Bell Positioning Frame Thermal Stability for Glass Tubing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass tubing manufacturing processes face challenges in maintaining dimensional stability, leading to unacceptable variations in wall thickness due to thermal expansion and contraction of bell positioning apparatuses, resulting in siding loss and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bell positioning apparatus with a frame leg dimensional stability apparatus that maintains a temperature variation of within 6.5°C/m along the length of each frame leg using temperature control components like electrical resistance heating wire, heating tape, or heated/cooled air/liquid, ensuring precise thermal control and minimizing unintended bell movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional bell positioning apparatuses are used without temperature control, then the apparatus structure is simple, but thermal expansion and contraction cause dimensional variations in glass tubing wall thickness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass tubing wall thickness uniformityVSAvoidbell positioning apparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies temperature control to the frame legs of the bell positioning apparatus, maintaining them at a constant temperature (e.g., 25°C) to prevent thermal expansion and contraction. This parameter change (temperature stabilization) directly resolves the dimensional variation problem in glass tubing wall thickness caused by thermal effects during the drawing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temperature control components (heating elements, cooling elements, or insulation) as intermediaries between the frame legs and the environment. These intermediaries actively manage thermal effects on the frame legs, preventing the thermal expansion/contraction that would otherwise cause bell positioning drift and wall thickness variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If temperature control apparatuses are added to frame legs, then dimensional stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe leg dimensional stabilityVSAvoidframe positioning apparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stabilizes the temperature parameter of the frame legs to prevent thermal expansion and contraction. By maintaining constant temperature (e.g., 25°C), the frame leg dimensions remain stable, ensuring consistent bell positioning and reducing wall thickness variations in the produced glass tubing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature control components (heating elements, cooling elements, or insulation) are introduced as intermediaries to manage thermal effects on the frame legs. These components actively maintain dimensional stability by counteracting environmental temperature fluctuations, thereby preventing bell positioning drift

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If frame legs are temperature controlled, then bell positioning stability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebell positioning accuracyVSAvoidtemperature control energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the frame leg temperature at a constant value (e.g., 25°C) to prevent thermal expansion and contraction. This temperature stabilization ensures reliable bell positioning accuracy throughout the glass tubing drawing process, preventing wall thickness variations even though it requires continuous energy input for heating or cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces dimensional variations in glass tubing, minimizing siding loss and maintaining wall thickness within acceptable tolerances, thereby enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

undesired movement of bells within bottom openings of glass delivery tanks due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction of the bell positioning apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

undesired movement of bells within bottom openings of glass delivery tanks due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction of the bell positioning apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 3

In embodiments, the temperature control component can be electrical resistance heating wire, heating tape, etc.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3402753B1Apparatuses for thermally stable glass tubing forming

Publication Date: 2021.08.11 CORNING INC

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AI summary

A bell positioning apparatus for glass tubing manufacturing includes a bell and a support connected to the bell. A bell positioning apparatus is attached to the support and configured to move the support and the bell with at least three degrees of freedom. The bell positioning apparatus includes a platform, a platform frame, and one or more frame legs. A frame leg dimensional stability apparatus maintains a temperature variation within 6.5C per meter of distance between each frame leg for an extended period of time, e.g. 4 hours.