Molten Glass Delivery Device

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus is disclosed that includes a molten glass delivery device including a lower carriage, an upper rail system including first and second upper side support rails supported on the lower carriage and oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal, and an upper carriage supported on the upper rail system. Each upper carriage includes a bottom plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal, a first upper side roller coupled to the bottom plate and engaging with the first upper side support rail, and a second upper side roller coupled to the bottom plate and engaging with the second upper side support rail. One upper roller includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of one of the first and second upper side support rails. The other upper roller includes a flat rolling surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 375,060, filed September 9, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION This specification relates to glass manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to glass manufacturing apparatus having a molten glass delivery device and a molten glass delivery conduit for use therewith. [Background technology]

[0003] Glass manufacturing equipment can include various individual components for melting, processing, and forming glass. For example, a typical glass manufacturing equipment may include, among other components, a melter for melting a batch of glass composition ingredients to form a molten material precursor (e.g., molten glass), a fining system for removing dissolved gases from the molten glass, a mixing vessel for homogenizing the molten glass, and a forming device for forming the molten glass into a desired shape (e.g., ribbon, cylinder, tube, etc.). The components of the glass manufacturing equipment may be connected in series through multiple delivery conduits through which the molten glass flows from one component to the next. The delivery conduits may be formed from refractory metals, such as platinum and platinum alloys, to withstand the relatively high temperatures and corrosive nature of molten glass.

[0004] Components of glass manufacturing equipment may be subjected to high temperatures for extended periods of time. Cycling between room temperature conditions and high temperature operating conditions of the glass manufacturing equipment may introduce stresses into the components of the glass manufacturing equipment. The regular and continuous introduction of stresses into the components of the glass manufacturing equipment may lead to premature failure of the components. Furthermore, increased throughput of molten glass through the glass manufacturing equipment may necessitate the use of higher temperatures to ensure proper flow of molten glass through the glass manufacturing equipment. Higher operating temperatures may further increase the stresses introduced into the components of the glass manufacturing equipment, which may in turn reduce the lifespan of the components. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, a need exists for alternative designs for glass manufacturing equipment components that reduce stress on the components, thereby extending the lifespan of the components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a molten glass delivery apparatus, the molten glass delivery apparatus including: a lower carriage; an upper rail system supported on the lower carriage, the upper rail system including a first side upper support rail and a second side upper support rail, the first side upper support rail and the second side upper support rail oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal; and a plurality of upper carriages supported on the upper rail system, each of the plurality of upper carriages coupled to a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal. and a plurality of upper carriages including a first upper side roller coupled to the bottom plate and engaging the first upper side support rail, and a second upper side roller coupled to the bottom plate and engaging the second upper side support rail, wherein one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail, or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail.

[0007] A second embodiment includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment, wherein the elevation angle α is equal to the elevation angle β.

[0008] A third aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the first or second aspect, further including a vertical biasing member extending between the lower carriage and the upper rail system to allow the upper rail system to move vertically relative to the lower carriage.

[0009] A fourth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects, further including a lower rail system including a first side lower support rail and a second side lower support rail, and wherein the lower carriage is supported on the lower rail system.

[0010] A fifth embodiment includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, wherein the lower carriage is secured to the lower rail system.

[0011] A sixth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect, wherein the lower carriage includes a first lower side roller and a second lower side roller.

[0012] A seventh embodiment includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the sixth embodiment, wherein the first lower side roller engages the first lower side support rail and the second lower side roller engages the first lower side support rail.

[0013] An eighth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail, or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail.

[0014] A ninth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the first to eighth aspects, further including an expansion assist member coupled to the lower carriage and applying an expansion assist force to the lower carriage.

[0015] A tenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the first to ninth aspects, further including a support frame coupled to the bottom plate of each upper carriage, the support frame including vertical support members coupled to the bottom plate with lateral spring elements such that the vertical support members are displaceable laterally relative to the bottom plate, and horizontal support members coupled to the vertical support members with vertical spring elements and lateral spring elements, wherein the horizontal support members are displaceable vertically relative to the vertical support members and the vertical support members are displaceable laterally relative to the horizontal support members.

[0016] An eleventh aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the first to tenth aspects, further including a lower positioning feature provided on the lower carriage and an upper positioning feature provided on the upper rail system, wherein the lower positioning feature aligns with the upper positioning feature in a vertical direction relative to each upper carriage when the upper rail system is supported on the lower carriage.

[0017] A twelfth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein each upper car of the plurality of upper cars further includes a molten glass delivery conduit assembly supported thereon, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly including: a cradle assembly including an upper cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material; a tube assembly positioned within the cradle assembly and extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the tube assembly including an upper tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material; and a delivery conduit positioned within the tube assembly and extending longitudinally, the delivery conduit being formed from a refractory metal.

[0018] A thirteenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, in which the upper cradle block and lower cradle block of a first upper carriage among the plurality of upper carriages are connected to the upper cradle block and lower cradle block of a second upper carriage among the plurality of upper carriages, and the first upper carriage is adjacent to the second upper carriage.

[0019] A fourteenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the upper and lower cradle blocks of the first upper carriage each include a protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, and the upper and lower cradle blocks of the second upper carriage each include a groove formed in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, and the protrusions of the upper and lower cradle blocks of the first upper carriage engage with the grooves formed in the upper and lower cradle blocks of the second upper carriage.

[0020] A fifteenth aspect comprises the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, further comprising a flange coupled to the delivery conduit.

[0021] A sixteenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the fifteenth aspect, further including a translatable support coupled to the flange and a spring element applying a force normal to the flange.

[0022] In a seventeenth aspect, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of upper carriages, each upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages including a molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the glass manufacturing apparatus including: a cradle assembly including an upper cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material; a tube assembly positioned within the cradle assembly and extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the tube assembly including an upper tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material; and a delivery conduit positioned within the tube assembly and extending longitudinally, the delivery conduit being formed from a refractory metal, the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a first upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages being coupled to the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a second upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages, and the glass manufacturing apparatus wherein the first upper carriage is adjacent to the second upper carriage.

[0023] An eighteenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the upper and lower cradle blocks of the first upper carriage each include a protrusion extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the upper and lower cradle blocks of the second upper carriage each include a groove formed longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, and the protrusions of the upper and lower cradle blocks of the first upper carriage engage with the grooves formed in the upper and lower cradle blocks of the second upper carriage.

[0024] A nineteenth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the seventeenth or eighteenth aspects, further including a refractory block formed from a refractory ceramic material positioned around the cradle assembly.

[0025] A twentieth aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of either the eighteenth or nineteenth aspects, further including a flange coupled to the delivery conduit.

[0026] A twenty-first aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the twentieth aspect, wherein the protrusions of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage are formed on flanges.

[0027] A 22nd aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of the 17th to 21st aspects, further including a lower carriage; and an upper rail system supported on the lower carriage, the upper rail system including a first side upper support rail and a second side upper support rail, the first side upper support rail and the second side upper support rail oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal, and each upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal; a first side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the first side upper support rail; and a second side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the second side upper support rail.

[0028] A twenty-third aspect includes the glass manufacturing apparatus of the twenty-second aspect, wherein one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail, or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail.

[0029] Additional features and advantages of the modular molten glass delivery apparatus and glass manufacturing apparatuses including the same described herein are set forth in the detailed description below, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or may be learned by practice of the embodiments described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0030] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are intended to describe various embodiments and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of the claimed subject matter.

[0031] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are exemplary and illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a molten glass delivery device of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 including a plurality of upper carriages, lower carriages, and a lower rail system mounted on an upper rail system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic side view of the upper carriage, lower carriage, and lower rail system of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 2 mounted on an upper rail system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 5A] 3 is a schematic perspective view of a first side lower carriage roller of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 2 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 5B] 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second side lower carriage roller of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 2 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 6] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 2 including a molten glass delivery conduit assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a molten glass delivery apparatus including a plurality of upper carriages mounted on an upper rail system and a lower carriage according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 8A] 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a molten glass delivery conduit assembly of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 6 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 8B] 8B is a schematic exploded view of a portion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly of FIG. 8A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 8C] 8B is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly of FIG. 8A having a flange secured thereto according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of adjacent molten glass delivery conduit assemblies according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a glass seal formed between flanges of adjacent upper carriages of a molten glass delivery apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 11] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molten glass delivery apparatus of FIG. 2 including an external support frame according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic front view of a translatable support according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an overhead support structure for supporting a delivery cable coupled to a flange according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the molten glass delivery apparatus described herein and glass manufacturing apparatus including the same, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. One embodiment of the molten glass delivery apparatus is schematically depicted in FIG. 2. The molten glass delivery apparatus can include a lower carriage including a plurality of lower carriage rollers, an upper rail system supported on the lower carriage, and a plurality of upper carriages. The upper rail system can include a pair of upper support rails oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal. Each upper carriage can include a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal, and a plurality of upper carriage rollers coupled to the base plate that engage with the pair of upper support rails of the upper rail system to facilitate translation of the upper carriage on the upper rail system. A support frame can be coupled to the base plate, and a molten glass delivery conduit assembly can be supported on the base plate within the support frame. Various embodiments of molten glass delivery devices, molten glass delivery conduits for use therewith, and glass manufacturing apparatuses including same are described in further detail herein with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] 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, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Further, it will be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, or independently of the other endpoint.

[0035] Directional terms used herein, such as above, below, right, left, front, back, top, and bottom, are made only in relation to the figures when drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0036] Unless expressly stated otherwise, no method described herein should be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order, nor is it intended in any way to require a particular orientation for any apparatus. Thus, unless a method claim actually recites an order that its steps must follow, or any apparatus claim actually recites an order or orientation for individual components, or unless the claim or the specification otherwise clearly indicates that the steps are to be limited to a particular order, or if no particular order or orientation for the apparatus components is recited, no order or orientation is intended to be implied in any way. This applies to all possible non-expressive bases for interpretation, including matters of logic regarding the placement of steps, flow of operations, component order, or component orientation, the plain meaning derived from grammatical construction or punctuation, and the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0037] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" element includes aspects having two or more such elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] 1 , by way of example, an embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for forming glass articles from molten glass is schematically depicted. Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a melter 11, a fining system 13, a mixing vessel 14, a delivery vessel 18, and a forming apparatus 20. Glass batch materials are introduced into melter 11 through batch inlet port 12. The batch materials are melted in melter 11 to form molten glass 16. Melter 11 is fluidly connected to fining system 13 through connecting tubing 15. Molten glass 16 flows from melter 11 through connecting tubing 15 and into fining system 13.

[0039] Fining system 13 may include a high-temperature processing section that receives molten glass 16 from melter 11. Dissolved gases and / or bubbles are removed from molten glass 16 while molten glass 16 resides in fining system 13. Fining system 13 may be fluidly connected to mixing vessel 14 by connecting tube 50. That is, molten glass flowing from fining system 13 to mixing vessel 14 may flow through connecting tube 50. As molten glass 16 passes through mixing vessel 14, it may be stirred and homogenized. Mixing vessel 14 may then be fluidly connected to delivery vessel 18 by connecting tube 17, such that molten glass flowing from mixing vessel 14 to delivery vessel 18 flows through connecting tube 17.

[0040] A delivery vessel 18 supplies molten glass 16 through a downcomer 19 to a forming apparatus 20. The forming apparatus 20 may be, for example, but not limited to, a fusion and drawing machine or another forming apparatus for forming the molten glass into a glass article such as a ribbon, tube, or boule. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the forming apparatus 20 is a fusion and drawing machine including an enclosure 22 in which an inlet 24 and a forming vessel 30 are positioned. The molten glass 16 from the downcomer 19 flows into the inlet 24 and into the forming vessel 30. The forming vessel 30 includes an opening 32 that receives the molten glass 16. The molten glass 16 flows into a trough 33, overflows, and flows down two converging sides 34 a and 34 b of the forming vessel 30 before fusing at a base 36 of the forming vessel 30 where the two sides meet and are then drawn in a downstream direction 41 to form a continuous glass ribbon 38.

[0041] 1 schematically depicts glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for forming a glass ribbon using a fusion drawing machine, although other processes may be used to form the glass ribbon, including, without limitation, a float glass process or a slot drawing process. Additionally, although glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is depicted as being used to form a glass ribbon, other glass manufacturing apparatus may be used to form glass raw materials other than glass sheet, including, without limitation, glass tubes, glass cylinders, boules, and the like.

[0042] Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can be constructed at room temperature and subsequently operated at elevated temperatures. Heating components of glass manufacturing apparatus 10 to operating temperatures increases the dimensional size of the components according to their respective thermal expansion coefficients. For example, connecting tubes 15, 17, and 50 are formed from refractory metals and may thermally expand upon heating. The thermal expansion introduces stresses into connecting tubes 15, 17, and 50. Additional stresses may be imparted to connecting tubes 15, 17, and 50 if their thermal expansion is constrained by adjacent components within glass manufacturing apparatus 10. For example, connecting tube 50 is positioned between and coupled to fining system 13 and mixing vessel 14, each of which may also thermally expand upon heating. The thermal expansion of fining system 13 and mixing vessel 14 may constrain or inhibit the thermal expansion of connecting tube 50, thereby introducing additional stresses into connecting tube 50. Due to the high operating temperatures of refractory metals, even low levels of stress applied to the refractory metal of the connecting tubes 15, 17, 50 can cause creep in the refractory metal, thereby shortening the lifespan and increasing the risk of failure of the connecting tubes 15, 17, 50. Repairing and / or replacing the connecting tubes 15, 17, 50 is costly and time-consuming and can reduce production yields because the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may be shut down for extended periods of time to facilitate the repair and / or replacement.

[0043] Disclosed herein are molten glass delivery devices, molten glass delivery conduits for use therewith, and glass manufacturing apparatuses including the same. The molten glass delivery devices can be used as connecting tubes between various components of the glass manufacturing apparatus, such as connecting tubes 15, 17, and 50. The molten glass delivery devices are configured to reduce or mitigate stresses induced in the refractory metal of the molten glass delivery devices, thereby extending the life of the molten glass delivery devices, increasing production yields, and reducing the operating and maintenance costs of the glass manufacturing apparatus.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of a molten glass delivery apparatus 100 is schematically illustrated. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, instead of connecting tube 50, the molten glass delivery apparatus is positioned within glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) to couple fining system 13 (FIG. 1) to mixing vessel 14 (FIG. 1). However, molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can be used to couple other components of glass manufacturing apparatus 10, including, without limitation, melter 11 and fining system 13 (i.e., instead of connecting tube 15), mixing vessel 14 and delivery vessel 18 (i.e., instead of connecting tube 17), etc. Molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include multiple upper carriages. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, molten glass delivery apparatus 100 includes two upper carriages (upper carriage 102a and upper carriage 102b). However, it should be understood that molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include more than two upper carriages. Molten glass delivery apparatus 100 may further include a lower carriage 104, an upper rail system 106, and a molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (schematically depicted in FIGS. 6 through 7C ). In an embodiment, lower positioning feature 123 a is provided on lower carriage 104, and upper positioning feature 123 b is provided on upper rail system 106. When upper rail system 106 is supported on lower carriage 104, lower positioning feature 123 a aligns with upper positioning feature 123 b in a direction perpendicular to the upper carriage. In an embodiment, lower positioning feature 123 a and upper positioning feature 123 b may be any suitable structure, such as, for example, a reference point or a mechanical pad, to achieve better alignment of components during manufacturing and assembly. Locating features 123a, 123b also provide accurate reference points for locating the process centerline during fabrication and field assembly, as well as precise positioning of the rail system of molten glass delivery system 100.

[0045] 3 and 4, partial views of molten glass delivery apparatus 100 are depicted in schematic form, showing one upper carriage (upper carriage 102a) mounted on lower carriage 104 and upper rail system 106 (FIG. 3) and in vertical cross section (FIG. 4). Specifically, FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of molten glass delivery apparatus 100 in the XZ plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figure. For ease of illustration, FIG. 4 depicts upper carriage 102a without molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (described in further detail herein). While specific reference is made herein to the components and structure of upper carriage 102a, it should be understood that upper carriage 102b includes the same components and is similarly configured as upper carriage 102a.

[0046] 3 and 4 , the lower carriage 104 can include a lower carriage frame 114 and a plurality of lower carriage rollers (first side lower carriage roller 116 a and second side lower carriage roller 116 b) coupled to the lower carriage frame 114. In an embodiment, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can further include a lower rail system 112. The lower rail system 112 can include a pair of side lower support rails (first side lower support rail 118 a and second side lower support rail 118 b). The side lower support rails 118 a, 118 b can be parallel to each other and extend in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 (i.e., the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). The side lower support rails 118a, 118b can have a substantially horizontal orientation (i.e., the side lower support rails 118a, 118b are positioned in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figure). In an embodiment, multiple lower carriage rollers 116a, 116b can each engage one of the side lower support rails 118a, 118b to facilitate translation of the lower carriage frame 114 (and therefore the lower carriage 104) on the lower rail system 112 in the ±Y directions of the coordinate axes shown in the figure. For example, a first side lower carriage roller 116a engages with the first side lower support rail 118a, and a second side lower carriage roller 116b engages with the second side lower support rail 118b. In the embodiments described herein, the lower bogie frame 114 and the side lower support rails 118a, 118b may be formed from a load-bearing material such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or similar load-bearing material.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5A, a first lower side carriage roller 116a is depicted. The first lower side carriage roller 116a includes a rolling surface 117a that contacts the upper surface of the first lower side support rail 118a (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the rolling surface 117a of the first lower side carriage roller 116a is a flat rolling surface that mates with the upper surface of the first lower side support rail 118a, which is also flat to correspond to the rolling surface 117a. Thus, the first lower side carriage roller 116a is translatable in the ±X direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figure. The first lower side carriage roller 116a is rotatably attached to a first lower side carriage roller coupling 117b by a fastener 117c that passes through the first lower side carriage roller 116a. The first lower side carriage roller coupling 117b couples the first lower side carriage roller 116a to the lower carriage frame 114. In an embodiment, the first lower side carriage roller coupling 117b includes an upper coupling member 117d mounted to the underside of the lower carriage frame 114 and an intermediate coupling member 117e extending between the upper coupling member 117d and the first lower side carriage roller 116a. A fastener 117c passes through the first lower side carriage roller 116a and connects to the intermediate coupling member 117e, rotatably coupling the first lower side carriage roller 116a to the intermediate coupling member 117e.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5B, the second lower side carriage roller 116b is depicted. The second lower side carriage roller 116b includes a rolling surface 119a that contacts the upper surface of the second lower side support rail 118b (FIG. 4). In an embodiment, the rolling surface 119a of the second lower side carriage roller 116b includes a groove 119a1 that mates with a tongue 118b1 formed on the upper surface of the second lower side support rail 118b, which tongue 118b1 corresponds to the groove 119a1 formed on the rolling surface 119a of the second lower side carriage roller 116b. The second lower side carriage roller 116b is rotatably attached to the second lower side carriage roller coupling 119b with a fastener 119c that passes through the second lower side carriage roller 116b. The second lower side truck roller coupling 119b couples the second lower side truck roller 116b to the lower truck frame 114. In an embodiment, the second lower side truck roller coupling 119b includes an upper coupling member 119d mounted to the underside of the lower truck frame 114 and an intermediate coupling member 119e extending between the upper coupling member 119d and the second lower side truck roller 116b. The fastener 119c passes through the second lower side truck roller 116b and connects to the intermediate coupling member 119e, rotatably coupling the second lower side truck roller 116b to the intermediate coupling member 119e. The engagement of tongue 118b1 with groove 119b1 reduces misalignment between lower carriage 104 and side lower support rails 118a, 118b, improving freedom of movement. The engagement of tongue 118bl with groove 119b1 also allows lower carriage 104 to shift relative to side lower support rails 118a, 118b during expansion of lower carriage 104 laterally of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (i.e., in the ±X direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures).

[0049] Although the first lower side carriage roller 116a is depicted as including a flat rolling surface 117a that engages the flat upper surface of the first lower side support rail 118a, and the second lower side carriage roller 116b is depicted as including a groove 119a1 that engages with a tongue 118b1 on the second lower side support rail 118b, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to that particular embodiment. For example, in an embodiment, the first lower side carriage roller 116a can include a groove formed therein for engaging with a tongue provided on the first lower side support rail 118a, and the second lower side carriage roller 116b can include a flat rolling surface for engaging the flat upper surface of the second lower side support rail 118b. Additionally, it should be appreciated that in embodiments, each of the plurality of first lower side carriage rollers 116a includes a flat rolling surface for engaging the flat upper surface of the first lower side support rail 118a, and each of the plurality of second lower side carriage rollers 116b includes a groove formed therein for engaging a respective tongue provided on the second lower side support rail 118b. Alternatively, in other embodiments, each of the plurality of first lower side carriage rollers 116a includes a groove formed therein for engaging a respective tongue provided on the first lower side support rail 118a, and each of the plurality of second lower side carriage rollers 116b includes a flat rolling surface for engaging the flat upper surface of the second lower side support rail 118b. Thus, in embodiments, either the first or second lower side carriage roller 116a, 116b includes a flat rolling surface for engaging the flat upper surface of either the first or second lower side support rail 118a, 118b, while the other of the first or second lower side carriage roller 116a, 116b includes a groove for engaging the other of the first or second lower side support rail 118a, 118b. Although the groove is described herein as being formed in the first or second lower side carriage roller 116b, and the tongue is provided on the first or second lower side support rail 118a, 118b, it should be appreciated that the reverse is also possible.For example, in embodiments, a groove may be formed in the first lower side support rail 118a or the second lower side support rail 118b, and a tongue may be formed in the first lower side carriage roller 116 or the second lower side carriage roller 116b that engages with the groove. Although the rolling surfaces described herein are referred to as flat, the rolling surface may have a minimum curvature such that it is at least substantially flat.

[0050] 3 and 4 , the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 may further include an upper rail system 106. The upper rail system 106 may be supported on the lower carriage frame 114 of the lower carriage 104. The upper rail system 106 may include a pair of upper support rails (a first side upper support rail 120a and a second side upper support rail 120b). The side upper support rails 120a, 120b may be parallel to one another and oriented at an elevation angle α relative to the horizontal (i.e., relative to the XY plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). In embodiments described herein, the elevation angle α may be greater than 0 degrees. In embodiments, the elevation angle α may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, or even greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the elevation angle α may be less than 0 degrees and greater than −90 degrees, or even less than 0 degrees and greater than −45 degrees or greater. The elevation angle α ensures that molten material flowing through the upper carriage 102 flows toward the mixing vessel 14 ( FIG. 1 ). In the embodiment of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the elevation angle α decreases the spacing between the side upper support rails 120 a, 120 b and the lower carriage frame 114 in the +Y direction of the coordinate axes depicted in the figures. The side upper support rails 120 a, 120 b can be supported on the lower carriage frame 114 of the lower carriage 104 using at least two vertical biasing members (vertical biasing members 122 a, 122 b, 122 c depicted in FIGS. 2 through 4 ). As shown in FIG. 2 , the vertical biasing member 122 a is positioned relative to the vertical biasing member 122 b in the −Y direction of the coordinate axes depicted in the figures. Additionally, as shown in Figure 4, vertical biasing members 122a, 122c are positioned at corresponding locations along the Y axis and mounted to opposite side upper support rails 120a, 120b. The height difference between vertical biasing members 122a, 122c and vertical biasing member 122b can determine the elevation angle α of side upper support rails 120a, 120b relative to the horizontal plane. Thus, in the embodiment of molten glass delivery apparatus 100 shown in Figures 2-4, the height of vertical biasing members 122a, 122c can be greater than the height of vertical biasing member 122b.Like the side lower support rails 118a, 118b and the lower bogie frame 114, the side upper support rails 120a, 120b can be formed from a load-bearing material, such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or a similar load-bearing material. In embodiments described herein, the vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c can be coupled to the lower bogie frame 114 and the side upper support rails 120a, 120b by welding and / or mechanical fasteners. In embodiments, the vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c can be, for example, without limitation, compression springs, Belleville springs, spring bolts, and / or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c can adjust the distance and elevation angle α between the lower bogie frame 114 and the side upper support rails 120a, 120b. Additionally, vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c allow the vertical position of side upper support rails 120a, 120b to be adjusted to accommodate vertical expansion of fining system 13 and / or mixing vessel 14 connected to connecting tube 50. That is, when fining system 13 and / or mixing vessel 14 contracts along the vertical direction, vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c allow upper carriage 102 and upper rail system 106 to accommodate the expansion and contraction and avoid stress on molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110.

[0051] In the embodiments described herein, each upper carriage 102 a, 102 b can be supported on the lower carriage 104. Specifically, each of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b can include a base plate 124 and a plurality of upper carriage rollers (first side upper carriage roller 126 a and second side upper carriage roller 126 b shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) coupled to the base plate 124. In the embodiment, each of the plurality of upper carriage rollers 126 a, 126 b can engage one of the side upper support rails 120 a, 120 b to facilitate translation of the base plate 124 (and thus the upper carriage 102 a) on the upper rail system 106.

[0052] It should be appreciated that the first upper side carriage roller 126a and the second upper side carriage roller 126b have the same structure as the first lower side carriage roller 116a and the second lower side carriage roller 116b, respectively. For example, in embodiments in which the second lower side carriage roller 116b includes groove 119a1, the second upper side carriage roller 126b includes groove 127 that engages with tongue 120b1 provided on the upper surface of the second upper side support rail 120b. Similarly, in embodiments in which the first lower side carriage roller 116a includes a flat rolling surface 117a, the first upper side carriage roller 126a also includes a similar flat rolling surface. It should therefore be appreciated that the first lower side carriage roller 116a has the same structure as the first upper side carriage roller 126a, and the second lower side carriage roller 116b has the same structure as the second upper side carriage roller 126b, thereby allowing for vertical expansion of the upper carriage 102a.

[0053] More specifically, tongue and groove engagement on only one side of the upper carriage 102 with the first side upper carriage roller 126a and the first side upper support rail 120a, or the second side upper carriage roller 126b and the second side upper support rail 120b, etc., allows lateral displacement of the upper carriage 102a while maintaining the upper carriage 102 on the upper rail system 106. Similarly, tongue and groove engagement on only one side and the same side of the upper carriage 102 with the first lower side carriage roller 116a and the first lower side support rail 118a, or the second lower side carriage roller 116b and the second lower side support rail 118b, etc., allows lateral displacement of the lower carriage 104 while maintaining the lower carriage 104 on the lower rail system 112.

[0054] The bottom plate 124 of the upper carriage 102a may be oriented at an elevation angle β relative to the horizontal (i.e., relative to the XY plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). In embodiments described herein, the elevation angle β may be greater than 0 degrees. In embodiments, the elevation angle β may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, or even greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the elevation angle β may be less than 0 degrees and greater than -90 degrees, or even less than 0 degrees and greater than -45 degrees. Similar to the reason for providing the elevation angle α, the elevation angle β ensures that the molten material flowing through the upper carriage 102 flows toward the mixing vessel 14 ( FIG. 1 ). In embodiments, the elevation angle β may be equal to the elevation angle α. The angular orientation of the base plate 124 of the upper truck 102a and the side upper support rails 120a, 120b may cause the major vector component of the translational motion of the upper truck 102a on the side upper support rails 120a, 120b to be parallel to the side lower support rails 118a, 118b, and therefore parallel to the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures. In the embodiments described herein, the base plate 124 of the upper truck 102a may be formed from a load-bearing material, such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or a similar load-bearing material.

[0055] 3 and 4, upper carriage 102a is depicted and described in further detail herein. As noted above, specific reference is made herein to the components and structure of upper carriage 102a, but it should be appreciated that upper carriage 102b includes the same components as upper carriage 102a and is similarly configured. Upper carriage 102a may further include a support frame 128 coupled to bottom plate 124. Support frame 128 supports and stiffens molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A-8C ) positioned within volume 142 bounded by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124. In embodiments, support frame 128 may also be configured to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 in a lateral direction (i.e., the ±X direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. In an embodiment, the support frame 128 may also be configured to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 in the vertical direction (i.e., the ±Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figure).

[0056] For example, in an embodiment, the support frame 128 may include a plurality of vertical support members (e.g., vertical support members 130a, 130b, and 130c shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and a plurality of horizontal support members 132a and 132b. The vertical support members 130a, 130b, and 130c and the horizontal support members 132a and 132b may be formed from a load-bearing material, such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or a similar load-bearing material. The lower ends of the vertical support members 130a, 130b, and 130c (i.e., the ends of the vertical support members in the −Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) may be coupled to the bottom plate 124 of the upper truck 102a with lateral spring elements 134. Similarly, the upper ends of the vertical support members 130a, 130b, and 130c (i.e., the ends of the vertical support members in the +Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) may be coupled to the horizontal support members 132a and 132b with lateral spring elements 134. The lateral spring elements 134 may be, for example, without limitation, compression springs, Belleville springs, spring bolts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0057] The lateral spring elements 134 allow for displacement of the vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c in the ±X directions of the coordinate axes shown in the figures (i.e., lateral directions) to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (not shown in FIG. 4 ) positioned within the volume 142 enclosed by the support frame 128 and bottom plate 124 of the upper carriage 102a. That is, when the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is heated within the volume 142 enclosed by the support frame 128 and bottom plate 124, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 may expand and exert a force on the vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c in the ±X directions. The lateral spring elements 134 allow for displacement of the vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c in the ±X directions, thereby accommodating the thermal expansion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. Similarly, as molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 cools within volume 142 enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124, molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 contracts away from vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c. Transverse spring elements 134 allow for displacement of vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c in the ±X directions so that vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c remain in contact with molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110, thereby supporting molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 as it cools and contracts.

[0058] In addition to the horizontal spring elements 134, the support frame 128 may also include vertical spring elements 136. Specifically, the top ends of the vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c (i.e., the ends of the vertical support members in the +Z direction of the coordinate axis shown in the figures) may be coupled to the horizontal support members 132a, 132b with vertical spring elements 136. The vertical spring elements 136 may be, for example, without limitation, compression springs, Belleville springs, spring bolts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0059] Vertical spring elements 136 allow displacement of horizontal support members 132a, 132b in the ±Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figure (i.e., vertical direction) to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (not shown in FIG. 4 ) positioned within volume 142 enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124. That is, when molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is heated within volume 142 enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124, molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 expands and exerts a force on horizontal support members 132a, 132b in the +Z direction. Vertical spring elements 136 allow displacement of horizontal support members 132a, 132b in the +Z direction, thereby accommodating thermal expansion of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. Similarly, as molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 cools within volume 142 enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124, molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 contracts away from horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b. Vertical spring elements 136 allow for displacement of horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b in the −Z direction so that horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b remain in contact with molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110, thereby supporting molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 as it cools and contracts.

[0060] In embodiments, the support frame 128 of the upper carriage 102a may further include vertical support plates (two vertical support plates 138a, 138b are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and / or horizontal support plates (one horizontal support plate 140 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) to provide additional support to the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within the volume 142 bounded by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124. For example, in embodiments, the support frame 128 may further include vertical support plates 138a, 138b disposed within the volume 142 bounded by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124. The vertical support plate 138a may be coupled to the vertical support members 130a, 130b, such as by welding or mechanical fasteners, such that the vertical support plate 138a is disposed between the vertical support members 130a, 130b and the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within the volume 142 bounded by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124. Similarly, vertical support plate 138b can be coupled to vertical support member 130c, such as by welding or mechanical fasteners, such that it is disposed between vertical support member 130c and molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within volume 142 enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124. Vertical support members 138a, 138b can be formed from a load-bearing material, such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or a similar load-bearing material. Vertical support plates 138a, 138b enable the forces exerted by molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 on vertical support members 130a, 130b, 130c (and vice versa) to be uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (i.e., the length of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 in approximately the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures), so that molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is uniformly supported by support frame 128 during and between thermal expansion and contraction.

[0061] In an embodiment, the support frame 128 further includes a horizontal support plate 140 disposed within a volume 142 bounded by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124. The horizontal support plate 140 may be coupled to the horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b, such as by welding or mechanical fasteners, such that the horizontal support plate 140 is disposed between the horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b and the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within the volume 142 bounded by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6 ). The horizontal support member 140 may be formed from a load-bearing material, such as, for example, without limitation, structural steel or a similar load-bearing material. The horizontal support plate 140 allows the force exerted by the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 on the horizontal support members 132a, 132b (and vice versa) to be uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 so that the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is uniformly supported by the support frame 128 during and between thermal expansion and contraction.

[0062] 3 and 4 , in embodiments, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can further include one or more expansion assist members 144 to assist translation of the lower carriage 104 along the lower side support rails 118 a, 118 b of the lower rail system 112. Specifically, during thermal expansion and contraction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within the volume 142 enclosed by the support frame 128 and the bottom plate 124, the longitudinal length of all or a portion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 can increase (thermal expansion) or decrease (thermal contraction), causing the lower carriage 104 to translate along the lower side support rails 118 a, 118 b of the lower rail system 112. Despite the incorporation of multiple lower carriage rollers 116a, 116b between the lower carriage 104 and the lower side support rails 118a, 118b, the large mass of the upper carriage 102a, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110, and the molten glass flowing through the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 can make it difficult to overcome the static inertia of the upper carriage 102a and move the upper carriage 102a on the multiple lower carriage rollers 116a, 116b. If the static inertia of the upper carriage 102a cannot be overcome, additional stresses can be placed on the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110, potentially resulting in damage and / or failure of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. The expansion assist member 144 can assist in overcoming the static inertia of the upper carriage 102a by providing an expansion assist force to the lower carriage 104 in the direction of longitudinal expansion (i.e., expansion in the longitudinal length direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110) when the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is heated.

[0063] Specifically, the expansion assist member 144 can include a spring member that exerts a biasing force in one direction, such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a compression spring (i.e., the expansion assist member functions as a single-acting cylinder). In the embodiments described herein, the biasing force can be in the direction of longitudinal expansion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (i.e., the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). The expansion assist member 144 can be coupled to the lower carriage 104 by a carriage bracket 146 and to the first side lower support rail 118a by a rail bracket 148 so that the expansion assist member 144 is mechanically grounded to the first side lower support rail 118a. The expansion assist member 144 can apply an expansion assist force to the lower carriage 104 through the carriage bracket in either the +Y direction or the −Y direction to help overcome the static inertia of the upper carriage 102a and facilitate translation of the lower carriage 104 when the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 heats and thermally expands.

[0064] In embodiments, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 may further include one or more mass compensation members 150 to offset the mass of the upper carriages 102a, 102b and the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 along the side upper support rails 120a, 120b of the upper rail system 106, thereby preventing undesired movement of the upper carriages 102a, 102b along the side upper support rails 120a, 120b of the upper rail system 106. Specifically, as shown herein, the side upper support rails 120a, 120b of the upper rail system 106 may be oriented at an elevation angle α with respect to the horizontal, and a plurality of upper carriage rollers 126a, 126b engage the side upper support rails 120a, 120b of the upper rail system 106. Thus, without additional compensation or restraint, gravity will cause the upper carriage 102a to translate down the side upper support rails 120a, 120b. Additionally, as components of the upper carriage 102a expand, gravity acting on the upper carriage 102a can inhibit the expansion and thus introduce stress into the components. To prevent this unwanted movement and mitigate the introduction of stress, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include a mass compensation member 150 that applies an upward mass compensation force to the upper carriage 102a along the upper rail system 106. It should be appreciated that the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can also include a mass compensation member 150 associated with the upper carriage 102b.

[0065] Specifically, the mass compensation member 150 can include a spring member that exerts a biasing force in one direction, such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a compression spring (i.e., the mass compensation member 150 functions as a single-acting cylinder). In the embodiments described herein, the mass compensation member 150 can be coupled to the upper truck 102a by a truck bracket 152 and to the first side upper support rail 120a by a rail bracket 154 such that the mass compensation member 150 is mechanically grounded to the first side upper support rail 120a, the biasing force of the mass compensation member 150 is parallel to the first side upper support rail 120a, and the force component is directed vertically upward (i.e., in the +Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). The mass compensation member 150 can apply an upward mass compensation force to the upper carriage 102a along the upper rail system 106 (specifically, along the side upper support rails 120a, 120b) through the carriage brackets 152 to prevent the upper carriage 102a from moving down the side upper support rails 120a, 120b due to gravity. In embodiments, the horizontal component of the upward mass compensation force applied by the mass compensation member 150 can be opposite to the horizontal component of the expansion assist force applied by the expansion assist member 144. The mass compensation member 150 can also assist the upper carriage 102a in accommodating thermal expansion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 as the upper carriage 102a is heated by translating the upper carriage 102a on the upper rail system 106 against the downward force of gravity acting on the upper carriage 102a.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 7 , an embodiment 100a of the molten glass delivery apparatus is depicted. It should be appreciated that the molten glass delivery apparatus 100a is identical to the molten glass delivery apparatus 100, except for the manner in which the upper carriages 102a, 102b are movably coupled to the floor surface. Specifically, rather than the upper carriages 102a, 102b being rollable on an upper rail system 106 coupled to a lower carriage 104 that is rollable on a lower rail system 112, the upper rail system 106 is mechanically grounded to the floor surface 107 and fixed thereto to prohibit movement of the upper rail system 106 in the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figure. This eliminates the need for the lower rail system 112. In this embodiment, one or more jack assemblies 109 extend between the upper rail system 106 and the floor surface 107. The jack assemblies 109 are fixed to the floor 107 and are individually adjustable to increase the inclination of the upper rail system 106 relative to the floor 107 .

[0067] 6 and 8A-8C, Fig. 6 schematically depicts a cross section of molten glass delivery apparatus 100 with molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 positioned within a volume enclosed by support frame 128 and bottom plate 124, Fig. 8A schematically depicts a cross section of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 through the XZ plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figure, Fig. 8B schematically depicts an exploded view of a portion of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 of Fig. 8A, and Fig. 8C schematically depicts a cross section through the XZ plane of the coordinate axes shown in the figure of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 including flange 220 for supplying electrical current to molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. In an embodiment, molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 may include cradle assembly 180, tube assembly 190, and delivery conduit 200. In embodiments, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 can further include at least one flange 220 electrically connected to the delivery conduit 200. In embodiments, the cradle assembly 180 and the tube assembly 190 can be configured to prevent the cradle assembly 180 and the tube assembly 190 from sliding relative to each other as the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 heats and cools. However, the delivery conduit 200 slides freely relative to the cradle assembly 180 and the tube assembly 190 as the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 heats and cools.

[0068] 8A and 8B , the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 can include a delivery conduit 200 through which molten glass flows. In embodiments, the delivery conduit 200 can be formed from a refractory metal, such as, for example, without limitation, platinum, molybdenum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, alloys thereof, and / or combinations thereof, so as to be able to withstand the high temperatures and corrosive properties of the molten glass flowing therethrough. While the delivery conduit 200 is depicted as having a circular cross section, other cross sections are contemplated and possible, including, without limitation, delivery conduits having elliptical, oval, and oval cross sections. In embodiments, a heater winding 201 can be wrapped around the delivery conduit 200 to facilitate and / or supplement heating of the delivery conduit 200.

[0069] In embodiments, the delivery conduit 200 can be positioned within the tube assembly 190 such that both the delivery conduit 200 and the tube assembly 190 extend longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. The tube assembly 190 can include a refractory ceramic material that insulates the delivery conduit 200 and the molten glass flowing therethrough and minimizes radial temperature fluctuations of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 (i.e., temperature fluctuations perpendicular to the ±Y directions of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). The tube assembly 190 can be formed from, for example, without limitation, alumina, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, and / or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the tube assembly 190 can be formed from multiple individual sections assembled around the delivery conduit 200. For example, in embodiments, the tube assembly 190 can be comprised of a lower tube section 192 and an upper tube section 194, as shown in FIG. 8B . In embodiments, the lower tube portion 192 and / or the upper tube portion 194 can be comprised of multiple individual segments. For example, as shown in Figure 8B, the upper tube portion 194 can include multiple tube segments 196a, 196b, 196c extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 and arranged in an arc around at least a portion of the delivery conduit 200. While Figure 8B depicts the upper tube portion 194 as being comprised of multiple tube segments 196a, 196b, 196c, other embodiments are contemplated and possible, such as embodiments in which the lower tube portion 192 is comprised of multiple tube segments, and embodiments in which both the lower tube portion 192 and the upper tube portion 194 are comprised of multiple tube segments.

[0070] In the embodiments described herein, the delivery conduit 200 is not glued or attached to the tube assembly 190, and therefore the delivery conduit 200 is free to slide relative to the tube assembly 190. As a result, as the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 heats and cools, the delivery conduit 200 is free to thermally expand and contract relative to the tube assembly 190, thereby preventing additional stresses from being introduced into the delivery conduit 200.

[0071] 8A and 8B , the delivery conduit 200 and tube assembly 190 may be positioned within a cradle assembly 180, including a lower cradle block 182 and an upper cradle block 184, such that the delivery conduit 200, tube assembly 190, and cradle assembly 180 extend longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. The cradle assembly 180 may include a refractory ceramic material that insulates the tube assembly 190, the delivery conduit 200, and the molten glass flowing therethrough to minimize radial temperature fluctuations in the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. The cradle assembly 180 may be formed from, for example, without limitation, alumina, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, and / or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the cradle assembly 180 may be formed from multiple individual sections assembled around the tube assembly 190. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cradle assembly 180 may be comprised of a lower tube portion 192 and an upper tube portion 194.

[0072] 6 and 8A, insulating refractory blocks 202 and / or refractory boards may be positioned around cradle assembly 180 to provide additional insulation to delivery conduit 200, tube assembly 190, cradle assembly 180, and the molten glass flowing therethrough. In an embodiment, refractory blocks 202 may be formed from, for example, without limitation, alumina, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, and / or combinations thereof.

[0073] As shown herein, the components and structure of the individual upper carriages 102 a, 102 b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can be substantially similar. However, in embodiments, for example, the refractory ceramic material used in the cradle assembly 180 and the tube assembly 190 can be different for each of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b. Specifically, for a particular upper carriage 102 a, 102 b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100, the refractory ceramic material can be selected to provide a desired amount of thermal insulation or, conversely, a desired amount of heat conduction, regardless of the refractory ceramic material used in another upper carriage of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100.

[0074] In embodiments, cradle assembly 180 and tube assembly 190 may be joined to prevent relative movement between cradle assembly 180 and tube assembly 190 as molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is heated and cooled. This allows molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 and upper carriage to be supported as one single solid body, for example, by mass compensation member 150. Similarly, in embodiments, cradle assembly 180 and refractory block 202 are joined to prevent relative movement between cradle assembly 180 and refractory block 202 as molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 is heated and cooled.

[0075] 9, in an embodiment, the lower cradle block 182 and the upper cradle block 184 of the cradle assembly 180 of the upper carriage 102b may include a protrusion 185 extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 to engage a groove 187 formed in the adjacent upper carriage 102a. More specifically, the groove 187 of the upper carriage 102a similarly extends longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 and is formed in the lower cradle 182 and the upper cradle block 184 of the cradle assembly of the upper carriage 102a. It should be appreciated that engagement of the protrusion 185 and the groove 187 limits radial movement of the upper carriages 102a, 102b relative to one another during expansion. Here, radial movement can include movement of upper carriages 102a, 102b in either or both a vertical direction (±Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) or a lateral direction (±X direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). As shown in FIG. 8A , protrusion 185 surrounds lower tube portion 192 and upper tube portion 194 of upper carriage 102b. Similarly, groove 187 surrounds lower tube portion 192 and upper tube portion 194 of upper carriage 102a. It should be appreciated that in embodiments in which molten glass delivery apparatus 100 includes more than two upper carriages, each upper carriage can include protrusion 185 provided at a first end thereof and groove 187 formed at an opposite second end thereof, such that adjacent upper carriages can be joined at each end.

[0076] 2 and 8C-10, in embodiments, each upper carriage 102a, 102b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include a separate delivery conduit 200. In these embodiments, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 can include flanges 220 positioned on both ends of the delivery conduit 200. The flanges 220 can, for example, facilitate the formation of a glass seal between the molten glass delivery conduit assemblies 110 of the individual upper carriages 102a, 102b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100. For example, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include multiple upper carriages arranged in series, as shown herein. Molten glass flows through the upper carriages in sequence (i.e., passes through one upper carriage before flowing through the next upper carriage). Because molten glass is relatively hot and corrosive, and the thermal expansion of the upper car components is relatively large, conventional seals are not used between adjacent upper cars 102 a, 102 b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100. Instead, molten glass is allowed to leak between the adjacent upper cars 102 a, 102 b. As the molten glass cools and solidifies, a glass seal is formed between the adjacent upper cars 102 a, 102 b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , molten glass leaks between the flanges 220 of the adjacent upper cars 102 a, 102 b and solidifies between the flanges 220, thereby forming a glass seal 229.

[0077] In embodiments, the flange 220 may be electrically conductive to facilitate heating of the delivery conduit 200 by passing an electric current through the flange 220 and thus through the delivery conduit 200. In these embodiments, the flange 220 surrounds the periphery of the delivery conduit 200 and is maintained in electrical contact with the outer surface of the delivery conduit 200. The electric current passes through the flange 220 and enters the delivery conduit 200, heating the delivery conduit 200 and the molten glass therein. In various embodiments, the flange 220 surrounds at least a portion of the delivery conduit 200 and may be positioned at a longitudinal end of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. Due to the electrical resistance of the delivery conduit 200, the electric current directly heats the delivery conduit 200, thereby heating the molten glass therein.

[0078] 8C , by way of example, flange 220 may include a bus portion 222 and a power distribution portion 224 that extends around delivery conduit 200. However, other embodiments are contemplated and possible. Flange 220 may facilitate the introduction of electrical current into delivery conduit 200 for efficient heating of the molten glass target and / or for efficient heating, and may be selected based at least on the magnitude of the electrical current to be passed through delivery conduit 200 and the accessibility of bus portion 222 for connection to a current source.

[0079] In embodiments described herein, flange 220 may be fabricated from a low resistance metal, such as a transition metal, for example, without limitation, electrical grade nickel 600 / 601, suitable for use at the high temperatures experienced in glass manufacturing, and / or a high temperature refractory metal, for example, without limitation, platinum or its alloys. In various embodiments, flange 220 may be cooled, for example, by air or water cooling. In various embodiments, a cooling fluid may be directed through cooling tubes (not shown) coupled to and extending around flange 220. In other embodiments, a cooling fluid may be used to cool selected portions of flange 220.

[0080] 2, 8C, and 9 depict each upper carriage 102 a, 102 b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 as including a separate delivery conduit 200, other embodiments are contemplated and possible. For example, in other embodiments (not shown), the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can include a single delivery conduit extending through and between multiple upper carriages 102 a, 102 b. In these embodiments, flanges 220 can be positioned on both ends of the single delivery conduit 200. In some embodiments, the single delivery conduit 200 can further include additional flanges positioned on the conduit between adjacent upper carriages.

[0081] 11 , in embodiments, the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 can further include an external support frame 250 to facilitate coupling of the flange 220 to the translatable support 400 described herein. The external support frame 250 can include external vertical support members 252 joined to external horizontal support members 254 (shown in FIG. 11 ), such as by welding or mechanical fasteners. The external support frame 250 can be coupled to the lower carriage frame 114 of the lower carriage 104, for example, without limitation, by brackets 256, such that the external support frame 250 is translatable with the lower carriage 104. In embodiments, the flange 220 is coupled to the external support frame 250 to accommodate translation of the flange 220 upon thermal expansion and contraction of the flange and other components of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. For example, the translatable support 400 can be coupled to the external vertical support members 252 of the external support frame 250 to support the flange 220.

[0082] 12 , the translatable support 400 is depicted as including an upper support frame 410, a lower support frame 412, and a pair of support bumpers 414 extending between the upper and lower support frames 410 and 412. A pair of flange supports 416 extend from the upper support frame 410 toward the lower support frame 412 between the support bumpers 414. The bus section 222 of the flange 220 is secured between the flange supports 416, and water cooling members 418 are provided on both sides of the flange 220 between the flange 220 and the flange supports 416. The water cooling members 418 prevent overheating of the bus section 222 of the flange. The support platform 420 can be coupled to the lower support frame 412 and secured to the outer vertical support members 252 of the outer support frame 250 by welding, mechanical fasteners, or the like, to secure the translatable support 400 to the outer support frame 250. The support bumpers 414 allow the upper support frame 410 to move vertically relative to the lower support frame 412 to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the flange 220 and other components of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. For example, the delivery conduit 200 thermally expands or contracts as it heats or cools. The thermal expansion and contraction of the delivery conduit causes the vertical position of the flange 220 to change. The support bumpers 414 maintain support for the flange 220 during expansion and contraction while minimizing the stress that the weight of the flange 220 places on the delivery conduit.

[0083] Although not depicted, in embodiments, external support frame 250 may further include panels attached to external support frame 250, thereby forming an encapsulation around molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110. By encapsulating molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110, the atmosphere immediately surrounding molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 may be controlled, thereby preventing, for example, hydrogen permeation through platinum components of molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110.

[0084] 11 and 13, in an embodiment, the bus portion 222 of the flange 220 can be coupled to a power source (not shown) with a clamp 399 and a power delivery cable 380. To accommodate the delivery of the power necessary to heat the delivery conduit 200 without melting the delivery cable 380, the delivery cable 380 can have a relatively large mass. A portion of the weight of the power delivery cable can be transferred through the flange 220 to the delivery conduit 200, thereby introducing additional stress into the delivery conduit 200. In an embodiment, to offset the weight of the delivery cable 380 on the delivery conduit (and thus reduce the stress on the delivery conduit 200), the delivery cable can be supported by an overhead support structure 401, as shown in FIG. 13. The overhead support structure 401 can include rails 402 suspended above the upper dolly 102a. The overhead support structure 401 can further include hangers 403 extending from the rails 402. A hanger 403 may be coupled to the delivery cable 380 such that the delivery cable 380 is suspended from the rail 402. Because the hanger 403 supports the weight of the delivery cable 380, stress on the delivery conduit 200 due to the weight of the delivery cable 380 is minimized. In an embodiment, the hanger 403 may be supported by a trolley 404 that is translatable along the rail 402. The trolley 404 allows the hanger 403 to translate while supporting the delivery cable 380, thereby minimizing misalignment of the delivery cable 380 with the flange 220 to which it is coupled as the delivery conduit 200 expands and contracts. For example, as the upper truck 102a heats and cools, the delivery conduit 200 may expand and contract, causing the flange 220 to translate longitudinally. The trolley 404 allows the delivery cable 380 to translate with the flange 220 such that the hanger 403 supports the delivery cable 380 as the position of the flange 220 changes, thereby reducing the stress that the delivery cable 380 imparts to the delivery conduit 200.

[0085] In an embodiment, the hanger 403 can include spring supports 406. The spring supports 406 can have a spring constant that enables the spring supports 406 to provide continuous vertical support to the delivery cable 380 when the delivery cable 380 is displaced vertically (i.e., in the ±Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). For example, when the delivery conduit 200 is heated and cooled, it thermally expands radially (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) and longitudinally (i.e., in the ±Y direction of the coordinate axes shown in the figures). The radial expansion and contraction of the delivery conduit 200 changes the vertical height of the flange 220. To minimize the stress that the weight of the flange 220 imposes on the delivery conduit 200, the spring supports 406 can be selected and adapted to apply a vertical force to the flange 220 even when the position of the flange 220 shifts vertically. Thus, the spring supports 406 support the delivery cable 380 regardless of the position of the delivery cable 380 relative to the overhead support structure 401. As a result, the hangers 403 can minimize the introduction of stress to components of the upper truck 102a, such as the delivery conduit 200, as the upper truck 102a heats and cools.

[0086] 1 through 5, a more detailed description will now be given regarding the operation of the molten glass delivery system 100 with the glass manufacturing apparatus 10. Reference will now be made to the use of the molten glass delivery system 100 in place of the connecting tube 50 connecting the fining system 13 to the mixing vessel 14.

[0087] Initially, the upper carriages 102a, 102b can be positioned on the upper rail system 106, the lower carriage 104, and the lower rail system 112 between the fining system 13 and the mixing vessel 14. The delivery conduits 200 of each upper carriage 102a, 102b can be aligned with each other, with the outlet of the fining system 13, and with the inlet of the mixing vessel 14 to facilitate the flow of molten glass 16 from the fining system 13, through the upper carriages 102a, 102b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100, and into the mixing vessel 14. Next, electrical current can be introduced to the flange 220 (and / or heater windings 201 (FIG. 8B)) to preheat the delivery conduit 200 before it receives the flow of molten glass 16 from the fining system 13.

[0088] The molten glass 16 may then be directed through the delivery conduit 200 of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b to the mixing vessel 14 while the delivery conduit 200 is heated by the flanges 220 and / or heater windings 201. As the temperature of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b increases, the components of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b may thermally expand vertically, laterally, and longitudinally according to their respective thermal expansion coefficients, as described herein. For example, as the delivery conduit 200 expands longitudinally, the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b may exert forces on each other and / or on the fining system 13 and mixing vessel 14. These forces result in displacement of the lower carriage 104 along the lower rail system 112 and displacement of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b along the upper rail system 106, thereby accommodating longitudinal thermal expansion of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b of the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 without introducing static stresses into components of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b, such as the delivery conduit 200. Displacement of the lower carriage 104 can be assisted by, for example, expansion assist member 144 and mass compensation member 150.

[0089] As described herein, when the components of glass manufacturing apparatus 10 are heated to operating temperatures, the components increase in dimensional size according to their respective thermal expansion coefficients. Accordingly, fining system 13 and mixing vessel 14 may also expand in all directions, such as vertically, laterally, and / or longitudinally, and molten glass delivery apparatus 100 must accommodate such expansion to ensure that molten glass delivery apparatus 100 does not crack. Vertical biasing members 122a, 122b, 122c assist in accommodating this expansion and enable molten glass delivery apparatus 100 to maintain a sealed connection with fining system 13 and mixing vessel 14.

[0090] Lateral thermal expansion of the components of the upper carriages 102 a, 102 b (the ±X directions of the coordinate axes shown in the figures) can be accommodated by the lateral spring elements 134 and vertical spring elements 136 of the support frame 128. Specifically, when the components of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 thermally expand radially and compress against the vertical support members 130 a, 130 b, 130 c and the horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b, the lateral spring elements 134 and vertical spring elements 136 allow the vertical support members 130 a, 130 b, 130 c and the horizontal support members 132 a, 132 b to displace, respectively. This accommodates the radial thermal expansion of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly 110 and reduces the introduction of stress into the delivery conduit 200. Additionally, as described herein, the connection of the cradle assembly 180 can minimize stress acting on adjacent upper carriages 102. Specifically, the cradle assemblies 180 of each upper truck 102 are interconnected to reduce the level of stress on adjacent upper trucks 102 while maintaining a fluid-tight seal between the cradle assemblies 180 .

[0091] 2 and 11 to 13, the overhead support structure 401 and translatable supports 400 of the upper carriages 102a, 102b accommodate displacement of the flanges 220 of the upper carriages 102a, 102b as the molten glass delivery apparatus 100 heats up. Specifically, the support buffers 414 of the translatable supports 400 accommodate vertical displacement of the flanges 220 by moving the upper support frame 410 away from the lower support frame 412, thereby reducing the introduction of stress to the delivery conduit 200 through the flanges 220. At the same time, the spring supports 406 retract upward vertically to accommodate vertical displacement of the flanges 220 and the attached delivery cables 380, reducing the weight of the delivery cables 380 on the delivery conduit 200 through the flanges 220 and reducing the introduction of stress to the delivery conduit 200.

[0092] The molten glass delivery apparatus described herein can be used to reduce or mitigate stresses in the molten glass delivery apparatus components, thereby extending the lifespan of the molten glass delivery apparatus, increasing production yields, and reducing the operating and maintenance costs of the glass manufacturing equipment. For example, the described molten glass delivery apparatus can reduce stresses caused by thermal expansion of the apparatus components by accommodating the thermal expansion of the apparatus components. By accommodating the thermal expansion of the components, higher operating temperatures can be achieved, thus allowing for an increased flow rate of molten glass through the apparatus (i.e., an increased mass of molten glass per hour), thereby increasing production while reducing the risk of damage or failure due to stress.

[0093] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, this specification is intended to cover modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein, provided such modifications and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A glass manufacturing apparatus including a molten glass delivery apparatus, comprising: The molten glass delivery device comprises: The lower carriage and an upper rail system supported on the lower carriage, the upper rail system including a first side upper support rail and a second side upper support rail, the first side support rail and the second side support rail being oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal; a plurality of upper carriages supported on the upper rail system, each of the plurality of upper carriages comprising: a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal; a first side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the first side upper support rail; and a second side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the second side upper support rail; the plurality of upper carriages; one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; Glass manufacturing equipment.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elevation angle α is equal to the elevation angle β.

3. 10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertical biasing member extending between the lower carriage and the upper rail system to allow the upper rail system to move vertically relative to the lower carriage.

4. further comprising a lower rail system including a first lateral lower support rail and a second lateral lower support rail; the lower carriage is supported on the lower rail system; The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the lower carriage is secured to the lower rail system.

6. 5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lower carriage includes a first lower side roller and a second lower side roller.

7. 7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first side lower roller engages the first side lower support rail and the second side lower roller engages the first side lower support rail.

8. one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

9. an expansion assist member coupled to the lower truck; the expansion assist member applies an expansion assist force to the lower carriage; The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. a support frame coupled to the bottom plate of each upper truck; The support frame includes: a vertical support member coupled to the base plate using a lateral spring element, the vertical support member being displaceable laterally relative to the base plate; a horizontal support member coupled to the vertical support member using a vertical spring element and a lateral spring element, the horizontal support member being vertically displaceable relative to the vertical support member and the vertical support member being laterally displaceable relative to the horizontal support member; Including, The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. a lower positioning feature disposed on the lower carriage; an upper locating feature disposed on the upper rail system; Further comprising: when the upper rail system is supported on the lower carriages, the lower locating features align vertically with the upper locating features for each upper carriage; The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

12. Each upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages further includes a molten glass delivery conduit assembly supported on the upper carriage, the molten glass delivery conduit assembly comprising: a cradle assembly including an upper cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material; a tube assembly positioned within the cradle assembly and extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the tube assembly including an upper tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material; a delivery conduit positioned within said tube assembly and extending in said longitudinal direction, said delivery conduit being formed from a refractory metal; The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 .

13. 13. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a first upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages are connected to the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a second upper carriage of the plurality of upper carriages, and the first upper carriage is adjacent to the second upper carriage.

14. each of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage includes a protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly; each of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the second upper carriage includes a groove formed in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly; the protrusions of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage engage with the grooves formed in the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the second upper carriage; The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 13.

15. 13. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a flange coupled to the delivery conduit.

16. 16. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a translatable support coupled to the flange and a spring element applying a force normal to the flange.

17. 1. A glass manufacturing apparatus including a plurality of upper carriages, Each upper bogie of the plurality of upper bogies a cradle assembly including an upper cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower cradle block formed from a refractory ceramic material; a tube assembly positioned within the cradle assembly and extending longitudinally of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly, the tube assembly including an upper tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material and a lower tube portion formed from a refractory ceramic material; a delivery conduit positioned within said tube assembly and extending in said longitudinal direction, said delivery conduit being formed from a refractory metal; a molten glass delivery conduit assembly including: the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a first upper carriage among the plurality of upper carriages are coupled to the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of a second upper carriage among the plurality of upper carriages, and the first upper carriage is adjacent to the second upper carriage. Glass manufacturing equipment.

18. each of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage includes a protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly; each of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the second upper carriage includes a groove formed in the longitudinal direction of the molten glass delivery conduit assembly; the protrusions of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage engage with the grooves formed in the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the second upper carriage; 18. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 17.

19. 18. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a refractory block positioned around the cradle assembly and formed from a refractory ceramic material.

20. 20. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a flange coupled to the delivery conduit.

21. 21. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 20, wherein the protrusions of the upper cradle block and the lower cradle block of the first upper carriage are formed on the flanges.

22. The lower carriage and an upper rail system supported on the lower carriage, the upper rail system including a first side upper support rail and a second side upper support rail, the first side upper support rail and the second side upper support rail being oriented at an elevation angle α greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal; Further comprising: Each upper bogie of the plurality of upper bogies a base plate oriented at an elevation angle β greater than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal; a first side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the first side upper support rail; a second side upper roller coupled to the base plate and engaging the second side upper support rail; Including, 18. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 17.

23. one of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; or one of the second upper side roller and the second upper side support rail includes a rolling surface including a groove that engages with a tongue of the other of the first upper side roller and the first upper side support rail; 23. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 22.

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