Feeder

Abstract

The feeder (3) is provided with a ceiling section (10), side wall sections (6a, 6b) that support the ceiling section (10), and electric heating elements (11a, 11b) that are supported by the ceiling section (10) and heat the molten glass (Gm). The side wall parts (6a, 6b) have inner surfaces (6c) and protruding parts (7a, 7b) protruding from the inner surfaces (6c). The protrusions (7a, 7b) have a support surface (7c) that supports the top section (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a feeder capable of allowing molten glass to flow. Background Technology

[0002] For example, when supplying molten glass to bushings used for forming glass fibers or to forming sheets of glass, it is necessary to keep the molten glass flowing inside the feeder warm to prevent its temperature from dropping. As a method for this purpose, heating the molten glass by means of a heating mechanism arranged within the internal space of the feeder has been widely adopted.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a feeder with its peripheral walls made of refractory material and an electric heating element within its internal space. The feeder's internal space includes a bottom, a pair of side walls, and a top covering the upper portion of the side walls. The electric heating element is supported on the top and located near the side walls (see the document). Figure 2 ).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-221700 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] The internal space of the feeder becomes high-temperature due to heating by the electric heating element and the heat from the molten glass. As a result, the top of the feeder undergoes creep deformation over time.

[0009] The electric heating element supported at the top changes position and orientation due to deformation of the top. Therefore, it is possible for the electric heating element to come into contact with the side wall of the feeder, resulting in damage to both the side wall and the electric heating element.

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its technical problem is to suppress creep deformation at the top of the feeder.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] (1) The present invention is a feeder for solving the above-mentioned problem, which allows molten glass to flow inside, the feeder being characterized in that the feeder has a top, a side wall portion supporting the top and an electric heating element supported on the top and heating the molten glass, the side wall portion having an inner surface and a protrusion protruding from the inner surface, the protrusion having a support surface supporting the top.

[0013] According to this structure, the top can be supported by the support surface of the protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the side wall, thereby suppressing the creep deformation of the top.

[0014] (2) In the feeder described in (1) above, the side wall portion may include a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion arranged at a predetermined interval, the top is composed of a strip-shaped refractory member mounted on the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, and the protrusion includes a first protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the first side wall portion and a second protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the second side wall portion.

[0015] According to this structure, by using the support surfaces of the first protrusion and the second protrusion to support the top, creep deformation of the top can be suppressed more effectively.

[0016] (3) In the feeder described in (1) or (2) above, the protrusion may include a plurality of protrusions arranged along the flow direction of the molten glass, and the electric heating element is located between two adjacent protrusions of the plurality of protrusions.

[0017] According to this structure, the electric heating element can be disposed inside the feeder without contacting the protrusion.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to the present invention, creep deformation at the top of the feeder can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the line of sight from direction II-II.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of line of sight from direction III-III.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the feeder.

[0024] Figure 5 It's a 3D view at the top. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus equipped with the feeder of the present invention.

[0027] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes: a melting furnace 2, which melts glass raw material Gr to form molten glass Gm; and a feeder 3, which is connected to the downstream side of the melting furnace 2 and allows the molten glass Gm to flow inside. The walls dividing the melting space of the melting furnace 2 and the flow space of the feeder 3 are formed of refractory materials such as bricks.

[0028] An inlet 2a is provided at the upstream end of the melting furnace 2 for feeding the glass raw material Gr, which is a mixture of silica sand, limestone, soda ash, and crushed glass, into the furnace. A raw material supply mechanism, such as a screw feeder, is provided at the inlet 2a (figure omitted).

[0029] A heating device (not shown) is also provided in the melting furnace 2. For example, an electric heating device such as a gas burner disposed above the molten glass Gm, an electric heater, or electrodes immersed in the molten glass Gm can be used.

[0030] The glass raw material Gr, fed from the inlet 2a, is melted by heating provided by a heating device, thereby continuously forming molten glass Gm. The molten glass Gm flows into the feeder 3 from the downstream end of the melting furnace 2. It should be noted that the melting furnace 2 may use only gas combustion or only electric heating to melt the glass raw material Gr, or it may use both gas combustion and electric heating simultaneously.

[0031] Multiple sleeves 4, made of platinum or platinum alloy, are spaced apart at intervals along the length X of the feeder 3, i.e., the flow direction of the molten glass Gm. Each sleeve 4 has multiple nozzles (not shown). These nozzles allow the molten glass Gm to flow down and form glass fibers Gf. It should be noted that the molten glass Gm flowing down from each nozzle is formed into glass fibers Gf (glass monofilaments) of a specified diameter as it extends downwards. After being coated with a binding agent, multiple glass fibers Gf are bundled together to form a glass bundle.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeder 3 includes a bottom 5, a pair of sidewalls 6a and 6b fixed to the upper part of the bottom 5, a top 10 supported on the sidewalls 6a and 6b, and electric heating elements 11a and 11b that are supported on the top 10 and heat the molten glass Gm.

[0033] The bottom 5, together with a portion of the sidewalls 6a and 6b, forms a flow path that allows the molten glass Gm to flow along the length direction X of the feeder 3.

[0034] A pair of sidewall portions 6a and 6b are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction Y of the feeder 3. The sidewall portions 6a and 6b include: a first sidewall portion 6a located at one end of the feeder 3 in the width direction Y; and a second sidewall portion 6b located at the other end of the feeder 3 in the width direction Y.

[0035] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, each sidewall portion 6a, 6b has an inner surface 6c, an outer surface 6d, and a support surface (upper surface) 6e for supporting the top 10. The support surface 6e is configured as a flat surface along the horizontal direction. It should be noted that... Figure 3 In the middle, each of the top 10 is indicated by a double-dotted line.

[0036] On the inner surface 6c of each sidewall portion 6a, 6b, there are protrusions 7a, 7b that protrude inward from the inner surface 6c. The protrusions 7a, 7b include: a first protrusion 7a that protrudes from the inner surface 6c of the first sidewall portion 6a; and a second protrusion 7b that protrudes from the inner surface 6c of the second sidewall portion 6b.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, each protrusion 7a, 7b includes a plurality of protrusions formed at intervals D1 along the length direction X (flow direction of molten glass Gm) of the feeder 3 relative to the inner surfaces 6c of each sidewall portion 6a, 6b. The interval D1 is, for example, 100 mm or more and 400 mm or less.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the first protrusion 7a and the second protrusion 7b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CL of the feeder 3. That is, the first protrusion 7a and the second protrusion 7b are arranged opposite each other in the width direction Y of the feeder 3. The positions of the first protrusion 7a and the second protrusion 7b are not limited to this embodiment, and the positions of the first protrusion 7a and the second protrusion 7b in the length direction X of the feeder 3 may also be different.

[0039] The protruding length L1 of each protrusion 7a, 7b in the width direction Y of the feeder 3 is, for example, 50 mm or more and 200 mm or less. The protruding length L1 of the protrusions 7a, 7b is preferably 0.04 times or more and 0.15 times or less (0.04L2≤L1≤0.15L2) the length of the top 10. The width dimension W1 of the protrusions 7a, 7b, i.e., the length W1 of the protrusions 7a, 7b in the length direction X of the feeder 3, is preferably 0.12 times or more and 4 times or less (0.12W2≤W1≤4W2) the width dimension W2 of the top 10.

[0040] like Figure 3As shown, each protrusion 7a and 7b includes multiple protrusions with different width dimensions W1. However, this is not a limitation; all protrusions 7a and 7b may also have the same width dimension W1.

[0041] Each protrusion 7a, 7b has a support surface 7c that supports the top 10. Each support surface 7c is configured as a flat surface along the horizontal direction. Each support surface 7c is located at the same height as the support surface 6e of each side wall portion 6a, 6b. That is, the support surface 7c of each protrusion 7a, 7b is continuously (coplanar) connected to the support surface 6e of each side wall portion 6a, 6b.

[0042] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, a gas burner 8a and a thermometer 8b are installed on the sidewalls 6a and 6b.

[0043] The gas burner 8a is temporarily used to heat the inside of the feeder 3 at the beginning of glass fiber Gf manufacturing. Once glass fiber Gf manufacturing is proceeding steadily, the gas burner 8a is stopped, and only the electric heating elements 11a and 11b are used to heat the inside of the feeder 3. Thermometer 8b is used periodically for temperature management of the inside of the feeder 3 and the molten glass Gm.

[0044] Sidewall portions 6a and 6b have a first through hole 9a for inserting a gas burner 8a and a second through hole 9b for inserting a thermometer 8b. Each through hole 9a and 9b is a straight hole extending from the inner surface 6c of each sidewall portion 6a and 6b to the outer surface 6d. Figure 4 As shown, each through hole 9a and 9b is circular, but not limited to this shape; they can also be quadrilateral or other shapes.

[0045] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the first through hole 9a is formed between two adjacent first protrusions 7a among a plurality of first protrusions 7a formed along the length direction X of the feeder 3. Similarly, the second through hole 9b is formed between adjacent second protrusions 7b.

[0046] Each through hole 9a, 9b is preferably formed at a position separated from the electric heating elements 11a, 11b by the protrusions 7a, 7b, in a manner that does not overlap with the position where the electric heating elements 11a, 11b are provided.

[0047] Specifically, it is preferable to have protrusions 7a and 7b disposed between the gas burner 8a installed in the first through hole 9a and the electric heating elements 11a and 11b. By using the protrusions 7a and 7b to shield the gas burner 8a and the electric heating elements 11a and 11b, it is possible to prevent the electric heating elements 11a and 11b from deteriorating due to heating by the gas burner 8a.

[0048] Similarly, it is preferable to have protrusions 7a and 7b disposed between the thermometer 8b and the electric heating elements 11a and 11b. By using the protrusions 7a and 7b to shield the thermometer 8b from the electric heating elements 11a and 11b, the thermometer 8b can measure the internal temperature of the feeder 3 without being affected by the electric heating elements 11a and 11b.

[0049] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first through hole 9a and the second through hole 9b are formed adjacent to each other, but it is not limited to this. Protrusions 7a and 7b may also be sandwiched between the first through hole 9a and the second through hole 9b.

[0050] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the upper part of the feeder 3 is sealed off by arranging multiple tops 10 side by side. Each top 10 is composed of a long strip of fire-resistant member mounted on the first side wall 6a and the second side wall 6b. The top 10 can be rectangular or plate-shaped, but is not limited to these shapes.

[0051] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the length L2 of the top 10 is greater than the distance D2 between the inner surfaces 6c of the pair of sidewall portions 6a and 6b. Therefore, one end of the top 10 in the longitudinal direction is supported by the support surface 6e of the first sidewall portion 6a and the support surface 7c of the first protrusion 7a. Furthermore, the other end of the top 10 in the longitudinal direction is supported by the support surface 6e of the second sidewall portion 6b and the support surface 7c of the second protrusion 7b.

[0052] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 As shown, a portion of the plurality of tops 10 has a pair of through holes 13a and 13b through which power supply heating elements 11a and 11b are inserted. Each through hole 13a and 13b extends through the top 10 in the vertical direction (thickness direction). Each through hole 13a and 13b is circular in shape, but is not limited to this shape and may also be quadrilateral or other shapes. The through holes 13a and 13b include a first through hole 13a formed at one end of the top 10 and a second through hole 13b formed at the other end of the top 10.

[0053] Electric heating elements 11a and 11b are, for example, resistive heating elements composed of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) and the like, that generate heat by passing an electric current. Figure 2 As shown, the electric heating elements 11a and 11b are U-shaped components having a bent portion 11c and two straight portions 11d arranged side by side via the bent portion 11c.

[0054] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the electric heating elements 11a and 11b are supported on the top 10 via the fixing member 12. The electric heating elements 11a and 11b include a first electric heating element 11a supported at one end of the top 10 and a second electric heating element 11b supported at the other end of the top 10. The first electric heating element 11a is inserted through a first through hole 13a in the top 10, and the second electric heating element 11b is inserted through a second through hole 13b in the top 10.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the first electric heating element 11a is located between two adjacent first protrusions 7a in the longitudinal direction X of the feeder 3, among a plurality of first protrusions 7a in the first sidewall portion 6a. Although not shown, the second electric heating element 11b is disposed between two adjacent second protrusions 7b in the longitudinal direction X of the feeder 3.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the fixing member 12 is mounted on the upper part of the top 10. The fixing member 12 supports a portion of the electric heating elements 11a and 11b outside the feeder 3. The fixing member 12 has a protrusion 12a that is inserted into the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10. The protrusion 12a functions as a guide for positioning the fixing member 12 relative to the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10.

[0057] To secure the heating elements 11a and 11b to the top 10, after installing the heating elements 11a and 11b, which are inserted into the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10, onto the fixing member 12, the protrusion 12a of the fixing member 12 is inserted into the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10. Thus, the fixing member 12 is positioned in the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10, and the heating elements 11a and 11b are secured to the top 10. Furthermore, the fixing member 12 airtightly seals the through holes 13a and 13b of the top 10.

[0058] The following describes a method for manufacturing glass fiber Gf using the manufacturing apparatus 1 with the above-described structure. This method includes a melting process, a feeding process, and a forming process.

[0059] In the melting process, the glass raw material Gr is melted in the melting furnace 2 to form molten glass Gm. In the feeding process, the molten glass Gm flows inside the feeder 3 and is supplied to the sleeve 4 provided at the lower part of the feeder 3. In the forming process, the molten glass Gm flows down from the sleeve nozzle provided in the sleeve 4 to form glass fiber Gf.

[0060] According to the feeder 3 of this embodiment described above, the top 10 can be supported by the support surfaces 7c of each protrusion 7a, 7b and the support surfaces 6e of each sidewall portion 6a, 6b together. Therefore, compared with the case where the top 10 is supported only by the sidewall portions 6a, 6b, a larger area of ​​the top 10 can be supported by the support surfaces 7c of the protrusions 7a, 7b. As a result, creep deformation of the top 10 can be effectively suppressed.

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiments, nor is it limited to the effects described above. Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit.

[0062] In the above embodiments, a feeder 3 used in the manufacture of glass fiber Gf is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. The present invention can also be applied, for example, to the manufacture of glass plates, glass tubes, and various other glass articles.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0064] 3 feeder

[0065] 6a First side wall portion

[0066] 6b Second side wall portion

[0067] 6c Inner surface of the side wall

[0068] 7a First protrusion

[0069] 7b Second protrusion

[0070] 7c Support surface of the protrusion

[0071] 8a First electric heating element

[0072] 8b Second electric heating element

[0073] 10 Top

[0074] Gm molten glass

[0075] X indicates the flow direction of the molten glass.

Claims

1. A feeder that allows molten glass to flow internally, The feeder is characterized in that... The feeder includes a top, a sidewall supporting the top, and an electric heating element supported on the top and used to heat the molten glass. The sidewall portion has an inner surface and a protrusion extending from the inner surface. The protrusion has a support surface that supports the top.

2. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein, The sidewall portion includes a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion arranged at predetermined intervals. The top is composed of a long strip-shaped fire-resistant component mounted on the first side wall and the second side wall. The protrusion includes a first protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the first sidewall portion and a second protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the second sidewall portion.

3. The feeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The protrusions include a plurality of protrusions arranged along the flow direction of the molten glass. The electric heating element is located between two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions.

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