High temperature roll

Abstract

The present invention describes a roll for use in glass manufacture, especially non-dusting TFT glass. The roll may include a hollow fused silica cylinder. End caps are mechanically fixed to the roll. Pulling flats are fixed in place by inner and outer end plates. A compression fitting secures at least the outer end plate to the roll. The roll may be reinforced with an internal metal rod that is secured to the shaft by a plurality of supports. The supports accommodate differences in thermal expansion.

1 . A roll for use in the manufacture of glass sheet comprising a cylindrical body comprising silica and having an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and opposite ends along the longitudinal axis; a plurality of pulling flats consisting essentially of a non-dusting material, wherein each pulling flat is sandwiched between an outer end plate and an inner end plate; the outer end plate secured to the body by an outer retainer and the inner end plate secured to the body by an inner retainer. 
   
   
       2 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the outer retainer comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of: (a) having an inclined surface that complementarily engages an inner surface of the outer endplate and a second surface that engages a recess in the body, the recess having a discontinuity that restricts removal of the retainer from the recess, and (b) a compression fitting comprising fused silica. 
   
   
       3 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body comprises fused silica. 
   
   
       4 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the pulling flats have a Shore D hardness value in the range of 25 to 35. 
   
   
       5 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the pulling flats comprise a non-dusting refractory ceramic. 
   
   
       6 . The roll of  claim 5 , wherein the pulling flats comprise mica and clay. 
   
   
       7 . The roll of  claim 6 , wherein the pulling flats comprise a heat-resistant binder. 
   
   
       8 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the outer retainer comprises fused silica. 
   
   
       9 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein the ends are covered by an end cap fixedly secured to the body. 
   
   
       10 . The roll of  claim 9 , wherein the end cap comprises metal. 
   
   
       11 . The roll of  claim 10 , wherein the end cap is mechanically fixed to the body. 
   
   
       12 . The roll of  claim 1 , wherein at least one plate mechanically supports a pulling flat. 
   
   
       13 . A roll for use in the manufacture of glass sheet comprising a hollow cylindrical body comprising silica and having an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and opposite ends along the longitudinal axis; a plurality of pulling flats consisting essentially of a non-dusting material, wherein each pulling flat is sandwiched between an outer end plate and an inner end plate; the outer end plate secured to the body by an outer retainer and the inner end plate secured to the body by an inner retainer, wherein the hollow cylindrical body defines an interior cavity. 
   
   
       14 . The roll of  claim 13 , further comprising a metal rod that extends through the cavity. 
   
   
       15 . The roll of  claim 14 , wherein the internal metal rod is engaged to the hollow cylindrical body by a plurality of supports. 
   
   
       16 . A roll for use in the manufacture of glass sheet comprising a cylindrical body comprising fused silica and having an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and opposite ends along the longitudinal axis; a plurality of pulling flats comprising clay and mica, wherein each pulling flat is sandwiched between an outer end plate and an inner end plate; the outer end plate secured to the body by an outer retainer and the inner end plate secured to the body by an inner retainer.