Glass Conditioning Channel Section Patents (Class 65/346)
  • Patent number: 11919799
    Abstract: A method of of fining low-density submerged combustion glass includes introducing unfined molten glass produced in a submerged combustion melter into a fining chamber of a fining tank and, further, introducing additive particles into the fining chamber that comprise a glass reactant material and one or more fining agents. The one or more fining agents are released into the molten glass bath upon consumption of the additive particles in the molten glass bath to chemically fine the molten glass bath and the glass reactant material includes one or more materials that integrate into the molten glass bath upon melting. Additionally, the method includes discharging fined molten glass out of the fining chamber of the fining tank. The discharged fined molten glass has a volume percentage of gas bubbles that is less than the volume percentage of gas bubbles in the unfined molten glass introduced into the fining chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongming Wang, Earnest Iddings, Nicholas A. Schoenrock
  • Patent number: 11759834
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of a method, apparatus and system for the efficient melting of a feedstock to at least one of a molten and vitrified state to be used in a manufacturing system comprised of: a melter to which the feedstock is provided; and a heat recovery system configured to capture exhaust waste heat produced by the melter, wherein the heat recovery system transfers an energy recovered from the exhaust waste heat to pre-heat the feedstock provided to the melter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Plasma Tech Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: James Charles Juranitch
  • Patent number: 11186511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a submerged combustion burner (1) and to a melter comprising submerged combustion burners (1). The burner comprises at least one oxidant feeding tube, at least one fuel feeding tube, a burner head having a peripheral envelope, the fuel and oxidant feeding tubes abutting against the burner head, at least two, preferably at least three, peripheral outward directed nozzles, each of the nozzles having a nozzle outlet, the nozzle outlets being arranged on a peripheral line on the peripheral envelope of the burner head, the nozzle outlet axis being inclined by an angle of 5 to 30° to the horizontal, and the nozzles practiced in the burner head being connected to the oxidant feeding tube and to the fuel feeding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Gerard Demott, Bostjan Marolt, David Ducarme
  • Patent number: 10934200
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for conditioning molten glass. The apparatus includes a connecting tube assembly having a conduit for conveying the molten glass, the conduit including at least two flanges and a sealing member disposed between the at least two flanges around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall of the conduit, the at least two flanges and the sealing member. An atmosphere within the volume may be controlled such that a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen or a predetermined partial pressure of oxygen may be maintained within the volume. A current may be established between the at least two flanges to heat the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Pierre Laronze
  • Patent number: 10538449
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for conditioning molten glass. The apparatus includes a connecting tube assembly having a conduit for conveying the molten glass, the conduit (108) including at least two flanges (112, 114) and a sealing member (118) disposed between the at least two flanges (112, 114) around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall (110) of the conduit, the at least two flanges (112, 114) and the sealing member (118). An atmosphere within the volume may be controlled such that a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen or a predetermined partial pressure of oxygen may be maintained within the volume. A current may be established between the at least two flanges to heat the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Pierre Laronze
  • Publication number: 20150143850
    Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having a roof, a floor, a wall structure connecting the roof and floor, and an outlet, the melter producing an initial foamy molten glass. One or more non-submerged auxiliary burners are positioned in the roof and/or wall structure and configured to deliver combustion products to impact at least a portion of the bubbles with sufficient force and/or heat to burst at least some of the bubbles and form a reduced foam molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Aaron Morgan Huber, Jeffrey M. Shock, Harley Allen Borders
  • Publication number: 20150107306
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing glass ribbon comprises a melting vessel configured to melt a batch of material into a quantity of molten glass. The apparatus includes a cooling conduit with a peripheral wall comprising platinum and defining an interior pathway configured to provide a travel path for the quantity of molten glass traveling from the first conditioning station to the second conditioning station. The peripheral wall includes an outer surface defining a plurality of elongated radial peaks spaced apart by a plurality of elongated radial valleys. The elongated radial peaks and elongated radial valleys are helically wound along an elongated axis of the cooling conduit. In further examples, methods are provided with the step of passing molten glass through the interior pathway of the cooling conduit to pass the molten glass from the first conditioning station to the second conditioning station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin Herbert Goller, James Patrick Murphy
  • Patent number: 8997526
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Nishikawa, Hironobu Yamamichi, Tetsuya Koyama, Yuji Endo, Hajime Itoh
  • Patent number: 8997525
    Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Shock, Aaron Morgan Huber, Timothy G. Swales
  • Patent number: 8973405
    Abstract: Apparatus including a flow channel defined by a floor, roof, and sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. One or more combustion burners is positioned in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and transfer heat to a molten mass of glass containing bubbles having a bubble atmosphere flowing through the flow channel. The burners contribute to formation of a channel atmosphere above the molten glass. Apparatus includes a device, at least a portion of which is positionable under a level of the molten glass in the flow channel, configured to emit a composition into the molten glass under the level to intimately contact the composition with the molten glass and bubbles therein. The composition diffuses into the bubbles to form modified atmosphere bubbles sufficiently different from the channel atmosphere to increase diffusion of a species in the channel atmosphere into the modified atmosphere bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Kevin Patrick McHugh
  • Patent number: 8938994
    Abstract: A method for re-establishing or tending to re-establish symmetrical distribution of temperatures between right-hand and left-hand sides of a cross section of a flow of molten glass that has been routed in a feeder including at least one bend area, thermal asymmetry having been induced by flowing round a bend. The feeder includes a flow channel, formed from refractory and insulative material elements and including a horizontal sole plate and two lateral walls, and a vault capping the channel, formed of a refractory roof and lateral parts including burners. In an area of each bend, the flow channel is modified by choosing a corresponding inclined sole plate portion, the inclination being chosen so that the flow channel is deeper in an outside region of the bend than in its inside region, heights of the two lateral walls of the channel being modified accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Emballage
    Inventors: Paula Goncalves Ferreira, Fabien Bouillet
  • Publication number: 20140260433
    Abstract: An apparatus for melting and refining a silica-based glass composition includes a vertical first reaction chamber having an input adjacent to a lower end for receiving glass-forming components. The glass-forming components are heated to elevated temperature during upward flow through the vertical first reaction chamber to form a glass precursor melt adjacent to an upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber. A vertical second reaction chamber has an input adjacent to an upper end and an output adjacent to a lower end for delivering glass melt. A cross passage connects the upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber to the upper end of the vertical second reaction chamber such that the precursor melt flows from the vertical first reaction chamber through the cross passage and then through the vertical second reaction chamber to homogenize the precursor melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140245793
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for refining molten glass by introducing, a stream of unrefined molten glass into a controlled environment distributing the stream of molten glass over a flow surface, and collecting the stream of molten glass from a downstream end of the flow surface to form a body of molten glass having a free surface exposed to the controlled environment. The controlled environment, may have a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure, such that introducing the stream of molten glass into the controlled environment causes gaseous inclusions in the stream of molten glass to rise to a surface thereof and escape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
  • Patent number: 8806899
    Abstract: A glass melting oven for producing a glass melt in a row arrangement, having a loading opening for raw glass materials, a melting region, a refining region, a constriction, a conditioning region and an overflow into a processing unit. To remove flaws from the melt that remain visible in the end product, a method includes the steps of a) arranging a refining bench between the melting region and the beginning of the refining region; b) arranging side burners and extraction openings for flue gases between the loading opening and the refining bench; c) delimiting the constriction at both ends by end walls that leave narrow flow cross-sections above the glass melt for flue gases; and d) cooling the glass melt inside the constriction. The glass melting oven is particularly suited for producing flat glass and panels for solar elements. The oxidants for the fuels may also be preheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Beteiligungen Sorg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Lindig, Helmut Sorg, Alexander Sorg
  • Patent number: 8769992
    Abstract: A melter apparatus includes a floor, a ceiling, and a substantially vertical wall connecting the floor and ceiling at a perimeter of the floor and ceiling, a melting zone being defined by the floor, ceiling and wall, the melting zone having a feed inlet and a molten glass outlet positioned at opposing ends of the melting zone. The melting zone includes an expanding zone beginning at the inlet and extending to an intermediate location relative to the opposing ends, and a narrowing zone extending from the intermediate location to the outlet. One or more burners, at least some of which are positioned to direct combustion products into the melting zone under a level of molten glass in the zone, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Aaron Morgan Huber
  • Publication number: 20140144185
    Abstract: Methods and systems produce a molten mass of foamed glass in a submerged combustion melter (SCM). Routing foamed glass to a fining chamber defined by a flow channel fluidly connected to and downstream of the SCM. The flow channel floor and sidewalls have sufficient glass-contact refractory to accommodate expansion of the foamed glass as fining occurs during transit through the fining chamber. The foamed glass is separated into an upper glass foam phase and a lower molten glass phase as the foamed glass flows toward an end of the flow channel distal from the SCM. The molten glass is then routed through a transition section fluidly connected to the distal end of the flow channel. The transition section inlet end construction has at least one molten glass inlet aperture, such that the inlet aperture(s) are positioned lower than the phase boundary between the upper and lower phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNS MANVILLE
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Shock, Aaron Morgan Huber
  • Patent number: 8720229
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus having a throughput of at least 200 tons/day without causing problems such as a stagnation of molten glass flow in the molten glass flow path, an increment of flow rate of the molten glass flow in a local area, an excessive increment of pressure loss of the molten glass flow. A vacuum degassing apparatus comprises a vacuum degassing vessel, and an uprising pipe and a downfalling pipe which are connected with the vacuum degassing vessel, wherein the vacuum degassing vessel includes a wide portion for providing a molten glass flow path, and in the wide portion, the proportion W1/L1 of the breadth of molten glass flow path W1 to the length of molten glass flow path L1 is at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Rei Kitamura, Hironobu Yamamichi, Hiroaki Hamamoto, Hajime Itoh, Housaku Yonetsu
  • Publication number: 20140123710
    Abstract: An apparatus used in the production of glass, and a process for minimizing the inclusion of platinum group metal particulate into molten glass during glass production are provided, the apparatus comprising a first conduit formed of a platinum group metal, the first conduit comprising a top wall portion, a side wall portion, an outer surface, and a length, and a heat sink formed of a platinum group metal and affixed continuosly to the outer surface and extending longitudinally along at least part of the length of the first conduit proximate the top wall portion for the dissipation of heat therefrom, wherein the inner volume has a maximum temperature, T(max inside top wall), and the inner surface proximate the heat sink has a lower temperature, T(min inside top wall), and wherein platinum group metal particulate formed during the production process will deposit on the inner surface area of the top wall portion not in contact with the molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: David Myron Lineman, Matthew Carl Morse
  • Patent number: 8707739
    Abstract: Channel apparatus for use with submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One channel apparatus includes a flow channel defined by a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, the flow channel divided into sections by a series of skimmers. Channel apparatus include both high and low momentum combustion burners, with one or more high momentum combustion burners positioned immediately upstream of each skimmer in either the roof or sidewall structure, or both, and one or more low momentum combustion burners positioned immediately downstream of each skimmer in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and positioned to transfer heat to the molten mass of glass without substantial interference from foamed material. Certain embodiments include increased height of glass-contact refractory, in particular immediately upstream of the skimmers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Aaron Morgan Huber, Marlon Keith Martin, John Euford Mobley
  • Patent number: 8707740
    Abstract: Submerged combustion glass manufacturing systems include a melter having a floor, a roof, a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, and an exhaust passage through the roof. One or more submerged combustion burners are mounted in the floor and/or wall structure discharging combustion products under a level of material being melted in the melter and create turbulent conditions in the material. The melter exhausts through an exhaust structure connecting the exhaust passage with an exhaust stack. The exhaust structure includes a barrier defining an exhaust chamber having an interior surface, the exhaust chamber having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the exhaust stack but less than the melter. The barrier maintains temperature and pressure in the exhaust structure at values sufficient to substantially prevent condensation of exhaust material on the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Aaron Morgan Huber, Marlon Keith Martin
  • Publication number: 20140090424
    Abstract: Methods and systems for de-stabilizing foam produced in submerged combustion melters. A molten mass of glass and bubbles is flowed into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus includes a floor, a roof and a wall connecting the floor and roof, but is devoid of submerged combustion burners and other components that would increase turbulence of the molten mass. The molten mass has foam on at least a portion of a top surface of the molten mass. Certain methods include imposing a de-stabilizing force directly to the foam or to the molten mass and foam, where the de-stabilizing force may be a vibratory force, an acoustic wave force, a particulate-based force, or a non-particulate-based mechanical force. Systems for carrying out the methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNS MANVILLE
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Aaron Morgan Huber
  • Publication number: 20140090422
    Abstract: Methods and systems for de-stabilizing foam produced in submerged combustion melters. A molten mass of glass and bubbles is flowed into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus includes a floor, a roof and a wall connecting the floor and roof, but is devoid of submerged combustion burners and other components that would increase turbulence of the molten mass. The molten mass has foam on at least a portion of a top surface of the molten mass. One method includes directly impinging an impinging composition onto at least a portion of the foam in the downstream apparatus. Systems for carrying out the methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNS MANVILLE
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Aaron Morgan Huber
  • Publication number: 20140090419
    Abstract: Apparatus including a flow channel defined by a floor, roof, and sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. One or more combustion burners is positioned in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and transfer heat to a molten mass of glass containing bubbles having a bubble atmosphere flowing through the flow channel. The burners contribute to formation of a channel atmosphere above the molten glass. Apparatus includes a device, at least a portion of which is positionable under a level of the molten glass in the flow channel, configured to emit a composition into the molten glass under the level to intimately contact the composition with the molten glass and bubbles therein. The composition diffuses into the bubbles to form modified atmosphere bubbles sufficiently different from the channel atmosphere to increase diffusion of a species in the channel atmosphere into the modified atmosphere bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNS MANVILLE
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Kevin Patrick McHugh
  • Patent number: 8661852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and to a method for the continuous fining or homogenizing of inorganic matter, preferably low-viscosity glass melts in an apparatus. The device and method are distinguished in that the inclusion of bubbles and the occurrence of striations in the glass end product are significantly reduced or even entirely avoided when the melt contact surface of the apparatus has iridium or a high-iridium alloy as its material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Michael Leister, Volker Ohmstede, Guenter Weidmann
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140033766
    Abstract: To provide a vacuum-degassing method and a vacuum degassing apparatus excellent in the effect of vacuum-degassing molten glass, more specifically, a method for vacuum-degassing molten glass and a vacuum degassing apparatus, capable of effectively suppressing formation of reboil bubbles. A method for vacuum-degassing molten glass, which comprises melting glass materials to be silicate glass and passing the resulting molten glass in a flow passage in a vacuum degassing vessel, the interior of which is maintained in a reduced pressure state, to vacuum-degas the molten glass, wherein vacuum-degassing is carried out under conditions satisfying the following formula (1) at a bottom portion of the vacuum degassing vessel: SS=pSO2/Pabs<2.0??(1) wherein SS is the supersaturation degree of SO2 in the molten glass, pSO2 is the partial pressure (Pa) of SO2, and Pabs is the pressure (Pa) at the bottom portion of the glass flow passage of the vacuum degassing vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Terutaka MAEHARA, Rei KITAMURA, Shuji KABASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20140013806
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling a temperature of an oblong-shaped molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a conduit for transporting the molten glass from one location to another location, by flowing a current through the vessel. The apparatus comprises a metal flange comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring. The inner ring, for example, may include an outer perimeter that is substantially oblong. In some embodiments the inner ring comprises a notch that aids in making current density more uniform. In some examples the width of the inner ring, excluding the notch, does not substantially vary as a function of angular position relative to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Muluwork Geremew, Juan Camilo Isaza, James patrick Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130340478
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum degassing apparatus configured so as to be capable of carrying out more simply exchange operation for an extension pipe made of heat-resisting metal and immersed in molten glass. The present invention includes a vacuum housing, a vacuum vessel, an introduction pipe and a discharge pipe which are assembled by a plurality of bricks, and an extension pipe connected to at least one of the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe and made of heat-resisting metal. The extension pipe is constituted by a base end portion, a body portion formed so as to be continuous to the base end portion, and a sealing flange extending from an outer peripheral side of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Wataru MIYOSHI, Hiroaki Hamamoto, Suguru Kobayashi, Toshiyuki Uematsu, Michito Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20130333420
    Abstract: A precious metal structure which has an internal gas permeable membrane is described herein for a glass manufacturing vessel configured to have molten glass flow therein. The internal gas permeable membrane can be supplied with an atmosphere of gas (or gases) to control the flux of hydrogen into our out of the molten glass or otherwise improve the production of the molten glass. In this manner, the undesirable detrimental reactions that can occur at the interface of the molten glass and precious metal interface which can cause defects in the molten glass such as bubbles or solid inclusions can be stopped or at least substantially reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Herbert Goller, David Myron Lineman, Randy Dean Ziegenhagen
  • Publication number: 20130327096
    Abstract: Channel apparatus for use with submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One channel apparatus includes a flow channel defined by a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, the flow channel divided into sections by a series of skimmers. Channel apparatus include both high and low momentum combustion burners, with one or more high momentum combustion burners positioned immediately upstream of each skimmer in either the roof or sidewall structure, or both, and one or more low momentum combustion burners positioned immediately downstream of each skimmer in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and positioned to transfer heat to the molten mass of glass without substantial interference from foamed material. Certain embodiments include increased height of glass-contact refractory, in particular immediately upstream of the skimmers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Aaron Morgan Huber, Marlon Keith Martin, John Euford Mobley
  • Patent number: 8578737
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for controlling glass flow in, for example, a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process). The methods and apparatus are particularly well-suited for use in the manufacture of glass sheets such as the glass sheets used as substrates in display devices, e.g., liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav, Keith Raymond Gaylo, Kiat Chyai Kang, Bulent Kocatulum, Steven Michael Milillo, Douglas Gregg Neilson
  • Publication number: 20130283861
    Abstract: A melter apparatus includes a floor, a ceiling, and a wall connecting the floor and ceiling at a perimeter of the floor and ceiling, a melting zone being defined by the floor, ceiling and wall, the melting zone having a feed inlet and a molten glass outlet positioned at opposing ends of the melting zone. Melter apparatus include an exit end having a melter exit structure for discharging turbulent molten glass formed by one or more submerged combustion burners, the melter exit structure fluidly and mechanically connecting the melter vessel to a molten glass conditioning channel. The melter exit structure includes a fluid-cooled transition channel configured to form a frozen glass layer or highly viscous glass layer, or combination thereof, on inner surfaces of the fluid-cooled transition channel and thus protect the melter exit structure from mechanical energy imparted from the melter vessel to the melter exit structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: John Euford Mobley, Aaron Morgan Huber, Ryan Patrick Enright
  • Publication number: 20130233023
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Nishikawa, Hironobu Yamamichi, Tetsuya Koyama, Yuji Endo, Hajime Itoh
  • Publication number: 20130186142
    Abstract: A conduit structure for molten glass, in which molten glass is flown through a double-pipe structure, with little stress loading even for a long time operation. A supporting rib connecting an inner pipe and an outer pipe is employed in the double pipe structure having the inner pipe and outer pipe in the conduit structure for molten glass, wherein excessive stress concentration hardly occurs in an inner pipe-joint portion, an outer pipe-joint portion and the rib when the rib is applied with a stress load due to the weight of the inner pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130160493
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum degassing vessel wherein even if bubbles of molten glass come into contact with an inner wall of an upper space of a vacuum degassing vessel to produce a molten glass flowing along the inner wall, a molten glass can be discharged to the outside of the vacuum degassing vessel, thereby performing vacuum degassing without deteriorating composition homogeneity of the molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
  • Publication number: 20130145796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of cellular glass sheets, wherein the cellular glass is expanded from at least one glass raw material and at least one blowing agent in a cellulating furnace to yield a cellular glass web (16) and is then continuously cooled in a cooling furnace (5), wherein the cellular glass web is transported on a continuous conveyor system through the furnace(s) during foaming and cooling, and wherein the cellular glass web is cut in the furnace or between two furnaces as well as a corresponding cutting apparatus and a cellular-glass cooling section with a corresponding cutting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Walter Frank
  • Publication number: 20130086951
    Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having a roof, a floor, a wall structure connecting the roof and floor, and an outlet, the melter producing an initial foamy molten glass. One or more non-submerged auxiliary burners are positioned in the roof and/or wall structure and configured to deliver combustion products to impact at least a portion of the bubbles with sufficient force and/or heat to burst at least some of the bubbles and form a reduced foam molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Mark William Charbonneau, Aaron Morgan Huber, Jeffrey M. Shock, Harley Allan Borders
  • Publication number: 20130086944
    Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Shock, Aaron Morgan Huber, Timothy G. Swales
  • Patent number: 8402787
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for refining and delivering a supply of molten glass include melting a supply of glass in a melter and discharging a stream of molten glass. A refining section is provided to refine the molten glass discharged by the melter and to deliver the molten glass downstream to a glass forming apparatus. The refining section is mounted for movement into and out of contact with the stream of molten glass to connect and disconnect the glass forming apparatus with the stream of molten glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Bruno A. Purnode, Steve Mighton, William W. Toth, Shivakumar Kadur, David J. Baker
  • Publication number: 20130071796
    Abstract: An oxy-fuel burner arrangement having a first conduit having a nozzle aperture with an aspect ratio, D1/D2, of greater than or equal to about 2.0. The first conduit is arranged and disposed to provide a first fluid stream, where the first fluid stream is a combustible fuel. The burner arrangement further includes at least one second conduit arranged and disposed to provide a second gas stream circumferentially around the first fluid stream, where the second gas stream includes oxygen. A precombustor is arranged and disposed to receive the first fluid stream and second gas stream where an oxy-fuel flame is produced. The geometry of the nozzle aperture and the cross-sectional geometry of the first conduit are dissimilar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Cole, Leighta Maureen Johnson, Louis Walter Monroig, Aleksandar Georgi Slavejkov
  • Patent number: 8393177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling glass flow in, for example, a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain aspects, the mass, thickness, and/or the temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of forming apparatus (60) is managed by: (A) constructing a stream-tube mapping between (i) regions (510; FIG. 5A) of a cross-section of a conduit (400) that supplies molten glass (40) to the forming apparatus (60) and (ii) regions (510; FIG. 5B) on the exterior surface of the forming apparatus (60); (B) using the stream-tube mapping to select a temperature distribution for the cross-section that results in a desired mass, thickness, and/or temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of the forming apparatus (60); and (C) heating and/or insulating the conduit (400) so as to produce a temperature distribution for the cross-section which equals or at least approximates the distribution selected in step (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olus N. Boratav, Keith R. Gaylo, Kiat C. Kang, Bulent Kocatulum, Steven M. Milillo, Douglas G. Neilson
  • Publication number: 20130031936
    Abstract: A method for re-establishing or tending to re-establish symmetrical distribution of temperatures between right-hand and left-hand sides of a cross section of a flow of molten glass that has been routed in a feeder including at least one bend area, thermal asymmetry having been induced by flowing round a bend. The feeder includes a flow channel, formed from refractory and insulative material elements and including a horizontal sole plate and two lateral walls, and a vault capping the channel, formed of a refractory roof and lateral parts including burners. In an area of each bend, the flow channel is modified by choosing a corresponding inclined sole plate portion, the inclination being chosen so that the flow channel is deeper in an outside region of the bend than in its inside region, heights of the two lateral walls of the channel being modified accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN EMBALLAGE
    Inventors: Paula Goncalves Ferreira, Fabien Bouillet
  • Patent number: 8356492
    Abstract: Glass is mass-produced with a glass melting furnace comprising a melting tank, at least a wall surface in contact with molten glass thereof being made of refractory material, at least one pair of electrodes placed so as to be in contact with the molten glass held in the melting tank for ohmically heating the molten glass held in the melting tank; and at least one metallic member, at least a surface of which is made of metal and placed so as to be substantially always in contact with the molten glass held in the melting tank. Every metallic member is, when the melting tank is filled with the molten glass, placed so as to be substantially always outside an electric current flowing region which is formed by the electrodes into the molten glass held in the melting tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Tomonari Hayashi, Shigeru Asanuma, Kinobu Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8347654
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Nishikawa, Hironobu Yamamichi, Tetsuya Koyama, Yuji Endo, Hajime Itoh
  • Patent number: 8337946
    Abstract: The regionally coated noble metal element used in glass production has an uncoated region for contacting a glass melt and an H2-impervious layer or an H2-impervious and O2-impervious layer on a side opposite from the uncoated region, which has a layer thickness ?1 mm, is heat-resistant, and is either liquid or solid. This layer is made from at least one glass or glass mixture, an at least partly crystallized glass or a ceramic material. The coated noble metal element can be a Danner channel, a Vello draw head, an A-draw head, a Vello needle, a drawdown needle, a discharge ring or a Danner blowpipe. A process for coating a noble metal element to produce the regionally coated noble metal element is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Franz Ott, Dirk Gohlke, Joerg Witte
  • Publication number: 20120216577
    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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 8156766
    Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies the currently known fining apparatus (finer). The basic shape is changed from a cylindrical shape to an elliptical shape, a somewhat rectangular shape, variations on a gabled roof shape, or variations on a gothic arch shape, such that the flow is more uniform and the seeds have less distance to rise to the surface. Baffles of a novel design are optionally included in an embodiment of the present invention to further increase fining performance. Prior art baffle designs are optionally included in an embodiment of the present invention to trap seeds and serve as structural elements. The present invention improves the fining capability of the apparatus without increasing the cost of construction materials. In fact, the cost would be reduced for the same fining performance by shortening the length of the finer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20120017643
    Abstract: A glass melting oven for producing a glass melt in a row arrangement, having a loading opening for raw glass materials, a melting region, a refining region, a constriction, a conditioning region and an overflow into a processing unit. To remove flaws from the melt that remain visible in the end product, a method includes the steps of a) arranging a refining bench between the melting region and the beginning of the refining region; b) arranging side burners and extraction openings for flue gases between the loading opening and the refining bench; c) delimiting the constriction at both ends by end walls that leave narrow flow cross-sections above the glass melt for flue gases; and d) cooling the glass melt inside the constriction. The glass melting oven is particularly suited for producing flat glass and panels for solar elements. The oxidants for the fuels may also be preheated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: BETEILIGUNGEN SORG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Lindig, Helmut Sorg, Alexander Sorg
  • 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
  • Patent number: RE46462
    Abstract: Channel apparatus for use with submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One channel apparatus includes a flow channel defined by a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, the flow channel divided into sections by a series of skimmers. Channel apparatus include both high and low momentum combustion burners, with one or more high momentum combustion burners positioned immediately upstream of each skimmer in either the roof or sidewall structure, or both, and one or more low momentum combustion burners positioned immediately downstream of each skimmer in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and positioned to transfer heat to the molten mass of glass without substantial interference from foamed material. Certain embodiments include increased height of glass-contact refractory, in particular immediately upstream of the skimmers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Aaron Morgan Huber, Marlon Keith Martin, John Euford Mobley