Method and apparatus for removing bubbles from a molten substrate. The molten substrate from a furnace passes through a downtube to reach additional manufacturing tools, such as an extrusion bushing. One or more ultrasonic sensors are arranged along the downtube. The ultrasonic sensor(s) transmit ultrasonic energy into the molten substrate and measure a characteristic of the ultrasonic energy, such as a propagation time for the ultrasonic energy to be reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor(s). A bubble is detected when a change in the characteristic of the ultrasonic energy is detected. When a bubble is detected, flow through the downtube is diverted to a duct to remove a slug of molten substrate that includes the bubble.

Method for removing bubbles from a molten substrate. The molten substrate from a furnace passes through a downtube to reach additional manufacturing tools, such as an extrusion bushing. One or more ultrasonic sensors are arranged along the downtube. The ultrasonic sensor(s) transmit ultrasonic energy into the molten substrate and measure a characteristic of the ultrasonic energy, such as a propagation time for the ultrasonic energy to be reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor(s). A bubble is detected when a change in the Characteristic of the ultrasonic energy is detected. When a bubble is detected, flow through the downtube is diverted to a duct to remove a slug of molten substrate that includes the bubble.

Feeder channel for molten glass including an infrastructure including a block self-cast and sintered in situ. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a block of such an infrastructure and a supply channel for a glassmaking furnace are claimed.

Feeder channel for molten glass including an infrastructure including a block self-cast and sintered in situ. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a block of such an infrastructure and a supply channel for a glassmaking furnace are claimed.

Processes and systems for producing glass fibers having regions devoid of glass using submerged combustion melters, including feeding a vitrifiable feed material into a feed inlet of a melting zone of a melter vessel, and heating the vitrifiable material with at least one burner directing combustion products of an oxidant and a first fuel into the melting zone under a level of the molten material in the zone. One or more of the burners is configured to impart heat and turbulence to the molten material, producing a turbulent molten material comprising a plurality of bubbles suspended in the molten material, the bubbles comprising at least some of the combustion products, and optionally other gas species introduced by the burners. The molten material and bubbles are drawn through a bushing fluidly connected to a forehearth to produce a glass fiber comprising a plurality of interior regions substantially devoid of glass.

Processes and systems for producing glass fibers having regions devoid of glass using submerged combustion melters, including feeding a vitrifiable feed material into a feed inlet of a melting zone of a melter vessel, and heating the vitrifiable material with at least one burner directing combustion products of an oxidant and a first fuel into the melting zone under a level of the molten material in the zone. One or more of the burners is configured to impart heat and turbulence to the molten material, producing a turbulent molten material comprising a plurality of bubbles suspended in the molten material, the bubbles comprising at least some of the combustion products, and optionally other gas species introduced by the burners. The molten material and bubbles are drawn through a bushing fluidly connected to a forehearth to produce a glass fiber comprising a plurality of interior regions substantially devoid of glass.

A method of manufacturing a glass article includes flowing molten glass through a first vessel to a downstream second vessel, the molten glass flowing through a conduit connecting the first vessel to the second vessel, the first vessel and the conduit defining a continuous free volume above a free surface of the molten glass extending into at least a portion of the conduit. The method further includes venting a first atmosphere contained in the free volume to a second atmosphere external to the first vessel through a vent tube connected to the conduit proximate a top of the conduit and above the free surface, the vent tube extending downward from the conduit to a distal end of the vent tube along a longitudinal axis at an angle relative to horizontal and providing fluid communication between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere.

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a conduit in fluid communication with a delivery chamber and an inlet of a forming device. The conduit includes a closed sidewall surrounding a channel extending in a flow direction of the conduit. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes an enclosure surrounding the conduit and extending along a length of the conduit. The enclosure includes a refractory material in contact with the conduit such that an inner surface of the enclosure substantially matches a shape of an outer surface of the sidewall. Methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a conduit in fluid communication with a delivery chamber and an inlet of a forming device. The conduit includes a closed sidewall surrounding a channel extending in a flow direction of the conduit. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes an enclosure surrounding the conduit and extending along a length of the conduit. The enclosure includes a refractory material in contact with the conduit such that an inner surface of the enclosure substantially matches a shape of an outer surface of the sidewall. Methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

A glass transport system configured to mitigate or stop damaging glass leaks by incorporating silica-containing structural components or introducing silica-containing materials to the advancing glass leak flow to cause the molten glass to interact with silica in the silica-containing material and increase the viscosity of the molten glass sufficiently to slowdown or stop the flow of the glass leak.