Drain Assembly with Curved Conduits for Molten Glass Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in completely redirecting the flow of molten material during the draining process, leading to potential damage to the forming system due to unintended flow through the forming apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A glass manufacturing apparatus with a delivery conduit system that includes a drain assembly with a downward-extending drain tube, a cooling device, and a heating device to manage the flow of molten glass, featuring curved conduit sections and transition tubes to redirect and control the flow, and electrical flanges for heating, ensuring efficient drainage and minimizing flow to the forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain is used to redirect molten material flow, then the forming apparatus can be protected from damage, but the drain may not completely redirect all flow and molten material may still flow to both the forming apparatus and the drain
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery conduit system is segmented into multiple components: an exit conduit from the delivery vessel, a drain assembly with a drain tube, curved conduit sections, and transition tubes. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in controlling and redirecting the molten glass flow, ensuring complete redirection while protecting the forming apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved conduit sections that change the flow direction from a first direction to a second direction. This dimensional change in flow path allows the system to redirect molten glass away from the forming apparatus while maintaining complete flow control, resolving the contradiction between protection and complete redirection.
2Productivity
If the drain assembly is added to redirect flow, then molten glass can be drained from the system, but the device complexity increases with multiple conduits and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated drain assembly that combines the drain tube, curved conduit sections, and transition tubes into a single unified component. This merging allows the system to achieve complete drainage capability while minimizing the overall complexity compared to having separate, independent components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it drains molten glass from the system, redirects flow away from the forming apparatus, and provides controlled cessation of flow. This multi-functionality increases productivity while avoiding the need for additional separate components that would increase complexity.
3Reliability
If cooling device and heating device are added to control flow, then molten glass flow can be completely ceased to the forming body, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device and cooling device operate periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The heating device heats the outlet end of the drain tube when drainage is needed, while the cooling device cools portions of the conduit system to cease flow when drainage is complete. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling devices are applied locally to specific portions of the conduit system rather than the entire system. The heating device targets only the outlet end of the drain tube, while the cooling device targets specific sections where flow cessation is needed. This localized approach minimizes energy consumption while achieving reliable flow control.
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
Effectively redirects molten glass flow during drainage, preventing damage to the forming system by creating a controlled drainage path, allowing for safer operation and maintenance by ensuring complete cessation of molten glass flow to the forming body.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device configured to heat the outlet end of the drain tube
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling device disposed downstream from the first curved conduit section and configured to cool the at least a portion of the delivery conduit system downstream from the first curved conduit section
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery conduit system for a glass manufacturing apparatus, the conduit system including a drain assembly configured to allow draining molten glass from the delivery conduit system. The drain assembly includes heating means and cooling means that can open a drain flow of molten glass from components of the conduit system and shut off flow to the forming body by selectively modifying the fluid impedance presented to the molten glass by the drain assembly.