Abstract: The invention provides method and apparatus for making light-weight honeycomb mirrors by assembling fused quartz ribs in a honeycomb pattern so that rib ends are proximate other rib ends to form rib junctions. A laser beam is then directed at the rib junctions to weld the rib ends together to form a honeycomb structure having a plurality of rib-defined cells or modules therein. Fused quartz plates of matching size are then positioned across the so-formed rib cells and welded by directing a high powered laser beam at the edges of the plates and adjacent ribs to weld the plates to the rib cells of the honeycomb structure and define a honeycomb mirror blank. The surface of the plates of, e.g. fused quartz, are then ground and polished to a mirror finish and a reflective coating added, to complete the light-weight honeycomb mirror by the method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: An intrusion-free optical cable of the type wherein one or more signal-carrying optical fibers are carried within an outer cladding which will self-destruct, with or without destruction of the inner signal-carrying fiber, in the event an attempt is made to penetrate the outer cladding and extract a signal. Self-destruction is sensed to indicate that an attempt has been made to penetrate the outer cladding. Various embodiments of the invention are shown including a cladding formed from tempered glass which will shatter when an attempt is made to penetrate it. In another embodiment, a laser is employed which directs a light beam through the cable. This light beam is of sufficient power to melt, or at least raise the temperature of, the cladding or fiber at a point where penetration is attempted such that the severance or rise in temperature can be detected.

Abstract: The method includes the following steps: (1) a microsheet of glass is drawn from a glass melt; (2) a reflective layer, such as silver, is deposited on one surface of the microsheet; (3) a first flexible backing layer, such as fiberglass, is bonded to the reflective layer; (4) the combination of the microsheet with the reflective layer and the first backing layer is formed over a mandrel which is preferably in the form of a parabolic cylinder; and (5) a honeycombed layer, with a second fiberglass backing layer, is then bonded to the first backing layer. The product produced by the steps 1-5 is then cured so that it retains the desired configuration; i.e. parabolic-cylindrical, after it is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: The process includes the steps of (1) forming a pattern of indentations and adjacent boundary ridges in a base layer of glass which is heated to a temperature where it is formable but not flowing, (2) depositing electrically conducting first connecting elements on the upper surface of the base glass layer, with each first connecting element extending from an indentation to a point on an adjacent ridge, (3) positioning a solar cell into each indentation in the base glass layer in such a manner that the lower surface of the solar cell comes in electrical contact with one end of a first connecting element, (4) depositing electrically conducting second connecting elements which extend between the end of the first connecting elements on a ridge to the top surface of a solar cell in an adjacent indentation, and (5) forming a top glass layer which is in intimate contact with the product of steps 1-4.

Abstract: Infrared solar radiation is absorbed by a transparent converter glass for conversion of the infrared radiation into thermal energy. Liquid or air forms a transparent fluid medium that is conducted into heat transfer contact with the glass to carry the thermal energy away from the glass to a point of utilization. In one embodiment, the transparent converter glass consists of sintered particles of infrared absorptive glass located within a collector space formed within an all-glass panel. The panel includes glass walls extending outwardly of the walls forming the collector space. In a further embodiment, the transparent converter glass consists of elongated strips of infrared absorptive glass carried by support members so that the strips extend in a parallel, spaced-apart relation to form a venetian blind-like structure between glass panels.

Abstract: A composite titanium or titanium alloy structure is made by diffusion bonding upper and lower face sheet components onto opposite sides of a honeycomb core component at an elevated temperature within a furnace under a high vacuum. The components are supported in the furnace upon a slip sheet carried by a glass pad which is, in turn, supported by a lower platen. The weight of an upper platen is transmitted through a slip sheet to the upper face sheet component. The upper face sheet component includes an internal passageway which is coupled to an inert gas supply to expand the passageway by superplastic forming. The upper wall surface of the passageway is restrained by the upper platen so that only the lower wall surface of the passageway is displaced and received in underlying recesses in the honeycomb core component. After expansion, the displaced wall surface is diffusion bonded to the honeycomb core component.

Abstract: The process comprises the following steps: (1) forming a glass sheet which defines a substrate layer for the solar cell product; (2) forming a diffusion barrier layer on at least one surface of the substrate; (3) forming a first electrically-conductive layer on the diffusion barrier, the first electrically-conductive layer being a first electrode in the solar cell product; (4) depositing small-grain polycrystalline silicon in a thin film, i.e., 10-100 micrometers, on the first electrode layer; (5) recrystallizing, typically by heating, the deposited polycrystalline silicon until it reforms into large-grain polycrystalline or single-crystal silicon; (6) forming a PN junction in the recrystallized silicon layer; and (7) forming a second electrically-conductive layer on the recrystallized silicon layer, the second electrically-conductive layer being a second electrode in the solar cell product.

Abstract: A method of making a composite diffusion bonded structure, comprising a honeycomb panel portion made up of a honeycomb core sandwiched between two face sheets, and a load carrying structural member bonded thereto. The honeycomb core, face sheets and structural member are preassembled in a vacuum furnace so as to permit exposure of the surfaces which are to be diffusion bonded. A vacuum is drawn and the assembly is heated to near diffusion bonding temperature with the bonding surfaces still exposed to the vacuum environment. Thereafter, the bonding surfaces are brought into contact with very moderate pressure, and are maintained at a temperature and pressure sufficient for diffusion bonding. The assembly is then cooled, with the result being a substantially unitary diffusion bonded structure.

Abstract: An all glass composite building panel suitable for use as an integral structural member in roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors. The panel is constructed of three layers of glass separated by integral raised walls fused to the adjacent glass layers to define three possible combinations of two enclosed spaces; two layers of contiguous individual vacuum cells; one layer of contiguous individual vacuum cells and one layer comprising a serpentine passageway for liquid flow therethrough, said serpentine passage containing a heat absorptive material; or two layers comprising individual serpentine passageways for liquid flow.