Patents by Inventor Todd Benson Fleming
Todd Benson Fleming 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: 10941070Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: cutting a thin glass sheet along a curved cutting line, where the curve is divided into a plurality of line segments; applying a laser beam and continuously moving the laser beam along the cutting line; applying a cooling fluid simultaneously with the application of the laser beam in order to propagate a fracture in the glass sheet along the cutting line; and varying one or more cutting parameters as the laser beam moves from one of the plurality of line segments to a next one of the plurality of line segments, wherein the one or more cutting parameters include at least one of: (i) a power of the laser beam, (ii) a speed of the movement, (iii) a pressure of the cooling fluid, and (iv) a flow rate of the cooling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Andrew Stephen Altman, Carlton Wesley Cole, Todd Benson Fleming, Anping Liu, James Joseph Watkins
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Patent number: 10870601Abstract: A method of separating a glass web includes the steps of placing the glass web in tension by applying an in-plane tension to the glass web in a tensile direction and producing a region of increased tension on a first major surface of the glass web by imparting a curvature in the glass web. The method further includes separating the glass web along a separation path parallel to an axis of the curvature and transverse to the tensile direction by applying a defect to a portion of the first major surface in the region of increased tension.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: John Frederick Bayne, Scott Winfield Deming, Todd Benson Fleming, Andrew Peter Kittleson, Gautam Narendra Kudva, Dale Charles Marshall, Eric Lee Miller
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Publication number: 20200055098Abstract: A web conveyance apparatus (101) may comprise a first cleaning device (136) with a first exterior suction port (211) laterally positioned outside of a first edge (201a) and facing a footprint (204a) of a first major surface (203a) of a web (103). In further embodiments, a method of manufacturing a web (103) may comprise conveying the web along a direction of a conveyance path and suctioning particles from the first major surface (203a) with a first exterior suction port (211) laterally positioned outside of a first edge (201a) and facing a footprint (204a) of a first major surface (203a) while conveying the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Gautam Narendra Kudva, Dale Charles Marshall, Eric Lee Miller, Robert Daniel Parker, Calvin Jay Winder, John Anthony Yorio
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Publication number: 20180362388Abstract: A method of separating a glass web includes the steps of placing the glass web in tension by applying an in-plane tension to the glass web in a tensile direction and producing a region of increased tension on a first major surface of the glass web by imparting a curvature in the glass web. The method further includes separating the glass web along a separation path parallel to an axis of the curvature and transverse to the tensile direction by applying a defect to a portion of the first major surface in the region of increased tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: John Frederick Bayne, Scott Winfield Deming, Todd Benson Fleming, Andrew Peter Kittleson, Gautam Narendra Kudva, Dale Charles Marshall, Eric Lee Miller
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Patent number: 10144668Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a glass sheet along a cutting line into a desired shape. A laser source is configured to apply a laser beam to a beam location on the cutting line of the glass sheet. A source of cooling fluid is configured to apply a cooling fluid to a cooling band on the glass sheet to reduce a temperature of the glass sheet along the cooling path while elevating the temperature of the glass sheet at the beam location with the laser beam. The source of cooling fluid is configured to apply the cooling path as a cooling ring to circumscribe the beam location on the cutting line with the cooling band circumferentially spaced from the beam location while the cooling path and the beam location move simultaneously together in order to propagate a fracture in the glass sheet along the cutting line.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Andrew Stephen Altman, Todd Benson Fleming, Anping Liu, James Joseph Watkins
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Patent number: 9919381Abstract: A method for cutting a flexible glass ribbon includes directing the flexible glass ribbon to a flexible glass cutting apparatus including a laser. The flexible glass ribbon includes a first broad surface and a second broad surface that extend between a first edge and a second edge of the flexible glass ribbon. A laser beam is directed from the laser onto a region of the flexible glass ribbon. A crack is formed through the flexible glass ribbon using the laser beam. The crack is propagated along the flexible glass ribbon using the laser beam and a local mechanical deformation in the flexible glass ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Anatoli Anatolyevich Abramov, Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Eric Lee Miller, Ian David Tracy
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Publication number: 20180016179Abstract: A method of processing a flexible glass sheet having a thickness of equal to or less than 300 ?m includes separating an outer edge portion of the flexible glass sheet from a bonded portion of the flexible glass sheet along a separation path while the bonded portion of the flexible glass sheet remains bonded with respect to a first major surface of a carrier substrate. The step of separating the outer edge portion provides the flexible glass sheet with a new outer edge extending along the separation path. A lateral distance between the new outer edge of the flexible glass sheet and an outer periphery of the first major surface of the carrier substrate is equal to or less than about 750 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Erin Kathleen Canfield, Todd Benson Fleming, Xinghua Li, Anping Liu, Leonard Thomas Masters
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Patent number: 9822028Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
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Publication number: 20170275197Abstract: Cutting a desired final shape in a glass sheet, wherein the glass sheet is about 0.3 mm or less in thickness by applying a laser beam to the glass and continuously moving the laser relative to the glass along the cutting line. The laser is of a circular shape, and cooling fluid is applied simultaneously with the application of the laser, such that the cooling fluid at least reduces the temperature of the glass in order to propagate a fracture in the glass. The method includes controlling at least one of: (i) an energy density of the laser, (ii) a velocity of the laser relative to the glass along the cutting line, (iii) a fluid flow of the cooling fluid, and (iv) a minimum radius of curvature of the cutting line, such that a B10 edge strength of a cut edge of the glass is at least about 300 MPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Andrew Stephen Altman, Todd Benson Fleming, Anping Liu, James Joseph Watkins
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Publication number: 20170050877Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: cutting a thin glass sheet along a curved cutting line, where the curve is divided into a plurality of line segments; applying a laser beam and continuously moving the laser beam along the cutting line; applying a cooling fluid simultaneously with the application of the laser beam in order to propagate a fracture in the glass sheet along the cutting line; and varying one or more cutting parameters as the laser beam moves from one of the plurality of line segments to a next one of the plurality of line segments, wherein the one or more cutting parameters include at least one of: (i) a power of the laser beam, (ii) a speed of the movement, (iii) a pressure of the cooling fluid, and (iv) a flow rate of the cooling fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Andrew Stephen Altman, Carlton Wesley Cole, Todd Benson Fleming, Anping Liu, James Joseph Watkins
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Publication number: 20170015580Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
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Publication number: 20150367444Abstract: A method for cutting a flexible glass ribbon includes directing the flexible glass ribbon to a flexible glass cutting apparatus including a laser. The flexible glass ribbon includes a first broad surface and a second broad surface that extend between a first edge and a second edge of the flexible glass ribbon. A laser beam is directed from the laser onto a region of the flexible glass ribbon. A crack is formed through the flexible glass ribbon using the laser beam. The crack is propagated along the flexible glass ribbon using the laser beam and a local mechanical deformation in the flexible glass ribbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Anatoli Anatolyevich Abramov, Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Eric Lee Miller, Ian Daivd Tracy
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Patent number: 9216924Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
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Publication number: 20150345996Abstract: In one embodiment, an angle measurement device for measuring an angle between a web of material and a conveyance direction includes a mounting bracket, a shaft rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket such that the shaft is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket, a caster portion coupled to a first end of the shaft and positioned to contact a surface of the web of material being drawn over a web conveyance pathway, where the caster portion is spaced apart from an axis of rotation of the shaft, and an angular displacement sensor coupled to the mounting bracket and positioned to detect an angular orientation of the shaft with respect to the mounting bracket, where the angular displacement sensor outputs a signal indicative of the angular orientation of the shaft with respect to the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Terrence Richard Horsfall, David Joseph Kuhn, Gary Edward Merz, Eric Lee Miller, Ian David Tracy
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Publication number: 20150344347Abstract: In one embodiment a method of steering a glass web includes directing the glass web in a conveyance direction on a web conveyance pathway, contacting at least one surface of the glass web with at least one wheel of at least one idler roller, the at least one wheel of the at least one idler roller having an axis of rotation parallel to a surface of the glass web, detecting an angle between a centerline of the glass web and the conveyance direction with an angle measurement device, and modifying an orientation of the at least one idler roller and the at least one wheel about an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the web conveyance pathway to shift the glass web based on a detected angle between the centerline of the glass web and the conveyance direction of the web conveyance pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, David Joseph Kuhn, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, John Earl Tosch, Ian David Tracy, Matthew Daniel Trosa
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Publication number: 20150321943Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak
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Publication number: 20150251944Abstract: Apparatus and methods of separating a glass ribbon are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for severing glass ribbon includes a plurality of manufacturing components arranged into a travel path, a glass cutting device, and a severing zone positioned in a downstream direction from the glass cutting device, where the severing zone comprising a targeted separation region along the travel path. The apparatus also includes an acoustic transmitter positioned in a first direction from the targeted separation region, an acoustic receiver positioned in a second direction from the targeted separation region opposite the first direction, and a manufacturing component positioned along the travel path in the downstream direction from the targeted separation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, Todd Benson Fleming, David Joseph Kuhn, Zhiqiang Shi, Ningli Yang, Chester Hann Huei Chang
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Publication number: 20150232372Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 9038414Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L Walton
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Publication number: 20140130649Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method comprises the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Chester Hann Huei Chang, Todd Benson Fleming, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Christopher Michael Rhoads, John Earl Tosch, Thaddeus Francis Trzeciak