Device for supporting continuously drawn glass tube moving horizontally includes V-shaped support units having gas-permeable membrane bodies connected to pressurized gas source to support the glass tube

摘要

Device for supporting continuously drawn glass tube (5) moving horizontally comprises support units, each having a support surface (10.1.1, 10.2.1) for the tube. Each support unit (10) comprises, in the region of the support surface, a gas-permeable porous membrane body (10.1, 10.2). The membrane body is connected to a pressurized gas source to deliver gas across the support surface. Preferred Features: The device is provided with an additional gas connection (10.6) to deliver gas under pressure against the lower surface of the drawn glass tube (5). The membrane body (10.1, 10.2) comprises a material based on carbon or ceramic or sintered metal, each with open pores. Each membrane body (10.1, 10.2) has channels for the passage of pressurized gas. These channels extend into the material of the membrane body (10.1, 10.2) at a distance from the support surface (10.1.1, 10.2.1). Two membrane bodies (10.1, 10.2) are provided, arranged in the form of a 'V' in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drawn glass tube. The additional gas connection (10.6) is provided for passing pressurized gas against the lower surface of the drawn glass tube at the apex of the 'V'.