Abstract: Methods of using a laser to separate a glass sheet is presented that employs an elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beam. The methods allow glass sheets suitable for use in modern display applications to be separated at speeds up to about 200 mm/s with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 100 psi, and preferably less than 50 psi. Glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion (e.g. greater than about 35×10?7/° C.) may be separated at faster speeds. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties (geometry, strength, defect-free etc.) of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having high coefficients of thermal expansion and also with glass sheets of different thickness.

Abstract: Methods for separating glass sheets from glass ribbons are disclosed. One method includes forming a glass ribbon having a curvature in a lateral direction. A conformable nosing is engaged with a first surface of the glass ribbon such that the conformable nosing conforms to the curvature of the glass ribbon. The glass ribbon is scored along a scoring line on a second surface of the glass ribbon. The conformable nosing is then at least partially disengaged from the first surface of the glass ribbon by adjusting a bow of the conformable nosing. A bending moment is applied to the glass ribbon to separate a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the scoring line. Application of the bending moment conforms the curvature of the glass ribbon to the bow of the conformable nosing prior to the glass sheet separating from the glass ribbon.

Abstract: Experimental data is presented which shows that laser scoring of glass sheets (112) with existing techniques produces unacceptable levels of residual stress in the separated sheets as the scoring speed is increased. Methods for solving this problem are disclosed which employ elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beams (13). The methods allow glass sheets (112) to be scored at speeds of 1000 mm/s and above with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 500 psi. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having low coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A glass sheet assembly includes a glass sheet having an edge surface and a shaped fiber. The shaped fiber has a first surface bonded to the edge surface of the glass sheet and a convex second surface not bonded to the edge surface for receiving a load.

Abstract: A conformable nosing device is described herein which conforms to have a bowed shape that substantially matches a bowed shape of a glass sheet and which engages the glass sheet to help minimize the motion of the glass sheet and to help reduce the stress within the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets. In addition, the conformable nosing device can include a passive nosing device which can be controlled to further help minimize the motion of the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming an initiation flaw (111) in the surface (114) of a glass sheet or glass ribbon (13). The initiation flaw (111) is used in connection with a laser light beam (121) and a cooling area produced by a cooling nozzle (119) to from a score line (115) in the surface (114) of the sheet or ribbon (13). The initiation flaw (111) is formed by a mechanical scoring head (20) which is carried by moving carriage (14) and which undergoes retrograde motion (19) relative to the carriage (14) so as to increase the time available for forming the initiation flaw (111).

Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil.

Abstract: A sheet restrainer is used to restrain movement of continuously traveling glass sheet and includes arms on either side of the glass sheet. A driving device coupled to the arms moves the arms from a retracted position in which the arms are withdrawn from the glass sheet to an engaged position in which the arms are near the glass sheet and in alignment with each other. Rollers are connected to the arms and contact the glass sheet in the engaged position. A damping device applies an adjustable damping force to at least one of the arms dampening movement of the arm in the engaged position thereby restraining movement of the sheet. In a method of operation, the damping devices restrain angular and/or lateral movement of the sheet by transmitting movement of the sheet against the rollers into a resistive damping force of the damping devices.

Abstract: A glass sheet assembly includes a glass sheet having an edge surface and a shaped fiber. The shaped fiber has a first surface bonded to the edge surface of the glass sheet and a convex second surface not bonded to the edge surface for receiving a load.

Abstract: A method of cutting glass that prevents uncontrolled crack propagation when high background stress is present, either in the form of thermal residual stress, external mechanical stress or a combination thereof. The method includes masking an edge of the glass by blocking the beam using highly reflective or absorptive material located near the glass surface, or deposited on the surface in a form of a thin film (or highly reflective paint) to prevent uncontrolled crack initiation and propagation starting from the glass edge. The initiation of the laser scoring is located at a predetermined distance from the glass edge. Yet another aspect of the invention embodies stopping propagation of the vent at the exiting end of the score line.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a selected area of a sheet of material relative to a reference plane includes launching a first incident light beam at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the first incident light beam strikes the selected area at a first position and a first angle, thereby producing a first reflected light beam. A second incident light beam is launched at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the second incident light beam strikes the selected area at a second position and a second angle, thereby producing a second reflected light beam. The second position and second angle are different from the first position and first angle, respectively. The first reflected light beam and the second reflected light beam are intercepted at the reference plane.

Abstract: A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process.

Abstract: Methods of using a laser to separate a glass sheet is presented that employs an elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beam. The methods allow glass sheets suitable for use in modern display applications to be separated at speeds up to about 200 mm/s with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 100 psi, and preferably less than 50 psi. Glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion (e.g. greater than about 35×10?7/° C.) maybe separated at faster speeds. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties (geometry, strength, defect-free etc.) of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having high coefficients of thermal expansion and also with glass sheets of different thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for scoring non-flat materials including non-flat glass sheets (1000). In one embodiment, a laser scoring system is described. The laser scoring system includes a laser (102) and an optical head (106). The optical head (106) is configured to receive output from the laser (102) and focus the output into an elongated laser beam having a beam waist and an extended focal depth of greater than ±5 mm relative to the center of the beam waist with a power density sufficient for scoring a material having at least a portion within the extended focal depth. In one aspect the system can include a beam expander (104). The beam expander (104) receives the output from the laser (102), expands the output from the laser to an expanded laser beam, and transmits the expanded laser beam to the optical head (106).

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a surface of a substrate during laser scoring. During the laser scoring process, a narrow cooling liquid jet follows the laser beam to create and propagate a partial vent. Precision of the scoring and overall stability of the process depend upon the accuracy of the alignment of the beam and the fluid stream. In one aspect, the apparatus has a conduit with at least one interior chamber in communication with at least one nozzle orifice. The conduit is configured to be in communication with a pressurized gas source to introduce the pressurized gas into the chamber. The pressurized gas forms a curtain of gas that is used to clean the cooling fluid therefrom the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Experimental data is presented which shows that laser scoring of glass sheets (112) with existing techniques produces unacceptable levels of residual stress in the separated sheets as the scoring speed is increased. Methods for solving this problem are disclosed which employ elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beams (13). The methods allow glass sheets (112) to be scored at speeds of 1000 mm/s and above with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 500 psi. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having low coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape profile of a surface of a sheet of material includes a light source for providing a light beam to be directed at the surface of the sheet of material, a linear translation stage coupled to the light source for translating the light source over the surface of the sheet of material such that the light beam, when directed at the surface, is incident on the surface at multiple positions and produces a reflected light beam at each of the multiple positions, a plurality of light receivers located at predetermined positions for selectively intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, a data acquisition device configured to receive information related to position difference between the light source and a selected one of the plurality of light receivers intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, and a data analysis device configured to correlate the position difference information to a shape profile of the su

Abstract: A method of conveying a glass substrate utilizing an improved non-contact lifting device. The non-contact lifting device employs the Bernoulli effect to create a pressure differential across the glass substrate. The Bernoulli device of the present invention comprises an increased holding or lifting power, and reduces the opportunity for contact between the device and the glass substrate if the device is tilted with respect the plane of the glass substrate surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for scoring glass sheets. A laser beam can be generated having a substantially uniform peak energy density along at least a portion of its length. The laser beam is moved across the glass sheet to create a score line. Further, the glass sheet can be separated along the score line. In some aspects, the laser beam is bimodal and comprises approximately 60-70% TEM00 mode and approximately 30-40% TEM01* mode.

Abstract: A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet.