Utilizing Molten Metal Forming Surface Patents (Class 65/99.2)
  • Patent number: 11802069
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon (22). A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus (32) comprising a conveyor device and a pulling device (72). The conveyor device establishes a primary plane of travel (P) from the upstream side to a downstream side. The pulling device (72) is located at the downstream side and applies a pulling force on the glass ribbon (22) to convey the glass ribbon along a travel path that includes first, second and third bends (100, 102, 104), and into the primary plane of travel from a location downstream of the third bend and to the pulling device (72). At least one of the first, second, and third bends imparts a stress into a surface of the glass ribbon to flatten the glass ribbon. A viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third bend is greater than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffery Robert Amadon, Antoine Gaston Denis Bisson, Norman Bradley Dunning, Romain Jeanson, Rohit Rai, Seung Hee Won
  • Patent number: 11718553
    Abstract: An alkali-free glass substrate contains, as represented by mass % based on oxides: 54% to 68% of SiO2; 10% to 25% of Al2O3; 0.1% to 5.5% of B2O3; and 8% to 26% of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO. The alkali-free glass substrate has ?-OH of 0.15 mm?1 to 0.35 mm?1, and a Cl content of 0.15 to 0.3 mass %. A bubble growth index I of the alkali-free glass substrate given by the following formula is 320 or more: I=590.5×[?-OH]+874.1×[Cl]?5.7×[B2O3]?33.3. In the formula, [?-OH] is ?-OH of the alkali-free glass substrate in mm?1, [Cl] is the Cl content of the alkali-free glass substrate in mass %, and [B2O3] is a B2O3 content of the alkali-free glass substrate in mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AGC INC.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Hirose, Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9896367
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for forming a laminated glass sheet includes forming a multi-layer glass melt from a molten core glass and at least one molten cladding glass. The multi-layer glass melt has a width Wm, a melt thickness Tm and a core to cladding thickness ratio Tc:Tcl. The multi-layer glass melt is directed onto the surface of a molten metal bath contained in a float tank. The width Wm of the multi-layer glass melt is less than the width Wf of the float tank prior to the multi-layer glass melt entering the float tank. The multi-layer glass melt flows over the surface of the molten metal bath such that the width Wm of the multi-layer glass melt increases, the melt thickness Tm decreases, and the core to cladding thickness ratio Tc:Tcl remains constant as the multi-layer glass melt solidifies into a laminated glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Antoine Gaston Denis Bisson, Olivier Fournel, Allen Mark Fredholm, Laurent Joubaud, Jean-Pierre Henri René Lereboullet, Xavier Tellier
  • Patent number: 9010152
    Abstract: Ion transport membranes are integrated with a glass melting furnace and a float glass bath. Only feeds of air, steam and hydrocarbon are necessary for producing hot oxygen for the melting furnace and a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen for the float glass bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Youssef Joumani, Remi Pierre Tsiava, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20150083200
    Abstract: A glass substrate may be processed at high temperatures without substantially losing its thermal-strengthening characteristics or deforming. In some examples, the glass substrate exhibits an increased annealing point and/or softening point as compared to standard glass substrates. In some examples, the glass substrate includes a relatively high amount of CaO and/or MgO, and/or a relatively low amount of Na2O, as compared to traditional soda-lime-silica-based glass. Depending on the composition, the glass substrate may be useful, for example, to fabricate a glass-based solar cell that mates two substantially flat glass substrates together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Brad HICKMAN, Patrick D. WATSON, Kelly J. BUSCH
  • Patent number: 8984910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat glass rich in lead oxide, comprising the continuous floating, in a float plant with a neutral gaseous atmosphere, of a glass comprising at least 30% lead oxide by weight on a bath of molten metal having a higher density than that of the glass. The invention allows flat glass rich in lead, useful for protection against X-rays, to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Ramon Rodriguez Cuartas, Christian Bouigeon, Juan Luis Fernandez Suarez
  • Publication number: 20150079400
    Abstract: Alkali boroaluminosilicate glasses with high resistance to crack initiation and damage due to sharp impact are provided. The glass compositions have melting and forming temperatures that allow forming the glass into sheets via float-based processes while still allowing for the glass to be efficiently ion exchanged. The glass compositions contain MgO, and when ion exchanged, have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 10-15 kgf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Qiang Fu, Xiaoju Guo
  • Patent number: 8966941
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a continuous method for obtaining glass, comprising steps consisting of: charging raw materials upstream of a furnace, along which a plurality of burners is disposed, obtaining a mass of molten glass, and then leading said mass of molten glass to a zone of the furnace situated further downstream, at least one burner disposed in the region of this zone being fed with an over-stoichiometric quantity of oxidant, and then, forming a glass sheet, said glass sheet having a chemical composition that comprises the following constituents in an amount varying within the weight limits defined below: SiO2 60-75%? Al2O3 0-10% B2O3 0-5%, preferably 0? CaO 5-15% MgO 0-10% Na2O 5-20% K2O 0-10% BaO 0-5%, preferably 0, SO3 0.1-0.4%? Fe2O3 (total iron) 0 to 0.015%,?? Redox 0.1-0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Octavio Cintora, Thomas Schuster, Byoung-Ouk Kim, Kidong Moon, Junbo Choi, Pedro Silva
  • Publication number: 20150045202
    Abstract: To provide glass having a favorable color tone, and its production process. Glass comprising, as represented by mass percentage based on oxides, at least 60% and at most 75% of SiO2, at least 8% and at most 20% of Na2O, at least 4.5% of MgO, at least 1% and at most 10% of CaO, and at least 0.01% and at most 0.5% of Er2O3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuki KONDO, Yuya Shimada, Hiroyuki Hijiya
  • Publication number: 20150017412
    Abstract: A tempered glass according to one embodiment of the present invention is a tempered glass having a compression stress layer in a surface thereof, the tempered glass including as a glass composition, in terms of mass %, 45 to 75% of SiO2, 10 to 25% of Al2O3, 0 to 10% of B2O2, 0 to 8% of MgO, 0 to 20% of SrO+BaO, and 0 to 14% of Na2O. Herein, the term “SrO+BaO” refers to the total amount of SrO and BaO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi Murata, Takako Tojyo, Masato Muguruma, Kosuke Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8921245
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass substrate having high glass transition temperature and small compaction (C) in a heat treatment at a low temperature (150 to 300° C.), the glass substrate including SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, ZrO2, Na2O, K2O, and Li2O, wherein each amount of these compounds is specifically limited, Al2O3+K2O is 7 to 27 mass %, Na2O+K2O is 11.5 to 22 mass %, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is 0.2 to 14 mass %, MgO+0.357Al2O3?0.239K2O?5.58 is ?3.0 to 1.5, Na2O+0.272Al2O3+0.876K2O?16.77 is ?2.5 to 2.5, a glass transition temperature is 500° C. or higher, and an average thermal expansion coefficient at 50 to 350° C. is 100×10?7/° C. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Manabu Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20140331717
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for producing a sheet glass, including a bath for storing molten metal, the apparatus configured to form a glass ribbon by allowing molten glass that is continuously supplied on said molten metal to flow on said molten metal, in which said bath is formed of carbon or boron nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Motoichi IGA
  • Patent number: 8871663
    Abstract: The present invention provides the composition of an alkali-free glass composition containing no alkali metal oxide and the preparation thereof. The alkali-free glass comprising substantially no alkali metal oxide according to the present invention comprises 68 to 75 wt % of SiO2; 1 to 3 wt % of B2O3; 4 to 13 wt % of Al2O3; 1 to 6 wt % of MgO; 1 to 11 wt % of CaO; 4 to 9 wt % of SrO; and 3 to 7 wt % of BaO, based on the total weight of oxides present therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Lee, Duk-Sik Ha, Han-Kook Kim, Won-Bae Lim, Du-Sun Hwang, Sang-Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 8863554
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Jae Moon, Yang-Han Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Jeong-Deok Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Woo-Hyun Kim, Dong-Shin Shin, Jae-Han Jun
  • Publication number: 20140305502
    Abstract: A method for producing a glass substrate includes (a) a step of forming molten glass having a temperature T2 less than or equal to 1500° C. on molten tin having an iron concentration greater than or equal to 100 ppm to produce a glass ribbon having a temperature T4 less than or equal to 1100° C. and a logarithm log ? greater than or equal to 8.8, and (b) a step of cooling the glass ribbon to room temperature to produce the glass substrate. The temperature T2 represents a temperature when a logarithm of a viscosity ? (dPa·s) is 2, the temperature T4 represents a temperature when the logarithm of the viscosity ? (dPa·s) is 4, and the logarithm log ? represents a logarithm of a volume resistivity ? (?·cm) at 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Jun SASAI, Yuki KONDO, Yo NAKAHARA, Kuniaki HIROMATSU, Hideaki HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20140264356
    Abstract: Described herein are aluminoborosilicate glass compositions that are substantially alkali-free and exhibit desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glass compositions can be formed into glass sheets by, for example, the float process. When used as substrates, the glass sheets exhibit dimensional stability during processing and damage resistance during cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Adam James Ellison
  • Patent number: 8813521
    Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing glass includes a slot formed in a bottom block of the float bath in which a molten metal is to be filled, a barrier member capable of being inserted into the slot, a receiving portion formed in at least one side block that connects with the bottom block so as to communicate with the slot, and a placing member placed in the receiving portion to be connected to one end of the barrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Publication number: 20140235425
    Abstract: A glass substrate contains specific contents of SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, ZrO2, Na2O, K2O and Li2O. The glass substrate has a glass transition temperature of 580 to 720° C., an average coefficient of thermal expansion at 50 to 350° C. of 65×10?7 to 85×10?7/° C., a compaction (C) of 15 ppm or less, a glass surface devitrification temperature Tc of 900 to 1,300° C., a glass internal devitrification temperature Td of 900 to 1,300° C., a temperature T4 at which a viscosity reaches 104 dPa·s of 1,100 to 1,350° C., a relationship (T4?Tc) of ?50 to 350° C. and a relationship (T4?Td) of ?50 to 350° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Manabu NISHIZAWA
  • Patent number: 8806898
    Abstract: An layout for a glass manufacturing system may include a hot process part having a batch plant for storing a glass raw material, a tank for melting the raw material and storing a molten glass, a float bath for forming the molten glass into a glass of a ribbon shape, an annealing lehr for cooling the glass ribbon, and a cold end connected to the annealing lehr, and an etching process part having a final cutting sector for cutting the glass provided from the cold end into sheet glasses of a preset final size, a beveling and etching sector for bevel the edges of the cut sheet glasses and etching the beveled sheet glasses, and a first inspection sector for inspecting the etched sheet glasses, and the hot process part and the etching process part may be connected by a single conveyor to form a continuous line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Han, Sang-Oeb Na, Yang-Han Kim, Woo-Hyun Kim, Heui-Joon Park
  • Patent number: 8794037
    Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing glass includes a slot formed in a bottom block of the float bath in which a molten metal is to be filled, a barrier member capable of being inserted into the slot, a receiving portion formed in at least one side block that connects with the bottom block so as to communicate with the slot, and a placing member placed in the receiving portion to be connected to one end of the barrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Publication number: 20140182339
    Abstract: A chamber for floating glass on a bath of molten metal including: an upstream wall, a downstream wall, and two lateral walls; rolls for driving the glass in a direction of travel from upstream to downstream; a lateral wall including a shoulder resulting in a reduction in width of the chamber in the direction of travel of the glass, the shoulder starting at a first point and terminating at a second point of the lateral wall, the first and second points being in contact with a surface of the bath of metal, the vertical plane passing through the first and second points forming with the vertical plane, parallel with the direction of travel of the glass and passing through the first point, an angle inside the chamber greater than 150°. Geometric features of the shoulder reduce lateral reciprocal motion of a ribbon emerging from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Guillaume Bignon, Fabien Bouillet, Stephane Gasser
  • Patent number: 8733130
    Abstract: A process for coating a ribbon of float glass is disclosed. It comprises the steps of forming a glass ribbon, depositing a first transparent conductive coating upon a major surface of the ribbon which does not extend to the edges of the ribbon while the ribbon is at an elevated temperature, cooling said coated ribbon under controlled conditions in an annealing lehr and cutting off the edges of the ribbon so as to produce a ribbon having a uniform coating extending across the full width of the cut ribbon which is characterized in that a second conductive coating is deposited upon the uncoated edges of the ribbon while that edge is at a temperature which is above the ambient temperature. The invention finds particular application in the production of coated glass products where the thickness of the glass ribbon is at least 8 mm and most particularly where the thickness of the glass is at least 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Sanderson, Gerhard Lingl, Hans-Eckhard Leitl, Franz Michael Josef Scharnagl, Douglas M Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140024517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a float glass manufactured by causing a molten glass continuously supplied onto a molten tin in a bath to flow on the molten tin toward an outlet of the bath, in which the float glass satisfies the following formula (1). According to the present invention, a high-quality float glass and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. [ Math . ? 1 ] ? 0 Da ? ( Ca - C ? ( x ) ) ? ? ? x Ca × D × 100 ? 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuo HAYASHI, Takenori MIURA, Satoshi MIYASAKA
  • Patent number: 8616022
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass includes a bottom block in which molten metal is stored and floats, a loop block which covers the bottom block and has at least one hole formed therethrough, a heater installed through the hole, and a fragment intercepting member for preventing fragments generated at the loop block from falling onto the bottom block through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Publication number: 20130319051
    Abstract: A glass forming system (200) and a method are described herein for forming a glass sheet (230). In one example, the glass forming system and method can use a glass composition with a liquidus viscosity less than 1000 poises to continuously form a glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Antoine Gaston Denis Bisson, Allan Mark Fredholm, Laurent Joubaud
  • Publication number: 20130267402
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass substrate having high glass transition temperature and small compaction (C) in a heat treatment at a low temperature (150 to 300° C.), the glass substrate including SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, ZrO2, Na2O, K2O, and Li2O, wherein each amount of these compounds is specifically limited, Al2O3+K2O is 7 to 27 mass %, Na2O+K2O is 11.5 to 22 mass %, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is 0.2 to 14 mass %, MgO+0.357Al2O3?0.239K2O?5.58 is ?3.0 to 1.5, Na2O+0.272Al2O3+0.876K2O?16.77 is ?2.5 to 2.5, a glass transition temperature is 500° C. or higher, and an average thermal expansion coefficient at 50 to 350° C. is 100×10?7/° C. or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130207058
    Abstract: Titanium oxide containing borosilicate glasses, which have been produced without the use of arsenic and antimony compounds, are provided. An environmentally friendly refining method for providing titanium oxide containing borosilicate glass is also provided. The method includes using oxygen containing selenium compounds as refining agents to provide glasses with good transmittance values in the infrared range and show no disturbing discolorations. The glasses of the present disclosure are particularly suitable for the production of IR light conductors, cover glasses for photo sensors, and UV filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Holger WEGENER, Rainer SCHWERTFEGER, Lenka GRYGAROVA, Reinhard KASSNER
  • Publication number: 20130203584
    Abstract: A glass plate made of soda lime silica glass containing at least MgO, CaO, Na2O and Al2O3 produced by a float process or a downdraw method, wherein [MgO] is at least 4.5%, [MgO]/[CaO] is larger than 1, and Q=([MgO]/[CaO])×([CaO]+[Na2O]?[Al2O3]) is at least 20, wherein [MgO] is the content of MgO, [CaO] is the content of CaO, [Na2O] is the content of Na2O, and [Al2O3] is the content of Al2O3 (each being as represented by mass percentage based on oxide) and a process for the glass plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130186140
    Abstract: A lithium aluminosilicate glass and a method for producing such lithium aluminosilicate glass are provided. The glass has a composition, in mol %, of: SiO2 60-70; Al2O3 10-13; B2O3 0.0-0.9; Li2O 9.6-11.6; Na2O 8.2-less than 10; K2O 0.0-0.7; MgO 0.0-0.2; CaO 0.2-2.3; ZnO 0.0-0.4; ZrO2 1.3-2.6; P2O5 0.0-0.5; Fe2O3 0.003-0.100; SnO2 0.0-0.3; and CeO2 0.004-0.200. Further, the composition complies with the following relations and conditions: (Li2O+Al2O3)/(Na2O+K2O) greater than 2; Li2O/(Li2O+Na2O+K2O) greater than 0.47 and less than 0.70; CaO+Fe2O3+ZnO+P2O5+B2O3+CeO2 greater that 0.8 and less than 3, where at least four out of the six oxides are included. The glass exhibits a modulus of elasticity of at least 82 GPa and has a glass transition point below 540° C. and/or a working point below 1150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Peter Brix, Wolfram Beier, Jochen Alkemper
  • Patent number: 8431503
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alkali-free glass having a high strain point, a low viscosity and low devitrification, which is easily subjected to float molding and fusion molding. The glass herein has a strain point of 725° C. or higher, an average thermal expansion coefficient at 50 to 300° C. of 30×10?7 to 40×10?7/° C., a temperature T2 at which a glass viscosity becomes 102 dPa·s of 1,710° C. or lower, a temperature T4 at which a glass viscosity becomes 104 dPa·s of 1,330° C. or lower, a glass surface devitrification temperature (Tc) of 1,330° C. or lower, and a glass internal devitrification temperature (Td) of 1,330° C. or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Nagai, Yuichi Kuroki, Manabu Nishizawa, Tomoyuki Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20130038940
    Abstract: A soda-lime-silica glass for solar collector cover plates and solar mirrors has less than 0.010 weight percent total iron as Fe2O3, a redox ratio of less than 0.350, less than 0.0025 weight percent CeO2, and spectral properties that include a visible transmission, and a total solar infrared transmittance, of greater than 90% at a thickness of 5.5 millimeters, and reduced solarization. In one non-limiting embodiment of invention, the glass is made by heating a pool of molten soda-lime-silica with a mixture of combustion air and fuel gas having an air firing ratio of greater than 11, or an oxygen firing ratio of greater than 2.31. In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, streams of oxygen bubbles are moved through a pool of molten glass. In both embodiments, the oxygen oxidizes ferrous iron to ferric iron to reduce the redox ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventor: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
  • Patent number: 8324124
    Abstract: A process for producing a glass substrate, which includes forming molten glass obtained by melting raw materials into a glass ribbon in a float bath, annealing the glass ribbon by a cooling apparatus, and cutting the glass ribbon to form the glass substrate, where the hydrogen concentration in the atmosphere of a float bath exceeds 3%, and the glass retention time in the float bath is from 4 to 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Nagai, Yuichi Kuroki, Kei Maeda
  • Patent number: 8297078
    Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing a float glass includes a brick assembly composed of a plurality of bricks to store 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 is disposed so that the cooling air is injected toward gaps between the bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Jae Moon, Yang-Han Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Jeong-Deok Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Woo-Hyun Kim, Dong-Shin Shin, Jae-Han Jun
  • Publication number: 20120141804
    Abstract: The glass substrate of the present invention includes, in terms of mass %: 58.5-69.5% SiO2, 2.5-9.9% Al2O3, 0-2.5% Li2O, 0%?Na2O<6%, 0%?K2O<6%, 0%<MgO?5.2%, 3%<CaO?13%, 10-27% SrO, 0%?BaO<5%, 0-3% TiO2, and 0-9.8% ZrO2. SiO2+Al2O3?73%, Li2O+Na2O+K2O<6%, 3%<MgO+CaO?16%, SrO+BaO 10-27%, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO 21-33%, and MgO/CaO 0.2-1.0 in molar fraction. The glass substrate is substantially free from B2O3. Glass transition point >555° C., liquidus temperature ?1200° C., and average thermal expansion coefficient ?75×10?7/° C. The present invention can provide a glass substrate having a thermal expansion coefficient close to those of a semi conductor film, etc. and a high strain point, and suitable for continuous production by a float process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON SHEET GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Miyabe, Hiromitsu Seto
  • Publication number: 20120132269
    Abstract: A glass substrate may be processed at high temperatures without substantially losing its thermal-strengthening characteristics or deforming. In some examples, the glass substrate exhibits an increased annealing point and/or softening point as compared to standard glass substrates. In some examples, the glass substrate includes a relatively high amount of CaO and/or MgO, and/or a relatively low amount of Na2O, as compared to traditional soda-lime-silica-based glass. Depending on the composition, the glass substrate may be useful, for example, to fabricate a glass-based solar cell that mates two substantially flat glass substrates together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CARDINAL FG COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad Hickman, Patrick D. Watson, Kelly J. Busch
  • Patent number: 8171752
    Abstract: The float glass apparatus has a glass melt producing unit including a melting tank and a refining tank for the glass melt, a float tank including a metallic basin and metal bath contained in the basin, conducting devices for conducting the glass melt from the glass melt producing unit to the metal bath and auxiliary devices as needed. In order to minimize bubble defects and extend service life of apparatus parts made from platinum or a platinum alloy, the apparatus includes a device for minimizing direct current flowing between the glass melt producing unit and the float tank, which includes an auxiliary electrode connected with ground and located in the glass melt producing unit in electrical contact with the glass melt and a direct electrical connection between the metallic basin of the float tank and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Pfeiffer, Gernot Roeth, Olaf Claussen, Knut Jakobi, Andreas Roters, Klaus-Dieter Duch, Ottmar Schuessler
  • Publication number: 20120058880
    Abstract: A high transmittance glass includes: SiO2 in the range of 65 to 75 weight percent; Na2O in the range of 10 to 20 weight percent; CaO in the range of 5 to 15 weight percent; MgO in the range of 0 to 5 weight percent; Al2O3 in the range of 0 to 5 weight percent; K2O in the range of 0 to 5 weight percent; MnO2 in the range of 0.035 to 0.6 weight percent; FeO in the range of 0.0010 to 0.0030 weight percent; and Fe2O3 (total iron) in the range of 0.001 to 0.03 weight percent. The glass has a redox ratio in the range of 0.1 to 0.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventor: Larry J. Shelestak
  • Patent number: 8071494
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass substrate for flat panel display in which yellowing occurring in a case of forming silver electrodes on glass substrate surface is inhibited. A glass substrate for flat panel display, which is formed by a float method, which has a composition consisting essentially of, in terms of oxide amount in mass %: SiO2 50 to 72%, Al2O3 0.15 to 15%, MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO 4 to 30%, Na2O more than 0% and at most 10%, K2O 1 to 21%, Li2O 0 to 1%, Na2O + K2O + Li2O 6 to 25%, ZrO2 0 to 10%, and Fe2O3 0.0725 to 0.15%; and wherein the average Fe2+ content in a surface layer of the glass substrate within a depth of 10 ?m from the a top surface is at most 0.0725% in terms of Fe2O3 amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Nagai, Tetsuya Nakashima, Kei Maeda, Ryoji Akiyama, Akira Kondo, Daiki Akie
  • Publication number: 20110294645
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass includes a bottom block in which molten metal is stored to float, a loop block which covers the bottom block, and a shield for preventing a vapor, which is generated from the molten metal at both sides of the bottom block, from advancing toward the molten glass or for keeping a circumstance above the molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun KIM, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Publication number: 20110252832
    Abstract: A float bath for manufacturing glass includes a slot formed in a bottom block of the float bath in which a molten metal is to be filled, a barrier member capable of being inserted into the slot, a receiving portion formed in at least one side block that connects with the bottom block so as to communicate with the slot, and a placing member placed in the receiving portion to be connected to one end of the barrier member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Publication number: 20110252833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal member that is used so that there is a portion that is exposed to the atmosphere in a float bath, and with which diffusion of Fe into the float bath is inhibited and thereby preventing the defect from being generated on the surface of a plate glass. The present invention relates to a metal member with a film for a float glass manufacturing equipment that has a portion exposed to the atmosphere in a float bath in which the film has a mean thickness of from 50 to 500 ?m and contains Ni and/or Co, Cr and Al2O3 as main components; the Al2O3 content in the film is from 5 to 40% by volume; the Al2O3 is present in a thin film state in the surface direction of the metal member, inside the film; and the metal member contains Fe in an amount of from 40 to 98% by mass and has the film on the exposed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Akifumi NIWA, Kazuo Hamashima, Nobuyuki Ban
  • Patent number: 8020409
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for producing a plate glass, comprising a bath 14 for float-forming for reserving a molten metal 16 for forming a band-shaped plate glass having a predetermined thickness by feeding a molten glass ribbon 20 in a predetermined direction on the molten metal 16, and a pair of partition walls 46 provided substantially above left and right edges 22 of the molten glass ribbon 20 and substantially along the edges 22 to partition a space above a bath surface of the molten metal into an upper space A above a region covered with the molten glass ribbon 20 and upper spaces B above regions not covered with the molten glass ribbon 20; wherein the partition walls 46 each has a vertically dividable structure dividable into an upper partition wall 46A and a lower partition wall 46B, and the lower partition wall 46B is constituted by strip-shaped lower strip members 58 provided continuously to each other in a lateral direction, and the strip members 58 are configured to be removable or openable from the upper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ban, Toru Kamihori, Atsushi Inoue, Motoichi Iga
  • Publication number: 20110160033
    Abstract: An LAS-type float glass, which is substantially free of As2O3 and/or Sb2O3 and precipitates a ?-quartz solid solution or a ?-spodumene solid solution as a main crystal by heat treatment, wherein, when C1 [mass %] represents the content of SnO2 at a glass surface, C0 [mass %] represents the content of SnO2 at a depth of 0.5 mm from the glass surface, and k [mass %/mm] represents an SnO2 concentration gradient defined by k=(C1-C0)/0.5, the LAS-type crystallized glass satisfies relationships of K?2 and C0?0.8 with respect to at least one surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Hideo Yamauchi, Tomohiro Nagakane
  • Publication number: 20110135938
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a continuous method for obtaining glass, comprising steps consisting of: charging raw materials upstream of a furnace, along which a plurality of burners is disposed, obtaining a mass of molten glass, and then leading said mass of molten glass to a zone of the furnace situated further downstream, at least one burner disposed in the region of this zone being fed with an over-stoichiometric quantity of oxidant, and then, forming a glass sheet, said glass sheet having a chemical composition that comprises the following constituents in an amount varying within the weight limits defined below: SiO2 60-75%? Al2O3 0-10% B2O3 0-5%, preferably 0? CaO 5-15% MgO 0-10% Na2O 5-20% K2O 0-10% BaO 0-5%, preferably 0, SO3 0.1-0.4%? Fe2O3 (total iron) 0 to 0.015%,?? Redox 0.1-0.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Byoung-Ouk Kim, Kidong Moon, Junbo Choi, Pedro Silva
  • Patent number: 7919018
    Abstract: This invention provides, in one aspect, a procedure to use optically transparent nanocrystalline quantum dots to absorb UV light. This absorption process leads to an energy transfer to a chemically bound and chelated lanthanide ion that may emit light in either the visible spectrum (400-700 nm) or in the near infrared (700-1600 nm). This invention also provides methods for the use of these taggant materials in inks and aerosols used to disperse the taggant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Williams, David M. Schut
  • Patent number: 7743630
    Abstract: A method of making float glass is provided that results in a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films being integrally formed with the float glass at the tin side thereof. In particular, a donor(s) such as antimony and/or an oxide thereof is added to the glass batch during the process of manufacture. The donor diffuses into the tin oxide inclusive layer adjacent the tin bath during the “float” manufacturing process, thereby increasing the number of electrons in the tin oxide inclusive layer so as to form a TCO film at the tin side of the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Ksenia A. Landa, Leonid M. Landa
  • Patent number: 7739885
    Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a glass suitable for an information recording medium required to have high qualities, a process for the production of a glass substrate blank from the above glass and a process for the production of a glass substrate from the above blank. The method is for the production of a glass containing an alkali metal element by melting a glass material in a glass melting apparatus and uses, as said melting apparatus, a melting apparatus whose glass-contact portion is made of a material containing zirconium and containing substantially no alkali metal element. In the process for the production of a glass substrate blank, the glass obtained by the above method is press-molded or is subjected to a float process, and in the process for the production of a glass substrate, the above glass substrate blank is lapped and polished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Ogino, Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7700870
    Abstract: A high transmission and low iron glass is provided for use in a solar cell. The glass substrate may be patterned on at least one surface thereof. Antimony (Sb) is used in the glass to improve stability of the solar performance of the glass upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and/or sunlight. The combination of low iron content, antimony, and/or the patterning of the glass substrate results in a substrate with high visible transmission and excellent light refracting characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Scott V. Thomsen, Ksenia A. Landa, Richard Hulme, Anthony V. Longobardo, Leonid Landa, Anna Broughton
  • Patent number: 7644597
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for producing a plate glass, comprising a bath 14 for float-forming for reserving a molten metal 16 for forming a band-shaped plate glass having a predetermined thickness by feeding a molten glass ribbon 20 in a predetermined direction on the molten metal 16, and a pair of partition walls 46 provided substantially above left and right edges 22 of the molten glass ribbon 20 and substantially along the edges 22 to partition a space above a bath surface of the molten metal into an upper space A above a region covered with the molten glass ribbon 20 and upper spaces B above regions not covered with the molten glass ribbon 20; wherein the partition walls 46 each has a vertically dividable structure dividable into an upper partition wall 46A and a lower partition wall 46B, and the lower partition wall 46B is constituted by strip-shaped lower strip members 58 provided continuously to each other in a lateral direction, and the strip members 58 are configured to be removable or openable from the upper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ban, Toru Kamihori, Atsushi Inoue, Motoichi Iga
  • Patent number: 7601660
    Abstract: Glass is provided so as to have high visible transmission and/or fairly clear or neutral color. In certain example embodiments, the glass may include a base glass (e.g., soda lime silica base glass) and, in addition, by weight percentage, from 0.01 to 0.30% total iron (expressed as Fe2O3). The glass may be made using a batch redox of at least +7.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Don Tullman, Scott V. Thomsen, Richard Hulme, Leonid Landa, Ksenia A. Landa