Abstract: A method of minimizing distortion in a glass sheet manufacturing process wherein the stress in a parent sheet of glass is measured along each edge of the sheet. The stress data is then used to develop a distortion predictor for predicting the in-plane distortion which sub-sheets of the parent sheet are likely to exhibit when the parent sheet is cut into pre-determined sizes. The in-plane distortion may be predicted based on criteria established by the glass manufacturer, or supplied by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for grinding or polishing at least one edge of a glass substrate. The apparatus includes an air bearing support member configured to pivot about an axis of rotation with zero frictional resistance opposing said pivotal movement. A grinding unit is coupled to the air bearing support member. The grinding unit is configured to apply a predetermined force normal to the at least one edge to remove a predetermined amount of material from the at least one edge. The predetermined force is directly proportional to the predetermined amount of material and less than a normal force resulting in glass substrate breakage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for grinding or polishing at least one edge of a glass substrate. The apparatus includes an air bearing support member configured to pivot about an axis of rotation with zero frictional resistance opposing said pivotal movement. A grinding unit is coupled to the air bearing support member. The grinding unit is configured to apply a predetermined force normal to the at least one edge to remove a predetermined amount of material from the at least one edge. The predetermined force is directly proportional to the predetermined amount of material and less than a normal force resulting in glass substrate breakage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for grinding or polishing at least one edge of a glass substrate. The apparatus includes an air bearing support member configured to pivot about an axis of rotation with zero frictional resistance opposing said pivotal movement. A grinding unit is coupled to the air bearing support member. The grinding unit is configured to apply a predetermined force normal to the at least one edge to remove a predetermined amount of material from the at least one edge. The predetermined force is directly proportional to the predetermined amount of material and less than a normal force resulting in glass substrate breakage.

Abstract: Two-layer protective coating system for glass surfaces is disclosed. The base coating comprises at least one polysaccharide, and the top coating has a lower solubility in water than the base coating. The coating system provides good protection against contaminants and glass chips, good removability in mild cleaning condition, and extra water resistance during process steps where water is used as a cooling agent.

Abstract: A rotating belt (10) is used to finish the edges (23) of glass sheets (11), such as, the thin sheets (e.g., 0.7 mm) used as substrates for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The edge (23) of the sheet (11) engages the working zone (15) of the belt (10) along a line segment (17) whose included angle with the direction of motion (19) of the belt (10) is less than 10°. The working zone (15) is brought into contact with the edge (23) by a pressure sensitive platen (13) which can accommodate errors in the positioning of the sheet (11) at the finishing station (12).

Abstract: Two-layer protective coating system for glass surfaces is disclosed. The base coating comprises at least one polysaccharide, and the top coating has a lower solubility in water than the base coating. The coating system provides good protection against contaminants and glass chips, good removability in mild cleaning condition, and extra water resistance during process steps where water is used as a cooling agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for grinding or polishing at least one edge of a glass substrate. The apparatus includes an air bearing support member configured to pivot about an axis of rotation with zero frictional resistance opposing said pivotal movement. A grinding unit is coupled to the air bearing support member. The grinding unit is configured to apply a predetermined force normal to the at least one edge to remove a predetermined amount of material from the at least one edge. The predetermined force is directly proportional to the predetermined amount of material and less than a normal force resulting in glass substrate breakage.

Abstract: A rotating belt (10) is used to finish the edges (23) of glass sheets (11), such as, the thin sheets (e.g., 0.7 mm) used as substrates for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The edge (23) of the sheet (11) engages the working zone (15) of the belt (10) along a line segment (17) whose included angle with the direction of motion (19) of the belt (10) is less than 10°. The working zone (15) is brought into contact with the edge (23) by a pressure sensitive platen (13) which can accommodate errors in the positioning of the sheet (11) at the finishing station (12).

Abstract: Two-layer protective coating system for glass surfaces is disclosed. The base coating comprises at least one polysaccharide, and the top coating has a lower solubility in water than the base coating. The coating system provides good protection against contaminants and glass chips, good removability in mild cleaning condition, and extra water resistance during process steps where water is used as a cooling agent.

Abstract: A glass sheet is separated by propagating a crack in the glass sheet by moving a laser beam across the surface of the glass sheet along a desired line of separation and then streaming coolant at the glass sheet at a predetermined distance behind the laser beam. By altering the profile of a laser beam used to score glass, and by changing the distance between the spot where the laser beam impinges on the glass and the spot struck by the stream of coolant, the penetration depth of the resultant median crack can be controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for edge finishing glass sheets, wherein a polymer film is deposited onto the major surface of the glass sheet. The polymer film is contacted, perforated, or cut using a water jet and the edges of the sheet are then ground or polished The polymer film is cut or perforated in a manner which facilitates against loading of the grinding or polishing device employed.

Abstract: A glass breaking system is provided for breaking large sheets of glass into small sheets, in which a laser beam having an elongated beam spot shape, with a largest dimension which is at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, and most preferably at least 40 mm, is moved across a glass sheet to produce a partial crack score line. The glass sheet is then separated along the score line by applying a bending moment in the area of the partial crack.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, separating a sheet of glass along a score line on the sheet. The method comprises flexing the glass at the score line along an axis of flexure on the support to pre-stress the glass to a level below the critical stress level, and initiating a break at one end of the score line. The apparatus comprises a support for the sheet, the support defining an axis of flexure for alignment with the score line, at least one movable pressure member spaced above and on one side of the score line, a press head to move the pressure member into contact with the sheet of glass to pre-stress the sheet at the score line, and a break initiator at one end of the score line.

Abstract: A method for making a ceramic matrix composite article wherein a dispersion of a ceramic matrix powder in a wax-containing thermoplastic vehicle is applied to an inorganic fiber reinforcement material to form a prepreg material such as a prepreg tow, and the tow is collected and formed into a preform for the article which is then subjected to binder burnout and consolidation, wherein the prepreg material is heated to a temperature sufficient to evaporate at least about 50% by weight of the wax component therefrom prior to the collection and forming of the material into the preform.

Abstract: An improved method for the fabrication of lightweight ceramic matrix composite panels, utilizing pressure forming with floating tooling to shape integral stiffeners such as raised integral surface channels on panel surfaces. The consolidation of green composite material against refractory floating tools by hot hydrostatic or isostatic (gas) pressing, followed by removal of the tooling, yields a strong, rigid, yet lightweight ceramic structure.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite articles of complex shape are made with improved physical integrity and control over fiber alignment by a process wherein prepreg comprising fibers and powdered matrix is treated to shorten the average length of the fibers, then configured without binder removal into a preform of selected shape and fiber orientation, and finally consolidated with heat and pressure into a dense ceramic matrix composite article. Fiber breakage during the consolidation process is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite article having a varying thickness is fabricated by a process wherein multiple prepreg sheets comprising reinforcing fibers and powdered matrix material are stacked to provide a multi-layer prepreg stack wherein, through each cross-sectional dimension perpendicular to the plane of the sheets, the number of prepreg sheets contributing to the aggregate sheet thickness of the stack varies in proportion to the relative thickness desired in the layered article. The stack may consolidated to a composite article with a smoothly varying thickness profile without undue fiber breakage or ply wrinkling in the composite structure consolidated into a composite article having a smoothly varying thickness profile with reduced internal fiber bowing or breakage. Preferably, the exterior surfaces of the article comprise long, substantially continuous fibers and are free of ply drops.

Abstract: In the method for making a ceramic matrix composite article comprising the steps of providing a porous preform for the article formed of a combination of a fibrous reinforcing material and a ceramic matrix material, and thereafter consolidating the preform by the application of heat and consolidation pressure thereto, improved consolidation of preforms of curved or other complex configuration is achieved by applying consolidation pressure to the preforms through the medium of a softened glass.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite articles are fabricated by combining inorganic reinforcing fibers with dispersions of powdered ceramic matrix materials in organic vehicles which are thermoplastic solids. The dispersions are solid at room temperature, and are melted and combined with the fibers as heated liquid dispersions. Following application to the fibers, the thermoplastic dispersions are solidified by simple cooling; no solvent removal or drying step is required.