Seal plate assembly for glass forming rolls

Abstract

An apparatus and method for positioning and receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll includes a rotating member and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member having a hole for receiving the shaft of the glass forming roll and movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member than the second position.

Description

Description of Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 340,057, filed May 10, 2022, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Technical field]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to seal plate assemblies, and more particularly to seal plate assemblies for glass forming rolls. [Background technology]

[0003] In the manufacture of glass articles such as glass sheets for display applications, including televisions and portable devices such as phones and tablets, molten glass can be formed into glass sheets by flowing it through a forming device. As the molten glass cools inside a forming apparatus downstream of the forming device, the molten glass may come into contact with one or more forming rolls. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A stable environment is required within the forming apparatus, so sealing capability where the forming roll shafts intersect the walls of the forming apparatus is desirable, and it is also desirable to maintain such sealing capability when the forming roll shafts are moved to different positions during process upsets or when the rolls are changed over, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An embodiment disclosed herein includes an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll, the apparatus comprising a rotating member and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll and movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to an axis of rotation of the rotating member than the second position.

[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein also include a method of positioning a glass forming roll, the method including receiving a shaft of the glass forming roll in an apparatus having a rotating member and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll and movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to an axis of rotation of the rotating member than the second position.

[0007] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are set forth in the following detailed description, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments of the disclosure as described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

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

[0009] [Figure 1] Illustrative diagram of an exemplary fusion downdraw glass manufacturing apparatus and process [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a pair of opposed forming rolls according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus with a single forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a single forming roll and a pair of opposing forming rolls according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective side view of an exemplary single forming roll mounted within a forming apparatus; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to an embodiment disclosed herein; [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Figure 7C] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Figure 7D] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Figure 7E] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein; [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an apparatus for receiving the shaft of a glass forming roll at a roll position according to an embodiment disclosed herein; [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an apparatus for receiving the shaft of a glass forming roll at an alternative roll position according to an embodiment disclosed herein; [Figure 8C] 1 is a schematic perspective end view of an apparatus for receiving the shaft of a glass forming roll at yet another roll position according to an embodiment disclosed herein; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0011] Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, for example by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0012] Any directional terms used herein - e.g., up, down, right, left, front, back, upper and bottom - are used only with reference to the drawings depicted and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0013] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is never intended that any method described herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order, or that any particular orientation of any apparatus be required. Thus, where a method claim does not actually recite an order in which its steps must be followed, or an apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation for individual components, or where it is otherwise specifically stated in the claim or description that the steps are to be limited to a particular order, or where a particular order or orientation for the apparatus components is not recited, no order or orientation is ever intended to be implied. This applies to any possible non-expressive criteria of interpretation, including sequence of steps, flow of operations, order of components, or orientation of components; obvious meanings derived from grammatical construction or punctuation; and logical matters regarding the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0014] As used herein, nouns include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to a component includes aspects having two or more of such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0015] As used herein, the term "molten glass" refers to a glass composition above its liquidus temperature (the temperature above which no crystalline phases can coexist in equilibrium with the glass).

[0016] As used herein, the term "liquidus viscosity" refers to the viscosity of a glass composition at its liquidus temperature.

[0017] An example glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1. In some cases, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12, which may include a melting tank 14. In addition to the melting tank 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (described in more detail herein) that heat the raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulating components) that reduce heat lost from the vicinity of the melting tank. In yet a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt. Still further, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (e.g., a support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

[0018] The glass melting tank 14 is typically made from a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material including alumina or zirconia. In some cases, the glass melting tank 14 may be constructed from refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of the glass melting tank 14 are described in more detail below.

[0019] In some cases, the glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for producing glass substrates, e.g., continuous lengths of glass ribbons. In some cases, the glass melting furnace of the present disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a downdraw apparatus such as a fusion process, an updraw apparatus, a rolling apparatus, a tube drawing apparatus, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the embodiments disclosed herein. As an example, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion downdraw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0020] The glass manufacturing system 10 (e.g., the fusion downdraw system 10) may optionally include upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 positioned upstream relative to the glass melting tank 14. In some cases, some or all of the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0021] As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 may include a storage vessel 18, a raw material supply 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material supply. The storage vessel 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw material batch material 24 that may be fed to the melting tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw material batch material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some cases, the raw material supply 20 may be driven by the motor 22 such that the raw material supply 20 delivers a predetermined amount of the raw material batch material 24 from the storage vessel 18 to the melting tank 14. In a further example, the motor 22 may drive the raw material supply 20 to introduce the raw material batch material 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream of the melting tank 14. The raw material batch material 24 in the melting tank 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0022] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may optionally include downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 located downstream relative to the glass melting furnace 12. In some cases, 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 conduit 32, described below, or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. The elements of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus, including the first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from a precious metal. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, the downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy including about 100% to about 60% platinum and about 0% to about 40% rhodium, by weight. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) precious metal alloys are also contemplated.

[0023] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel, such as a fining vessel 34, located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 by the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some cases, the molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the melting vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 by the first connecting conduit 32. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the melting vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 through the internal passage of the first connecting conduit 32. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14, for example, between the melting vessel 14 and the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be utilized between the melting vessel and the fining vessel, where the molten glass from the primary melting vessel is cooled to a temperature below that of the molten glass in the melting vessel before being further heated to continue the melting process or entering the fining vessel.

[0024] Air bubbles may be removed from the molten glass 28 in the fining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, the raw batch materials 24 may contain polyvalent compounds (i.e., fining agents), such as tin oxide, that undergo a chemical reduction reaction to release oxygen when heated. Other suitable fining agents include, without limitation, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature of the melting bath, thereby heating the molten glass and the fining agent. Oxygen bubbles resulting from the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the fining agent rise through the molten glass in the fining vessel, and gases in the molten glass generated in the melting furnace may diffuse into or merge with the oxygen bubbles generated by the fining agent. The enlarged air bubbles may then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the fining vessel and then be released from the fining vessel. The oxygen bubbles may further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the fining vessel.

[0025] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing the molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the fining vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a homogenous glass melt composition, thereby reducing streaks of chemical or thermal inhomogeneity that would otherwise be present in the fined molten glass exiting the fining vessel. As can be seen, the fining vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing vessel 36 by a second connecting conduit 38. In some cases, the molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the fining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 by the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the fining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the internal passage of the second connecting conduit 38. It should be noted that although the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the fining vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, such as a mixing vessel upstream of fining vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of fining vessel 34. These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design or of different designs.

[0026] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a feed vessel 40, which may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36. The feed vessel 40 may condition the molten glass 28 to be fed to the downstream forming apparatus. For example, the feed vessel 40 may act as an accumulator and / or flow regulator to regulate and / or provide a consistent flow of the molten glass 28 to the feeder 42 via an outlet conduit 44. As can be seen, the mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to the feed vessel 40 by a third connecting conduit 46. In some cases, the molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 via the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 through an internal passage of the third connecting conduit 46.

[0027] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include a forming apparatus 48 including the feeder 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to deliver the molten glass 28 from the feed vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48. For example, the outlet conduit 44 may be nested within the inlet conduit 50 and spaced from its inner surface, thereby providing a free surface of molten glass positioned between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The feeder 42 in a slot-draw glass manufacturing apparatus may include a feed orifice (e.g., slot) 46 through which the molten glass flows to produce one glass ribbon 58 that is drawn in a draw or flow direction 60 by applying tension to the glass ribbon, such as by gravity, edge rolls 72 and pulling rolls 82, to regulate the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition to acquire mechanical properties that provide the glass ribbon 58 with stable dimensional characteristics. The glass ribbon 58 may contact a pair of opposed forming rolls 100 positioned downstream from the feeder 42 .

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a pair of opposing forming rolls 100 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates molten glass flowing in a draw direction 60 through feed orifices (e.g., slots) 46 of a glass feeder 42 to form a glass ribbon 58. Additionally, FIG. 2 illustrates contacting opposing sides of the glass ribbon 58 with opposing pair of forming rolls 100 positioned downstream of the glass feeder 42 in the draw direction 60, each of the opposing pair of forming rolls 100 extending along opposing lateral sides of the glass ribbon 58. Each of the forming rolls 100 may rotate, for example, in a clockwise direction (as indicated by the dashed curved arrow).

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a single forming roll 160 according to embodiments disclosed herein. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates molten glass flowing in a draw direction 60 through feed orifices (e.g., slots) 46 of a glass feeder 42 to form a glass ribbon 58. Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates contacting a first side of the glass ribbon 58 with a single forming roll 160 positioned downstream of the glass feeder 42 in the draw direction 60 and extending transversely of the first side of the glass ribbon 58. The single forming roll 160 may rotate, for example, in a clockwise direction (as indicated by the dashed curved arrow).

[0030] FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic perspective end view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus including a single forming roll 160 and a pair of opposing forming rolls 100 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, FIGURE 4 illustrates flowing molten glass in a draw direction 60 through a feed orifice (e.g., slot) 46 of a glass feeder 42 to form a glass ribbon 58. Additionally, FIGURE 4 illustrates contacting a first side of the glass ribbon 58 with the single forming roll 160 positioned downstream of the glass feeder 42 in the draw direction 60, and further illustrates contacting opposing sides of the glass ribbon 58 with a pair of opposing forming rolls 100 positioned downstream of the single forming roll 160 in the draw direction 60.

[0031] In certain exemplary embodiments in which the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a single forming roll 160, the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 prior to contact with the forming roll 160 ranges from about 1 poise (kP) to about 10 kilopoise (kP), e.g., from about 10 poise (kP) to about 1 kilopoise (kP), and the viscosity of the glass ribbon 58 after contact with the forming roll 160 ranges from about 50 kilopoise (kP) to about 500 kilopoise (kP), e.g., from about 100 kilopoise (kP) to about 200 kilopoise (kP).

[0032] In certain exemplary embodiments, the single forming roll 160 can be made as in any of the forming rolls shown and described in International Publication No. WO 2009 / 070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The single forming roll 160 can be made to provide a controllable adhesion force between the forming roll 160 and the glass ribbon 58. The diameter of the single forming roll 160 is not limited to any particular value, but can range, for example, from about 50 millimeters to about 500 millimeters, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. Additionally, the single forming roll 160 can be made from a refractory material, which can include, but is not limited to any particular refractory material, metallic materials (e.g., stainless steel and / or nickel and / or cobalt-based alloys and / or nickel-chromium-based superalloys, e.g., Inconel) and / or refractory ceramic materials.

[0033] In certain exemplary embodiments, forming roll 100 can be made in accordance with the forming rolls shown and described in International Publication No. WO 2009 / 070236, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diameter of forming roll 100 is not limited to any particular value, but can range, for example, from about 20 millimeters to about 400 millimeters, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. Additionally, forming roll 100 can be made from refractory materials, which can include, but are not limited to any particular refractory material, metallic materials (e.g., stainless steel and / or nickel and / or cobalt-based alloys and / or nickel-chromium-based superalloys, e.g., Inconel) and / or refractory ceramic materials.

[0034] Feed device 42 may be made from a refractory material, which may include, for example, but is not limited to any particular refractory material, a metallic material (e.g., platinum or alloys thereof) and / or a refractory ceramic material. In certain exemplary embodiments, feed device 42 may be made in accordance with the feed devices shown and described in WO 2020 / 033387, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] The minimum distance between the feed device 42 (e.g., the feed orifice 46) and the single forming roll 160 is not limited to any particular value, but can range, for example, from about 2 millimeters to about 5 meters and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0036] The shortest distance at the closest point between the feed device 42 (e.g., the feed orifice 46) and the forming roll 100 (i.e., the nip distance) is not limited to any particular value, but can range, for example, from about 2 millimeters to about 5 meters, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0037] In certain exemplary embodiments, the molten glass flowing from feeder 42 may have a liquidus viscosity of about 100 kilopoise (kP) or less, such as a liquidus viscosity ranging from about 100 poise (P) to about 100 kP, further ranging from about 500 poise (P) to about 50 kP, and even further ranging from about 1 kP to about 20 kP, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0038] In certain exemplary embodiments, the molten glass flowing from the forming equipment (e.g., feeder 42) may have a liquidus temperature of about 900°C or greater, such as a liquidus temperature ranging from about 900°C to about 1450°C, even a liquidus temperature ranging from about 950°C to about 1400°C, and even a liquidus temperature ranging from about 1000°C to about 1350°C.

[0039] In certain exemplary embodiments, upon and / or after contact with at least one forming roll 160 or 100, the glass ribbon 58 has a thickness of less than about 0.5 millimeters, such as less than about 0.4 millimeters, even less than about 0.3 millimeters, and even less than about 0.2 millimeters, such as from about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters, including from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.4 millimeters.

[0040] 5 illustrates a schematic perspective side view of an exemplary single forming roll 160 mounted within forming apparatus 48. The forming roll includes a shaft 162 that extends into wall 202 of forming apparatus 48.

[0041] 6 illustrates a schematic perspective end view of an apparatus 200 for receiving the shaft 162 of a glass forming roll (such as, for example, a single forming roll 160) according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The apparatus 200 comprises a wall 202 of the forming apparatus 48 and a base member 250 mounted thereon. The apparatus 200 further comprises a rotating member 240 mounted on the base member 250. In addition, the apparatus 200 comprises a radially movable member 210 mounted on the rotating member 240 via an intermediate member 220, the radially movable member 210 being slidably mounted on the intermediate member 220 by an adjustment member 230.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 6, the radially movable member 210 is movable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240 (indicated by "R" in Fig. 7D). In particular, as indicated by arrow "S" in Fig. 6, the radially movable member 210 is movable between a first position closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240 and a second position further away from the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240. Meanwhile, as indicated by arrow "C" in Fig. 6, the rotating member 240 is rotatably movable (e.g., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction) between different rotational positions.

[0043] 7A-7E show perspective views of components of an apparatus 200 for receiving the shaft 162 of a glass forming roll according to embodiments disclosed herein. In particular, FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a radially movable member 210 according to embodiments disclosed herein. The radially movable member 210 includes a bore 212 for receiving the shaft 162 of a glass forming roll (such as, for example, a single forming roll 160). The radially movable member 210 also includes a mounting pin 214.

[0044] 7B shows a perspective view of an intermediate member 220 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The intermediate member 220 includes an elongated bore 222 for receiving the shaft 162 of the glass forming roll between a first position closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240 and a second position further from the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240. The intermediate member 220 also includes a mounting pin 224. The relative movement of the shaft 162 within the elongated bore 222 is indicated by arrow "S'" in FIG. 7B.

[0045] 7C shows a perspective view of an adjustment member 230 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The adjustment member 230 includes a first slot 232 for receiving the mounting pin 214 of the radially movable member 210 and a second slot 234 for receiving the mounting pin 224 of the intermediate member 220. Thus, the radially movable member 210 is slidably mounted on the intermediate member 220 via the adjustment member 230 due to the movement of the mounting pin 214 relative to the first slot 232. In addition, the intermediate member 220 is slidably mounted on the rotating member 240 via the adjustment member 230 due to the movement of the mounting pin 224 relative to the second slot 234. Thus, both the radially movable member 210 and the intermediate member 220 are movable relative to the rotating member 240 between positions close to and away from the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240.

[0046] FIG. 7D illustrates a perspective view of a rotating member 240 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The rotating member 240 includes a central bore 242 passing through and about the axis of rotation "R". The rotating member 240 also includes a slotted opening 244 for receiving the shaft 162 of the glass forming roll between a first position closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240 and a second position further from the axis of rotation of the rotating member 240. Relative movement of the shaft 162 within the slotted opening 244 is indicated by arrow "S" in FIG. 7D.

[0047] 7E illustrates a perspective view of a base member 250 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The base member 250 includes an internal bore 252 for receiving the shaft 162 of the glass forming roll between different positions. In particular, the internal bore 252 includes a first region 252A extending along a first path "AA", a second region 252B extending along a second path "BB", and a third region 252C extending along a third path "CC".

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, the first path "AA" and the second path "BB" are configured to receive the glass forming roll shaft 162 between a first rotational position "A" and a second rotational position "B" that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position "A," while the third path "CC" is configured to receive the glass forming roll shaft 162 between the second rotational position "B" and a third rotational position "C" that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position "A" and the second rotational position "B." As shown in FIG. 7E, the first path "AA" is generally parallel to the third path "CC" and generally perpendicular to the second path "BB."

[0049] Movement of shaft 162 between different positions "A", "B" and / or "C" can be accomplished while rotating member 240 is rotating relative to base member 250 and while moving radially movable member 210 and / or intermediate member 220 relative to rotating member 240. Movement of such members can be accomplished simultaneously by moving shaft 162 between positions "A", "B" and / or "C" by a shaft moving mechanism, e.g., a motor such as a servo motor, in communication with a control mechanism according to methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0050] Although Figure 7E illustrates a base member 250 having an internal bore 252 including first, second, and third regions 252A, 252B, and 252C, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the internal bore 252 has a different shape than that illustrated in Figure 7E, e.g., that may move the shaft 162 to positions other than those illustrated in Figure 7E. For example, although Figure 7E illustrates a first path "AA" that is generally parallel to a third path "CC" and generally perpendicular to a second path "BB," embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the paths of movement include more or less than three paths and / or extend in various directions relative to one another (e.g., at acute or obtuse angles, as well as right angles, relative to one another).

[0051] 8A-8C show schematic perspective end views of an apparatus 200 for receiving the shaft 162 of a glass forming roll in various rolling positions according to embodiments disclosed herein. In particular, FIG. 8A shows a schematic perspective end view of the apparatus 200 with the shaft 162 in a first rotational position "A", FIG. 8B shows a schematic perspective end view of the apparatus 200 with the shaft 162 in a second rotational position "B", and FIG. 8C shows a schematic perspective end view of the apparatus 200 with the shaft 162 in a third rotational position "C".

[0052] In certain exemplary embodiments, the first rotational position "A" is rotationally offset from the second rotational position "B" by at least about 50 degrees, such as at least about 70 degrees, further e.g., at least about 90 degrees, such as from about 50 degrees to about 100 degrees, and the second rotational position "B" is rotationally offset from the third rotational position "C" by at least about 30 degrees, such as at least about 40 degrees, further e.g., at least about 50 degrees, such as from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first rotational position "A" is rotationally offset from the third rotational position "C" by at least about 80 degrees, such as at least about 100 degrees, further e.g., at least about 120 degrees, such as from about 80 degrees to about 160 degrees.

[0053] In certain exemplary embodiments, one or more components of device 200, such as radially movable member 210, intermediate member 220, adjustment member 230, rotational member 240, and / or base member 250, may be made from a low friction material, such as a low friction metallic material including, for example, a low friction steel such as Nitronic 60 stainless steel.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein may provide a more stable environment inside the glass forming apparatus 48 due to the ability of the seal to be maintained when one or more components of the apparatus 200 are moved relative to one another when the glass forming roll shaft 162 is moved between different positions, such as during a process upset or roll changeover, which in turn allows for more efficient and reliable production of glass articles having desired attributes.

[0055] Although the above-described embodiments have been described with reference to a slot draw process, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as the fusion draw, float, updraw, tube drawing, and rolling processes.

[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.

[0058] EMBODIMENT 1 1. An apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll, comprising: A rotating member, and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll and movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member than the second position; An apparatus comprising:

[0059] EMBODIMENT 2 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radially movable member is attached to the rotating member via an intermediate member, the intermediate member including an elongated bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

[0060] EMBODIMENT 3 3. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein the radially movable member is slidably attached to the intermediate member via an adjustment member.

[0061] EMBODIMENT 4 4. The apparatus of embodiment 3, wherein the adjustment member includes a first slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the radially movable member and a second slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the intermediate member.

[0062] EMBODIMENT 5 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the rotating member includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

[0063] EMBODIMENT 6 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is mounted on a base member, the base member including an internal bore adapted to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between a first rotational position and a second rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position.

[0064] EMBODIMENT 7 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the internal bore includes a first region extending along a first path, a second region extending along a second path, and a third region extending along a third path, the first and second paths configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, and the third path configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the second rotational position and a third rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first and second rotational positions.

[0065] EMBODIMENT 8 8. The apparatus of embodiment 7, wherein the first path is generally parallel to the third path and generally perpendicular to the second path.

[0066] EMBODIMENT 9 8. The device of embodiment 7, wherein the first rotational position is rotationally offset from the second rotational position by at least about 50 degrees, and the second rotational position is rotationally offset from the third rotational position by at least about 30 degrees.

[0067] EMBODIMENT 10 1. A method for positioning a glass forming roll, comprising: A rotating member, and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll, the radially movable member being movable between a first position and a second position that is further from the axis of rotation of the rotating member than the first position; receiving the shaft of the glass forming roll in an apparatus comprising: The method includes:

[0068] EMBODIMENT 11 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the radially movable member is attached to the rotating member via an intermediate member, the intermediate member including an elongated bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

[0069] EMBODIMENT 12 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the radially movable member is slidably attached to the intermediate member via an adjustment member.

[0070] EMBODIMENT 13 13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the adjustment member includes a first slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the radially movable member and a second slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the intermediate member.

[0071] EMBODIMENT 14 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the rotating member includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

[0072] EMBODIMENT 15 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the rotating member is mounted on a base member, the base member including an internal bore adapted to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between a first rotational position and a second rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position.

[0073] EMBODIMENT 16 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the internal bore includes a first region extending along a first path, a second region extending along a second path, and a third region extending along a third path, the first and second paths configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, and the third path configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the second rotational position and a third rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first and second rotational positions.

[0074] EMBODIMENT 17 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the first path is generally parallel to the third path and generally perpendicular to the second path.

[0075] EMBODIMENT 18 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the first rotational position is rotationally offset from the second rotational position by at least about 50 degrees, and the second rotational position is rotationally offset from the third rotational position by at least about 30 degrees.

[0076] EMBODIMENT 19 11. The method of embodiment 10, further comprising moving the radially movable member radially between the first position and the second position.

[0077] EMBODIMENT 20 17. The method of embodiment 16, further comprising rotating the rotating member between at least one of the first rotational position, the second rotational position, or the third rotational position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10. Glass manufacturing equipment 12 Glass melting furnace 14 Melting tank 16 Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 18 Storage Containers 20 Raw material supply equipment 22 Motor 24 Raw batch materials 28 Molten Glass 30 Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 32 First connecting conduit 34 Clarifying tank 36 Mixing tank 38 Second connecting conduit 40 Supply tank 42 Feeding device 44 Outlet conduit 46 Third connecting conduit 48 Molding equipment 50 Inlet conduit 58 Glass Ribbon 72 Edge Roll 82 Traction Roll 100 A pair of opposing forming rolls 160 Single Forming Roll 162 Shaft 200 equipment 202 Wall 210 Radially movable member 212 holes 214, 224 Mounting pin 220 Intermediate parts 222 Slot 230 Adjustment member 232 First Slot 234 Second Slot 240 Rotating Parts 242 Center hole 244 Slot Opening 250 Foundation members 252 Internal Hole 252A First Area 252B Second Area 252C The Third Region

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for receiving a shaft of a glass forming roll, comprising: A rotating member, and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll and movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the axis of rotation of the rotating member than the second position; An apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radially movable member is attached to the rotating member through an intermediate member including an elongated bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said radially movable member is slidably attached to said intermediate member via an adjustment member.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said adjustment member includes a first slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of said radially movable member and a second slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of said intermediate member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotating member includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

6. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is mounted on a base member, the base member including an internal bore adapted to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between a first rotational position and a second rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the internal bore includes a first region extending along a first path, a second region extending along a second path, and a third region extending along a third path, the first and second paths configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, and the third path configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the second rotational position and a third rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first and second rotational positions.

8. 1. A method for positioning a glass forming roll, comprising: A rotating member, and a radially movable member attached to the rotating member, the radially movable member including a bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll, the radially movable member being movable between a first position and a second position that is further from the axis of rotation of the rotating member than the first position; receiving the shaft of the glass forming roll in an apparatus comprising: The method includes:

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radially movable member is attached to the rotating member through an intermediate member, the intermediate member including an elongated bore adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the radially movable member is slidably attached to the intermediate member via an adjustment member.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the adjustment member includes a first slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the radially movable member and a second slot adapted to receive a mounting pin of the intermediate member.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the rotating member includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a shaft of the glass forming roll between the first position and the second position.

13. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the rotating member is mounted on a base member, the base member including an internal bore adapted to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between a first rotational position and a second rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first rotational position.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the internal bore includes a first region extending along a first path, a second region extending along a second path, and a third region extending along a third path, the first and second paths configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, and the third path configured to receive the shaft of the glass forming roll between the second rotational position and a third rotational position that is rotationally offset from the first and second rotational positions.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first path is generally parallel to the third path and generally perpendicular to the second path.

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