Glass manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing glass

Abstract

The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming body configured to draw a glass forming ribbon and positioned within the enclosure. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a first diffuser including a first inlet including a first inlet cross-sectional area and a first outlet including a first outlet cross-sectional area. The first outlet cross-sectional area is greater than the first inlet cross-sectional area. The first outlet is positioned within the enclosure. A method of manufacturing a glass ribbon includes flowing the glass forming ribbon. The method includes flowing a first gas through a first inlet of the first diffuser at a first average inlet velocity. The method includes flowing the first gas from the first diffuser through a first outlet of the first diffuser at a first average exit velocity. The first average inlet velocity is greater than the first average exit velocity.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 191,521, filed May 21, 2021, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods of manufacturing glass, and more particularly to glass manufacturing apparatus including a gas source and methods of manufacturing glass including a flowing gas. [Background technology]

[0003] Glass ribbons are commonly used in display applications, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), touch sensors, or photovoltaics. Such displays can be incorporated into, for example, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, watches, wearables, and / or touch-enabled monitors or displays. Glass ribbons are typically fabricated by flowing molten glass through a forming body, which can form a glass web through various ribbon-forming processes, such as slot drawing, float, down-draw, fusion down-draw, rolling, tube drawing, or up-draw. Glass ribbons can be periodically separated into individual glass ribbons. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For various applications, it is desirable to maintain one or more surfaces of the glass ribbon in a clean condition, substantially free of adhering particles and other debris. For example, adhering particles and other debris can cause unacceptable optical distortion and / or shorted electronic components on the glass ribbon for display applications. As a result, a need exists to prevent particles and other debris from adhering to the glass ribbon during the glass manufacturing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments that are described in the detailed description.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a method for manufacturing glass capable of producing a glass ribbon having one or more high-quality, clean surfaces. Flowing gas through a first diffuser can increase the enclosure pressure around (e.g., along the path of travel of) the forming device and at least a portion of the glass-forming ribbon. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce the occurrence of hydrogen bubble formation in the glass ribbon. The increased pressure can reduce gas flow counter to the direction of glass ribbon travel, e.g., hot gas rising in a down-draw forming device in the so-called "stack" or "chimney" effect. In addition, increasing the enclosure pressure can compensate for any leaks in the enclosure that could impair the quality of the glass ribbon. Reducing gas flow counter to the direction of glass ribbon travel can reduce particles and other debris carried toward the glass ribbon by such flow. The inclusion of a first diffuser in the enclosure can reduce particles and other debris in the enclosure, for example, when the glass-forming ribbon is in a viscous or viscoelastic state and is considered more susceptible to contamination. Additionally, providing a clean (e.g., class 100 or higher) gas source to provide the gas flowing through the first diffuser can reduce particles and / or debris on the surface of the glass ribbon. Providing an inert gas flowing through the first diffuser can prevent corrosion or other degradation of the glass manufacturing equipment, which can reduce impurities in the glass ribbon from such by-products. Controlling the air flow rate through the first diffuser can reduce the velocity (e.g., average velocity, maximum velocity) of the gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area and / or reduce the intensity of the gas flow that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a glass forming apparatus including a first diffuser, which may provide technical advantages. Providing a first diffuser with a first exit cross-sectional area that is larger than the corresponding first inlet cross-sectional area may reduce the velocity (e.g., average velocity, maximum velocity) of gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area, for example, to about 10% or less of the velocity of gas flowing through the first inlet cross-sectional area. The inclusion of a diffuser according to embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the maximum velocity (e.g., maximum exit velocity) of gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area, which may reduce the intensity of gas flow that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon. The inclusion of a first diffuser may enable a low pressure drop (e.g., from about 100 Pa or less) along a gas path through the first inlet and first diffuser, which has at least two 90° or greater direction changes, which may increase the efficiency of the diffuser. Providing at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more in the gas path can provide a location for positioning cooling tubes or other devices near the first diffuser without collision, which can allow efficient use of limited space within the enclosure. Additionally, the first diffuser and / or cooling tubes can be positioned within the first interior area, which can further protect the glass ribbon from the gas flow. Providing a diffuser such that the angle between the plane of travel and the direction perpendicular to the first exit cross-sectional area can be about 45° or less can help protect the glass-forming ribbon from the gas flow from the first diffuser.

[0008] In some embodiments, a glass manufacturing apparatus can include a forming body configured to draw a glass forming ribbon along a plane of advancement in a direction of advancement. At least a portion of the forming body can be positioned within an enclosure. The glass manufacturing apparatus can include a first diffuser including a first inlet having a first inlet cross-sectional area and a first outlet having a first outlet cross-sectional area. The first outlet cross-sectional area can be larger than the first inlet cross-sectional area. The first outlet can be positioned within the enclosure. A gas source can be connected to the first inlet.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the glass manufacturing apparatus can further include an inlet conduit connecting the first inlet of the first diffuser to a gas source, and the gas path defined by the inlet conduit and the first diffuser can undergo at least two changes of direction of about 90 degrees or more.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the change of direction of the at least two changes of direction can be positioned within the first diffuser.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the area ratio of the first exit cross-sectional area to the first inlet cross-sectional area may be in the range of about 2 to about 60.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser can increase smoothly from the first inlet cross-sectional area to the first outlet cross-sectional area.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the angle between the plane of advancement and a direction normal to the first exit cross-sectional area may be less than or equal to about 45°.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the enclosure area can be bounded by the enclosure and a first wall of a first housing extending into the enclosure, and the first outlet can be positioned within a first interior area bounded by at least the first wall within the first housing.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, the glass manufacturing apparatus can further include a plurality of cooling tubes, each cooling tube of the plurality of cooling tubes can include a fluid outlet within the first interior region, and each cooling tube of the plurality of tubes can be positioned to direct cooling fluid toward the plane of travel.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the first interior region can be in fluid communication with the enclosure region.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the glass manufacturing apparatus can further include a second diffuser including a second inlet including a second inlet cross-sectional area and a second outlet including a second outlet cross-sectional area larger than the second inlet cross-sectional area. The enclosure area can be further bounded by a second wall of a second housing extending into the enclosure. The second outlet can be positioned within a second interior area bounded by at least the second wall within the second housing.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the second interior region can be in fluid communication with the enclosure.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the plane of travel can pass between the first housing and the second housing.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, at least a portion of the plane of travel may be positioned within the enclosure.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the first diffuser may include a plurality of first diffusers arranged in a row extending transverse to the direction of travel.

[0022] In some embodiments, a method for producing a glass ribbon can include flowing a glass forming ribbon along a plane of travel in a direction of travel. At least a portion of the glass forming ribbon can travel within an enclosure. The glass forming ribbon can include a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The method can include flowing a first gas through a first inlet of a first diffuser at a first average inlet velocity. The method can include flowing the first gas from the first diffuser through a first outlet of the first diffuser at a first average outlet velocity. A maximum first outlet velocity of the first gas flowing through the first outlet can be about 10 meters per second or less. The first average outlet velocity can be about 2 meters per second or less. The first diffuser and at least a portion of the glass forming ribbon can be within an enclosure.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the first average exit velocity may be in a range from about 0.1 meters per second to about 1 meter per second.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the maximum first exit velocity may be in a range from about 1 meter per second to about 5 meters per second.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the angle between the first major surface and the first gas flowing through the first outlet may be less than or equal to about 45 degrees.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the first gas flowing through the first outlet of the first diffuser can flow into a first interior region bounded by at least a first wall within a first housing of a housing. The first housing can extend into an enclosure. The first gas flowing into the first interior region can increase an enclosure pressure within the enclosure region bounded by the enclosure and the first wall.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the method may further include cooling at least a portion of the first wall by flowing a first cooling fluid within the first interior region.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the method may further include flowing the second gas through a second inlet of the second diffuser at a second average inlet velocity. The method may include flowing the second gas from the second diffuser through a second outlet of the second diffuser into a second interior region at a second average outlet velocity. The second average outlet velocity may be less than the second average inlet velocity. The second interior region may be bounded by a second wall within a second housing. The second housing may extend into an enclosure. The second gas flowing into the second interior region may increase an enclosure pressure within the enclosure region.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the method may further include cooling at least a portion of the second wall by flowing a second cooling fluid within the second interior region.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the glass forming ribbon can pass between a first housing and a second housing.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the first diffuser can include a plurality of first diffusers, and a total flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first outlets of the plurality of first diffusers can be in the range of about 4 standard cubic meters per hour to about 100 standard cubic meters per hour.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the total flow rate of the first gas may be within a range from about 6 standard cubic meters per hour to about 30 standard cubic meters per hour.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, flowing the first gas through the first inlet and flowing the first gas through the first diffuser can include flowing the first gas along a gas path defined by the inlet conduit and the first diffuser. The gas path can undergo at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more. A pressure drop along the gas path can be in the range of about 1 Pascal to about 100 Pascals.

[0034] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or can be learned by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description present embodiments that are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation thereof.

[0035] These and other features, aspects, and advantages will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating features of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the diffuser of FIG. 7 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a diffuser taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of another diffuser taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diffuser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments are shown. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0038] The present disclosure relates to glass-making apparatus and methods of making glass that can be used in processes for producing glass or glass-ceramic articles (e.g., glass ribbons, ribbons of molten material) from a quantity of molten material. For example, Figures 1-2 illustrate glass-making apparatus including a down-draw apparatus (e.g., a fusion down-draw apparatus) in conjunction with producing a ribbon of molten material that can be cooled into a glass ribbon. Unless otherwise noted, descriptions of features of embodiments of glass-making apparatus are equally applicable to corresponding features of other forming apparatus used to produce glass or glass-ceramic articles. Examples of glass-forming apparatus include slot-draw apparatus, float bath apparatus, down-draw apparatus, up-draw apparatus, press-rolling apparatus, or any other glass article-making apparatus that can be used to form a glass article (e.g., glass ribbons, ribbons of molten material) from a quantity of molten material. In some embodiments, the glass article (e.g., glass ribbons, ribbons of molten material) from any of these processes can then be separated to provide multiple glass articles (e.g., separate glass ribbons, separate glass sheets) suitable for further processing into an application (e.g., a display application). For example, the separated glass ribbons can be used in a wide range of applications, including liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), touch sensors, photovoltaics, or home appliances (cooktops), etc. Such displays can be incorporated into, for example, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, watches, wearables, and / or touch-enabled monitors or displays.

[0039] 1-2 illustrate glass-making apparatus used in methods of making glass. As shown schematically in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, glass-making apparatus 100 includes a forming body 140 designed to produce a glass-forming ribbon 103 from a quantity of molten material 121. As used herein, the term "ribbon of molten material" refers to molten material 121 after it is drawn from forming body 140 and before the material reaches a glassy state (e.g., below its glass transition temperature). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , glass-forming ribbon 103 cools to become glass ribbon 106 below glass transition zone 167, which is represented schematically by a line. In some embodiments, glass-forming ribbon 103 includes a central portion 152 disposed between thicker, opposing edge portions (e.g., beads) formed along first and second outer edges 153, 155 of glass-forming ribbon 103. Additionally, in some embodiments, the glass sheet 104 can be separated from the glass ribbon 106 (e.g., a glass-forming ribbon 103 cooled below its glass transition temperature) along a separation path 151 by a glass separator 149 (e.g., a scribe, score wheel, laser).

[0040] In some embodiments, glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can provide molten material 121 to forming body 140 through an inlet conduit 141 of forming body 140. In yet other embodiments, although not shown, the inlet conduit can be fed with molten material from one or more of a melting vessel, a fining vessel, a mixing chamber, and / or a delivery vessel, which can be sequentially arranged and / or connected by one or more conduits. For example, a delivery pipe (not shown) can be positioned to deliver molten material to inlet conduit 141 of forming body 140.

[0041] Various embodiments of forming bodies can be provided in accordance with features of the present disclosure, including forming bodies having wedges for fusion draw forming a ribbon of molten material, forming bodies having slots for slot draw forming a ribbon of molten material, or forming bodies with press rolls for squeezing the ribbon of molten material from the forming body. As an example, the forming body 140 shown and disclosed below is provided for fusion draw forming molten material 121 from a bottom edge (e.g., root 145) of a forming wedge 209 to produce a glass forming ribbon 103. For example, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be delivered to the forming body 140 from an inlet conduit 141. Then, based at least in part on the configuration of the forming body 140, the molten material 121 can be formed into the glass forming ribbon 103. For example, as shown, the molten material 121 can be drawn from the root 145 of the forming body 140 along a draw path extending in the direction of travel 154 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a glass manufacturing apparatus taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the forming body 140 can include a trough 201 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet conduit 141. The forming body 140 can further include a forming wedge 209 including a pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207 a, 207 b extending between opposite ends 165, 166 (see FIG. 1 ) of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207 a, 207 b of the forming wedge 209 can converge along the advancing direction 154 and intersect along a bottom edge of the forming wedge 209 to define a root 145 of the forming body 140. An advancing plane 213 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can extend along the advancing direction 154 through the root 145. In some embodiments, the glass forming ribbon 103 can be drawn along the advancing plane 213 in the advancing direction 154. As shown, the advancing plane 213 may bisect the forming wedge 209 by the root 145 , although in some embodiments the advancing plane 213 may extend in other orientations relative to the root 145 .

[0043] Additionally, in some embodiments, molten material 121 flows into trough 201 of forming body 140 and then overflows trough 201 by simultaneously flowing over weirs 203 a, 203 b and downwardly over outer surfaces 205 a, 205 b of weirs 203 a, 203 b. Respective streams 211, 212 of molten material 121 flow along corresponding downwardly sloping converging surface portions 207 a, 207 b of forming wedge 209 and are drawn from root 145 of forming body 140, where streams 211, 212 of molten material 121 converge and fuse into glass forming ribbon 103. Glass forming ribbon 103 can then be drawn from root 145 within advancing plane 213 along advancing direction 154.

[0044] 2-3 , in some embodiments, the glass-forming ribbon 103 is drawn from a root 145 with a first major surface 213a of the glass-forming ribbon 103 and a second major surface 213b of the glass-forming ribbon 103 facing in opposite directions to define an average thickness 215 of the glass-forming ribbon 103. Exemplary molten materials can include soda-lime molten materials, aluminosilicate molten materials, alkali aluminosilicate molten materials, borosilicate molten materials, alkali borosilicate molten materials, alkali aluminophosphosilicate molten materials, or alkali aluminoborosilicate glass molten materials, with or without lithia.

[0045] 2 , glass manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an enclosure 220 including enclosure wall 223. In yet another embodiment, enclosure wall 223 may include a ceramic refractory material, such as zircon, zirconia, mullite, alumina, or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, as shown, at least a portion of forming body 140 (e.g., the entire forming body 140) may be positioned within enclosure 220. In yet another embodiment, as shown, enclosure wall 223 includes an inner surface 225 that faces forming body 140. In yet another embodiment, as shown, enclosure 220 bounds enclosure area 221. As used herein, enclosure area is an area at least partially bounded and at least partially surrounded by enclosure wall 223, although enclosure area 221 may be further bounded by other structures within or extending into the enclosure. For example, as described below, enclosure region 221 may be further bounded by first housing 230 and / or second housing 240. In yet another embodiment, as shown, at least a portion of forming body 140 (e.g., the entire forming body 140) is positioned within enclosure region 221. In yet another embodiment, as shown, a portion of advancing plane 213 and / or a portion of glass forming ribbon 103 that extends below root 145 of forming body 140 may be positioned by enclosure region 221.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the glass manufacturing system 100 includes a flow device 175. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow device 175 includes a first flow device 238 and / or a second flow device 248. The first flow device 238 and the second flow device 248 may be positioned on opposite sides of the advancing plane 213 and the glass forming ribbon 103. While two flow devices 238, 248 are shown, further embodiments may include a single flow device or more than two cooling devices. The first flow device 238 is described more fully below, with the understanding that similar discussion may apply to one or more other flow devices, such as the second flow device 248.

[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first flow device 238 can include a first gas source 239, and the second flow device 248 can include a second gas source 249. In some embodiments, the gas source can include a pump, a blower, a canister, a cartridge, a boiler, a compressor, and / or a pressure vessel. In yet other embodiments, the gas source can store gas in a gaseous state that is released in the gaseous state. In some embodiments, the gas source can store gas in a liquid and / or solid state that can be converted to be released in the gaseous state. In yet other embodiments, the released gas can include an inert gas, such as air, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, neon, krypton, and / or combinations thereof. In yet other embodiments, the gas can meet an airborne particulate cleanliness class of 100 (M3.5) or higher as measured by Federal Standard 209E. The provision of a gas source configured to emit gas can provide a flow of pressurized gas through a flow device (e.g., an inlet conduit, a diffuser) that can pressurize the enclosure area and / or reduce gas flow counter to the draw direction that could otherwise interfere with the glass forming ribbon and / or the quality of the glass ribbon. Additionally, a clean (e.g., Class 100) air source can be provided to provide air flowing through a first diffuser to reduce particles and / or debris on the surface of the glass ribbon. Providing the emitted gas as an inert gas can prevent corrosion or other degradation of the glass manufacturing equipment, which can reduce impurities in the glass ribbon due to such by-products.

[0048] 2 , the first flow device 238 can include a first inlet conduit 237 configured to allow gas to flow therethrough in the first flow direction 227. The interior cross-sectional shape of the first inlet conduit 237 can include a curvilinear shape (e.g., oval, circular), a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular, square), hexagonal, octagonal), or a combination thereof. The interior cross-sectional shape of the first inlet conduit 237 can be constant along the length of the first inlet conduit 237. The first inlet conduit 237 can include a maximum interior dimension perpendicular to the first flow direction 227 at a location along the first inlet conduit 237 that is accessible to gas flowing therethrough. For example, the largest internal dimension of the first inlet conduit 237 can be about 0.1 mm or more, 0.4 mm or more, about 1 mm or more, about 3 mm or more, about 10 mm or more, about 100 mm or less, about 70 mm or less, about 50 mm or less, about 30 mm or less, or about 20 mm or less. In some embodiments, the largest internal dimension of the first inlet conduit 237 can be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 100 mm, 0.1 mm to about 70 mm, 0.4 mm to about 70 mm, about 0.4 mm to about 50 mm, about 1 mm to about 50 mm, about 1 mm to about 30 mm, about 3 mm to about 30 mm, about 10 mm to about 30 mm, about 10 mm to about 20 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween. Similarly, the first inlet conduit 237 can include a smallest internal dimension perpendicular to the first flow direction 227 along the first inlet conduit 237 that is accessible to gas flowing therethrough. The minimum dimension of the first inlet conduit 237 can be within one or more of the ranges described above relative to the maximum internal dimension. In some embodiments, the maximum internal dimension can be substantially equal to the minimum internal dimension. The first inlet conduit 237 can be approximately 0.01 mm 2 More than 0.1mm 2 , about 0.7mm 2 More than 7mm 2 or more, about 70mm 2 Over 10,000mm 2 Below, approximately 5,000mm 2 Below, approximately 2,000mm 2 Below, approximately 1,000mm 2 Less than or equal to 300 mm 2In some embodiments, the first inlet conduit 237 may include an internal cross-sectional area accessible to gas that is perpendicular to the first flow direction 227 of less than about 0.01 mm. 2 Approximately 10,000 mm from 2 , about 0.1mm 2 Approximately 10,000 mm from 2 , about 0.1mm 2 Approximately 5,000 mm from 2 , about 0.7mm 2 Approximately 5,000 mm from 2 , about 0.7mm 2 Approximately 2,000 mm from 2 , about 7mm 2 Approximately 2,000 mm from 2 , about 7mm 2 Approximately 1,000 mm from 2 , about 70mm 2 Approximately 1,000 mm from 2 , about 70mm 2 Approximately 300 mm from 2 The inlet conduit may include an interior cross-sectional area accessible to gas perpendicular to first flow direction 227 in the range of, or any range or subrange therebetween. Providing the inlet conduit within one or more of the maximum interior dimensions and / or interior cross-sectional areas discussed above may maximize the flow rate of gas through the inlet conduit without unduly increasing the velocity of the gas within the inlet and while efficiently utilizing space.

[0049] In some embodiments, a portion of the flow device 175 (e.g., first inlet conduit 237) can comprise a material that maintains its mechanical properties and dimensional stability at the operating temperatures of the enclosure section 221. ... such as alumina, barium titanate, boron nitride (BN), chromium disilicide (CrSi), lanthanum chromate, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi), silicon carbide (SiC), tungsten disilicide (WSi), yttrium oxide, zirconia (ZrO), sialon (i.e., a combination of alumina and silicon nitride, Si 12-m-n Al m+n O n N 16-n , Si6-n Al n O n N 8-n , or Si 2-n Al n O 1+n N 2-n where m, n, and the resulting subscripts are all non-negative integers), aluminum nitride (AIN), graphite, alumina (AlO), silicon nitride (SiN), fused silica, mullite (i.e., a mineral comprising a combination of aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide), steel alloys (e.g., stainless steel), platinum, platinum alloys, rhodium, iridium, osmium, palladium, ruthenium, tungsten, molybdenum, gold, silver, chromium, high temperature stainless steel, e.g., 300 series SAE grade stainless steel, or a combination of two or more of the above materials.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first inlet conduit 237 can be in fluid communication with the first gas source 239, for example, directly connected to the first gas source (e.g., through an adapter, flow regulator). In yet other embodiments, the first inlet conduit 237 can be in fluid communication with the first gas source 239 by an additional conduit connecting the first gas source 239 to the first inlet conduit 237. The additional conduit can be flexible (e.g., rubber, silicone, cross-linked polyethylene, plasticized poly(vinyl chloride), articulated metal conduit). The provision of an additional flexible conduit allows for relative movement between the gas source and the inlet conduit and / or diffuser, for example, in directions 232a and 234a (see FIG. 2), which allows the gas source to be mounted independently of the housing.

[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-13, the first inlet conduit 237 can include a single inlet conduit connected to a single diffuser (e.g., first diffuser 235). In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the first inlet conduit can include multiple inlet conduits 237a-237c. The multiple inlet conduits 237a-237c can be connected to a single diffuser (e.g., first diffuser 235). However, the number of inlet conduits in a multiple inlet conduit configuration (as shown in FIGS. 3-4 for a single diffuser) need not be three; for example, the multiple inlet conduits can be divided among multiple diffusers when the first diffuser includes multiple first diffusers. In some embodiments, the first diffuser 235 can include substantially the same material as the first inlet conduit 237. Providing the first inlet conduit and the first diffuser with the same material can minimize warping or delamination due to differential thermal expansion.

[0052] 3-13 show close-up views of the first diffuser 235 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above with respect to the first flow device 238, the first diffuser 235 will be described more fully below with the understanding that similar discussion is also applicable to the second diffuser of the second flow device 248.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first diffuser 235 (e.g., diffuser 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 901, 1101, 1201, and / or 1301) includes a first inlet 305 configured to receive (e.g., connected to, attached to) a portion (e.g., an end) of the first inlet conduit 237 and the first gas flowing through the first inlet conduit 237. For example, the first inlet conduit 237 can connect the first inlet 305 of the first diffuser 235 to the first gas source 239. The first gas source 239 can be in fluid communication with the first diffuser 235 (e.g., first inlet 305) through the first inlet conduit 237. As shown in FIGS. 5-9 and 12-13 , the first inlet 305 of the first diffuser 235 can include a single inlet. In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figures 3-4, the first inlet of the first diffuser 235 can include multiple first inlets 305a-c, where each first inlet of the multiple first inlets 305a-c is configured to receive (e.g., connect to, attach to) a portion (e.g., an end) of a corresponding inlet conduit 237a-c. However, the number of inlets need not be one (as shown in Figures 5-9 and 12-13) or three (as shown in Figures 3-4), and the number of inlets of any one diffuser may or may not be the same as the number of inlets of another diffuser (if provided) of the same embodiment.

[0054] The first inlet 305 of the first diffuser 235 (e.g., diffusers 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 901, 1101, 1201, and / or 1301) includes an inlet cross-sectional area. Throughout this disclosure, the inlet cross-sectional area of ​​a diffuser refers to the total cross-sectional area accessible to the first gas perpendicular to the flow of the first gas through the inlet (e.g., first flow direction 227) for all inlets of the corresponding diffuser. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the inlet cross-sectional area of ​​diffuser 501 corresponds to the shaded area 507, which represents the cross-sectional area of ​​inlet 305 accessible to the first gas perpendicular to the flow of the first gas through inlet 305 (e.g., first flow direction 227). 3, the inlet cross-sectional area of ​​diffuser 301 corresponds to the sum of three shaded areas 307a, 307b, and 307c, which represent the cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding inlet 305a, 305b, or 305c accessible to the first gas perpendicular to the flow of the first gas (e.g., first flow direction 227) through the corresponding inlet 305a, 305b, or 305c. As mentioned above, inlet 305 is the location configured to receive inlet conduit 237 and / or first gas flowing therethrough, and corresponds to the location beyond which the first gas and / or inlet conduit 237 enters diffuser 235. 12 , the inlet conduit 237 can enter the diffuser 1201 through the inlet 305, where the inlet 305 and corresponding inlet cross-sectional area include the interior cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet conduit 237 where the inlet conduit 237 is received in the diffuser (e.g., expansion body 1221). In yet another embodiment, the first inlet cross-sectional area can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the interior cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet conduit 237. The cross-sectional shape of the first inlet 305 can include a curved shape (e.g., oval, circular), a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular, square), hexagonal, octagonal), or a combination thereof. The inlet 305 can include a maximum dimension 509 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gas flow (e.g., direction 227) through the inlet 305.For example, maximum dimension 509 can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the maximum internal dimension (e.g., inner diameter) of inlet conduit 237, where shaded area 507 represents a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow of the first gas through inlet 305. In such an example, shaded area 507 is π × (inner diameter / 2). 2 is approximately equal to multiplied by

[0055] First diffuser 235 (e.g., diffuser 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 901, 1101, 1201, and / or 1301) includes first outlet 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, and / or 1303. Throughout this disclosure, a first outlet corresponds to an opening in the diffuser through which a first gas exits the diffuser (e.g., into an enclosure region or a region in fluid communication with the enclosure region). First outlet 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, and / or 1303 of diffuser 235 includes a first outlet cross-sectional area. As used herein, an exit cross-sectional area is defined as an area through which a first gas can exit a diffuser, where the exit cross-sectional area is a substantially continuous area of ​​a surface interpolated from a portion of the diffuser's outer surface surrounding the exit, where the diffuser's outer surface and the interpolated surface form a combined surface that defines a closed object, and the combined surface is as smooth as possible. An area is substantially continuous if a path between one subarea and another subarea passes through no more than 0.5 mm of a portion of the diffuser, for example, by a support 505a-505d (see FIG. 5) that does not include the area. An area is continuous if a path between one subarea and another subarea can pass through the area without exiting the area. 6, the outlet cross-sectional area is the area of ​​a surface (e.g., shaded area 605) interpolated from the outer surface of diffuser 601, including the outer surface of main panel 627 of diffuser 601, end cap 631 of diffuser 601, and side panel 625 of diffuser 601. Thus, the first outlet cross-sectional area of ​​first outlet 603 corresponds to the area of ​​shaded area 605, as it is a continuous area through which the first gas can flow to exit diffuser 601, and the surface corresponding to shaded area 605 combined with the outer surface of diffuser 601 defines a closed shape and forms a smooth surface. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the outlet cross-sectional area is the area of ​​a surface interpolated from the outer surface of diffuser 501, including main panel 527, curved side panel 525, and end cap 531 connected to the remainder of diffuser 501 by supports 505a-d.As a result, the exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet 503 of the diffuser 501 comprises a substantially continuous area, as the sub-areas are separated by supports 505a-d, provided that the supports separate the sub-areas by no more than 0.5 mm (e.g., the path connecting the sub-area at the top of FIG. 5 to the sub-area at the right side of FIG. 5 passes through support 505a). In some embodiments, the exit cross-sectional shape of the first outlet can comprise a curved shape (e.g., elliptical, circular), a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular, square), hexagonal, octagonal), a curved variation of the above cross-sections, or a combination thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the exit cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 403 can comprise a rectangular cross-section. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet 303 can comprise a rectangular cross-sectional area that is curved into a non-planar shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first exit 503 can include a substantially continuous area including four rectangular cross-sections separated by supports 505a-d, where two of the rectangular cross-sections are planar and two of the rectangular cross-sections are curved in a non-planar manner such that the exit cross-sectional area includes a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional area.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first exit cross-sectional area may comprise an area within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the interior cross-sectional area of ​​the first inlet conduit 237. In some embodiments, the first exit cross-sectional area may be greater than or equal to about 10 mm 2 Above, about 100mm 2 , about 300mm 2 Above, approximately 600 mm 2 Over 1,000mm 2 Over 3,000mm 2 Over 100,000mm 2 Below, approximately 60,000mm 2 Below, approximately 30,000mm 2 Below, approximately 10,000mm 2 Less than or equal to 5,000 mm 2 In some embodiments, the first exit cross-sectional area can be about 10 mm 2 From approximately 100,000 mm 2 , about 10mm 2Approximately 60,000 mm 2 , approximately 100 mm 2 Approximately 60,000 mm 2 , approximately 100 mm 2 Approximately 30,000 mm from 2 , about 300mm 2 Approximately 30,000 mm from 2 , about 300mm 2 Approximately 10,000 mm from 2 , approximately 600 mm 2 Approximately 10,000 mm from 2 , approximately 600 mm 2 Approximately 5,000 mm from 2 , approximately 1,000 mm 2 Approximately 5,000 mm from 2 , approximately 3,000 mm 2 Approximately 5,000 mm from 2 or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0057] In some embodiments, the outlet cross-sectional area can correspond to one or more rectangular areas. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the length 312 or 512 of the outlet 303 or 503 or outlet cross-sectional area can be substantially equal to the width 311 or 511 of the diffuser 301 or 501. In yet other embodiments, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the length 409 or 609 of the outlet 403 or 603 or outlet cross-sectional area can be less than the width 411 or 611 of the diffuser 401 or 601. The length of the outlet, as a percentage of the diffuser width, can be about 50% or more, about 75% or more, about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 99% or less, about 95% or less, or about 90% or less. In some embodiments, the length of the outlet, as a percentage of the width of the diffuser, can be in the range of about 50% to about 99%, about 75% to about 99%, about 75% to about 95%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, about 85% to about 90%, or any range or subrange therebetween. The length and / or width of the outlet can be about 1 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 10 mm, about 20 mm or more, about 40 mm or more, about 500 mm or less, about 200 mm or less, about 100 mm or less, about 80 mm or less, or about 60 mm or less. In some embodiments, the length of the outlet can be in the range of about 1 mm to about 500 mm, about 5 mm to about 500 mm, about 5 mm to about 200 mm, about 10 mm to about 200 mm, about 10 mm to about 100 mm, about 20 mm to about 100 mm, about 20 mm to about 80 mm, about 40 mm to about 80 mm, about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 5-6, the outlet 303, 503, or 603 includes a width 313, 513, or 613 that can be less than the corresponding length 312, 512, or 609. In yet other embodiments, the width of the outlet can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the length of the outlet.

[0058] The first outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser is greater than the first inlet cross-sectional area. In some embodiments, the area ratio of the first outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser to the first inlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser can be about 1.01 or greater, about 1.1 or greater, about 1.5 or greater, about 2 or greater, about 4 or greater, about 8 or greater, about 12 or greater, about 100 or less, about 60 or less, about 40 or less, about 30 or less, or about 20 or less. In some embodiments, the area ratio of the first exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser to the first inlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser can be in the range from about 1.01 to about 100, from about 1.10 to about 100, from about 1.1 to about 60, from about 1.5 to about 60, from about 1.5 to about 60, from about 2 to about 60, from about 2 to about 40, from about 4 to about 40, from about 4 to about 30, from about 8 to about 30, from about 8 to about 20, from about 16 to about 20, or any range or subrange therebetween. In some embodiments, the area ratio of the first exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser to the first inlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser can be in the range from about 8 to about 40, from about 16 to 40, or any range or subrange therebetween. Having an area ratio greater than 1 can reduce the velocity of gas exiting the diffuser (e.g., outlet), which can reduce the intensity of gas flows that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon.

[0059] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the exit cross-sectional area of ​​the first exit can include a direction 315 normal to the exit cross-sectional area. As used herein, a direction normal to a plane is defined by the cross product of the vectors that define the plane. As used herein, a direction normal to a non-planar surface is calculated from a planar approximation of the surface at a location on the surface that is closest to the centroid of the surface. As used herein, the centroid of a surface is the geometric center of the surface, calculated as the average position of the surface. Throughout this disclosure, the point on the surface that is closest to a location is referred to as the Euclidean distance in three dimensions (e.g., √(Δx 2 +Δy 2 +Δz 2)). For example, with reference to FIG. 3, direction 315 normal to the first exit cross-sectional area of ​​first outlet 303 is normal to a planar approximation of the plane at location 314 on the plane of the first exit cross-sectional area that is closest to the center of gravity of the first exit cross-sectional area. When two or more points on the first exit cross-sectional area are equidistant from the center of gravity, the direction normal to the plane is measured from the point on the plane that is most central on the first exit cross-sectional area (i.e., the pair of distances from the edge of the exit cross-sectional area to the point is most similar). For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the area between supports 505a and 505b is substantially cylindrical, and direction 517 normal to the area is determined at point 516 because point 516 is most central to the corresponding area, even though a series of points are equidistant from the center of gravity of the sub-areas. As shown in FIG. 5, a sub-area of ​​first exit cross-sectional area of ​​outlet 503 can include direction 517 normal to the sub-area. 5 , the direction normal to the first exit cross-sectional area can be both the illustrated direction 315 and another direction directly opposite direction 315. Throughout this disclosure, the direction between the plane normal and the plane is defined as an angle between 0° and 90°, with angles greater than or less than the 0° to 90° range being obtained by subtracting or adding multiples of 180°, respectively (e.g., |Θ|, |180°-Θ|, |Θ-180°|). The angle between the plane of advance 213 and the direction normal to the first exit cross-sectional area 315 can be about 45° or less, about 30° or less, about 20° or less, or about 0° or more, about 5° or more, or about 10° or more. In some embodiments, the angle between the traveling plane 213 and the direction 315 normal to the first outlet cross-sectional area can be in the range of about 0° to about 45°, about 0° to about 30°, about 5° to about 30°, about 5° to about 20°, about 10° to about 20°, or any range or subrange therebetween. The angle between the direction 315 normal to a sub-area of ​​the first outlet cross-sectional area and the traveling plane 213 can be within one or more of the above-mentioned angles. For example, each sub-area of ​​the first outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser can include an angle between the direction 315 normal to a corresponding sub-area of ​​the first outlet cross-sectional area and the traveling plane 213 within one or more of the above-mentioned angles.Providing a low angle between the direction perpendicular to the exit cross-sectional area and the advancing plane 213 can reduce impingement of the gas flow from the first diffuser 235 on the advancing plane 213 and / or the glass forming ribbon 103 (e.g., the first major surface 213a).

[0060] Throughout this disclosure, the velocity profile of the first gas flowing through the first outlet (e.g., first outlet cross-sectional area) of the first diffuser can be assessed by measuring the gas velocity multiple times at different orientations and / or positions relative to the first outlet (e.g., first outlet cross-sectional area) of the first diffuser, for example, using a mass flow meter (e.g., a thermal mass flow meter, a Pitot tube flow meter, a Coriolis mass flow meter). The direction of the first gas flowing through the first outlet (e.g., the first outlet cross-sectional area) can be calculated as the average velocity-weighted direction of the first gas flowing through the first outlet. For example, with reference to FIG. 3 , the velocity profile of the first gas flowing through first outlet 303 is expected to be substantially symmetric along the direction of outlet length 312 due to the symmetry of diffuser 301 and / or first outlet 303, meaning that the direction (e.g., average direction) of the first gas flowing through the first outlet is direction 315. In some embodiments, the direction of the first gas flowing through the first outlet (e.g., first outlet cross-sectional area) can be evaluated as two diametrically opposed directions, as expected for diffuser 501 shown in FIG. 5 , in which case the average velocity-weighted direction (e.g., first outlet cross-sectional area) through outlet 503 is expected to be zero. In some embodiments, multiple directions can be reported for the first gas flowing through the first outlet (e.g., first outlet cross-sectional area) by dividing the first outlet cross-sectional area into multiple sub-areas and then calculating the average velocity-weighted direction of the first gas through the corresponding sub-directions. In yet other embodiments, the angle between first major surface 213 a (e.g., advancing plane 213) of glass forming ribbon 103 and the direction of the first gas flowing through the first outlet can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the angle between a direction normal to the first outlet and the advancing plane.The provision of an end cap (e.g., end cap 331, 431, 531, 631, 731, 931, 1131, 1231, and / or 1331) can change the direction of the first gas flowing through the first diffuser so that the direction of the first gas flowing through the first diffuser forms a low angle with the advancing plane 213 and / or the glass forming ribbon 103 (e.g., first major surface 213a), and can reduce the first gas flow from impinging on the advancing plane 213 and / or the glass forming ribbon 103.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first exit cross-sectional area can be composed entirely of gas. However, in some embodiments, the first exit cross-sectional area can include a porous component, such as a porous metal filter or a porous ceramic filter, that can further diffuse the first gas passing therethrough. Exemplary embodiments of materials for the porous component include stainless steel (e.g., 300 series SAE grade stainless steel), titanium, alumina, mullite, and silicon carbide. In yet other embodiments, the porous component, when present, is permeable to the first gas and can include an effective pore size of about 1 micrometer (μm) or more, about 5 μm or more, about 30 μm or more, about 60 μm or more, about 500 μm or less, about 200 μm or less, or about 100 μm or less. As used herein, the effective pore size of the porous component is measured as the average pore size by capillary flow porometry in accordance with ASTM F316-03(2019) as applied to the porous component. In yet another embodiment, the porous component is permeable to the first gas and can include an effective pore size in the range of 1 μm to about 500 μm, about 1 μm to about 200 μm, about 5 μm to about 200 μm, about 5 μm to about 100 μm, about 30 μm to about 100 μm, about 60 μm to about 100 μm, or any range or subrange therebetween. The inclusion of a porous component can improve the cleanliness of the first gas flowing through the diffuser outlet and can further reduce airflow.

[0062] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4 , the diffuser 301 or 401 can include a main body 323 or 423 having a first inlet (e.g., multiple first inlets 305 a-c) and a first outlet 303 or 403. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the diffuser 301 perpendicular to the direction 227 of the first gas flowing through the inlets can be substantially constant. As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the diffuser can be similar to (e.g., identical to, scaled) the shape of the end cap 331. The cross-sectional area of ​​the diffuser perpendicular to the direction 227 of the first gas flowing through the inlets can include a curved shape (e.g., elliptical, circular), a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular, square), hexagonal, octagonal), or a combination thereof. For example, as shown in Figures 3-4, the cross-sectional area can include a rounded polygon (e.g., a rectangle) having an upper portion defined by a flat main panel 321 or 421 and a curved side panel 319 or 419, while the bottom portion is also curved due to the curved side panel 319 or 419.

[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 , the diffuser 501 or 601 can include an extension body 521 or 621 connecting the inlet 305 to the main body 523 or 623 of the diffuser 501 or 601. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the extension body 521 perpendicular to the direction 227 of the first gas through the inlet 305 can increase (e.g., smoothly increasing, monotonically increasing, smoothly monotonically increasing, continuously increasing, smoothly continuously increasing) as the distance from the inlet increases, for example, from the first inlet cross-sectional area (e.g., the first inlet 305) to the first outlet cross-sectional area (e.g., the first outlet 503 or 603). For example, as the cross-sectional area of ​​the extension body increases in the direction of the first gas through the inlet, the outlet cross-sectional area is greater than the inlet cross-sectional area. Throughout this disclosure, the cross-sectional area increases smoothly in that direction when the change in cross-sectional area is smooth (e.g., gradual) rather than abrupt (e.g., step-like). For example, with reference to FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion body 521 increases smoothly in direction 227 because the cross-sectional area increases in direction 227 for a portion of the length of the expansion body 521 and increases gradually without any abrupt changes. Throughout this disclosure, a cross-sectional area monotonically increases in a direction if the cross-sectional area increases in some portions and remains the same for the remaining portions, increases, or a combination thereof (i.e., the cross-sectional area increases in a direction but never decreases). For example, with reference to FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion body 521 monotonically increases in direction 227 because it increases in direction 227 throughout the entire length of the expansion body 521 and increases without ever decreasing. Throughout this disclosure, a cross-sectional area increases continuously if it only increases in that direction. For example, with reference to FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion body 521 increases in direction 227 throughout the entire length of the expansion body 521 and increases continuously in direction 227.

[0064] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7-8 and 12-13, the diffuser 701, 1201, or 1301 can include an extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 that connects the inlet 305 to the main body 723, 1223, or 1323 of the diffuser 701, 1201, or 1301. Unlike Figures 5-6, the extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 in Figures 7-8 or 12-13 extends in a direction 711, 1211, or 1311 at an angle of approximately 90° from the direction 227 of the first gas passing through the inlet 305, although other angles are possible in further embodiments. However, similar to FIGS. 5-6, the extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 includes a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction 711, 1211, or 1311 of the first gas passing through the extension body 721, 1221, or 1321, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12-13, which cross-sectional area increases substantially continuously in the direction 711, 1211, or 1311 (e.g., toward the outlet 703, 1203, or 1303). Unlike FIGS. 5-6, the extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 of FIGS. 7-8 or 12-13 extends in the direction 711, 1211, or 1311 at an angle of approximately 90° from the direction 713, 1213, or 1313 of the first gas flowing through the main body 723, 1223, or 1323, although other angles are possible. Because the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body 723, 1223, or 1323 is shown as substantially constant (see Figure 8 or Figures 12-13), and the cross-sectional area of ​​the extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 increases substantially continuously (as described above, see Figures 8 or Figures 12-13), the cross-sectional area of ​​the diffuser 701, 1201, or 1301 generally increases substantially continuously along the direction of the first gas (e.g., directions 227, 711, and 713, directions 227, 1211, and 1213, or directions 227, 1311, and 1313) from the inlet 305 (e.g., inlet cross-sectional area) to the outlet 703, 1203, or 1303 (e.g., outlet cross-sectional area). As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 723 can include guides 801a and 801b, such as the baffles shown, which can provide a substantially continuously expanding cross-sectional area within the main body 723 accessible to the first gas.Any of the main bodies of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention described herein (e.g., main bodies 323, 423, 523, 623, 1223, or 1323) can optionally include guides similar to or identical to guides 801 a and 801 b. As shown in FIG. 12, inlet conduit 237 can extend through inlet 305 of diffuser 1201 and inner conduit 1225.

[0065] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-11 , the diffuser 901 or 1101 can include a main body 923. As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body 923 perpendicular to the direction 913 of the first gas flowing through it can be substantially constant. However, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body 923 does not increase, the diffuser 901 cannot extend substantially continuously in the direction 913 of the first gas flowing therethrough. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , the diffuser 1101 can include a pair of guides 1105 and 1107 (e.g., similar to guides 801 a and 801 b in FIG. 8 ), such as the illustrated baffles. The pair of guides 1105 and 1107 can be attached to corresponding portions of the wall 921. The provision of a pair of wall-mounted guides, such as the illustrated baffles, can provide a cross-sectional area of ​​the body accessible to the first gas that expands in the direction of the first gas (e.g., toward the outlet) through the main body, which can reduce the occurrence of vortices and / or violent gas flows. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the diffuser 901 can include a flow divider 1003 positioned within the main body 923, such as the illustrated baffles. The flow divider can be positioned along the centerline of the main body. It is understood that any embodiment of the present disclosure can include a diffuser that includes a main body with a flow divider positioned therein. The provision of a flow divider can encourage the first gas flowing through the main body to expand and flow evenly out the diffuser outlet.

[0066] In some embodiments, the main body (e.g., main body 323, 423, 523, 623, 723, 923, 1223, or 1323) and / or the extension body (e.g., extension body 521, 621, 721, 1221, or 1321) can include a cross-sectional area that includes a curved shape (e.g., oval, circular), a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular, square), hexagonal, octagonal), or a combination thereof. The main body (e.g., main body 423 or 735) can include a length (e.g., length 417) of about 5 mm or more, about 20 mm or more, about 40 mm or more, about 80 mm or more, about 100 mm or more, about 120 mm or more, about 2,000 mm or less, about 1,000 mm or less, about 400 mm or less, about 300 mm or less, about 200 mm or less, or about 150 mm or less in the direction (e.g., direction 227 or 713) of the first gas moving through the main body (e.g., main body 423 or 723). In yet another embodiment, the main body (e.g., main body 423 or 723) can include a length (e.g., length 417 or 735) in the range of about 5 mm to about 2,000 mm, about 5 mm to about 1,000 mm, about 20 mm to about 1,000 mm, about 20 mm to about 400 mm, about 40 mm to about 400 mm, about 40 mm to about 200 mm, about 80 mm to about 200 mm, about 80 mm to about 150 mm, about 100 mm to about 150 mm, about 120 mm to about 150 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween in the direction of the first gas moving through the main body (e.g., main body 423 or 723) (e.g., direction 227 or 713). In yet another embodiment, the main body (e.g., main body 323, 423, 523, 623, 723, 923, 1223, or 1323) can include a width (e.g., width 311, 411, 511, or 611) and / or length (e.g., length 417 or 735) perpendicular to the direction of the first gas moving through the body (e.g., direction 227, 713, 913, 1213, or 1313) of about 1 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 10 mm or more, about 20 mm or more, about 100 mm or less, about 60 mm or less, or about 40 mm or less.In yet another embodiment, the main body can include a width and / or length in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first gas moving through the main body, ranging from about 1 mm to about 100 mm, about 5 mm to 100 mm, about 5 mm to about 60 mm, about 10 mm to about 60 mm, about 20 mm to about 60 mm, about 20 mm to about 40 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween. The extension body (e.g., extension body 521, 621, 721, 1221, or 1321) can include a length (e.g., length 715) in the direction of the first gas flowing therethrough (e.g., direction 227, 711, 1211, or 1311) that is within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the length of the main body. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, at least a portion of the first diffuser 235 can be positioned within the enclosure 220. In yet another embodiment, the first outlet of the first diffuser 235 may be positioned within the enclosure 220 .

[0067] Throughout this disclosure, a gas path can be defined by the inlet conduit 237 and first diffuser 235 as a path that gas travels through corresponding structures, including outlets. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3-6, the gas path can be substantially straight through the inlet conduit 237 or 237a-c and the diffuser 301, 401, 501, or 601 until the gas reaches the outlet 303, 403, 503, or 603. In yet another embodiment, as shown, the end cap 331, 431, 531, or 631 and the outlet 303, 403, 503, or 603 can accommodate a change in direction of the first gas from within the main body (e.g., direction 227) until it passes through the outlet 303, 403, 503, or 603 (e.g., direction 315). As used herein, a change in direction of the gas refers to the angle between the initial direction of the gas and the final direction of the gas along a portion of the gas path. As defined above with respect to the direction of gas flowing through the first outlet, the direction of the gas at a location refers to the average velocity-weighted direction of the gas at the corresponding location along the gas path. In some embodiments, the change in direction of the first gas from within the main body (e.g., direction 227) to through the outlet 303, 403, 503, or 603 (e.g., direction 315) can be about 45° or more, about 60° or more, about 75° or more, about 85° or more, about 90°, about 135° or less, about 120° or less, about 105° or less, or about 95° or less. In some embodiments, the change in direction of the first gas from within the main body (e.g., direction 227) to through the outlet 303, 403, 503, or 603 (e.g., direction 315) can be in the range of about 45° to about 135°, about 60° to about 120°, about 75° to about 105°, about 85° to about 95°, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0068] 7, 9, and 12-13, the gas path 709, 909, 1209, and / or 1309 can include at least one change of direction, e.g., a change of direction of about 90° or more (e.g., about 90°). For example, the gas path can include a change from the direction of the first gas 713, 913, 1213, or 1313 within the main body 723, 923, 1223, or 1313 to the direction 315 through the first outlet 703, 903, 1203, or 1303. In yet another embodiment, the gas path 709, 909, 1209, and / or 1309 can include at least two changes of direction, as shown. In yet another embodiment, the gas path 709, 909, 1209, and / or 1309 can include at least two changes of direction of about 90 degrees or more (e.g., about 90 degrees), such as (i) a first gas direction 713, 913, 1213, or 1313 within the main body 723, 923, 1223, or 1313 through the first outlet 703, 903, 1203, or 1303; 7 and 12-13 , the at least two direction changes can be positioned using diffuser 701, 1201, or 1301, as described above as direction change (ii). In yet another embodiment, gas path 709, 909, 1209, and / or 1309 can include at least three direction changes.In some embodiments, the gas path 709, 909, 1209, and / or 1309 can include at least three changes of direction of 90 degrees or more (e.g., about 90 degrees), such as (i) from the first gas direction 713, 913, 1213, or 1313 in the main body 723, 923, 1223, or 1313 to the first gas direction 315 through the first outlet 703, 903, 1203, or 1303, (ii) from the extension body 721, 1221, or 1313 at or around the location 707, 907, 1207, or 1307, and (iii) a change in direction from direction 227 of the first gas in inlet conduit 237 at or around location 705, 905, 1205, or 1305 to direction 711, 1211, or 1311 in extension body 721, 1221, or 1321 or direction 911 in inlet conduit 237. The provision of a change in direction of about 90° or more relative to the gas path can reduce the likelihood that gas flow from the first gas flowing through the outlet of the diffuser will impair the quality of the glass forming ribbon. 7, the displacement 717 of the gas path 709 from the inlet conduit 237 to the outlet 703 can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above with respect to the length of the extension body. Providing at least two directional changes of about 90° or more allows for a displacement of the diffuser (e.g., in the direction of travel 154), which can, for example, facilitate efficient use of limited space within the housing containing the first diffuser and the plurality of cooling tubes and / or reduce the possibility that gas flow from the gas flowing through the diffuser outlet will impair the quality of the glass-forming ribbon.

[0069] 2 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include a first housing 230 including a first wall 233 positioned within the enclosure 220. As shown, the first housing 230 can further bound the enclosure area 221, for example, along dashed line 236 extending from the top of the first wall 233, the first wall 233, and dashed line 226 extending from the bottom of the first wall 233. In yet another embodiment, the first housing 230 can surround and / or bound a first interior area 231, for example, as an area within the first wall 233 (e.g., the area bounded by the first wall 233 and dashed line 226). A first diffuser 235 can be positioned within the first interior area 231. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a first outlet and / or first inlet conduit 237 of the first diffuser 235 can be positioned within the first interior area 231. As shown by arrow 222, first interior region 231 can be in fluid communication with enclosure region 221. First housing 230 can be configured to translate in directions 232a and / or 234a to increase and / or decrease the distance of first housing 230 from plane of travel 213 (e.g., glass forming ribbon 103).

[0070] 2 , the flow device 175 (e.g., the first flow device 238) can optionally include multiple cooling tubes 255. The multiple cooling tubes 255 can be positioned within the first housing 230 (e.g., within the first interior region 231). The cooling tubes of the multiple cooling tubes 255 can be configured to emit a cooling fluid through corresponding outlets 257 in a direction 256 toward the traveling plane 213 (e.g., the glass forming ribbon 103). The cooling fluid can include a temperature that is lower than the operating temperature of the enclosure region 211. In some embodiments, the multiple cooling tubes 255 can be configured to flow a cooling fluid within the first interior region 231, thereby cooling the first housing 230 at the first wall 233. As shown, a cooling source 259 can be configured to provide a cooling fluid to the multiple cooling tubes 255. The cooling source 259 can include one or more of the gases discussed above with respect to the first gas source 239. The second diffuser 245 may be positioned downstream of the plurality of cooling tubes 255 along the direction of travel 154, but in yet other embodiments may be positioned upstream of or at the same location as the plurality of cooling tubes along the direction of travel.

[0071] In some embodiments, the diffuser 235 of the flow device 175 (e.g., first flow device 238) can include multiple first diffusers, while in other embodiments, it can comprise a single diffuser. The number of first diffusers in the plurality can be, for example, 2 or more, 4 or more, 8 or more, 16 or more, 128 or less, 80 or less, 60 or less, or about 32 or less, such as from about 2 to about 128, from about 4 to about 128, from about 4 to about 80, from about 4 to about 60, from about 8 to about 60, from about 8 to about 32, from about 16 to about 32, or any range or subrange therebetween. Each diffuser in the plurality of first diffusers can be connected to a respective first gas source (e.g., first gas source 239), for example, by a respective inlet conduit (e.g., first inlet conduit 237). In some embodiments, one or more diffusers in the plurality of first diffusers can be connected to the same first gas source. A plurality of first diffusers may be arranged in a first row (e.g., in the direction of the width "W" of the glass forming ribbon 103, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of travel 154 extending along the in / out of page direction of FIG. 2).

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , the flow device 175 can include a second flow device 248 having a second diffuser 245. The second diffuser 245 can include one or more of the diffusers described above or variations thereof. For example, the second diffuser 245 can include one or more of the materials discussed above with respect to the first diffuser 235. The second diffuser 245 can include a main body including a length, width, and / or thickness within one or more of the ranges discussed above with respect to the corresponding dimensions of the first diffuser 235. The second diffuser 245 can include a second outlet including a second outlet cross-sectional area and a second inlet including a second inlet cross-sectional area, where the second outlet cross-sectional area can be larger than the second inlet cross-sectional area. In yet another embodiment, the second diffuser 245 can include an area ratio of the second outlet cross-sectional area to the second inlet cross-sectional area within one or more of the ranges discussed above with respect to the area ratio of the first diffuser 235. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second diffuser can increase substantially continuously (e.g., continuously increase) from the second inlet cross-sectional area to the second outlet cross-sectional area (e.g., along the gas path). In yet another embodiment, the angle between the traveling plane 213 (e.g., the first major surface 213a of the glass forming ribbon) and a direction normal to the first outlet cross-sectional area can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the corresponding angle of the first diffuser 235. The second diffuser 245 can be connected to a second inlet conduit 247. The second inlet conduit 247 can include one or more of the materials discussed above for the first inlet conduit 237. The second conduit can include a maximum internal dimension, a minimum internal dimension, and / or a cross-sectional area within one or more of the corresponding ranges of the first inlet conduit 237. In some embodiments, a second gas path can be defined by the second inlet conduit 247 and the second diffuser 245. The second gas path can be substantially linear or can include at least one change in direction. For example, the second gas path can include at least one change in direction of about 90 degrees or more, at least two changes in direction of about 90 degrees or more, or at least three changes in direction of about 90 degrees or more, as described above.In yet another embodiment, the second diffuser 245 can be in fluid communication with (e.g., connected to) a second gas source 249 that provides a second gas. The cooling source 259 can include one or more of the structures discussed above with respect to the first gas source 239. The second gas can include one or more of the materials of the first gas.

[0073] 2 , glass manufacturing apparatus 100 (e.g., flow device 175, second flow device 248) can include a second housing 240 including a second wall 243 positioned within enclosure 220. As shown, second housing 240 can further bound enclosure area 221, for example, along dashed line 246 extending from the top of second wall 243, second wall 243, and dashed line 246 extending from the bottom of second wall 243. In some embodiments, second housing 240 can surround and / or bound second interior area 241, for example, as an area within second wall 243 (e.g., the area bounded by second wall 243 and dashed line 246). As shown, second diffuser 245 can be positioned within second interior area 241. At least a portion of second outlet and / or second inlet conduit 247 of second diffuser 245 can be positioned within second interior region 241. Second interior region 241 can be in fluid communication with enclosure region 221, as shown by arrow 224. In yet another embodiment, second housing 240 can be configured to translate in directions 232b and / or 234b to increase and / or decrease the distance of second housing 240 from plane of travel 213 (e.g., glass forming ribbon 103). Plane of travel 213 can pass between first housing 230 and second housing 240.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2 , the flow device 175 (e.g., the first flow device 238) can optionally include a plurality of second cooling tubes 265. As shown, the plurality of second cooling tubes 265 can be positioned within the second housing 240 (e.g., within the second interior region 241). One or more of the plurality of second cooling tubes 265 can be configured to emit a cooling fluid through a corresponding outlet 267 in a direction 266 toward the traveling plane 213 (e.g., the glass forming ribbon 103). The second cooling fluid can include a temperature that is lower than the operating temperature of the enclosure region 221. The plurality of cooling tubes 265 can be configured to flow the second cooling fluid within the second interior region 241 to cool the second housing 240 at a location on the second wall 243. As shown, a second cooling source 269 can be configured to provide a cooling fluid to (e.g., through) the plurality of second cooling tubes 265. The second cooling source 269 can include one or more of the gases discussed above with respect to the first gas source 239. In some embodiments, the second diffuser 245 can be positioned downstream of the plurality of second cooling tubes 265 along the direction of travel 154, while in yet other embodiments, the second diffuser 245 can be positioned upstream of or co-located with the plurality of cooling tubes along the direction of travel.

[0075] In some embodiments, the diffuser 245 of the flow device 175 (e.g., second flow device 248) can include multiple second diffusers, while in other embodiments, it can comprise a single diffuser. The number of the multiple second diffusers can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the number of the multiple first diffusers. In other embodiments, each diffuser of the multiple second diffusers can be connected to a respective second gas source (e.g., second gas source 249), for example, by a respective inlet conduit (e.g., second inlet conduit 247). One or more of the multiple second diffusers can be connected to the same second gas source. In some embodiments, the multiple second diffusers can be arranged in a second row (e.g., perpendicular to the direction of the width "W" of the glass forming ribbon 103, i.e., the direction of the traveling direction 154 extending along the into / out of the page in FIG. 2 ).

[0076] The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 of embodiments of the present invention can be used in a method of manufacturing glass. The method can include flowing a glass forming ribbon 103 along a traveling direction 154, as shown in FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the glass forming ribbon 103 can be within an enclosure area 221 bounded by an enclosure 220. In some embodiments, the method can include flowing a first gas through a first inlet conduit 237 and through a first inlet 305 of the first diffuser 235 into the first diffuser 235. The first gas flowing through the first inlet 305 of the first diffuser 235 comprises a first average inlet velocity. The first average inlet velocity can be about 0.5 meters per second (m / s) or greater, about 1 m / s or greater, about 2 m / s or greater, about 3 m / s or greater, about 50 m / s or less, about 25 m / s or less, about 10 m / s or less, about 8 m / s or less, or about 5 m / s or less. In some embodiments, the first average inlet velocity can be in the range from about 0.1 m / s to about 50 m / s, from about 0.5 m / s to about 50 m / s, from about 0.5 m / s to about 25 m / s, from about 1 m / s to about 25 m / s, from about 1 m / s to about 10 m / s, from about 2 m / s to about 10 m / s, from about 2 m / s to about 8 m / s, from about 3 m / s to about 8 m / s, from about 3 m / s to about 5 m / s, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0077] The method may also include flowing the first gas from the first diffuser 235 through a first outlet (e.g., outlets 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, or 1303) of the first diffuser 235. The first gas flowing through the first outlet comprises a first average exit velocity. In some embodiments, the first average inlet velocity may be greater than the first average exit velocity. The first average exit velocity may be about 0.01 m / s or greater, about 0.05 m / s or greater, about 0.1 m / s or greater, about 0.2 m / s or greater, about 0.3 m / s or greater, about 0.4 m / s or greater, about 2 m / s or less, about 1.8 m / s or less, about 1.5 m / s or less, or about 1 m / s or less, about 0.8 m / s or less, or about 0.6 m / s or less. In some embodiments, the first average exit velocity may be in the range from about 0.01 m / s to about 2 m / s, from about 0.01 m / s to about 1.7 m / s, from about 0.05 m / s to about 1.7 m / s, from about 0.05 m / s to about 1.5 m / s, from about 0.1 m / s to about 1.5 m / s, from about 0.1 m / s to about 1 m / s, from about 0.2 m / s to about 1 m / s, from about 0.2 m / s to about 0.8 m / s, from about 0.3 m / s to about 0.8 m / s, from about 0.3 m / s to about 0.6 m / s, from about 0.4 m / s to about 0.6 m / s, or any range or subrange therebetween. The first gas flowing through the first outlet comprises a first maximum exit velocity of about 0.5 m / s or more, about 1 m / s or more, about 2 m / s or more, about 3 m / s or more, about 10 m / s or less, about 8 m / s or less, about 5 m / s or less, or about 4 m / s or less. In some embodiments, the first maximum exit velocity can be in the range of about 0.5 m / s to about 10 m / s, about 0.5 m / s to about 8 m / s, about 1 m / s to about 8 m / s, about 1 m / s to about 5 m / s, about 2 m / s to about 5 m / s, about 2 m / s to about 4 m / s, about 3 m / s to about 4 m / s, or any range or subrange therebetween. The inclusion of a diffuser according to embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the maximum velocity (e.g., maximum exit velocity) of the gas flowing through the first outlet cross-sectional area, which can reduce the intensity of the first gas flow, which may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon.

[0078] Flowing the first gas into the first inlet conduit 237 to cause the first gas to flow to the first diffuser 235 can include flowing the first gas along a gas path defined by the inlet conduit 237 and the first diffuser 235. In some embodiments, as described above in connection with FIGS. 7-13 , the first gas flowing along the gas path and / or the gas path can include at least one change of direction within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the gas path, e.g., at least one change of direction of about 90° or more, at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more, or at least three changes of direction of about 90° or more. The first gas can experience a pressure drop along the gas path from the beginning of the gas path to the end of the gas path at the outlet of the diffuser. As used herein, gas pressure can be measured using a barometer, e.g., a manometer, an aneroid gauge (e.g., a Bourdon gauge, a diaphragm, a bellows, a magnetically coupled gauge), and / or a piezoresistive pressure sensor. The pressure drop experienced along a gas path that includes at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more (e.g., about 90°) can be about 0.1 Pascals (Pa) or more, about 1 Pa or more, about 10 Pa or more, about 20 Pa or more, about 30 Pa or more, about 40 Pa or more, about 200 Pa or less, about 150 Pa or less, about 100 Pa or less, about 80 Pa or less, about 60 Pa or less, or about 50 Pa or less. In some embodiments, the pressure drop experienced along a gas path including at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more can be in the range of about 0.1 Pa to about 200 Pa, about 0.1 Pa to about 150 Pa, about 1 Pa to about 150 Pa, about 1 Pa to about 100 Pa, about 10 Pa to about 100 Pa, about 10 Pa to about 80 Pa, about 20 Pa to about 80 Pa, about 20 Pa to about 60 Pa, about 30 Pa to about 60 Pa, about 30 Pa to about 50 Pa, about 40 Pa to about 50 Pa, or any range or subrange therebetween. The inclusion of a first diffuser can enable a low pressure drop (e.g., about 100 Pa or less) along a gas path through the first inlet and first diffuser with at least two changes of direction of 90° or more, which can increase the efficiency of the diffuser.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first gas flowing through an outlet of the first diffuser 235 (e.g., outlets 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, or 1303) may flow within the enclosure 220. As shown in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the first diffuser 235 (e.g., the entire first diffuser and / or the outlet of the first diffuser) may be positioned within the enclosure 220. For example, the first diffuser 235 may be positioned within the enclosure region 221, in which case the first gas flowing through the outlet of the first diffuser 235 flows directly into the enclosure region 221. The first diffuser 235 may be positioned in a first interior region 231 bounded within the first wall 233 of the first housing 230. For example, the first gas flowing through the outlet of the first diffuser 235 can flow into the enclosure region 221 by entering the first interior region 231 and then flowing into the enclosure region 221, because the first interior region 231 can be in fluid communication with the enclosure region 221. Flowing the first gas through the first outlet can increase the enclosure pressure in the enclosure region. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce air flow 228 (e.g., into the enclosure region) counter to the direction of travel 154 of the glass forming ribbon 103. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce the occurrence of hydrogen bubble formation in the glass ribbon. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce air flow counter to the direction of travel of the glass ribbon, for example, hot air rising within the down-draw forming device in the so-called “stack” or “chimney” effect. Additionally, increasing the enclosure pressure can compensate for any leaks in the enclosure that may interfere with the quality of the resulting glass ribbon. Reducing air flow counter to the direction of travel of the glass ribbon can reduce particles and other debris that are carried toward the glass ribbon by such flow.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first diffuser 235 can include multiple first diffusers. For example, the multiple first diffusers can be arranged in a first row (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the width "W" of the glass forming ribbon 103, i.e., the direction of the traveling direction 154 extending along the into / out of the page in FIG. 2 ). Throughout this disclosure, flow rates measured in standard cubic meters refer to flow rates measured at 20° C. and 101.325 kilopascals absolute (e.g., 1 atmosphere).

[0081] The total flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first outlets of the plurality of first diffusers is about 1 standard cubic meter (sm) per hour. 3 / h or smch) or more, about 4 smch or more, about 6 smch or more, about 12 smch or more, about 500 smch or less, about 200 smch or less, about 100 smch or less, about 80 smch or less, about 60 smch or less, about 30 smch or less, or about 20 smch or less. In some embodiments, the total flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first outlets of the plurality of first diffusers can be in the range from about 1 smch to about 500 smch, from about 1 smch to about 200 smch, from about 4 smch to about 200 smch, from about 4 smch to about 100 smch, from about 4 smch to about 80 smch, from about 6 smch to about 80 smch, from about 6 smch to about 60 smch, from about 6 smch to about 30 smch, from about 12 smch to about 30 smch, from about 12 smch to about 20 smch, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method may include flowing a second gas (e.g., from a second gas source 249) through a second inlet conduit 247 and through a second inlet (e.g., inlet 305) of the second diffuser 245 into the second diffuser 245. The first gas flowing through the second inlet (e.g., inlet 305) of the second diffuser 245 may include a second average inlet velocity, which may be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the first average inlet velocity. In some embodiments, the first average inlet velocity may be substantially the same as, greater than, or less than the second average inlet velocity. The method may include flowing the second gas from the second diffuser 245 to a second outlet (e.g., outlets 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, or 1303) of the second diffuser 245. The second gas flowing through the second inlet (e.g., inlet 305) of the second diffuser 245 can include a second average exit velocity, which can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the first average exit velocity. In some embodiments, the second inlet average velocity can be greater than the second average exit velocity. In some embodiments, the first average exit velocity can be substantially the same as, greater than, or less than the second average exit velocity. In yet other embodiments, the second gas flowing through the second diffuser can include a second maximum exit velocity, which can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the first maximum exit velocity. Similarly, the first maximum exit velocity can be substantially the same as, greater than, or less than the second maximum exit velocity. In some embodiments, the second diffuser 245 can include multiple second diffusers. The plurality of second diffusers can be arranged in a second row (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the direction of width "W" of the glass forming ribbon 103, i.e., the direction of travel 154 extending along the into / out of the page in FIG. 2). The total flow rate of the second gas flowing through the second outlets of the plurality of second diffusers can be within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the total flow rate of the first gas.

[0083] Flowing the second gas into the second inlet conduit 247 and flowing the first gas into the second diffuser 245 includes flowing the first gas along the second gas path through the second inlet conduit 247 and the second diffuser 245 in a second flow direction 251. As described above, the second gas flowing along the second gas path and / or the second gas path can include at least one change of direction within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the gas path, e.g., at least one change of direction of about 90° or more, at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more, or at least three changes of direction of about 90° or more. The second gas can experience a pressure drop along the second gas path from the beginning of the second gas path to the end of the second gas path at the outlet of the second diffuser, e.g., a pressure drop within one or more of the ranges discussed above for the pressure drop along the first gas path. The provision of the first diffuser can enable a low pressure drop (e.g., about 100 Pascals or less) along the gas path through the first inlet and first diffuser with at least two 90° or greater changes of direction, which can increase the efficiency of the diffuser.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second gas flowing through an outlet of the second diffuser 245 (e.g., outlets 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903, 1103, 1203, or 1303) can flow within the enclosure 220. As shown in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the second diffuser 245 (e.g., the entire second diffuser and / or the outlet of the second diffuser) can be positioned within the enclosure 220. For example, the second diffuser 235 can be positioned within the enclosure region 221, in which case the second gas flowing through the second outlet of the second diffuser 235 flows directly into the enclosure region 221. The second diffuser 245 can be positioned in the second interior region 241 within the second wall 243 of the second housing 240. The second gas flowing through the second outlet of the second diffuser 245 may flow into the enclosure region 221 by entering the second interior region 241 and then flowing into the enclosure region 221 because the second interior region 241 may be in fluid communication with the enclosure region 221. By flowing the second gas through the second outlet, the enclosure pressure in the enclosure region 221 may be increased. The increase in enclosure pressure may provide the technical benefits discussed above with respect to increasing the enclosure pressure by flowing a first gas.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method may optionally include flowing a cooling fluid through a plurality of cooling tubes 255 to flow within the first interior region 231, which may cool at least a portion of the first wall 233 of the first housing 230. The method may optionally include flowing a second cooling fluid through a plurality of second cooling tubes 265 to flow within the second interior region 241, which may cool at least a portion of the second wall 243 of the second housing 240. The method may include passing (e.g., passing) the glass forming ribbon 103 between the first housing 230 and the second housing 240.

[0086] Example Various embodiments will be further elucidated by the following examples. Table 1 shows the properties of Example AF measured at a flow rate of 510 scmh per diffuser, and Table 2 shows the properties of Example GK measured at a flow rate of 340 scmh. Example AK included an inlet conduit having an inner diameter of approximately 16 mm comprised of SAE grade 316 stainless steel.

[0087] Example A corresponds to the diffuser 701 shown in Figures 7-8, lacking the guides 801a and 801b, but with the extension body 721 having a length 715 of 114mm, the gas path 709 having a displacement 717 of 86mm, the extension body 721 having a width 733 of 14mm, the main body 723 having a length 735 of 109mm, the main body 723 having a width 811 of 152mm, and the main body 723 having a thickness 737 of 19mm. Example B corresponds to the diffuser 901 shown in Figures 9-10, lacking the flow divider 1003, but with the main body 923 having a length 1011 of 106mm, the main body 923 having a width 1013 of 152mm, and the main body 923 having a thickness 935 of 19mm. 9-10 and includes the same dimensions as Example B, except that the flow divider 1003 is centered within the main body 923 and extends the thickness 935 of the main body 923, extending 19 mm from the apex at a 45° angle to the direction 913. Example D corresponds to the diffuser 1101 shown in FIG. 11 and includes the same dimensions as Example B, except that a pair of guides 1105 and 1107 each extend from the wall 921 at an angle of 38° to the direction 913. 12, with a 38 mm inner radius inlet conduit 237 extending as a right-angle bend into the extension body 1221, a length 1239 of the extension body 1221 of 115 mm, a thickness 1241 of the extension body 1221 of 67 mm, a length 1233 of the main body 1223 of 86 mm, a width 1235 of the main body 1223 of 152 mm, and a thickness 1237 of the main body 1223 of 19 mm. Example F includes a main body 1331 with the same dimensions as the main body 1223 of Example E, but with a 38 mm inner radius right-angle bend before the inlet 305, a height 1339 of the extension body 1321 of 61 mm, and a width 1341 of the extension body 1321 of 32 mm.

[0088] All of Examples AF include the same average exit velocity of 0.45 m / s. However, Examples B and D include the highest maximum exit velocity of 15.7 m / s among Examples AF. Because the maximum exit velocity is the same for Example B (without guides 1105 and 1107 or flow divider 1003) and Example D (including guides 1105 and 1107), the guides do not help reduce the maximum exit velocity of this diffuser design. However, the flow divider 1003 in Example C reduces the maximum exit velocity compared to Examples B and D. Examples A and EF include maximum exit velocities of 10 m / s or less, 5 m / s or less, and 4 m / s or less. Examples A and EF include an extension body between the inlet conduit and the main body of the diffuser, as well as a right-angle bend in the inlet conduit, which together result in a reduced maximum exit velocity compared to Example BD, which does not include an extension body. Similarly, Examples A and EF include pressure drops of less than 100 Pa, less than 80 Pa, and less than 70 Pa. Example E (right-angle bend inside the expansion body, after the inlet) has a lower pressure drop than Example F (right-angle bend upstream of the inlet). Example BD has a pressure drop of over 200 Pa but does not include an expansion body, whereas Examples A and EF have a pressure drop of less than 100 Pa and do include an expansion body. As a result, the inclusion of an expansion body can reduce the pressure drop.

[0089] [Table 1]

[0090] Example HK corresponds to diffuser 401 shown in Figure 4, with one inlet conduit instead of three, with a width 411 of main body 423 of 41 mm, a thickness 415 of main body 423 of 16 mm, and a length 417 of main body 423 as shown in Table 2. Example G is the same as Example H, except for the length (as specified in Table 2) and the fact that the gas path of Example G includes a 45° change of direction at the inlet conduit.

[0091] All of Examples AF include an area ratio of 24.8, and the inlet conduits include an inner radius of 16 mm. All of Examples AF include the same average exit velocity of 0.45 m / s. All of Examples GK include an area ratio of 13, and the inlet conduits include an inner radius of 9 mm. All of Examples GK include the same average exit velocity of 1.73 m / s. The increased area ratio of Examples AF (24.8 > 13) corresponds to a lower average exit velocity than Example GK (0.45 m / s < 1.73 m / s). In fact, the rate of reduction in average exit velocity is greater than the rate of reduction in flow rate, greater than the rate of reduction in inlet cross-sectional area, and greater than the rate of reduction in flow rate per inlet cross-sectional area.

[0092] For Example HK, the maximum exit velocity decreases as the length of the main body increases, varying from 12.02 m / s at a length of 145 mm to 6.20 m / s at a length of 300 mm. The velocity decrease per length increase is greatest between Examples H and I, indicating a decrease in response with each additional increase in length. For Example HK, the pressure drop also decreases as the length of the main body increases, varying from 50 Pa for Example H to 20 Pa for Example K. The pressure drop decrease per length increase is greatest between Examples H and I, indicating a decrease in response with each additional increase in length. Example GK includes a pressure drop of about 100 Pa or less. Example HK also includes a pressure drop of about 80 Pa or less, about 60 Pa or less, or about 50 Pa or less. Comparing Example G (a 45° change in the direction of the inlet conduit) to Example H (no change in the direction of the inlet conduit), the maximum exit velocity is lower for Example G, but the pressure drop is lower for Example H. This indicates that the direction change increased the pressure drop while reducing the maximum exit velocity, which may result in the gas losing pressure and maximum exit velocity as a result of the direction change. However, as long as the increased pressure drop is acceptable, the maximum exit velocity can be reduced by including and / or increasing the direction change. Comparing Example G with Example EF, it appears that adding an expansion chamber reduced the pressure drop, for example, by allowing the gas space to be redirected while losing the same amount of pressure, even though Example EF includes an additional direction change compared to Example G and is measured at a higher flow rate where the pressure drop is likely to be greater.

[0093] [Table 2]

[0094] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a method for manufacturing glass capable of producing a glass ribbon having one or more high-quality, clean surfaces. Flowing gas through a first diffuser can increase the enclosure pressure around the forming device and around at least a portion (e.g., the path of travel) of the glass forming ribbon. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce the occurrence of hydrogen bubble formation in the glass ribbon. Increasing the enclosure pressure can reduce air flow counter to the direction of glass ribbon travel, e.g., hot air rising within a down-draw forming device in the so-called "stack" or "chimney" effect. Furthermore, increasing the enclosure pressure can compensate for any leaks within the enclosure that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon. Reducing air flow counter to the direction of glass ribbon travel can reduce particles and other debris carried toward the glass ribbon by such flow. The inclusion of a first diffuser within the enclosure can reduce particles and other debris within the housing, for example, when the glass forming ribbon is in a viscous or viscoelastic state and is more susceptible to contamination. Additionally, providing air flowing through the first diffuser with a clean (e.g., Class 100) air source can reduce particles and / or debris on the surface of the glass ribbon. Providing an inert gas to flow through the first diffuser can prevent corrosion or other degradation of the glass manufacturing equipment, which can reduce impurities in the glass ribbon due to such by-products. Controlling the flow rate of air through the first diffuser can reduce the velocity (e.g., average velocity, maximum velocity) of the gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area and / or reduce the intensity of the gas flow that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon.

[0095] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a glass forming apparatus having a first diffuser, which may offer technical advantages. Providing a first diffuser with a first exit cross-sectional area that is larger than the corresponding first inlet cross-sectional area may reduce the velocity (e.g., average velocity, maximum velocity) of gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area, for example, to about 10% or less of the velocity of gas flowing through the first inlet cross-sectional area. The inclusion of a diffuser according to embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the maximum velocity (e.g., maximum exit velocity) of gas flowing through the first exit cross-sectional area, which may reduce the intensity of gas flow that may interfere with the quality of the glass ribbon. The inclusion of a first diffuser may enable a low pressure drop (e.g., about 100 Pa or less) along the gas path through the first inlet and first diffuser with at least two 90° or greater direction changes, which may increase the efficiency of the diffuser. Providing at least two changes of direction of about 90° or more in the gas path can provide a location for positioning cooling tubes or other devices near the first diffuser without collision, which can allow efficient use of limited space within the housing. Additionally, the first diffuser and / or cooling tubes can be positioned within the first interior area, which can further protect the glass ribbon from the gas flow. Providing a diffuser such that the angle between the plane of travel and the direction perpendicular to the first exit cross-sectional area is about 45° or less can help protect the glass-forming ribbon from the gas flow from the first diffuser.

[0096] As used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless expressly indicated otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an "element" includes embodiments having two or more such elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0097] As used herein, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not, and need not be, exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, as appropriate, to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement error, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used when describing a value or an endpoint of a range, it should be understood that the disclosure of the present invention includes the specific value or endpoint referred to. When a numerical value or an endpoint of a range is described herein as "about," that numerical value or endpoint of the range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about." It will be further recognized that the endpoints of each range are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0098] As used herein, the terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to refer to a described feature being equal or nearly equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to describe a surface that is flat or nearly flat. Additionally, "substantially similar" is intended to describe two values ​​that are equal or nearly equal. In some embodiments, "substantially similar" can describe values ​​that are within about 10% of each other, e.g., within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0099] As used herein, the terms "comprising" and "including" and variations thereof, unless otherwise indicated, shall be construed as synonymous and open-ended. The list of elements following the transitional phrases "comprising" and "including" is a non-exclusive list, so that there may be other elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list.

[0100] While various embodiments have been described in detail with reference to certain exemplary and specific embodiments thereof, the present disclosure should not be considered as limited thereto, as many modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100 Glass manufacturing equipment 103 Glass-forming ribbon 121 Molten Materials 140 Molded body 220 Enclosure

Claims

1. a forming body configured to draw a glass forming ribbon along an advancing plane in an advancing direction, at least a portion of the forming body being positioned within an enclosure; a first diffuser including a first inlet having a first inlet cross-sectional area and a first outlet having a first outlet cross-sectional area larger than the first inlet cross-sectional area, the first outlet being positioned within the enclosure; a gas source connected to the first inlet; Glass manufacturing equipment including:

2. an inlet conduit connecting the first inlet of the first diffuser to the gas source; the gas path defined by the inlet conduit and the first diffuser undergoes at least two changes of direction of 90° or more; The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the at least two direction changes is positioned within the first diffuser.

4. 10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the first diffuser increases smoothly from the first entrance cross-sectional area to the first exit cross-sectional area.

5. 5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein an enclosure area is bounded by the enclosure and a first housing extending into the enclosure, and the first outlet is positioned within a first interior area bounded by at least a first wall within the first housing.

6. 1. A method for producing a glass ribbon, comprising: flowing a glass forming ribbon along an advancing plane in an advancing direction, at least a portion of the glass forming ribbon advancing within an enclosure, the glass forming ribbon including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; flowing a first gas through a first inlet of a first diffuser at a first average inlet velocity; flowing the first gas from the first diffuser through a first outlet of the first diffuser at a first average exit velocity; Including, a maximum first exit velocity of the first gas flowing through the first outlet is less than or equal to 10 meters per second, the first average exit velocity is less than or equal to 2 meters per second, the first average inlet velocity is greater than the first average exit velocity, and at least a portion of the first diffuser and at least a portion of the glass forming ribbon are within the enclosure. method.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first gas flowing through the first outlet of the first diffuser flows into a first interior area bounded by at least a first wall within a first housing, the first housing extending into the enclosure, and the first gas flowing into the first interior area increases an enclosure pressure in the enclosure area bounded by the enclosure and the first wall.

8. flowing a second gas through a second inlet of a second diffuser at a second average inlet velocity; flowing the second gas from the second diffuser through a second outlet of the second diffuser into a second interior region at a second average exit velocity less than the second average inlet velocity, the second interior region being bounded by a second wall within a second housing, the second housing extending into the enclosure; the second gas flowing into the second interior region increases the enclosure pressure in the enclosure region; 7. The method of claim 6.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising cooling at least a portion of the second wall by flowing a second cooling fluid within the second interior region.

10. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the steps of flowing the first gas through the first inlet and flowing the first gas through the first diffuser include flowing the first gas along a gas path defined by an inlet conduit and the first diffuser, the gas path undergoing at least two changes of direction of 90 degrees or more, and a pressure drop along the gas path in the range of 1 Pascal to 100 Pascals.

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