Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: A non-contact dancer mechanism for conveying a web of brittle material includes a guide rail and a variable position web support plenum adjustably positioned on the guide rail. The variable position web support plenum may include an arcuate outer surface with a plurality of fluid vents for emitting a fluid to support the web of brittle material over and spaced apart from the arcuate outer surface thereby preventing mechanical contact and damage to the web of brittle material. A support plenum counterbalance may be mechanically coupled to the variable position web support plenum, wherein the support plenum counterbalance supports at least a portion of the weight of the variable position web support plenum on the guide rail. Apparatuses incorporating the non-contact dancer mechanism and methods for using the non-contact dancer mechanism for handling continuous webs of brittle material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining an external covering of a photovoltaic device, said covering being constituted by a glass substrate having texturing in the form of at least one row of grooves that are mutually parallel and preferably spaced by a regular distance d, said method being characterized in that there is used, for the impression of said texturing, texturing means incorporating reliefs whose spacing is different from the distance d between two rows of grooves on the glass substrate. The invention also relates to a substrate or to a photovoltaic module incorporating a substrate that can be obtained by application of the preceding method.

Abstract: A non-contact dancer mechanism for conveying a web of brittle material includes a guide rail and a variable position web support plenum adjustably positioned on the guide rail. The variable position web support plenum may include an arcuate outer surface with a plurality of fluid vents for emitting a fluid to support the web of brittle material over and spaced apart from the arcuate outer surface thereby preventing mechanical contact and damage to the web of brittle material. A support plenum counterbalance may be mechanically coupled to the variable position web support plenum, wherein the support plenum counterbalance supports at least a portion of the weight of the variable position web support plenum on the guide rail. Apparatuses incorporating the non-contact dancer mechanism and methods for using the non-contact dancer mechanism for handling continuous webs of brittle material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate, a method of manufacturing a glass-ceramic plate, and hubs equipped with the glass-ceramic plate. A flat or substantially flat glass-ceramic plate includes a surface provided with pegs, the plate configured to equip a hob. At least one smooth region, free of pegs, is reserved in a location designed to come, in a mounted position, face to face with one or more elements of the hob, the blurred view of which due to the pegs must be improved.

Abstract: A method for roll forming a heated glass sheet utilizes a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are pivotally moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: This invention provides a belt for bending a glass sheet without surface defects caused by roller marks, belt junctions or belt deformations. A strip of heat-resistant member is joined together while the ends of the heat-resistant member are arranged so that they are not exposed at the surface defined by an endless track for bending the glass sheet. Alternatively, fitting portions are arranged along the endless track, and the glass sheets are bent while these fitting portions prevent a deformation of the belt. Bent glass sheets can be manufactured efficiently and without surface defects by bending the sheets while conveying them with such a belt.

Abstract: A plurality of rollers provided at positions where a transferred glass plate is moved vertically to form a transferring plane formed by the primary rollers into a curved plane, and the curved plane is shifted in the transferring direction of the glass plate with the transfer of the glass plate to bend and shape the glass plate to have a predetermined curvature along the curved plane. Thus, there are obtainable a bending and shaping method and apparatus which does not require the exchanging of rollers in response to the type of glass plate being worked.

Abstract: A roll-forming unit of a curved glass manufacturing apparatus includes a cooperating pair of upper and lower forming roll mechanisms. Each mechanism includes a forming roll having a resilient rod covered with a cover member except opposite end portions thereof, a pair of support members rotatably supporting the opposite end portions of the resilient rod while allowing the resilient rod to tilt about said support members, a bending unit coupled with at least one of the opposite end portions of the resilient rod for applying to the one end portion an external force tending to flex the forming roll into either an upwardly arched configuration or a downwardly arched configuration, and at least one backup roller unit being in rolling engagement with the forming roll to maintain the arched configuration of the forming roll.

Abstract: The forming tool with a special structuring surface includes a reusable ceramic base tool and a replaceable metallic forming member releasably attached to the base tool and provided with a structuring surface for forming a structure in the plate glass. When the comparatively rapidly wearing forming member must be replaced, especially when structuring to form structures with sharp edges, only replacement of the metallic forming member is necessary. This two-component structure also provides additional freedom regarding selection of materials for the base tool and the structuring surface. Thus the base tool can have a comparatively smaller thermal expansion and/or conductivity and the forming member can have a comparatively higher thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A forming station (26) for roll forming a heated glass sheet include a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets includes a roll conveyor for supporting a glass sheet, the glass sheet having a top and a bottom surface. The roll conveyor includes a plurality of vertically movable rolls for arching the conveyor to a curvature corresponding to a desired degree of bending in the glass sheet. The rolls each have two opposed ends, and at least some of the rolls being deflectable such that at least mid-sections thereof are movable relative to a vertical position of ends thereof. The apparatus further includes a plurality of movable press rollers disposed above the rolls. The press rollers are movable in a vertical direction to apply a pressing force to the top surface of the glass sheet.

Abstract: Glass sheets which have been heated to bending temperature are bent by passing the glass sheets over a shaping bed having a substantially circular or substantially conical profile of revolution as seen in the longitudinal direction of the shaping bed. The shaping bed is composed of an assembly of revolving elements adapted for driving the glass sheets and at least one hot air cushion acting on the glass sheets in the first part of the bending zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the preferable two-dimensional arching of glass sheets heated to the softening temperature comprising a following cooling section, the horizontal guiding of the glass sheets taking place on a plurality of movable transport rods and rollers which form a horizontal surface. The transport rods are provided in two groups which project outwardly from a respective mounting at the two lateral edges of the roller hearth furnace into the roller hearth furnace surface; the two groups of the transport rods are pivotal by a pivot movement via their respective mountings downwardly between linear forming elements, in particular forming rods, the joint upper tangential surface of which corresponds to the contour of the lower side of the arched glass sheet. Alternatively, at least one edge region of some transport rods may be pivoted upwardly to arch glass sheets or panes having one or two bends, for example bus windows or display case panes.

Abstract: A machine cambering glass plates as a curved shaping bed formed of vertically aligned pairs of rollers. Each roller of each pair has an end mounted to a pivoting arm so that it can be elastically bent in a middle portion thereof, while keeping the ends of the rollers straight. Needle bearings support the rollers in the bending plane. The support arm for the lower roller supports the support arm for the upper roller, so that the two pivot together so as to provide uniform bending for the upper and lower pairs of rollers.

Abstract: A machine cambering glass plates as a curved shaping bed formed of vertically aligned pairs of rollers. Each roller of each pair has an end mounted to a pivoting arm so that it can be elastically bent in a middle portion thereof, while keeping the ends of the rollers straight. Needle bearings support the rollers in the bending plane. The support arm for the lower roller supports the support arm for the upper roller, so that the two pivot together so as to provide uniform bending for the upper and lower pairs of rollers.

Abstract: In a substantially horizontal conveyor or conveying heated glass sheets, a positioning device for aligning the sheets in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. It includes thrust rods advanced by the engagement of cam followers moving with the thrust rod on cams stationary with respect to the conveyor. Draw springs return the thrust rods to their initial position. The thrust rods are mounted on crosswise carriages, which are in turn mounted on carriages movable in the conveying direction and in synchronism with the glass sheets. The thrust rods are pivotally mounted on the crosswise carriages about horizontal axes, and so their distal ends can be displaced out of the plane of the glass sheets during the return movement of the carriage.

Abstract: An adjustable roll forming arrangement for shaping heat softened glass sheets. Each end of a series of transversely curved, longitudinally spaced forming rolls are mounted on first and second longitudinally extending flexible members. The members may be adjusted so that each roll end is positioned along a desired longitudinal radius of curvature that can be modified by flexing the flexible member.

Abstract: A method of producing heat strengthened glass in which the glass is heated to a temperature above its strain point and is then cooled while horizontally supported. Discontinuous support is provided for the glass as it is cooled by intermittent regional contact with the lower surface of the glass, whereby any pattern of iridescence resulting from heat transfer between the lower glass surface and the support is free of prominent continuous features. A glass treatment furnace for producing heat strengthened glass, has horizontal glass-supporting rollers and cooling-flow supply means in the vicinity of those rollers, the bearing surface of each roller comprising discontinuous bearing elements which provide intermittent regional support contact with the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to bending of glass plates moving in a horizontal position, under the effect of their own weight, with a device comprising a shaping bed made of rotating shaping elements whose surfaces in contact with the glass plates, as they advance, define increasingly curved generatrices, these shaping elements being carried by a frame that can be inclined by pivoting around a transverse axis located at its upstream end. The frame is mounted on pivoting axes (XX', YY', ZZ') that are adjustable in height. Particular zones of the glass plates can be kept at a constant level during bending, which improves the optical quality of the glass plates thus bent.

Abstract: The invention relates to bending of glass sheets moving in a horizontal position. In a first phase glass sheets are bent on a shaping bed made up of rotating elements, then in a second phase these sheets are subjected to a complementary bending between two molds of a bending press. Air flow is used to help support the glass in the second phase.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus for shaping heat-softened glass sheets into a configuration having a longitudinal radius of curvature that varies in a direction transverse to the glass sheet. Opposing ends of each forming roll are mounted along continuous arcuate paths defining two different longitudinal radii. Quenching rolls are mounted downstream of the forming rolls with each opposing end mounted along a continuation of the corresponding longitudinal radii.

Abstract: In a rolling machine for continuously manufacturing rolled plates of glass or glass ceramics, in which the two shaping rolls can be changed during operation without interrupting the flow of glass, the two shaping rolls together with at least one replacement roll are disposed in a respective change-over device rotatable around a shaft which is symmetrical relative to all the rolls. To enable both shaping rolls to be rapidly changed during operation, the change-over device for the top shaping roll has a device for rapidly raising and lowering the change-over device and thus raising or lowering the top shaping rolls.

Abstract: A roller construction is described for use in glass bending apparatus employing an array of curved rods. A tubular sheath is rotatably mounted on a curved rod. The sheath comprises a tubular metal winding that is coaxial with the rod and a coaxial metal meshing adjacent either the inner or outer surface of the winding. Such a sheath provides both good torsional resistance and flexibility in the axial direction. When an array of such curved rods is used to define a cylindrical surface in glass bending apparatus, heated glass sheets may be bent on such array to conform their curvature to the surface defined by the rods.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are set forth for forming articles from molten sheet glass wherein the molten sheet glass initially substantially conforms to a mold cavity by a combination of vacuum and/or gravity, and then while still in a semi-molten condition the sheet is pressed into a finished ware article.

Abstract: A non-asbestos millboard refractory composition useful for the manufacture of lehr and glass tempering rolls and useful at temperatures above about 650.degree. C. comprises on a dry weight basis 10-30 percent ceramic fiber, 0-10 percent organic fiber, 35-60 percent pyrophyllite and 20-35 percent inorganic binder. This composition is particularly useful in the manufacture of a non-asbestos millboard sheet which is formed by preparing an aqueous slurry of the components of this composition, adding flocculant and developing the flocculated composition into sheet form by placing the slurry on a rotating screened cylinder to effect formation and dewatering, transfering the dewatered and formed slurry to a synthetic felt and then to an accumulator roll, where layers of the slurry are accumulated upon one another to a desired thickness. The accumulated layers are then slit, removed and formed into flat sheets of desired dimensions for subsequent use.

Abstract: An energy saving method for the bending of glass sheets is disclosed. A sheet of glass is heated in an oven, conveyed to a curving form which includes a plurality of arched rods for imparting a desired curvature to the glass sheet, and finally the curved glass is tempered. The glass is heated in the oven to a first temperature that is only about 10.degree. C. greater than the required temperature of the glass at the commencement of the tempering step. Heat loss from the glass between the steps of heating and tempering is minimized by the disclosed apparatus which comprises a thermally insulating enclosure as well as means for cooling the rods.

Abstract: The flat glass sheet to be curved, which is at softening temperature, is advanced in a horizontal position on a curved bed formed by a series of flexible shaping rolls including coiled springs having progressively increasing degrees of curvature such that as the sheet moves thereon it will be caused to bend under its own weight to gradually assume the curvature of the shaping rolls. The shaping rolls are provided with end sections which are angularly adjustable to independently alter the degree of curvature of the rolls. The shaping bed is followed by a second bed formed of flexible rolls having a constant curvature on which the curved sheet is supported and subjected to a tempering and or cooling procedure. Means is also provided for driving the rolls of the shaping bed and the rolls of the second bed to move the glass sheets forwardly at a constant speed.

Abstract: A roll for conveying flat glass at elevated temperatures over extended periods of time without material damage to the supported surface of the glass, and a procedure for preparing such rolls. The roll is built up of thin asbestos discs compressed endwise upon a mandrel. The asbestos is impregnated with a solution of potassium sulfate and then thoroughly dried before the roll is put into use. The potassium sulfate crystals provide lubricity to the roll surface and bind the asbestos fibers together so as to improve the durability of the roll while minimizing damage to the heated glass.

Abstract: An automatic system and process of shaping and tempering glass pieces comprising reception of a flow of heated glass pieces between upper transverse drive rollers and lower transverse drive rollers, driving and shaping the heated glass pieces between the upper rollers and lower rollers, circulating and deforming the glass pieces alternately between upper and lower positions of the upper and lower rollers, directing an air current upon the glass pieces at the moment the glass pieces circulate in the space between the upper and lower rollers, and discharging the shaped pieces from between the upper and lower rollers.

Abstract: Heat-softened glass sheets are shaped to either simple or compound bends while being continuously conveyed by means of forming rolls having transverse curvature, wherein, in at least the first portion of the bending station, the force of gravity alone causes the glass sheets to sag into substantial conformity with the transverse curvature of the forming rolls. Support for each glass sheet is gradually transferred from straight conveyor rolls to curved forming rolls without vertically reciprocating the rolls. Optionally, at the exit end of the forming station, a set of upper forming rolls having transverse curvature complementary to that of the lower forming rolls may be provided to assure close conformance to the desired curvature. Compound bends may be formed by providing the path defined by the lower forming rolls with a concave curvature in the direction of glass travel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling deviations from desired shape of a glass sheet shaped by roll forming, wherein a critical portion of the shaped glass sheet is either lifted or twisted momentarily during or immediately following the roll forming operation.

Abstract: In the roll forming method of shaping glass sheets, glass defects are reduced by employing a mild stream of cooling gas in the vicinity of the lower forming rolls and/or the underside of the glass sheet.During continuing mass production runs at high rates of production extending over long periods, the heated glass sheets heat the surfaces of the lower rotating forming rolls to a significantly higher temperature than that of the upper rotating forming rolls. The present invention reduces the detrimental effects that have been determined by the present invention to be due to this temperature differential between the surface temperature of the upper forming rolls and that of the lower forming rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying hot glass sheets in a non-vertical orientation through a glass cooling station on spaced rolls capable of rapid and exact adjustment from roll to roll to support and convey either flat glass sheets or sheets shaped to different shapes.

Abstract: In forming heat-softened sheets by the roll forming method, continuously moving sheets of heat-softenable material, such as glass sheets, are conveyed continuously along a conveyor into a roll forming station, where a pair of sets of rotating shaping rolls move relatively toward one another to provide rolling engagement against the opposite surfaces of each moving glass sheet in succession in spaced relation to the conveyor for sufficient time to shape the sheets. The sets of rotating shaping rolls then move relatively away from one another to redeposit the shaped sheet onto the conveyor. The sheets are flat entering the roll forming station and shaped to a curved configuration on leaving the roll forming station. The present invention relates to a system of conveyor rolls capable of supporting heat-softened sheets that enter the roll forming apparatus in a flat condition and that leave the roll forming apparatus in shaped condition after they have been shaped by roll forming.