Laminate Fusion Draw Apparatus Concentricity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated glass production in laminate fusion draw machines faces challenges in maintaining consistent glass flow due to thermal expansion and mechanical adjustments, leading to issues with concentricity and product quality.
Innovation Solution
A glass melting apparatus that adjusts the location of the clad down comer relative to the inlet of the clad isopipe, while keeping the core down comer and isopipe in a fixed position, to ensure continuous and correct glass flow distribution, using a muffle suspension control system to compensate for movements and maintain concentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the clad down comer location is adjusted to compensate for thermal expansion and mechanical movements, then concentricity and glass flow distribution are improved, but device complexity increases due to the movable suspension control system
Solution Approach 1:
The clad down comer is made movable relative to the clad isopipe inlet through a suspension control system, allowing dynamic adjustment to maintain concentricity despite thermal expansion and mechanical movements of the fusion draw machine components
Solution Approach 2:
The muffle suspension control system continuously monitors and adjusts the clad down comer position to maintain correct glass flow distribution and concentricity, using feedback from the system's movement detection to compensate for thermal and mechanical changes
2Reliability
If the clad down comer is made adjustable to maintain continuous glass flow, then product quality is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension control system automatically adjusts the clad down comer position to maintain correct glass flow distribution, allowing the system to self-correct for thermal expansion and mechanical movements without requiring manual intervention
3Device complexity
If the core down comer is kept in fixed position to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates when thermal expansion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the adjustment function by making only the clad down comer movable while keeping the core down comer fixed, allowing selective adjustment of the clad glass flow path without complicating the core glass delivery system
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 solution enhances the quality of molten glass flow properties, stabilizes glass flow, and prevents sheet breakage and thickness changes, resulting in improved laminated glass ribbon production.
Implementation Method 1
The glass melting apparatus can compensate for movement, such as by thermal expansion or mechanical adjustments, of the fusion draw machine (FDM) by selectively adjusting the location of the clad down comer with respect to the inlet of the clad isopipe
Data Source
AI summary
A laminate fusion draw apparatus including: a core isopipe having a first core melter; a clad isopipe having a clad melter; a first core down comer between the core melter and the core isopipe; and a second clad down comer between the clad melter and the clad isopipe, the second clad down comer having an independently adjustable linear and horizontal position with respect to a fixed horizontal position of the first down comer, and the core melter and the clad melter are linearly moveable for relative movement in the same or opposite horizontal direction, as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of using the apparatus where the first core down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the first inlet tube, and the second clad down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the second inlet tube.