ACTIVE EDGE ROLL CONTROL IN A GLASS DRAWING PROCESS

• US 20130340481A1
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Anderson, James Gary, Klingensmith, Lewis Kirk, Peris, James Paul, Ulrich, David John
• Granted Patent: US 9,394,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 65/160
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 17/068 Means for providing the drawing force, e.g. traction or draw rollers

Abstract

An apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon including an edge roll assembly that contacts the glass ribbon with a force that is dynamically altered by an actuator electrically coupled to a sensor that measures the force applied against the ribbon. Dynamic, or real-time, variation of the edge roll force minimizes stress variability in the glass ribbon and improves ribbon shape control.

Claims

1. An apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon comprising:

an edge roll assembly comprising;

a rotatable shaft;

an edge roll coupled to the shaft that contacts an edge of the glass ribbon;

a sensor configured to detects a tension force or a pinch force and develops an electrical signal proportional to the tension force or pinch force;

a controller configured to receives the sensor signal and develops a corrective signal; and

an actuator coupled to the edge roll shaft and configured to receives the corrective signal from the controller and vary the tension force or the pinch force in response to the corrective signal.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the edge roll shaft in a horizontal plane.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to move the edge roll shaft in a vertical plane.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pinch force is a passive force.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the passive force is applied by a dead weight.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a maximum peak to peak variation in tension force in a lateral direction across a width of the ribbon produced by the edge roll is less than 4.5 kg.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a maximum peak to peak variation in pinch force is less than 4.5 kg.

8-20. -20. (canceled)