Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8245539B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-10-21 16:17:58
Document Index: 690192178

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 260', 'art 260', 'art 260', 'art 260', 'art 260', 'art 260']

US8245539B2 - Methods of producing glass sheets - Google Patents
US8245539B2
US8245539B2 US12/779,266 US77926610A US8245539B2 US 8245539 B2 US8245539 B2 US 8245539B2 US 77926610 A US77926610 A US 77926610A US 8245539 B2 US8245539 B2 US 8245539B2
US20110277507A1 (en
238000003286 fusion draw glass process Methods 0 abstract claims description 14
239000011521 glass Substances 0 abstract claims description title 156
The second part 260 may comprise a wide range of resilient materials, such as silicone rubber. The example second part 260 may be formed as an extruded part that may be subsequently machined to provide the pressure ports 262 and the apertures 266. Alternatively, the second part 260 may be injection molded or formed with other manufacturing techniques. In still further examples, the second part and the first part may be made of substantially the same rigid material and may be integral or separate from one another. In such examples, the outer surface of the part may be coated or lined with a resilient material.
As further shown, the same substantially curved cross-sectional profile from the viscous zone 156 and the setting zone 158 can be carried through to the elastic zone 160. In fact, as shown, throughout each of the zones 156, 158, 160, the glass ribbon 140 may have substantially the same cross-sectional profile in a direction of the width of the glass ribbon 140. In further examples, the glass ribbon 140 may be curved to different degrees or may even have different curvatures throughout the elastic zone 160. Thus, the substantially curved cross-sectional profile can exist substantially continuously through each of the zones 156, 158, 160 wherein, as shown in FIG. 5A, a first side 148 a of the glass ribbon 140 includes a convex surface and the second side 148 b of the glass ribbon 140 includes a concave surface.
As shown in FIG. 5A for example, the anvil portion 220 may be positioned with respect to the glass ribbon 140 to be adjacent the second side 148 b (e.g., concave side) of the glass ribbon along the lateral portion 142. A vacuum may be created by one or more pressure zones. For instance, as shown, a plurality of pressure zones 410 a-d may be spaced along the width of the anvil portion 220. In the schematic illustration the plurality of pressure zones includes a central pressure zone 410 a straddled by a first pair of pressure zones 410 b and sequentially straddled by a second and third pair of pressure zones 410 c, 410 d, respectively. While seven pressure zones are illustrated, more or less pressure zones may be provided in further examples. In the illustrated example, the pressure zones may be created by way of the pressure ports 262 recessed within an engagement surface 264 of the second part 260 of the nose member 240. The fluid control manifold 314 may operate to place the pressure ports 262 in selective communication with one or both of the positive pressure source 316 or negative pressure source 318 such that each pressure port 262 may selectively provide a corresponding positive pressure zone or vacuum zone having various pressure magnitudes.
The method can further include the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon 140 to engage the anvil portion 220 of the breaking device 210 in the elastic zone 160. The vacuum force from the pressure ports 262 may be sufficient to draw the lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon 140 to engage the anvil portion 220. In one example, the pressure zones are operated independent from one another as the glass ribbon engages the anvil portion. Independent operation, either in sequence or otherwise, can control the process of flattening out the glass ribbon 140 against the anvil portion 220. For example, one or more of the outermost pressure ports may be operated at a significantly higher vacuum to bring at least one of the side portions 142 a, 142 b in contact with the anvil portion 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the outer most ports 262 may be operated such that the outer pair of pressure zones 410 d have a significantly greater vacuum than the central pressure zone 410 a and remaining pressure zones. As such, the vacuum provided by the negative pressure source 318 may be focused on the outermost pair of pressure zones 410 d to draw the side portions 142 a, 142 b into contact with the anvil portion 220. Then the next pair of pressure zones 410 c may be operated, in sequence, to provide a relatively high suction compared to the remaining pressure zones. This sequential process can continue until the entire lateral portion 142 is engaged with the engagement surface 264 provided by the second part 260 of the nose member 240. Sequentially adjusting the vacuum pressure from the sides of the anvil portion 220 toward the center of the anvil portion 220 can prevent snapping of the ribbon against the anvil portion 220 that may otherwise generate vibrations that can propagate upstream through the glass ribbon 140 into the setting zone 158.
Alternatively, a pressing device may be used to flatten out the lateral portion of the glass ribbon against the anvil portion. The pressing device may comprise a pressing bar, or other contact mechanism. In the illustrated example, the pressing device comprises a roller device 510 including a series of rollers 512 configured to roll across the first side 148 a of the glass ribbon 140 along linear direction 514. As the roller presses the glass sheet against the anvil portion, the vacuum thereafter prevents the glass ribbon 140 from returning to the nonlinear profile before breaking away the glass sheet 152 from the glass ribbon 140 as discussed more fully below. Moreover, the pressure ports may operate sequentially in concert with the pressing device such that the entire lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon 140 is engaged with the anvil portion 220. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 5A by the arrows of the pressure sensors 332 a-g, a relatively weak pressure zone can be initially provided. Turning to FIG. 5B, as indicated by the arrows of the pressure sensors 332 a-d, once the pressing device begins flattening out the glass ribbon 140, the vacuum of the pressure zones may be sequentially increased to firmly hold the flattened extent of the lateral portion 142 against the engagement surface 264. As indicated by the arrow of pressure sensor 332 e, the vacuum of the pressure zone in front of the pressing member may also be increased to help pull the glass ribbon against the anvil portion 220 before being flattened by the rollers 512. As such, vibrations can be avoided that might otherwise result from snapping of the glass ribbon 140 against the anvil portion 220. Once fully engaged, as indicated by the arrows of pressure sensors 332 a-g in FIG. 5C, the vacuum of all of the pressure zones can be increased to help firmly hold the entire lateral portion 142 against the engagement surface 264. Individual and/or sequential control of the vacuum zones can reduce vibrations from propagating up the ribbon to the setting zone 158 where internal stresses and/or shape variabilities may be frozen into the glass ribbon. Moreover, providing the second part 260 with a resilient material (e.g., silicone rubber) can further help absorb vibrations from the process of engaging the lateral portion of the glass ribbon with the anvil portion of the breaking device.
In further examples, the pressure zones may operate at a positive pressure as the lateral portion 142 is engaged with the anvil portion 220. Indeed, as indicated by the arrows of pressure sensor 332 e in FIG. 6, the pressure zone may operate at a maximum pressure just prior to engagement by the roller to help prevent snapping. Once engaged, the pressure zone can be operated at a significant vacuum as indicated by pressure sensors 332 a-d. Pressure zones further away from the pressing member may be operated at a reduced compressed air (see 332 f-g) and may even operate with a slight vacuum.
The method may further include the step of forming a score line along the lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon 140. The score line comprise a continuous score line extending between the side portions 142 a, 142 b although the score line may comprise a dashed score line, a perforated line or other score configuration. Various scoring devices may be used in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, scoring devices may comprise laser devices, mechanical scoring devices and/or devices to otherwise score the glass ribbon. As shown, the scoring device 516 comprises a diamond point scriber or diamond wheel scriber although other scoring structures may be used in further examples.
FIGS. 7A-7D schematically illustrate methods steps of forming a score line 518 along the lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon 140 and breaking away the glass sheet 152 from the glass ribbon 140 along the score line 518 while the entire lateral portion 142 is forced against the anvil portion 220 by the vacuum. As shown in FIG. 7A, the scoring device 516 forms a score line 518 within the glass ribbon 140 such that the at least one pressure port 262 is positioned at a higher elevation with respect to the score line 518. After scoring, the entire lateral portion 142 of the glass ribbon is flattened against the anvil portion 220, wherein the vacuum thereafter prevents the glass ribbon 140 from returning to the nonlinear profile before breaking away the glass sheet 152 from the glass ribbon 140.
FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate one method of releasing the lateral portion 142 from the engagement surface 264. As indicated by pressure sensors 332 d in FIG. 8A, the vacuum associated with the central pressure zone 410 a may be reduced before reducing the vacuum associated with the remaining pressure zones. As such, the central area of the lateral portion 142 begins retaining its original shape while the remainder of the lateral portion 142 remains firmly held against the engagement surface 264. As shown in FIG. 8B, the vacuum associated with the pair of pressure zones 410 b is then sequentially reduced such that further portions of the lateral portion 142 continue to gradually return to the original profile shape. The process can be continued until the original shape illustrated in FIG. 5A is achieved. Controlling the release of the lateral portion can help prevent vibrations and/or popping of the glass ribbon into different higher energy profile shapes.
drawing the glass ribbon into an elastic zone downstream from the setting zone, wherein the lateral portion of the glass ribbon in the elastic zone includes a profile shape along the lateral direction comprising a substantially curved set profile shape;
creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone, wherein the glass ribbon is held such that the profile shape of the lateral portion of the glass ribbon comprises a substantially planar engaged profile shape that substantially matches a shape of the anvil portion, and wherein the vacuum is provided by a plurality of pressure zones that are operated independent from one another;
forming a score line along the lateral portion of the glass ribbon;
breaking away a glass sheet from the glass ribbon along the score line while the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon is forced against the anvil portion by the vacuum; and then
releasing the glass ribbon from the anvil portion such that the profile shape of the glass ribbon does not match the engaged profile shape.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a pressing device to flatten out the lateral portion of the glass ribbon against the anvil portion to achieve the substantially planar engaged profile shape, wherein the vacuum thereafter prevents the glass ribbon from returning to the substantially curved set profile shape before breaking away the glass sheet from the glass ribbon.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the anvil portion comprises a resilient material.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the anvil portion includes at least one pressure port in communication with a fluid pressure device to create the vacuum.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one pressure port is positioned at a higher elevation with respect to the score line.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one pressure port is provided with a plurality of apertures that control fluid flow through the pressure port.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one pressure port is provided with a plurality of apertures that filter glass particles from flowing through the pressure port.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the anvil includes at least one pressure port in communication with a fluid pressure device to create the vacuum and an engagement surface that engages the glass ribbon when the entire lateral portion of the glass sheet is forced against the anvil portion by the vacuum, wherein the at least one pressure port is recessed within the engagement surface.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein a resilient material provides the engagement surface.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum holds the lateral portion of the glass ribbon along a substantially straight cross-sectional profile against the anvil portion prior to breaking away the glass sheet from the glass ribbon along the score line.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the breaking device comprises a traveling anvil machine wherein the anvil portion moves together with the lateral portion in the draw direction while maintaining the vacuum.
US20110277507A1 US20110277507A1 (en) 2011-11-17
US8245539B2 true US8245539B2 (en) 2012-08-21
US20120048905A1 (en) * 2010-08-31 2012-03-01 Gautam Narendra Kudva Apparatus and method for making glass sheet with improved sheet stability
KR20150087277A (en) * 2012-11-16 2015-07-29 코닝 인코포레이티드 Separation apparatuses and methods for separating glass sheets from glass ribbons
JPWO2016104400A1 (en) * 2014-12-22 2017-09-28 日本電気硝子株式会社 Glass plate manufacturing equipment
US20040211218A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-10-28 Nec Plasma Display Corporation Method and apparatus for cutting a glass sheet and method for manufacturing a PDP
WO2008005250A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-10 Corning Incorporated Methods and apparatus for reducing stress variations in glass sheets produced from a glass ribbon
TW200942499A (en) 2009-10-16 Pull roll apparatus and method for controlling glass sheet tension
US8935942B2 (en) 2015-01-20 Process for manufacturing of glass film and manufacturing device thereof
CN102292299B (en) 2014-03-19 Glass sheet stabilizing system, glass manufacturing system and method for making a glass sheet
KR101927543B1 (en) 2018-12-10 Glass plate production method
MX2007003855A (en) 2007-11-21 Bend line with bend controlling grooves and method.
JP5788161B2 (en) 2015-09-30 Glass sheet manufacturing method
KR20120021292A (en) 2012-03-08 Apparatus and method for making glass sheet with improved sheet stability
JP5645063B2 (en) 2014-12-24 Glass film manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method