Glass Ribbon Conveyance With Adjustable Fluid-Bearing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying thin and/or wide glass ribbons during glass manufacturing is challenging due to the difficulty in minimizing physical contact to prevent scratches or deformation while maintaining non-edge area quality, especially as glass ribbons become thinner and wider.
Innovation Solution
A glass conveyance apparatus with a plenum chamber, slide gates, and a fluid bearing table that allows for adjustable fluid communication through movable slide gates and orifices, enabling a fluid cushion to support the glass ribbon without direct contact, using gases like nitrogen, oxygen, or helium for conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If physical contact conveyance is used for glass ribbon, then conveyance stability is improved, but surface quality deteriorates due to scratches and defects
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid bearing table with adjustable fluid flow is introduced as an intermediary between the conveyance system and the glass ribbon surface. The fluid bearing surface provides physical support and stability during conveyance while preventing direct contact between solid conveyance elements and the glass ribbon, thereby eliminating scratches and surface defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a fluid bearing table that utilizes controlled fluid flow (pneumatic or hydraulic) to create a non-contact support surface. By adjusting the fluid flow rate, the system maintains stable conveyance of the glass ribbon without mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between conveyance stability and surface quality protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If physical contact is minimized for thin glass ribbons, then surface quality is improved, but conveyance control deteriorates leading to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid bearing table incorporates adjustable fluid flow capabilities, allowing the system to dynamically adapt the support characteristics. By varying the fluid flow rate, the system can provide sufficient support control for thin glass ribbons while maintaining non-contact conditions, thus preventing both surface defects and deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of fluid flow rate to optimize the balance between support and non-contact conditions. By adjusting this parameter, the fluid bearing table provides adequate conveyance control for thin glass ribbons without causing surface deformation or defects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fluid flow is increased to support thin glass ribbons, then deformation is prevented, but surface defects may increase due to excessive fluid contact
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable fluid flow system allows dynamic optimization of the fluid-glass interaction. By precisely controlling the fluid flow rate, the system provides sufficient lift and support to prevent deformation while maintaining a fluid bearing condition that minimizes harmful contact and associated surface defects.
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
The apparatus effectively conveys thin and wide glass ribbons with minimal surface defects and deformation by controlling fluid cushion dynamics, ensuring stable and defect-free glass production.
Implementation Method 1
enabling a fluid cushion to support the glass ribbon without direct contact
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass article includes a glass conveyance apparatus that includes a plenum chamber having a fluid inlet, a plurality of slide gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber that include a plurality of apertures and are movable from a first position to a second position, and a fluid bearing table proximate the plurality of slide gates that includes a plurality of orifices.