Orifice ring incorporating a MAX phase material
An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners may include a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices. The first side of the main body has a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, and at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface of the first side of the main body is provided by a MAX phase material such that at least a portion of a circumference of at least one of the one or more discharge orifices is established by the MAX phase material. A glass feeder that includes such an orifice ring is also disclosed.
1 . An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners, the orifice ring comprising:
a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices, the first side of the main body having a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, wherein a portion of the main body is composed of a ceramic material and wherein at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface of the first side of the main body is provided by a MAX phase material such that at least a portion of a circumference of at least one of the one or more discharge orifices is established by the MAX phase material,
wherein the main body includes a central base wall and a peripheral rim surrounding the central base wall, the central base wall defining the one or more discharge orifices and including the glass-contacting surface on the first side of the main body, and wherein the peripheral rim is composed of a ceramic material and the central base wall is composed of the MAX phase material.
2 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more discharge orifices includes between one and three discharge orifices.
3 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 1 , wherein the MAX phase material is a ternary carbide.
4 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 3 , wherein the MAX phase material is comprised of Ti 3 AlC 2 or Zr 2 TiC.
5 . An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners, the orifice ring comprising:
a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices, the first side of the main body having a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, wherein a portion of the main body is composed of a ceramic material and wherein at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface that spans the entirety of the one or more discharge orifices is provided by a MAX phase material,
wherein the entire glass contacting surface is provided by a MAX phase material, and wherein the main body includes a central base wall and a peripheral rim surrounding the central base wall, the base wall defining the one or more discharge orifices and including the glass-contacting surface, and wherein the central base wall is composed of the MAX phase material.
6 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 5 , wherein the peripheral rim is composed of a ceramic material.
7 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 5 , wherein the MAX phase material is a ternary carbide.
8 . The orifice ring set forth in claim 7 , wherein the MAX phase material is comprised of Ti 3 AlC 2 or Zr 2 TiC.
9 . A glass feeder for producing one or more molten glass runners that, upon exit of the feeder, are sheared into molten glass gobs, the glass feeder comprising:
a feeder bowl having a bowl opening;
the orifice ring of claim 1 sealingly engaged to the feeder bowl to close the bowl opening and constitute a bottom of a basin for holding molten glass, the first side of the main body further partially delineating the basin the second side of the main body having a back surface opposed to the glass-contacting surface.
10 . An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners, the orifice ring comprising:
a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices, the first side of the main body having a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, wherein a portion of the main body is composed of a ceramic material and wherein at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface of the first side of the main body is provided by a MAX phase material such that at least a portion of a circumference of
at least one of the one or more discharge orifices is composed of the MAX phase material.
11 . A glass feeder for producing one or more molten glass runners that, upon exit of the feeder, are sheared into molten glass gobs, the glass feeder comprising:
a feeder bowl having a bowl opening;
the orifice ring of claim 5 sealingly engaged to the feeder bowl to close the bowl opening and constitute a bottom of a basin for holding molten glass, the first side of the main body further partially delineating the basin, the second side of the main body having a back surface opposed to the glass-contacting surface.