first upstream roller and the other second upstream roller 713, 717 can be provided with a respective motor 743, 747.
• only one of the other first upstream roller and the other second upstream roller 713, 717 may be provided with a motor wherein the other other upstream roller may be SP14-188
• the pull roll apparatus 302 comprises a second pull roll device 702 configured to further draw the glass ribbon 305 over the float bath 317 (shown in FIG. 6) from the first pull roll device 701 to the downstream end 319 along the draw path 304 extending transverse to the width "W" of the glass ribbon 305.
• the second pull roll device 702 is arranged at least partially between the first pull roll device 701 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the second pull roll device 702 can comprise a first downstream roller 712 arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) the first major surface 321 of the glass ribbon 305 and a second downstream roller 716 arranged below (e.g., at least partially arranged below as shown) the second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can comprise another second pull roll device 704 which can comprise another first downstream roller 714 arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) the first major surface 321 of the glass ribbon 305 and another second downstream roller 718 arranged below (e.g., at least partially arranged below as shown) the second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305. As shown in FIG.
• the second pull roll device 702 can be arranged at one side of the glass ribbon 305 for interacting with the first edge portion 305a of the glass ribbon 305, and the other second pull roll device 704 can be arranged at another side, such as an opposite side, of the glass ribbon 305 for interacting with the second edge portion 305b of the glass ribbon 305.
• the second pull roll device 702 and the other second pull roll device 704 can be configured to draw the glass ribbon in a direction along the draw path 304 as shown by arrow 722.
• the second pull roll device 702 and the other second pull roll device 704 can also be configured to stretch the glass ribbon 305 in a direction substantially transverse to the draw path 304 as shown by arrow 723.
• first downstream roller and the second downstream roller 712, 716 of the second pull roll device 702 can each be provided with a respective refractory roll covering 732, 736 to engage the first edge portion 305a of the glass SP14-188
• At least one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller 712, 716 may be provided with a respective motor 742, 746.
• both the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller 712, 716 can be provided with a respective motor 742, 746.
• only one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller 712, 716 may be provided with a motor wherein the other downstream roller may be provided with a bearing such that only one of the first downstream roller and the second downstream roller 712, 716 is driven.
• the other first downstream roller and the other second downstream roller 714, 718 of the other second pull roll device 704 can each be provided with a respective refractory roll covering 734, 738 to engage the second edge portion 305b of the glass ribbon 305 therebetween.
• At least one of the other first downstream roller and the other second downstream roller 714, 718 may be provided with a respective motor 744, 748.
• both the other first downstream roller and the other second downstream roller 714, 718 can be provided with a respective motor 744, 748.
• only one of the other first downstream roller and the other second downstream roller 714, 718 may be provided with a motor wherein the other other downstream roller may be provided with a bearing such that only one of the other first downstream roller and the other second downstream roller 714, 718 is driven.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 can include a third pull roll device arranged at any location between the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 can include any number of additional pull roll devices arranged at different locations along the glass ribbon.
• the third pull roll device and the any number of additional pull roll devices can include any or all of the features, in any combination, of the first pull roll device and the second pull roll device disclosed herein.
• the third pull roll device and the any number of additional pull roll devices can operate as disclosed herein.
• the pull roll apparatus can draw and stretch the glass ribbon 305 in various directions.
• the glass ribbon 305 can be drawn downward from the forming device 303 in a substantially vertical direction.
• the glass ribbon 305 can also be drawn in a substantially horizontal direction over the float bath 317, such that SP14-188
• the glass ribbon 305 floats on the surface 323 of the float bath 317. Still further, the glass ribbon 305 can be drawn in a direction away from the float bath 317 for further processing of the glass ribbon 305.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 including the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702 discussed throughout the application may have additional features or configurations which can be used either alone or in combination with any of the features of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702, described herein.
• any of the rollers may be vertically downtilted or horizontally level rolls with respect to the glass ribbon 305.
• any of the rollers may be positioned to have a predetermined horizontal angle ⁇ that a respective face of the rolls would be positioned relative to a respective first major surface 321 and second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305.
• the horizontal angle ⁇ can be desirable to provide an appropriate level of cross-draw tension 721 and/or to accommodate a taper effect that may occur during normal roll wear.
• FIG. 15 illustrates an example where the first pull roll device 701 and the other first pull roll device 703 including the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 and the other first upstream roller 713 and the other second upstream roller 717 can comprise vertically downtilted rolls with respect to the glass ribbon 305.
• the downtilt angle of any roller may be different or the same as any other roller depending on process considerations. Downtilting of the first and/or second upstream rollers 711, 713, 715, 717 can provide a desired level of cross-draw tension 721 between the first pull roll device 701 and the other first pull roll device 703.
• control device 339 may be configured to activate an automatic positioner (not shown) or a manual mechanism may be used to adjust SP14-188
• one or more of the pairs of draw rolls may be horizontally level rolls with respect to the glass ribbon.
• FIG. 16 shows a top view of the pull roll apparatus 302 including a first pull roll device 701 and a second pull roll device 702 that may be horizontally level with respect to the glass ribbon 305 wherein the rotation axis extends substantially perpendicular to the draw path 304 of the glass ribbon 305.
• FIG. 17 providing the first upstream rollers 711, 713 and the second upstream rollers 715, 717 of the first pull roll device 701 as horizontally level rolls may be desired if cross-wise tension is not necessary across the width of the glass ribbon 305 between the rollers.
• first downstream rollers 712, 714 and the second downstream rollers 716, 718 of the second pull roll device 702 as horizontally level rolls may be desired if cross-wise tension is not necessary across the width of the glass ribbon 305 between the rollers.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can include a first pull roll device 701 with a first upstream pair of rollers 711, 713 and a second upstream pair of rollers 715, 717.
• the first upstream pair of rollers 711, 713 can be connected with a first upstream shank 791
• the second upstream pair of rollers 715, 717 can be connected with a second upstream shank 793.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can include a second pull roll device 702 with a first downstream pair of rollers 712, 714 and a second downstream pair of rollers 716, 718.
• the first downstream pair of rollers 712, 714 can be connected with a first downstream shank 792, and the second downstream pair of rollers 716, 718 can be connected with a second downstream shank 794.
• At least one of the first and second upstream pair of rollers 711, 713, 715, 717 can be provided with a respective motor 795, 797 to rotate the first upstream shank 791 together with the first upstream pair of rollers
• only one of the first and second upstream pair of rollers 711, 713 or 715, 717 may be provided with a motor 795 or 797 wherein the other pair of rollers may be provided with a bearing such that only one of the first and second upstream pair of rollers 711, 713 or 715, 717 is driven.
• only one of the first and second downstream pair of rollers 712, 714 or 716, 718 may be provided with a motor 796 or 798 wherein the other pair of rollers may be provided with a bearing such that only one of the first and second downstream pair of rollers 712, 714 or 716, 718 is driven.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 can further include a control device 779, 780 (e.g., programmable logic controller) configured to (e.g., "programmed to", “encoded to”, designed to", and/or "made to") operate the pull roll apparatus 302.
• the control device can include separate control devices 779, 780, as shown, or can include a single control device configured to operate the pull roll apparatus 302.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 can include multiple control devices each of which is configured to operate one or more separate components of the pull roll apparatus 302.
• an upstream control device 779 can be configured to operate the first pull roll device 701, including the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715, and the other first pull roll device 703, including the other first upstream roller 713 and the other second upstream roller 717.
• a downstream control device 780 can be configured to operate the second pull roll device 702, including the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716, and the other second pull roll device 704, including the other first downstream roller 714 and the other second downstream roller 718.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can include at least one motor.
• the motor can comprise servo motors that may optionally be provided with a gear box to drive the respective rollers.
• the servo motors if provided, can provide torque and/or angular velocity measurements back to the control device 779, 780 that may then be used by the control device 779, 780 to implement the desired control scheme.
• the control device 779, 780 may interact with other types of motor controllers such as variable frequency drives to control the angular velocity and/or torque of the respective motors.
• torque sensors and/or angular velocity sensors may be used to sense operating conditions and provide feedback of the sensed conditions to the control device 779, 780.
• control device 779, 780 can be configured to implement a control loop.
• the control loop can include various control parameters to operate the pull roll apparatus 302, including the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702.
• the control device 779, 780 can be configured to implement a control loop including various control parameters to operate the pull roll apparatus 302 to address long- term process drift.
• Long-term process drift can include, for example, changes to the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 including changes in characteristics of the glass ribbon 305 that can occur over a relatively long period of time. In one example, long-term process drift can occur over a relatively-long period of time in the order of hours.
• long- term process drift can include a change in a characteristic of the glass ribbon 305 which can produce a corresponding change in an operating condition of the pull roll apparatus 302, including at least one of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702.
• the operating condition can be a function of the characteristic of the glass ribbon 305.
• the corresponding change in the operating condition can affect, for example, a quality of the glass ribbon 305.
• a change in a viscosity of the glass ribbon 305 at the forming device 303, such as the spout 109 or the root 239 can affect a tension force in the glass ribbon being drawn or flowing from the forming device 303.
• the viscosity of the glass ribbon 305 at the forming device 303 can change due to, for example, changes in a temperature of the glass ribbon 305.
• the temperature of the glass ribbon 305 can change as a result of, for example, a thermal change of any one or combination of components of the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 and/or a thermal change of the surroundings.
• thermal changes can be intentionally imparted on the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 including the glass ribbon 305 to control the change in temperature of the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 including the glass ribbon 305.
• such thermal changes can, for example, affect the viscosity and/or hardness of the glass ribbon 305.
• the control device 779, 780 can be configured to operate the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702 in a master/slave configuration.
• the second pull roll device 702 can include a master motor and the first pull roll device 701 can include a slave motor.
• the control device 779, 780 can be configured to operate the master motor to rotate at least one of the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716 at a constant angular velocity.
• the control device 779, 780 can be further configured to rotate at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 at a torque that matches a predetermined percentage of a torque of the master motor of the second pull roll device 702.
• control device 779, 780 can be configured to independently operate the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702 such that at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716 rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity.
• Independent operation of the first and second pull roll device 701, 702, for purposes of this disclosure means that one of the first and second pull roll devices 701, 702 may be operated without being affected by operation of the other of the first and second pull roll devices 702, 701.
• independently operating the first pull roll device 701 with the control device 779 provides for the control device to operate the first pull roll device 701 without considering changes in operating parameters of the second pull roll device 702.
• control device 779, 780 can be configured to operate the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702 such that at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716 rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity.
• control device 779, 780 can be configured to adjust the substantially constant torque of the at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 of the first pull roll device 701 based on an operating condition of at least one of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702. SP14-188
• the operating condition can include any one of an operating condition or a combination of operating conditions of at least one of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702, such as any one of or a combination of a torque, an angular velocity, a temperature, or any other input, output, or internal state of at least one of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702.
• the operating condition can include any one or a combination of operating conditions of the pull roll apparatus 302, including any one or a combination of operating conditions of the first pull roll device 701, including the first upstream roller 711, and the second upstream roller 715.
• the operating condition can include any one or a combination of operating conditions of the pull roll apparatus 302, including any one or a combination of operating conditions of the second pull roll device 702, including the first downstream roller 712, and the second downstream roller 716.
• the operating condition can be determined over a period of time. For example, the operating condition can be monitored, observed, recorded, or otherwise determined one time, incrementally, or continuously over a period of time.
• the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 of the first pull roll device 701 can pinch the glass ribbon 305 to produce a pinch force "P" (FIG. 10 and FIG. 13) in the glass ribbon 305.
• at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 of the first pull roll device 701 is adjustable to adjust the pinch force "P" in the glass ribbon 305.
• the other rollers of the pull roll apparatus 102, 202, and 302 can also be configured in the same or similar manner to pinch the glass ribbon at other locations to produce a pinch force in the glass ribbon.
• the first pull roll device 701 can be arranged at least partially between the upstream end 318 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the pull roll apparatus 302 can include the second pull roll device 702 which can be arranged at least partially between the first pull roll device 701 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the second upstream roller 715 of the first pull roll device 701 can be at least partially submerged in the float bath 317.
• upstream roller 715 is completely submerged in the float bath 317.
• at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 of the first pull roll device 701 is arranged substantially outside a width 800 of the float bath 317.
• at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 are arranged completely outside a width 800 of the float bath 317. It is to be understood that any one of the pull roll devices 701, 702, 703, and 704 can be arranged at any of the locations provided herein as well as other locations not shown, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
• any, all, or none of the pull roll devices 701, 702, 703, and 704 can be arranged inside a width 800 of the float bath 317, outside a width 800 of the float bath 317, and/or be at least partially submerged in the float bath 317.
• the glass ribbon 305 can extend outside the width 800 of the float bath 317 to be drawn by the first pull roll device 701.
• the float bath 317 can spill over a wall of the float tank 310, wherein the glass ribbon 305 can continue to float on the float bath 317 as the float bath spills over the wall of the float tank 310.
• a lubricant 327 can be provided at the location where the glass ribbon 305 extends outside the width 800 of the float bath 317.
• the lubricant 327 can provide a surface or barrier having reduced friction between the glass ribbon 305 and the wall of the float tank 310 such that the glass ribbon 305 is not scratched or impacted by the wall of the float tank 310 as the glass ribbon 305 is drawn and stretched.
• At least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 can comprise a cooling system 900.
• the cooling system 900 can cool at least a portion of the glass ribbon 305.
• the cooling system 900 can comprise a first upstream cooling line 903 and a second upstream cooling line 905 for respectively supplying a cooling fluid, such as a liquid, to the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715.
• the cooling fluid can be circulated in the first upstream cooling line 903 and the second upstream cooling line 905 from the cooling system 900 (where heat can be removed from the fluid) to the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 (where heat can be added to the fluid).
• the fluid can circulate through at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 to cool the first SP14-188
• the cooling system 900 can cool at least an edge portion of the glass ribbon, such as the first edge portion 305a or the second edge portion 305b of the glass ribbon 305.
• the glass ribbon can form a hardened edge portion (or bead portion) which can act as a frame structure to facilitate contact with and manipulation by the rollers of the pull roll apparatus 302. As noted previously, such contact can scratch or mar the edge portions of the glass ribbon which can then be removed by trimming or cutting.
• the cooling system 900 can be used with any of the other rollers of the pull roll apparatus 302, either alone or in combination, although not illustrated.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus can further comprise an idle roller 901, 902, such as a non-driven roller.
• the idle roller can be configured to act as a heat sink and draw heat from, such as to cool, at least a portion of the glass ribbon.
• the idle roller can comprise a material or structure for transferring heat through conduction from the glass ribbon to the idle roller 901, 902.
• the idle roller 901, 902 can comprise a cooling system, such as the cooling system 900 described above, to cool at least a portion of the glass ribbon.
• the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 305 includes the steps of forming a glass ribbon 305 including a width "W". The method further includes the step of drawing the glass ribbon 305 over a float bath 317 from an upstream end 318 of SP14-188
• the method further includes the step of pinching the glass ribbon 305 between a first upstream roller 711 and a second upstream roller 715 of a first pull roll device 701.
• the first pull roll device 701 can be arranged at least partially between the upstream end 318 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the first upstream roller 711 can be arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) a first major surface 321 of the glass ribbon 305 and the second upstream roller 715 can be arranged below (e.g., at least partially arranged below as shown) a second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305.
• the method further includes the step of pinching the glass ribbon 305 between a first downstream roller 712 and a second downstream roller 716 of a second pull roll device 702.
• the second pull roll device 702 can be arranged at least partially between the first pull roll device 701 and the downstream end 319 of the float bath 317.
• the first downstream roller 712 can be arranged above (e.g., at least partially arranged above as shown) the first major surface 321 of the glass ribbon 305 and the second downstream roller 716 can be arranged below (e.g., at least partially arranged below as shown) a second major surface 322 of the glass ribbon 305.
• the method further includes the step of operating at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 such that at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 rotates with a substantially constant torque.
• the method further includes the step of operating at least one of the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716 such that at least one of the first downstream roller 712 and the second downstream roller 716 rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity.
• the method further includes the step of adjusting the substantially constant torque of the at least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 based on an operating condition of at least one of the first pull roll device 701 and the second pull roll device 702.
• the method further includes the step of cooling at least a portion of the glass ribbon 305.
• the portion of the glass ribbon is an edge portion 305a, 305b of the glass ribbon 305.
• the second upstream roller 715 is at least partially submerged in the float bath 317.
• At least one of the first upstream roller 711 and the second upstream roller 715 is arranged substantially outside a width 800 of the float bath 317.
• the method further includes the step of inducing a magnetic field 1001 in the float bath 317 for circulating at least an amount of the float bath 317.
• the glass manufacturing apparatus 301 can include a device 1000, for example a linear motor, for inducing the magnetic field 1001 in the float bath 317.
• the device 1000 can induce the magnetic field 1001 at an edge of the float tank 310 to cause the float bath 317 to move in a manner that further draws or stretches the glass ribbon 305.
• the device 1000 can circulate at least an amount of the float bath 317 by creating a current in the float bath 317, wherein the current can promote the natural buoyant flow of the float bath, which can, for example, naturally flow along the side of the float tank 310.
• the device 1000 can induce a magnetic field 1001 in the float bath 317 for circulating at least an amount of the float bath 317 from a cooler area of the float bath to a warmer area of the float bath or from a warmer area of the float bath to a cooler area of the float bath.
• the device 1000 can circulate an amount of the float bath 317 in the vicinity of at least one of the first and second edge portions 305a, 305b of the glass ribbon 305 to cool the at least one of the first and second edge portions 305a, 305b of the glass ribbon 305.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)

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Citations (8)

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• 2015
  • 2015-07-10 WO PCT/US2015/039865 patent/WO2016007812A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-07-10 JP JP2017501197A patent/JP6626491B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2015-07-10 CN CN201580048702.XA patent/CN107074607A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-07-10 KR KR1020177003405A patent/KR20170031165A/ko unknown
  • 2015-07-13 TW TW104122609A patent/TWI682904B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (8)

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