Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass article includes flowing a glass ribbon through a housing having first and second side walls. The first and second side walls extend between the glass ribbon and a cooling mechanism and at least one of the side walls has at least one closeable opening, such that a greater amount of heat is transferred from the glass ribbon when the closeable opening is open than when the closeable opening is closed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a forming body of a glass forming apparatus may include an upper portion with a first forming surface and a second forming surface extending from the upper portion. The first forming surface and the second forming surface may converge at a bottom edge of the forming body. A trough for receiving molten glass may be positioned in the upper portion of the forming body. The trough may include a first weir, a second weir opposite from and spaced apart from the first weir, and a base extending between the first weir and the second weir. At least a portion of a vertical surface of the first weir may curve inward towards a centerline of the trough. Similarly, at least a portion of a vertical surface of the second weir may curve inward towards the centerline of the trough.

Abstract: Methods for producing a glass ribbon include drawing a quantity of molten material from a forming vessel into a glass ribbon with the forming vessel positioned within a first portion of a housing located within an upper chamber. The methods further include drawing the glass ribbon along a draw path passing through a second portion of the housing at least partially located within a lower chamber. The methods further include venting gas from an interior of housing through a wall of the second portion of the housing. In one example, the method further includes maintaining a pressure difference between the lower chamber and the upper chamber. In another example, the method includes maintaining a pressure difference between the interior of the housing and the upper chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet is configured to form the glass sheet by fusing streams of molten glass together at a lower edge of a forming device while causing the streams of molten glass to flow downward along outer surface portions of the forming device by an overflow downdraw method, the forming device including protruding pieces, which extend downward below the lower edge of the forming device, and are arranged at least at widthwise end portions of the lower edge of the forming device, the protruding pieces each having a distal end formed by a straight line substantially parallel to the lower edge of the forming device.

Abstract: A process allowing to obtain ceramic glass material in the form of sheets of large dimensions usable in constructions for panelling or for flooring is described.

Abstract: A glass forming apparatus may include a forming body comprising a first forming surface and a second forming surface converging at a root. The apparatus may also include at least one cradle assembly comprising a first contact surface and a second contact surface oriented in a V-configuration. The contact surfaces may be engaged with the forming surfaces. The contact surfaces may impart a holding force to the forming body, the holding force having an upward vertical force component. The forming body may also include at least one end block engaged with an end face of the forming body. The at least one end block may impart a compression force to the forming body in a direction parallel to a length of the forming body and perpendicular to the restraining force component.

Abstract: A refractory object can include at least 10 wt % Al2O3. Further, the refractory object may contain less than approximately 6 wt % SiO2 or may include a dopant that includes an oxide of Ti, Mg, Ta, Nb, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, at least approximately 1% of the Al2O3 in the refractory object can be provided as reactive Al2O3. In another embodiment, the refractory object may have a density of at least approximately 3.55 g/cc, a corrosion rate of no greater than approximately 2.69 mm/year, or any combination of the foregoing. In a particular embodiment, the refractory object can be used to form an Al—Si—Mg glass sheet. In an embodiment, the refractory object may be formed by a process using a compound of Ti, Mg, Ta, Nb, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing titanium-doped synthetic quartz glass includes: (A) providing a liquid SiO2 feedstock material that comprises more than 60% by weight of the polyalkylsiloxane D4; (B) evaporating the liquid SiO2 feedstock material to produce a gaseous SiO2 feedstock vapor; (C) evaporating a liquid TiO2 feedstock material to produce a gaseous TiO2 feedstock vapor; (D) converting the SiO2 feedstock vapor and the TiO2 feedstock vapor into SiO2 particles and TiO2 particles, respectively; (E) depositing the SiO2 particles and the TiO2 particles on a deposition surface while forming a titanium-doped SiO2 soot body; (F) vitrifying the titanium-doped SiO2 soot body while forming the synthetic quartz glass, whereby the TiO2 concentration of the synthetic quartz glass is between 5% by weight and 11% by weight.

Abstract: A method for controlling wedge variation in a glass ribbon includes flowing molten glass over converging sides of a forming vessel, drawing a glass ribbon from a root of the forming vessel, measuring the wedge variation over at least a portion of the width of the glass ribbon, adjusting a tilt of the forming vessel and a temperature near a weir of the forming vessel based on the measured wedge variation to decrease the wedge variation over the width of the glass ribbon, and re-measuring the wedge variation over the portion of the width of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.

Abstract: A fusion down-draw method for making a glass sheet using a forming body comprising an upper part (101) made of a first material and a lower part (103) made of a second material, where the first material has lower creep rate than the second material at the normal operating temperature of the forming body, and an fusion down-draw forming apparatus comprising such forming body. The invention is advantageous in that it solves the issues of internal stress and long-term creep issue of a unitary forming body made of a single material such as zircon.

Abstract: A fusion down-draw method for making a glass sheet using a forming body comprising an upper part (101) made of a first material and a lower part (103) made of a second material, where the first material has lower creep rate than the second material at the normal operating temperature of the forming body, and an fusion down-draw forming apparatus comprising such forming body. The invention is advantageous in that it solves the issues of internal stress and long-term creep issue of a unitary forming body made of a single material such as zircon.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher with a pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher located vertically below the glass feed. The forming rolls thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing and texturing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower or 300° C. or lower is located vertically below the forming rolls. The sizing and texturing rolls thin and texture the formed glass ribbon to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired texture, thickness and thickness uniformity. The sized and textured glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a glass sheet using overflow fusion down-draw process comprising an inlet assembly having an elliptic cylindrical section coupled to a transition section which is, in turn, coupled to an open end of an open channel of an isopipe, and an overflow fusion down-draw process for making glass sheet. The glass melt flow has a high surface velocity profile conducive to the formation of a glass ribbon over the surface of the weirs and the wedge side surfaces with the desired mass distribution.

Abstract: A flexible seal positioned between two muffles of a glass laminate fusion draw machine comprises, in order from the interior to the exterior of the muffles, a radiation shield comprising overlapping rows of refractory material, a thermal seal comprising a blanket of temperature resistance material, and an air seal comprising a sheet of high temperature elastomeric material. The seal may further comprising a secondary radiation shield positioned between the thermal seal and the air seal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass sheet according to the present invention comprises the steps of creating split flows of molten glass in a forming body 10 and causing the molten glass to flow down, subsequently merging the flows at a merging point to form a glass sheet G and causing the glass sheet to flow downward in the vertical direction. In this method of manufacturing a glass sheet, a partition member 20 is disposed facing the glass sheet G in the vicinity of a location below the forming body 10, and a facing surface of the partition member 20 is shaped so as to correspond to a sheet thickness variation of the glass sheet G, so that a gap between the glass sheet G and the partition member 20 is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A thickness of at least one preselected portion of a substrate, such as glass substrate for example, is controlled. A laser beam is directed to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state, thereby increasing a temperature and reducing a viscosity of the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state sufficiently to cause the at least one preselected portion of the glass substrate to attain a desired thickness. The laser beam after it is generated can be directed to a reflecting surface from which the laser beam is reflected to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in the viscous state. The substrate can comprise a glass ribbon produced in a downdraw glass forming process for example, and the laser beam can be directed onto a plurality of preselected portions of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes creating split flows of molten glass in a forming body (10) and causing the molten glass to flow down, subsequently merging the flows at a merging point to form a glass sheet G and causing the glass sheet to flow downward in the vertical direction. A plurality of chambers (42b, 42c, . . . ) separated by heat-insulating plates (40a, 40b, . . . ) in the direction of movement of the glass sheet G are provided. A heater (60a, 60b, . . . ) is provided for each of the chambers (42b, 42c, . . . ) so that the temperature decreases in the direction of movement. The heat-insulating plates (40a, 40b, . . . ) are disposed facing the glass sheet G, and facing surfaces of the heat-insulating plates (40a, 40b, . . . ) are shaped so as to correspond to a sheet thickness variation of the glass sheet G.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing glass ribbon includes a control device configured at least periodic thermal stress compensation of the glass ribbon by independently adjusting operation of a plurality of temperature adjustment elements based on stress characteristic information at least periodically obtained from a stress sensor apparatus. In further examples, methods of producing glass include at least periodically sensing a stress characteristic of a glass ribbon and at least periodically changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon based stress characteristic information. In further examples, methods include the step of changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon only if a measured parameter is within an operating range associated with the parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass and a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles using the glass laminating apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower fusion pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; a first upper fusion pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper fusion pipe and the top of the lower fusion pipe, the first upper fusion pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower fusion pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (?) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass, including: a lower pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; an first upper pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper pipe and the top of the lower pipe, the first upper pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (?) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream. Also disclosed is a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles thereof using the aforementioned glass laminating apparatus, as defined herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a glass sheet with reduced thermal coupling between upper and lower regions of the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus allows for temperature changes near the lower regions of the enclosure without a large temperature impact on the upper regions of the enclosure, thereby providing for greater flexibility in setting a temperature profile for a forming body located within the enclosure.

Abstract: A fusion down-draw method for making a glass sheet using a forming body comprising an upper part (101) made of a first material and a lower part (103) made of a second material, where the first material has lower creep rate than the second material at the normal operating temperature of the forming body, and an fusion down-draw forming apparatus comprising such forming body. The invention is advantageous in that it solves the issues of internal stress and long-term creep issue of a unitary forming body made of a single material such as zircon.

Abstract: Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fusion draw machine for forming a glass web from molten glass includes an enclosure and a first pull roll and a second pull roll rotatably positioned in an interior of an enclosure. The first pull roll and the second pull roll cooperate to draw a glass web in a draw direction. A particulate removal device for removing particulate matter from the interior of the enclosure is fluidly coupled to the enclosure and includes a vacuum nozzle disposed in the interior of the enclosure and fluidly coupled to a vacuum source with a vacuum line. A particulate filter is fluidly coupled to the vacuum nozzle and the vacuum source and traps particulate matter exhausted from the interior of the enclosure through the vacuum nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing glass ribbon includes a control device configured at least periodic thermal stress compensation of the glass ribbon by independently adjusting operation of a plurality of temperature adjustment elements based on stress characteristic information at least periodically obtained from a stress sensor apparatus. In further examples, methods of producing glass include at least periodically sensing a stress characteristic of a glass ribbon and at least periodically changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon based stress characteristic information. In further examples, methods include the step of changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon only if a measured parameter is within an operating range associated with the parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the method including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body arranged inside a molding chamber; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and drawing downward an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon out of an opening of the molding chamber.

Abstract: A disclosed glass plate is formed by converging flow streams of molten glass, which have a same composition and are caused to flow downward along left and right surfaces respectively of a forming body, in a vicinity of a root of the forming body, wherein neither front nor back surface of the glass plate is polished, wherein a convergent plane between the flow streams deviates to one side from a center plane lying at a center between the front surface of the glass plate and the back surface of the glass plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for balancing the mass flow rate of molten glass flowing over a forming body to form a glass ribbon. The apparatus comprises upper and lower transition members that surround the glass ribbon as the glass ribbon is drawn from the forming body. The upper and lower transition members are independently moveable, and separated by a gap less than 8 cm across. The narrow gap minimizes disruption to the thermal environment contained within the upper and lower transition members, and is positioned a sufficient distance above the setting zone of the ribbon to minimize any influence on the dimensional consistency of the ribbon.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, a cooling tube is positioned in the forming area for directing a flow of cooling gas on discrete portions of the molten glass proximate a draw line or root to control local thickness variations in the sheet and thereby provide a uniform glass sheet thickness across the width of the sheet. The cooling tube is disposed in a pivot member configured to rotate about at least one axis, thereby causing an end of the cooling tube to direct the cooling gas over a wide range of angular positions across a portion of the width of the molten glass flowing over and from a forming body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the method including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and drawing downward and molding an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon, in which a guide member which contacts to an end in a width direction of a joined molten glass is provided, and a relative position and/or a relative angle between the guide member and a lower edge of the molded body is/are adjusted.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved sheet glass forming apparatus. In another embodiment, a precise thermal control system redistributes the flow of molten glass at the weirs to counteract the degradation of the sheet forming apparatus which inevitably occurs during manufacturing. In yet another embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the trough in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming trough. Another embodiment creates a variable external cross-section which provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension and body force stresses and thus, reduces the influence of surface tension and body forces.

Abstract: A reactive-ceramming process for making YPO4 ceramics involving the reaction between a YP-glass and a Y-source material. The invention can be used to synthesize, inter alia, phase-pure YPO4 ceramic material 5 at a relatively low temperature in a relatively short period of time and at a low cost. Invention can be used to make large piece of YPO4 blocks suitable for, e.g., an isopipe in a fusion down-draw process for making large-size glass sheets.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a thin glass sheet includes a forming member main body configured to form the thin glass sheet by fusing together, at a lower end portion of the forming member main body, streams of molten glass, which have overflown from an overflow trough to both sides of the forming member main body, under a state in which the streams of the molten glass are caused to flow down along outer surface portions having a substantially wedge shape. The manufacturing apparatus also includes a pair of covering members fitted onto both widthwise end portions of the forming member main body, respectively, the pair of covering members forming restricting wall portions for restricting widthwise spread of the streams of the molten glass flowing down along the outer surface portions of the forming member main body.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved sheet glass forming apparatus. In another embodiment, a precise thermal control system redistributes the flow of molten glass at the weirs to counteract the degradation of the sheet forming apparatus which inevitably occurs during manufacturing. In yet another embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the trough in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming trough. Another embodiment creates a variable external cross-section which provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension and body force stresses and thus, reduces the influence of surface tension and body forces.

Abstract: A laminated sheet includes a surface layer having an optical surface that is of fire-polished quality and a core layer having a higher modulus than the surface layer to increase an overall stiffness or fracture toughness of the laminated sheet.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: A laminated sheet includes a surface layer having an optical surface that is of fire-polished quality and a core layer having a higher modulus than the surface layer to increase an overall stiffness or fracture toughness of the laminated sheet.

Abstract: In a method of making a glass sheet using an overflow fusion downdraw process, a glass sheet quality metric level Q1 is selected, where Q1 is a measure of allowable retardation in the glass sheet. A glass ribbon temperature T1 at which a potential glass ribbon thermal artifact could occur in a glass ribbon while the glass ribbon is being drawn through a drawing machine enclosure is identified. A thermal artifact envelope E1 is determined, where E1 contains types of glass ribbon thermal artifacts allowable at T1 and Q1. A glass melt is overflowed from an isopipe to form a glass ribbon at the root of the isopipe. The glass ribbon is drawn below the root of the isopipe through the drawing machine enclosure to form the glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the method including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body arranged inside a molding chamber; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and drawing downward an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon out of an opening of the molding chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a glass sheet using overflow fusion down-draw process comprising an inlet assembly having an elliptic cylindrical section coupled to a transition section which is, in turn, coupled to an open end of an open channel of an isopipe, and an overflow fusion down-draw process for making glass sheet. The glass melt flow has a high surface velocity profile conducive to the formation of a glass ribbon over the surface of the weirs and the wedge side surfaces with the desired mass distribution.

Abstract: A creep-resistant zircon article and a method of manufacturing the creep-resistant zircon article are described herein. In one example, the creep-resistant zircon article has the shape of a forming apparatus (e.g., isopipe) which is used in the fusion process to manufacture glass sheets.