Patents by Inventor Keith Mitchell Hill
Keith Mitchell Hill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240002272Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a glass ribbon include moving the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. Methods include directing a first ribbon portion of the glass ribbon to a winding apparatus to wind the first ribbon portion into a roll. Methods include detaching the first ribbon portion from a second ribbon portion of the glass ribbon. Methods include separating the second ribbon portion into a plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include directing a first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions toward a disposal apparatus to crush the first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include forming a stack with a second set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. A glass manufacturing apparatus is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: James William Brown, Pierre Georges Brunello, Nils Paul Fornell, Misha Andre Gerschel, Keith Mitchell Hill, Mark Thomas Massaro, Gary Edward Merz, Stephane Poissy
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Publication number: 20230373842Abstract: A manufacturing system is disclosed including a conveying apparatus with a plurality of rollers that form a travel path along which a ribbon is configured to be conveyed in a travel direction. The plurality of rollers including at least a tensioning roller having a shaft and a rotation wheel with a plurality of spokes that extend radially outward from the shaft, the plurality of spokes being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft to cause the ribbon to be conveyed in the travel direction. The manufacturing system further including a flow generator configured to direct a flow of fluid to the plurality of spokes to cause rotation of the plurality of spokes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: James William Brown, Keith Mitchell Hill, Mark Thomas Massaro, Stephane Poissy
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Patent number: 11766702Abstract: A spray nozzle, systems and methods for cleaning at least one optical fiber end face of an optical fiber connector. The nozzle includes a housing body with a first end portion and a second end portion. A discharge passage carries an atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air from the first end portion to a discharge opening at the second end portion. A vacuum return passage communicates with the discharge passage proximate the second end portion. The return passage receives the atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air as well as contaminants removed from the optical fiber end face. A portion of the atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air is diverted from the discharge passage to control the amount of the atomized mixture being directed at the optical fiber end face.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Corning Research & Development CorporationInventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Eric Stephan ten Have
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Patent number: 11167320Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an inner nozzle housing having a feed passage for carrying cleaning fluid, a plurality of nozzle tips that each define a discharge opening in fluid communication with the feed passage, and an outer nozzle housing received over the inner nozzle housing. The outer nozzle housing includes a plurality of outer nozzle extensions that each extend over one of the nozzle tips. The outer nozzle extensions can be inserted into ports of an adapter, and flow of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle is split between the nozzle tips so that multiple optical connectors that populate the adapter can be cleaned simultaneously in a substantially uniform manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: James Michael Brown, Keith Mitchell Hill
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Publication number: 20210101167Abstract: A spray nozzle, systems and methods for cleaning at least one optical fiber end face of an optical fiber connector. The nozzle includes a housing body with a first end portion and a second end portion. A discharge passage carries an atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air from the first end portion to a discharge opening at the second end portion. A vacuum return passage communicates with the discharge passage proximate the second end portion. The return passage receives the atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air as well as contaminants removed from the optical fiber end face. A portion of the atomized mixture of cleaning fluid and positively pressurized air is diverted from the discharge passage to control the amount of the atomized mixture being directed at the optical fiber end face.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Eric Stephan ten Have
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Publication number: 20200070211Abstract: A cleaning nozzle includes an inner nozzle housing having a feed passage for carrying cleaning fluid, a plurality of nozzle tips that each define a discharge opening in fluid communication with the feed passage, and an outer nozzle housing received over the inner nozzle housing. The outer nozzle housing includes a plurality of outer nozzle extensions that each extend over one of the nozzle tips. The outer nozzle extensions can be inserted into ports of an adapter, and flow of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle is split between the nozzle tips so that multiple optical connectors that populate the adapter can be cleaned simultaneously in a substantially uniform manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: James Michael Brown, Keith Mitchell Hill
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Publication number: 20180099892Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry Joseph Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 9891389Abstract: The cleaning nozzle is used for cleaning an optical fiber connector using a cleaning fluid. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing. A ferrule is supported within the interior of the connector housing. The nozzle has inner and outer housing members that respectively define an inner channel and an outer channel. The inner channel is sized to accommodate a front-end section of the ferrule. The inner and outer channels are in fluid communication through the interior of the connector housing when the front-end section of the ferrule resides within the inner channel. The nozzle assembly includes the nozzle and the optical fiber connector. Methods of cleaning the interior of the optical fiber connector as well as the ferrule end face, the optical fiber end face and the ferrule outer surface are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventors: James Edmund Fredell, Keith Mitchell Hill, Elias Panides, Simeon Panides, Jingru Zhang
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Patent number: 9864149Abstract: The cleaning nozzle is used for cleaning an optical fiber connector using a cleaning fluid. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing. A ferrule is supported within the interior of the connector housing. The nozzle has inner and outer housing members that respectively define an inner channel and an outer channel. The inner channel is sized to accommodate a front-end section of the ferrule. The inner and outer channels are in fluid communication through the interior of the connector housing when the front-end section of the ferrule resides within the inner channel. The nozzle assembly includes the nozzle and the optical fiber connector. Methods of cleaning the interior of the optical fiber connector as well as the ferrule end face, the optical fiber end face and the ferrule outer surface are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventors: James Edmund Fredell, Keith Mitchell Hill, Elias Panides, Simeon Panides, Jingru Zhang
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Patent number: 9862634Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 9556056Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating sheets of brittle material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus for separating a sheet of brittle material includes a first separation cam positioned adjacent to a sheet conveyance pathway and a second separation cam positioned opposite from and downstream of the first separation cam. The first and second separation cams may be rotated such that the contact faces of the separation cams periodically extend across a centerline of the conveyance pathway. Rotation of the first and second separation cams may be synchronized such that at least the portion of the contact face of the first separation cam and at least the portion of the contact face of the second separation cam periodically extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a separation time and periodically do not extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a non-separation time.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Ritesh Satish Lakhkar, Mark Thomas Massaro, Liming Wang, Naiyue Zhou
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Publication number: 20150321941Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating sheets of brittle material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus for separating a sheet of brittle material includes a first separation cam positioned adjacent to a sheet conveyance pathway and a second separation cam positioned opposite from and downstream of the first separation cam. The first and second separation cams may be rotated such that the contact faces of the separation cams periodically extend across a centerline of the conveyance pathway. Rotation of the first and second separation cams may be synchronized such that at least the portion of the contact face of the first separation cam and at least the portion of the contact face of the second separation cam periodically extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a separation time and periodically do not extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a non-separation time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Ritesh Satish Lakhkar, Mark Thomas Massaro, Liming Wang, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 9132964Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 9126857Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating sheets of brittle material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus for separating a sheet of brittle material includes a first separation cam positioned adjacent to a sheet conveyance pathway and a second separation cam positioned opposite from and downstream of the first separation cam. The first and second separation cams may be rotated such that the contact faces of the separation cams periodically extend across a centerline of the conveyance pathway. Rotation of the first and second separation cams may be synchronized such that at least the portion of the contact face of the first separation cam and at least the portion of the contact face of the second separation cam periodically extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a separation time and periodically do not extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a non-separation time.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Ritesh Satish Lakhkar, Mark Thomas Massaro, Liming Wang, Naiyue Zhou
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Publication number: 20150144461Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 8955668Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 8870046Abstract: A device for engaging and tensioning a glass ribbon includes a center frame member, and first and second outer frame members connected thereto. The first outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the first outer frame member. The second outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an opposite edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the second outer frame member. The actuators of the first and second outer frame members moves the suction cups of the respective frame members in directions away from each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Tung Thanh Nguyen, Naiyue Zhou, Zepei Zhu
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Patent number: 8826696Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in the liquid used to quench the glass while in the nozzle. The gas is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location, and can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 8820599Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
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Patent number: 8756817Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou