Glass manufacturing apparatus with leak mitigation features

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes an outlet conduit positioned to deliver molten glass from a delivery vessel to an inlet conduit of a forming apparatus. The apparatus also includes a dam component that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet conduit and is configured to inhibit flow of molten glass toward an outer surface of the glass manufacturing apparatus.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 177,524, filed April 21, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically to a glass manufacturing apparatus having a leakage mitigation feature structure. Background Technology

[0004] Glass products, such as thin glass sheets, are used in display applications such as televisions, tablets, and smartphones. In the manufacture of these products, molten glass typically flows through one or more conduits. During manufacturing activities, leaks along or between these conduits can lead to undesirable results such as reduced quality of the glass products, processing downtime, and / or the need to repair or replace processed parts. Therefore, minimizing these effects is desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments disclosed herein include a glass manufacturing apparatus. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes an outlet conduit positioned to deliver molten glass from a delivery container to a forming apparatus. The glass manufacturing apparatus also includes a plugging component circumferentially surrounding a portion of the outlet conduit and configured to inhibit the flow of molten glass toward the outer surface of the glass manufacturing apparatus.

[0006] The embodiments disclosed herein also include a glass manufacturing apparatus. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes an outlet conduit positioned to deliver molten glass from a delivery container to a forming apparatus. An end of the outlet conduit extends into an open end of the inlet conduit, such that an annular gap is provided between the open end of the inlet conduit and the end of the outlet conduit. A plugging member circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet conduit and is positioned above the open end of the inlet conduit. The plugging member is configured to inhibit the flow of molten glass toward an outer surface of the glass manufacturing apparatus.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the following detailed description, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or will be recognized by practice of the disclosed embodiments as described herein, including the following detailed description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, are included to provide further understanding. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain their principles and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion-draw glass manufacturing equipment and process;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a glass manufacturing equipment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a leak-sealing component according to the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0012] Figure 4A This is a top perspective view of a plugging component in the engagement position according to the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0013] Figure 4B This is a top perspective view of the plugging component in the separated position according to the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0014] Figure 5 This is a side perspective view of the leak-sealing component and the heat-insulating component according to the embodiments disclosed herein;

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of a portion of the leak-sealing component; and

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a glass manufacturing apparatus that includes leak-sealing components and heat-insulating components. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0018] A range may be expressed herein as starting “about” of a particular value and / or ending “about” of another particular value. When expressing such a range, another implementation includes starting from and / or ending at that particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, for example, using the antecedent “about,” it is to be understood that the particular value forms another implementation. It is to be further understood that each endpoint of a range is significant relative to and independent of the other endpoint.

[0019] As used in this article, directional terms such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, and low are used only with reference to the drawn images and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0020] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is not intended that any method described herein require its steps to be performed in a particular order, nor is it intended that any device require a particular orientation. Therefore, no inference is made in any respect of order or orientation unless a method claim actually describes the order in which its steps are to be performed, or any device claim does not actually describe the order or orientation of individual components, or the claims or description do not expressly state that these steps are subject to a particular order, or a particular order or orientation of the components of the device is described. This applies to any possible basis for non-express interpretation, including: logical matters relating to the arrangement of steps, the flow of operations, the order of components, or the orientation of components; the general meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, references to a “a” component include aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] Figure 1 The illustration shows an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12, which may include a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (e.g., a combustion furnace or electrodes) for heating raw materials and converting them into molten glass. In further examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulation components) to reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In still further examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices to facilitate the melting of raw materials into molten glass. Furthermore, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (e.g., a support base, support member, etc.) or other components.

[0023] The glass melting vessel 14 typically comprises a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, for example, a refractory ceramic material comprising alumina or zirconium oxide. In some examples, the glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0024] In some examples, a glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus to produce glass sheets, such as continuous lengths of glass ribbons. In some examples, the glass melting furnace of this disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus, including slot draw equipment, float bath equipment, down-draw equipment such as fusion processes, up-draw equipment, press-rolling equipment, tube drawing equipment, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. By way of example, Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12, which is a component of a fusion-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusing and drawing glass ribbons for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0025] Glass manufacturing equipment 10 (e.g., fusion pull-down equipment 10) may optionally include upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 positioned upstream of the glass melting vessel 14. In some examples, a portion or all of the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0026] As illustrated in the example diagram, the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may include a storage tank 18, a raw material delivery device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device. The storage tank 18 may be configured to store an amount of raw material 24 that can be fed into the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the raw material delivery device 20 may be driven by the motor 22, such that the raw material delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from the storage tank 18 to the melting vessel 14. In a further example, the motor 22 may drive the raw material delivery device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass sensed downstream of the melting vessel 14. The raw material 24 within the melting vessel 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0027] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream of the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, a portion of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some cases, the first connecting pipe 32 or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30, discussed below, may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. Components of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus including the first connecting pipe 32 may be formed of precious metals. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals or alloys thereof, selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium. For example, downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may be formed of a platinum-rhodium alloy comprising from about 70 wt% to about 90 wt% platinum and from about 10 wt% to about 30 wt% rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include tungsten, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, and alloys thereof.

[0028] Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel, such as a fining vessel 34, located downstream of the molten vessel 14 and coupled to the molten vessel 14 via the aforementioned first connecting pipe 32. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the molten vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 via the first connecting pipe 32. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to travel through the internal path of the first connecting pipe 32 from the molten vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the molten vessel 14, for example, between the molten vessel 14 and the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be employed between the molten vessel and the fining vessel, wherein molten glass from the primary molten vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or cooled to a temperature lower than that of the molten glass in the molten vessel before entering the fining vessel.

[0029] Various techniques can be used to remove bubbles from the molten glass 28 within the refining vessel 34. For example, the raw material 24 may include a multivalent compound (i.e., a refining agent), such as tin oxide, which undergoes a chemical reduction reaction upon heating and releases oxygen. Other suitable refining agents include, without limitation, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The refining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than that of the molten vessel, thereby heating the molten glass and the refining agent. Oxygen bubbles generated by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the refining agent rise through the molten glass within the refining vessel, where gases generated in the molten glass in the furnace may diffuse or coalesce into the oxygen bubbles generated by the refining agent. The enlarged bubbles may then rise to the free surface of the molten glass within the refining vessel and subsequently exit from the refining vessel. The oxygen bubbles may further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass within the refining vessel.

[0030] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another regulating vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the refining vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a homogeneous glass melt composition, thereby reducing cords of chemical or thermal inhomogeneity that might otherwise be present within the refined molten glass leaving the refining vessel. As shown, the refining vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing vessel 36 by means of a second connecting conduit 38. In some examples, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the refining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 by means of the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to travel through an internal path of the second connecting conduit 38 from the refining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36. It should be understood that although the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the refining vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be positioned upstream of the refining vessel 34. In some embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may include multiple mixing containers, such as a mixing container upstream of the refining container 34 and a mixing container downstream of the refining container 34. These multiple mixing containers may be of the same design or they may be of different designs.

[0031] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another regulating container, such as a delivery container 40 located downstream of the mixing container 36. The delivery container 40 regulates the molten glass 28 to be fed to the downstream forming apparatus. For example, the delivery container 40 may act as an accumulator and / or flow controller to uniformly regulate and / or supply the molten glass 28 to the forming body 42 via an outlet pipe 44. As shown, the mixing container 36 may be coupled to the delivery container 40 via a third connecting pipe 46. In some examples, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the mixing container 36 to the delivery container 40 via the third connecting pipe 46. For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 through an internal path of the third connecting pipe 46 from the mixing container 36 to the delivery container 40.

[0032] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include a forming device 48, which includes the aforementioned forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50. An outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to deliver molten glass 28 from the delivery container 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming device 48. For example, the outlet conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced apart from the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface for the molten glass positioned between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The forming body 42 in the molten glass drawing apparatus may include a trough 52 positioned in the upper surface of the forming body and a converging forming surface 54 that converges in the drawing direction along the bottom edge 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to the forming body trough via the delivery container 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows the sidewall of the trough and descends as a separate stream of molten glass along the converging forming surface 54. Individual streams of molten glass converge below and along the bottom edge 56 to produce a single glass ribbon 58. The glass ribbon 58 is drawn from the bottom edge 56 in the drawing or flow direction 60 by applying tension (e.g., by gravity, edge rollers 72, and stretch rollers 82) to control the ribbon's dimensions as it cools and its viscosity increases. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 completes a viscoelastic transition and acquires the mechanical properties that give it stable dimensional characteristics. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separation device 100 in the elastic region of the ribbon. A robotic arm 64 can then transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveying system using a gripping tool 65, whereby the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is shown. Specifically, Figure 2 An outlet pipe 44 is shown, which is positioned to deliver molten glass 28 from a delivery container. Figure 2 (not shown) delivered to molding equipment ( Figure 2 Inlet pipe 50 (not shown in the image). For example... Figure 2 As shown, a portion of the outlet pipe 44 extends into and is circumferentially surrounded by a portion of the inlet pipe 50. The outlet pipe 44 and the inlet pipe 50 are circumferentially surrounded by first and second heat transfer elements (e.g., heating elements) 140 and 150, respectively. A gap 160 extends between the first heat transfer element 140 and the second heat transfer element 150. In some cases, molten glass 28 may undesirably flow toward the outer surface 110 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (e.g., leaking from the outlet pipe 44 through the gap 160). Additionally, molten glass 28 may undesirably flow from the outer surface of the outlet pipe 44 into the inlet pipe 50 (e.g., dripping from the outer surface of the heating element 144 into the inlet pipe 50).

[0034] Figure 3 A perspective view of a sealing member 200 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is shown. The sealing member 200 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a first segment 200a and a second segment 200b joined together via a engagement region 202. The sealing member 200 also includes an inner peripheral surface 204 and an outer peripheral surface 206. The inner peripheral surface 204 extends by a greater axial distance than the outer peripheral surface 206, such that a flange 208 extends over the remainder of the sealing member 200. And although the sealing member 200... Figure 3 The embodiment shown herein is generally cylindrical in shape (i.e., generally circular in cross-section), but the embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which the plugging component 200 has other shapes, such as those having polygonal cross-sections (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.).

[0035] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Top perspective views of the sealing component 200 in the engaged and disengaged positions are shown respectively. In the engaged position, as... Figure 4A As shown, the first segment 200a and the second segment 200b of the sealing component 200 are joined together, for example, by an lap joint along a mating region 202. The mating region 202 may include a clamping or fastening mechanism (not shown), thereby establishing different degrees of tightness between the first segment 200a and the second segment 200b. Figure 4A As further shown, the inner circumferential surface 204 of the sealing component 200 is coated with a fire-resistant coating 210. The first section 200a and the second section 200b of the sealing component 200 can be as follows: Figure 4B The separation is indicated by the double arrow "A". Therefore, the first segment 200a and the second segment 200b can move between the separated position and the joined position.

[0036] Figure 5 A side perspective view of the leak-sealing component 200 and the heat-insulating component 300 according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. Like the leak-sealing component 200, the heat-insulating component 300 has a generally cylindrical shape and an inner circumferential surface 304. Figure 5 As shown, the heat insulation member 300 extends substantially parallel to the leak-sealing member 200 and physically contacts the leak-sealing member 200. Additionally, a portion of the inner circumferential surface 304 of the heat insulation member 300 contacts the flange 208 of the leak-sealing member 200. Although Figure 5 Inner peripheral surfaces 204 and 304 extending around similar diameters are shown, but embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which the inner peripheral surface 304 extends around a diameter greater than or less than that of the inner peripheral surface 204.

[0037] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of a portion of the sealing component 200 shown in area "B". Specifically, Figure 6 An exploded view of the mating area 202 of the sealing component 200 is shown. (See attached image.) Figure 6 As shown, the joining region 202 includes a first vertical surface 202a, a horizontal surface 202b, and a second vertical surface 202c. Figure 6 As further shown, the first vertical surface 202a, the horizontal surface 202b, and the second vertical surface 202c are each coated with a fire-resistant coating 210.

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is shown, which is related to... Figure 2 The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 shown is similar to the one pictured, except that it includes a plugging component 200 and a heat insulation component 300. Specifically, the plugging component 200 circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe 44. The plugging component 200 also physically contacts the inlet pipe 50 and has a larger diameter than the inlet pipe 50. The heat insulation component 300 also circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe 44 and can physically contact the plugging component 200. The plugging component 200 and the heat insulation component 300 each extend axially and effectively fill... Figure 2 The gap 160 is shown in the diagram. The inner peripheral surface 204 of the plugging component 200, including the flange 208, may physically contact a portion of the outlet pipe 44, or a small annular gap may extend between the inner peripheral surface 204 of the plugging component 200 and the outlet pipe 44. The inner peripheral surface 304 of the heat insulation component 300 may also physically contact a portion of the outlet pipe 44. Additionally, at least the outer peripheral region of the plugging component 200 may be placed on the second heat transfer element 150, and the heat insulation component 300 may physically contact the first heat transfer element 144. The plugging component 200 may also be supported by being connected to or suspended from the heating element 144 (e.g., via a support bracket, etc.).

[0039] In some exemplary embodiments, the plugging component 200 may be positioned on the outlet pipe 44 by positioning a first section 200a and a second section 200b of the plugging component 200 on opposite sides of the outlet pipe 44, and then clamping or securing the first section 200a and the second section 200b into an engaged position in which the plugging component 200 circumferentially surrounds the outlet pipe 44. The tightness of the engagement between the first section 200a and the second section 200b may be adjusted to accommodate expansion or contraction (e.g., thermal expansion or contraction) of the outlet pipe 44 and / or the plugging component 200.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, the outlet pipe 44 and the plugging component 200 each comprise platinum or an alloy thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the plugging component 200 comprises a refractory material coated with platinum or an alloy thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the refractory material of the plugging component 200 and the platinum or alloy thereof may be welded together. In some exemplary embodiments, the refractory material of the plugging component 200 may comprise an alumina material or an aluminosilicate material, such as a high-temperature pressed alumina-containing refractory material, such as Alundum (e.g., AN485, AN498, AH199) available from St. Gobain; alumina bubble high-temperature refractory material, such as NA-33 available from Harbison Walker or FL-33 available from Rath; an aluminosilicate material, such as crystal HF339 available from Emhart Glass, TAMAX or GEM available from Harbison Walker, or Resistal S60 or Resistal S70 available from RHI. The refractory material of the sealing component 200 may also include ceramic oxides, such as zircon, zirconia, and magnesium oxide. In some exemplary embodiments, the platinum or platinum alloy cladding may have a thickness ranging from about 10 mils to about 100 mils, for example from about 40 mils to about 80 mils.

[0041] In some exemplary embodiments, the flange 208 may have a thickness in the radial direction ranging from about 40 mils to about 80 mils. In some exemplary embodiments, the flange 208 may extend at least 0.1 inch over the remainder of the plugging member 200, such as from about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch, including from about 0.25 inch to about 0.75 inch.

[0042] In some exemplary embodiments, the insulation component 300 may include fire-resistant insulation materials, such as sheets comprising alumina, silica, and / or mullite fibers, sheets comprising Fiberfrax and / or Fibermax fibers, vacuum-formed ceramic or glass fiber boards, such as Duraboard available from Unifrax or KVS161 available from Rath.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments, the refractory coating 210 may include an alumina ceramic coating, such as Rokide, which is available from St. Gobain.

[0044] During operation, the plugging component 200 can inhibit the flow of molten glass 28 toward the outer surface of the glass manufacturing equipment 10. For example, the plugging component 200 can allow molten glass 28 to accumulate above its surface and / or above the surface of the insulation component 300, while effectively inhibiting any flow of molten glass 28 outside the gap 160.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein can minimize leakage along pipes in or between pipes in glass manufacturing equipment, resulting in improved quality of glass products and reduced processing downtime and / or reduced need for replacement or repair of processed parts.

[0046] Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to the fusion pull process, it should be understood that these embodiments can also be applied to other glass forming processes, such as float glass, slot drawing, updrawing, tube drawing, and rolling.

[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure cover such modifications and variations as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A glass manufacturing apparatus, comprising: An outlet conduit, positioned as an inlet conduit for delivering molten glass from a delivery container to a forming device, wherein a portion of the outlet conduit extends into and is circumferentially surrounded by a portion of the inlet conduit, wherein: A plugging component circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe and contacts the inlet pipe, and is configured to inhibit the flow of molten glass toward the outer surface of the glass manufacturing equipment, wherein the plugging component includes an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface extending by an axial distance greater than the outer circumferential surface such that a flange extends over the remainder of the plugging component.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a heat insulation component that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe and contacts the plugging component.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leak-sealing component includes a first section and a second section movable between a separated position and a joined position.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plugging component includes a joint region in which a portion of the first segment overlaps with a portion of the second segment.

5. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the outlet pipe and the leak-sealing component each comprise platinum or an alloy thereof.

6. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, wherein the leak-sealing component comprises a refractory material coated with platinum or an alloy thereof.

7. The glass manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the leak-sealing component is coated with a fire-resistant coating.

8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the joining region comprises a refractory coating.

9. A glass manufacturing apparatus, comprising: An outlet pipe is positioned as an inlet pipe for delivering molten glass from a delivery container to a forming device, the end of the outlet pipe extending into the open end of the inlet pipe, such that an annular gap is provided between the open end of the inlet pipe and the end of the outlet pipe; A plugging component circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe and is positioned above and in contact with the inlet pipe opening end. The plugging component is configured to inhibit the flow of molten glass toward the outer surface of the glass manufacturing equipment. The plugging component includes an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface extending by an axial distance greater than the outer circumferential surface such that a flange extends over the remainder of the plugging component.

10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plugging component includes a first section and a second section movable between a separated position and a joined position.

11. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plugging component includes a joint region in which a portion of the first segment overlaps with a portion of the second segment.

12. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the joining region comprises a refractory coating.

13. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises a heat insulation component that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the outlet pipe and contacts the plugging component.

14. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein a first heat transfer element circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outlet pipe, a second heat transfer element circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the inlet pipe, and the leak-sealing component is disposed in the gap between the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element.

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