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).

  • Patent number: 11702356
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Philippe Dardart, Anurag Jain, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, Eric Lee Miller, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, Chad Michael Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20220371935
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Stephane Poissy, Billel Seneina, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200325059
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Philippe Dardart, Anurag Jain, Nikolaos Pantelis Kladias, Eric Lee Miller, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, Chad Michael Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20200325058
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Anurag Jain, Francisco Javier Moraga, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
  • Patent number: 10590021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
  • Patent number: 10526233
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
  • Publication number: 20180297886
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Brennan Timothy Michael
  • Patent number: 10035724
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Cleary, Larry Gene Smith, Chad M. Wilcox, Chunhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 9573833
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20160145139
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Michele Fredholm, Anurag Jain, Michael John Moore, Stephane Poissy, Larry Gene Smith, John Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150274575
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20150274571
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Anurag Jain, William Edward Lock, Michael John Moore, Larry Gene Smith, Kevin Lee Wasson
  • Publication number: 20150122406
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: William Keith Fisher, Michael John Moore, Steven Luther Moyer, Huan-Hung Sheng, Larry Gene Smith
  • Publication number: 20140239034
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Cleary, Larry Gene Smith, Chad M. Wilcox, Chunhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 6343489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Gene Smith
  • Patent number: 4078258
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Royce Darwin Lindsey, Larry Gene Smith