Abstract:
A method of reforming a glass sleeve and a shaping tool is disclosed. The method for reforming a glass sleeve may be carried out by providing a tube made of glass. The tube may have a longitudinal axis and an inner curved surface enclosing a space. The tube may be heated to a temperature within the soften range of the glass. A shaping tool may be introduced. The shaping tool may have at least two opposing fingers into the enclosed space. The at least two opposing fingers may extend generally radially. The at least two opposing fingers may be moved against the inner curved surface along a radial axis to reform the tube to form the first portion.
Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatuses for shaping a glass structure, the apparatuses having a plurality of rib members, each rib member comprising at least one void and at least one shaping edge; and at least one support member. The apparatuses can further comprise a shaping member and/or a guide member and/or a shaping groove. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass structure, the methods comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping apparatus and heating the glass structure to shape the glass structure.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) for forming sheet glass (78) includes a pair of rollers (12a, 12b) arranged in opposing relation to form a nip gap (38). At least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) is translatable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38). A pair of spacer belts (34, 36) passes in between the pair of rollers (12a, 12b). The spacer belts (34, 36) are spaced apart along a length of the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and have a thickness to set the width (39) of the nip gap (38). At least one actuator (42a, 42b) is coupled to at least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) and operable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38) until the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) is gripped by the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and the thickness of the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) sets the width (39) of the nip gap (38).
Abstract:
A reformable area and a non-reformable area of a sheet of glass material are heated to a first temperature corresponding to a first viscosity. The reformable area is subsequently locally heated to a second temperature corresponding to a second viscosity, where the second viscosity is lower than the first viscosity. A bend is formed in the reformable area during the local heating of the reformable area by contacting a first pusher with the non-reformable area and translating the first pusher along a linear path to apply a pushing force to the non-reformable area that results in the bend in the reformable area or by contacting a second pusher with an edge area of the reformable area and rotating the pusher along a circular path to apply a pushing force to the edge area of the reformable area that results in the bend in the reformable area.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for automated, sequential processing of a continuous glass ribbon by conveying the glass ribbon in a ribbon travel direction, forming a score line in the glass ribbon, separating a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the score line while supporting the glass sheet with a transfer device, lowering the glass sheet onto a conveyor, and conveying the glass sheet in a sheet travel direction differing from the ribbon travel direction. By transferring and then conveying the glass sheet in a direction differing from the ribbon travel direction (e.g., a 90 degree turn) immediately after glass sheet separation, the systems and method of the present disclosure are conducive to streamlined production of glass sheets utilizing a unique production floor footprint.
Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatuses for shaping a glass structure, the apparatuses having a plurality of rib members, each rib member comprising at least one void and at least one shaping edge; and at least one support member. The apparatuses can further comprise a shaping member and/or a guide member and/or a shaping groove. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass structure, the methods comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping apparatus and heating the glass structure to shape the glass structure.
Abstract:
A high load, high temperature compatible bearing assembly (200) includes a shaft (208) formed of refractory steel or high temperature alloy. A roller (204) formed of refractory steel or high temperature alloy receives the shaft (208) within a bore (220) in the roller (204). At least one bearing ring (212) formed of ceramic is disposed between the shaft (208) and the roller (204). The bearing ring (212) cooperates with the roller (204) to permit the roller (204) to freely rotate around the shaft (208).
Abstract:
A system and method for bending one or more thin glass structures. The system includes heating, bending and cooling zones, each having a plurality of modules aligned and connected to each other to define elongated tunnels, wherein adjacent heating modules are separated from each other by a furnace door. A conveyance mechanism carries the one or more thin glass structures through the modules via the elongated tunnels. Each of the modules include one or more heating elements, each heating element being independently controllable by element or set of elements as a function of a temperature profile for the one or more thin glass structures. The temperature profile can be determined as a function of temperature on the one or more thin glass structures.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus provide for modification of a work-piece at elevated temperatures. A carrier may be provided and operable to support the work-piece. A support mechanism may be provided that is movable via gross translation between a retracted position such that a distal end thereof is away from the carrier, and an extended position such that the distal end thereof is at least proximate to the carrier. A work-piece modification system may be coupled to, and disposed proximate to, the distal end of the support mechanism, and operating to facilitate modifying the work-piece at an elevated temperature. A precision tuning mechanism may couple the work-piece modification system to the support mechanism, and may operate to provide fine adjustments to an orientation, and a distance, of the work-piece modification system relative to the work-piece.
Abstract:
A method for forming a fluidic module for a continuous flow reactor includes providing at least one planar glass or ceramic sheet having one or more through-holes, forming at least one patterned glass or ceramic layer having at least one patterned surface such that the patterned surface comprises channels defined between walls having an upper surface at a common height, stacking the at least one glass or ceramic sheet and the at least one patterned glass or ceramic layer together, the sheet contacting the walls at the common height, such that the channels are enclosed between the sheet and the patterned layer, the sheet being aligned with the patterned layer such that the one or more through-holes each align with respective spaces between walls of the patterned layer to provide fluid access to said respective spaces, and joining the sheet and the patterned layer together by pressing the sheet and the patterned layer together while heating the sheet and the patterned layer; wherein the patterned glass or ceramic layer further comprises one or more raised structures extending above the common height, and wherein the step of stacking comprises stacking the sheet on the upper surface of the walls at the common height, in a position such that the one or more raised structures confine the sheet to a desired position or alignment on the patterned layer.