MOLTEN METAL BATH, PARTICULARLY A MOLTEN TIN BATH, OF A PRODUCTION LINE FOR PRODUCING FLAT GLASS, AND METHOD FOR LIMITING THE DIFFERENTIAL EXPANSION BETWEEN THE CROWN AND THE VAT

摘要

The invention relates to a tin bath of a production line for producing flat glass, including a crown (6) covering a vat (5), in which the liquid tin (10) is located. The crown (6) consists of a self-supporting structure (29) that rests directly on each side of the vat (5), on a supporting framework (25), by means of a limited, suitable number of sliding or rolling bearings (24). The invention also relates to a method making it possible to limit the longitudinal differential expansion between the crown (6) and the vat (5) such as to prevent deterioration of the luting seams (19) between the vat (5) and the crown (6) that can cause gas leaks between the bath environment and the outside of the vat. Said method is characterized in that it involves monitoring the longitudinal differential expansion between the vat (5) and the crown (6) by measuring the latter and adjusting the cooling of the vat such as to keep said differential expansion within defined limits.