Abstract: A photovoltaic cell having a substrate with at least one curved surface reduces the number of processing steps necessary to manufacture a completed cell. Such a photovoltaic cell can have semiconductor material on the outer surface of a curved substrate or on the inner surface of a curved substrate.

Abstract: A glass sheet strip annealing method utilizes a housing (18) along which a conveyor (26) including a gas support (28) supports a glass sheet strip G by pressurized gas for movement between entry and exit ends (22,24) of the housing before a conveyor drive (32) engages the strip after the surfaces thereof are cooled below the strain point. Best results are achieved when the glass sheet strip is supported only by the gas support (28) until its surfaces are placed in compression. Lower and upper manifolds (34,36) respectively support and convey the glass sheet strip within the housing (18) preferably by a recirculating gas flow supplied by gas burner (76) and associated gas jet pumps (78).

Abstract: A glass sheet strip annealing lehr (16) is disclosed as including a housing (18) along which a conveyor (26) including a gas support (28) supports a glass sheet strip G by pressurized gas for movement between entry and exit ends (22,24) of the housing before a conveyor drive (32) engages the strip after the surfaces thereof are cooled below the strain point. Best results are achieved when the glass sheet strip is supported only by the gas support (28) until its surfaces are placed in compression. Lower and upper manifolds (34,36) respectively support and convey the glass sheet strip within the housing (18) preferably by a recirculating gas flow supplied by gas burner (76) and associated gas jet pumps (78).

Abstract: An optical roller wave gauge for inspecting glass sheets processed on a horizontal roller hearth to determine roller wave distortion thereon includes a light source mounted to direct two parallel beams of light separated by a predetermined first distance onto the glass sheet, light detection means mounted to receive the two beams reflected from the surface of the glass sheet, first logic for determining the second distance between the beams at the light detection means, memory for storing a preselected number of second distances determined by the first logic, and second logic for retrieving the preselected number of stored second distances and generating a quality value representing the surface distortion on that portion of the glass sheet over which the preselected number of second distances was determined.

Abstract: A glass sheet strip annealing lehr (16) is disclosed as including a housing (18) along which a conveyor (26) including a gas support (28) supports a glass sheet strip G by pressurized gas for movement between entry and exit ends (22,24) of the housing before a conveyor drive (32) engages the strip after the surfaces thereof are cooled below the strain point. Best results are achieved when the glass sheet strip is supported only by the gas support (28) until its surfaces are placed in compression. Lower and upper manifolds (34,36) respectively support and convey the glass sheet strip within the housing (18) preferably by a recirculating gas flow supplied by gas burner (76) and associated gas jet pumps (78).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for delivering a newly formed floating glass sheet from a molten metal bath container (22) includes a topside support device (45) located adjacent the delivery end of the bath container and having a downwardly facing surface (80) with a first set of openings (82) through which a vacuum is drawn and a second set of openings (84) through which pressurized gas is supplied to support the glass sheet strip upon delivery from the molten metal bath (24). The bath container (22) with which the apparatus is disclosed as being used has a linear induction motor (24) that permits horizontal delivery without bath overflowing. The apparatus (20) also includes a gas support (34) and a drive roll (42) that cooperate with each other. The gas support (34) supports the horizontally delivered glass sheet strip by upwardly directed pressurized gas delivered between lateral edge portions (38) of the strip at a location immediately adjacent the bath container (22).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for delivering a newly formed floating glass sheet from a molten metal bath container (22) including a linear induction motor (24) that permits horizontal delivery without bath overflow is disclosed as including a gas support (34) and a drive roll (42) that cooperate with each other. The gas support (34) supports the horizontally delivered glass sheet strip by upwardly directed pressurized gas delivered between lateral edge portions (38) of the strip at a location immediately adjacent the bath container (22). The drive roll (42) is located downstream from the molten metal bath (24) and has spaced drive portions (44) that rotatively drive the lateral edge portions (38) of the glass sheet strip without the drive roll engaging the strip between the spaced drive portions. Gas support (34) preferably includes a first manifold (46) that supplies an upwardly directed inert gas and also preferably includes a second manifold (50) that supplies products of combustion from a gas burner.

Abstract: A glass sheet gas support (20) is disclosed as having a set of elongated gas supply openings (26) for supplying pressurized gas to support a glass sheet and as also including a set of elongated gas exhaust openings (28) for exhausting the gas and constructed to including progressively increasing gas flow areas in opposite directions from ends (36) of each exhaust opening to a central portion (38) thereof in order to prevent gas pressure buildup between an upwardly facing surface (24) of the manifold and the supported glass sheet at a central location. In one embodiment, the manifold (22) defines each gas exhaust opening (28) with progressively increasing widths from its ends (36) toward the central portion (38) thereof and is preferably constructed as a cast refractory platen (42) which cooperates with a manifold member (58) that mounts gas jet pumps (60) fed products of combustion from a gas burner (62) to provide recirculating flow of gas to and from the supply exhaust openings.

Abstract: Inspecting paired sheets of transparent material for determining their fit or conformity to one another. A highly collimated light beam, such as a laser beam, is directed through a pair of transparent sheets supported in closely spaced or nested relationship. The major surfaces of each sheet are known to be substantially parallel. As the primary beam passes through the sheets, beams are reflected from each of the four surfaces. The reflected beams are re-reflected from the next surface encountered to pass beyond the pair of sheets. Beams reflected from the parallel front and rear surfaces of each sheet exit the sheets parallel to and closely spaced from the primary transmitted beam. If the adjacent interior or second and third surfaces of the pair of sheets are not parallel at the point of inspection, as where the two sheets do not properly nest or conform, the beam reflected from the third surface and re-reflected from the second surface is deflected relative to the primary beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially fracturing a glass body along a score line to facilitate subsequent severance of the body along such score line by conventional top and bottom roller devices. The partial fracturing is effected by an apparatus having an impact element periodically engageable against the glass body on the glass surface opposite the surface on which the score line is inscribed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the destructive testing of glass sheets. The sheets to be tested are subjected to a differential pressure condition by establishing a vacuum on one side thereof and lowering the pressure on such side until the glass deflects to its breaking point. The vacuum system includes a control circuit which enables lowering the pressure in a controlled linear manner with time. The apparatus is designed to permit selection of and testing of sheets substantially immediately after the capping operation.