Abstract: A method and a device whereby optical glass articles can be produced economically and can be reproduced at a high level of contour accuracy and surface quality. The cost effective press technology that is suitable for mass production is maintained, while at the same time, avoiding the associated disadvantages. A multi-phase press process is utilized whereby the final geometry of the blank is achieved iteratively. Accordingly, a pre-blank is produced from a gob of glass that is fed by way of a feeding device to a press device. The press device is a pre-press including a pre-press punch. The pre-press device produces a blank whose geometry, while coming close, does not yet correspond with the desired final geometry. This first press step is followed by a second one, whereby the pre-blank is transformed into the end product. The press process is broken down into two individual press steps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for pressing a glass article. The apparatus includes a frame. A mold having first and second mold halves are mounted on the frame. The mold halves define a cavity for receiving a glass gob. The mold halves are movable between open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a device for opening and closing the mold halves. A plunger is movably mounted on the frame adjacent the cavity. The plunger presses the glass gob into the cavity to form the glass article. The apparatus further includes a device for moving the plunger. An alternative embodiment of the invention is directed to a machine for pressing a plurality of glass articles at a high cavity rate. In this embodiment, the machine includes at least two apparatus as described above mounted on a device for moving the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an optical element capable of performing a molding temperature control required for a plurality of independent molding blocks in a short period of time, and continuously and simultaneously producing a plurality of different optical elements having a high degree of accuracy at a low cost is provided.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus produces an optical element of high precision efficiently in such a way that an upper mold member is at least slidably operated relative to a shell mold, and the force of an operation member to be applied onto the upper mold member is exerted through the center of the upper mold member when press molding the glass material and releasing the molded optical element. The press molding apparatus in which glass material in a softened state is pressed within a shell mold using mold members slidable with the shell mold and an optical functional surface corresponding to a molding surface of each of the mold members is formed on the glass material is constructed such that at least the upper mold member slidable within the shell mold is operated via a pressing plate by an operation member so as to exert a pressure parallel to a sliding face of the shell mold at its center, and a hook member hung on the operation member is interlocked via alignment means so as to exert a central lifting force.

Abstract: The displacement of the plungers in a multi-gob individual section glass forming machine is monitored so that the location of the plungers, when each mold cavity has completely filled (parison formation point), can be determined. The desired location for the parison formation point for each plunger can be selectively chosen and the occurrence of these parison formation points can be synchronized to achieve fuller control over the parison formation process.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing optical fibers and components from bars or molds of fluoride glass draws out optical quality molds from highly pure glass. The glass is stretched or fibered into optical fibers in a dry atmosphere free of dust, organic, metallic or mineral vapors. The process leads to a low hydroxyl content fluoride glass which is used in the manufacture of optical fibers and components. The dehydration of the fluoride mixture occurs during the steps of prolonged heating at under 450.degree. C. in the presence of fluoride or ammoniumbifluoride, and of holding the molten mixture at a high temperature until dehydration occurs. The drawing out, stretching, and fibering are carried out in a vacuum.

Abstract: A process for producing an aerosol stream, which is conducted through an essentially aerosol-free vapor and/or gas stream to prevent undesirable precipitation of particles contained in the aerosol stream, is augmented by additionally employing thermophoresis. For this purpose, the vapor and/or gas stream is heated to a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the aerosol stream. Thermophoresis then causes the particles to be held within the aerosol stream.

Abstract: A method for producing a directed aerosol stream from gaseous and/or vapor phase reactants by conveying the gaseous and/or vapor phase reactants including vaporous silicon tetrachloride, water vapor, and at least one vaporous, fluorine-containing hydrocarbon to a reaction site; reacting the reactants at the reaction site in a flame-free chemical reaction to produce an aerosol composition constituted of solid silicon dioxide particles which include silicon dioxide doped with fluorine, whereby the optical index of refraction of the solid silicon dioxide particles is reduced; and causing the aerosol composition to flow as an aerosol stream from the reaction site and immediately surrounding the aerosol stream with a moving, essentially aerosol-free, gas and/or vapor stream to form a directed aerosol stream enveloped in the aerosol-free stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a directed aerosol stream by a flame free reaction which is conducted while enveloped within an aerosol free gas and/or vapor stream. It is particularly suitable for use in coating systems, as it permits economical coating without so-called wall deposits.

Abstract: A method wherein the material for manufacturing the fitting is supplied into the mold to the point of intersection of its side channels which are arranged substantially horizontally, and pressing is performed simultaneously in all of the above channels of the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for making fused bundles of glass fibers including a rectangular support for receiving the fibers to be fused, quadrangularly related plungers, one movable toward and away from each of the sides of said rectangular die, a number of high pressure cylinders arranged to force said plungers simultaneously toward and against the die and a heating furnace enclosing the die and adjacent portions of the plungers. The plungers and furnace are supported independently of each other upon a common base of the apparatus whereby the furnace is unaffected by forces applied to the plungers and die.

Abstract: Method of making fused bundles of glass fibers permanently vacuum tight with the application of a high compressive force upon the bundles by heating the bundles while under the compressive force and in an evacuated environment to a temperature substantially higher than the softening points of the glasses of the bundles and, in each case, holding the higher temperature and compressive force substantially constant for a time sufficient to attain thermal equilibrium in the bundle whereby permanence of vacuum tightness is attained. Thereafter, the temperature of the bundle is lowered to below the softening points of its glasses, the compressive force is released and the bundle is annealed followed by cooling to room temperature.