Modular Heating Elements for Isopipe Thermal Profile Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glass fusion draw processes face challenges in achieving uniform thermal control along the isopipe, leading to thickness deviations and non-uniformity in glass sheets, particularly in multi-layer laminations where independent control of each glass layer's thickness is necessary.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus embeds modular resistive heating elements in the enclosure walls of a fusion draw machine, allowing independent thermal manipulation of the glass streams, enabling precise control of the thermal profile and thickness uniformity by strategically placing wire windings on the enclosure walls adjacent to the isopipe, which can be independently controlled to manage the temperature and flow of molten glass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional heating elements are used in fusion draw processes, then the glass sheet can be formed, but thermal control uniformity deteriorates leading to thickness deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones along the isopipe length. Each zone has its own heating elements that can be controlled separately, allowing precise thermal management at different positions to achieve uniform thickness control across the glass sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating zones are assigned different thermal characteristics and control parameters based on their specific position and function. The heating elements are strategically placed and controlled to provide localized thermal adjustments, ensuring optimal temperature distribution and thickness uniformity at each section of the isopipe.
2Productivity
If multiple glass layers are processed simultaneously, then productivity increases, but independent thickness control of each layer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones that can differentially heat different glass layers. This allows each layer to receive customized thermal treatment, enabling independent thickness control of each layer even when processing multiple layers simultaneously through the same isopipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adds a temporal and spatial dimension to thermal management by independently controlling heating zones at different positions and times. This multi-dimensional control approach enables differential heating of multiple glass layers, achieving independent thickness control while maintaining high productivity.
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 provides improved thermal control and thickness uniformity of glass sheets, allowing for stable and uniform confluence of glass streams, reducing sheet width variations and enhancing the strength of laminated glass articles by controlling the temperature profile and stress distribution across the glass layers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating elements embedded in the walls of the enclosure (e.g., silicon carbide doghouse)
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A glass fusion draw apparatus for molten glass stream thermal profile control, including: • a first enclosure (100); and • a first isopipe (102) situated within the first enclosure, the first enclosure can include at least one first heating element assembly (110a, 110b, 110c) integral with the wall of the first enclosure, and the at least one first heating element is in proximity to a portion of molten glass stream over-flowing the first isopipe within the enclosure. The apparatus can also include a proximity or temperature sensing system associated with the first enclosure that senses and controls the thermal gradient properties of the molten glass stream or streams in the first enclosure. A laminate fusion draw apparatus for thermal profile control of a molten glass stream is also disclosed.