Glass manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing glass articles

Abstract

The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a housing and a forming vessel positioned within an interior region of the housing and defining a path of travel for a ribbon of molten material traveling through a lower opening defined by a closure of the housing. A fluid suction device is configured to draw gas from the interior region of the housing to a gas inlet positioned within the housing and outside the closure. A method of manufacturing a glass article includes forming a ribbon of molten material within the interior region of the housing. The method further includes extracting gas from the interior region of the housing and conveying the extracted gas outside the housing. The method further includes cooling the extracted gas outside the housing to cause a phase change in a quantity of the extracted gas.

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 Application No. 63 / 433,189, filed December 16, 2022, the contents of which are herein relied upon and incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods, and more particularly to a glass manufacturing apparatus including a gas extraction device configured to draw gas from an interior region of a housing having a forming vessel positioned within the interior region, and a method of manufacturing a glass article that includes extracting gas from the interior region of the housing and conveying the extracted gas outside the housing. [Background technology]

[0003] It is known to position a forming vessel within an interior region of a housing. Typically, the forming vessel is configured to form a ribbon of molten material traveling along a traveling path. The traveling path passes through a lower opening defined by a closure of the housing. The housing can help control atmospheric and temperature conditions during the ribbon-forming process. However, vapor contaminants generated by the molten material (e.g., boron vapor) can accumulate within the interior region of the housing and create defects in the ribbon of molten material before it exits through the lower opening of the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, with the understanding that any of the embodiments can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide beneficial removal of vapor contaminants (e.g., boron vapor) generated by the molten material from the vicinity of the molten material (e.g., molten ribbon) within the interior region of the housing to avoid defects that might otherwise occur on the surface of the glass ribbon. In some embodiments, a gas extraction device including a gas extraction tube can be provided to draw the vapor contaminants (e.g., boron vapor) from the interior region of the housing and then filter them through a collection chamber. In further embodiments, a gas (e.g., pressurized air) can be injected into the interior region of the housing to replace the contaminated vapors drawn from the interior region of the housing.

[0006] To address the possibility of short-circuiting the pressurized air from being immediately drawn back into the gas extraction device, the length of the gas extraction tube can be increased to increase the distance between the gas outlet and the gas inlet. Thus, feedback from the gas outlet to the gas inlet is minimized or eliminated, which can increase the rate at which contaminated vapors are removed from the interior region. Furthermore, increasing the length of the gas extraction tube can help extract contaminated vapors closer to the glass ribbon and, as a result, at a much higher temperature where gaseous impurities are more likely to be in the gas phase. Extracting gaseous impurities at a higher temperature in the gas phase can extract impurities from the interior region before the contaminated vapors have time to contaminate the interior of the housing by condensing into a liquid phase, which could damage the glass ribbon by creating defects on the surface of the glass ribbon.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a glass manufacturing apparatus including a housing defining an interior region. The housing may include a closure defining a lower opening of the housing. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a forming vessel positioned within the interior region of the housing and configured to form a ribbon of molten material traveling along a traveling path. The traveling path passes through the lower opening of the housing. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a gas extraction device including a gas inlet positioned within the housing and outside the closure. The fluid suction device may be configured to draw gas from the interior region of the housing to the gas inlet.

[0008] A method for manufacturing a glass article may include forming a ribbon of molten material within an interior region of a housing, the ribbon of molten material traveling through a lower opening of the housing defined by a closure of the housing. The method may further include extracting gas from the interior region of the housing and conveying the extracted gas outside the housing. The method may still further include cooling the extracted gas outside the housing to cause a quantity of the extracted gas to change phase by at least one of condensing the quantity of extracted gas outside the housing or causing the quantity of extracted gas to undergo sublimation outside the housing.

[0009] Additional embodiments disclosed herein are described in the following detailed description. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments intended to provide an overview or structure for understanding the nature and characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, explain the principles and operation thereof.

[0010] These and other embodiments will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate exemplary embodiments of glass manufacturing apparatus configured to manufacture glass articles according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3A is a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 2; a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 2 would appear as a mirror image of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a gas extraction device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the gas extraction device taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gas extraction device taken at view 7 of FIG. 6 showing another embodiment of the gas extraction device according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front top perspective view of a gas extraction device according to a further aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a gas extraction device according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and showing another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the gas extraction device of FIGS. 8-9. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the gas extraction device taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 12 illustrates an insulating liner for the gas extraction device illustrated in FIGS. 10-11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods for producing a ribbon from a quantity of molten material. In some embodiments, the ribbon can include a molten portion that can be cooled to a glass portion. The ribbon can be formed from the quantity of molten material using a slot draw apparatus, a float vessel apparatus, a downdraw apparatus, an updraw apparatus, a press rolling apparatus, or other glass manufacturing apparatus.

[0014] Apparatus and methods for producing glass will be described as exemplary embodiments for forming a ribbon from a quantity of molten material. As illustrated generally in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include a forming apparatus 101 that includes a glass melting and delivery apparatus 102, a forming vessel 140 designed to produce a molten portion 104 of a ribbon from a quantity of molten material 121. For purposes of this disclosure, a "molten portion" of a ribbon is defined as a portion of a ribbon that is approximately 100% molten material. 4 ~about 10 7.6 It is considered to be the portion of the ribbon that contains a viscosity in the poise range.

[0015] In some embodiments, the molten portion 104 of the ribbon can be cooled within the glass portion 103 of the ribbon, which includes a central portion 152 disposed between a first outer edge 153 and a second outer edge 155 of the ribbon. Additionally, in some embodiments, the separated glass ribbon 106 can be separated from the glass portion 103 of the ribbon along a separation path 151 by a glass separator 149 (e.g., a scribe, a score wheel, a diamond tip, a laser, etc.). The separated glass ribbon can then be processed into a desired application, such as a display application. For example, the separated glass ribbon can be used in a wide range of display applications, including liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, plasma display panels (PDPs), and other electronic displays.

[0016] In some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a melting vessel 105 oriented to receive batch materials 107 from a storage bin 109. As indicated by arrow 117, the batch materials 107 can be introduced by a batch feed device 111 powered by a motor 113. The melting vessel 105 can heat the batch materials 107 to provide molten material 121. In some embodiments, a fining vessel 127 can receive the molten material 121 from the melting vessel 105. Air bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 in the fining vessel 127 by various techniques. In further embodiments, a mixing chamber 131 can receive the molten material 121 from the fining vessel 127. The mixing chamber 131 can be used to provide a homogeneous composition of the molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating inhomogeneities that may otherwise be present in the molten material 121 exiting the fining vessel 127. Additionally, in some embodiments, a feed vessel 133 can receive the molten material 121 from the mixing chamber 131 and deliver the molten material 121 to an inlet conduit 141 of the forming vessel 140. The feed vessel 133 can function as an accumulator and / or a flow controller to regulate and provide a consistent flow of the molten material 121 to the inlet conduit 141.

[0017] The forming apparatus 101 can include various embodiments of a forming vessel in accordance with features of the present disclosure, including, for example, a forming vessel having wedges for fusion drawing the ribbon, a forming vessel having slots for slotting the ribbon, or a forming vessel with rolling rolls for rolling the ribbon from the forming vessel. By way of example, the forming vessel 140 shown and disclosed below can be provided to fusion draw molten material 121 from a bottom edge defined as a base 145 of a forming wedge 209 to generate a molten portion 104 of the ribbon that can be drawn into a glass portion 103 of the ribbon and cooled. For example, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be delivered to the forming vessel 140 from an inlet conduit 141. The molten material 121 can then be formed within the molten portion 104 of the ribbon based at least in part on the configuration of the forming vessel 140. For example, as shown, molten material 121 can be drawn from base 145 of forming vessel 140 as molten portion 104 and travel along travel path 150 in travel direction 154 .

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the forming apparatus 101 (e.g., forming vessel 140) along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the forming vessel 140 can include a trough 201 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet conduit 141. For illustrative purposes, the cross-hatching of the molten material 121 has been removed from FIG. 2 for clarity. The forming vessel 140 can further include a forming wedge 209 including a pair of downwardly sloping converging surface portions 207, 208 extending between opposing ends 210, 211 (see FIG. 1 ) of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly sloping converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 can converge along the travel direction 154 and intersect along the base 145 of the forming vessel 140. A withdrawal plane 213 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can extend in the travel direction 154 through the base 145 and the travel path 150. In some embodiments, the molten portion 104 of the ribbon can move in the advancing direction 154 along the advancing path 150 and the drawing plane 213. As shown, the drawing plane 213 can bisect the forming wedge 209 through the base portion 145, although in some embodiments, the drawing plane 213 can extend at other orientations relative to the base portion 145.

[0019] As further shown in FIG. 2 , glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a housing 217 having a forming vessel 140 positioned within an interior region 219 defined by the housing 217. Housing 217 is designed to control heat loss from the forming vessel and associated molten material to help control cooling of the molten material being formed in the molten ribbon within interior region 219 of housing 217. Housing 217 may include a closure 240 defining a lower opening 250 of housing 217. The molten portion 104 of the ribbon may travel along a travel path 150. Travel path 150 may pass through lower opening 250 of housing 217 to allow the ribbon of molten material to leave interior region 219 by traveling outside of housing 217 through lower opening 250.

[0020] The closure 240 of the housing 217 can have a wide range of configurations that help control the cooling rate and cooling profile of the ribbon produced by the forming vessel 140. For example, in some embodiments, the size of the lower opening 250 defined by the closure 240 can be varied to adjust the temperature within the interior region 219 of the housing 217. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the closure 240 can include a first gate 242 a and a second gate 242 b, with the lower opening 250 defined between the gates 242 a, 242 b. Features of the first gate 242 a will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-4 , with the understanding that the description of the first gate 242 a can equally apply to the second gate 242 b. For example, in some embodiments, the second gate 242 b can comprise a mirror image of the first gate 242 a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 . To adjust the size of the lower opening 250, the first gate 242a and / or the second gate 242b can move laterally (see, e.g., double arrow 244) toward or away from the drawing plane 213. For example, both gates 242a, 242b can move toward the drawing plane 213 to decrease the size of the lower opening 250, or move away from the drawing plane 213 to increase the size of the lower opening 250. In some embodiments, both gates 242a, 242b can be moved simultaneously the same distance to maintain symmetry, such that the distance between the first gate 242a and the first major surface 215 of the fused portion 104 of the ribbon at a given elevation is substantially the same as the distance between the second gate 242b and the second major surface 216 of the fused portion 104 of the ribbon at a given elevation. In this manner, the flow of heated air rising along the ribbon can have a first portion entering between the first gate 242a and the first major surface 215 at substantially the same speed as a second portion entering between the second gate 242b and the second major surface 216.In some embodiments, an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder can drive the gate laterally via a drive shaft 246, while in other embodiments, the gate can be manually operated by a hand crank and associated gear assembly (not shown).

[0021] In some embodiments, the closure 240 can be designed to control the cooling profile across the width “W” of the ribbon between the first outer edge 253 and the second outer edge 255. In some embodiments, the width “W” of the glass portion 103 can be from about 20 mm to about 4000 mm, although other widths can be provided in further embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, multiple fluid conduits 301 can be arranged in a row across the width of the ribbon. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, each fluid conduit 301 can extend through the housing 217 with the outlet 303 of each fluid conduit 301 disposed within an interior region 309 inside the closure 240. The outlet 303 of each fluid conduit 301 can be spaced apart from the rear surface 305 of the front wall 307. In some embodiments, the interior region 309 of the closure 240 can include the interior region 309 of the gates 242a, 242b, as shown. The interior region 309 can be defined by at least one wall. For example, as shown, the interior region 309 can be defined by the front wall 307 and the top wall 311 of the gates 242a, 242b. As shown, in further embodiments, the interior region 309 can be further defined by the bottom wall 313. In still further embodiments, as shown, the interior region 309 can be defined by the front wall 307, the bottom wall 313, and optionally, the rear wall 315 and / or side walls 317, 318 in addition to the rear wall 315. The interior region can contain a volume of gas. Throughout this application, unless otherwise specified, "gas" refers to a wide range of possible types of gas, such as air, inert gas, nitrogen, and / or other types of gas. For example, the gas dispensed by at least one gas inlet 510, 710 discussed below can include air, an inert gas, and / or nitrogen.

[0022] During operation, molten material 121 flowing along trough 201 may overflow trough 201 by simultaneously overtopping corresponding weirs 203, 204 and flowing downward over outer surfaces 205, 206 of corresponding weirs 203, 204. Each stream of molten material 121 may then flow along downwardly sloping converging surface portions 207, 208 of forming wedges 209 and be drawn from base 145 of forming vessel 140, where the streams converge and fuse into a molten portion 104 of the ribbon. The molten portion 104 of the ribbon may then be drawn from base 145 within drawing plane 213, and the ribbon may travel through travel path 150 along travel direction 154. Referring to FIGS. 2-3 , as the ribbon travels between gates 242 a, 242 b, a cooling profile may be applied across the width “W” of the ribbon. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a cooling flow 304 of gas (e.g., clean air, inert gas, and / or nitrogen) can be forced through outlets 303 of fluid conduits 301 to cool a rear surface 305 of front wall 307, which acts as a heat sink for heat radiating from the glass ribbon traveling through front wall 307. The flow rate of the cooling flow 304 forced through the outlets can be independently adjusted to provide a unique widthwise cooling profile to accommodate a desired cooling rate across the width of the ribbon. In some embodiments, the cooling profile can be adjusted to provide a consistent thickness “T” (e.g., average thickness) between first major surface 215 and second major surface 216. The thickness “T” of the fused portion 104 of the ribbon, as measured at the centerline of the ribbon, can be from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) to about 5 mm. Reduced thicknesses of from about 50 μm to about 750 μm can also be provided in further embodiments. The glass portion 103 of the ribbon can comprise a variety of compositions, including, but not limited to, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, alumino-borosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass, or alkali-free glass.

[0023] The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a gas extraction device 260, 280, 760, 960 including a gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 with a gas inlet 510, 710. The gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 may be positioned within the housing. In some embodiments, the gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 may extend through a wall of the housing into an interior region. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the illustrated gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 may extend through a wall 218 of the housing 217 into an interior region 219 of the housing 217.

[0024] The gas extraction tubes 520, 720, 820 can include a wide range of shapes and sizes. For example, as shown, any of the gas extraction tubes 520, 720, 820 can include a rectangular cross-sectional shape having a width 522 (see FIG. 5) that is greater than a height 524. Providing such a rectangular shape can help the extraction tube accommodate embodiments with reduced vertical clearance (e.g., in some embodiments, the vertical clearance between the top wall 311 of the gates 242a, 242b and the lower surface 214 of the housing wall facing the top wall 311). Although not shown, the cross-sectional shape can include an oval, rectangular, circular, or other cross-sectional shape.

[0025] The gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 can also include a wide range of lengths. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the gas extraction tube 520 of the gas extraction device 260 can have a first length "L1" extending from the mounting surface 540 of the gas extraction device 260 to the outermost distal tip of the gas extraction tube 520. As shown in FIG. 2, the first length "L1" can allow the gas extraction tube 520 to extend primarily or completely laterally behind the rear wall 315 of the first gate 242a. For example, as shown, the outermost distal tip of the gas extraction tube 520 can extend behind any adjusted position of the first gate 242a. In this way, the gas extraction tube 520 can avoid mechanical interference with the first gate 242a. In further embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7-9 , the gas extraction tube 720, 820 of the gas extraction device 280, 760, 960 can include a second length “L2” extending from the mounting surface 540, 850 of the gas extraction device 280, 760, 960. As shown in FIG. 2 , the second length “L2” can be greater than the first length “L1” to reduce shorting, as discussed more fully below. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the gas extraction tube 720, 820 can extend above the upper wall 311 with the outermost distal tip of the gas extraction tube 720, 820 positioned above the second gate 242b. In some embodiments, the outermost distal tip of the gas extraction tube 720, 820 can extend behind the second gate 242b, such that the gas extraction tube 720, 820 extends completely behind the second gate 242b. Increasing the length of the gas extraction tubes 720, 820 can enable a higher rate of boron vapor extraction because the outermost distal tip of the gas extraction tubes 720, 820 can be positioned closer to the molten ribbon where the boron vapor concentration is highest. As shown in FIG. 2, the outermost distal tip of the gas inlet 710 can be positioned above the second gate 242b, although the outermost distal tip can be positioned behind the second gate in further embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a gas extraction tube having a first length "L1" associated with the first gate 242a and a second length "L2" associated with the second gate 242b.In further embodiments, the same gas extraction device may be associated with each of the first and second gates 242a, 242b. For example, in some embodiments, a gas extraction device 260 including a gas extraction tube 620 having a first length "L1" may be associated with both the first gate 242a and the second gate 242b. In further embodiments, one of the gas extraction devices 280, 760, 960 including a gas extraction tube 720, 820 having a second length "L2" may be associated with both the first gate 242a and the second gate 242b.

[0026] The gas extraction conduits 520, 720, 820 of the gas extraction devices 260, 280, 760, 960 each include a gas inlet 510, 710 disposed within the housing 217 and outside the closure 240. For purposes of this disclosure, positioning the gas inlet 510, 710 within the housing means positioned within a wall of the housing and in fluid communication with (e.g., within) the interior region 219 of the housing 217. For purposes of this disclosure, a gas inlet 510, 710 positioned outside the closure 240 means that the gas inlet is not positioned within the interior region 309 of the closure 240, such as the interior region 309 of the gates 242a, 242b. Positioning the gas inlets 510, 710 outside the closure 240 can provide greater fluid communication with the interior region 219 of the housing 217 and can provide greater communication between the gas inlets 510, 710 and the portion of the interior region 219 near the molten ribbon where the greatest concentration of contaminated vapors is present. In further embodiments, the gas inlets can be positioned at a higher elevation than the interior region 309 of the closure 240. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the gas inlet 710 of the gas extraction device 280 can be positioned above and above the top of the gate 242b and thus be considered to be positioned at a higher elevation than the gate 242b. As a further example, as shown in FIG. 2, the gas inlet 510 of the gas extraction device 260 can be positioned above and laterally behind the gate 242a and thus be considered to be positioned at a higher elevation than the gate 242a. Positioning the gas inlets 510, 710 at a location that is at a higher elevation than the interior region 309 of the closure 240 can help establish and maintain fluid communication between the gas inlets 510, 710 and the interior region 219 of the housing 217, and in some embodiments can also prevent mechanical interference between the gates 242a, 242b and the gas extraction pipes 520, 720, 820.

[0027] The gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 can have a constant cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gas extraction tube along substantially the entire length of the gas extraction tube. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the gas extraction tube 520, 820 of the gas extraction device 260, 280, 960 can have lengths "LO1," "LO3," with substantially the same cross-section along the entire length. By providing substantially the same cross-section along substantially the entire length "LO1," "LO3" can avoid gas flow bottlenecks, thereby reducing the likelihood of gas undergoing sublimation or condensing before exiting the housing 217. As shown in FIG. 7, the gas extraction tube 720 of the gas extraction device 760 can have a different cross-sectional area along its entire length "LO2." For example, the gas extraction tube 720 can have an outwardly flared end portion, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path increasing toward the outlet end portion of the gas extraction tube 720, which, once installed, may be positioned outside the housing 217. Providing a flow path of increased cross-sectional area toward the outlet end portion of the gas extraction tube 720 can allow the accumulation of gas that has undergone sublimation (i.e., a direct phase change from gas to solid) or condensation (i.e., a phase change from gas to liquid) while delaying clogging of the gas extraction tube. Thus, the gas extraction tube 720 can save operating costs by reducing the time required to remove and clean or replace the gas extraction tube 720. Furthermore, the increased cross-sectional area at the outlet end portion of the gas extraction tube 720 can reduce the velocity of the extracted gas and, therefore, increase the likelihood that the extracted gas will undergo sublimation or condensation before leaving the gas extraction device 760.

[0028] The glass manufacturing apparatus can further include a fluid suction device 410 configured to draw gas from the interior region 219 of the housing 217 to the gas inlets 510, 710. The fluid suction device can include a fluid pump, such as a volumetric pump (e.g., rotary pump, reciprocating pump), a kinetic pump (e.g., axial pump, centrifugal pump), and / or the interior of the container under negative pressure. Although not shown, in some embodiments, a manifold can be provided to independently adjust the rate at which gas is drawn into each gas inlet 510, 710 of the gas extraction tubes 520, 720, 820. For example, in areas of higher boron concentration, increased gas velocity draw can be desired.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 6-7 , the gas extraction device 260, 760 can have additional features designed to reduce heat loss from the extracted gas passing through the gas extraction tube 520 outside the housing. When mounted on the outside of the housing 217, the mounting surface 540 of the retaining cap 630 can abut the outer surface of the housing 217, and the protruding portion 640, 740 of the gas extraction device 260, 760 can protrude from the outer surface of the housing 217 to the outside of the housing 217. One or more layers of insulation can be provided to reduce cooling of the extracted gas outside the housing until the gas exits the gas extraction tube 520, 720. For example, a portion of the gas extraction tube 520, 720 within the protruding portion 640, 740 of the gas extraction device 260, 760 can be disposed within the through passage 662 of the tube housing 660. An insulating packing 680 can be filled in the passage 662 between the inner surface of the passage 662 and the outer surface of the gas extraction tube 520, 720. A retaining cap 630 and a retaining ring 632 can be attached to the tube housing 660 to confine the insulating packing 680 within the passage 662. To further reduce heat loss from the gas extraction tubes 520, 720, a significant portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the tube housing 660 can be encased in an insulating blanket 682, which can be held in place by retaining clamps 684. The insulating packing 680 and the insulating blanket 682 can be made from materials that can withstand high-temperature conditions. In some embodiments, the insulating packing and blanket can be made from alumina fiber. In some embodiments, the insulating packing and blanket can be made from SAFFIL® alumina fiber, available from Unifrax, which includes alumina fiber that is high-temperature resistant (e.g., up to about 1600°C), a lightweight material made from polycrystalline fiber with a polypropylene carrier.

[0030] Embodiments of the gas extraction device may include structure configured to attach the gas extraction device to the housing 217. For example, with reference to FIGS. 5-7 , the tube housing 660 of the gas extraction device 260, 760 may include a mounting collar 670 with mounting apertures (see, e.g., FIG. 5 ) designed to receive fasteners for attaching the gas extraction device to the exterior surface of the housing 217. As shown in FIGS. 8-12 , the gas extraction device may include a mounting assembly 860. With reference to FIG. 11 , the mounting assembly 860 may include a first plate 1101 with a mounting surface 850 and a second plate 1103 compressed against the first plate 1101 to confine a retaining collar 1105 of the gas extraction tube 820 within a pocket 1107 defined between the first plate 1101 and the second plate 1103. The retaining collar 1105 may be press-fit, welded, or otherwise fixedly attached to the gas extraction tube 820. Although not shown, the retaining collar 1105 and the gas extraction tube 820 may be molded together as a single component. The mounting assembly 860 may further include a coupling member 1109 comprising a cylindrical tube 1111 with a hollow passageway that can receive an insert 1113. The insert may have a passageway 1115 that has a cross-section geometrically similar to or identical to the cross-section of the passageway through the gas extraction tube and that can extend the effective length of the gas extraction tube through the mounting assembly 860. The insert 1113 may include the same insulating material as the insulating packing 680 discussed above. The insert 1113 may be beneficial in providing insulation to avoid unnecessary heat loss until the extracted gas reaches the collection chamber 840, discussed below. Furthermore, any phase change of the gas in the passageway 1115 before the gas reaches the collection chamber can be easily cleaned by simply removing the insert 1113 and replacing it with a new, clean insert 1113.

[0031] To further maintain the extracted gas above the phase change temperature, any of the gas extraction devices of the present disclosure can include a heating device configured to heat the gas extraction tube. For example, gas extraction device 280, 960 is illustrated as including a heating device 830 configured to heat gas extraction tube 820. As shown, the heating device can include a heating coil wrapped around the exterior surface of gas extraction tube 820. In some embodiments, the heating coil can include a platinum heating coil that can heat gas extraction tube 820 by means of resistance heating. Although not shown, other heating methods, such as induction heating or resistance heating of segments of the gas extraction tube, can be provided.

[0032] In further embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus of the gas extraction device 260, 280, 760, 960 further comprises a collection chamber 530, 840 positioned outside the housing 217. The gas extraction path extends from the gas inlet toward the fluid suction device through the collection chamber so that the extracted gas can change phase outside the housing and be collected in the collection chamber 530, 840 outside the housing without the time-consuming and expensive task of removing the entire gas extraction device from the housing 217. The collection chamber can comprise a container with various configurations designed to collect the phase-changed gas. In some embodiments, the collection chamber can comprise a collection pipe. With reference to FIGS. 5-6 , the collection chamber 530 of the gas extraction device 260 can include an angled collection pipe. To simplify cleaning or replacing the collection chamber 530, a clamp 532 can be provided to allow the collection chamber 530 to be quickly connected and disconnected from the rest of the gas extraction device 260. 8-9, the collection chamber 840 may comprise a straight pipe that may also comprise a clamp 532 for quickly connecting and disconnecting the collection chamber from the rest of the gas extraction device 280,960.

[0033] As previously discussed, each of the gas extraction devices can include various features for maintaining the gas at a temperature high enough to inhibit premature phase change of the extracted gas prior to the presence of the housing. For example, various features of the gas extraction device can be insulated to reduce heat loss from the extracted gas. Additionally or alternatively, any of the gas extraction devices can be provided with a heating device, such as heating device 830, designed to heat the gas extraction tube and maintain the extracted gas at a sufficiently high temperature to avoid premature phase change.

[0034] Once the extracted gas passes through the collection chamber 530, 840, it may be desirable to rapidly cool the extracted gas to cause the gas to change phase and be collected in the collection chamber. In any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the gas extraction device may include a cooling device configured to rapidly cool the gas to encourage it to at least one of condense to a liquid and / or undergo sublimation, becoming a solid outside of the housing. For example, as shown schematically in FIG. 9 , the cooling device 970 may include a fluid (e.g., liquid) cooling device having a cooling jacket 972 surrounding the collection chamber 840. During operation, a cooling fluid (e.g., liquid) may be drawn from a liquid tank 974 by a pump 976. The fluid is then circulated through the cooling jacket 972 while heat is transferred from the gas in the collection chamber 840 to the liquid. The heated liquid may then be removed at an outlet conduit 977. In some embodiments, sublimation can be achieved at a sufficient cooling rate that the gas can be quenched via direct sublimation from the gas vapor to form a solid powder that can be easily removed from collection chamber 840. Alternatively, the gas can be condensed from the gas vapor to a liquid and then frozen from the condensed liquid to a solid. The solid material can then be machined out of collection chamber 840, or the collection chamber can be removed and replaced with a new collection chamber.

[0035] 2-4 , the glass manufacturing apparatus of any of the embodiments can further include a gas distribution device, which further includes a gas distribution device 290 configured to add a replacement gas to the interior region 219 of the housing 217. As shown in FIG. 3 , the gas distribution device can include a gas distribution pipe 320 having an end with a gas outlet 322. As shown, the gas outlet 322 can include a porous plug for diffusing gas from the gas distribution pipe 320, although in further embodiments, the gas outlet can include one or more apertures or nozzles. The gas distribution device 290 can introduce clean gas (e.g., clean air) into the interior region 219 to replace the boron-contaminated extraction gas. A source of pressurized fluid 420 can be provided to provide clean air or other gas to one end of the gas distribution pipe 320 so that the clean gas (e.g., clean air) is delivered through the gas distribution pipe 320 to the gas outlet 322 where it is distributed from the gas distribution pipe 320. In some embodiments, the source of pressurized fluid 420 can comprise a fluid pump, such as a volumetric pump (e.g., rotary pump, reciprocating pump), a kinetic pump (e.g., axial pump, centrifugal pump), and / or the interior of a container under positive pressure. Although not shown, in some embodiments, a manifold can be provided to independently adjust the rate at which gas is distributed through each gas outlet 322 of the gas distribution device 290. For example, increased gas velocity distribution can be desired in areas of higher gas extraction by the gas extraction device.

[0036] In some embodiments, steps can be taken to reduce or prevent short-circuiting between gas exiting through the gas outlet 322 and gas extracted from the interior region 219 using the gas extraction tube. Reducing or preventing short-circuiting may be desirable to increase the amount of extracted gas containing boron and may also prevent a decrease in the temperature of the extracted gas, which may result in an undesirable phase change of the extracted gas before it reaches the collection chamber. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , in which the length of the gas extraction tube 520 is relatively short, feedback of gas short-circuiting from the gas outlet 322 to the gas inlet can be reduced or prevented by positioning the gas inlet 510 on one side of the gas extraction tube so that the gas inlet 510 is diverted from the gas outlet 322 of the gas distribution tube 320. In further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the length of the gas extraction tube 720, 820 can be relatively long to reduce or prevent feedback of gas short-circuiting from the gas outlet 322 to the gas inlet 710 by positioning the gas inlet 710 far away from the gas outlet 322 of the gas distribution tube 320.

[0037] Methods of manufacturing glass articles are now described. As previously discussed, the method can include forming a ribbon of molten material within the interior region 219 of the housing 217. The ribbon of molten material can travel through a lower opening 250 of the housing 217 defined by the closure 240 of the housing 217. The method can further include extracting gas (e.g., boron vapor) from the interior region 219 of the housing by way of one or more gas extraction devices 260, 280, 760, 960. The gas can be extracted from the interior region 219 of the housing by applying fluid suction with a fluid suction device 410 to draw the gas through at least one inlet 510, 710 of the one or more gas extraction devices 260, 280, 760, 960.

[0038] The extracted gas (e.g., boron vapor) can then be transported outside the housing 217 using one or more gas extraction devices 260, 280, 760, 960. To prevent premature cooling of the extracted gas before it exits the housing, a portion of the gas extraction device can be insulated to slow heat transfer from the extracted gas. In further embodiments, the gas can be heated before it reaches the collection chamber. For example, as shown in Figures 8-9, a heating device (e.g., a heating coil) can be provided to heat the extracted gas in the gas extraction tube before it reaches the collection chamber.

[0039] In some embodiments, the gas extraction device can be configured and positioned so that the outlet temperature of the extracted gas upon leaving the housing 217 is within a temperature range of 400°C or more to about 1000°C, such as 400°C or more to about 800°C, such as 400°C or more to about 500°C. In further embodiments, the temperature of the extracted gas upon entering a collection chamber outside the housing 217 can be within the temperature ranges immediately listed above. It has been found that maintaining the extracted gas within the above temperature ranges (e.g., 400°C or more to about 1000°C) can suppress or prevent a phase change of the extracted gas. Consequently, premature phase changes of the extracted gas prior to entering the collection chamber outside the housing can be suppressed or prevented by maintaining the temperature of the extracted gas within any one of the above temperature ranges (e.g., 400°C or more to about 1000°C). Maintaining the extracted gas within such a temperature range can be achieved by insulating the gas extraction device to prevent heat loss from the extracted gas. In further embodiments, maintaining the extraction gas within such a temperature range can be achieved by heating the extraction gas within the gas extraction tube (e.g., with a heating device 830). A temperature probe can be inserted into the access port 550, 870 (see Figures 5, 8, and 10) to measure the temperature of the extraction gas.

[0040] In further embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus can be designed so that adding replacement gas does not result in the extraction gas dropping below an outlet temperature of 400°C when it exits the housing or when it enters the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the extraction gas can be maintained at above 400°C to about 1000°C when it exits the housing or when it enters the collection chamber. Maintaining the extraction gas within this temperature range can be achieved by positioning the gas inlet 510, 710 of the gas extraction tube 520, 720, 820 relative to the gas outlet 322 of the gas distribution tube 320 so that any feedback of clean gas from the gas outlet 322 to the gas inlet 510, 710 does not cause the extraction gas to drop below the above range when the gas exits the housing or reaches the collection chamber. For example, the gas inlet 510 of the gas extraction tube 520 can be diverted from the gas outlet 322 of the gas distribution device 290 to reduce feedback. In further embodiments, the gas inlets 710 of the gas extraction tubes 720, 820 can be positioned sufficiently far away from the gas outlets 322 of the gas distribution device 290 to reduce feedback. In some embodiments, the gas inlets 710 of the gas extraction tubes 720, 820 can be positioned far enough apart to avoid short circuits and provide a mixture of extracted gas that is greater than zero and less than about 30% of the distributed gas distributed from the gas inlets 510, 710, such as, for example, less than 20% distributed gas, for example, less than 15% distributed gas, for example, less than 10% distributed gas, for example, less than 5% distributed gas. In further embodiments, the gas outlets and gas inlets can be spaced apart so that any feedback of distributed gas through the gas inlets does not result in the extracted gas dropping below an outlet temperature of 400° C. when it exits the housing or when it enters the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the outlet temperature, or the temperature at the point where the extracted gas enters the collection chamber, may be maintained within a temperature range of from 400°C to about 1000°C, such as from 400°C to about 800°C, such as from 400°C to about 500°C.

[0041] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase the length of the tube so that the gas inlet is closer to the molten ribbon to increase the boron concentration in the vapor and increase the rate at which boron is removed from the interior region (thus increasing efficiency). However, in further embodiments, it may be advantageous not to position the gas inlet closer to the molten ribbon, because with too high a boron vapor concentration, it may be difficult to extract the boron vapor without condensing the vapor before it can be removed from the interior region of the housing. To maximize the efficiency of boron vapor removal while reducing the probability of boron vapor condensation before leaving the housing, the gas inlet of the gas extraction tube can be positioned where the air / boron mixture is between about 50% and about 95%, such as between about 70% and about 90%, such as between about 75% and about 85%, such as between about 82% and about 88%.

[0042] The disclosed method may further include cooling the extracted gas outside the housing 217 to cause a phase change of a quantity of the extracted gas. In one embodiment, the phase change may include condensing the extracted gas outside the housing 217 to a liquid, for example, in the collection chamber 530, 840. Once condensed to a liquid, the condensed liquid may be further cooled and frozen to a solid. In another embodiment, the phase change may include causing the quantity of extracted gas to undergo sublimation from a gas to a solid outside the housing. For example, sublimation may occur in the collection chamber 530, 840 in the form of a solid powder. In some embodiments, sublimation is preferred because the solid powder can be easily removed from the collection chamber 530, 840. To undergo sublimation, the extracted gas may be cooled very quickly, such that, rather than condensing, the extracted gas undergoes sublimation directly to a solid (e.g., a solid powder). The gas may be cooled in the collection chamber 530, 840 to cause condensation of the extracted gas into a condensed liquid, freezing of the condensed liquid into a solid, and / or sublimation of the extracted gas into a solid. For example, a fan may direct a flow of air over the collection chamber to cool the extracted gas in the collection chamber. In another embodiment, the aforementioned cooling device 970 may be provided to rapidly cool the extracted gas in the collection chamber. In still further embodiments, an airflow may be directly introduced and mixed with the extracted gas. For example, a source of pressurized air (e.g., cooled pressurized air) may be injected into the access port 550, 870 (see FIGS. 5, 8, and 10). In the above manner, the phase-changed quantity of extracted gas may be collected in the collection chamber 530, 840, conveniently positioned outside the housing 217 for easy access.

[0043] The phase-changed amount of extracted gas (e.g., boron vapor) can be periodically removed from the collection chamber 530, 840. For example, the collection chamber 530, 840 can be quickly and easily detached from the rest of the gas extraction device 260, 280, 760, 960. For example, the clamp 532 can be removed to release the collection chamber 530, 840. The collected phase-changed extracted gas (e.g., solid powder, frozen condensed liquid, and / or condensed liquid) can then be removed from the collection chamber 530, 840. Alternatively, the filled collection chamber 530, 840 can be discarded and replaced with a clean collection chamber 530, 840. The replaced, clean collection chamber 530, 840 can then be easily and quickly assembled with the rest of the gas extraction device, for example, by means of the clamp 532.

[0044] The method may further include adding a replacement gas to the interior region 219 of the housing 217. For example, the source of pressurized gas 420 may supply pressurized clean air to the gas distribution conduit 320, which may be distributed through the gas outlets 322 of the gas distribution device 290. The pressurized clean air may be distributed through the gas outlets 322 in the interior region 219 of the housing 217 to replace the gas extracted by way of the gas extraction device. Replacing the extracted gas with clean air may, in some embodiments, help prevent pressurization in the interior region 219, which may cause complications in the gas production process.

[0045] Accordingly, the following non-limiting embodiments are illustrative of the present disclosure.

[0046] Embodiment 1. A glass manufacturing apparatus may include a housing defining an interior region. The housing may include a closure defining a lower opening of the housing. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a forming vessel positioned within the interior region of the housing and configured to form a ribbon of molten material traveling along a traveling path. The traveling path passes through the lower opening of the housing. The glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a gas extraction device including a gas inlet positioned within the housing and outside the closure. The fluid suction device may be configured to draw gas from the interior region of the housing to the gas inlet.

[0047] Embodiment 2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the fluid suction device comprises a fluid pump.

[0048] Embodiment 3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the gas extraction device comprises a gas extraction tube comprising a gas inlet. The gas extraction tube can be positioned at least partially within the housing.

[0049] Embodiment 4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 3, wherein the gas extraction device further comprises a heating device configured to heat the gas extraction tube.

[0050] Embodiment 5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the heating device comprises a heating coil wrapped around the exterior surface of the gas extraction tube.

[0051] Embodiment 6. The glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the gas inlet is positioned at an elevation greater than the interior region of the closure.

[0052] Embodiment 7. A glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, further comprising a gas distribution device, the gas distribution device configured to add replacement gas to the interior region of the housing through a gas outlet of the gas distribution device.

[0053] Embodiment 8. A glass manufacturing apparatus as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the gas extraction device further comprises a collection chamber positioned outside the housing, and the gas extraction path extends from the gas inlet through the collection chamber to the fluid suction device.

[0054] Embodiment 9. The glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 8, wherein the collection chamber comprises a collection pipe.

[0055] Embodiment 10. A glass manufacturing apparatus as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the gas extraction device includes a cooling device configured to cause the extracted gas in the gas extraction device to at least one of condense to a liquid or undergo sublimation to become a solid outside the housing.

[0056] Embodiment 11. A method of manufacturing a glass article using the glass manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 1 can include forming a ribbon of molten material using a forming vessel traveling along a traveling path to exit a lower opening from an interior region of the housing. The method can further include extracting gas from the interior region of the housing by applying fluid suction with a fluid suction device to draw the gas through at least one inlet of a gas extraction device. The method can further include conveying the extracted gas to the exterior of the housing using the gas extraction device.

[0057] Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 11, further comprising adding a replacement gas to the interior region of the housing through a gas outlet of the gas distribution device.

[0058] Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the gas outlet and gas inlet are spaced apart such that any feedback of replacement gas through the gas inlet does not result in the extraction gas dropping below an outlet temperature of 400°C at the point where it exits the housing.

[0059] Embodiment 14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the outlet temperature of the extraction gas at the point where it exits the housing is in the range of greater than 400°C to about 1000°C.

[0060] Embodiment 15. The method of any one of embodiments 11-14, further comprising heating the extraction gas before conveying it outside the housing.

[0061] Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising cooling the extracted gas outside the housing to cause a quantity of extracted gas to change phase by at least one of condensing said quantity of extracted gas or causing said quantity of extracted gas to undergo sublimation.

[0062] Embodiment 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein changing the phase of said quantity of extraction gas comprises at least condensing said quantity of extraction gas into a condensed liquid and then further freezing the condensed liquid into a solid.

[0063] Embodiment 18. The method of any one of embodiments 16-17, further comprising collecting the phase-changed quantity of extracted gas in a collection chamber positioned outside the housing.

[0064] Embodiment 19. The method of embodiment 18, further comprising removing the collected phase-changed amount of extraction gas from the collection chamber.

[0065] Embodiment 20. The method of any one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the phase-changed quantity of extraction gas comprises boron.

[0066] Embodiment 21. The method of any one of embodiments 11 to 20, wherein the extraction gas comprises boron.

[0067] Embodiment 22. A method for manufacturing a glass article may include forming a ribbon of molten material within an interior region of a housing, the ribbon of molten material traveling through a lower opening of the housing defined by a closure of the housing. The method may further include extracting gas from the interior region of the housing and conveying the extracted gas outside the housing. The method may still further include cooling the extracted gas outside the housing to cause a quantity of the extracted gas to change phase by at least one of condensing the quantity of extracted gas outside the housing or causing the quantity of extracted gas to undergo sublimation outside the housing.

[0068] Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 22, further comprising adding a displacement gas to the interior region of the housing.

[0069] Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein adding the replacement gas does not result in the extraction gas dropping below an outlet temperature of 400°C at the point where it exits the housing.

[0070] Embodiment 25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the outlet temperature is in the range of from greater than 400°C to about 1000°C.

[0071] Embodiment 26. The method of any one of embodiments 22-25, further comprising heating the extraction gas before conveying it outside the housing.

[0072] Embodiment 27. The method of any one of embodiments 22-26, wherein changing the phase of said quantity of extraction gas comprises at least condensing said quantity of extraction gas into a condensed liquid and then further freezing the condensed liquid into a solid.

[0073] Embodiment 28. The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 27, further comprising collecting the phase-changed quantity of extracted gas in a collection chamber positioned outside the housing.

[0074] Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 28, further comprising removing the collected phase-changed amount of extraction gas from the collection chamber.

[0075] Embodiment 30. The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 29, wherein the extraction gas comprises boron.

[0076] Embodiment 31. The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 30, wherein the phase-changed amount of extraction gas comprises boron.

[0077] While various embodiments have been described in detail with reference to specific exemplary and certain specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the disclosure should not be considered limited to such embodiments, as numerous modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior region, the housing including a closure defining a lower opening of the housing; a forming vessel positioned within the interior region of the housing and configured to form a ribbon of molten material traveling along a traveling path, the traveling path passing through the lower opening of the housing; and a gas extraction device, the gas extraction device comprising: a gas inlet positioned within the housing and exterior to the closure; and a fluid suction device configured to draw gas from the interior region of the housing to the gas inlet.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid suction device comprises a fluid pump.

3. 3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas extraction device comprises a gas extraction tube comprising the gas inlet, the gas extraction tube being at least partially positioned within the housing.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the gas extraction device further comprises a heating device configured to heat the gas extraction tube.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the heating device comprises a heating coil wrapped around an exterior surface of the gas extraction tube.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gas inlet is positioned at an elevation higher than an interior region of the closure.

7. 7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gas distribution device configured to add replacement gas to the interior region of the housing through a gas outlet of the gas distribution device.

8. 8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas extraction device further comprises a collection chamber positioned outside the housing, and a gas extraction path extends from the gas inlet to the fluid suction device through the collection chamber.

9. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the collection chamber comprises a collection pipe.

10. 10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas extraction device comprises a cooling device configured to cause extracted gas in the gas extraction device to at least one of condense to a liquid or undergo sublimation to become a solid outside the housing.

11. 1. A method of manufacturing a glass article, comprising: forming a ribbon of molten material within an interior region of a housing, the ribbon of molten material traveling through a lower opening of the housing defined by a closure of the housing; extracting gas from the interior region of the housing; conveying the extraction gas outside the housing; and cooling the extracted gas outside the housing to cause a quantity of the extracted gas to change phase by at least one of condensing the quantity of the extracted gas outside the housing or causing the quantity of the extracted gas to undergo sublimation outside the housing.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising adding a displacement gas to the interior region of the housing.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein adding the replacement gas does not result in the extraction gas dropping below an exit temperature of 400°C at the point where the extraction gas exits the housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the outlet temperature is in the range of greater than 400°C to about 1000°C.

15. 15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising heating the extraction gas before conveying it outside the housing.

16. 16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the phase change of the quantity of the extracted gas comprises at least condensing the quantity of the extracted gas into a condensed liquid and then further freezing the condensed liquid into a solid.

17. The method of any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising collecting the quantity of extracted gas that has changed phase in a collection chamber positioned outside the housing.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the collected phase-changed quantity of extracted gas from the collection chamber.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the extraction gas comprises boron.

20. 20. The method of any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the phase-changed quantity of the extraction gas comprises boron.

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