Apparatus and method for manufacturing glass articles

Abstract

A manufacturing apparatus and method for glass articles. The apparatus comprises a glass melting furnace that is in fluid communication with a connecting conduit; a first annular sealing element that surrounds the connecting conduit at the connection point between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit; and an annular heating element that surrounds the connecting conduit at a position separated from the first annular sealing element by a predetermined distance along the axial direction of the connecting conduit.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications , ,

[0004] , ,

[0005]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 419122, filed on October 25, 2022. All of the disclosure of this provisional application is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing glass articles, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing glass articles with improved delivery characteristics of molten glass.

Background Art

[0003] In the manufacture of glass articles such as glass plates used for display applications such as televisions and portable devices (e.g., telephones and tablet terminals), molten material is usually conveyed through one or more conduits, such as conduits made of precious metals such as platinum. Such conduits can be directly heated, for example, by an electric flange that includes a metallic material surrounding the conduit. However, if the conduit is corroded, various undesirable situations such as leakage of glass, failure of the electric flange, interruption of the process, and contamination of the molten glass may occur during such heating.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein include an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article. The apparatus includes a glass melting furnace in fluid communication with a connecting conduit. The apparatus further includes a first annular sealing element surrounding the connecting conduit at a connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit. The apparatus further includes an annular heating element surrounding the connecting conduit at a position spaced apart from the first annular sealing element by a predetermined distance along the axial direction of the connecting conduit.

[0005] The embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for manufacturing a glass article. This method includes the step of introducing molten glass from a glass melting furnace into a connecting conduit. At the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, a first annular sealing element surrounds the connecting conduit. The method further includes the step of heating the connecting conduit with an annular heating element surrounding the connecting conduit at a predetermined distance from the first annular sealing element along the axial direction of the connecting conduit.

[0006] Further features and advantages of embodiments disclosed herein are described in the following detailed description. These further features and advantages will be immediately apparent to some extent from the description alone to those skilled in the art, or will be apparent from practicing embodiments of the disclosure described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0007] It should be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description illustrate embodiments intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are provided for further understanding and are incorporated into and form part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the following detailed description, illustrate the principles and operation of the various embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing an example of a fusion down-draw type glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing process. [Figure 2] Schematic side view showing a part of the glass manufacturing apparatus, including the conduit. [Figure 3] A schematic side view showing a portion of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a conduit, according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view showing how an annular heating element surrounds a portion of the conduit. [Figure 5]A schematic cross-sectional view showing how an annular heating element surrounds a portion of a conduit, according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 6] A schematic cross-sectional view showing a conduit filled with molten glass having a temperature difference. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view showing a conduit filled with molten glass having a temperature difference, according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Next, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of these preferred embodiments. Throughout the drawings, identical or similar configurations are indicated by the same reference numeral whenever possible. This disclosure can be implemented in a wide variety of forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0010] In this specification, ranges may be expressed as "about" a certain value or greater, "about" a certain value to "about" another specific value, or "about" the other specific value or less. When ranges are expressed in this way, other embodiments exist that include "about" a certain value or greater, "about" a certain value to "about" another specific value, or "about" the other specific value or less. Similarly, when a value is expressed approximately by placing "about" before it, it will be understood that other embodiments exist that consist of the specific value itself. Furthermore, it will be understood that each endpoint of a range has meaning both in correlation with the other endpoint and as an independent entity.

[0011] In this specification, directional terms (e.g., up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, etc.) are merely references to the drawings and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, no method described herein is intended to be construed as requiring each step (process) to be performed in a specific order, nor is any apparatus intended to require a specific orientation. Therefore, unless the order of the steps is actually described in a method claim, or the arrangement or orientation of the individual components is actually described in an apparatus claim, or unless otherwise clearly stated in the claims or detailed description of the invention that each step is limited to a specific order, or the arrangement or orientation of the components of the apparatus is described, no order (arrangement) or orientation is intended to be inferred in any way. This applies to all implicit matters that could be used as a basis for interpretation, such as the order of each step, the flow of operations, the arrangement of components, or the orientation of components, the common meaning derived from grammatical structure or punctuation, or the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0013] In this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" (the / the aforementioned) also include references to their corresponding plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates that the plural form is not included. Therefore, for example, an expression introducing a component with the article "a" also includes forms having two or more of that component, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12, and the glass melting furnace 12 may include a melting tank 14. In addition to the melting tank 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (e.g., combustion burners or electrodes) that heat the raw material and transform it into molten glass. In further examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may also include thermal management devices (e.g., insulating elements) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting tank. In yet another example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices that assist in melting the raw material into molten glass. Furthermore, the glass melting furnace 12 may also include components such as support structures (e.g., support housings, support members, etc.).

[0015] The glass melting tank 14 is typically constructed of a refractory material such as a refractory ceramic material (for example, a refractory ceramic material containing alumina or zirconia). In some examples, the glass melting tank 14 can be constructed of refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of the glass melting tank 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0016] In some examples, a glass melting furnace can be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for producing glass substrates (e.g., long glass ribbons). Examples of glass manufacturing apparatus that may incorporate the glass melting furnace of this disclosure as a component include glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the embodiments disclosed herein, such as slot draw apparatuses, float bath apparatuses, down-draw apparatuses such as fusion processes, up-draw apparatuses, press rolling apparatuses, or pipe drawing apparatuses. As an example, Figure 1 schematically shows a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10. The fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is an apparatus for stretching a glass ribbon by the fusion draw method, which is then processed into individual glass plates in a subsequent process.

[0017] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (for example, a fusion downdraw apparatus 10) may optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 located upstream of the glass melting tank 14. In some examples, part or all of the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0018] As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glassmaking apparatus 16 may include a storage bin 18, a raw material delivery device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device. The storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw material 24 that can be delivered into the molten tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the motor 22 can drive the raw material delivery device 20 so that it can deliver a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from the storage bin 18 to the molten tank 14. In further examples, the motor 22 can drive the raw material delivery device 20 to deliver the raw material 24 at a controlled flow rate based on the liquid level of molten glass sensed downstream of the molten tank 14. The raw material 24 in the molten tank 14 can then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0019] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may optionally further include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 located downstream of the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, a portion of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some cases, the first connecting conduit 32, described later, or other parts of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. Each element of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus, such as the first connecting conduit 32, can be made of a precious metal. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, the downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus can be made of a platinum-rhodium alloy containing about 70% to 90% by mass of platinum and about 10% to 30% by mass of rhodium. However, other suitable metals may also be molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

[0020] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a first tempering tank (i.e., a processing tank), such as a clarification tank 34. The first tempering tank is located downstream of the melting tank 14 and is connected to the melting tank 14 by the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some examples, the molten glass 28 can be gravity-fed from the melting tank 14 to the clarification tank 34 by the first connecting conduit 32. For example, gravity can cause the molten glass 28 to pass through the internal path of the first connecting conduit 32 from the melting tank 14 to the clarification tank 34. However, it should be understood that other tempering tanks may be located downstream of the melting tank 14 (for example, between the melting tank 14 and the clarification tank 34). In some embodiments, a tempering tank may be provided between the melting tank and the clarification tank to further heat the molten glass that has left the primary melting tank to continue the melting process, or to cool the molten glass that has left the melting tank to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass in the melting tank before it flows into the clarification tank.

[0021] In the fining tank 34, bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 by various techniques. For example, the raw material 24 can contain a polyvalent compound (i.e., a fining agent) such as tin oxide that undergoes a chemical reduction reaction and releases oxygen when heated. Other suitable fining agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The fining tank 34 is heated to a temperature higher than that of the melting tank, thereby heating the molten glass and the fining agent. By the chemical reduction of the (one or more) fining agents induced by the temperature, oxygen bubbles are generated and rise in the molten glass in the fining tank, and the gas in the molten glass generated in the melting furnace can diffuse (i.e., coalesce) into the oxygen bubbles generated by this fining agent. Then, the enlarged bubbles rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the fining tank, and thereafter, the bubbles can be discharged out of the fining tank. Further, mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the fining tank can also be induced by the oxygen bubbles.

[0022] Furthermore, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may also be equipped with other tempering tanks, such as a mixing tank 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing tank 36 can be located downstream of the clarification tank 34. By using the mixing tank 36, a uniform molten glass composition can be achieved, thereby reducing the occurrence of streaks (cords) due to chemical or temperature inhomogeneities that may have been present in the clarified molten glass after it exits the clarification tank if the mixing tank 36 is not provided. As shown in the figure, the clarification tank 34 can be connected to the mixing tank 36 by a second connecting conduit 38. In some examples, the molten glass 28 can be gravity-fed from the clarification tank 34 to the mixing tank 36 by the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity can be used to pass the molten glass 28 from the clarification tank 34 to the mixing tank 36 through the internal path of the second connecting conduit 38. Although the mixing tank 36 is shown downstream of the clarification tank 34, the mixing tank 36 can also be located upstream of the clarification tank 34. In some embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include multiple mixing tanks, for example, a mixing tank upstream of the clarification tank 34 and a mixing tank downstream of the clarification tank 34. These multiple mixing tanks may be of the same design or different designs.

[0023] Furthermore, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may also include other tempering tanks, such as a delivery tank 40. The delivery tank 40 can be located downstream of the mixing tank 36. The delivery tank 40 can temper the molten glass 28 that is supplied to the downstream molding device. For example, the delivery tank 40 can function as an accumulator and / or flow rate control mechanism that adjusts and / or supplies the flow rate so that the molten glass 28 flows steadily through the outlet conduit 44 to the molding body 42. As shown in the figure, the mixing tank 36 can be coupled to the delivery tank 40 by a third connecting conduit 46. In some examples, the molten glass 28 can be gravity-fed from the mixing tank 36 to the delivery tank 40 by the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity can cause the molten glass 28 to pass through the internal path of the third connecting conduit 46 from the mixing tank 36 to the delivery tank 40.

[0024] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include a forming apparatus 48 including the above-described forming main body 42 and an inlet conduit 50. The outlet conduit 44 can be arranged to deliver the molten glass 28 from the delivery tank 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48. For example, the outlet conduit 44 can be arranged concentrically within the inlet conduit 50 and spaced apart from the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. With such a configuration, a free surface of the molten glass is formed between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The forming main body 42 in the fusion down-draw type glass manufacturing apparatus can include a trough 52 located on the upper surface of the forming main body and a converging forming surface 54 that approaches each other in the draw direction of the forming main body and meets along the bottom edge 56. The molten glass delivered to the trough of the forming main body through the delivery tank 40, the outlet conduit 44, and the inlet conduit 50 overflows over the side walls of the trough and flows down as individual molten glass streams along each converging forming surface 54. Then, these individual molten glass streams merge along the bottom edge 56 below the bottom edge 56 to form a single glass ribbon 58. Tension is applied to this glass ribbon by gravity, edge rolls 72, tension rolls 82, etc., whereby the glass ribbon is stretched from the bottom edge 56 in the draw direction (i.e., the flow direction) 60. Thereby, in the process where the glass viscosity increases as the glass cools, the dimensions of the glass ribbon are controlled. As a result, the glass ribbon 58 acquires mechanical properties that impart stable dimensional characteristics through a viscoelastic transition. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass plates 62 by the glass separation device 100 while the glass ribbon 58 is in the elastic region. Then, the individual glass plates 62 can be transferred to the conveyor system by the robot 64 using the gripping tool 65, and further processing can be performed on the individual glass plates on the conveyor system.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including the conduit 32. Note that the conduit 32 shown in Figure 2 is the same as the first connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 1. The connecting conduit 32 extends into the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 and is in fluid communication with the glass melting tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12. More specifically, the connecting conduit 32 is in fluid communication with the melting furnace conduit 114 which extends into the melting tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12. At the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32, an annular heating element 132 surrounds the connecting conduit 32, and an annular sealing element 116 surrounds the melting furnace conduit 114. These annular heating element 132 and annular sealing element 116 are coupled together. By coupling the annular heating element 132 and the annular sealing element 116 in this way, the leakage of molten glass 28 from between the glass melting furnace 12 and the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 is reduced or prevented. Furthermore, the annular heating element 132 is also responsible for heating the molten glass 28 flowing inside the connecting conduit 32.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including a conduit 32 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 3 is identical to the first connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 1. The connecting conduit 32 extends into the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 and is in fluid communication with the glass melting tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12. More specifically, the connecting conduit 32 is in fluid communication with a melting furnace conduit 120 that extends into the melting tank 14 of the glass melting furnace 12. At the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32, a first annular sealing element 134 surrounds the connecting conduit 32, and a second annular sealing element 118 surrounds the melting furnace conduit 120. These first annular sealing element 134 and second annular sealing element 118 are coupled together. Furthermore, the annular heating element 132 surrounds the connecting conduit 32 at a predetermined distance (indicated by the bidirectional arrow "D" in Figure 3) from the first annular sealing element 134 along the axial direction of the connecting conduit 32. By connecting the first annular sealing element 134 and the second annular sealing element 118 in this way, the leakage of molten glass 28 from between the glass melting furnace 12 and the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 is reduced or prevented. The annular heating element 132 is also responsible for heating the molten glass 28 flowing inside the connecting conduit 32.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the melting furnace conduit 120 has an expanding region 122 having an outer circumference that expands axially toward the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32. Furthermore, as also shown in Figure 3, at the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32, the outer circumference of the melting furnace conduit 120 is the same as the outer circumference of the connecting conduit 32.

[0028] In certain exemplary embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expanded region 122 expands toward the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32, and the longitudinally extending surface at the top of the expanded region 122 is inclined at an angle Θ1 with respect to a reference plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity (indicated by the arrow "G" in Figure 3). Similarly, the longitudinally extending surface at the top of the connecting conduit 32 is also inclined at an angle Θ2 with respect to a reference plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity. In certain exemplary embodiments, Θ1 and Θ2 can be in the range of about 10 degrees to about 40 degrees, for example, in the range of about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees. In certain exemplary embodiments, Θ1 can be within an angle of ±10 degrees of Θ2, for example, within ±5 degrees of Θ2, and further, for example, within ±2 degrees of Θ2. Furthermore, Θ1 can be substantially the same angle as Θ2, an angle within the range of ±10 degrees to ±0 degrees of Θ2, or an angle within the range of ±5 degrees to ±1 degree of Θ2.

[0029] In certain exemplary embodiments, the predetermined distance "D" can be in the range of about 1 centimeter to about 10 centimeters, for example, about 2 centimeters to about 6 centimeters, and particularly about 3 centimeters to about 5 centimeters.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the annular heating element 132 surrounds a portion of the conduit 32. Specifically, Figure 4 shows how the annular heating element 132 shown in Figure 2 surrounds a portion of the connecting conduit 32 (identical to the first connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 1). The annular heating element 132 is coupled to a power input unit 136. The power input unit 136 guides power from a power source (not shown) in a direction parallel to the direction of gravity (indicated by the arrow "G" in Figure 4) and supplies it to the annular heating element 132.

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the annular heating element 132 surrounds a portion of the conduit 32 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Specifically, Figure 5 shows how the annular heating element 132 shown in Figure 3 surrounds a portion of the connecting conduit 32 (identical to the first connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 1). The annular heating element 132 is coupled to two power inputs, a first power input section 136A and a second power input section 136B, which are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and arranged on the outer circumference of the annular heating element 132. More specifically, the first power input section 136A and the second power input section 136B are coupled to the outer circumference of the annular heating element 132 at opposite positions (i.e., at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions). Both the first power input section 136A and the second power input section 136B guide power in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity (indicated by the arrow "G" in Figure 5) and supply it to the annular heating element 132. Although Figure 5 illustrates a configuration in which the annular heating element 132 is coupled to two power input sections, embodiments disclosed herein also include configurations in which the annular heating element is coupled to additional power input sections (not shown). Furthermore, although the cross-section of the connecting conduit 32 shown in Figure 5 is circular, embodiments disclosed herein also include configurations in which the connecting conduit 32 has other cross-sectional shapes (for example, elliptical or polygonal).

[0032] The power input sections 136A and 136B can be connected to a power source (not shown) that is well known to those skilled in the art, for example, a power supply. This generates resistance heating in the annular heating element 132, and the conduit 32 and the molten glass 28 flowing through the conduit 32 can be heated to a desired temperature.

[0033] In certain exemplary embodiments, the annular heating element 132 comprises a metal or metal alloy containing at least one of nickel, copper, palladium, or platinum.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conduit 32 filled with molten glass 28 having temperature differences. Specifically, Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 2 at a position close to the annular heating element 132 shown in Figure 4, with molten glass 28 at higher temperatures shown in darker colors and molten glass 28 at lower temperatures shown in lighter colors. As shown in Figure 6, the temperature of the molten glass 28 decreases along a direction parallel to the direction of gravity (indicated by the arrow "G" in Figure 6), with the uppermost region of the conduit being the hottest and the lowermost region being the coldest.

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conduit 32 filled with molten glass 28 having temperature differences, according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Specifically, Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 3, located in close proximity to the annular heating element 132 shown in Figure 5, with molten glass 28 at higher temperatures shown in darker colors and molten glass 28 at lower temperatures shown in lighter colors. As shown in Figure 7, the temperature of the molten glass 28 changes along a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity (indicated by the arrow "G" in Figure 7), with the left and right ends of the conduit being the hottest.

[0036] Comparing Figure 6 and Figure 7, it can be seen that the temperature of the molten glass 28 in the hottest region of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 6 is higher than the temperature of the molten glass 28 in the hottest region of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 7. Conversely, the temperature of the molten glass 28 in the coldest region of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 6 is lower than the temperature of the molten glass 28 in the coldest region of the conduit 32 shown in Figure 7, and the temperature difference of the molten glass 28 in Figure 6 (i.e., the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures) is larger than the temperature difference of the molten glass 28 in Figure 7.

[0037] By maintaining a more uniform temperature distribution of the molten glass 28 in the cross-section of the conduit 32 (for example, a distribution as shown in Figure 7), it becomes possible to heat the molten glass 28 so that its average temperature rises to a desired average temperature range while avoiding the hottest region of the molten glass 28 exceeding the desired temperature. For example, the hottest region of the molten glass 28 in the conduit 32 is usually located close to the annular heating element 132, but if the temperature in this region rises excessively, it may lead to undesirable problems. Such problems, though not limited to these, include, for example, oxidative corrosion of the conduit 32 and the annular heating element 132, deformation of the heating element 132, and leakage of the molten glass 28 from the conduit 32. Furthermore, if such conditions occur, oxidation reaction products from the conduit 32 and the heating element 132 may mix with the molten glass 28, potentially causing contamination of the molten glass 28.

[0038] On the other hand, according to embodiments disclosed herein, such conditions can be mitigated or prevented. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging the heating element 132 at a predetermined distance from the first annular sealing element 134 along the axial direction of the conduit 32; arranging the annular heating element 132 to at least two power inputs arranged at predetermined distances from each other with respect to the outer circumference of the annular heating element 132; providing the melting furnace conduit 120 with an expanding region 122 that expands in diameter along the axial direction toward the connection between the glass melting furnace 12 and the connecting conduit 32; or any combination of these configurations. That is, as a synergistic effect obtained by combining these features, it becomes possible to heat the molten glass 28 so that the average temperature of the molten glass 28 is raised to a desired average temperature range while avoiding the hottest region of the molten glass 28 exceeding a desired temperature. Furthermore, by providing a gap between the first annular sealing element 134 and the annular heating element 132, it is possible to mitigate or prevent damage to both the sealing function and the heating function simultaneously.

[0039] Although the above-described embodiments have been explained in relation to the fusion downdraw process, it should be understood that such embodiments can also be applied to other glass forming processes such as the float process, slot draw process, updraw process, tubing process, and press rolling process.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will see that various modifications and alterations can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to include such modifications and alterations without departing from the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in separate sections.

[0042] Embodiment 1 A manufacturing apparatus for glass articles, A glass melting furnace that communicates with a connecting conduit and fluid, In the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, a first annular sealing element surrounds the periphery of the connecting conduit, An annular heating element surrounding the connecting conduit is located at a predetermined distance from the first annular sealing element along the axial direction of the connecting conduit, A device equipped with the following features.

[0043] Embodiment 2 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a melting furnace conduit that extends within the glass melting furnace and is in fluid communication with the connecting conduit.

[0044] Embodiment 3 The apparatus according to Embodiment 2, further comprising a second annular sealing element surrounding the melting furnace conduit at the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

[0045] Embodiment 4 The apparatus according to Embodiment 3, wherein the melting furnace conduit has an expanding region having an outer circumference that expands axially toward the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

[0046] Embodiment 5 The apparatus according to Embodiment 4, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the outer circumference of the melting furnace conduit is the same as the outer circumference of the connecting conduit.

[0047] Embodiment 6 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the annular heating element is coupled to at least two power input units, and the at least two power input units are arranged relative to the outer circumference of the annular heating element at a predetermined distance apart from each other.

[0048] Embodiment 7 The apparatus according to Embodiment 6, wherein the first and second power inputs among the at least two power inputs are coupled to the annular heating element at opposite positions on the outer circumference of the annular heating element.

[0049] Embodiment 8 The apparatus according to Embodiment 7, wherein both the first and second power inputs among the at least two power inputs guide power in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and supply it to the annular heating element.

[0050] Embodiment 9 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of approximately 1 centimeter to approximately 10 centimeters.

[0051] Embodiment 10 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the annular heating element comprises a metal or metal alloy containing at least one of nickel, copper, palladium, or platinum.

[0052] Embodiment 11 A method for manufacturing glass articles, A step of flowing molten glass from a glass melting furnace into a connecting conduit, wherein at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, a first annular sealing element surrounds the periphery of the connecting conduit. A step of heating the connecting conduit with an annular heating element surrounding the connecting conduit at a position separated from the first annular sealing element by a predetermined distance along the axial direction of the connecting conduit, A method that includes this.

[0053] Embodiment 12 The method according to Embodiment 11, wherein a melting furnace conduit that is in fluid communication with the connecting conduit extends within the glass melting furnace.

[0054] Embodiment 13 The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the second annular sealing element surrounds the melting furnace conduit.

[0055] Embodiment 14 The method according to Embodiment 13, wherein the melting furnace conduit has an expanding region having an outer circumference that expands axially toward the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

[0056] Embodiment 15 The method according to Embodiment 14, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the outer circumference of the melting furnace conduit is the same as the outer circumference of the connecting conduit.

[0057] Embodiment 16 The method according to Embodiment 11, wherein the annular heating element is coupled to at least two power input units, and the at least two power input units are arranged relative to the outer circumference of the annular heating element at a predetermined distance apart from each other.

[0058] Embodiment 17 The method according to Embodiment 16, wherein the first and second power inputs among the at least two power inputs are coupled to the annular heating element at opposite positions on the outer circumference of the annular heating element.

[0059] Embodiment 18 The method according to Embodiment 17, wherein both the first power input unit and the second power input unit among the at least two power input units guide power in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and apply it to the annular heating element.

[0060] Embodiment 19 The method according to Embodiment 11, wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of approximately 1 centimeter to approximately 10 centimeters.

[0061] Embodiment 20 The method according to Embodiment 11, wherein the annular heating element includes a metal or metal alloy containing at least one of nickel, copper, palladium, or platinum.

[0062] Embodiment 21 A glass article manufactured by the method described in any of Embodiments 11 to 20.

[0063] Embodiment 22 An electronic device comprising a glass article as described in Embodiment 21. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 10 Glass manufacturing equipment 12 Glass melting furnace 14. Glass melting tank 16 Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 18 Storage containers 20 Raw Material Delivery Devices 22 motors 24 Raw materials 28. Molten glass 30 Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 32 First connecting conduit 34 Clarification tank 36 Mixing tank 38 Second connecting conduit 40 Delivery tank 42 Molded body 44 Outlet conduit 46 Third connecting conduit 48 Molding equipment 50 Inlet conduit 52 Groove 54 Converging molding surface 56 Bottom edge 58 Glass Ribbon 62 Glass plate 64 Robots 65 Gripping Tools 72 Edge Roll 82 Tension Roll 100 Glass Separator 114 Melting furnace conduit 116 Annular sealing element 118 Second annular sealing element 120 Melting furnace conduit 122 Expansion area 132 cyclic heating element 134 First annular sealing element 136 Power Input Section 136A First power input section 136B Second power input section

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for glass articles, A glass melting furnace that communicates with a connecting conduit and fluid, At the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, a first annular sealing element surrounds the periphery of the connecting conduit, An annular heating element surrounding the connecting conduit is located at a predetermined distance from the first annular sealing element along the axial direction of the connecting conduit, A device equipped with the following features.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a melting furnace conduit that extends within the glass melting furnace and is in fluid communication with the connecting conduit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second annular sealing element surrounding the melting furnace conduit at the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the melting furnace conduit has an expanding region having an outer circumference that expands axially toward the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the outer circumference of the melting furnace conduit is the same as the outer circumference of the connecting conduit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular heating element is coupled to at least two power input units, and the at least two power input units are arranged relative to the outer circumference of the annular heating element at a predetermined distance apart from each other.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first power input unit and the second power input unit among the at least two power input units are coupled to the annular heating element at opposite positions on the outer circumference of the annular heating element.

8. A method for manufacturing glass articles, A step of flowing molten glass from a glass melting furnace into a connecting conduit, wherein at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, a first annular sealing element surrounds the periphery of the connecting conduit. A step of heating the connecting conduit with an annular heating element that surrounds the connecting conduit at a position separated from the first annular sealing element by a predetermined distance along the axial direction of the connecting conduit, A method that includes this.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein a melting furnace conduit that is in fluid communication with the connecting conduit extends within the glass melting furnace.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the second annular sealing element surrounds the melting furnace conduit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the melting furnace conduit has an expanding region having an outer circumference that expands axially toward the connection portion between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, at the connection between the glass melting furnace and the connecting conduit, the outer circumference of the melting furnace conduit is the same as the outer circumference of the connecting conduit.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the annular heating element is coupled to at least two power input units, and the at least two power input units are arranged relative to the outer circumference of the annular heating element at a predetermined distance apart from each other.

14. A glass article manufactured by the method of claim 8.

15. An electronic device comprising the glass article described in claim 14.

Images