Device for electrically grounding a float glass production apparatus

US8171752B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Pfeiffer · Kumhausen, DE
• Gernot Roeth · Oppenheim, DE
• Olaf Claussen · Munster, DE
• Knut Jakobi · Jena, DE
• Andreas Roters · Mainz, DE
• Klaus-Dieter Duch · Taunusstein, DE
• Ottmar Schuessler · Udenheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 9, 2009
• Grant date: May 8, 2012
• Expiry date: Jul 2, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B5/163
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The float glass apparatus has a glass melt producing unit including a melting tank and a refining tank for the glass melt, a float tank including a metallic basin and metal bath contained in the basin, conducting devices for conducting the glass melt from the glass melt producing unit to the metal bath and auxiliary devices as needed. In order to minimize bubble defects and extend service life of apparatus parts made from platinum or a platinum alloy, the apparatus includes a device for minimizing direct current flowing between the glass melt producing unit and the float tank, which includes an auxiliary electrode connected with ground and located in the glass melt producing unit in electrical contact with the glass melt and a direct electrical connection between the metallic basin of the float tank and ground.