Patents by Inventor Philip Robert LeBlanc

Philip Robert LeBlanc 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).

  • Publication number: 20240051862
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for controlling the thickness of glass during glass sheet production. The apparatuses and methods employ a laser beam to heat a particular portion of the molten glass. In some examples, a laser beam control system controls the laser beam to generate a more consistent glass thickness across the glass sheet. In some examples, the laser beam control system multiplexes the laser beam to heat various portions of the glass, for example, simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Peter Gaj, Matthew Miacomet Winter Johnston, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Robert Arthur McIntosh, Remy Tumbar
  • Patent number: 11891933
    Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure that includes: covering a first end face of the honeycomb structure with a mask that comprises a body and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings of the mask is coincident with a plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; providing a plug of material upon a film material; applying a force to the film material to push the plug of material through the plurality of openings of the mask and into the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; and measuring a pressure within the plurality of cells during the applying step, wherein the applying step further comprises adjusting the force applied to the film material based at least in part on the pressure within the plurality of cells to push the plug of material to a predetermined depth within the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Robert LeBlanc, Robert Arthur Mcintosh, Richard Henry Weachock
  • Publication number: 20230221261
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a transparent workpiece comprises: directing light from an illumination source onto a plurality of defects formed in the transparent workpiece, wherein the plurality of defects extends in a defect direction, wherein the transparent workpiece comprises a first surface and a second surface; detecting a scattering image signal from light scattered by the plurality of defects using an imaging system, wherein an imaging axis of the imaging system extends at a non-zero imaging angle relative to the defect direction, wherein entireties of at least a subset of the plurality of defects are within a depth of field of the imaging system; and generating a three-dimensional image of at least one of the plurality of defects based on the scattering signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Chong Pyung An, En Hong, Tian Huang, Yuhui Jin, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Garrett Andrew Piech
  • Patent number: 11698017
    Abstract: Defect detection systems include at least one nozzle for delivering a CO2 particulate fluid to an inlet end of a plugged honeycomb body. Defects in the honeycomb, if any, are determined by monitoring CO2 particulate flow at the outlet end of the honeycomb body. Methods for detecting defects in plugged honeycomb bodies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Henry Citriniti, En Hong, Philip Robert LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20220396517
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon include moving a ribbon of glass-forming material along a travel path in a travel direction. Methods include sensing a thickness of the ribbon of glass-forming material at a plurality of locations of the ribbon of glass-forming material. Methods include identifying a location of the plurality of locations in which a corresponding thickness at the location exceeds a target thickness. Methods include correlating a rate of thickness change and a thickness difference between the corresponding thickness and the target thickness to a laser power. Methods include directing a laser beam at the laser power toward the ribbon of glass-forming material to decrease a viscosity at the location and attain the target thickness at the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey Howard Ahrens, Franck Olivier Hounkpevi, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Robert Arthur McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20210262376
    Abstract: Defect detection systems include at least one nozzle for delivering a CO2 particulate fluid to an inlet end of a plugged honeycomb body. Defects in the honeycomb, if any, are determined by monitoring CO2 particulate flow at the outlet end of the honeycomb body. Methods for detecting defects in plugged honeycomb bodies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Henry Citriniti, En Hong, Philip Robert LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20210207509
    Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure that includes: covering a first end face of the honeycomb structure with a mask that comprises a body and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings of the mask is coincident with a plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; providing a plug of material upon a film material; applying a force to the film material to push the plug of material through the plurality of openings of the mask and into the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; and measuring a pressure within the plurality of cells during the applying step, wherein the applying step further comprises adjusting the force applied to the film material based at least in part on the pressure within the plurality of cells to push the plug of material to a predetermined depth within the plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Philip Robert LeBlanc, Robert Arthur McIntosh, Richard Henry Weachock
  • Patent number: 10732126
    Abstract: A method of inspecting defects on a transparent substrate may include: selecting a gradient of an illumination optical system so that light incident on the transparent substrate has a first angle; selecting a gradient of a detection optical system so that an optical axis of the detection optical system located over the transparent substrate has a second angle, which is equal to or less than the first angle; adjusting a position of at least one of the illumination optical system, the transparent substrate, and the detection optical system so that a field-of-view of the detection optical system covers a first region where the light meets a first surface of the transparent substrate and does not cover a second region where light meets a second surface of the transparent substrate, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; illuminating the transparent substrate; and detecting light scattered from the transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Chong Pyung An, Uta-Barbara Goers, En Hong, Sung-chan Hwang, Ji Hwa Jung, Tae-ho Keem, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Hyeong-cheol Lee, Michal Mlejnek, Johannes Moll, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Sung-jong Pyo, Amanda Kathryn Thomas, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Patent number: 10677739
    Abstract: A method of inspecting defects of a transparent substrate may include: illuminating a transparent substrate; calculating an incidence angle range of light so that a first region where the light meets a first surface of the transparent substrate and a second region where light meets a second surface being opposite the first surface of the transparent substrate do not overlap each other; adjusting an incidence angle according to the incidence angle range; adjusting a position of a first detector so that a first field-of-view of the first detector covers the first region and does not cover the second region; adjusting a position of a second detector so that a second field-of-view of the second detector covers the second region and does not cover the first region; and obtaining a first image of the first region and a second image of the second region from the first and second detector, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Uta-Barbara Goers, En Hong, Sung-chan Hwang, Ji Hwa Jung, Tae-ho Keem, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Sung-jong Pyo, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Patent number: 10571506
    Abstract: A machine vision system for identifying optical fibers is provided that includes a support plate supporting one or more optical fibers. The one or more optical fibers each include a jacket. A light source is configured to emit light onto the one or more optical fibers. An imager is positioned above the light source. The imager is configured to receive reflected light from the light emitted onto the one or more optical fibers. A display system is configured to receive a signal from the imager and display an augmented image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incotporated
    Inventors: Philip Robert LeBlanc, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Dale Alan Webb
  • Publication number: 20190277774
    Abstract: A method of inspecting defects on a transparent substrate may include: selecting a gradient of an illumination optical system so that light incident on the transparent substrate has a first angle; selecting a gradient of a detection optical system so that an optical axis of the detection optical system located over the transparent substrate has a second angle, which is equal to or less than the first angle; adjusting a position of at least one of the illumination optical system, the transparent substrate, and the detection optical system so that a field-of-view of the detection optical system covers a first region where the light meets a first surface of the transparent substrate and does not cover a second region where light meets a second surface of the transparent substrate, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; illuminating the transparent substrate; and detecting light scattered from the transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chong Pyung An, Uta-Barbara Goers, En Hong, Sung-chan Hwang, Ji Hwa Jung, Tae-ho Keem, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Hyeong-cheol Lee, Michal Mlejnek, Johannes Moll, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Sung-jong Pyo, Amanda Kathryn Thomas, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Publication number: 20190257765
    Abstract: A method of inspecting defects of a transparent substrate may include: illuminating a transparent substrate; calculating an incidence angle range of light so that a first region where the light meets a first surface of the transparent substrate and a second region where light meets a second surface being opposite the first surface of the transparent substrate do not overlap each other; adjusting an incidence angle according to the incidence angle range; adjusting a position of a first detector so that a first field-of-view of the first detector covers the first region and does not cover the second region; adjusting a position of a second detector so that a second field-of-view of the second detector covers the second region and does not cover the first region; and obtaining a first image of the first region and a second image of the second region from the first and second detector, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Uta-Barbara Goers, En Hong, Sung-chan Hwang, Ji Hwa Jung, Tae-ho Keem, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Sung-jong Pyo, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Patent number: 10337977
    Abstract: A particle detection system includes a light source configured to emit a light beam into a cylindrical glass article when the cylindrical glass article is imaged by the glass particle detection system. The light beam is directed along a beam propagation axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical glass article. The particle detection system further includes a first polarizer positioned between the light source and the cylindrical glass, a camera configured to capture an image of the light beam reflected from the cylindrical glass article, and an analyzer positioned between the cylindrical glass article and the camera. An optical axis of the camera is perpendicular to the beam propagation axis of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Joseph Kuhn, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Robert Arthur McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20190047895
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for sourcing a glass web, the glass web having a length and a width transverse to the length; moving the glass web from the source to a destination in a transport direction along the length of the glass web; cutting the glass web, at a cutting zone, along the length of the glass web into at least first and second glass ribbons as the glass web is moved in the transport direction from the source to the destination, such that respective first and second edge surfaces are produced on the first and second glass ribbons; and optically inspecting at least one of the first and second edge surfaces in real-time as the first and second glass ribbons of the glass web are moved in the transport direction to the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: David Joseph Kuhn, Philip Robert LeBlanc, AJayantha Senawiratne, Weihua Sun
  • Publication number: 20180059162
    Abstract: A machine vision system for identifying optical fibers is provided that includes a support plate supporting one or more optical fibers. The one or more optical fibers each include a jacket. A light source is configured to emit light onto the one or more optical fibers. An imager is positioned above the light source. The imager is configured to receive reflected light from the light emitted onto the one or more optical fibers. A display system is configured to receive a signal from the imager and display an augmented image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: PHILIP ROBERT LEBLANC, Rajeshkannan Palanisamy, Dale Alan Webb
  • Patent number: 9488597
    Abstract: A method for determining surface quality for a glass surface is provided. The method includes depositing a pattern of drops over the glass surface using a drop dispensing apparatus. Adjacent drops have a predetermined deposit size and a predetermined deposit spacing. Drop information for the pattern of drops is generated using a vision apparatus. An out-of-parameter condition is detected by analyzing the drop information and an indication of the out-of-parameter condition is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: En Hong, Philip Robert LeBlanc, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Patent number: 9090412
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Hagan, Michael Albert Joseph, II, Philip Robert LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8904822
    Abstract: A thickness of at least one preselected portion of a substrate, such as glass substrate for example, is controlled. A laser beam is directed to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state, thereby increasing a temperature and reducing a viscosity of the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state sufficiently to cause the at least one preselected portion of the glass substrate to attain a desired thickness. The laser beam after it is generated can be directed to a reflecting surface from which the laser beam is reflected to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in the viscous state. The substrate can comprise a glass ribbon produced in a downdraw glass forming process for example, and the laser beam can be directed onto a plurality of preselected portions of the glass ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Robert LeBlanc, Correy Robert Ustanik
  • Publication number: 20140248096
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Hagan, Michael Albert Joseph, II, Philip Robert LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8773656
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Hagan, Michael Albert Joseph, II, Philip Robert LeBlanc