Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass roll, includes: a forming step (S1) of forming, while conveying a glass film, the glass film by a downdraw method; a temporary rolling step (S3) of rolling the glass film while superposing a protective film on the glass film at a downstream end of a path of the conveying in the forming step (S1), to thereby manufacture a source glass roll; and a main rolling step (S4) of unrolling, while conveying the glass film to a downstream side, the glass film from the source glass roll, and then rerolling the glass film while superposing a protective film on the glass film at a downstream end of a path of the conveying, to thereby manufacture a glass roll. Higher tension in a rolling direction is applied to the glass film in the main rolling step (S4) than in the temporary rolling step (S3).

Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a control device configured to independently operate a first pull roll apparatus, a second pull roll apparatus, and a third pull roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque, at least one of a first midstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque, and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming a glass ribbon with a glass forming apparatus including a first glass roll device are disclosed. The methods include a step (I) of drawing the glass ribbon along a draw direction with the glass forming apparatus. Also included is a step (II) of adjusting a first roll member relative to a first support structure of the first glass roll device by translating the first roll member in a first linear direction parallel to a linear adjustment axis of the first support structure while the first roll member is adjustably mounted to the first support structure. Also included is a step (III) of contacting a first surface of the glass ribbon with the first roll member at a first adjusted contact location of the glass ribbon. Also disclosed are corresponding glass forming apparatus configured to form glass ribbons and draw the glass ribbons in a draw direction.

Abstract: Roller pairs and draw apparatus for processing glass ribbons are disclosed. The roller pairs applying force to a glass ribbon moving through the draw apparatus. The roller pairs include a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly positioned along opposite sides of the glass ribbon. A shaft of the second roller assembly is coupled to an actuation system that includes a repositionable support member allowing translation of the shaft of the second roller assembly in a direction transverse to the draw direction of the glass ribbon, a pneumatic actuator controlling a position of the contact wheel of the second roller assembly in the direction transverse to the draw direction of the glass ribbon, and a pneumatic reservoir in fluid communication with the pneumatic actuator delivering fluid at an elevated pressure to the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus is described herein that comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a pull roll device which draws the glass ribbon downward from the forming device. The pull roll device has a first roll apparatus, a second roll apparatus, and a third roll apparatus. The pull roll device is configured to at least independently operate the first roll apparatus and the second roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher with a pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher located vertically below the glass feed. The forming rolls thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing and texturing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower or 300° C. or lower is located vertically below the forming rolls. The sizing and texturing rolls thin and texture the formed glass ribbon to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired texture, thickness and thickness uniformity. The sized and textured glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding flexible glass ribbons (13) without mechanically contacting the central portion (4) of the ribbon are provided in which two curved sections are formed in the ribbon which stiffen the ribbon so that lateral forces can be applied to the ribbon without causing it to buckle. The curvatures of the curved sections are along the direction of motion (15) of the ribbon and can be produced using curved air-bars (12,14) and/or pairs of cylindrical rollers (5a,5b,16a,16b). The lateral forces can be applied by pairs of guide rollers (7a,7b,9a,9b) which can be mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms (6,19,29) and can have a complaint outer coating or sleeve (35). The guiding system can be used in the winding of the glass ribbon onto a cylindrical core (11).

Abstract: A creep-resistant zircon article and a method of manufacturing the creep-resistant zircon article are described herein. In one example, the creep-resistant zircon article has the shape of a forming apparatus (e.g., isopipe) which is used in the fusion process to manufacture glass sheets.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system (100, 100?, 100?) and method are described herein for forming a high quality thin glass sheet (110). In one embodiment, the glass manufacturing system and method use at least one of a compensated rolling roll (108a), a temperature controlled environment (120) and edge rolls (122, 124) to form a high quality thin glass sheet that has a thickness less than about 2 mm and more preferably less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system (200), a roll apparatus (202) and a method are described herein that manufacture a textured glass sheet (205) by using a porous textured roll (250) which is under a vacuum.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing device (1) of a glass film, the device including: a forming apparatus (10) of a glass film ribbon (G) for forming molten glass or a glass base material for secondary processing into a glass film ribbon (G); a winding apparatus (20) for winding, into a roll shape, the glass film ribbon (G), which is drawn downward while being cooled; and a width direction cutting apparatus (30) for cutting the glass film ribbon (G) along its width direction at a position before being wound by the winding apparatus (20). A vertical distance (h) from the glass film ribbon (G) forming start position by the forming apparatus (10) to a glass film ribbon (G) cutting position by the width direction cutting apparatus (30) is set as five times or more of a dimension in the width direction of the glass film ribbon (G).

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a baseline geometry and, optionally, a modified geometry. The method can include generating a numerical representation of a baseline geometry having baseline elements identified with first identifiers or element identifiers, and then assigning second identifiers or analyzer identifiers to the elements. A selected characteristic of the geometry, such as structural loading, is analyzed with reference to the second or analyzer identifiers. At least one of the elements of the geometry can then be altered in a manner that at least partially automatically adjusts the surrounding geometry, and the same first identifier or element identifier is associated with the altered element as was associated with the baseline, unaltered element. The altered geometry can be analyzed with respect to a third identifier (or another analyzer identifier) and a correspondence between the identifiers, the baseline element, and the altered element can be established and maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described, with which individual rectangular glass panes of thickness between 0.03 mm and 2 mm can be cut from a glass band (2) drawn vertically from a hot forming device (1) in an in-line process with reduced rejects and reduced waste. The method provides that the glass band (2) drawn vertically downward through a vertical zone is cooled below a lower cooling point of the glass and subsequently is deflected through a bending zone (3b) with a bending radius between 0.1 m and 4 m into a horizontal zone (3c) in which it is horizontally oriented. The vertical alignment of the glass band (2) in the vertical zone (3a) is continuously monitored. At least one cutting process is performed on the horizontally oriented glass band (2) in the horizontal zone (3c). The device (20) for monitoring the vertical alignment of the glass band (2) includes at least three sensors (22a, 22b, 22c; 22a′, 22b′, 22c′) that detect the glass edges These sensors can be mechanical rollers.

Abstract: A roll-forming unit of a curved glass manufacturing apparatus includes a cooperating pair of upper and lower forming roll mechanisms. Each mechanism includes a forming roll having a resilient rod covered with a cover member except opposite end portions thereof, a pair of support members rotatably supporting the opposite end portions of the resilient rod while allowing the resilient rod to tilt about said support members, a bending unit coupled with at least one of the opposite end portions of the resilient rod for applying to the one end portion an external force tending to flex the forming roll into either an upwardly arched configuration or a downwardly arched configuration, and at least one backup roller unit being in rolling engagement with the forming roll to maintain the arched configuration of the forming roll.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for manufacturing of folded-fin heat sink assemblies provide laser welding of the folded-fin assembly to the base, core or other heat-absorbing mass, at selected locations, prior to brazing or otherwise bonding. This ensures proper positioning of the folded-fin assembly relative to the heat-absorbing mass, and proper spacing between adjacent fins.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a bent glass sheet. A heated glass sheet (4, 24, 24*) conveyed from a heating furnace (1, 21) is bent by pressing with at least one belt (5, 9, 25) made of a heat-resistant material against a bending member (6, 10, 26, 28). The bent glass sheet is further conveyed and cooled for quenching or annealing in a cooling apparatus (3, 23). The bent glass is cooled after separating the belt. According to this invention, the bent glass sheets having surfaces on which defects, such as marks of rolls, are suppressed can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for producing a web of thin, chemically hardened glass that can be wound on a roll. The process comprises the steps of (i) drawing glass, containing original alkali ions, to form a web of glass having a thickness equal to or lower than 1.2 mm and having a first and second major surface; (ii) directly after or during said drawing, treating both said surfaces of said web with chemical hardening means during less than two hours, replacing said original alkali ions by alkali ions having a larger radius; and (iii) after treating both said surfaces, winding said web on a core.

Abstract: An orifice plate for a glass ribbon machine has an orifice provided with a side wall having a continuously variable angle. When used for making envelopes for incandescent lamps, the plate provides stronger bulbs.

Abstract: An orifice plate for a glass ribbon machine has an orifice provided with a side wall having a continuously variable angle. When used for making envelopes for incandescent lamps, the plate provides stronger bulbs.

Abstract: A roller assembly for bending sheets of glass, including a plurality of units each comprising a plurality of rollers mounted on support shafts. The support shafts pivot, which tilts the rollers, so that the surface of each roller is tangent to the bottom of the bent glass sheet.

Abstract: A method for producing the type lamp glass envelope used in a reflector lamp is disclosed which employs a ribbon machine. Said ribbon formed lamp glass envelope includes a cylindrical neck portion terminating at one end in a curved reflector portion closed by an integral flattened face portion of lesser curvature with light distributing elements being formed on the exterior surface of said face portion. In its preferred embodiments, the reflector portion of said lamp glass envelope is of the PAR type which can further include truncation of the parabolic shape with opposing substantially flattened parallel surfaces as well as face portions for said lamp glass envelope which can be circular or rectangular in shape.