Glass Quenching Heads Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass sheet quenching processes are limited by the time required for quenching, which restricts the overall cycle time in forming and quenching systems, as glass sheets can be formed faster than quenched, leading to inefficiencies in mechanical property enhancement.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using lower and upper quench heads to supply initial upward and downward gas flows at conventional pressures for 0.5 to 1.3 seconds, followed by increased pressures for 0.5 to 4 seconds, and then decreased cooling power to quench the glass sheets, with the quenching process transitioning from high to low pressure to reduce cycle time while maintaining mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional constant pressure quenching is used, then the glass sheet achieves required mechanical strength, but the quenching cycle time is excessive and limits overall system productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic pressure control during quenching, transitioning from constant pressure to variable pressure. The system initially applies high pressure (5-15 psig) for rapid cooling, then reduces pressure (0-5 psig) for controlled cooling, optimizing both speed and quality throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter during the quenching process. By varying pressure from high (5-15 psig) to low (0-5 psig) during different stages, the system achieves faster cycle times while maintaining mechanical strength requirements
2Speed
If high pressure quenching is applied throughout the entire process, then quenching speed increases, but the glass sheet may develop excessive surface stress and break into too small pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by applying high pressure only during the initial quenching phase (first 1-3 seconds) when rapid cooling is needed, then switching to low pressure for the remainder of the process to allow controlled stress development and prevent excessive surface compression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary high pressure quenching to establish rapid cooling and temperature gradient, then follows with low pressure to complete the cooling process, preventing excessive stress while maintaining quenching effectiveness
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 approach reduces the quenching time by at least 30% while maintaining the mechanical strength of the glass sheets, as demonstrated by comparable break patterns meeting European Standard ECE R43, thus enhancing the efficiency of the glass sheet forming and quenching process.
Implementation Method 1
Forced convection is conventionally utilized to perform glass sheet quenching in order to establish a temperature gradient between the glass surfaces and its center
Implementation Method 2
the upward and downward gas flow pressures are increased through the lower and upper quench heads to pressures at least 25% higher than the initial pressures to further quench the formed glass sheet
Implementation Method 3
upward and downward gas flows are supplied to the formed glass sheet at decreased cooling power less than the cooling power of the initial pressure quenching to eventually provide a tempered and formed glass sheet upon cooling throughout to ambient temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A three step method and apparatus for quenching a formed glass sheet in a manner that reduces cycle time without excessive temporary surface tension that can cause excessive breakage.