Abstract: A glass sampling apparatus and a method for using the glass sampling apparatus to obtain a glass sample from molten glass within a glass melting vessel are described herein. In one embodiment, the glass sampling apparatus includes: (a) a sampling tube having a first end and a second end, where the second end is used to obtain the glass sample from the molten glass in the glass melting vessel; (b) a first valve; (c) a vacuum device; and (d) a tube network that couples the first end of the sampling tube to both the first valve and the vacuum device.

Abstract: A glass sampling apparatus and a method for using the glass sampling apparatus to obtain a glass sample from molten glass within a glass melting vessel are described herein. In one embodiment, the glass sampling apparatus includes: (a) a sampling tube having a first end and a second end, where the second end is used to obtain the glass sample from the molten glass in the glass melting vessel; (b) a first valve; (c) a vacuum device; and (d) a tube network that couples the first end of the sampling tube to both the first valve and the vacuum device.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, molten glass is formed in a melting furnace and transported through a precious metal delivery system to the forming apparatus. Disclosed herein is a method to eliminate carbon-containing contamination of individual components of the precious metal delivery system prior to their installation and use. The method comprises one or more heat treating steps in an oxygen-containing atmosphere prior to and/or during assembly of the component.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, molten glass is formed in a melting furnace and transported through a precious metal delivery system to the forming apparatus. Disclosed herein is a method to eliminate carbon-containing contamination of individual components of the precious metal delivery system prior to their installation and use. The method comprises one or more heat treating steps in an oxygen-containing atmosphere prior to and/or during assembly of the component.

Abstract: A substantially-isolated/controlled, limited-volume, gas-filled space (e.g., 113b) is formed over at least one free (open) surface of flowing molten glass in a manufacturing line used to produce glass sheets (137), e.g., a manufacturing line employing the fusion process to produce glass sheets suitable for use as substrates for liquid crystal displays. At least a portion of the space comprises a platinum-group metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, which can serve as a source of platinum-group condensate defects. The use of the substantially-isolated/controlled, limited-volume, gas-filled space substantially reduces the level of such platinum-group condensate defects in the glass sheets, e.g., by more than 50%.