Abstract: Apparatus and a method of handling a molten metal processing by-product are provided in which the by-product is placed in a container unit and put in the apparatus, the apparatus including an element having a first position outside of the container and a second position in which at least a part of the element is in the container so as to compress the by-product and exclude oxygen from it. The element also serves to transfer heat from the contents of the container unit to the element and so provide cooling. The element can then be returned to the first position, the container unit be removed and placed at a cooling location for final cooling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of making molten glass. The apparatus includes a vessel for conveying the molten glass and at least one flange configured to supply an electric current to the vessel through the flange, the flange including a first ring extending completely around the vessel in a closed loop, the first ring comprising a first portion including a first thickness and a second portion including a second thickness different from the first thickness, wherein the first portion and the second portion overlap in a plane of the flange such that at least a portion of the first portion is positioned between at least a portion of the second portion and the vessel wall, and neither the first portion nor the second portion extends completely around the vessel. Also disclosed is a method of making glass using the disclosed flange.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sintering a hollow cylindrical body of porous synthetic silica. The apparatus comprises a hollow mandrel for supporting the body in a horizontal position, and the mandrel is housed within a vacuum furnace having heating elements arranged to surround the body circumferentially along its entire length. The method includes supporting the body on a hollow horizontally-oriented mandrel in a vacuum furnace in which heating elements are disposed surrounding the body, and heating the body by means of the elements to a sintering temperature.

Abstract: A method of scribing a graphic on a material is provided, in which laser output is applied to the material. The laser output is moved relative to the material at a high speed greater than 10 m per second, and at a high power greater than 500 W, to scribe a graphic on a surface of the material. Also provided is a system for scribing a graphic on a material. The method and system of the invention are especially useful in the scribing of building materials.

Abstract: Provided is a silicon refining device that is used when industrially producing silicon of high purity by vacuum melting, has a high P removal rate and thus high productivity, and is a practical device cost-wise with a simple and cheap device configuration. This silicon refining device comprises, in a decompression vessel provided with a vacuum pump, a crucible that contains a metal silicon material, a heating device that heats the crucible, and a molten metal surface thermal insulation member that covers the upper portion of silicon molten metal and has an exhaust opening with an opening area that is smaller than the silicon molten metal surface area. The molten metal surface thermal insulation member comprises a laminated insulation material with a multilayer structure in which three or more laminates are laminated at predetermined intervals from each other, and which exhibits a radiant heat insulating function based on the multilayer structure.

Abstract: Vacuum ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 nm or less is applied on the joining surfaces of first and second workpieces made from a crystal substrate and a glass substrate, or a glass substrate and a glass substrate from a light irradiation unit. The workpieces are conveyed to a workpiece cleaning and laminating mechanism by a conveyance mechanism, the joining surfaces are subjected to mega-sonic cleaning as needed, and the workpieces are aligned with the joining surfaces thereof facing each other, and laminated such that the joining surfaces are in contact with each other. After being laminated, the laminated workpieces are conveyed to a workpiece heating mechanism and heated to increase the workpiece temperature to a predetermined temperature, and this temperature is maintained until joining is completed. The laminated workpieces are brought into a thermally expanded state upon heating, and are joined in this state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat treating a plurality of glass substrates. The glass substrates are supported on support platform and housed in a heat treating furnace. The substrates are supported in a substantially vertical orientation by restraining pins extending through walls of the furnace, and are separated from each other by frame-shaped spacing members. The spacing members reduce convection currents between the substrates and reduce or eliminate the post-heat treating distortion of each glass substrate to less than 100 ?m over the entire surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A glass tempering furnace and a method for heating a glass sheet. The glass sheet is heated in the glass tempering furnace by blowing heating air on the top surface of the glass sheet, and the blowing distance of the heating air from the top surface of the glass sheet is adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating glass sheets, and a glass tempering furnace. The glass sheets are heated by feeding them through a tempering furnace whereby the glass sheets are heated from above and below in the tempering furnace. The glass sheets are heated with blowing channels arranged substantially transverse in relation to the direction of travel of the glass sheets and with heating resistor rows arranged substantially transverse in relation to the direction of travel of the glass sheets. A heating resistor row has at least three separately controllable parts, and the temperature profile of the glass sheet is adjusted in the transverse direction by separately adjusting the different parts of the resistor row.

Abstract: A high temperature furnace comprising hot zone insulation having at least one shaped thermocouple assembly port to reduce temperature measurement variability is disclosed. The shaped thermocouple assembly port has an opening in the insulation facing the hot zone that is larger than the opening on the furnace shell side of the insulation. A method for producing a crystalline ingot in a high temperature furnace utilizing insulation having a shaped thermocouple assembly port is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a first and second conduits configured to form an annulus between them. An adjustable structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit. The structure is adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first conduit via a hub. The hub defines a central passage for fuel or oxidant. The body has one or more non-central through passages configured such that flow of an oxidant or fuel therethrough causes the fuel or oxidant to intersect flow of fuel or oxidant exiting from the central passage in a region above the upper surface of the body.

Abstract: For permitting temperature manipulation of a melt even at a conductivity below 10?1 ??1 cm?1 and thus permitting refining of the melt at temperatures about 1700° C., the invention provides a method and a device for temperature manipulation of a melt (16), in particular in a refiner unit. The melt (16) is heated at least by ohmic resistance heating with at least two electrodes (4) that are arranged in the melt (16). At least a part of the melt (16) is cooled. The device (1) for temperature manipulation, refining, purification and homogenisation of a melt (16) comprises at least one arrangement for accommodating melt material (36, 16), defining an inner chamber, and at least two electrodes (4) for ohmic resistance heating of the melt (16). The electrodes (4) project into the inner chamber of the arrangement, in particular of a vessel (2).

Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing a float glass includes a brick assembly composed of a plurality of bricks storing a molten metal so that a float glass is capable of moving forward while floating on the molten metal, a bottom casing for forming an outer side of the brick assembly, and an air blower installed away from the bottom casing to supply a cooling air toward the bottom casing. The air blower includes a plurality of nozzles having a diameter of about 30 mm and arranged with a pitch of about 250 mm to about 300 mm in order to cool the bottom casing to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling a temperature of an oblong-shaped molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a conduit for transporting the molten glass from one location to another location, by flowing a current through the vessel. The apparatus comprises a metal flange comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring. The inner ring, for example, may include an outer perimeter that is substantially oblong. In some embodiments the inner ring comprises a notch that aids in making current density more uniform. In some examples the width of the inner ring, excluding the notch, does not substantially vary as a function of angular position relative to the vessel.

Abstract: A burner module comprising a burner gas inlet block, a lower flow plate, an upper flow plate, a burner gas flow disperser, and a burner gas discharge block. The burner gas inlet block, the burner gas flow disperser, and the burner gas discharge block each comprising a plurality of channels separated by partitions. The partitions of the burner gas flow disperser and the burner gas discharge block comprising a knife edge. The upper flow plate and the lower flow plate each comprising a plurality of pressure holes in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the method of forming a glass sheet or ribbon using the disclosed burner module and a glass sheet or ribbon formed using the method.

Abstract: Repositionable heater assemblies and methods of controlling temperature of glass in production lines using the repositionable heater assemblies are disclosed. The repositionable heater assembly includes a support frame, a first sled and a second sled each coupled to the support frame with bearing members that allow the first sled and the second sled to translate in a longitudinal direction. Each of the first sled and the second sled include at least one heating element, where the heating elements are spaced apart from the glass ribbon a spacing distance. The first and second sleds are movable in the longitudinal direction to controlling the spacing distance between the heating elements of the first sled and the second sled and the glass ribbon to manage temperature of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing glass hard disk substrates comprises annealing and then tempering previously formed glass hard disk substrates. The annealed and tempered glass hard disk substrates have improved strength and stress resistance without chemical treatments.

Abstract: A coolant box for a glass batch charger that includes a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a coolant labyrinth extending from the base between the front and rear walls, and including a plurality of curvate baffle walls establishing a plurality of curvate coolant channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reinforcing a glass-ceramic article, into which a maximum tension is introduced beneath the surface of the glass-ceramic, advantageously in proximity to said surface. The invention also relates to an enamel that can be used for this reinforcement, this enamel being formed from a glass frit having the following composition, the proportions being expressed as weight percentages: SiO2 50-66% MgO 3-8% Na2O ?7-15% K2O 0-3% Li2O ?0-12% CaO ?0-10% BaO ?0-15% Al2O3 0-3% ZrO2 0-3% ZnO 0-5% B2O3 0-8% the sum of the alkaline-earth metal oxides CaO+BaO moreover being between 8 and 15%, and the sum of the alkali metal oxides Na2O+K2O+Li2O moreover being between 7 and 20%. The invention also relates to the reinforced glass-ceramics obtained.

Abstract: A device for cutting a brittle member such as a glass is comprised of a laser oscillator configured to radiate a laser beam through a first space onto a first region on the brittle member; a cooling nozzle configured to expel a cooling medium onto a second region distinct from the first region on the brittle member; a baffle so disposed as to leave a gap between the member and the baffle and to have the first region not enclosed by the baffle, and so directed as to deflect a flow of a splash and a mist originating in the second region away from the first region; and a gas nozzle configured to expel a gas toward the gap.

Abstract: Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a continuous strengthening device comprising a bracket, at least a strengthening furnace located below the bracket and at least a pre-heating/annealing furnace movably located on the bracket. The strengthening furnace comprises a first furnace body having a first opening located on the top and a first movable furnace cover movably located on the top of the first furnace body for sealing the first opening. The pre-heating/annealing furnace comprises a second furnace body having a second opening located on the bottom and a second movable furnace cover movably located on the bottom of the second furnace body for sealing the second opening. In operation, whilst the pre-heating/annealing furnace moved onto the strengthening furnace, the first movable furnace cover and the second movable furnace cover both open, so that furnace bodies of the pre-heating/annealing furnace and the strengthening furnace are connected to form an airtight space.

Abstract: A coolant box for a glass batch charger that includes a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a coolant labyrinth extending from the base between the front and rear walls, and including a plurality of curvate baffle walls establishing a plurality of curvate coolant channels.

Abstract: An oxygen-fuel burner for a glass-melting furnace generally includes a first (or inner) conduit for fuel, a second (or middle) conduit for waste glass cullet, and a third (or outer) conduit for combustion oxygen. The first, second, and third conduits are nested and define respective paths for fuel, cullet, and oxygen flows. A cullet supply funnel is coupled to the second conduit such that cullet can be introduced into the second conduit through the funnel. Organic contaminants in the waste glass cullet are incinerated in an almost pure oxygen environment proximate where cullet particles exit from the burner and prior to reaching the glass surface below.

Abstract: A burner module comprising a burner gas inlet block, a lower flow plate, an upper flow plate, a burner gas flow disperser, and a burner gas discharge block. The burner gas inlet block, the burner gas flow disperser, and the burner gas discharge block each comprising a plurality of channels separated by partitions. The partitions of the burner gas flow disperser and the burner gas discharge block comprising a knife edge. The upper flow plate and the lower flow plate each comprising a plurality of pressure holes in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the method of forming a glass sheet or ribbon using the disclosed burner module and a glass sheet or ribbon formed using the method.

Abstract: Laser crystallization equipment includes a laser generator generating a laser beam, the laser beam being directed toward a processing target substrate, and a blade member over the processing target substrate, the blade member being configured to chop the laser beam with a predetermined width in two directions, wherein two ends of the laser beam chopped by the blade member are irradiated to the processing target substrate as diffraction light.

Abstract: A bottom plate lift mechanism for a glassware forming machine includes a bottom plate assembly having at least one bottom plate on a base with a passage for feeding cooling air to the bottom plate. The bottom plate assembly is mounted on a housing that has a cooling air chamber for directing cooling wind to the bottom plate assembly. A lift mechanism is operatively coupled to the housing for selectively raising and lowering the housing and the bottom plate assembly mounted on the housing. The housing has an opening to the cooling air chamber for receiving a cooling air control cartridge to control passage of cooling wind through the chamber to the bottom plate assembly. A plurality of control cartridges are interchangeably insertable through the opening into the chamber for selectively controlling passage of cooling air to the bottom plate assembly in different cooling modes of operation associated with the cartridges.

Abstract: An ingot having a mass of greater than about 1000 kg, a method of producing the ingot, and a directional solidification furnace for producing the ingot are disclosed.

Abstract: A directional solidification furnace is disclosed that includes one or more movable insulating members disposed adjacent sides of the crucible. In a first position, the insulating members restrict the flow of heat away from the sides of the crucible. In a second position, the insulating members do not appreciably restrict the flow of heat away from the sides of the crucible. An actuating system is used to move the insulating members between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A directional solidification furnace is disclosed that includes one or more movable insulating members disposed beneath a bottom portion of the crucible. In a first position, the insulating members restrict the flow of heat away from the bottom portion of the crucible. In a second position, the insulating members do not restrict the flow of heat away from the bottom portion of the crucible. An actuating system is used to move the insulating members between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A burner for fabricating an optical fiber preform, which can suppress the adhesion and deposition of glass particles to the front end of the burner without enlarging the burner diameter, is provided. The burner has a first tube, a second tube and a third tube coaxially arranged and define a glass raw material gas port, a sealing gas port, and a burnable gas port by the front end portions thereof, and a plurality of small diameter nozzles arranged between the second tube and the third tube, each of the nozzles arranged on a concentric circle relative to the glass raw material gas port and defines a combustion assisting gas port by the front end portion thereof, the front end portion of the second tube protrudes ahead of that of the first tube, and the front end portion of the third tube protrudes ahead of those of the second tube and each of the nozzles.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a laser annealing apparatus includes a laser device configured to emit a pulse laser beam, an anneal chamber including a stage on which a process substrate, on which an amorphous silicon thin film is formed, is placed, an optical module disposed between the laser device and the anneal chamber and configured to guide the pulse laser beam, which is emitted from the laser device, to the anneal chamber, a platform frame on which the laser device, the anneal chamber and the optical module are mounted, and an elastic body configured to lift the platform frame from a building floor.

Abstract: A coolant box for a glass batch charger that includes a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a coolant labyrinth extending from the base between the front and rear walls, and including a plurality of curvate baffle walls establishing a plurality of curvate coolant channels.

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for refining a load of silicon(s) that comprises a crucible (5) including at least one sole (20) made of a first refractory material having good heat conductivity, means (26, 28) for cooling the sole, a protection member (30) made of at least a second refractory material having low heat conductivity and to be provided between the crucible and the load, and induction heating means (23, 24) of the load including a winding (23) provided in or under the sole.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon ingot manufacturing apparatus, a polycrystalline silicon ingot manufacturing method, and a polycrystalline silicon ingot are provided. The apparatus comprises: a crucible having a rectangular shape in a cross-section; an upper heater provided above the crucible; and a lower heater provided below the crucible. A silicon melt stored in the crucible is solidified from a bottom surface of the crucible upward unidirectionally. The apparatus further comprises an auxiliary heater that heats at least a bottom-surface-side portion of a sidewall of the crucible. The production yield can be improved by using the apparatus and by reducing the oxygen concentration at the location where the oxygen concentration tends to be high locally at the bottom part of the ingot.

Abstract: Arnold (13) includes a recessed portion (21) for receiving a melt (2). The recessed portion (21) is constituted by an inner wall surface (29) for converting the melt (2) into a solidified portion when the inner wall surface (29) contacts the melt (2), and opens in a withdrawal direction (D1) of the solidified portion. A curved line formed by a first contour (23p) and a second contour (25p) has a cusp at a position of start points (43 and 45). The distance between the first contour (23p) and the second contour (25p) in a width direction (D2) increases continuously from an upstream side to a downstream side of the withdrawal direction (D1). The shape of the inner wall surface (29) of the recessed portion (21) is determined so that a cast rod (3) can be rotationally displaced clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis passing through a first end point (33) or a second end point (35) and perpendicular to a section of the mold 13.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a graphite crucible induction-based silicon melting. The graphite crucible comprises a cylindrical body having a plurality of slits which is formed through an outer wall and an inner wall of the cylindrical body and a bottom part connected with an edge of the cylindrical body to seal an end of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-output apparatus for manufacturing a polycrystal silicon ingot for a solar cell, and more particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing a polycrystal silicon ingot by means of heating and melting raw silicon in a vacuum chamber, and then cooling the molten silicon, wherein the apparatus comprises: a plurality of crucibles arranged so as to be horizontally separated from one another within the vacuum chamber, and in each of which raw silicon is filled for manufacturing polycrystal silicon ingots; heating means provided at the outside of each of the crucibles so as to heat each crucible and melt the raw silicon filled therein.; and cooling means for cooling the crucibles, so as to enable the silicon melted by the heating means to be cooled in one direction and be formed into polycrystal ingots.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: A device for obtaining multicrystalline silicon, including: at least one crucible made of quartz for the silicon, removably housed in a cup-shaped graphite container; a fluid-tight openable casing; a top induction coil, set facing, with interposition of a graphite plate, the crucible, a lateral induction coil, set around a side wall of the graphite container, and a bottom induction coil, set facing a bottom wall of the graphite container and vertically mobile for varying the distance from the bottom wall; and first means for a.c. electrical supply of the induction coils separately from one another, and second means for supply of a coolant within respective hollow turns of the induction coils; the bottom induction coil includes four spiral windings, arranged alongside one another; electrical switching means enable in use selective connection of the four windings to one another according to different configurations.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine includes a machine section box having a cooling air outlet opening, at least one mold-carrying arm disposed above the section box and movable between mold-open and mold-closed positions, and means for delivering cooling air from the outlet opening to the mold arms. The machine in accordance with this aspect of the disclosure is characterized in that the means for delivering cooling air includes a valve plate mounted on the section box to pivot around an axis and having a valve plate opening that registers with the outlet opening in the section box. A pressure plate is mounted on the mold-carrying arm overlying the valve plate and has a pressure plate opening that registers with the valve plate opening.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a silicon electromagnetic casting apparatus which can prevent the outward deflection of a crucible 200 used in the apparatus. This apparatus has a reaction vessel 100, the conductive crucible 200 installed in the reaction vessel 100 and an induction coil 300 installed on the outer circumference of the crucible 200, wherein constant pressure is maintained in the reaction vessel 100 using a prescribed gas and the silicon inside the crucible 200 is solidified after melting it by induction heating by applying voltage on the induction coil 300. In the apparatus, a hard structure 810 made from electrical insulating material is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the crucible 200.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method comprises an enclosure, which includes means for start-up heating of silicon and a cooled crucible enveloped by an inductor. The crucible has a movable bottom and four walls consisting of sections spaced apart by vertically extending slots, means for moving the movable bottom, and a controlled cooling compartment arranged under the cooled crucible. The inside face of the crucible defines a melting chamber of a rectangular or square cross-section. The walls of the cooled crucible extend outwards at least from the inductor toward the lowest portion of the cooled crucible to thereby expand the melting chamber, and the angle ? of expanding the melting chamber is defined by the equation ?=arctg[2·(k?1.

Abstract: The present invention is a silicon refining apparatus including, in a reduced pressure vessel: a crucible capable of holding molten silicon; a heat-retaining lid capable of being placed over the crucible; and a heating device. The crucible has a lateral outer-circumferential portion provided with a first thermal-insulation material. The heat-retaining lid is a plate-like member made of carbon felt and provided with a carbon composite material at least on opposed main surfaces. The heat-retaining lid has opposed main surfaces with an opening formed to extend therethrough. The carbon composite material on the main surface of the heat-retaining lid on the crucible side is so placed as to cover an upper surface of the first thermal-insulation material when the heat-retaining lid is placed at an upper surface of the crucible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a float bath system for manufacturing a float glass, comprising a block assembly having a plurality of blocks connected to each other and configured to store a molten metal therein; a steel casing surrounding the block assembly; an air blower capable of supplying air to the steel casing; and a cooling water spray member capable of spraying a cooling water onto the steel casing. And, a cooling method of said float bath system is disclosed.

Abstract: A mold cooling system for an I.S. machine wherein cooling air is supplied to vertical cooling holes defined in the molds either at their ends or midway along their length.

Abstract: A method for preventing molten material breach in a crystal growth apparatus includes providing a chamber of the crystal growth apparatus which is coated with a ceramic material. The chamber can be coated on an interior surface to prevent damage to the chamber itself, which is made of steel, and to prevent steam explosions in the water-cooled chamber. Ceramic blanket layers also can be provided over the coated interior surface of the chamber. As a result, it is possible to produce high quality crystalline products while minimizing the hazards and costs in the event of a spill of molten material.

Abstract: A method of ion exchanging glass and glass ceramic articles. The method includes immersion of at least one such article in an ion exchange bath having a first end and a second end that are heated to first and second temperatures, respectively. The first and second temperature may either be equal or different from each other, with the latter state creating a temperature gradient across or along the ion exchange bath. Continuous processing of multiple articles is also possible in the ion exchange bath.