IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,319,236
Granted Patent B2
US 11,319,236 · App. 16/668,136 · Granted May 3, 2022

Glass fining using an objective and molten metal

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,319,236
App. No.
16/668,136
Granted
May 3, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A glass refining system, glass refining device, and method are disclosed. The apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes an objective having a laterally outer extremity, where a molten metal stream flows from an opening in the objective and over the objective, and separates from the objective at a molten metal separation location that is inboard of the extremity; and a molten metal receptacle disposed below the objective and configured to receive the molten metal stream, wherein a molten glass stream flows downwardly toward the objective and over the molten metal stream, and wherein the molten glass stream separates from the molten metal stream at a molten glass separation location that is laterally outboard of the molten metal separation location and flows into a molten glass receptacle.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus for fining molten glass, comprising:

an objective having a laterally outer extremity, where a molten metal stream flows from an opening in the objective and over the objective, and separates from the objective at a molten metal separation location that is inboard of the extremity; and

a molten metal receptacle disposed below the objective and configured to receive the molten metal stream,

wherein a molten glass stream flows downwardly toward the objective and over the molten metal stream, and wherein the molten glass stream separates from the molten metal stream at a molten glass separation location that is laterally outboard of the molten metal separation location and flows into a molten glass receptacle.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the objective is spherical.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the objective is polyhedral.

4. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the objective is composed of a refractory material.

5. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the objective is composed of tungsten, tantalum, platinum, or some other high-melting-point metal.

6. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the molten metal stream flow is laminar.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the molten metal stream comprises at least one of steel, a steel alloy, or tin.

8. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the molten glass stream flow is laminar.

9. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the molten glass stream and the molten metal stream are immiscible.

10. A system for fining molten glass, comprising:

a glass melter for providing a molten glass stream;

an apparatus configured for fining the molten glass stream, the apparatus including

an objective having a laterally outer extremity, where a molten metal stream flows from an opening in the objective and over the objective and separates from the objective at a molten metal separation location that is inboard of the extremity; and

a molten metal receptacle disposed below the objective and configured to receive the molten metal stream,

wherein the molten glass stream flows downwardly toward the objective and over the molten metal stream, and wherein the molten glass stream separates from the molten metal stream at a molten glass separation location that is laterally outboard of the molten metal separation location; and

an enclosure for enclosing the apparatus.

11. The system in claim 10 , wherein the enclosure includes at least one reflecting wall configured to retain heat within the enclosure.

12. The system in claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one thermal radiation shield configured to retain heat within the enclosure.

13. A method of fining molten glass, comprising the steps of:

flowing a molten metal stream downwardly over an objective having a laterally outer extremity, wherein the molten metal stream separates from the objective at a molten metal separation location that is inboard of the extremity;

receiving the molten metal stream in a molten metal receptacle below the objective;

flowing a molten glass stream downwardly toward the objective and over the molten metal stream flowing over the objective, wherein the molten glass stream separates from the molten metal stream at a molten glass separation location that is laterally outboard of the molten metal separation location; and

receiving the molten glass stream in a molten glass receptacle below the objective.

14. The method in claim 13 , wherein the objective is spherical.

15. The method in claim 13 , wherein the objective is polyhedral.

16. The method in claim 13 , wherein the objective is composed of a refractory material.

17. The method in claim 13 , wherein the objective is composed of tungsten, tantalum, platinum, or some other high-melting-point metal.

18. The method in claim 13 , wherein the molten metal stream flow is laminar.

19. The method in claim 13 , wherein the molten glass stream flow is laminar.

20. The method in claim 13 , further comprising:

recirculating the molten metal stream from the molten metal receptacle to the objective.