Gripper Device for Low Bow Elongated Glass Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing elongated glass components, such as quartz glass tubing or rods, often result in bowed preforms due to limited force application by pulling wheels, which complicates welding and fiber drawing processes and increases fiber core eccentricity, especially for large preforms that require multiple sets of wheels for sufficient force.
Innovation Solution
A gripper system with a low-friction mounting element allows translational movement in the x-y plane, minimizing transverse forces and enabling precise alignment and adjustment to reduce bow in glass components during the drawing process, either by aligning with the strand's center and moving linearly or by measuring and counteracting transverse acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple sets of pulling wheels are used to apply sufficient force to large preforms, then the required pulling force is achieved, but apparatus height and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pulling wheel system with a magnetic field-based force application system. A magnetic field generator applies axial magnetic forces to the preform through the die, eliminating the need for multiple sets of pulling wheels and their associated alignment mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical contact with magnetic field interaction directly resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient pulling force without increasing apparatus height or complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sets of pulling wheels are used to achieve low bow, then bow control is improved, but alignment precision requirements become excessively difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based force application system replaces the mechanical pulling wheel system, eliminating the need for precise alignment of multiple wheel sets. The magnetic field can be uniformly distributed through the die and preform without requiring mechanical alignment, thereby achieving low bow control while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing and alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of force application from mechanical contact (pulling wheels) to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change allows for uniform force distribution through the preform without the alignment constraints of mechanical systems, simultaneously achieving precision in bow control while easing manufacturing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pulling wheels are used with small contact areas, then the glass surface is protected from damage, but the amount of force that can be applied is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes magnetic field-based force application for mechanical contact through pulling wheels. The magnetic field acts on the preform through the die without requiring direct mechanical contact, thereby eliminating the limitation of small contact areas while still protecting the glass surface from damage. This allows sufficient pulling force to be applied without the constraints of mechanical contact geometry.
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 gripper system effectively minimizes bow in glass components, ensuring straightness and reducing the risk of misalignment, thereby improving the quality of glass preforms for applications like fiber drawing and optical fiber production by maintaining low bow throughout the drawing process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element to heat a bulk glass component where a strand may be drawn from the bulk glass component
Implementation Method 2
the lower end begins to soften and form a strand
Implementation Method 3
a low-friction mounting element attached to the clamping element which allows translational movement in an x-y plane
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for producing elongated glass components with low bow. The apparatus may include a heating element to heat a bulk glass component where a strand may be drawn from the bulk glass component in a downward direction and a gripper device including a clamping element to support the strand while pulling or drawing it from the bulk glass component in a linear motion, and a low-friction mounting element attached to the clamping element which allows translational movement of the clamping element in an x-y plane. The gripper device may further be used to reduce bow in the strand while it is being drawn by moving the clamping element on the mounting element in a direction opposite the direction of any measured transverse acceleration.