Glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a technology of suppressing damage of a discharge pipe for discharging molten glass.SOLUTION: A glass manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a discharge pipe for discharging molten glass from a vessel for containing the molten glass or from a conveyer pipe for conveying the molten glass, a rotary member for supporting the lower end part of the discharge pipe, and a weight attached to the rotary member. The discharge pipe has a discharge port for discharging the molten glass at the lower end part. The rotary member includes a support part for supporting the lower end part of the discharge pipe, a rotation center part of the rotary member, and a fitting part to which the weight is attached. The fitting part and the support part are arranged so as to sandwich the rotation center part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus and a glass manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a discharge pipe that discharges molten glass from a container that contains molten glass or a transport pipe that transports the molten glass. The discharge pipe discharges extraneous glass contained in the molten glass (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The extraneous glass includes extraneous components such as zirconia eluted from bricks. Discharging the extraneous glass can improve the quality of glass products.

[0003] The glass manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 controls the heating temperature of a discharge pipe to control the discharge flow rate of molten glass. The discharge pipe is made of, for example, platinum or a platinum alloy, and is electrically heated. By controlling the heating temperature of the discharge pipe, the viscosity of the molten glass in the discharge pipe is controlled, and the discharge flow rate of molten glass is controlled.

[0004] The discharge pipe described in Patent Document 1 includes a vertical section. The vertical section has a discharge port at a lower end for discharging the molten glass. The discharge pipe has an orifice at its lower end. The orifice adjusts the discharge flow rate of the molten glass by narrowing the discharge port. The discharge flow rate of the molten glass can be changed by replacing the orifice.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes that a transport pipe for transporting molten glass has a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe, that a stirring blade is provided inside the vertical pipe, and that a discharge pipe is provided at the lower end of the vertical pipe. The center line of the discharge pipe is offset from the center line of the vertical pipe to the upstream side in the transport direction of the molten glass.

[0006] Patent Document 3 describes that a transport pipe for transporting molten glass has a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe, and that a discharge pipe is provided at the upper end of the horizontal pipe. The discharge pipe extends vertically upward from the upper end of the horizontal pipe, then extends horizontally, and then extends vertically downward. The heterogeneous glass discharged by the discharge pipe contains light components or volatile components.

[0007] Patent Document 4 describes that a transport pipe for transporting molten glass has a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe, that a stirring blade is provided inside the vertical pipe, and that a discharge pipe is provided on the side wall of the vertical pipe. The discharge pipe extends horizontally from the side wall of the vertical pipe and then extends vertically downward. The heterogeneous glass discharged by the discharge pipe contains light components or volatile components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 010624 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-199385 A [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2015 / 194642 [Patent Document 4] JP 2016-69235 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a discharge pipe for discharging molten glass. The discharge pipe discharges extraneous glass contained in the molten glass. The discharge pipe may be damaged due to distortion caused by temperature change, creep deformation, or the like.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing damage to a discharge pipe that discharges molten glass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A glass manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a discharge pipe for discharging molten glass from a container for storing molten glass or a transport pipe for transporting molten glass, a rotating member supporting a lower end of the discharge pipe, and a weight attached to the rotating member. The discharge pipe has a discharge port for discharging the molten glass at its lower end. The rotating member has a support part for supporting the lower end of the discharge pipe, a rotation center part that is the center of rotation of the rotating member, and an attachment part to which the weight is attached. The attachment part and the support part are provided on either side of the rotation center part. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, damage to a discharge pipe that discharges molten glass can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a glass manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a glass manufacturing apparatus according to a modified example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a connection mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a link mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a glass manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another conventional example of a glass manufacturing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted. A numerical range indicated by "~" means that the numerical range indicated before and after the range includes the lower and upper limits.

[0015] A glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a discharge pipe 20 that discharges molten glass G. The discharge pipe 20 discharges extraneous glass contained in the molten glass G to improve the quality of the glass product.

[0016] The discharge pipe 20 discharges the molten glass G from, for example, the container 10. The container 10 contains the molten glass G. The container 10 is made of, for example, a firebrick. The firebrick is preferably an electrocast brick because it has excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance against the molten glass G.

[0017] The container 10 is provided in, for example, a melting device. The melting device melts powdered glass raw material to produce molten glass G. The glass raw material is prepared by mixing a plurality of types of materials. The glass raw material may contain glass cullet in order to recycle the glass. The glass raw material may be a powder raw material or a granulated raw material obtained by granulating the powder raw material. The glass raw material is determined according to the composition of the glass.

[0018] The glass is, for example, non-alkali glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, etc. Non-alkali glass is Na 2 OK 2 It means glass that is substantially free of alkali metal oxides such as O. Here, "substantially free of alkali metal oxides" means that the total content of alkali metal oxides is 0.1 mass % or less.

[0019] Non-alkali glass is, for example, SiO 2 : 50.0%~66.0%, Al 2 O 3 : 10.5%~22.0%, B 2 O 3 : 0%~12.0%, MgO: 0~8.0%, CaO: 0~14.5%, SrO: 0~24.0%, BaO: 0~13.5%, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO: 9.0%~29.5%.

[0020] The container 10 may be provided in a fining device. The fining device removes bubbles from the molten glass G obtained in the melting device before the molten glass G is formed in a forming device. As a method for removing bubbles, for example, one or more methods selected from a method of reducing the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the molten glass G and a method of heating the molten glass G to a high temperature are used.

[0021] The forming device forms the molten glass G into a desired shape. Forming methods for obtaining plate-shaped glass include the float method, the fusion method, and the roll-out method. Forming methods for obtaining tubular glass include the Vello method and the Danner method. The glass formed in the forming device is slowly cooled in the annealing device.

[0022] Although not shown, the discharge pipe 20 may discharge the molten glass G from a conveying pipe instead of discharging the molten glass G from the container 10. The conveying pipe conveys the molten glass G. For example, the conveying pipe conveys the molten glass G from a melting device to a forming device. The conveying pipe may convey the molten glass G from the melting device to a fining device and then to a forming device.

[0023] The transfer pipe is made of, for example, a metal and is electrically heated. The transfer pipe may be made of, for example, a metal containing one or more selected from platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), tungsten (W), iridium (Ir) and molybdenum (Mo). The metal includes an alloy. Pt, Rh, W, Ir and Mo have excellent corrosion resistance against the molten glass G. The transfer pipe may be made of firebricks, like the container 10. When the transfer pipe is made of firebricks, a heating device is provided around the transfer pipe.

[0024] The conveying pipe has, for example, a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe. An agitator may be provided inside the vertical pipe. The discharge pipe 20 may be connected to the horizontal pipe or may be connected to the vertical pipe. The conveying pipe may have an inclined pipe instead of the horizontal pipe, and the discharge pipe 20 may be connected to the inclined pipe.

[0025] The discharge pipe 20 is connected to the lower end, side wall, or upper end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe. The lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe is fixed. The part of the container 10 or the conveying pipe to which the discharge pipe 20 is connected is determined depending on the type of the extraneous glass to be discharged by the discharge pipe 20.

[0026] The molten glass G contains a foreign component such as zirconia eluted from the refractory bricks. The foreign component such as zirconia has a higher density than the other components contained in the molten glass G and is prone to sinking.

[0027] The discharge pipe 20 is connected to the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe as shown in FIG. 1 for example, in order to discharge the foreign glass having a relatively high density. For example, the discharge pipe 20 includes a vertical section 21 extending vertically downward from the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe. The vertical section 21 has a discharge port at its lower end for discharging the molten glass G. The molten glass G is discharged by pressure caused by the height difference between the liquid level of the molten glass G and the discharge port of the discharge pipe 20.

[0028] The molten glass G contains a light component or a volatile component. The light component or the volatile component is likely to gather near the liquid surface of the molten glass G, for example, when removing bubbles from the molten glass G. As a result, a heterogeneous glass having a relatively low density is formed near the liquid surface of the molten glass G.

[0029] The discharge pipe 20 may be connected to the side wall of the container 10 or the conveying pipe, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, in order to discharge the foreign glass having a relatively low density. For example, the discharge pipe 20 includes a horizontal section 22 extending horizontally from the side wall of the container 10 or the conveying pipe, and a vertical section 21 extending vertically downward from the tip of the horizontal section 22. The vertical section 21 has a discharge port for discharging the molten glass G at its lower end. The vertical section 21 ensures a height difference between the liquid level of the molten glass G and the discharge port of the discharge pipe 20, and ensures a pressure for discharging the molten glass G.

[0030] The discharge pipe 20 may be connected to the upper end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe (not shown) in order to discharge the foreign glass having a relatively low density. The discharge pipe 20 includes a first vertical section extending vertically upward from the upper end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe, a horizontal section extending horizontally from the upper end of the first vertical section, and a second vertical section extending vertically downward from the tip of the horizontal section. The second vertical section extends vertically downward from the upper end of the container 10 and has an outlet for discharging the molten glass G at its lower end. The second vertical section ensures a height difference between the upper end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe and the outlet of the discharge pipe 20, and ensures a pressure for discharging the molten glass G.

[0031] Discharge pipe 20 may have an orifice 25 at its lower end. Orifice 25 adjusts the discharge flow rate of molten glass G by narrowing the discharge outlet. Orifice 25 may be made of metal like discharge pipe 20. The diameter of the discharge outlet of orifice 25 is, for example, 3 mm to 70 mm. By replacing orifice 25, the discharge flow rate of molten glass G can be changed.

[0032] Discharge pipe 20 is provided with a heater 30 for heating discharge pipe 20 in order to adjust the discharge flow rate of molten glass G. The higher the heating temperature of discharge pipe 20, the lower the viscosity of molten glass G in discharge pipe 20 and the higher the discharge flow rate of molten glass G. The temperature of molten glass G in discharge pipe 20 is, for example, 1000°C to 1600°C, and preferably 1200°C to 1400°C.

[0033] When the discharge pipe 20 is made of metal like the transport pipe, the heater 30 heats the discharge pipe 20 by electrical current. The part of the discharge pipe 20 that is electrically heated may be separable from the other parts. The heater 30 is not limited to one that electrically heats the discharge pipe 20, and the discharge pipe 20 does not have to generate heat. A heating element that generates heat outside the discharge pipe 20, or a gas burner provided outside the discharge pipe 20 may be used as the heater 30. The gas burner heats, for example, the discharge port of the discharge pipe 20.

[0034] The thickness of the exhaust pipe 20 is, for example, 0.3 mm to 2 mm. The inner diameter of the exhaust pipe 20 is, for example, 20 mm to 80 mm. The length of the exhaust pipe 20 is, for example, 200 mm to 800 mm. The heating temperature of the exhaust pipe 20 is, for example, 1050°C to 1350°C.

[0035] Discharge pipe 20 may repeatedly start and stop discharging molten glass G. The temperature of discharge pipe 20 when discharging molten glass G is stopped is, for example, room temperature to 500° C. The length of discharge pipe 20 changes according to the change in temperature of discharge pipe 20.

[0036] Next, a conventional example of a glass manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. A problem that occurs when both ends of the discharge pipe 20 are fixed will be described below. Note that, although the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe in Fig. 6, the same problem occurs when the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the side wall or the upper end.

[0037] 6, the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is fixed, and the upper end of the discharge pipe 20 is fixed to the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe. In addition, the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe is fixed. Since both ends of the discharge pipe 20 are fixed, it cannot expand or contract in response to temperature changes, and distortion occurs.

[0038] For example, if the material of the exhaust pipe 20 is platinum, the length of the exhaust pipe 20 is 750 mm, and the temperature of the exhaust pipe 20 rises from room temperature to 1400°C, the length of the exhaust pipe 20 will increase by 11.3 mm if the lower end of the exhaust pipe 20 is not fixed. If both ends of the exhaust pipe 20 are fixed so that this expansion does not occur, a large load will act on the exhaust pipe 20, causing the exhaust pipe 20 to undergo plastic deformation.

[0039] In addition, when the material of the discharge pipe 20 is platinum, the length of the discharge pipe 20 is 750 mm, and the temperature of the discharge pipe 20 drops from 1400°C to room temperature, if the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is not fixed, the length of the discharge pipe 20 will shrink by 11.3 mm. If both ends of the discharge pipe 20 are fixed to prevent this shrinkage from occurring, a large load will act on the discharge pipe 20, causing the discharge pipe 20 to undergo plastic deformation.

[0040] When both ends of the exhaust pipe 20 are fixed, there is a problem that the exhaust pipe 20 may be damaged due to plastic fatigue due to repeated increases and decreases in temperature. Plastic fatigue is also called low cycle fatigue.

[0041] In order to suppress damage due to plastic fatigue, (1) it is effective to shorten the length of the discharge pipe 20. The shorter the length of the discharge pipe 20, the smaller the dimensional change of the discharge pipe 20 in response to a temperature change of the discharge pipe 20, and the smaller the load acting on the discharge pipe 20. However, the shorter the length of the discharge pipe 20, the smaller the change in the discharge flow rate of the molten glass G in response to a temperature change of the discharge pipe 20.

[0042] For example, if the length of the exhaust pipe 20 is 750 mm, when the temperature of the exhaust pipe 20 changes from 1375°C to 1425°C via 1400°C, the pressure loss in the exhaust pipe 20 changes from 55% to 45% to 37%. On the other hand, if the length of the exhaust pipe 20 is 325 mm, when the temperature of the exhaust pipe 20 changes from 1375°C to 1425°C via 1400°C, the pressure loss in the exhaust pipe 20 changes from 24% to 20% to 16%.

[0043] Here, the pressure loss in the discharge pipe 20 is expressed as a percentage (%) of the pressure generated by the height difference H between the liquid level of the molten glass G and the discharge outlet of the discharge pipe 20 when the length of the discharge pipe 20 is 750 mm. The depth D of the molten glass G contained in the vessel 10 is 1500 mm, and the specific gravity of the molten glass G is 2.5 g / cm. 3 The viscosity of the molten glass G was 180 Pa·s, and the inner diameter of the discharge pipe 20 was 45 mm.

[0044] The shorter the length of the discharge pipe 20, the smaller the change in pressure loss in the discharge pipe 20 and the smaller the change in the discharge flow rate of the molten glass G. From the viewpoint of controllability of the discharge flow rate, there is a limit to shortening the length of the discharge pipe 20. Therefore, it is difficult to sufficiently solve the above problem by shortening the length of the discharge pipe 20. The length of the discharge pipe 20 is preferably 200 mm to 800 mm.

[0045] In order to suppress damage due to plastic fatigue, (2) it is also effective to leave the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 free and not fixed. However, if the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is a free end, the discharge pipe 20 will undergo creep deformation due to its own weight, which will cause another problem of creep fracture.

[0046] In order to suppress breakage due to plastic fatigue, (3) it is also effective to provide an expandable and contractible movable part in the middle of the discharge pipe 20. As the movable part, for example, a metal bellows is used. However, bellows and the like are easily broken, which causes another problem that the molten glass G leaks.

[0047] Next, another conventional example of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. A problem that occurs when the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is supported by the spring 40 will be described below. Note that, although the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe in Fig. 7, the same problem occurs when the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the side wall or the upper end.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 7, the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is supported by a spring 40. The spring 40 is a compression spring in Fig. 7, but may be a tension spring. The spring 40 pushes the discharge pipe 20 upward by its elastic restoring force, suppressing creep deformation of the discharge pipe 20 due to its own weight.

[0049] When the discharge pipe 20 expands, the spring 40 contracts, and when the discharge pipe 20 contracts, the spring 40 expands. By expanding and contracting, the spring 40 allows the discharge pipe 20 to expand and contract, and suppresses plastic fatigue of the discharge pipe 20. However, the elastic restoring force of the spring 40 fluctuates due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 40, and the force pushing the discharge pipe 20 upward fluctuates.

[0050] For example, if there are three springs 40 and the elastic constant of each spring 40 is 6.2 N / mm, when the length of the exhaust pipe 20 is extended by 11.3 mm, the elastic restoring force of the springs 40 increases by approximately 210 N, and the force pushing the exhaust pipe 20 upward increases by 210 N.

[0051] If the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is supported by the spring 40, the load acting on the discharge pipe 20 can be reduced compared to when the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is fixed. However, the load acting on the discharge pipe 20 cannot be reduced to zero.

[0052] If the spring 40 is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe 20, there is a problem that the working space for maintenance of the discharge pipe 20 is narrowed. In order to widen the working space, the length of the spring 40 can be shortened, but in that case, a spring with a high elastic constant, such as a disc spring, must be used. The larger the elastic constant of the spring 40, the greater the fluctuation in the elastic restoring force in response to the expansion and contraction of the spring 40.

[0053] When the spring 40 is provided at the lower end of the exhaust pipe 20, there is a problem that the spring 40 is also heated when the gas burner heats the exhaust port of the exhaust pipe 20. As a result, the spring 40 is thermally deteriorated, and the elastic constant of the spring 40 decreases.

[0054] Next, glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 again. Glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a rotating member 50 that supports a lower end of discharge pipe 20, and a weight 60 attached to rotating member 50.

[0055] The rotating member 50 has a support part 51 that supports the lower end part of the discharge pipe 20, a rotation center part 52 that is the center of rotation of the rotating member 50, and an attachment part 53 to which the weight 60 is attached. The attachment part 53 and the support part 51 are provided with the rotation center part 52 in between.

[0056] Weight 60 pulls mounting portion 53 vertically downward, thereby pushing support portion 51 vertically upward. Support portion 51 pushes back discharge pipe 20 vertically upward with a force similar to the gravity acting on discharge pipe 20, for example, a force that is 70% to 130% of the gravity acting on discharge pipe 20. This makes it possible to suppress creep deformation of discharge pipe 20. Note that gravity acting on discharge pipe 20 includes gravity acting on accessories of discharge pipe 20 (for example, heater 30).

[0057] The rotating member 50 rotates around the rotation center 52, thereby allowing the discharge pipe 20 to expand and contract and suppressing plastic fatigue of the discharge pipe 20. When the discharge pipe 20 expands, the support part 51 moves vertically downward, and when the discharge pipe 20 contracts, the support part 51 moves vertically upward. This allows the discharge pipe 20 to expand and contract, and suppresses distortion of the discharge pipe 20 due to temperature changes.

[0058] The force with which support part 51 pushes the lower end of exhaust pipe 20 vertically upward is determined by (1) the ratio (L1 / L2) of the distance L1 between support part 51 and rotation center part 52 to the distance L2 between mounting part 53 and rotation center part 52, and (2) the weight of weight 60, etc., and is not dependent on the rotation angle of rotating member 50.

[0059] When the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes the rotating member 50 and the weight 60, the extension and contraction of the discharge pipe 20 can be permitted, and the discharge pipe 20 can always be pushed back vertically upward with a constant force. Therefore, damage to the discharge pipe 20 can be suppressed.

[0060] The inventor measured the elongation of the discharge pipe 20 when the material of the discharge pipe 20 was platinum, the length of the discharge pipe 20 was 750 mm, the total weight of the discharge pipe 20 and its accessories (e.g., the heater 30, etc.) was 8.3 kg, L1 and L2 were each 350 mm, and the weight of the weight 60 was 8.3 kg. When the temperature of the discharge pipe 20 was increased from room temperature to 1400°C, the elongation of the discharge pipe 20 was about 10 mm, which was close to the theoretical value of 11.3 mm. From this, it was found that the discharge pipe 20 expanded almost freely. After that, when the temperature of the discharge pipe 20 was decreased from 1400°C to 600°C, the elongation of the discharge pipe 20 was reduced to about 5 mm. The contraction amount of the discharge pipe 20 was approximately equal to the product of the linear expansion coefficient and the temperature change width, and it was found that the discharge pipe 20 contracted almost freely. Therefore, it was confirmed that the expansion and contraction of the discharge pipe 20 was acceptable.

[0061] When glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes rotating member 50 and weight 60 (see FIG. 1), it is easier to ensure a working space for maintenance of discharge pipe 20 around the lower end of discharge pipe 20 compared to when glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes spring 40 (see FIG. 7). To ensure a larger working space, distance L1 between support portion 51 and rotation center portion 52 may be larger than distance L2 between attachment portion 53 and rotation center portion 52.

[0062] The distance L1 between the support part 51 and the rotation center part 52 is, for example, 150 mm to 1000 mm, and preferably 300 mm to 600 mm. The distance L2 between the attachment part 53 and the rotation center part 52 is, for example, 150 mm to 600 mm, and preferably 200 mm to 500 mm. The ratio (L1 / L2) is, for example, 0.8 to 3.0, preferably 1.0 to 2.0, and more preferably 1.1 to 2.0.

[0063] Next, an example of the connection mechanism 70 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include the connection mechanism 70. The connection mechanism 70 is used when the rotating member 50 is rod-shaped. The connection mechanism 70 may be provided in pair, sandwiching the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 therebetween.

[0064] The connection mechanism 70 connects the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 and the support part 51 of the rotating member 50 so as to be movable relative to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions. When the discharge pipe 20 expands and contracts in response to temperature changes, the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 and the support part 51 of the rotating member 50 can move relative to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions, allowing the rotating member 50 to rotate smoothly.

[0065] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection mechanism 70 has a long hole 71 formed in the discharge pipe 20, a horizontal pin 72 inserted into the long hole 71, a pillar 73 that horizontally supports the horizontal pin 72, and a horizontal plate 74 provided at the lower end of the pillar 73. The long hole 71 is long in the vertical direction, and a plurality of horizontal pins 72 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. This allows the lower surface of the horizontal plate 74 to be constantly kept horizontal. The support part 51 of the rotating member 50 abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal plate 74. The support part 51 pushes the lower surface of the horizontal plate 74 vertically upward, thereby pushing the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 vertically upward. The arrangement of the long hole 71 and the horizontal pin 72 may be reversed, and the long hole 71 may be provided in the pillar 73, and the horizontal pin 72 may be provided in the discharge pipe 20.

[0066] 4, the connection mechanism 70 may have a second elongated hole 75 formed in the horizontal plate 74 and a second horizontal pin 76 inserted into the second elongated hole 75. The second elongated hole 75 is long in the horizontal direction. The second horizontal pin 76 is fixed to the support part 51 of the rotating member 50. The arrangement of the second elongated hole 75 and the second horizontal pin 76 may be reversed, and the second elongated hole 75 may be provided in the support part 51 of the rotating member 50, and the second horizontal pin 76 may be provided in the horizontal plate 74.

[0067] In addition, the distance L1 between the support part 51 and the rotation center part 52 is sufficiently long compared to the elongation of the discharge pipe 20, and the change in the rotation angle of the rotating member 50 due to the elongation of the discharge pipe 20 is small. Therefore, even without the connection mechanism 70, the rotating member 50 can rotate due to the play of the rotation pair that rotatably connects the support part 51 of the rotating member 50 and the lower end of the discharge pipe 20. However, if the connection mechanism 70 is present, the rotating member 50 can rotate smoothly.

[0068] Next, an example of the link mechanism 55 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The rotating member 50 may have a link mechanism 55 instead of being rod-shaped. A pair of link mechanisms 55 may be provided sandwiching the lower end of the discharge pipe 20. The link mechanism 55 can be used not only when the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the lower end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe, but also when the discharge pipe 20 is connected to the side wall or upper end of the container 10 or the conveying pipe.

[0069] Each link mechanism 55 includes a plurality of (e.g., five) links 81-85 and one or more (e.g., six) pairs 91-96 connecting two adjacent links. Each pair 91-96 is provided at a joint between two adjacent links. Each pair 91-96 is, for example, a revolute pair. The revolute pair includes, for example, a round bar and a cylinder into which the round bar is inserted. The round bar is provided on one link and the cylinder is provided on another link, and the round bar and the cylinder connect the two adjacent links so as to be freely rotatable. The rotation center line of the revolute pair is provided parallel to the rotation center line of the rotating member 50.

[0070] Each link mechanism 55 includes, for example, a parallel link mechanism. The parallel link mechanism is composed of four links 81-84 and four pairs 91-94. A pair of upper and lower links 81, 82 are maintained parallel to each other, and a rotation center 52 is provided midway through the upper link 81. A pair of left and right links 83, 84 are maintained parallel to each other, and one link 83 forms a support portion 51 of the rotating member 50, and the other link 84 forms an attachment portion 53 of the rotating member 50.

[0071] Each link mechanism 55 may include, in addition to the parallel link mechanism described above, an intermediate link 85 and a pair of upper and lower pairs 95, 96. The upper pair 95 connects the intermediate link 85 to the upper link 81. The upper pair 95 constitutes the rotation center 52. The lower pair 96 connects the intermediate link 85 to the lower link 82. By fixing the intermediate link 85 vertically, the link 83 constituting the support portion 51 and the link 84 constituting the mounting portion 53 are always maintained vertical.

[0072] As described above, the link 83 constituting the support portion 51 is always maintained vertical. Therefore, if a horizontal plate is provided at the upper end of the link 83 and the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 is placed on the horizontal plate, the link mechanism 55 can continue to push the lower end of the discharge pipe 20 vertically upward even if the discharge pipe 20 extends or retracts. When the rotating member 50 has the link mechanism 55, it is also possible to use the connection mechanism 70 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0073] When link mechanism 55 is used, the weight of weight 60 is determined taking into consideration the weight of link mechanism 55. The weight of weight 60 is determined so that support portion 51 pushes back discharge pipe 20 vertically upward with a force similar to the gravity acting on discharge pipe 20, for example, a force that is 70% to 130% of the gravity acting on discharge pipe 20.

[0074] As an example, when a pair of link mechanisms 55 are provided on either side of the lower end of the discharge pipe 20, the total weight of the discharge pipe 20 and its accessories is 4.5 kg, L1 (see FIG. 1) is 500 mm, L2 (see FIG. 1) is 200 mm, S below is 40 mm, W1 below is 3.6 kg, and W2 below is 1.4 kg, the weight of the weight 60 is set to 15 kg. S is the distance between the rotation center line of the upper pair 95 and the rotation center line of the lower pair 96. W1 is the total weight of the parts of the pair of link mechanisms 55 on the support part 51 side with respect to the rotation center 52. W2 is the total weight of the parts of the pair of link mechanisms 55 on the attachment part 53 side with respect to the rotation center 52.

[0075] Although the glass manufacturing apparatus and the glass manufacturing method according to the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. These naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Glass manufacturing equipment 10 containers 20 Discharge pipe 50 Rotating member 51 Support part 52 Rotation center 53 Mounting part 60 weight G Molten Glass

Claims

1. a discharge pipe for discharging the molten glass from a container for storing the molten glass or a conveying pipe for conveying the molten glass; A rotating member supporting a lower end of the discharge pipe; A weight attached to the rotating member; Equipped with the discharge pipe has a discharge port at a lower end for discharging the molten glass, The rotating member has a support portion that supports a lower end portion of the discharge pipe, a rotation center portion that is a rotation center of the rotating member, and an attachment portion to which the weight is attached, The attachment portion and the support portion are provided on either side of the rotation center portion.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is rod-shaped.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a connection mechanism that connects a lower end of the discharge pipe and the support portion of the rotating member so as to be movable relative to each other in vertical and horizontal directions.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is a link mechanism including a plurality of links and one or more pairs connecting two adjacent ones of the links.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the link mechanism includes a parallel link mechanism.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the discharge pipe is connected to a lower end, a side wall portion or an upper end portion of the container or the conveying pipe.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the rotating member, a distance between the support portion and the rotation center portion is greater than a distance between the attachment portion and the rotation center portion.

8. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the discharge pipe has an orifice at the lower end.

9. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a heater for heating the discharge pipe.

10. A glass manufacturing method comprising: manufacturing glass by using the glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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