Float Bath Discharge Opening for Dross Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional float glass manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in removing dross accumulated under the center of the molten glass ribbon at the downstream end of the float bath, leading to defects and quality issues due to the need for manual intervention with a strap-shaped tool, which can further contaminate the float bath and compromise safety.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a discharge opening at the center of the lip block and side channels that guide molten metal and dross to the sides, utilizing a guide member with a tapered or funnel-shaped design and a circulation member with a linear motor to generate a traveling magnetic field for backflow, ensuring stable removal of dross.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional dross removal techniques using side channels and T-shaped pockets are used, then dross at the sides of the downstream end can be removed, but dross accumulated under the center of the molten glass ribbon cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The float bath is divided into multiple drainage areas: side drainage areas handled by conventional T-shaped pockets and a central drainage area handled by a new discharge opening at the lip block. This segmentation allows each area to be addressed by specialized structures, enabling complete dross removal from both sides and center without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A discharge opening is introduced as an intermediary structure at the center of the lip block downstream end. This opening serves as a dedicated pathway for dross accumulation in the central area, working in conjunction with side channels to create a comprehensive dross removal system that eliminates the need for manual strap-shaped tools.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention with strap-shaped tools is used to remove center dross, then dross removal is possible, but the float bath may be further contaminated and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service dross removal through the discharge opening and side channels that automatically drain dross from all areas including the center. The molten metal flow itself carries dross to the drainage structures, eliminating the need for manual intervention and its associated safety risks while maintaining continuous operational reliability.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention with strap-shaped tools is used to remove center dross, then dross can be removed, but procedural stability deteriorates and quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical intervention with strap-shaped tools is replaced by a passive hydraulic system using the discharge opening and side channels. The molten metal flow naturally directs dross to these drainage structures, providing stable, consistent dross removal that improves procedural stability and glass quality by eliminating variability introduced by manual operations.
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 prevents dross accumulation at the take-off point, improving the quality and stability of float glass production by ensuring dross is removed from the center of the float bath without manual intervention, thus reducing defects and ensuring procedural safety.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation member for generating a back flow of the molten metal and the dross in the discharge opening and the side channels by applying a traveling magnetic field to the molten metal
Implementation Method 2
a circulation member with a linear motor to generate a traveling magnetic field for backflow
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass, including a float bath for storing a molten metal on which a molten glass flows, wherein the molten metal flows in the float bath, comprises an discharge opening formed through a wall of a downstream end of the float bath at the center of the wall to discharge a molten metal crashing against the wall and dross floating on the molten metal; and a pair of side channels formed inside of the wall and communicated with the discharge opening and both sides of the float bath.