FOREHEARTH TANK ASSEMBLY FOR A GLASS DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

Abstract

Forehearth tank assembly for a glass distribution channel. The assembly includes a single liner, two plungers and more and a single flow washer that has first and second orifices. The plungers are arranged, at least in part, in the liner. More than three grooves are created on the inner surface of the liner. Each has, in an inner part of the liner that is intended to be in contact with molten glass, a lower portion extending over more than 10% of the length of the lower part and having a length, measured following the groove, of greater than 0.1 times the length of the lower part. The length of the lower part is measured along the axis of the liner.

Claims

1. A forehearth tank assembly of a glass distribution channel, the assembly comprising a single liner, at least two plungers, and a single flow washer comprising first and second holes, the plungers being arranged at least partially in the liner, more than three grooves being provided in the inner surface of the liner and each comprising, in a lower portion of the liner which is intended to be in contact with molten glass, a lower portion which extends over more than 10% of the length of the lower portion and which has a length, measured along the groove, greater than 0.1 times the length of the lower portion, the length of the lower portion being measured along the axis of the liner.

2. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of grooves on the inner surface is less than or equal to 0.057*D+4.05 and greater than or equal to 0.048*D−2.43, D being the diameter of the upper opening of the liner in mm.

3. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of a groove, preferably any groove, extends over more than 90% of the length of the lower portion of the liner.

4. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove, preferably any groove, extends over more than 2% of the length L.sub.50 of the liner.

5. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove (52), preferably any groove, extends over more than 95% of the length of the liner.

6. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction of a groove at any point of the groove forms, with the axis of the liner, an angle less than 30°.

7. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of grooves is greater than 8.

8. The forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, at least in the lower portion of the liner, the minimum depth of each groove is greater than 2 mm and less than 10 mm, the difference between the maximum depth and the minimum depth of any groove is less than 4 mm, and/or the mean width of any groove is greater than 10 mm and less than 30 mm, preferably less than 25 mm, and/or the ratio of the depth to the width of a groove is less than 0.5, and/or the ratio of the total surface-area of the openings of the grooves to the surface-area of the inner surface is greater than 20% and less than 70%.

9. A grooved liner which is shaped for a forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1.

10. The grooved liner as claimed in claim 1, having an inner diameter greater than 12 cm.

11. A furnace for producing hollow glass articles, the furnace comprising a forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1.

12. A method for producing a liner of a forehearth tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which method, in order to increase the service-life of the liner, there is provided, on the inner surface of the liner, more than three grooves which each comprise, in a lower portion of the liner which is intended to be in contact with the molten glass, a lower portion which extends over more than 10% of the length of the lower portion and which has a length, measured along the groove, greater than 0.1 times the length of the lower portion, the length of the lower portion being measured along the axis of the liner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description and examination of the appended drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1, described in the preamble, schematically illustrates a conventional forehearth tank assembly in an assembled state in the left image and as an exploded view in the right image;

[0066] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section of two examples of conventional liners;

[0067] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of an example of a plunger with a round end;

[0068] FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal section of an example of a flow washer with two holes;

[0069] FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal section, in an operating position, of an example of a forehearth tank assembly according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the lower right image being a schematic cross section of two grooves;

[0070] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view (lower left image), in longitudinal section (lower right image) and bottom view (upper left image), of the grooved liner of the forehearth tank assembly of FIG. 5. The upper right image is a schematic cross section of two grooves.

[0071] Identical reference numerals are used to refer to identical or similar members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Liner

[0073] FIGS. 1 to 4 having been described in the preamble, reference may be made to FIG. 5.

[0074] This Figure illustrates a forehearth tank assembly 10 comprising [0075] a forehearth tank 11; [0076] a flow washer 14 which comprises first and second holes 28.sub.1 and 28.sub.2; [0077] first and second plungers 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2, having vertical axes Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 respectively, which have first and second lower ends 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2, respectively, which face the first and second holes 28.sub.1 and 28.sub.2, respectively; [0078] a grooved liner 50 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0079] The liner 50 conventionally comprises [0080] a cylindrical sleeve 18 having an axis X which is conventionally vertical and which preferably has a circular cross section and whose aperture 19 opens at the upper and lower ends thereof via an upper opening 20s and a lower opening 20i, respectively, and [0081] at the upper end of the sleeve, a transverse edge 24, or “collar”.

[0082] The sleeve 18 is defined externally by a radially outer lateral surface, or “outer surface” 26e, and internally by a radially inner lateral surface, or “inner surface” 26i. The lower end of the sleeve may be beveled.

[0083] During operation, only a portion of the liner 50, referred to as the “lower portion” 50i, is in contact with the molten glass. The upper portion of the liner 50s does not come into contact with the molten glass. The level N of the molten glass, illustrated with dashed lines in FIG. 5, is defined by the nominal conditions of use of the forehearth tank assembly defined beforehand. The limit between the lower and upper portions of the liner is therefore clear to the person skilled in the art. It is dependent in particular on the forehearth tank model and in particular on the height thereof. Under nominal conditions of use, the level of molten glass is generally between 2.5 and 4 cm below the upper face 60 of the forehearth tank, and the lower edge 53i of the liner is generally from 1.5 to 2.5 cm above the base 62 of the forehearth tank.

[0084] The lower portion of the liner typically extends over more than 15%, preferably more than 20%, preferably more than 25% and less than 70%, preferably less than 65%, preferably less than 60% of the length of the liner.

[0085] The sleeve 18 preferably has a thickness e.sub.18 greater than 18 mm and less than 40 mm, preferably less than 35 mm, preferably less than 27 mm.

[0086] According to the invention, the inner surface 26i comprises a plurality of grooves 52.

[0087] A groove 52, preferably any groove 52, is in the form of a regular helix. The tangent at any point of the helix forms a constant angle θ with a vertical straight line which extends via this point. The angle θ is preferably greater than 5°, preferably greater than 6°, preferably greater than 7° and/or less than 30°, preferably less than 28°, preferably less than 26°, preferably less than 25°. In the Figure, it is 9°.

[0088] Preferably, a groove 52, preferably any groove 52, extends over less than 0.8 of a revolution, preferably less than 0.5 of a revolution, preferably less than 0.4 of a revolution about the axis X.

[0089] A groove 52, preferably any groove 52 extends over more than 2%, preferably over more than 4%, preferably over more than 6%, preferably over more than 8%, preferably over more than 10%, preferably over more than 15%, preferably over more than 20%, preferably over more than 25%, preferably over more than 30%, preferably over more than 35%, preferably over more than 40%, preferably over more than 45%, preferably over more than 50%, preferably over more than 55%, preferably over more than 60%, preferably over more than 65%, preferably over more than 70%, preferably over more than 75%, preferably over more than 80%, preferably over more than 85%, preferably over more than 90%, preferably over more than 95%, preferably over substantially 100% (as in FIG. 5) of the length L.sub.50 of the liner, measured along the axis X.

[0090] Each groove 52 comprises, in the lower portion of the liner, a lower portion 52i which is intended, during operation, to come into contact with molten glass and which may comprise, in the upper portion of the liner, a complementary upper portion 52s which extends the lower portion towards the upper side of the liner 50.

[0091] Preferably, the depth, or “height” h.sub.52, of the lower portion of a groove 52, preferably any groove 52, is constant. Preferably, it is greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm, preferably greater than 4 mm and/or less than 10 mm, preferably less than 9 mm, preferably less than 8 mm, preferably less than 7 mm. Preferably, the width 152 of a groove 52, measured at the opening thereof which is preferably constant, is greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 15 mm and/or less than 30 mm, preferably less than 25 mm.

[0092] Preferably, the lower portion of a groove 52 is shallow with respect to the width thereof. Preferably, the ratio h.sub.52/I.sub.52 of the lower portion of a groove 52, preferably any groove 52, is less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.4, preferably less than 0.3 and/or greater than 0.1, preferably greater than 0.2.

[0093] The transverse profile of the lower portion of a groove 52, preferably any groove 52, that is to say, in a plane of section perpendicular to the axis thereof, as in the lower right image of FIG. 5, is preferably symmetrical. Preferably, the profile is convergent from the opening 54 of the groove up to the base 56 thereof. The absence of an undercut advantageously facilitates the demolding of the liner when it is produced. Preferably, the profile has no edges or corners. Preferably, the minimum radius of curvature is greater than 3 mm, preferably greater than 4 mm.

[0094] The width and/or the depth and/or the profile of the upper portion 52s of a groove, preferably any groove, are preferably identical to those of the lower portion 52i which it extends (when such an upper portion 52s is present).

[0095] Preferably, a groove 52, preferably any groove 52, opens at the lower edge 53i, and, more preferably, at the upper edge 53s of the liner 50. The production of the liner is thus facilitated.

[0096] The density of the grooves is preferably high. Preferably, the ratio of the total surface-area of the openings of the grooves to the surface-area of the inner surface 26i is greater than 20%, preferably greater than 30%, or greater than 35%, and/or less than 70%, preferably less than 70%, preferably less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, or less than 40%.

[0097] The number of grooves on the inner surface is preferably less than or equal to (0.057*D+4.05) and/or greater than or equal to (0.048*D−2.43), D being the diameter of the upper opening 58 of the liner, in mm.

[0098] For example, a liner which has a diameter D equal to 254 mm preferably comprises at least 0.048*254−2.43=9.762, or at least 10 grooves and preferably less than 0.057*254+4.05=18.528, or 18 grooves or less.

[0099] The number of grooves 52 is preferably greater than or equal to 8, or greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 15 and/or less than 30, preferably less than 25.

[0100] Preferably, the grooves 52 are regularly distributed over the inner surface 26i.

[0101] The depth and/or the width and/or the length of a groove may be identical to or different from those of the other grooves.

[0102] Preferably, all the grooves 52 are identical.

[0103] Preferably, all the grooves 52 extend parallel with each other.

[0104] Conventional techniques may be used to produce a grooved liner.

[0105] The liner is preferably made from a ceramic material, optionally at least partially covered with a coating, preferably of platinum.

[0106] The liner preferably comprises more than 95%, preferably more than 98%, preferably more than 99%, preferably substantially 100% of oxides based on the mass of the liner.

[0107] The liner preferably has a composition such that the total content Al.sub.2O.sub.3+ZrO.sub.2+SiO.sub.2+CaO is greater than 90%, preferably greater than 95%, preferably greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99%, in percentage by mass based on the oxides.

[0108] In a first specific embodiment, the liner has a total content Al.sub.2O.sub.3+SiO.sub.2+CaO greater than 90%, preferably greater than 95%, preferably greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99%, in percentage by mass based on the oxides. In the first embodiment, the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 content is preferably greater than 80%, preferably greater than 85%, preferably greater than 90%, in percentage by mass based on the oxides.

[0109] In a second specific embodiment, the liner has a total content Al.sub.2O.sub.3+ZrO.sub.2+SiO.sub.2+CaO greater than 90%, preferably greater than 95%, preferably greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99%, in percentage by mass based on the oxides. The liner may in particular have the following composition, based on the mass of the oxides and for a total of 100%: [0110] Al.sub.2O.sub.3<85%, or Al.sub.2O.sub.3<80% and preferably Al.sub.2O.sub.3>45%, or Al.sub.2O.sub.3>50%, or Al.sub.2O.sub.3>60%, [0111] SiO.sub.2<25%, or SiO.sub.2<20% and preferably SiO.sub.2>5%, or SiO.sub.2>10%, [0112] ZrO.sub.2<45%, or ZrO.sub.2<35%, or ZrO.sub.2<30%, or ZrO.sub.2<25%, or ZrO.sub.2<21%, or ZrO.sub.2<17%, or ZrO.sub.2<13%, and preferably ZrO.sub.2>8%, or ZrO.sub.2>10%, [0113] CaO<5%, preferably CaO<4%, preferably CaO<3%, preferably CaO<2% and, [0114] other oxides <5%, preferably <3%.

[0115] The liner is preferably shaped by means of casting from a material which can be molded in a mold.

[0116] The material which can be molded may be a molten liquid, the cooling leading to a liner made of molten material.

[0117] Alternatively, the material which can be molded may be a slip or a concrete, the hardening being able to result from the action of the mold, for example, of plaster, and/or the compound which brings about the setting in order to obtain a raw liner. Preferably, the raw liner is sintered prior to being used. The raw liner may also be sintered in situ during its use.

[0118] Preferably, the grooves are provided by the shape of the mold. Alternatively, they may be machined in a component obtained after molding or after hardening.

[0119] During operation, in an embodiment, the grooved liner rotates about the axis X thereof.

EXAMPLES

[0120] The following non-limiting examples are given in order to illustrate the invention.

[0121] Forehearth tank assemblies are produced and each comprise a forehearth tank in accordance with the reference 503-5080, two plungers in accordance with the reference 501-6313, a flow washer in accordance with the reference 503-5742 and: [0122] a liner in accordance with the reference 503-5741 for the forehearth tank assembly of the comparative example 1, [0123] a liner in accordance with the reference 503-5741, on the inner surface of which there are provided 14 identical grooves having a width equal to 20 mm and having a width equal to 5 mm, inclined by an angle θ equal to 9° relative to the axis X, and extending over the entire length of the liner, the profile of the grooves having a minimum radius of curvature of 5 mm, for the forehearth tank assembly of the example 2 according to the invention,
the references being defined in the catalogue of consumable products SEFPRO available at the following address: https://www.sefpro.com/products/expendables.

[0124] FIG. 6 shows a plan of this last grooved liner.

[0125] In each of the forehearth tank assemblies, the forehearth tank, the plungers, the flow washer and the liner are made of a sintered material which comprises 75.5% Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 12.5% SiO.sub.2 and 10.5% ZrO.sub.2.

[0126] In each of the forehearth tank assembles, the length of the lower portion of the liner is equal to 225 mm.

[0127] The forehearth tank assembles are used under the following conditions: [0128] the liner rotates at a speed equal to 2.5 rpm, [0129] the mean temperature of the glass on entering the forehearth tank assembly is equal to 1160° C., [0130] the glass is a soda-lime glass, [0131] the quantity of glass passing via the flow washer is equal to 115 T/j.

[0132] The following table 1 summarizes the results obtained.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparative Example according example 1 to the invention 2 Service-life of the liner 7 months 14 months

[0133] These tests show that the provision of grooves on the inner surface of the liner enables the service-life of the liner to be doubled. It changes from 7 months to 14 months.

[0134] The duration between two liner replacements may be increased as a consequence.

[0135] As can be seen clearly, the invention therefore provides a solution to limit considerably the replacement frequency of the liners.

[0136] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and depicted and which are provided purely for the purposes of illustration.

[0137] In particular, the liner may be configured to receive more than two plungers. It may comprise relief variations, and in particular grooves on the outer surface thereof and/or one or more radial holes.