Patents by Inventor Larry Gene Smith
Larry Gene Smith 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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Patent number: 11702356Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a method for bending a glass substrate. The method includes actuating at least one heat shield to a first position at least partially covering an edge portion of a first major surface of the glass substrate. The method further includes heating the glass substrate. The method further includes actuating the at least one heat shield to a second position at least partially uncovering the edge portion of the glass substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Philippe Dardart, Anurag Jain, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, Eric Lee Miller, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, Chad Michael Wilcox
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Publication number: 20220371935Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed include a method of bending a glass laminate structure, the method can optionally include any one or any combination of: heating the glass laminate structure comprising at least a first ply substrate and a second ply substrate, wherein the first ply substrate has a first composition and a first thickness that differ from a second composition and a second thickness of the second ply substrate; engaging an edge portion of one or both of a first major surface and a second major surface of the glass laminate structure; and sequent to engaging the edge portion, pressing the glass laminate structure to bend the glass laminate structure and obtain a desired curvature of the glass laminate structure along one or both of the first major surface and the second major surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Stephane Poissy, Billel Seneina, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
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Publication number: 20200325059Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a method for bending a glass substrate. The method includes actuating at least one heat shield to a first position at least partially covering an edge portion of a first major surface of the glass substrate. The method further includes heating the glass substrate. The method further includes actuating the at least one heat shield to a second position at least partially uncovering the edge portion of the glass substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Philippe Dardart, Anurag Jain, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, Eric Lee Miller, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, Chad Michael Wilcox
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Publication number: 20200325058Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an assembly for bending glass. The assembly includes a support extending along an x-direction and a y-direction. The support includes a support first major surface and opposed second major surface. The assembly further includes a bending ring attached to and extending vertically along a z-direction from the support first major surface substantially along an outer perimeter of the support first major surface. The assembly further includes a passive heat element disposed between the support first major surface and a top end of the bending ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Anurag Jain, Francisco Javier Moraga, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
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Patent number: 10590021Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
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Patent number: 10526233Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
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Publication number: 20180297886Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Brennan Timothy Michael
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Patent number: 10035724Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a glass pane comprise the steps of providing a glass sheet with a thickness of less than about 1.6 mm between a first major surface and a second major surface of the glass sheet. The methods include scoring the first major surface of the glass sheet to provide a boundary score line and a relief score line. In some examples, the method provides a relief score depth that is greater than a boundary score depth. In another example, the method includes the step of placing the glass sheet on a conveyor belt including a Shore A hardness of greater than or equal to 70. In further examples, methods of breaking a glass sheet with an oversized template are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas Michael Cleary, Larry Gene Smith, Chad M. Wilcox, Chunhe Zhang
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Patent number: 9573833Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass sheet comprising a roll conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers for conveying the glass sheet along a plane; a lift jet array comprising a plurality of nozzles, one or more of the plurality of nozzles comprising a tip having a plurality of orifices; and a shaping mold located above the roll conveyor, wherein the lift jet array is positioned below the roll conveyor such that each nozzle tip is located above the centerline of the plurality of rollers. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass sheet comprising heating the glass sheet and conveying the glass sheet on a roll conveyor to a position between the lift jet array and the shaping mold, wherein gas flows from the lift jet array with a force sufficient to lift the glass sheet from the roll conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
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Publication number: 20160145139Abstract: A system and method for bending one or more thin glass structures. The system includes heating, bending and cooling zones, each having a plurality of modules aligned and connected to each other to define elongated tunnels, wherein adjacent heating modules are separated from each other by a furnace door. A conveyance mechanism carries the one or more thin glass structures through the modules via the elongated tunnels. Each of the modules include one or more heating elements, each heating element being independently controllable by element or set of elements as a function of a temperature profile for the one or more thin glass structures. The temperature profile can be determined as a function of temperature on the one or more thin glass structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Michele Fredholm, Anurag Jain, Michael John Moore, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
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Publication number: 20150274575Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass sheet comprising a roll conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers for conveying the glass sheet along a plane; a lift jet array comprising a plurality of nozzles, one or more of the plurality of nozzles comprising a tip having a plurality of orifices; and a shaping mold located above the roll conveyor, wherein the lift jet array is positioned below the roll conveyor such that each nozzle tip is located above the centerline of the plurality of rollers. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass sheet comprising heating the glass sheet and conveying the glass sheet on a roll conveyor to a position between the lift jet array and the shaping mold, wherein gas flows from the lift jet array with a force sufficient to lift the glass sheet from the roll conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
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Publication number: 20150274571Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass sheet comprising a roll conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers for conveying the glass sheet along a plane; a lift jet array comprising a plurality of nozzles, one or more of the plurality of nozzles comprising a tip having a plurality of orifices; and a shaping mold located above the roll conveyor, wherein the lift jet array is positioned below the roll conveyor such that each nozzle tip is located above the centerline of the plurality of rollers. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass sheet comprising heating the glass sheet and conveying the glass sheet on a roll conveyor to a position between the lift jet array and the shaping mold, wherein gas flows from the lift jet array with a force sufficient to lift the glass sheet from the roll conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
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Publication number: 20150122406Abstract: A process using a vacuum ring or vacuum bag to produce glass laminates with improved optical distortion and shape consistency using thin glass having a thickness not exceeding 1.0 by using a soak temperatures not exceeding 120° C. or not exceeding 100° C. and a vacuum not exceed about ?0.6 bar. One or more assembled stacks of two glass sheets and a polymer interlayer being laminated may be stacked on a single reference mold and processed simultaneously in a single vacuum bag or vacuum ring. One more thin glass sheets may be placed on top the assembled stack(s) on the reference mold to protect the assembled stack from irregular forces applied by the vacuum bag or the vacuum ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: William Keith Fisher, Michael John Moore, Steven Luther Moyer, Huan-Hung Sheng, Larry Gene Smith
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Publication number: 20140239034Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a glass pane comprise the steps of providing a glass sheet with a thickness of less than about 1.6 mm between a first major surface and a second major surface of the glass sheet. The methods include scoring the first major surface of the glass sheet to provide a boundary score line and a relief score line. In some examples, the method provides a relief score depth that is greater than a boundary score depth. In another example, the method includes the step of placing the glass sheet on a conveyor belt including a Shore A hardness of greater than or equal to 70. In further examples, methods of breaking a glass sheet with an oversized template are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas Michael Cleary, Larry Gene Smith, Chad M. Wilcox, Chunhe Zhang
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Patent number: 6343489Abstract: A variable radius bending apparatus is disclosed for bending a glass plate. The variable radius bending apparatus includes a bending rail having a longitudinal rail member and a drive drum and a tension drum rotatably attached thereto. A drive band is positioned around the drive drum and tension drum and in frictional engagement therewith. A plurality of rollers are in driven contact with the drive band and are tiltable to a desired bend radius for forming the desired bend radius in the glass plate. Finally, a band guide is fixedly attached to the bending rail and in juxtaposition with the drive band for preventing the drive band from moving transversely with respect to the drive drum and tension drum, whereby the band is prevented from contacting a surface adjacent to the band.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc.Inventor: Larry Gene Smith
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Patent number: 4078258Abstract: A system for arranging the memory in an electronic dynamic shift register for performing multiple operations during a memory revolution. Control codes, such as separator and record flags, are input into the shift register memory for defining an input and a revision zone. Upon detecting these control codes during a memory revolution, data codes are input into the input and revision zones and deleted from the revision zone. Another control code, such as a page end code, input into the revision zone defines an output zone. During an output operation data codes in the output zone are output from the record flag through the page end code.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1974Date of Patent: March 7, 1978Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Royce Darwin Lindsey, Larry Gene Smith