Abstract: A furnace for fining molten glass is provided in which glass flows in a substantially vertical direction prior to exiting the furnace. As it flows vertically, the glass is allowed to cool. This cooling, in turn, allows the glass to be removed from the furnace through a narrow passageway without producing excessive wear of the passageway. Preferably, vertical flow of the molten glass at the exit end of the furnace is produced across the furnace's full width. In this way, the molten glass does not stagnate within the furnace and undesirable scums on the top surface of the glass are avoided. In certain preferred embodiments, the vertical flow is achieved by a trough which has sloped sides and which connects with and extends downward from the bottom surface of the furnace.

Abstract: An optical waveguide fiber is provided which comprises (a) a glass core; (b) a glass cladding which includes a barrier layer in the region of its outer surface which has an index of refraction and an absorption coefficient which are greater than the index of refraction and the absorption coefficient of the remainder of the cladding; and (c) a polymeric protective coating which is in direct contact with the outer surface of the cladding and which has an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the barrier layer and less than the index of refraction of the remainder of the cladding. In certain preferred embodiments, the polymeric coating is selected from the group consisting of RTV silicone rubbers, UV curable silicones of the thio-ene type, UV curable silicone acrylates, and fluoropolymeric coatings.

Abstract: An improved metallic cooking utensil suitable for use both in stovetop cooking such as frying and in a microwave oven is disclosed. The utensil features a bowl member formed of a single piece of stainless steel having a relatively square cut-off edge, that is, without a rolled-over edge or other complex edge detail. The upper portion of the disk member forms a circumferential flange which is extended at least two points to receive handles. The handles are formed of a microwave-transparent polymer material, and are affixed to the extended portions of the flange by rivets extending through square holes formed in the flange extensions. The bowl defines a relatively broad radius between its bottom portion and the upper flange, and may have a heat conductive element plated onto or affixed to its bottom for improvement of its heat conducting characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the glass shape is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass and annealed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of two groups of glass-ceramic materials exhibiting properties rendering them especially suitable as substrates for integrated circuit packaging. The first group of materials contains gehlenite, anorthite, and akermanite as the predominant crystal phases and consists essentially, in weight percent of 1-7.25% MgO, 22-40% CaO, 18-36% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 29-42% SiO.sub.2. The second group of materials contains gehlenite, anorthite, and hardystoneite as the predominant crystal phases and consists essentially, in weight percent, of 2-13% ZnO, 22-37.5% CaO, 18-34% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 28-42% SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of hybrid composite bodies composed of an essentially alkali-free, alkaline earth aluminosilicate glass matrix reinforced with SiC whiskers and continuous ceramic fibers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing a transition metal pattern on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate by selective exudation of a transition metal from a glass substrate containing the metal as an oxide. The selective exudation is effected by applying an intense, well-focused source of energy to a glass in a pattern corresponding to the desired metal pattern. This develops localized heating, and thereby causes corresponding localized metal exudation from the glass. The metal pattern may be rendered electroconductive, and may constitute a pattern of interconnecting lines for microcircuitry.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of assembling and fusing the segment and major elements of a multifocal lens blank that employs glass spacer members to space the segment from the major element and allow the segment to progressively slump into sealing relationship with the major as fusion temperature is approached. The glass spacer member has a softening point that is lower than that of the major element glass and may approximate that of the segment glass.

Abstract: An optically activated bleaching process effective to permanently modify the color of surface-colored silver halide-containing photochromic glasses produced by thermal reduction treatments is described, wherein the glass is coincidentally exposed, for an effective time interval, to (i) a source of high energy light and (ii) a heat source. The process reduces the relatively strong absorption peaks characteristic of the initially colored glass, resulting in a permanent bleached appearance.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of glasses especially suitable for use as ophthalmic lenses which exhibit indices of refraction between about 1.699-1.703, Abbe numbers equal to or greater than 41.0, densities less than 3.25 g/cm.sup.3, and good resistance to attack by acids. The glasses are essentially free of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and consist essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 33-37 CaO 8-9.5 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 7.5-13 SrO 2-4 SiO.sub.2 + B.sub.2 O.sub.3 44-48 La.sub.2 O.sub.3 12.3-14.5 Li.sub.2 O 5-8 ZrO.sub.2 4-6 Na.sub.2 O 0-2.5 Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 8-10.5 K.sub.2 O 0-2 TiO.sub.2 5-7 Li.sub.2 O + Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O 5-8 As.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-0.8.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluorinated phyllosilicate material and method of producing such material. The material has fluoride ions chemically bonded to a natural phyllosilicate in part at least by exchange with hydroxyl ions. The method comprises exposing a phyllosilicate to a source of fluoride ions, either gaseous, aqueous fluoride solution, or a volatile solid, and chemically bonding flouride ions to the phyllosilicate structure. The fluorinated material may be heated to a temperature in the range of 100.degree.-1000.degree. C., preferably 300.degree.-800.degree. C. to dehydrate the material. Heating at 800.degree. C. may create new crystal phases, such as sellaite (MgF.sub.2) or fluorite (CaF.sub.2).

Abstract: A field-installable, expanded beam waveguide connector is provided by opposing molded glass bodies having integrally formed therein an aspheric lens with protective ring and conically-shaped fiber alignment depressions. The glass bodies are inserted within at least one sleeve and are operatively associated at one end with their respective fibers, and at the other end to each other.

Abstract: A method for modifying surface coloration in silver halide-containing photochromic glasses developed by thermal reduction treatments is described, which method comprises subjecting the glass, prior to the coloring thermal reduction treatment, to a silver ion exchange treatment during which silver ions are introduced into at least a portion of the surface of the glass article. Subsequent thermal reduction of the silver-containing surface portion of the glass provides novel colors and/or color patterns therein.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of glass-ceramic materials especially suitable for use in multilayer substrates for integrated circuit packages. The inventive glass-ceramics are derived from thermally crystallizable glass which, in the form of frit, are capable of being sintered into an integral body at temperatures below 1000.degree. C. and essentially concurrently crystallized in situ to yield BPO.sub.4 as the predominant crystal phase. The inventive glass-ceramics exhibit a linear coefficient of thermal expansion between about 30-45.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C., a dielectric constant less than 5, and consist essentially, in weight percent, of 10-25% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 20-40% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and >50-65% SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass compositions especially suitable for projection cathode ray tube faceplates which are essentially free from PbO and other readily reducible metal oxides, fluorine, ZnO, TiO.sub.2, and MgO, and which consist essentially, in weight percent, of______________________________________ Li.sub.2 O 0.75-3 Li.sub.2 O + Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O 11-16 Na.sub.2 O 5-7 CaO + SrO + BaO 21.5-26 K.sub.2 O 5-7 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1-2 SrO 7.5-10 ZrO.sub.2 2-7 BaO 14-16 CeO.sub.2 0.4-0.8 CaO 0-3 SiO.sub.2 55-60.

Abstract: A method of delaminating a phyllosilicate is disclosed wherein the phyllosilicate is heated in the presence of a reactive vapor phase, preferably a hydrogen-containing atmosphere. The delaminated phyllosilicate is less than 1000.ANG. thick, and is stabilized against moisture pickup. The formation of either a layer of a transition metal, or an organic reactive site, on the phyllosilicate surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: Glass compositions suitable for the manufacture of sheet glass for liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are disclosed, such glasses consisting essentially, in cation percent, of about 52-58% SiO.sub.2, 12.5-18% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 20-23% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-4% MgO, 0-6% CaO, 0-6% SrO, 1-9% BaO, 8-12% MgO+CaO+Sro+BaO, -3% ZnO, and 0-1% of fining agents. These glasses have a strain point in excess of 625.degree. C., an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of about 20-60.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. over the range 25.degree.-300.degree. C., an internal liquidus temperature not exceeding about 1050.degree. C., and chemical durability sufficient to exhibit a weight loss in 5% HCl at 95.degree. C. not exceeding about 10 mg/cm.sup.2 in a 24 hour period, and so offer the glass stability necessary for overflow downdraw sheet forming and the high strain point and chemical durability needed for LCD manufacture.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice and the method of forming it are described wherein a hollow cylindrical glass member is provided, the member having a bore along the longitudinal axis thereof. Fluid at a pressure in excess of ambient pressure is provided to the bore while the member is subjected to localized heating of the member to the softening point of the glass. In this manner, a bubble is formed within the member bore under the influence of said heating and pressure. For more uniform blubbles, the member may be rotated about its longitudinal axis while it is subjected to said fluid pressure and heating. The splice member is subsquently formed by severing the cylindrical member at the location of the bubbles. Optical fibers may be inserted into the ends of the splicing member and cemented in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of attaching an optical fiber alignment ferrule to a connector body, the first end of which is lens-shaped. The body has an indented region in the second end thereof opposite the lens, the indented region being centered on the optical axis of the lens. The body is mounted in a cavity in an alignment fixture which also includes a bore that is aligned with the cavity. The bore is so positioned that when a connector body is mounted in the cavity, the axis of the bore is coaxial with the optical axis of the lens. A rigid alignment rod is slidably mounted in the bore so that the rod is capable of only longitudinal movement along its axis. One end of the rod is inserted through the hole in a tubular ferrule. The rod is advanced toward the connector body until the rod contacts the bottom of the indented region. The ferrule is moved along the rod until it contacts the second surface of the body. The ferrule is then bonded to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved wood burning stove having a combustion chamber and a flue for removing exhaust from the chamber wherein the improvement comprises the addition of a catalytic converter means for oxidizing oxidizable species in the exhaust. In one embodiment, the catalytic converter means is situated in a flue immediately adjacent the combustion chamber. In another embodiment, the catalytic converter means is situated in the combustion chamber itself. In addition the nature and structure of a catalytic converter means have been determined for marginal acceptable and optimum performance with adequate pressure drop thereacross.