Apparatus and method for edge processing of a substrate sheet

Abstract

An apparatus for processing an edge of a substrate sheet. The apparatus includes a finishing member, a shroud, and a tubular member. The finishing member is rotatably maintained within a chamber of the shroud. The shroud includes a wall segment terminating at a major edge that defines a portion of a slot. The slot is configured to receive the edge of the substrate sheet, facilitating interface of the edge with the finishing member. The wall segment further defines a nozzle passageway that terminates at an opening in the major edge. The tubular member projects from the major edge and defines a passage in fluid communication with the nozzle passageway. Cooling agent delivered to the nozzle passageway is injected onto the finishing member via the tubular member even in the presence of vacuum induced cross-flow. In some embodiments, a spatial arrangement of the tubular member is adjustable.

1 . An apparatus for processing an edge of a substrate sheet, the apparatus comprising:
 a finishing member for processing the edge of the substrate sheet;   a shroud defining a chamber within which the finishing member is rotatably maintained, the shroud including:
 a first wall segment terminating at a first major edge, 
 a second wall segment terminating at a second major edge opposite the first major edge, 
 wherein the first and second major edges combine to define at least a portion of a slot open to the chamber and configured to slidably receive the edge of the substrate sheet for interfacing with the finishing member, 
 and further wherein the first wall segment defines a first nozzle passageway for delivering fluid, the first nozzle passageway terminating at a first opening in the first major edge; and 
   a first tubular member projecting from the first major edge and defining a passage in fluid communication with the first nozzle passageway.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular member is configured to direct a flow of a cooling agent from the first nozzle passageway onto the finishing member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular member terminates at a dispensing end opposite the first major edge, and a distance between the dispensing end and the finishing member is less than a distance between the first major edge and the finishing member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first wall segment further defines opposing exterior and interior faces, and the first major edge extends between and adjoins the exterior and interior faces. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first nozzle passageway is defined in a thickness of the first wall segment between the exterior and interior faces. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first major edge is chamfered relative to a remainder of the first wall segment. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an arrangement of the first tubular member relative to the first major edge is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising an actuator linked to the first tubular member and configured to adjust the first tubular member relative to the first major edge. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular member is removably assembled to the first wall segment. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a second nozzle passageway for delivering fluid is defined in the first wall segment, the second nozzle passageway spaced apart from the first nozzle passageway and terminating at a second opening in the first major edge, the apparatus further comprising a second tubular member projecting from the first major edge and defining a passage in fluid communication with the second opening. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a second nozzle passageway for delivering fluid is defined in the second wall segment, the second nozzle passageway terminating at a second opening in the second major edge, the apparatus further comprising a second tubular member projecting from the second major edge and defining a passage in fluid communication with the second opening. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the shroud further defines an exhaust passage in fluid communication with the chamber for removing contaminants therefrom in the presence of a vacuum applied to the exhaust passage. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for processing an edge of a substrate sheet, the apparatus comprising:
 a finishing member for processing the edge of the substrate sheet;   a shroud defining a chamber within which the finishing member is rotatably maintained, the shroud including:
 a wall segment terminating at a major edge thereof, the major edge defining at least a portion of a slot open to the chamber and configured to slidably receive the edge of the substrate sheet for interfacing with the finishing member, the wall segment defining a nozzle passageway for delivering fluid, the nozzle passageway terminating at an opening in the major edge; and 
   a tubular member removably assembled to the wall segment and projecting from the major edge, the tubular member defining a passage in fluid communication with the nozzle passageway.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the tubular member is removably assembled to the wall segment by at least one of a threaded connection and a press fit connection. 
     
     
         15 . A method for processing an edge of a substrate sheet, the method comprising:
 directing the edge of the substrate sheet through a slot in a shroud of a processing apparatus and into a chamber of the shroud, the slot is defined at least in part by a major edge of a wall segment of the shroud;   processing the edge of the substrate sheet with a finishing member disposed within the chamber; and   during the step of processing, directing a stream of cooling agent onto an interface between the edge of the glass sheet and the finishing member via a tubular member projecting from the major edge, the tubular member defining a central passage in fluid communication with a nozzle passageway defined in the wall segment.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting an arrangement of the tubular member relative to the major edge. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of adjusting includes altering a distance between a dispensing end of the tubular member and the major edge. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of adjusting includes altering an angular relationship of a central axis of the tubular member relative to the major edge. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of adjusting includes:
 monitoring wear of the finishing member; and   altering a spatial arrangement of the tubular member relative to the major edge based upon wear of the finishing member.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of monitoring is performed by a computing device operating on software programmed to prompt a change in the spatial arrangement of the tubular member relative to the major edge.