Apparatus and method for reducing defects in glass melting vessels

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing glass articles includes a mixing vessel, the mixing vessel having a wall surrounding an inner chamber and a rotatable central shaft in a circumferential direction, a removable lid covering the inner chamber and surrounding the rotatable central shaft in a circumferential direction, and a condensate catcher, the condensate catcher being positioned between the removable lid and the wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 508,329, filed on Jun. 15, 2023. The content of this provisional application is relied upon herein and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to glass melting systems, and more particularly to devices and methods for reducing defects in glass melting vessels.

Background Art

[0003] In the production of glass articles such as glass sheets for display applications, including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablets, molten glass is transported through a glass melting system. The glass melting system typically includes a vessel or conduit containing a noble metal or noble metal alloy, and the molten glass is transported through the vessel or conduit and physically contacts the noble metal or noble metal alloy. Such contact between the molten glass and the noble metal or noble metal alloy can result in chemical reactions such as redox reactions, and noble metals or noble metal oxides are transported into the molten glass or onto the surface of the molten glass. The presence of such noble metals or noble metal oxides in the molten glass or on the surface of the molten glass can cause undesirable defects in the glass article. Additionally, such reactions can cause corrosion of the vessel or conduit of the glass melting system, which can lead to the need for repair or replacement of such components and undesirable process downtime. Therefore, it is desirable to mitigate or suppress these effects.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein include a glass mixing vessel comprising a wall circumferentially surrounding an inner chamber and a rotatable central shaft, a removable lid covering the inner chamber and circumferentially surrounding the rotatable central shaft, and a condensate catcher positioned between the removable lid and the wall. The condensate catcher comprises a vertically extending surface and a horizontally extending surface. The vertically extending surface has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

[0005] Embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for manufacturing glass articles. The method includes processing molten glass in a glass mixing vessel. The glass mixing vessel includes a wall circumferentially surrounding an inner chamber and a rotatable central shaft, a removable lid covering the inner chamber and circumferentially surrounding the rotatable central shaft, and a condensate catcher positioned between the removable lid and the wall. The condensate catcher includes a vertically extending surface and a horizontally extending surface. The vertically extending surface has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

[0006] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are described in the following detailed description and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or will be recognized by practicing the embodiments disclosed herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

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

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion downdraw glass fabrication apparatus and process. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary mixing vessel according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of an exemplary mixing container. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary mixing vessel according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is another schematic side cross-sectional view of an exemplary mixing vessel. [Figure 6] Figures 4 and 5 are schematic top cross-sectional views of an exemplary mixing vessel. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an exemplary condensate catcher and a portion of a blocking ring according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are referenced in detail, and these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein.

[0010] In this specification, a range can be expressed as "approximately" from one particular value and / or "approximately" to another particular value. Where such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes that particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, where a value is expressed, for example, as an approximation, it will be understood that by using the antecedent "approximately," the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that each endpoint of a range is significant, whether related to or independent of the other endpoints.

[0011] The directional terms used herein, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, and bottom, are defined solely by reference 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 its steps to be performed in a specific order, nor as requiring any particular orientation in any apparatus. Therefore, if a method claim does not actually list the order in which its steps should be followed, or if any apparatus claim does not actually list an order or orientation for its individual components, or if it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claim or specification that the steps should be limited to a specific order, or if no specific order or orientation for the components of the apparatus is listed, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any sense. This includes all possible implicit grounds for interpretation, including logical matters relating to the arrangement of steps, the flow of operation, the order of components, or the orientation of components, the plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0013] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include multiple referents unless explicitly indicated otherwise by the context. Therefore, for example, a reference to a certain "a" component includes embodiments having two or more such components unless explicitly indicated otherwise by the context.

[0014] As used herein, the term "molten glass" refers to a glass composition whose temperature is above its liquidus temperature (the temperature at which the crystalline phase cannot coexist with the glass in equilibrium).

[0015] As used herein, the term “free surface of molten glass” refers to the area of ​​the molten glass that is in contact with the atmosphere above it.

[0016] As used herein, the term “conduit” refers to a conduit or container in a glassmaking apparatus configured for the flow of molten glass. Non-limiting exemplary conduits include the mixing vessel 36, the clarification vessel 34, the feeding vessel 40, and the connecting conduit.

[0017] As used herein, the term “connecting conduit” refers to a conduit used to connect components of a glass manufacturing apparatus and configured for molten glass to flow through it. Non-limiting exemplary connecting conduits disclosed herein include a first connecting conduit 32, a second connecting conduit 38, and a third connecting conduit 46.

[0018] Figure 1 shows an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12 which may include a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (described in more detail herein) that heat the raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In further embodiments, the glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulating components) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In even further embodiments, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices that facilitate the melting of the raw materials into the glass molten material. Furthermore, the glass melting furnace 12 may include support structures (e.g., support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

[0019] The glass melting vessel 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 embodiments, the glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed from refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 are described in more detail below.

[0020] In some embodiments, the glass melting furnace can be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for making glass substrates, such as a continuous length of glass ribbon. In some embodiments, the glass melting furnace of the present disclosure can be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus, including a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a down draw apparatus such as a fusion process, an up draw apparatus, a press rolling apparatus, a tube draw processing apparatus, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. As an example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion down draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion draw processing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0021] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (e.g., the fusion down draw apparatus 10) can optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 positioned upstream with respect to the glass melting vessel 14. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0022] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 can include a storage bin 18, a raw material feeding device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material feeding device. The storage bin 18 can be configured to store a fixed amount of raw batch material 24 that can be supplied to the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw batch material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some embodiments, the raw material feeding device 20 can be driven by the motor 22 such that the raw material feeding device 20 feeds a predetermined amount of the raw batch material 24 from the storage bin 18 to the melting vessel 14. In a further embodiment, the motor 22 can supply power to the raw material feeding device 20 to introduce the raw batch material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass detected downstream of the melting vessel 14. The raw batch material 24 within the melting vessel 14 can then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0023] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream of the glass melting furnace 12. In some embodiments, a portion of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, the first connecting conduit 32 discussed below, or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30, can be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. Elements of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus including the first connecting conduit 32 can be formed from a noble metal. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, the downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus can be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy containing from about 100 wt% to about 60 wt% platinum and from about 0 wt% to about 40 wt% rhodium. However, other suitable metals can include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) noble metal alloys are also possible.

[0024] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel such as a fining vessel 34, which is located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and is coupled to the melting vessel 14 via the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 can be gravity-fed from the melting vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 via the first connecting conduit 32. For example, by gravity, the molten glass 28 can pass from the melting vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 through the internal passage of the first connecting conduit 32. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels can be positioned downstream of the melting vessel 14, for example, between the melting vessel 14 and the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, the conditioning vessel can be used between the melting vessel and the fining vessel, and the molten glass from the primary melting vessel can be further heated to continue the melting process or cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the fining vessel.

[0025] Bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 in the clarification vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, the raw batch material 24 may contain a polyvalent compound (i.e., a clarifying agent) such as tin oxide, which, when heated, releases oxygen through a chemical reduction reaction. Other suitable clarifying agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The clarification vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than the molten vessel temperature, thereby heating the molten glass and the clarifying agent. Oxygen bubbles generated by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the clarifying agent(s) rise through the molten glass in the clarification vessel, and gases in the molten glass generated in the melting furnace can diffuse into or combine with the oxygen bubbles generated by the clarifying agent. The expanded gas bubbles then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the clarification vessel and can then be discharged from the clarification vessel. The oxygen bubbles can further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the clarification vessel.

[0026] The downstream glassmaking apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the clarification vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a uniform molten glass composition, thereby reducing codes of chemical or thermal heterogeneity that may be present in the clarified molten glass exiting the clarification vessel if the mixing vessel 36 is not used. As shown, the clarification vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing vessel 36 via a second connecting conduit 38. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 via the second connecting conduit 38. For example, by gravity, the molten glass 28 may pass from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the internal path of the second connecting conduit 38. Note that although the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the clarification vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of the clarification vessel 34. In some embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a plurality of mixing vessels, for example, a mixing vessel upstream of the clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of the clarification vessel 34. These plurality of mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

[0027] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another regulating vessel, such as a feed vessel 40, which may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36. The feed vessel 40 may be regulated so that molten glass 28 is supplied to the downstream molding device. For example, the feed vessel 40 may function as an accumulator and / or flow controller to regulate and / or supply a constant flow of molten glass 28 through an outlet conduit 44 to a molded body 42. As shown, the mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to the feed vessel 40 via a third connecting conduit 46. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 via the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 through an internal path of the third connecting conduit 46.

[0028] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include a molding apparatus 48 comprising the molded body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. An outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to feed molten glass 28 from the feed container 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the molding apparatus 48. For example, the outlet conduit 44 may be nested within the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50 and spaced apart from the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface for molten glass positioned between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The molded body 42 in the fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus may comprise a trough 52 positioned on the upper surface of the molded body and a converging molding surface 54 converging in an elongating direction along the bottom edge 56 of the molded body. Molten glass fed into the molded body trough via the feed container 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows from the side walls of the trough and descends along the converging molding surface 54 as a separate flow of molten glass. The separate flows of molten glass merge below and along the bottom edge 56, and are drawn out from the bottom edge 56 in the stretching direction or flow direction 60 by applying tension to the glass ribbon by gravity, edge rolls 72 and pull rolls 82, etc., in order to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separator 100 within the elastic region of the glass ribbon. A robot 64 may then transport the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system using a gripping tool 65, thereby allowing the individual glass sheets to be further processed.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a schematic side section view of a portion of an exemplary mixing vessel 36 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The mixing vessel 36 is configured to process molten glass 28 and includes a wall 140 that circumferentially surrounds an inner chamber 144 containing the molten glass 28. The wall 140 also circumferentially surrounds a rotatable central shaft 132 from which stirring blades 142 extend. In addition, the mixing vessel 36 includes a removable lid 160 that covers the inner chamber 144 and is configured to circumferentially surround the rotatable central shaft 132. The removable lid 160 is configured to allow the rotatable central shaft 132 to extend through it and may, for example, comprise two substantially semicircular segments that extend in a clamshell manner around the rotatable central shaft 132. The removable lid 160 may be secured to the rest of the mixing vessel via bolts 162.

[0030] The mixing vessel 36 also includes a condensate catcher 150 positioned between a removable lid 160 and the wall 140. The condensate catcher 150 has a generally circular cross-section, which may include two semicircular segments joined or welded together. The condensate catcher 150 includes a vertically extending surface 152 and a horizontally extending surface 154. Figure 3 shows a schematic top cross-sectional view of the exemplary mixing vessel 36 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the vertically extending surface 152 of the condensate catcher 150 has an inner diameter VID that is larger than the inner diameter HID of the horizontally extending surface 154. In addition, the outer diameter COD of the condensate catcher 150 is larger than the outer diameter WOD of the wall 140. As further shown in Figure 3, the inner diameter HID of the horizontally extending surface 154 is equal to the inner diameter WID of the wall 154.

[0031] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, the condensate catcher 150 is permanently fixed to the wall 140. For example, the condensate catcher 150 may be welded to the wall 140 according to methods known to those skilled in the art. In such embodiments, a removable cover 160 may be detachably attached to the condensate catcher 150 via bolts 162. In addition, a sealing ring 164 extends along the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface 154, and a plurality of gussets 158 extend radially along the horizontally extending surface 154. The sealing ring 164 can help contain condensates within the condensate catcher 150, and the plurality of gussets 158 can help maintain the generally cylindrical shape of the wall 140 and the vertically extending surface 152 during operation.

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 show schematic side section views of a portion of another exemplary mixing vessel 36 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, the mixing vessel 36 is configured to process molten glass 28 and includes a wall 140 that circumferentially surrounds an inner chamber 144 containing the molten glass 28. The wall 140 also circumferentially surrounds a rotatable central shaft 132 from which stirring blades 142 extend. In addition, the mixing vessel 36 includes a removable lid 160 that covers the inner chamber 144 and is configured to circumferentially surround the rotatable central shaft 132. The removable lid 160 is configured to allow the rotatable central shaft 132 to extend through it and may, for example, comprise two substantially semicircular segments that extend in a clamshell manner around the rotatable central shaft 132. The removable lid 160 may be secured to the rest of the mixing vessel via bolts 162.

[0033] The mixing vessel 36 also includes a condensate catcher 150' positioned between a removable lid 160 and a wall 140. The condensate catcher 150' has a generally circular cross-section, which may include two semicircular segments joined or welded together. The condensate catcher 150' includes a vertically extending surface 152', a horizontally extending surface 154', and a horizontally extending flange 156. In addition, a sealing ring 164 extends along the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface 154'.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the condensate catcher 150' is removably inserted between the removable lid 160 and the wall 140. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the condensate catcher 150' is vertically movable (as indicated by arrow V) over the upper part of the wall 140 until the horizontally extending flange 156 rests on the top of the wall 140, as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 4-6, the outer diameter VOD of the vertically extending surface 152' is less than the inner diameter WID of the wall 140. In addition, the outer diameter COD of the condensate catcher 150' is greater than the outer diameter WOD of the wall 140. As further shown in Figure 6, the inner diameter HID of the horizontally extending surface 154 is less than the inner diameter WID of the wall 154.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a schematic side section view of a portion of an exemplary condensate catcher 150 and a blocking ring 164 according to embodiments disclosed herein. In certain exemplary embodiments, the vertically extending surfaces 152, 152' extend a vertical distance (indicated by double arrow H in Figure 7) large enough to allow the horizontally extending surfaces 154, 154' to be immersed in the molten glass 28, and the horizontally extending surfaces 154, 154' extend a horizontal distance (indicated by double arrow W in Figure 7) large enough to allow condensates to be deposited on their surfaces between the vertically extending surfaces 152, 152' and the blocking ring 164. In certain exemplary embodiments, the blocking ring may extend a vertical distance (indicated by double arrow B in Figure 7) above the horizontally extending surfaces 154, 154' ranging from about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch.

[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments, the condensate catchers 150, 150' comprise the same material as the wall 140. In certain exemplary embodiments, the condensate catchers 150, 150' comprise a metal selected from at least one of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, the condensate catchers 150, 150' comprise platinum and at least one alloy containing platinum, such as an alloy containing platinum and rhodium, such as a platinum-rhodium alloy containing about 70% to about 90% by weight of platinum and about 10% to about 30% by weight of rhodium. However, other suitable metals include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

[0037] The condensate catchers 150 and 150' suppress the transport of noble metals or noble metal oxides into the molten glass 28. For example, if the mixing vessel 36 contains a platinum / rhodium alloy and an oxygen-rich atmosphere is present above the molten glass 28, the following redox reactions may occur. Pt·Rh+O2→Pt·RhO2

[0038] Such a reaction can result in the presence of undesirable amounts of platinum and / or rhodium oxide entering the molten glass 28 from the atmosphere. This reaction also allows for the formation of precious metal gases, which are now available as a source of defect formation through the subsequent reverse reaction. Pt·RhO2 → O2 + Pt·Rh This reverse step may also involve other reactions, such as redox reactions of polyvalent elements (e.g., SnO / SnO2, FeO / Fe2O3). Condensate catchers 150, 150' can allow these defects to deposit on horizontally extending surfaces 154, 154' rather than within the body of the molten glass 28 contained in the mixing vessel 36. By allowing these defects to settle on the condensate catchers 150, 150' instead of the body of the molten glass 28, glass articles, such as glass sheets, can be produced with a lower presence of undesirable defects. Such glass articles can be used, for example, in electronic devices, and the glass articles have higher quality properties.

[0039] Although the embodiments described above have been described with reference to the fusion downdraw process, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as the float process, slot draw process, updraw process, tube draw process, and press rolling process.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will see that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to encompass such modifications and variations, insofar as they remain within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A glass mixing container, A wall surrounds the inner chamber and the rotatable central shaft in the circumferential direction, A removable cover that covers the inner chamber and surrounds the rotatable central shaft in the circumferential direction, A glass mixing container comprising a condensate catcher positioned between the removable lid and the wall, the condensate catcher having a vertically extending surface and a horizontally extending surface, wherein the vertically extending surface has an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

2. The glass mixing container according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the condensate catcher is larger than the outer diameter of the wall.

3. The glass mixing container according to claim 2, wherein the condensate catcher is permanently fixed to the wall.

4. The glass mixing container according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of gussets extend radially along the horizontally extending surface.

5. The glass mixing container according to claim 2, wherein the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface is equal to the inner diameter of the wall.

6. The glass mixing container according to claim 1, wherein the condensate catcher is removably inserted between the removable lid and the wall such that the outer diameter of the vertically extending surface is less than the inner diameter of the wall.

7. The glass mixing container according to claim 1, wherein the blocking ring extends along the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

8. The condensate catcher is a glass mixing container according to claim 1, comprising platinum.

9. The glass mixing container according to claim 1, wherein the condensate catcher comprises the same material as the wall.

10. A method for manufacturing glass articles, This includes processing molten glass in a glass mixing vessel, the glass mixing vessel being A wall surrounds the inner chamber and the rotatable central shaft in the circumferential direction, A removable cover that covers the inner chamber and surrounds the rotatable central shaft in the circumferential direction, A method comprising: a condensate catcher positioned between the removable lid and the wall, the condensate catcher comprising a vertically extending surface and a horizontally extending surface, wherein the vertically extending surface has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of the condensate catcher is larger than the outer diameter of the wall.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the condensate catcher is permanently fixed to the wall.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of gussets extend radially along the horizontally extending surface.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface is equal to the inner diameter of the wall.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condensate catcher is removably inserted between the removable lid and the wall such that the outer diameter of the vertically extending surface is less than the inner diameter of the wall.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the blocking ring extends along the inner diameter of the horizontally extending surface.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condensate catcher comprises platinum.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condensate catcher comprises the same material as the wall.

19. A glass article manufactured by the method described in any one of claims 10 to 18.

20. An electronic device comprising a glass article as described in claim 19.

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