Abstract: A glass sheet quench station loader (42) and method for installing a quench module set (44) of lower and upper quench modules (46,48) includes a quench carriage (440) of a horizontally opening U shape that receives the quench modules for the loading. Mounts (446,454) mount the quench modules for movement to the quench station (40) and for subsequent movement from the quench station to permit installation of another quench module set for another production run. The quench loader (42) includes an overhead crane (447) and an overhead railway (448) along which the crane moves to move the quench carriage (440) and the quench modules mounted thereby to and from the quench station.

Abstract: A mold assembly (34) for cyclically forming heated glass sheets includes a lower mold (36) having an upwardly oriented mold face (356) and an upper mold face having a downwardly oriented mold face (56) that opposes the upwardly oriented mold face of the lower mold to form a heated glass sheet during movement of the molds toward each other. Alignment guides (122,124) align the molds (36,38) with each other as necessary during movement of the molds toward each other. Detachable connectors (362) detachably connect the molds to each other for installation and are disconnectable to permit the molds to be used for glass sheet forming. In one embodiment, the detachable connectors (362) are latches that include a latch member (364) and a keeper (366), and in another embodiment the detachable connectors are retainers (370) engageable and disengageable from the molds to provide their detachable securement.

Abstract: A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24, 24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. The first and second locators (92) and (94) are rotatively driven.

Abstract: A support and actuating mechanism (30) includes an actuator (244) mounted adjacent a vertical post (242) of a framework (236) and also includes a plurality of connectors (246) extending from the actuator to a mold support assembly (28) located within a heated chamber (22) of a housing (20) to perform forming of heated glass sheets. Each connector (246) includes a vertical connector rod (248) that extends upwardly from the actuator, an upper pivot link (254) connected to the vertical connector rod (248) and to a horizontal connector rod (258), a sector wheel (264) connected to the horizontal connector rod (258), and a flexible member (268) that extends from the sector wheel (264) to a mold support rod (270) that supports the mold support assembly (28) to provide vertical movement thereof under the operation of the actuator. The sector wheels (264) are preferably constructed as sprockets and the flexible members (268) are chains received by the sprockets.

Abstract: Forming apparatus (22) and a method for forming a glass sheet ribbon G delivered from a float tank (44) to a topside support device (74) having a downwardly facing surface to which a vacuum and pressurized gas are supplied to support the glass sheet ribbon (G) at its upper surface (52) while a coater (78) applies a coating (80) to its lower surface (54). Another coater (86) applies a coating (88) to the upper surface (52) of the glass sheet ribbon G. A coated glass sheet (32) cut from the glass sheet ribbon G has at least one surface, and as disclosed both of its surfaces (52,54), coated so as to be protected from deterioration caused by exposure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A cooling ring assembly (20) and method for controlling stresses in a bent glass sheet G produce a strengthened bent glass sheet after the cooling is completed. The cooling ring assembly includes a cooling ring (22) that supports the glass sheet edge (24), an insulator (30) juxtaposed inboard of the cooling ring to reduce the cooling rate, and a cooler (34) for providing increased cooling by pressurized air to at least one localized area (36,40,58) of the glass sheet edge. The cooler (34) is preferably embodied by a pressurized air supply (42).

Abstract: Forming apparatus (22) and a method for forming a glass sheet ribbon G delivered from a float tank (44) to a topside support device (74) having a downwardly facing surface to which a vacuum and pressurized gas are supplied to support the glass sheet ribbon (G) at its upper surface (52) while a coater (78) applies a coating (80) to its lower surface (54). Another coater (86) applies a coating (88) to the upper surface (52) of the glass sheet ribbon G. A coated glass sheet (32) cut from the glass sheet ribbon G has at least one surface, and as disclosed both of its surfaces (52,54), coated so as to be protected from deterioration caused by exposure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A glass sheet strip annealing lehr (16) is disclosed as including a housing (18) along which a conveyor (26) including a gas support (28) supports a glass sheet strip G by pressurized gas for movement between entry and exit ends (22,24) of the housing before a conveyor drive (32) engages the strip after the surfaces thereof are cooled below the strain point. Best results are achieved when the glass sheet strip is supported only by the gas support (28) until its surfaces are placed in compression. Lower and upper manifolds (34,36) respectively support and convey the glass sheet strip within the housing (18) preferably by a recirculating gas flow supplied by gas burner (76) and associated gas jet pumps (78).

Abstract: Glass sheet bending apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

Abstract: A cooling ring assembly (20) and method for controlling stresses in a bent glass sheet G produce a strengthened bent glass sheet after the cooling is completed. The cooling ring assembly includes a cooling ring (22) that supports the glass sheet edge (24), an insulator (30) juxtaposed inboard of the cooling ring to reduce the cooling rate, and a cooler (34) for providing increased cooling to at least one localized area (36,40,58) of the glass sheet edge. The cooler (34) is embodied by a pressurized air supply (42).

Abstract: A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24,24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. At least one of the first and second locators (92) and (94) is rotatively driven.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending method is performed by apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

Abstract: A glass sheet annealing ring includes an insulating ring juxtaposed the inboard periphery of the annealing ring for reducing the cooling rate of the glass sheet in proximity to the insulating ring thereby reducing the magnitude of net inner band tension while maintaining edge compression as the glass sheet is cooled.

Abstract: Glass sheet bending apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

Abstract: A glass sheet pressing and quenching apparatus including an open center ring having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the glass sheet and a top support surface extending generally horizontally and conforming to the desired surface contour of the glass sheet. A plurality of flat insulating platelets are removably mounted on the top support surface to define an accurate glass contact surface having low thermal conductivity. The insulating platelets may include a plurality of horizontally inwardly spaced projections with passageways therebetween for communicating quench air therethrough. The ring is mounted on a support frame via a plurality of leveling assemblies, each of which include a mounting plate secured to the ring and adapted to receive a threaded connector having a spherical end portion which is mounted for limited movement within a generally spherical mounting receptacle secured to the support frame.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for positioning a heated glass sheet G includes a longitudinally extending air flotation conveyor (12) for receiving and floating the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet vacuum mold (14) movably mounted above the air floatation conveyor for receiving the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet positioner (16) mounted relative to the mold for peripherally engaging and laterally and longitudinally positioning the glass sheet with respect to the mold and an array of lift jets (18) interspersed amongst the air flotation conveyor and located beneath the mold for lifting the glass sheet onto the vacuum mold through the application of lifting air on the bottom surface of the glass sheet. A glass sheet processing ring (26) transversely movable relative to the air flotation conveyor (12) subsequently receives the glass sheet from the mold (14).

Abstract: A glass sheet annealing ring includes an insulating ring juxtaposed the inboard periphery of the annealing ring for reducing the cooling rate of the glass sheet in proximity to the insulating ring thereby reducing the magnitude of net inner band tension while maintaining edge compression as the glass sheet is cooled.

Abstract: Apparatus (20,120) for forming a heated glass sheet G is disclosed as including a vacuum mold (22,22a,122,122a) having a full surface (24,24a,124,124a) against which a peripheral mold (26,26a,126,126a) presses the glass sheet periphery and with which at least one vacuum reservoir (32,33) is communicated within the interior of the sealed glass sheet periphery to form the glass sheet to the shape of the vacuum mold surface. Valving (38) of a vacuum system (28) is preferably operable to provide the vacuum impulse in two stages with an initial limited extent of vacuum and a subsequent greater extent of vacuum by communication first with one vacuum reservoir (32) and subsequently with another vacuum reservoir (33). Different embodiments of the vacuum mold have the vacuum mold surface facing upwardly and downwardly with convex and concave shapes.

Abstract: A roller conveyor furnace (12) for heating flat glass sheets has top and bottom heating arrays (28,30) respectively located above and below the plane of conveyance with each heating array including a plurality of elongated heaters (32,34) extending parallel to the direction of conveyance and spaced laterally from each other with respect to the direction of conveyance. The top heating array (28) has one more heater (32) than the number of heaters (34) of the bottom heating array (30) and the bottom heaters (34) are located in a laterally staggered relationship with respect to the top heaters such that each bottom heater is located laterally between a pair of top heaters. A control (36) energizes the top and bottom heating arrays (28,30) to heat each bottom heater (34) only when the two top heaters 32 on opposite lateral sides thereof are heated to thereby prevent excessive lateral edge heating of the conveyed glass sheet.

Abstract: A quench station (14) including apparatus for quenching a heated glass sheet G conveyed by rolls (22) of a roller conveyor (20) is disclosed as including upper and lower sets of blastheads (32) having outlets (34) that are positioned closer to the conveyed glass sheet than the conveyor roll radius R and which are oriented and sized to provide highly efficient quenching such as during heat strengthening or tempering. These blasthead outlets (34) are preferably round and the blastheads (32) are vertically aligned with each other to provide aligned locations (36) of impingement with the oppositely facing surfaces of the glass sheet. In one embodiment, a set of upper roll mimics (38) located above the conveyor rolls (22) in a vertically aligned relationship provide symmetry that results in uniform quenching of both the upper and lower glass sheet surfaces.