Abstract: A glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate permitting the realization of a magnetic recording medium substrate affording good chemical durability and having an extremely flat surface, a magnetic recording medium substrate comprised of this glass, a magnetic recording medium equipped with this substrate, and methods of manufacturing the same. The glass is an oxide glass not including As or F.

Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing glass includes a slot formed in a bottom block of the float bath in which a molten metal is to be filled, a barrier member capable of being inserted into the slot, a receiving portion formed in at least one side block that connects with the bottom block so as to communicate with the slot, and a placing member placed in the receiving portion to be connected to one end of the barrier member.

Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing glass includes a slot formed in a bottom block of the float bath in which a molten metal is to be filled, a barrier member capable of being inserted into the slot, a receiving portion formed in at least one side block that connects with the bottom block so as to communicate with the slot, and a placing member placed in the receiving portion to be connected to one end of the barrier member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass plate for a substrate contains, as a glass matrix composition, in mol % on the oxide basis, SiO2: 67 to 72, Al2O3: 1 to 7, B2O3: 0 to 4, MgO: 11 to 15, CaO: 0 to 3, SrO: 0 to 3, BaO: 0 to 4, ZrO2: 0 to 4, Na2O: 8 to 15, and K2O: 0 to 7, with SiO2+Al2O3: 71 to 77, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO: 11 to 17, Na2O+K2O: 8 to 17, and satisfying K2O/(Na2O+K2O)?0.13×(SiO2+Al2O3+0.5B2O3+0.3BaO)?9.4, in which the glass plate has a ?-OH value (mm?1) of 0.05 to 0.5, and a heat shrinkage ratio (C) of 16 ppm or less.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating zircon-containing forming structures, e.g., zircon isopipes, with one or more treatment glass compositions in which defect-causing reactions between the zircon of the forming structure and molten glass are suppressed at the delivery temperature of the treatment glass. The treatment compositions can be used during start-up of a forming structure, between runs of the same production glass on a given forming structure, and/or when transitioning between runs of two production glasses on a given forming structure. The treatment compositions can be used with production glasses that are ion-exchangeable.

Abstract: A process for coating a ribbon of float glass is disclosed. It comprises the steps of forming a glass ribbon, depositing a first transparent conductive coating upon a major surface of the ribbon which does not extend to the edges of the ribbon while the ribbon is at an elevated temperature, cooling said coated ribbon under controlled conditions in an annealing lehr and cutting off the edges of the ribbon so as to produce a ribbon having a uniform coating extending across the full width of the cut ribbon which is characterized in that a second conductive coating is deposited upon the uncoated edges of the ribbon while that edge is at a temperature which is above the ambient temperature. The invention finds particular application in the production of coated glass products where the thickness of the glass ribbon is at least 8 mm and most particularly where the thickness of the glass is at least 10 mm.

Abstract: A method is described for making a float glass convertible into a glass ceramic, by which a largely crystal fault-free glass can be produced. In this method the glass is cooled from a temperature (TKGmax), at which a crystal growth rate is at a maximum value (KGmax), to another temperature (TUEG), at which practically no more crystal growth occurs, with a cooling rate, KR, in ° C. min?1 according to: KR UEG KGmax ? ? ? ? T UEG KGmax 100 · KG ? ? max , wherein ?T=TKGmax?TUEG, and KGmax=maximum crystal growth rate in ?m min?1. The float glass has a thickness below an equilibrium thickness, a net width of at least 1 m and has no more than 50 crystals with a size of more than 50 ?m, especially no crystals with a size of more than 10 ?m, per kilogram of glass within the net width.

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: Certain example embodiments relate to improved lighting systems and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a lighting system includes a glass substrate with one or more apertures. An LED or other light source is disposed at one end of the aperture such that light from the LED directed through the aperture of the glass substrate exits the opposite end of the aperture. Inner surfaces of the aperture have a mirroring material such as silver to reflect the emitted light from the LED. In certain example embodiments, a remote phosphor article or layer is disposed opposite the LED at the other end of the aperture. In certain example embodiment, a lens is disposed in the aperture, between the remote phosphor article and the LED.

Abstract: The invention provides an alkali-free glass substrate small in the variation of the thermal shrinkage and a process for producing the same. An alkali-free glass substrate of the invention has an absolute value of a thermal shrinkage of 50 ppm or more when the alkali-free glass substrate is heated at a rate of 10° C./min from a room temperature, kept at a holding temperature of 450° C. for 10 hr and then cooled at a rate of 10° C./min.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.

Abstract: A laminated sheet includes a surface layer having an optical surface that is of fire-polished quality and a core layer having a higher modulus than the surface layer to increase an overall stiffness or fracture toughness of the laminated sheet.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for melting feedstock and casting ingots are disclosed. The system comprises a feedstock source, a stationary melting furnace, and one or more solidification modules capable of receiving molten feedstock from the melting furnace. In some embodiments, the system further includes a feed system for transferring feedstock from the feedstock source to the melting furnace. Feedstock is fed into the melting furnace and heated to produce molten feedstock. Molten feedstock flows into a solidification crucible within the solidification module. The solidification crucible is cooled to provide directional solidification and production of an ingot. The melting furnace may include a thermal valve system to prevent molten feedstock from flowing into the solidification crucible until substantially all of the feedstock within the melting furnace is molten. In some embodiments, the feedstock consists essentially of silicon and a multi-crystalline silicon ingot is produced.

Abstract: In a method for producing a fluorophosphate optical glass comprising melting a glass raw material to give a molten glass, and refining, homogenizing and then quickly quenching the molten glass to produce the fluorophosphate optical glass, even if the glass is flown from a refining tank that is set to a high temperature to an operation tank that is set to a low temperature, bubbles are not generated in the glass. The content of Fe in terms of Fe2O3 and the content of Cu in terms of CuO is controlled so that the total of the contents of Fe and Cu is 20 ppm or more, and the obtained fluorophosphate optical glass has such transmittance property that the internal transmittance in terms of a thickness of 10 mm becomes 98% or more at a wavelength region of at least from 400 to 500 nm.

Abstract: A supplying tube for a molten glass, which is placed in a downstream end portion of a supplying passage directing the molten glass flowing out of a melting furnace to a forming vessel in a forming furnace, has a small diameter tube portion which has a small flow passage area and is provided at an upstream side, and a large diameter tube portion which is provided at a downstream side of the small diameter tube portion and has a large flow passage area. An expanded diameter tube portion of which flow passage area gradually expands toward the downstream side is interposed between the small diameter tube portion and the large diameter tube portion. The small diameter tube portion, the expanded diameter tube portion, and the large diameter tube portion may be integrally and continuously connected to one another.

Abstract: Methods for reducing stress on an isopipe during manufacture of a drawn glass sheet are disclosed including a method comprising providing an isopipe having a root, heating the isopipe to a predetermined temperature, maintaining the isopipe at the predetermined temperature for a period of time sufficient to relieve at least a portion of a tensile stress on the isopipe root, coupling the isopipe to a down-comer, and then providing glass to the isopipe. Also disclosed is a method comprising heating an isopipe such that the temperature difference between the weir and the root of the isopipe, after heating and prior to coupling, is less than about 100° C. A method comprising application of a compressive force to the ends of an isopipe root during heating is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a float glass convertible into a glass ceramic, by which a largely crystal fault-free glass can be produced. In this method the glass is cooled from a temperature (TKGmax), at which a crystal growth rate is at a maximum value (KGmax), to another temperature (TUEG), at which practically no more crystal growth occurs, with a cooling rate, KR, in ° C. min?1 according to: KR UEG KG max ? ? ? ? T UEG KG max 100 · KG max , wherein ?T=TKGmax?TUEG, and KGmax=maximum crystal growth rate in ?m min?1. The float glass has a thickness below an equilibrium thickness, a net width of at least 1 m and has no more than 50 crystals with a size of more than 50 ?m, especially no crystals with a size of more than 10 ?m, per kilogram of glass within the net width.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved apparatuses for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a structural web that supports the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate, which comprises, denoted as molar percentages, 50 to 75 percent of SiO2, 0 to 5 percent of Al2O3, 0 to 3 percent of Li2O, 0 to 5 percent of ZnO, a total of Na2O and K2O of 3 to 15 percent, a total of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO of 14 to 35 percent, a total of ZrO2, TiO2, La2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, and HfO2 of 2 to 9 percent, with a molar ratio of {(MgO+CaO)/(MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)} falling within a range of 0.85 to 1, and a molar ratio of {Al2O3/(MgO+CaO)} falling within a range of 0 to 0.30.

Abstract: The provided are a glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate permitting the realization of a magnetic recording medium substrate affording good chemical durability and having an extremely flat surface, a magnetic recording medium substrate comprised of this glass, a magnetic recording medium equipped with this substrate, and methods of manufacturing the same. Glasses for a magnetic recording medium substrate are, glass I comprised of an oxide glass, comprising, denoted as mass percentages: Si 20 to 40 percent, Al 0.1 to 10 percent, Li 0.1 to 5 percent, Na 0.1 to 10 percent, K 0 to 5 percent (where the total content of Li, Na, and K is 15 percent or less), Sn 0.005 to 0.6 percent, and Ce 0 to 1.2 percent; the Sb content is 0 to 0.1 percent; and not comprising As or F; glass II comprised of oxide glass, comprising, as converted based on the oxide, denoted as molar percentages: SiO2 60 to 75 percent, Al2O3 1 to 15 percent, Li2O 0.1 to 20 percent, Na2O 0.

Abstract: An optical glass comprising, by mass %, 12 to 40% of SiO2, 15% or more but less than 42% of Nb2O5, 2% or more but less than 18% of TiO2, (provided that Nb2O5/TiO2 is over 0.6), 0.1 to 20% of Li2O, 0.1 to 15% of Na2O, and 0.1 to 25% of K2O, and having an Abbe's number ?d of 20 to 30, a ?Pg,F of 0.016 or less and a liquidus temperature of 1,200° C. or lower.

Abstract: The thin flat glass substrate, especially for display engineering, has a thickness of less than 1.5 mm, a length of at least 1800 mm, a width of at least 1800 mm and a difference between a smallest thickness and largest thickness of less than 50 ?m. The float glass process for making the improved flat glass substrate provides flags (9) in the molten metal bath in the hot-spread region on both sides of the forming glass sheet, to minimize the variation in thickness of the thin flat glass substrate formed by the process.

Abstract: A method of sintering large refractory ceramic articles is disclosed. The method includes supporting a green refractory body on a plurality of support plates, the support plates in turn being supported by a plurality of support members having arcuate upper and lower surfaces. A setter material is disposed between the green refractory body to be sintered and the support plates. As the refractory body is sintered, the density of the article increases. Concurrently, the dimensions of the body decrease, which shrinkage, unless otherwise accommodated, may cause fracture of the body. The support plates and the structure of the support members, move to prevent the development of detrimental stresses in the refractory body as it sinters.

Abstract: A method of making float glass is provided that results in a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films being integrally formed with the float glass at the tin side thereof. In particular, a donor(s) such as antimony and/or an oxide thereof is added to the glass batch during the process of manufacture. The donor diffuses into the tin oxide inclusive layer adjacent the tin bath during the “float” manufacturing process, thereby increasing the number of electrons in the tin oxide inclusive layer so as to form a TCO film at the tin side of the glass.

Abstract: A high transmission and low iron glass is provided for use in a solar cell. The glass substrate may be patterned on at least one surface thereof. Antimony (Sb) is used in the glass to improve stability of the solar performance of the glass upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and/or sunlight. The combination of low iron content, antimony, and/or the patterning of the glass substrate results in a substrate with high visible transmission and excellent light refracting characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for forming glass sheets. Methods and systems are provided that comprise a refractory body configured to receive glass-based material and means for transmitting energy to selectively heat at least a portion of the refractory body through the glass-based material. In one aspect, the energy transmitted is of a selected frequency that is not fully absorbed by the glass-based material and is at least partially absorbed by the refractory body. The energy can be transmitted by a laser beam array, a scanning laser beam, a microwave generator, a radio frequency generator, or other means.

Abstract: A laminated sheet includes a surface layer having an optical surface that is of fire-polished quality and a core layer having a higher modulus than the surface layer to increase an overall stiffness or fracture toughness of the laminated sheet.

Abstract: High optical quality glass windows, particularly of low melting and low viscosity glasses and substantially free of defects, particularly adapted for high energy laser applications, are made by stirring the molten glass during cooling without the use of a mechanical stirrer within the glass, by rotating the mold or crucible in which the glass is cooling, using a motion which is not entirely a circular and rotary motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image display device capable of displaying a good image by suppressing yellowing of a glass substrate, and a high-yield manufacturing method of the glass substrate. The image display device is formed of a front-side glass substrate and a back-side glass substrate. In this manufacturing method, a glass substrate is used as the front-side glass substrate when Sn++ content in the glass substrate is a predetermined value or less, and the glass substrate is used as the back-side glass substrate when the Sn++ content exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: A supplying tube 2 of a molten glass, which is placed in a downstream end portion of a supplying passage directing the molten glass flowing out of a melting furnace to a forming vessel 1a in a forming furnace 1, has a small diameter tube portion 2a which has a small flow passage area and is provided at an upstream side, and a large diameter tube portion 2c which is provided at a downstream side of the small diameter tube portion 2a and has a large flow passage area. An expanded diameter tube portion 2b of which flow passage area gradually expands toward the downstream side is interposed between the small diameter tube portion 2a and the large diameter tube portion 2c. The small diameter tube portion 2a, the expanded diameter tube portion 2b, and the large diameter tube portion 2c may be integrally and continuously connected to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement in a method of supplying a glass ribbon in a molten state to be supplied from a glass melting furnace to a flat glass forming apparatus, which can further improve the smoothness of a flat glass after formed. A glass ribbon 13 supplied from a glass melting furnace 14 to a flat glass forming apparatus 15 is stretched between one pair of tension rollers 24A and 24B in an S-shape and the tension rollers 24A and 24B are rotated while applying a surface pressure to the glass ribbon 13 face via a thin layer of a steam film generated by vaporization of a steam film forming agent. By means of rotation of the tension rollers 24A and 24B, the face of the glass ribbon 13 still in a molten state is polished via the steam film 18.

Abstract: A method for reducing the defect density of glass comprising melting a glass composition comprising from 65–75 wt. % of SiO2; from 10–20 wt. % of Na2O; from 5–15 wt. % of CaO; from 0–5 wt. % of MgO; from 0–5 wt. % of Al2O3; from 0–5 wt. % of K2O; from 0–2 wt. % Fe2O3; and from 0–2 % FeO, wherein the glass composition has a total field strength index of greater than or equal to 1.23 is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a float process for manufacturing glass sheets, in which molten glass is poured onto a liquid support denser than the glass and then the continuous ribbon which forms is advanced toward the downstream end, this process being characterized in that the thickened edges of the ribbon are trimmed continuously in the forming zone. This process makes it possible to obtain thin glass sheets, such as sheets of film glass, with good flatness, particularly in small plants. The invention also relates to a plant for implementing the process and to the products obtained. FIG. 1.

Abstract: A process for the production of a photocatalytically active self-cleaning coated substrate, especially a glass substrate, which comprises depositing a titanium oxide coating on the surface of the substrate by contacting it with a fluid mixture containing a source of titanium and a source of oxygen, the substrate being at a temperature of at least 600° C. The coated surface has good durability, a high photocatalytic activity and a low visible light reflection. Most preferably the deposition temperature is in the range 645° C. to 7200° C. which provides especially good durability. The fluid mixture preferably contains titanium chloride and an ester, especially ethyl acetate. Also disclosed is a self cleaning coated substrate, especially a glass substrate, having high photocatalytic activity and low visible light reflection and a durable self-cleaning coated glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace having a submerged burner, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace especially provides the function of coloring the main glass so that the final glass is a colored glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-colored flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.

Abstract: A heat-resistant pipe is arranged so as to traverse below a glass ribbon in a float bath of molten tin, and bubbles emanate from the heat-resistant pipe, thereby making the bottom surface (which is in contact with the tin) uneven. Alternatively, the bottom surface is made uneven with a roller for lifting the glass ribbon out of the float bath into an annealing furnace. In addition to these operations for making the glass surface uneven, a film can be applied to the top face of the glass ribbon (i.e. the surface that is not in contact with the tin) by CVD, supplying a mixed gas of raw material from coaters. Thus, the invention makes it possible to manufacture a glass sheet having an uneven surface efficiently, using a technique for processing the surface of a glass sheet that is suitable for a production line for float glass.

Abstract: Light-colored high-transmittance glass is provided which is made of a composition containing, as coloring components, on a weight percent basis, 0.02 to 0.06% (excluding 0.06%) total iron oxide based on Fe2O3, less than 0.024% FeO, and 0 to 0.5% cerium oxide and having a ratio of FeO based on Fe2O3 to the total iron oxide of less than 40%. The light-colored high-transmittance glass has a solar radiation transmittance of at least 87.5% and a visible light transmittance measured with the illuminant C of at least 90% when having a thickness of 3.2 mm. A glass sheet with a conductive film also is provided which includes a transparent conductive film formed on a surface of a glass sheet formed of the light-colored high-transmittance glass.

Abstract: A process for forming a glass sheet, which is a process for continuously forming a glass sheet, and which comprises a step of introducing a vapor film-forming agent, which is not vapor at least around room temperature and which is vapor at a temperature above the glass transition point of the glass, into a support composed of a structure or a material capable of internally containing liquid, and a step of sliding the support and the glass of which temperature is above the glass transition point against each other via a thin layer of a vaporized vapor film-forming agent.