Single-sided linear induction motor controlling the surface shape of molten tin

We apply a Single-sided Linear Induction Motor (SLIM) to control the surface shape of molten metal. There is no precedent for such use of a SLIM in the applications of controlling molten metal. In the float process of producing flat glass it is required for a glass ribbon to leave the molten tin bath horizontally to improve the quality and the operation. Our new technique using a SLIM allows one to keep the level of molten tin higher than the fence and to withdraw the glass ribbon horizontally from molten tin bath without the interference of the outlet fence. We already verified the basic principle by using a 0.3m-wide SLIM and a molten metal. This paper presents theoretical and experimental analyses to demonstrate the surface shape control of molten tin, which can be used in the practical float process, by a 1.5m-wide SLIM. In addition, two types of SLIM mechanisms are compared from the stand point of the location of SLIM.