Patent ID: 7748236
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: C03B

Abstract:
1. An improved apparatus for forming sheet glass, the apparatus comprising a trough for receiving molten glass that has sides attached to a wedged shaped sheet forming structure that has downwardly sloping sides converging at the bottom of the wedge such that a glass sheet is formed when molten glass flows over the sides of the trough, down the downwardly sloping sides of the wedged shaped sheet forming structure, and meets at the bottom of the wedge, wherein the improvement comprises: a) at least one support web which is positioned at a centerline of the forming structure, attached to the bottom of the trough and supported above the weir, wherein the support web, which has greater resistance to thermal creep than the forming structure, supports the forming structure in a manner such that there is negligible thermal creep longitudinal curvature of the forming structure; and b) at least one downcomer glass feed pipe at an inlet end of the forming structure; such that any deformation of the forming structure that results from thermal creep has a minimal effect on a thickness variation of the glass sheet.