Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing high purity polysilicon. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber maintaining a vacuum atmosphere; first and second electron guns disposed at an upper side of the vacuum chamber to irradiate electron beams into the vacuum chamber; a silicon melting unit placed on a first electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the first electron gun and in which powdery raw silicon is placed and melted by the first electron beam; and a unidirectional solidification unit placed on a second electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the second electron gun and connected to the silicon melting unit via a runner. The unidirectional solidification unit is formed at a lower part thereof with a cooling channel and is provided therein with a start block driven in a downward direction.

Abstract: Shearing blade for molten glass gobs comprising a knife (1) made of hard metal having a substantially V-shaped front shearing portion (5) with a shearing edge (7) whose width is in the range between 8 and 11% of the distance between the ends (6) of the V-shaped shearing portion (5). Between the shearing edge (7) and the rear support portion (2) of the knife, the upper surface of the knife (1) has a lowered surface (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-quality preforms from glass melt, manufacturing glass elements, such as lenses, by press molding these preforms and, manufacturing optical elements by reheating and press molding these glass gobs. In the method glass gobs are continuously separated from a glass melt flow continuously flowing out of a nozzle and the separated glass gobs are formed with glass forming members that are intermittently or continuously moving. A support member is made to approach the front end of the nozzle, the front end of the glass melt flow is received by the support member, and the support member is dropped more rapidly than the rate of flow of the glass melt flow to separate a glass gob from the glass melt flow. The separated glass gob is transferred from the support member to a stopped or moving glass forming member to mold a glass article.

Abstract: Glass articles are made by continuously emitting a plurality of strands of molten glass spaced different distances from respective preform molds, cutting through each of the strands by moving together a respective pair of blades to form a respective gob, and transporting the gobs through the respective distances to the preform molds. The pairs of blades are operated, that is moved from an open to a closed position, such that they cut through the respective strands one after the other with the first formed gob traveling through the longest distance to the respective preform mold and the last formed gob traveling through the shortest distance to the respective preform mold.

Abstract: Apatite glass ceramic which contains at least one glass phase and at least one apatite phase and is characterized in that at least one of the apatite phases is a phosphate- and fluorine-free siliceous oxyapatite phase.

Abstract: A plate-shaped shearing knife is provided made of hard metal for shearing off allotments of liquid glass. The hard metal of the shearing knife has a thermal conductivity of at least 85 W/mK. Next to a V-shaped or circular-shaped cutting region -2-, there are edge regions on both sides that do not flare out wedge-like, and have an average width b which is in a range of 5% to 30% of the total width of the shearing knife B in this section.

Abstract: A plate-shaped shearing knife is provided made of hard metal for shearing off allotments of liquid glass. The hard metal of the shearing knife has a thermal conductivity of at least 85 W/mK. Next to a V-shaped or circular-shaped cutting region -2-, there are edge regions on both sides that do not flare out wedge-like, and have an average width b which is in a range of 5% to 30% of the total width of the shearing knife B in this section.

Abstract: In an apparatus (1) for the severing of gobs from one or more strands (2;3) of molten glass, the severing of each gob is effected by a shear blade pair (5;6). A shear blade (7,8;9,10) of each shear blade pair is arranged on an associated, pivotably mounted shear arm (11;12). The two shear arms (11;12) are coaxially and freely pivotably mounted relative to each other on a common column (13). Each shear arm is pivotably drivable synchronously in relation to the other by its own separate drive means (24;25).

Abstract: A unitary shear blade (20) for shearing a plurality of spaced apart streams of molten glass into individual gobs, the shear blade having a free end (20a) and an opposed end (20b). The free end is provided with a plurality of side-by-side shearing surfaces (22, 24, 26) each of which has a generally V-shaped machined shearing edge. A plurality of fastener receiving openings (28) extends through the shear blade at locations adjacent the opposed ends thereof to permit the shear blade to be removably secured to a carriage (10) by a plurality of threaded fasteners (12).

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs comprising opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another by a unidirectionally acting servo motor/gear reducer (44) acting through an oscillating bell crank (30). Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions.

Abstract: Glass gob shearing apparatus having opposed shear blades that reciprocate along generally parallel, opposed horizontal paths to periodically bring the shearing ends of the shear blades into partly overlapping contact with one another, to thereby shear a gob of molten glass from a stream of molten glass flowing downwardly between the shear blades. Contact loads between the shear blades are reduced by placing a shim between one of the shear blades, namely the shear blade that is the lower of the shear blades when they are in contact with each other, to thereby impart a slight downward inclination to such shear blade with respect to the other shear blade. Contact loads between the shear blades are further reduced by resiliently mounting the other shear blade to the blade holder to which it is attached, and this is done by positioning curved spring washers between the other shear blade and the blade holder to which it is attached.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus for sequentially shearing each of a plurality of streams of molten glass from a glass feeder into gobs for processing into glass containers by a glass forming machine. The apparatus has first and second opposed carriages which are reciprocable along parallel slides toward and away from one another, each of the carriages carrying one or more opposed knife elements, corresponding to the number of streams of molten glass, and the opposed knife elements overlap at the innermost limits of their travel to perform the shearing action. Motion of the carriages is actuated by a unidirectionally acting servo motor, which imparts oscillating motion to a bell crank through a connecting rod. The oscillating motion of the bell crank imparts simultaneous, opposed, rectilinear motion to the carriages through connecting rods, which are pivotally attached to the servo motor at diametrically spaced apart locations.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs including opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another. Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions. A contact lubricator (88) is provided to lubricate the contact surfaces of the blades carried by one of the carriages (22).

Abstract: A ceramic enamel composition is described which contains a zinc-containing oxide frit, a zinc borate seed material, a pigment, and a vehicle. The zinc borate seed material is preferably crystalline in nature, and promotes crystal growth upon firing. A preferred crystalline zinc borate seed material is selected from the phases Zn.sub.3 B.sub.2 O.sub.6 and Zn(BO.sub.2).sub.2, and mixtures thereof. Upon firing and press-forming a glass substrate coated with the enamel, components of the enamel adhere to the substrate while reducing sticking of the coated region to the forming die. The ceramic enamel is particularly useful in providing a colored border around the periphery of automotive glass and is effective in improving appearance and reducing degradation of underlying adhesives by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of bonding a glass substrate and a nonconductive substrate comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a surface of the nonconductive substrate which is coated with a field-assist bonding material with a conforming surface of the glass substrate; and (b) applying sufficient heat to the two substrates and sufficient voltage across the two substrates to bond the two substrates together.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs comprising opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another. Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions.

Abstract: A method for precompacting glass sheets for use in flat panel displays, particularly those which utilize polycrystalline silicon. The glass is exposed to a temperature and pressure and for a period of time sufficient to precompact the glass sheet an amount necessary to make the glass sheet suitable for use in a flat panel display which uses polysilicon.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (10) for sequentially shearing each of a plurality of streams of molten glass (A,B,C, D) from a glass feeder into gobs for processing into glass containers by a glass forming machine. The apparatus (10) has first and second opposed carriages (12, 14) which are reciprocable along parallel slides (16, 18, 20) toward and away from one another, each of the carriages carrying one or more opposed knife elements (32a, etc., 34a, etc.), corresponding to the number of streams of molten glass, and the opposed knife elements (32a, 34a, etc.) overlap at the innermost limits of their travel to perform the shearing action. Motion of the carriages (12, 14) is actuated by a unidirectionally acting servo motor (36), which imparts oscillating motion to a bell crank (22) through a connecting rod (46).

Abstract: Superior microwave transparent thermal insulations for high temperature microwave sintering operations were prepared. One embodiment of the thermal insulation comprises granules of boron nitride coated with a very thin layer of glassy carbon made by preparing a glassy carbon precursor and blending it with boron nitride powder to form a mixture. The blended mixture is granulated to form a grit which is dried and heated to form the granules of boron nitride coated with a glassy carbon. Alternatively, grains of glassy carbon are coated with boron nitride by blending a mixture of a slurry comprising boron nitride, boric acid binder, and methyl alcohol with glassy carbon grains to form a blended mixture. The blended mixture is dried to form grains of glassy carbon coated with boron nitride. In addition, a physical mixture of boron nitride powder and glassy carbon grains has also been shown to be an excellent thermal insulation material for microwave processing and sintering.

Abstract: A strand of glass is cut into gobs by a pair of opposing shearing blades driven by a crank drive in which eccentric pins from a crank disk are connected to a support disk of a crankshaft and a support disk on an auxiliary shaft, connecting rods being linked to the pins and operatively connected to the support arms of the blades.

Abstract: Opposed shear assemblies are conjointly driven via a rack and pinion assembly by a servo motor which follows a displacement profile. When the cycle rate exceeds a selected limit the profile is scaled to reduce peak motor velocity and a shorter stroke is defined.

Abstract: Process for the production of decorative glass ceramic articles, the design being sunk entirely or partially into the surface of the glass ceramic, wherein the surface, to be decorated, of the not-yet ceramed base glass is connected as the anode of the region of its glass transition temperature Tg up to Tg+100.degree. C. and a current is allowed to flow evoking an alteration of the surface of the base glass, and wherein the current is permitted to flow until the surface has been altered to a desired depth.

Abstract: Gob-shearing apparatus for providing a predetermined amount of a molten glass article vertically transferred from a feeder bowl which is capable of performing two cutting strokes when a pair of hydraulic cylinders having a rack gear reciprocates, thus obtaining an improved sheared surface of the gob. The apparatus includes a driving pinion engaged with and rotated by the reciprocation, a pair of driven pinion engaged with the driving pinion and rotated by the rotation of the driving pinion, a pair of first links having a blade on its free end, a pair of second, third and fourth links which are linked between the first link and driven pinion for link motion, and a guide rail for guiding the circular movement of the first links.

Abstract: A Shearing apparatus for forming molten glass gobs from a continuous flow of molten glass provided by a feeder, has a single shear blade mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of feeding of the flow of molten glass; and a drive for imparting a rotatory movement to the blade in coincidence with the flow of molten glass in order to cut the flow into separate molten glass gobs.

Abstract: At least a pair of shear blades cuts a stream of viscous molten glass descending from a glass feeder. The paired shear blades continuously move, while retaining a substantially horizontal position, about a horizontal axis along looped paths symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the descending stream of molten glass. When viewed in a vertical plane, each loop represents the forward motion of each blade toward the center of the descending stream of molten glass, the crossing of the cutting edges provided on the two facing blades, and the retreat of each blade away from the center of the glass stream. The cutting of glass stream begins at the end of the forward motion of the shear blades and ends when the cutting edges provided on them have crossed each other. This permits the area and time of contact between the shear blades and the descending stream of molten glass to be minimized.

Abstract: A shear mechanism has opposed shear assemblies mounted for reciprocation on a pair of parallel guide rails. Each shear assembly has a removable portion which supports the shears with top accessible fasteners so that these portions can be removed when the shear assemblies are fully advanced. A stop mechanism locks the shear assemblies at their fully advanced positions.

Abstract: A shear mechanism has a shear assembly with shear assembly that can be quickly changed. The shear assembly supports a vertically displacable shear which is operated via a drive system which is connected to the shear mechanism frame. With the release of top fasteners which secure the shear assembly to the guide rail support and the release of a top accessible support bearing the shear assembly can be lifted out of the frame since the shear drive system and shear assembly are vertically separable.

Abstract: A shear mechanism for shearing discrete gobs from at least one runner of molten glass has a shear assembly which is displacable back and forth along a pair of guide rails. The assembly has at least one shear supported on an arm which has a bearing at one side which is operatively associated with one of the guide rails. The support bearing has a lower bearing surface which engages the bottom of the guide rail and an upper bearing surface which supports the top surface and the lower bearing surface can be displaced away from the guide rail by operating a release which is located on the top of the bearing.

Abstract: Shears are supported for reciprocating displacement within an open frame so that they can be conjointly displaced from retracted positions to advanced overlapping positions where a runner of molten glass will be severed. A pair of covers close the open frame except for the central portion where the runners pass through. A pipe having a plurality of holes is secured to the front edge of the covers so that coolant can be directed downwardly and inwardly against the reciprocating shears.

Abstract: A shear mechanism having at least one shear. Each shear has an associated drop guide which can be displaced relative to the shear. The drop guide is secured in position from the front and when release, it can be pulled forwardly and separated from its support for replacement or repair.

Abstract: Each glass gob is severed by a shear blade pair (6; 9). The shear blades (7, 8; 10, 11) are arranged on shear arms (12, 13) whose movement is synchronized with each other by means of a gear mechanism (16) A first shear arm (12) is drivable pivotably by a drive means (36), while a second shear arm (13) is supported by an air spring (28). The drive means (36) is carried on a carriage (39) which is displaceable by piston-cylinder units (48, 49). The drive means (36) drives a crank pin (43) which is connected by means of a coupling rod (44) with the first shear arm (12). By displacement of the carriage (39) one achieves a servicing stroke (34) which is greater than the working stroke (32) of the shears.

Abstract: A shear mechanism has a pair of shear assemblies mounted on parallel guide rails for reciprocating displacement controlled by a rack and pinion assembly having a rack driving each shear assembly. The racks are parallel and horizontally spaced and their movement paths substantially intersect the center of mass of the shear assemblies.

Abstract: A shear mechanism is disclosed including reciprocating pairs of upper and lower shears. A gob guide is associated with each upper shear blade and can be selectively adjusted in the direction of shear movement and in a direction transverse to that movement.

Abstract: A glass gob cutting device in a gob feeder for cutting a gob of molten glass supplied from an orifice of a furnace and supplying the cut gob of molten glass to a glass forming machine. The glass gob cutting device includes a pair of shearing blades for cutting a gob of molten glass to make the cut gob of molten glass, a pair of supporting arms for supporting the pair of shearing blades, a shearing mechanism connected to the supporting arms for actuating the supporting arms, a guide arm being actuated by actuating means different from the shearing mechanism and a guide provided on a free end of the guide arm for guiding the cut gob of molten glass and introducing the same into the glass forming machine.

Abstract: On shearing a melted glass stream flowing along a first direction at a first speed into a melted glass lump flowing along the first direction at a second speed faster than the first speed by a cutter section, the cutter section is closed and opened along the first direction and is also moved in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. While the cutter section is moved in the second direction, the motion of the cutter section is controlled at a third speed between the first speed and the second speed.

Abstract: A gob severing mechanism comprises a single blade which severs a series of gobs by passing rapidly through columns of glass, severing a first series on movement in one direction and a second series on movement in the other direction. In rest positions on opposite sides of the glass columns wherein the blade is positioned in shrouds in which it is cooled by a mist of coolant, e.g. water.

Abstract: The improved apparatus for straight line shearing of multiple gobs from columns of molten glass includes a shear frame to which multiple shear blade assemblies and shear blade adjustment mechanisms are mounted to facilitate changeover between single, double, and multiple gob configurations. At least one shear frame wall includes a plurality of slots aligned along an axis of separation of the shear blade assemblies and shear blade adjustment mechanisms, the adjustment mechanisms each including an indexing rod and adjusting shaft which may be repositioned within one of said slots to adjust the separation of the shear blade adjustment mechanisms. Advantageously, in a shear mechanism designed to accommodate single, double, and triple gob configurations, two such slots are provided for the outermost indexing rods, such rods being located at their points of maximum separation for single or triple gob shearing, and their points of minimum separation for double gob shearing.

Abstract: A straight line shear mechanism has rack driven shears which are operated by a pneumatic cylinder. Opposite ends of the operating rod of the pneumatic cylinder are connected via nail head couplings which permit rotation of the rod about its axis and which automatically accommodates slight misalignments to minimize distortion of the rod.

Abstract: A straight line shear mechanism has rack driven shears which are operated by a pneumatic cylinder. The shear slides provide a barrier to infrared energy directed at the pneumatic cylinder. To cool the cylinder, a perforated cooling tube is connected to ambient air when the mechanism is operating and is connected to water when the mechanism is not operating.

Abstract: This relates to improvements in drives for shears, particularly shears for severing gobs from a glass runner. All of the drives incorporate a drive pinion for reciprocating racks which are secured to slides of the shear. The pinion is rotated first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to cause the blades of the shear to first move together and shear a gob, and then move back to the original position. Suitable reversing motors may be utilized, including an electrical servomotor or suitable hydraulic motor. On the other hand, the drive motor may be of the unidirectional type and an oscillating drive member may be incorporated in the drive system for converting the one-directional drive of the motor to an oscillating or reversing output. In addition, the drive of the pinion may be supplemented by a double-acting air motor which is connected to one of the racks.

Abstract: A straight line shear has a pair of carriages which support opposed pairs of shear blade assemblies. These carriages are displaceable to shear gobs from molten runners of glass. Each shear blade assembly can be adjusted relative to its carriage, in the direction of carriage displacement, and to this end shear blade assembly guide pins are slidingly received in carriage bushings. These bushings have one axial portion which is press fit into a carriage bore and the remaining portion has an enlarged threaded interdiameter which extends the bushing and hence its life and which enables the bushing to be pulled from its bore by a hand tool having a threaded socket.

Abstract: An improved drive assembly for a straight line shear mechanism or like, reciprocably mounted mechanism of a glassware forming machine wherein the mechanism is coupled by an arm to a drive rod, the improvement lying in the provision of an adaptable joint between the drive rod and the arm. Such joint permits a limited amount of radial repositioning of the arm relative to the drive rod, and a lesser amount of axial repositioning and reorientation. A preferred design of such joint utilizes a hardened sleeve fitted around a segment of the drive rod, such sleeve having a flange to provide a radial surface. A rod nut placed at the other end of the sleeve provides a second radial surface. A bushing secured within an aperture of the arm by a bushing nut is housed around the sleeve between the sleeve flange and the rod nut.

Abstract: In apparatus for the straight-line shearing of molten glass gobs, first and second carriage members have mounted thereon one or more opposing pairs of shear blades which are caused reciprocally to move towards each other and then away from each other along a substantially straight line between an open position and a closed cutting position. The carriage members are slidably mounted on wayrods and are connected to diametrically opposed crank arms extending from a rotatably driven shaft. As the shaft is caused to rotate, the carriage members reciprocally slide on the wayrods between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: This relates to improvements in drives for shears, particularly shears for severing gobs from a glass runner. All of the drives incorporate a drive pinion for reciprocating racks which are secured to slides of the shear. The pinion is rotated first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to cause the blades of the shear to first move together and shear a gob, and then move back to the original position. Suitable reversing motors may be utilized, including an electrical servomotor or suitable hydraulic motor. On the other hand, the drive motor may be of the unidirectional type and an oscillating drive member may be incorporated in the drive system for converting the one-directional drive of the motor to an oscillating or reversing output. In addition, the drive of the pinion may be supplemented by a double-acting air motor which is connected to one of the racks.

Abstract: A rack aligning fixture for aligning the racks of a rack and pinion mechanism is described. The rack alignment fixture permits the aligning of rack teeth faces of a rack and pinion mechanism at the time of assembly without having to provide additional machining of the individual parts in order to maintain the racks parallel with each other for proper mating of the rack teeth with the pinion gear teeth.

Abstract: The feeder mechanism comprises apparatus for shearing gobs from plastic material e.g. glass comprising a set of shear blades movable between open and shearing positions thereof. A driving system for the shear blades comprises a cam having a cam track and a servo-motor arranged to drive the cam at a speed which is varied in accordance with control signals derived from a stored program to move the shear blades in accordance with a desired position against time curve between limits defined by the shape of the cam track.

Abstract: A quadruple gob glass feeder and cooperating shear mechanism are disclosed. The shear mechanism has two arms reciprocal toward and away from each other. Each arm has four blades arranged in mating pairs to cooperate with each other for cutting four streams of glass.

Abstract: A multiple gob glass shearing mechanism in which the sets of opposed shear blades are supported for movement toward and away from each other in a straight line or with parallel motion. One set of shears is mounted on a shear guide that can be adjusted up or down relative to the holder of the opposed set of shears. This adjustment is for the purpose of adjusting the tension on all the sets of blades simultaneously and can be affected when the shears are in operation. The drive for the shears may be unlatched for safety purposes when out of position and when put back into operation the shear blades will not close unless the latch is refastened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for the sectioning of a liquid glass strand into individual fragment (gobs) to be further processed into hollow glass articles. In order to achieve a trouble-free cutting process as well as a relatively small mass of the parts moved during the cutting, combined with an increase in the production rate, the invention proposes a cutting device having a housing (2) in which a cutting unit (3) is formed by several partially overlapping cutting elements (4) disposed around the glass strand (5) which are rotatably journaled at one of their ends and connected to the planet gears 7 of a planetary gearing whose outer ring gear (8) is connected with a drive. The cutting edges of the cutting elements (4) are of curved shape.

Abstract: A feeding device has the object to ensure the supply of a continuously flowing glass strand and to divide it into predetermined gobs thus establishing the weight of the individual gob and thereafter to proceed with the final sectioning. It is known to activate the drives of the moving mechanical parts of such a feeding device by compressed air. Because of the compressibility of the air, and depending, among others, on the length of the piping, its clear cross section and the prevailing air pressure, an accurate control is not possible, especially when the masses to be moved are large. In order to avoid these disadvantages, the invention makes use of hydraulic piston units for the drive of the translatory movement of the stopper and of the pipe and the use of a hydraulic rotary piston for the rotational movement of the cutting device. The turning movement of the pipe is achieved through a hydraulic rotary piston.