Molten Glass Flow Regulation via Adjustable Shuttering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass melting furnaces face challenges in handling glasses with different viscosities and melting points, as the flow of molten glass is affected by its composition and melting point, making it difficult to use a single furnace for various types of glass.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a flow channel with a removable plate and a movable shuttering mechanism that adjusts the flow diameter, allowing for precise regulation of molten glass flow, including the use of a noble metal jacket to prevent corrosion and a stop for the shuttering means to define the maximum closed position, enabling adaptation to large viscosity differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single furnace is used to melt glasses of different viscosities, then the furnace versatility is improved, but the flow control precision deteriorates because the orifice size must be fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a movable shuttering means that can dynamically adjust the effective orifice area in response to different glass viscosities. The shuttering means moves between multiple positions to provide different flow restrictions, transforming a static orifice system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying process requirements while maintaining precise flow control for each glass type
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the flow control function by introducing a removable plate with a through-orifice and a movable shuttering means that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the system to handle different viscosity requirements by selectively positioning the shuttering means or replacing the plate, thereby maintaining both versatility and precision
2Productivity
If the orifice area is reduced to control flow rate, then the flow rate is reduced, but the risk of glass crystallization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow system by providing multiple plates with different orifice areas and shapes. For low viscosity glasses, a plate with a smaller orifice area is selected to maintain appropriate flow rates, while the movable shuttering means provides fine-tuned adjustment. This parameter optimization ensures that the orifice area is sufficient to maintain glass fluidity and prevent crystallization while still controlling the flow rate
3Manufacturing precision
If the shuttering means is moved to regulate flow, then the flow regulation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a movable shuttering means as an intermediary element between the fixed orifice and the glass flow. This shuttering means acts as a mediator that can be positioned at different locations to achieve the desired flow regulation without requiring complex redesign of the entire furnace system, thereby adding minimal complexity while achieving precise control
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
Enables the use of a single furnace for glasses with varying viscosities by precisely regulating the flow of molten glass, preventing crystallization and extending the device's usability to glasses with low viscosities, while maintaining precision and longevity through the combination of the removable plate and movable shuttering mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The viscosity of the molten glass depends on its composition and its melting point. The lower the viscosity of a glass, the faster it flows.
Implementation Method 2
the walls of the flow channel and the outlet of the flow channel are each covered with a jacket made of a noble metal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for flowing molten glass suitable for installation on a glass melting furnace, including: a flow channel including an outlet of given diameter; and a device for regulating flow of molten glass at an outlet of the flow channel, including: a removable plate including a through-orifice with an area smaller than an area of the outlet of the flow channel; and a movable shuttering mechanism configured to adjustably shutter the outlet of the flow channel or the through-orifice of the removable plate. The device allows a single furnace to be used for various types of glasses having very different viscosities.