Heating Cartridge Angles for Glass Ribbon Root Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high forming temperatures to prevent devitrification of glass ribbons with lower liquidus viscosities, which are essential for producing high-performance displays like OLED technology.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a forming wedge with a pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions and a plurality of heating cartridges positioned in the housing, where each heating cartridge has a heat directing surface oriented at an angle greater than 90°, directing heat towards the root of the forming wedge to maintain high temperatures and prevent devitrification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If higher forming temperatures are used to prevent devitrification of glass ribbons with lower liquidus viscosities, then glass composition adaptability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system applies localized heating zones at different positions along the forming wedge, with each zone optimized for specific glass composition requirements. This allows selective heating of only the areas needing temperature control, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to various glass compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters including temperature, heating rate, and zone activation based on the specific glass composition being formed. This enables optimal energy usage by matching heating intensity to the actual requirements of each glass type, particularly for those with lower liquidus viscosities.
2Device complexity
If conventional heating apparatuses are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus is divided into multiple independent heating zones with separate control systems. Each zone can be independently adjusted to achieve uniform temperature distribution across the forming wedge, preventing hot spots and cold zones while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal shields and heat distribution elements are introduced as intermediary components between the heating elements and the glass ribbon. These intermediaries help distribute heat more evenly and reduce temperature variations, improving manufacturing precision without significantly complicating the device.
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 configuration effectively maintains high forming temperatures, reducing the formation of defects in glass ribbons and enabling the production of glass compositions with lower liquidus viscosities, thus supporting the manufacturing of high-performance displays.
Implementation Method 1
The heat directing surface includes at least one heating element positioned adjacent to the heat directing surface... to direct heat from the heat directing surface towards the root of the forming wedge
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for forming a glass ribbon may include a forming wedge disposed in a housing and including a pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions converging at a root. A plurality of heating cartridges may be positioned in ports of the housing. Each heating cartridge may include a heat directing surface that is oriented at an angle of greater than about 90° with respect to a bottom surface of the heating cartridge. The heat directing surface may include at least one heating element positioned adjacent to the heat directing surface. The heating cartridge may be positioned such that the heat directing surface faces the forming wedge and an upper edge of the heat directing surface is positioned above the root to direct heat from the heat directing surface towards the root of the forming wedge.