System and method for suppressing the formation of oxygen inclusions and surface blisters in glass sheets and the resulting glass sheets

Abstract

A system and method for suppressing the formation of gaseous inclusions in glass sheets and the resulting glass sheets are described herein. The system includes a melting, fining, delivery, mixing or forming vessel that has a refractory metal component (e.g., platinum component) which has an inner wall that contacts molten glass and an outer wall coated with an oxygen ion transportable material (e.g., zirconia) which is coated with a conductive electrode. The system also includes a DC power source that supplies DC power across the oxygen ion transportable material which causes oxygen ions to migrate from the refractory metal component to the conductive electrode and enables one to control the partial pressure of oxygen around an exterior of the vessel which helps one to effectively prevent hydrogen permeation from the molten glass in order to suppress the formation of undesirable gaseous inclusions and surface blisters within the glass sheet. The present invention also helps one to effectively reduce the oxidation of external, non-glass contact surfaces of the refractory metal component.

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         17 . A glass material formed by a manufacturing process performed within a system that includes: 
 a melting, fining, delivery, mixing or forming vessel, the vessel includes a refractory metal component having an inner wall that contacts the glass and an outer wall coated with an oxygen ion transportable material which is then coated with a conductive electrode; and    a DC power source having a negative power lead connected to the refractory metal component and a positive power lead connected to the conductive electrode.    
     
     
         18 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein when said DC power source supplies DC power across the oxygen ion transportable material then oxygen ions migrate from the refractory metal component to the conductive electrode and enables one to control the partial pressure of oxygen around an exterior of the vessel which helps one to effectively suppress the formation of undesirable gaseous inclusions and surface blisters within said glass material.  
     
     
         19 . The glass material of  claim 18 , wherein said DC power source in addition to enabling one to control the partial pressure of oxygen around the exterior of the vessel also helps one to effectively reduce the oxidation of external, non-glass contact surfaces of the refractory metal component.  
     
     
         20 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said DC power source is capable of supplying adjustable DC power which enables one to control the rate of the oxygen migration from the refractory metal component to the conductive electrode which enables one to control a magnitude of the partial pressure of oxygen to be within a range of about 1 to 10 −10  atmospheres around the exterior of the vessel.  
     
     
         21 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said refractory metal component includes a metal selected from the group of platinum, molybdenum, palladium, rhodium and alloys thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said oxygen ion transportable material includes partially or fully stabilized zirconia.  
     
     
         23 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said manufacturing process is a fusion manufacturing process.  
     
     
         24 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said glass material is a glass sheet.  
     
     
         25 . The glass material of  claim 17 , wherein said glass material is a glass tube.