Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction, the steering device comprising:
 a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web;   a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web;   an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web; and   an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of the edge of the glass web in the cross direction.   
     
     
         2 . The steering device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and the edge detection device, the electronic controller comprising a processor and a memory storing a computer readable instruction set, wherein the electronic controller executes the computer readable instruction set to:
 evaluate the position of the edge of the glass web with the edge detection device; and   command the actuator to extend or to contract as to modify the orientation of the fluid injection bar based on the position of the edge of the glass web such that the glass web is positioned in a lateral direction with respect to a pre-determined set point.   
     
     
         3 . The steering device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid delivery apparatus in fluid communication with the fluid injection bar to provide fluid to the fluid injection bar. 
     
     
         4 . The steering device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid injection bar comprises a steering surface positioned proximate to the glass web, the steering surface comprising a plurality of openings that perforate the steering surface, and allow injection of fluid between the steering surface and the glass web. 
     
     
         5 . The steering device of  claim 4 , wherein the steering surface is cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . The steering device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, a linear motor, and a moving iron controllable actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The steering device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the fluid injection bar is cantilevered away from the pivot bearing assembly in a direction opposite the actuator.