Mechanical Stirrers Utilized Patents (Class 65/135.3)
  • Patent number: 10435321
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stirrer for manufacturing glass including a stirrer shaft and a multi-staged rod-shaped stirrer blade fixed so as to penetrate through the stirrer shaft. This stirrer blade is a hollow cylindrical body including: a cylinder obtained by seam welding of two opposing sides of a flat plate made, for example, from strengthened platinum containing platinum or a platinum alloy as a matrix and metallic oxide dispersed in the plate; and a disk welded to an entire circumference of both ends of the cylinder and made from an identical material, and it penetrates so that a weld line crosses a center axis of the stirrer shaft, and is fixed so that a locus of an end portion of the blade forms a spiral shape. In addition, the rod-shaped stirrer blade has a core layer showing a dispersed structure that exists in a cross-sectional structure at a fixing portion with the stirrer shaft and does not receive heat effect resulting from fixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Shinohara, Tsutomu Naganuma
  • Patent number: 8978419
    Abstract: A chamber (101, 201), for holding molten glass (113, 202) having a free surface (114, 203), includes a bellows (4, 204), a sealing ring (10, 210), and a cover (30, 50, 230). The bellows is coupled to the chamber, and the sealing ring is coupled to the bellows. The sealing ring may include one or more various devices, associated with operation of the chamber, including: an atmosphere supply tube (14, 214), an electric lead (12), a pressure differential sensor (16, 216), a thermo couple, an oxygen sensor, and/or an auxiliary port (18). The sealing ring further includes an upper opening (21) having an inner diameter (22). The cover is removably coupled to the sealing ring and extends over the sealing-ring-upper-opening inner diameter, wherein the sealing ring is disposed between the cover and the chamber. The cover may include various separately removable sections (30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 50, 52, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Kevin Scott Riegel
  • Patent number: 8726696
    Abstract: A stirring device 100 comprises a chamber 101, and a stirrer 102 for stirring molten glass 7 in the chamber 101. The stirrer 102 has a shaft 105 as a rotation axis, and blades 106a-106e disposed in a plurality of tiers on a side wall of the shaft 105. The blades 106a-106e have support plates 108 and ancillary plates 109. The ancillary plates 109 create, in the molten glass 7, a flow in the radial direction of the shaft 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AvanStrate Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei Yamamoto, Hitoshi Gekko
  • Patent number: 8650910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of reducing contamination of a glass melt in a stirring apparatus by an oxide material. The oxide material, such as platinum oxide, may be volatilized by the high temperature of the glass melt, and then condense on the inside surfaces of a stirring vessel, particularly the stirrer shaft and surrounding surfaces of the stirring vessel cover. A build-up of condensed oxide material may then be dislodged and fall back into the glass melt. Accordingly, an apparatus and method is provided that includes a heating element disposed adjacent an annular gap between the stirring vessel cover and the stirrer shaft. The heating element heats a surface of the stirring vessel cover bounding the annular gap and prevents condensation of volatile oxides that may flow through the annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Hojong Kim, Daniel A. Nolet
  • Patent number: 8616025
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass comprises a stirring step in which molten glass MG is stirred. The stirring step comprises a first stirring step and a second stirring step. In the first stirring step, the molten glass MG is stirred while being directed upward from below in a first stirred tank 100a. In the second stirring step, the molten glass MG stirred in the first stirring step is stirred while being directed downward from above in a second stirred tank 100b. The first stirred tank 100a has a first discharge pipe 110a capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the bottom of a first chamber 101a. The second stirred tank 100b has a second discharge pipe 110b capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the liquid level LL of the molten glass MG in a second chamber 101b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: AvanStrate Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei Yamamoto, Hitoshi Gekko
  • Publication number: 20130227993
    Abstract: Apparatus, which is suitable for being surrounded by molten glass, the apparatus having a shank which has at least one at least partially seamless tube consisting of an oxide dispersion-strengthened PGM material, the shank having at least one thickened portion on which an actuating device is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf SINGER
  • Patent number: 8499584
    Abstract: A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20130125591
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass comprises a stirring step in which molten glass MG is stirred. The stirring step comprises a first stirring step and a second stirring step. In the first stirring step, the molten glass MG is stirred while being directed upward from below in a first stirred tank 100a. In the second stirring step, the molten glass MG stirred in the first stirring step is stirred while being directed downward from above in a second stirred tank 100b. The first stirred tank 100a has a first discharge pipe 110a capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the bottom of a first chamber 101a. The second stirred tank 100b has a second discharge pipe 110b capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the liquid level LL of the molten glass MG in a second chamber 101b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AvanStrate Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei YAMAMOTO, Hitoshi GEKKO
  • Patent number: 8434329
    Abstract: Apparatus, which is suitable for being surrounded by molten glass, the apparatus having a shank which has at least one at least partially seamless tube consisting of an oxide dispersion-strengthened PGM material, the shank having at least one thickened portion on which an actuating device is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Singer
  • Patent number: 8424342
    Abstract: A method for melting inorganic materials, preferably glasses and glass-ceramics, in a melting unit with cooled walls is provided. The method includes selecting the temperature of at least one region of the melt is selected in such a way as to be in a range from Teff?20% to Teff+20%, where the temperature Teff is given by the temperature at which the energy consumption per unit weight of the material to be melted is at a minimum, with the throughput having been selected in such a way as to be suitably adapted to the required residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Werner Kiefer, Hildegard Römer, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Guido Räke, Volker Ohmstede, Karin Naumann, Michael Leister, Gerhard Nuessle, Erich Rodek, Wolfgang Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 8347652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for homogenizing a glass melt in a melt receptacle, wherein at least one stirring device is disposed in a melt receptacle, which comprises a stirrer shaft and a plurality of stirrer blades, and wherein a gap (16) is formed between a wall region of the melt receptacle and the stirrer blades. According to the invention, the respective stirring device causes an axial feed action in an inner stirring region between the stirrer shaft and the stirrer blades in order to feed the melt in the stirring region along the stirrer shaft. A melt flow brought about by the axial feed action seals the gap against direct passage of the melt. According to the invention, a very high gap width can be achieved, thus preventing the abrasion of materials in the region of the marginal gap. This also reduces the complexity required for adjusting the device. According to the invention, a high level of homogenization can be achieved regardless of the entry point of the inhomogeneities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Christoph Berndhaeuser, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Karin Naumann, Hans Duerolf, Holger Hunnius
  • Patent number: 8347653
    Abstract: The device for homogenizing a glass melt has a melt receptacle and at least one stirring device arranged in the melt receptacle. Each stirring device consists of a stirrer shaft and stirrer blades extending toward an inside wall of the receptacle, which are configured to produce an axial feed of the glass melt in an inner stirring region between the stirrer shaft and front ends of the stirrer blades. The melt receptacle and the stirring device are configured so that a melt flow caused by the axial feed, which is opposite to the axial feed, seals a gap formed between the inside wall and the front ends of the stirrer blades, so that the glass melt cannot flow directly through the gap to a lower axial end of the inner stirring region. The invention also encompasses a method of homogenizing a glass melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Christoph Berndhaeuser, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Karin Naumann, Hans Duerolf, Holger Hunnius
  • Publication number: 20130000358
    Abstract: A stirring device 100 comprises a chamber 101, and a stirrer 102 for stirring molten glass 7 in the chamber 101. The stirrer 102 has a shaft 105 as a rotation axis, and blades 106a-106e disposed in a plurality of tiers on a side wall of the shaft 105. The blades 106a-106e have support plates 108 and ancillary plates 109. The ancillary plates 109 create, in the molten glass 7, a flow in the radial direction of the shaft 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: AVANSTRATE INC.
    Inventors: Kohei YAMAMOTO, Hitoshi GEKKO
  • Publication number: 20120180529
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a glass stirrer providing for improved stirring, reduced glass cord and easy adjustment of processing parameters during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Rudolf Singer
  • Publication number: 20120100058
    Abstract: A process for producing silicon which comprises: bringing molten silicon containing an impurity into contact with molten salt in a vessel to react the impurity contained in the molten silicon with the molten salt; removing the impurity from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoji ARITA, Takashi YONEDA
  • Publication number: 20120042693
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of reducing contamination of a glass melt in a stirring apparatus by an oxide material. The oxide material, such as platinum oxide, may be volatilized by the high temperature of the glass melt, and then condense on the inside surfaces of a stirring vessel, particularly the stirrer shaft and surrounding surfaces of the stirring vessel cover. A build-up of condensed oxide material may then be dislodged and fall back into the glass melt. Accordingly, an apparatus and method is provided that includes a heating element disposed adjacent an annular gap between the stirring vessel cover and the stirrer shaft. The heating element heats a surface of the stirring vessel cover bounding the annular gap and prevents condensation of volatile oxides that may flow through the annular gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Hojong Kim, Daniel A. Nolet
  • Patent number: 8042362
    Abstract: A plant for producing inorganic fibers from rocks includes a furnace for obtaining a melt connected to a feeder, working aperture and a warmed feeder with draw dies located below a working aperture. A transition chamber is installed on the feeder exit, the transition chamber intended for creation of a thin layer melt flow. An enclosure contains the working aperture. The transition chamber has a heater, a threshold installed at an entrance of the transition chamber and a plate rigidly fixed to an adjustable damper located over the threshold and adapted to move up and down together with the adjustable damper, with the plate surface being parallel to the bottom of the transition chamber. The plant is intended for obtaining the melt flow of a desired thickness and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Viktor F. Kibol, Roman V. Kibol
  • Publication number: 20110083474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for homogenizing a glass melt in a melt receptacle, wherein at least one stirring device (10, 11) is disposed in the melt receptacle, which comprises a stirrer shaft (10) and a plurality of stirrer blades (11), and wherein a gap (16) is formed between a wall region of the melt receptacle (2) and the stirrer blades (11). According to the invention, the respective stirring device causes an axial feed action in an inner stirring region (12) between the stirrer shaft (10) and the stirrer blades (11) in order to feed the melt in the stirring region along the stirrer shaft (10). A melt flow brought about by the axial feed action seals the gap (16) against direct passage of the melt. According to the invention, a very high gap width can be achieved, thus preventing the abrasion of materials in the region of the marginal gap. This also reduces the complexity required for adjusting the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Christoph Berndhaeuser, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Karin Naumann, Hans Duerolf, Holger Hunnius
  • Patent number: 7735340
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of reducing contamination of a glass melt by oxide particulates, such as particulates of platinum oxide, which may condense on the inside surfaces of a stir chamber, particularly the stir shaft, and fall back into the glass melt. The method includes causing a flow of gas through an annular space between the shaft and the chamber cover. In one embodiment, the flow of gas through the annular space is caused by drawing a vacuum in the chamber. An apparatus for practicing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R Burdette, Raymond E Fraley, Steven R Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100126225
    Abstract: An apparatus for homogenizing molten glass is disclosed comprising a stir chamber including a rotatable stirrer disposed therein. The apparatus further comprises a catcher coupled to the stirrer shaft, the catcher having a concave, bowl-like shape and adapted to prevent particulate from falling from upper surfaces of the stir chamber into the molten glass. At least a portion of the catcher bottom is in contact with the upper surface of the molten glass, whereas a peripheral edge of the catcher is preferably raised above the upper surface of the molten glass to prevent molten glass from contacting an upper surface of the catcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Josh Ding, Aaron Joshua Hade, Dale Russell Hess
  • Patent number: 7578144
    Abstract: A method of a stirring a molten glass which includes an analytical model which may be used to optimize the stirring conditions to minimize refractory metal inclusions which may result from the stirring operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Bergman, May Yanmei Xun
  • Publication number: 20090025428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for homogenizing a glass melt using at least one stirring means which is respectively arranged in a stirring vessel having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), the respective stirring means having a plurality of stirrer blades (11, 20, 21) arranged spaced apart from one another along a common stirrer shaft (10). According to the invention, the stirring means and/or the device is configured in such a way that a net conveying effect of the stirring means overall from the inlet to the outlet is substantially imperceptible. The conveying effect of the stirring means overall from the inlet (4) to the outlet (5) is caused by the positioning of the stirring blades (11, 20, 21), by the geometric shape thereof and/or by the angular position of the stirring blades in the circumferential direction of the stirrer shaft (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Karin Naumann, Christoph Berndhaeuser, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Holger Hunnius, Gregor Roesel, Franz Ott, Markus Ollig, Sven Petri
  • Publication number: 20080148780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for homogenizing a glass melt in a melt receptacle, wherein at least one stirring device (10, 11) is disposed in the melt receptacle, which comprises a stirrer shaft (10) and a plurality of stirrer blades (11), and wherein a gap (16) is formed between a wall region of the melt receptacle (2) and the stirrer blades (11). According to the invention, the respective stirring device causes an axial feed action in an inner stirring region (12) between the stirrer shaft (10) and the stirrer blades (11) in order to feed the melt in the stirring region along the stirrer shaft (10). A melt flow brought about by the axial feed action seals the gap (16) against direct passage of the melt. According to the invention, a very high gap width can be achieved, thus preventing the abrasion of materials in the region of the marginal gap. This also reduces the complexity required for adjusting the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Berndhaeuser, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Karin Naumann, Hans Duerolf, Holger Hunnius
  • Publication number: 20080011016
    Abstract: A method of a stirring a molten glass which includes an analytical model which may be used to optimize the stirring conditions to minimize refractory metal inclusions which may result from the-stirring operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Bergman, May Yanmei Xun
  • Patent number: 7310973
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first color glass feeder having a first valve device, and a second color glass feeder having a second valve device, each connected by communications links to a controller. The controller controls the first valve device and second valve device in order to provide molten glass of a first color and a second color, at a first and a second flow rate, respectively. The controller may be a computer. The controller may include an interactive device into which a first and a second flow rate value can be entered for controlling the first and second flow rates, respectively. The first and second color molten glasses may be incompletely mixed in a channel so that discrete portions of the molten glass of the first color and of the second color can be seen. The controller may also control a robotic mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Alex Xie
  • Patent number: 7159419
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Umicore SA
    Inventors: Athanasios John Syllaios, William David Autery, Gregory Stewart Tyber, Marissa Marie Barnard, Donald Bryan Christian, Allan Leroy Buehler, Andre Deon Walker
  • Patent number: 7134299
    Abstract: The invention relates to a meltdown device for the production of high-UV transmittive glass types, comprising a meltdown tank for a melt bath a feed opening for the supplying or laying-in of highly pure raw material for the melt bath a draw-off opening for the drawing-off of material melted in the melt tank a cover arranged above the melt tank, in which the infeed opening to the melt tank is arranged above the melt bath in the region of the cover the draw-off opening is arranged in the zone of the bottom of the melt tank a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement comprises heating elements, in particular electrodes that are arranged on the melt tank in the zone of the melt bath, as well as an agitating arrangement for stirring of the melt bath and uniform intermixing and sub-mixing into the melt of material from the mixture lying on the melt surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Karl Mannemann, Johann Faderl, Steffen Grün, Silke Wolff
  • Patent number: 7127919
    Abstract: The level of precious-metal inclusions in glass products, e.g., glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, is reduced by stirring molten glass in a stir chamber (11) under conditions such that the magnitude of the shear stress ? on the chamber's wall (19) and on the surfaces of the stirrer (13) is reduced while at the same time, the Q•E product for the system is kept high, where Q is the flow of glass through the stirring system and E is the system's stirring effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin H. Goller, James P. Murphy, Daniel A. Nolet, Robert R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7000431
    Abstract: The sleeve-type glass melt agitator has a rotatable cylindrical sleeve provided with outwardly protruding vane elements and through-going openings in its outer cylindrical surface to stir the glass melt when the sleeve is rotated. The sleeve type agitator is arranged vertically in a glass melt feed channel in a glass melt feed system for making glass tubes or pipes according to the Vello or down-drawn process. During formation of glass tubes or pipes from the glass melt the sleeve-type agitator is rotated as the glass melt flows downward to prevent formation of schlieren in the glass melt, which causes glass material losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Erhard Dick, Erich Fischer, Roland Fuchs, Markus Riedl
  • Patent number: 6854290
    Abstract: A method for controlling the foam produced when a molten material encounters reduced pressure in a vacuum chamber includes passing the molten material through an aging zone in the vacuum chamber in which the molten material is allowed to drain from between the bubbles of the foam and then collapsing the bubbles of the drained foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Hayes, Rand A. Murnane, Ronald W. Palmquist, Frank Woolley
  • Publication number: 20040206119
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Athanasios John Syllaios, William David Autery, Gregory Stewart Tyber, Marissa Marie Barnard, Donald Bryan Christian, Allan Leroy Buehler, Andre Deon Walker
  • Patent number: 6769272
    Abstract: An apparatus for making glass in which a glass melt is refined in a vessel with oxygen is described. It includes a melt-containing vessel (10) having a refining region (3) for refinement of the glass melt and a noble metal member for producing oxygen in the melt. The noble metal member (40) has an outer side facing the glass melt and an inner side facing away from the glass melt washed with and acted on with oxygen. Oxygen-containing bubbles are vigorously generated on the outer side of the noble metal member facing the glass melt when the inner side is washed with the oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Gernot Roeth, Thomas Pfeiffer, Klaus-Dieter Duch
  • Patent number: 6763684
    Abstract: A molten glass pump preferably includes one or more pumps which form either a single-stage apparatus or are combined in series to form a multi-stage apparatus. The exact configuration depends on the required process pressure and the required degree of glass homogenization. Examples of the invention include an auger pump and a mixing auger pump which have varying degrees of mixing action, as well as a homogenizing pump which provides some pumping action but is primarily a homogenizer. All three pumps preferably include a centerline flow recirculation feature which remixes inhomogeneous glass into the incoming glass stream. A counter-rotating sleeve, which straightens the glass flow exiting the apparatus and provides an additional flow recirculation path, is also preferably included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20030196453
    Abstract: An apparatus for making glass in which a glass melt is refined in a vessel with oxygen is described. It includes a melt-containing vessel (10) having a refining region (3) for refinement of the glass melt and a noble metal member for producing oxygen in the melt. The noble metal member (40) has an outer side facing the glass melt and an inner side facing away from the glass melt washed with and acted on with oxygen. Oxygen-containing bubbles are vigorously generated on the outer side of the noble metal member facing the glass melt when the inner side is washed with the oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Gernot Roth, Thomas Pfeiffer, Klaus-Dieter Duch
  • Publication number: 20030101750
    Abstract: The level of precious-metal inclusions in glass products, e.g., glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, is reduced by stirring molten glass in a stir chamber (11) under conditions such that the magnitude of the shear stress &tgr; on the chamber's wall (19) and on the surfaces of the stirrer (13) is reduced while at the same time, the Q•E product for the system is kept high, where Q is the flow of glass through the stirring system and E is the system's stirring effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin H. Goller, James P. Murphy, Daniel A. Nolet, Robert R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020178753
    Abstract: The sleeve-type glass melt agitator has a rotatable cylindrical sleeve provided with openings or small loops in its outer surface. The sleeve type agitator is arranged vertically in a glass melt feed channel in a glass melt feed system for making glass tubes or pipes according to the Vello or down-drawn process. During formation of glass tubes or pipes from the glass melt the sleeve-type agitator is rotated as the glass melt flows downward to prevent formation of schlieren in the glass melt, which causes glass material losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Erhard Dick, Erich Fischer, Roland Fuchs, Markus Riedl
  • Patent number: 6463763
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a stirrer apparatus for glass melts. A stirring element and a stirrer shaft are provided, each comprised of a metal or a metal alloy having a high melting point temperature. A drive shaft for the stirring element comprises a different metallic material, for example an ODS alloy on the basis of iron or nickel. The junction between the stirrer shaft and the drive shaft is located approximately in the region in which the level of the surface of the glass melt is located during use. The end portion of the drive shaft or the end portion of the stirrer shaft, which can be covered by the melt during use, are isolated by a platinum casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Plansee Tizit Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Walser, Hans-Peter Martinz
  • Publication number: 20020121114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a meltdown device for the production of high-UV transmittive glass types, comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Karl Mannemann, Johann Faderl, Steffen Grun, Silke Wolff