Abstract:
A support assembly for supporting a glass panel during thermal processing. In one embodiment, a support assembly (10) includes a base member (12), and a mechanism (14) secured to the base member. The mechanism includes a support plate (17) adapted for contact with a panel (42), wherein the mechanism is operative to distribute the weight of the panel and support plate about a bottom surface (40) of the support plate. In a further embodiment a support assembly (100) includes a base assembly (102) and a leveling assembly (104, 105) having a plurality of plates (118) defining a support surface. An alternative embodiment of a support assembly (200) is adapted for supporting panels in a vertical position and includes a base assembly (202) and a leveling assembly (204).
Abstract:
Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Umkehr der Beschickung einer Sputter-Beschichtungsanlage, insbesondere bei der Beschichtung eines photovoltaischen Moduls, in Reinräumen, mit den folgenden Merkmalen: a) einem Transportrahmen (11) zur Aufnahme einer Substratscheibe (19) eines photovoltaischen Moduls, b) einer Dreheinrichtung mit Mitteln zur Halterung des Transportrahmens (11), mit Mitteln zum Drehen des Transportrahmens (11) und mit Mitteln zum Transport des Transportrahmens (11), c) Mittel zur genauen Ausrichtung der Dreheinrichtung in Bezug zur Sputter-Beschichtungsanlage, d) einer Detektiereinrichtung (18) zur Prüfung eines Sputter-Prozesses, und Computerprogramm mit einem Programmcode zur Durchführung der Verfahrensschritte.
Abstract:
Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for heat treating a plurality of glass substrates. The glass substrates are supported on support platform and housed in a heat treating furnace. The substrates are supported in a substantially vertical orientation by restraining pins extending through walls of the furnace, and are separated from each other by frame-shaped spacing members. The spacing members reduce convection currents between the substrates and reduce or eliminate the post-heat treating distortion of each glass substrate to less than 100 m over the entire surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
A glass sheet processing apparatus includes a monorail segment and a double-rail segment that are each configured to support a weight of a glass sheet. In further embodiments, methods of processing glass sheets include the step of conveying a hanging glass sheet along a glass sheet conveyance direction while changing an angle between a major surface of the glass sheet and the glass sheet conveyance direction. In further examples, methods include conveying the hanging glass sheet along a first glass sheet conveyance direction while a major surface of the glass sheet is at a first angle relative to the first glass sheet conveyance direction; and then conveying the hanging glass sheet along a second glass sheet conveyance direction while a major surface of the glass sheet is at a second angle relative to the second glass sheet conveyance direction.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for convective heat treatment of thin glass sheets (17) are provided. The glass sheets (17) are held in a fixture (9) which has a processing volume (19) which has an open top and an open bottom. A bottom support system (15) supports the bottom edges of the glass sheets (17) without blocking a substantial portion of the processing volume's open bottom. A side support system (13) holds the vertical edge regions of the glass sheets during the convective heat treatment, thus reducing vibration and distortion (warp) of the sheets as a result of the heat treatment. The side support system (13) can include vertical members (33) having arms (37) that can include lips (73) for engaging the major surfaces of the glass sheets (17).
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing high quality glass panel includes producing a substantially planar glass sheet having a first portion and an end portion, wherein the first portion and the end portion are both in a substantially vertical first orientation, and twisting the end portion of the glass sheet to a second orientation that is different from the first orientation while the first portion of the glass sheet remains in a first orientation and the end portion of the glass sheet remains attached to the first portion of the glass sheet. The method further includes heat treating the end portion of the glass sheet.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for convective heat treatment of thin glass sheets (17) are provided. The glass sheets (17) are held in a fixture (9) which has a processing volume (19) which has an open top and an open bottom. A bottom support system (15) supports the bottom edges of the glass sheets (17) without blocking a substantial portion of the processing volume's open bottom. A side support system (13) holds the vertical edge regions of the glass sheets during the convective heat treatment, thus reducing vibration and distortion (warp) of the sheets as a result of the heat treatment. The side support system (13) can include vertical members (33) having arms (37) that can include lips (73) for engaging the major surfaces of the glass sheets (17).
Abstract:
A convection compatible closed cassette and method are described herein where the closed cassette is used to heat treat (compact) one or more glass sheets in a uniform manner and in a clean environment. In the preferred embodiment, the closed cassette includes multiple enclosed sections that are supported by a mounting structure in a manner where there is an open passageway between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported enclosed sections. And, each enclosed section is designed to hold and support multiple glass sheets in a manner where there is a space between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported glass sheets. In operation, the closed cassette is placed into an oven (e.g., lehr, batch kiln) so that hot/cold unfiltered air can flow across the major surfaces of each enclosed section and uniformly heat/cool the enclosed glass sheets.