TWI625309B - Microwave heating glass bending process - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for automated forming of a glass sheet. The methods include preheating the glass, bending the glass by selective and focused beam heating using a UHF, high power electromagnetic wave and a computer utilizing the heat and shape (location) data obtained in real time, and The glass flakes are cooled to produce a glass flake suitable for use in airborne and space vehicles.

Description

Microwave heating glass bending process

The present invention relates to a heating and bending (and/or forming) system using microwave focused beam heating, and more particularly to a glass line having at least two (e.g., at least three) furnaces. Wherein the first heating furnace is used to preheat one or more glass substrates to a first temperature; the second heating furnace, which is a glass forming furnace, maintains the substrate at the first temperature and uses microwave focusing beam heating and A first furnace or a third furnace heats and bends selected portions of the one or more glass substrates to controllably cool the one or more glass substrates.

Also provided herein is a method for immediate monitoring of the temperature and bending of a sheet of glass to be formed.

Bending devices commonly referred to as bent iron or shaped iron in bending techniques are well known in the art for forming one or more glass sheets for use in monolithic applications for land, water, air and space vehicles. Used in the manufacture of laminated transparent parts. A method for forming a glass substrate or sheet for use in the manufacture of a transparent member for use in land and water vehicles typically includes providing one or more glass sheets having seams or smoothed edges and a predetermined size; The glass flakes supported on the bent iron pass through the furnace to heat soften the glass flakes; form the glass flakes; controllably cool the formed glass flakes to The shaped glass flakes are annealed or thermally tempered, and the formed glass flakes are used in the manufacture of transparent articles for use in land or water vehicles. A method for forming a glass substrate or sheet for use in the manufacture of a transparent member for use in airborne and space vehicles typically includes providing one or more glass sheets having seams or smoothed edges and a predetermined size; a glass sheet supported on a bent iron through a furnace to heat soften the glass sheets; forming the glass sheets; controllably cooling the shaped glass sheets to anneal the shaped glass sheets; Forming the glass flakes to a second predetermined size; stitching or smoothing the edges of the formed glass flakes; chemically tempering the formed glass flakes, or thermally tempering the formed glass flakes, and being used in the air or The tempered shaped glass flakes are used in the manufacture of transparent articles for space vehicles.

The difference in the present discussion between shaping glass sheets for use with transparent articles for land and water vehicles and for shaping glass sheets for use in transparent articles for use in air and space vehicles is that The glass flakes used for the transparent parts used in land and water vehicles are cut to the size before forming or bending, however the glass flakes used for the transparent parts used in air and space vehicles are formed before forming. Cut to an oversized size and then cut to the proper size after bending. For clarity purposes, processes currently available for the formation of glass sheets for use in transparent articles for land and water vehicles are also referred to as "cut to size processes" and are currently available for use in the air. The process of forming a glass sheet using a transparent member of a space carrier is referred to as a "bending after cutting process."

Cutting to a sizeable process allows the glass sheet to be cut to the exact size required before heating and bending the glass sheet. However, cutting to the size of the process does not take into account any possibility that can occur on the surface of the glass sheet. Staining, staining can make the optical quality of the glass flakes and subsequently formed transparent parts unacceptable.

One solution to this problem is to provide a bent iron with a modified design to prevent contamination of the surface of the glass sheet that is in contact with the bent iron. This bent iron is disclosed in USPA 13/714,494. Another solution to this problem is to reduce the temperature of the furnace during the sheet forming process and/or to reduce the time period of the heating cycle for shaping the glass sheet to reduce or eliminate the surface of the glass sheet in contact with the bent iron. Defiled.

As is now known to those skilled in the art, there is provided a stain for the surface of a glass sheet that is cut to the desired size to shape the glass sheet for use in aircraft and space transparency while eliminating or reducing the contact of the glass sheet in contact with the bent iron. Processes and/or equipment will be advantageous.

It would also be advantageous to eliminate the "bending after cutting" process by providing systems and methods that allow for efficient and efficient heating and/or cooling to complex shapes and/or glass sheets.

Provided herein are methods and systems for producing complex glass sheet shapes in an efficient and automated manner. The methods and systems provided herein are improved over the prior art in that they allow for accurate, tailored shapes without the increased gain of the possibility of using excessive heat and no staining. In addition, with instant feedback, the methods and systems described herein ensure that complex shapes are achieved each time.

Provided herein are methods and systems for forming and/or bending a glass sheet, comprising: preheating a glass sheet on a bent iron to a preheating temperature ranging from 600 °F to 1000 °F; The sheet The temperature is increased to a temperature ranging from greater than the preheating temperature to less than one of the temperature of the glass sag, for example, but not limited to, a temperature range of 1100 °F to 1250 °F. The glass flakes are bent by: i.) selectively heating a portion of the glass flakes to a temperature at which at least a portion of the glass flakes are depressed by controlling a magnetron beam by a computer; ii . ) scanning at least a portion of the glass sheet with one or more infrared (IR) scanners during or after the selective heating step, and from obtaining the one or more IR scanners Obtaining a temperature distribution in at least two dimensions for at least a portion of the glass flake; iii.) comparing the obtained temperature distribution to a reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement using a computer implemented processing program; The glass flakes are selectively heated by the magnetron beam controlled by a computer-implemented processing program to match the obtained temperature profile to the reference temperature profile agreed upon by the computer.

Further provided herein is a system comprising: a first furnace, also referred to herein as a glass preheating chamber/furnace, including an infrared heater and a temperature sensor; a second furnace, also referred to herein Known as glass forming, glass bending and/or glass forming furnaces, including infrared heaters; one comprising a magnetron device or ultra-high frequency (eg, at least 20 GHz (gigahertz)) that can be generated in the microwave spectrum, for example, a magnetic coil system of other devices ranging from 20 GHz to 300 GHz and having high power (for example, at least 5 kW (kilowatts) of electromagnetic waves; and a beam for controlling one of the magnetron devices to one in the second furnace An optical system for shape, position and movement of a glass sheet on a bent iron; and one or more infrared (IR) imaging sensors; a conveyor system for carrying a glass sheet through a bent iron The first furnace and the second furnace; a computer system connected to the one or more IR imaging sensors and the magnetic coil system, And a processor for controlling bending of a glass sheet in the second furnace by selective heating by the magnetic coil system, the instructions including heating a second furnace a computer-implemented agreement for a glass sheet to be bent, wherein the computer system obtains a temperature profile of the glass sheet from the one or more imaging sensors at one or more time points during the bending of the glass material The obtained temperature profile is compared to a reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement, and the magnetron beam system is controlled to selectively heat the glass flake to match the reference temperature profile. The system optionally includes a third furnace to controllably cool the glass flakes. The third furnace includes an IR heater, a forced cold air convection system, and a fan. If a third furnace is not present, the first furnace will contain all of these features.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of operating a furnace system for use in, for example, glass sheet forming of an aircraft transparent member, the method comprising, inter alia, a) placing a flat glass sheet on a fixed forming rail and defining a bent rail of one of the forming rails on a limb of a movable forming rail; b) positioning the bent iron having the glass sheet in the interior of one of the furnaces to heat the glass sheet to Forming the glass sheet on the fixed forming rail while moving a bundle of microwave energy from a magnetic coil to heat the portion of the glass sheet overlying the movable forming rail to cause the glass sheet by movement of the limb arm Forming the portions; c) obtaining one or more thermal images of at least a portion of the glass sheet from one or more IR imaging sensors and optionally one or more of the one or more 3D imaging sensors Shape profile image and transmit it to a computer; d) analyze the one or more thermal images and optionally using a computer implementation Comparing the one or more shape profile images with one or more reference thermal images and optionally one or more reference shape profile images by a computer implementation to determine the one or more thermal images And a difference between the shape profile image and the reference image as appropriate; e) based on a predetermined heat (power and velocity) profile as a reference, using a computer implemented method to direct one of the magnetic coils or other suitable source Beaming microwave energy to heat portions of the glass sheet to match the one or more reference thermal images, and optionally to match the one or more reference shape profile images, repeating the analysis and the comparing step to the one or more The thermal image matches the one or more reference thermal images, and optionally, the one or more shape profile images match the one or more reference shape profile images; f) generating a glass viscosity distribution via the computer implemented method Thereby allowing the glass flakes to be formed or bent into a desired shape with acceptable optical quality; and g) controllably cooling the shaped glass flakes.

20‧‧‧Laminated aircraft windshield

22‧‧‧First glass flakes

28‧‧‧Vinyl interlayer or sheet

30‧‧‧First urethane interlayer

32‧‧‧heatable parts

34‧‧‧Second urethane interlayer

36‧‧‧Edge parts or moisture barrier

38‧‧‧ peripheral edge

40‧‧‧ marginal or marginal margin

42‧‧‧ outer surface

44‧‧‧ marginal or marginal margin

46‧‧‧ outer surface

60‧‧‧ glass flakes

61‧‧‧ glass flakes

62‧‧‧Bend end

64‧‧‧Bend ends

66‧‧‧The middle part of the formation

68‧‧‧ flat glass sheets

69‧‧‧ flat glass sheets

70‧‧‧Bend iron

74‧‧‧ furnace

76‧‧‧ first chamber

78‧‧‧Second chamber

80‧‧‧ first opening

82‧‧‧second opening

84‧‧‧ first opening

86‧‧‧second opening

88‧‧‧The interior of the first chamber

90‧‧‧The interior of the second chamber

92‧‧‧

94‧‧‧

94a‧‧‧ tube framework

94b‧‧‧Stainless steel 11 gauge sheet/stainless steel sheet

94c‧‧‧ side of the tube frame

94d‧‧‧Stainless steel 11 gauge sheet/stainless steel sheet

Side of the 94e‧‧‧ tube frame

94g‧‧‧layer of insulating material

94h‧‧‧Stainless steel foil

94i‧‧‧ openings

94j‧‧‧ openings

96‧‧‧

98‧‧‧ side

100‧‧‧ side

102‧‧‧ Track

104‧‧‧ Track

106‧‧‧Reciprocating vertical path

108‧‧‧ Pulley configuration

110‧‧‧ Wheels

112‧‧‧ Wheels

114‧‧‧Rotary axis

116‧‧‧ cable

118‧‧‧ cable

120‧‧‧

121‧‧‧ top side

124‧‧‧ opposite end

126‧‧ Air cylinder

127‧‧‧Outer metal casing

128‧‧‧ side

129‧‧‧ opposite side

130‧‧‧Kaowool insulation

133‧‧‧layer of insulating material

136‧‧‧U-shaped parts

137‧‧‧ middle leg

138‧‧‧ pole

139‧‧‧Outer leg

140‧‧‧Outer leg

141‧‧‧ vertical orbit

142‧‧‧ vertical orbit

145‧‧‧Electric motor

146‧‧‧Encapsulation

148‧‧‧Vertical extension

150‧‧‧Metal top plate

152‧‧‧The other side of the envelope

160‧‧‧ side wall

162‧‧‧ side wall

164‧‧‧Top wall or ceiling

166‧‧‧ bottom wall

168‧‧‧Short roll

170‧‧‧ frame

172‧‧‧Infrared heater

174‧‧‧ Interior surface of the side wall

176‧‧‧ Interior surface of the ceiling

177‧‧‧Devices/magnets that produce ultra-high frequency, high-power electromagnetic waves

178‧‧‧Optical box

179‧‧‧Mirror box

180‧‧‧The top plate of the second furnace

181‧‧‧ side wall

182‧‧‧ side wall

184‧‧‧ top wall or ceiling

186‧‧‧ bottom wall

188‧‧‧ Interior surface of the side wall

190‧‧‧The interior of the second furnace

191‧‧‧ thermocouple

192‧‧‧Transmission configuration

193‧‧‧Computer microprocessor system

194‧‧‧Transmission configuration

Line 195‧‧

200‧‧‧ short rolls

202‧‧‧Removable conveyor

204‧‧‧ pyrometer or thermal scanner

204a‧‧‧ line

206‧‧‧ cathode

208‧‧‧gun coil magnet

210‧‧‧ superconducting magnet

212‧‧‧electron beam

214‧‧‧ cavity

216‧‧‧Mode Converter

217‧‧‧Gauss beam

222‧‧‧ window

224‧‧‧Band

225‧‧‧Single beam

226‧‧‧Band

228‧‧‧Removable mirror

230‧‧‧ cone/position sensor

231‧‧‧ Forming zone/position sensor with illusion

Section 232‧‧‧

234‧‧‧ limbs

Section 236‧‧‧

238‧‧‧Fixed rails

239‧‧‧Forming rail

240‧‧‧ weight

244‧‧‧Scheduled path

246‧‧‧ Surface of the top glass sheet

250‧‧‧ pyrometer

251‧‧‧Wire

258‧‧‧ furnace

260‧‧‧ furnace

261‧‧‧ furnace

262‧‧‧ furnace

264‧‧‧ furnace

270‧‧‧Travel path in the horizontal direction

270a‧‧‧The path of travel in the vertical direction

272‧‧‧Reciprocating path

274‧‧‧Reciprocating path

275‧‧‧Reciprocating path in the vertical direction

276‧‧‧Reciprocating path in the vertical direction

278‧‧‧Travel path in the horizontal direction

278a‧‧‧The path of travel in the vertical direction

280‧‧‧ furnace

282‧‧‧First tunnel furnace

284‧‧ Direction

286‧‧‧forming furnace

287‧‧‧export end

288‧‧‧Second tunnel furnace

289‧‧‧export end

290‧‧‧ entrance opening

292‧‧‧Export opening

300‧‧‧Tracking sensor

302‧‧‧Tracking sensor

304‧‧‧ Tracking Sensor

306‧‧‧ Cable

308‧‧‧Wire

309‧‧‧Tracking sensor

320‧‧‧ position sensor

321‧‧‧ position sensor

324‧‧‧ Thermal Sensor

330‧‧‧Arc detector

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminated aircraft transparent member of a laminated structure of transparent members.

2 is a perspective view of a formed sheet formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of a flat sheet that can be shaped to provide, in particular, the formed sheet of FIG. 2 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view of one of the non-limiting embodiments of a curved device that can be used in the practice of the present invention to form, for example, but not limited to, a glass sheet of the sheet of FIG. 3 to the formed sheet of FIG. Figure.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the teachings of the present invention that can be used in the practice of the present invention to heat and shape a glass sheet, for example, but not limited to, heating the sheet of Figure 3 and shaping it into the Figure 2 A perspective view of one of the furnace systems of the formed sheet).

Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the furnace shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a furnace door having features removed for clarity for purposes of the present invention that reduces heat loss between adjacent interiors of the furnace system shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a frame for supporting a bent iron (such as, but not limited to, the bent iron shown in Figure 4) and a movable conveyor section to move the frame to the one shown in Figures 5 and 6. A perspective view of the inlet end of the furnace.

Figure 9 illustrates a microprocessor for receiving signals from a sensor and acting on a signal in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a magnetic coil that can be used in the practice of the invention to heat selected portions of a glass sheet.

Figure 11 is a plan view showing a portion of a stack of microwave beams of a magnetron to selectively heat a stack of one or more glass sheets.

Figure 12 is a front cross-sectional side view of a furnace system that can be used in the practice of the present invention to heat and shape a glass sheet in particular and having the features of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a front plan view of a furnace system that can be used in the practice of the present invention to heat and shape a glass sheet in particular and having the features of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a front cross-sectional view of a furnace of the present invention that can be used in the practice of the present invention to heat and shape a glass sheet in particular.

Figure 15 is a front cross-sectional view of the furnace system of the present invention.

Figure 16 illustrates the flow of a method of forming a glass sheet in accordance with the present invention. Figure.

As used herein, the spatial or directional terms such as "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "above", "below" and the like are used in the drawings. The presentation is directed to the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present invention may assume various alternative orientations and, therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting. In addition, as used herein, the terms of expression, physical characteristics, processing parameters, amounts of ingredients, reaction conditions, and the like, as used herein, are to be understood as meaning "To decorate." Accordingly, the values set forth in the following description and claims are subject to change depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention, unless otherwise indicated. At the very least, and without attempting to limit the application of the equivalents to the scope of the claims, the value should be at least in accordance with the number of significant digits reported and by the application of the general rounding technique. In addition, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood as covering the first and last range values and any and all sub-ranges included therein. For the range between the minimum 1 and the maximum 10 (and including 1 and 10); that is, all subranges starting at a minimum of 1 or greater and ending at a maximum of 10 or less, for example, 1 to 3.3 4.7 to 7.5, 5.5 to 10 and the like. Also, as used herein, the term "on" means on the surface, but not necessarily in contact with the surface. For example, the first substrate "on the second substrate" does not exclude the presence of one or more other substrates of the same or different composition between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Before the present invention is discussed, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific examples of the application, as these merely illustrate the general inventive concept. Additionally, the terminology used herein to describe the invention is for the purpose of description and Not limited. Still, similar numbers refer to like elements unless otherwise indicated in the following discussion.

For the purposes of the following discussion, the invention will be discussed with reference to sheet forming for aircraft transparency. With regard to the present application, the term "glass forming" refers to the concept of glass bending and/or glass formation. These terms are used interchangeably throughout this application. As will be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the material of the sheet, for example, the sheet may be, but is not limited to, a glass sheet or a plastic sheet. In the broad practice of the present invention, the sheet can be made of any desired material having any desired characteristics. For example, the sheet may be opaque, light transmissive or semi-transparent to visible light. "Opacity" means having a visible light transmission of 0%. "Light transmission" means having a visible light transmittance in a range of more than 0% to 100%. "Semi-transmissive" means allowing electromagnetic energy (eg, visible light) to pass through but diffusing this energy such that objects on the side opposite the viewer are not clearly visible. In a preferred practice of the invention, the sheet is a clear glass sheet. The glass flakes may comprise conventional soda lime bismuth glass, borosilicate glass or lithium oxide-alumina-cerium oxide glass. The glass can be a clear glass. "Transparent glass" means undyed or uncolored glass. Alternatively, the glass can be a dyed or otherwise colored glass. Annealing, heat treatment or chemical tempering of the glass. In the practice of the present invention, the glass can be a conventional float glass and can have any composition having any optical properties (eg, any visible transmittance, ultraviolet transmittance, infrared transmittance, and/or total solar transmittance value). . "Float glass" means a glass formed by a conventional float process. An example of a float glass process is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,744,809 and 6,094, 942, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment of the invention, the glass is a transparent lithium oxide-alumina-cerium oxide glass of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,062,749. The glass, and in another example of the invention, the glass is a clear soda lime glass of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,192,689, 5,565,388, and 7,585,801.

Glass flakes can be used in the manufacture of formed monolithic or formed laminated transparent articles for aircraft. However, as can be appreciated, the shaped glass sheets of the present invention can be used in the manufacture of any type of transparent member such as, but not limited to, windshields, windows, backlights, sunroofs, and moon-shading; lamination Or non-laminated residential and/or commercial windows; insulated glass units, and/or transparent parts for land, air, space, water and water downloads. A non-limiting example of a carrier transparent member, a residential and commercial transparent member, and an aircraft transparent member, and a method of manufacturing the same are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,820,902, 5,028,759, 6,301,858 and 8,155,816, the disclosures of This is incorporated herein by reference.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary laminated aircraft windshield 20 having components that can be fabricated by the practice of the present invention. The windshield 20 includes a first glass sheet 22 that is secured to the vinyl interlayer or sheet 28 by a first urethane interlayer 30, and the vinyl interlayer 28 is secured to the second urethane interlayer 34 to Heating component 32. An edge member or moisture barrier 36 of the type used in the art (such as, but not limited to, polyoxyethylene rubber or other flexible durable moisture resistant material) is fastened to (1) the peripheral edge of the windshield 20 38, that is, the peripheral edge 38 of the vinyl interlayer 28; the peripheral edges of the first urethane interlayer 30 and the second urethane interlayer 34, and the peripheral edge of the heatable member 32; (2) The margin or marginal edge 40 of the outer surface 42 of the windshield 20, that is, the margin 40 of the outer surface 42 of the first glass sheet 22 of the windshield 20, and (3) the margin of the outer surface 46 of the windshield 20 or Marginal edge The rim 44, that is, the edge of the outer surface 46 of the heatable member 32.

The first glass sheet 22, the vinyl interlayer 28, and the first urethane interlayer 30 form a structural member or inner segment of the windshield 20. The outer surface 42 of the windshield 20 faces the interior of a carrier (e.g., an aircraft (not shown)). The urethane layer 34 and the heatable member 32 form a non-structural or outer segment of the windshield 20. The surface 46 of the windshield 20 faces the exterior of the aircraft. The heatable component 32 provides heat to remove mist from the outer surface 46 of the windshield 20 and/or to melt ice on the outer surface 46 of the windshield 20.

Two shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are shown in FIG. Each of the glass sheets 60 and 61 has curved end portions 62 and 64 and a shaped intermediate portion 66. For example, the shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 can be formed from the flat glass sheets 68 and 69 shown in FIG. 3 using the bent iron 70 shown in FIG. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/714,494, entitled "Bending Device For Shaping Glass For Use In Aircraft Transparencies", filed on December 14, 2012, entitled "Bending Device For Shaping Glass For Use In Aircraft Transparencies" The bent iron disclosed in the present invention can be used in the practice of the present invention. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/714,494 (hereinafter also referred to as "USPA '494") is hereby incorporated by reference. For a detailed discussion of the bent iron 70, attention is directed to USPA '494. Figure 4 of this document corresponds to Figure 4 of USPA '494. As can be appreciated, the present invention is not limited to curved iron 70, and any design of the bent iron can be used in the practice of the present invention to shape a sheet or simultaneously form two sheets 68 and 69 (see Figure 3), or two More than one sheet is formed into any desired shape.

5 and 6 show an exemplary furnace 74, such as, but not limited to, a furnace system, or the present invention for heating glass sheets (eg, but not limited to And a device for forming and shaping the formed glass sheets 68 and 69). Furnace 74 includes a first chamber 76 or furnace and a second chamber 78 or furnace. The first chamber 76 preheats a glass sheet (such as, but not limited to, a flat glass sheet 68 or flat glass sheets 68 and 69 (see FIG. 3) supported or positioned on the bent iron 70 (FIG. 4), and Controllingly cooling the shaped glass flakes supported or positioned on the bent iron 70 (such as, but not limited to, formed glass flakes 60 or shaped glass flakes 60 and 61 (FIG. 2)) to anneal such Formed glass flakes. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, second chamber 78 selectively heats portions of flat glass sheets 68 and 69 to shape glass sheets 68 and 69 into a desired shape, such as, but not limited to, the present invention, formed in FIG. The shape of the formed glass sheets 60 and 61 is shown.

The first chamber 76 has a first opening 80 (also referred to as an "inlet 80" of the first chamber 76) and a second opening 82 (also referred to as a first chamber) opposite and spaced apart from the first opening 80 76 "Outlet 82") (the second opening is clearly shown in Figure 6). The second chamber 78 has a first opening 84 (also referred to as an "inlet 84" of the second chamber 78 and a second opening 86 that is opposite and spaced apart from the first opening 84 of the second chamber 78 (also referred to as As an "outlet 86" of the second chamber 78. In this configuration, the flat sheets 68 and 69 supported on the bent iron 70 move through the first opening 80 of the first chamber 76 to the first chamber 76. The inner portion 88 (see Fig. 6) preheats the glass sheets 68 and 69. According to the teachings of the present invention, the preheated glass sheets 68 and 69 move through the second opening 82 of the first chamber 76 and through the second chamber The first opening 84 of the chamber 78 to the interior 90 of the second chamber 78 (see Figure 6) controllably heats the glass sheets 68 and 69 to shape the glass sheet. The heated shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 are from The interior 90 of the second chamber 78 moves through the first opening 84 of the second chamber 78 and the first chamber The second opening 82 of 76 extends to the interior 88 of the first chamber 76 to controllably cool the shaped glass sheets. Thereafter, the shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 are moved from the interior 88 of the first chamber 76 through the first opening 80 of the first chamber 76.

The interior 88 of the first chamber 76 is separated from the interior 90 of the second chamber 78 by a gate 92 provided at the inlet 80 of the first chamber 76 and at the inlet 84 of the second chamber 78. 94 and the door 96 at the outlet 86 of the second chamber 78 are separated from the environment outside the furnace 74. As can be appreciated, the present invention is not limited to doors 92, 94, 96 of the type provided at inlet 80, inlet 84, and outlet 86, respectively, and any door design and/or configuration can be used in the practice of the present invention. For example, doors 92 and 96 can be similar in design and construction. In view of the foregoing, the discussion now pertains to the design and construction of the door 92, it being understood that the door 96 is discussed unless otherwise indicated. Referring to Figure 5, the door 92 has sides 98 and 100 mounted in the rails 102 and 104 for reciprocating vertical movement for upward movement to open the inlet 80 of the chamber 76, and downward movement to close the inlet 80, and for the door The 96 moves up to open the opening 86 and moves down to close the opening 86. The opening 86 of the furnace 78 is used, inter alia, to repair the furnace 78 and perform maintenance on the furnace 78; the interior 90 of the cleaning furnace 78, such as, but not limited to, removing damaged glass, and for the furnace 74 discussed in detail below Expansion.

The doors 92 and 96 are moved along a reciprocating vertical path indicated by the double-headed arrow 106 by including a pulley arrangement 108 that is spaced apart from one another and mounted to one of the wheels 110 and 112 on the rotating shaft 114. The cables 116, 118 have an end 120 (shown clearly for the door 92) that is fastened to the top side 121 of the sides 98, 100 adjacent the doors 92 and 96, respectively, and the cables 116, 118 are each connected to an air cylinder 126 ( For the doors 92 and 96, the opposite ends 124 of Figure 5 are clearly shown.

For example, the doors 92 and 94 can each be made of a metal outer casing 127 having a side 128 of steel and an outer side 129 facing the interior of the individual facing the furnace in stainless steel. The interior of the outer casing 127 can be filled with a Kaowool insulation 130 (shown clearly in Figure 6).

The shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 are moved into the first furnace and annealed. A method of annealing a glass sheet is well known in the art, for example, see U.S. Patent No. 7,240,519, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety herein. After the sheet has been annealed, the door 92 is lifted and the formed glass sheet is removed from the first furnace 76. When the shaped glass flakes 60 and 61 are removed from the first furnace 76, the temperature difference between the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78 can reach a temperature in the range of 800 °F to 1000 °F. More specifically, the temperature of the first furnace 76 can be as low as 200 °F, which is the temperature at which the annealed shaped glass sheets 60 and 61 are removed from the first furnace 76 on the movable conveyor 202, and The temperature of the second furnace 78 can be greater than 1000 °F, which is the glass preheating temperature. In order to reduce the heat loss between the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78, respectively, the gate 94 may have a thermal conductivity of less than 0.80 BTU/(hr.ft.°F).

Referring to Fig. 7, an exemplary door 94 includes a tube frame 94a having a stainless steel 11 gauge sheet 94b secured to the side 94c of the tube frame 94a, and a stainless steel 11 gauge sheet 94d secured to the side 94e of the tube frame 94a. . The layer of insulating material sold under the trademark Super Firetemp ^® M 133 (having a thickness of 1 1/2 inches) provided in the inner tube of stainless steel sheet between the frame 94a and 94b 94d. A layer 94g of insulating material is provided on the steel sheet 94d and covered with a stainless steel foil 94h of 0.008 to 0.010 inch thick. The door 94 is mounted with the stainless steel sheet 94h facing the interior of the furnace 78. Openings 94i and 94j are coupled to a compressor (not shown) to move ambient compressed air through the tube from 94a to cool door 94 to prevent warpage of tube frame 94a and sheets 94b and 94d. Optionally, the peripheral edge of layer 94g is covered by foil 94h.

The door 94 is connected to a U-shaped member 136 that is vertically reciprocally inverted (shown clearly in Figure 5). More specifically, the door 94 is coupled by a rod 138 to the intermediate leg 137 of the U-shaped member 136 and the outer leg portions 139 and 140 are mounted for reciprocal vertical movement in the vertical rails 141 and 142, respectively, in any convenient manner ( See Figure 5). The U-shaped member is moved vertically upwards and downwards by an electric motor 145 (shown only in Figure 6). With the door 94 in the lower position, the inlet 84 of the furnace 78 is closed, and with the door 94 in the upper position, the inlet 84 of the furnace 78 is opened. In the upper position, as shown in Figure 6, the door 94 is moved into the envelope 146 formed on one side by the vertical extension 148 of the metal top plate 150 of the furnace 78 (see Figure 6), and the envelope 146 The other side 152 is made of a ceramic or metal wall that is fastened between rails 140 and 142 (see Figure 5).

The design and construction of the first furnace 76 is not limited to the present invention, and is used to heat or preheat the glass flakes to a desired temperature (e.g., below the softening or sinking temperatures of the flat glass flakes 68 and 69) in the manner discussed below. Any type of furnace that avoids contamination of the surface of the glass flakes and that is used to controllably cool the shaped glass flakes (such as, but not limited to, shaped glass flakes 60 and 61). More specifically, the lithium soda lime glass flakes are provided with a preheating temperature in the range of 600 °F to 900 °F, and the soda lime silicate glass flakes are provided with a preheating temperature in the range of 900 °F to 1025 °F. The first furnace 76 can include a side wall 160 (see FIG. 6) and an opposing side wall 162 (see FIG. 5), a top wall or ceiling 164, and a bottom wall 166 to provide the interior 88 of the furnace 76. Short roller 168 extends through sidewalls 160 and 162 to first furnace 76 in the manner discussed below. The interior 88 is for moving the frame 170 (see FIG. 8) into the interior 88 of the first furnace 76 and out of the interior 88 of the first furnace 76. An infrared heater 172 is provided on the interior surface 174 of the sidewalls 160 and 162 (only the sidewalls 162 are shown in FIG. 6), the interior surface 176 of the ceiling 164, and the bottom wall 166 to heat the interior 88 of the first furnace 76 to a desired temperature. In addition, the first furnace includes a thermocouple 191 to measure the heat of the furnace. In addition to thermocouples, other devices can be used to measure the temperature of the furnace.

The design and construction of the second furnace 78 is not limited to the present invention and is used to heat the glass flakes to a desired temperature (such as, but not limited to, the present invention), for a lithium soda lime glass flake, a heating temperature higher than 900 °F, and Sodium calcium strontium glass flakes, any type of furnace above 1025 °F heating temperature). The heat temperature for glass sag is preferred, such as in the range of 1100 °F to 1250 °F. For example, a glass flake to be formed (such as, but not limited to, shaped glass flakes 60 and 61 (see Figure 2)) using microwave energy generated by a magnetic coil or any other suitable microwave energy source Partially heated to its higher forming temperature. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a device 177 for generating ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves (e.g., a magnetic coil as shown), an optical cartridge 178, and one of the top or ceiling 184 mounted to the second furnace 78 are shown. Mirror box 179. The operation of the magnetron 177, the optical cartridge 178, and the mirror box 179 is discussed in more detail below.

The second furnace 78 is similar in construction to the first furnace 76 and includes a side wall 180 (see FIG. 6) and an opposite side wall 182 (see FIG. 5), a top wall or ceiling 184, and a bottom wall 186 (see FIG. ) to provide the interior 90 of the furnace 78. In the manner discussed below, the short roller 168 (see FIG. 6) extends through the sidewalls 180 and 182 into the interior 90 of the second furnace 78 for moving the frame 170 (see FIG. 8) to the second furnace 78. The interior 90 is inside and removed from the interior 90 of the second furnace 78. red An external heater 172 can be provided on the interior surface 188 of the sidewalls 180 and 182 (the sidewall 180 shown in FIG. 6 and the sidewall 182 shown in FIG. 5), the interior surface of the ceiling 184, and the bottom wall 186 to place the second furnace 78. The interior 90 is heated to the desired temperature. For the lithium aluminum silicate glass flakes, the interior 90 of the furnace 78 is heated to a temperature in the range of 600 °F to 900 °F, and for the soda lime silicate glass flakes, the interior 90 of the furnace 78 is heated to 900 °F Temperatures in the range of up to 1000 °F. Typically, but not limited to, the present invention, the preheating temperature of the furnace 76 and the temperature of the furnace 78 are similar in the event that the magnetic coil is de-energized, such that the temperature in the furnace 78 from the glass flakes in the furnace 76 is maintained.

The temperatures of the interiors 88 and 90 of furnaces 76 and 78 are measured by thermocouple 191, respectively. Thermocouple 191 forwards the signal to computer microprocessor system 193 (see Figure 9). Computer microprocessor system 193 acts on the signals to determine the temperatures of the interiors 88 and 90 of furnaces 76 and 78, respectively. If the temperature of one or both of the interior of the furnace is below a set temperature, a signal is routed along line 195 to increase the heat input to the furnace. On the other hand, if the temperature of one or both of furnace interiors 88 and 90 is too high, a signal is routed along line 195 to reduce heat input to the furnace. If the temperature inside the furnace is within an acceptable range, no action is taken.

The conveyor system for furnace 74 includes a drive configuration 192 (see Figure 5) that includes a shaft for rotating a short roller and a motor to power the shaft (shafts and motors not shown in transmission configuration 192) The short conveyor roller 168 of the first furnace 76 and includes a transmission configuration 194 comprising a shaft for rotating the short roller and a motor to power the shaft (the shaft and motor of the transmission configuration 194 are not shown) ( See Figure 5) Short conveyor roller 168 of the second furnace 78 that is driven. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, conveyors using short rolls are well known in the art and no further discussion is considered necessary.

Referring to Figures 3 through 8, one or more glass sheets are positioned on a bent iron (e.g., bent iron 70 shown in Figure 4) at a loading station (not shown), as desired. Two glass sheets (e.g., glass sheets 68 and 69 (see Fig. 3)) are positioned on the bent iron 70, and ceramic dust (not shown) may be used to prevent sticking of the formed glass sheets 60 and 61, as appropriate. The bent iron 70 having the sheets 68 and 69 is positioned on the frame 170 (Fig. 8), and the frame 170 is placed on the short roll 200 of the movable conveyor 202. The moveable conveyor 202 is moved from the loading area to the furnace area. The door 92 of the first furnace 76 is opened (see Figures 5 and 6) and the movable conveyor 202 is moved into the opening 80 to align the short roller 200 of the movable conveyor 202 with the short roller 168 of the first furnace 76. . The frame 170 is then moved to engage the adjacent short roller 168 of the first furnace 76, and the frame 170 is comprised of a short roller 168 of the first furnace 76. Move into the interior 88 of the furnace 76. When the frame 170 is in a predetermined position in the interior 88 of the first furnace 76, the rotation of the short roller 168 is prevented, which is typically the hottest position in the first furnace 76. After the rotation of the short roller 168 is stopped, the frame 170 having the bent iron 70 and the glass sheets 68 and 69 is held in the first furnace 76 until the glass sheets 68 and 69 reach the desired temperature, for example, for lithium aluminum silicate. Glass, the temperature is in the range of 600 °F to 900 °F, and for soda-lime-tantalum glass, the temperature is in the range of 900 °F to 1000 °F. Optionally, the frame 170 can be moved slightly upstream and downstream along the conveyor path to circulate the heated air around the sheets 68 and 69 in the furnace.

The temperature of the glass flakes can be monitored in any convenient manner, for example, the temperature of the glass flakes 68 and 69 is controlled by an optical pyrometer or an optical thermal scanner such as an optical pyrometer or optical manufactured by Land Instruments International (Land) of Dronfield, UK. Thermal scanner) monitoring. A pyrometer or thermal scanner 204 is mounted on the top plate 164 of the first furnace 76 (see Figure 5). More special In short, when the frame 170 is moved toward the door 94 to separate the furnaces 76 and 78, a pyrometer or thermal scanner 204 (such as, but not limited to, an optical thermal scanner (manufactured by Land)) measures the glass. temperature. The signal is forwarded along line 204a to computer microprocessor system 193 (see Figure 9). If the temperature of the glass is within an acceptable preheating temperature range, for example, at a temperature just below the temperature at which the glass sinks, the frame 170 is moved into the furnace 78. If the glass is not within the acceptable forming temperature range, the frame 170 is not moved into the forming furnace 78 and appropriate action is taken, such as, but not limited to, increasing the temperature of the furnace 76 if the glass temperature is too low, Or if the glass temperature is too high, the temperature of the furnace 76 is reduced.

After the glass sheets 68 and 69 have reached the desired temperature, the door 94 of the second furnace 78 is opened, and the short rolls 168 of the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78 are energized to move the frame 170 through the opening of the second furnace 78. 84 to the forming position indicated in the interior 90 of the second furnace 78 (discussed in detail below). The door 94 of the second furnace 78 can be closed at any time as discussed in detail after the frame 170 has been transferred to the interior of the second furnace 78. After the frame 170 having the glass sheets 68 and 69 and the bent iron 70 is positioned in the forming position indicated in the interior 88 of the second furnace 78 or after the frame 170 has passed the door 94 (as discussed below), the door 94 is closed. The forming process of the present invention performed using the magnetic coil 177 discussed in detail below is practiced.

After the glass sheets 68 and 69 have been formed, the magnetron 177 is de-energized or deactivated and the door 94 of the second furnace 78 is opened. The first furnace 76 and the short rolls 168 of the second furnace 78 are respectively energized to move the frame 170 having the formed sheets 60 and 61 from the interior 90 of the second furnace through the opening 84 of the second furnace 78 and to the Inside the inner 88 of a furnace 74. After moving the frame 170 into the interior 88 of the first furnace 76, the door 94 of the second furnace 78 is closed. The shaped glass flakes are controllably cooled to anneal the flakes. When the annealing process is completed, the first furnace 76 is opened. The door 92 moves the moveable conveyor 202 (see FIG. 8) into the opening 80 of the first furnace 76 for alignment with the short roll 168 of the first furnace 76. The short roller 168 of the first furnace is energized to move the frame 170 out of the interior 88 of the first furnace 76 to the movable conveyor 202. The moveable conveyor with the frame 170 is moved to an unloading station (not shown) and the shaped glass flakes are removed from the bent iron 70 in any conventional manner.

Discussion is now directed to heating a portion of one or more glass sheets to their bending or forming temperature using a magnetic coil 177 (see Figures 5, 6, and 10 as needed). Notably, this application describes the use of a magnetic coil system. The magnetic coil is a non-limiting example, and any suitable system can be used to locally heat the glass sheet through the thickness of the sheet, including the outer surface and interior of the sheet. Suitable systems include systems that generate ultra high frequency (eg, at least 20 GHz (gigahertz)) and high power (eg, at least 5 kW (kilowatt)) electromagnetic waves within the microwave spectrum. For example, a klystron or a traveling wave tube, but the output frequency and wattage of such devices are less than the output frequency and wattage of the magnetron system. As previously discussed, a post-bending cutting process is used to remove optical distortion (such as, but not limited to, a long period of time required for the glass flakes to rest on the bent iron to achieve the desired temperature for bending) Part of the glass flakes to make the glass for the aircraft transparent. For example, it is desirable to overheat the surface of a glass sheet using conventional methods to achieve the desired curvature of the glass by using a magnetic coil or other source of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The glass flake surface temperature can be reduced by 30% to 40% using a magnetic coil to internally heat selected portions of the glass flakes to their bending or forming temperatures. As can now be appreciated, it is desirable to reduce the need for overheating of the glass surface by conventional methods of adjusting the temperature of the furnace, and to eliminate the excessive heating of the curved iron and/or the shaped rail on which the glass sheet is located, thereby significantly reducing glass contamination. And greatly help The use of a cut-to-size process instead of a curved post-cut process for bending a glass sheet for, for example, an aircraft transparency.

The magnetic coil is a high power linear beam vacuum tube that is capable of producing high power, high frequency electromagnetic radiation near the edge of the infrared megahertz (THz) spectrum. Its operation is based on gyroscopic radiation of stimuli of electrons oscillating in a strong magnetic field (eg, as provided by a superconducting magnet). Any suitable microwave generator capable of producing high power, high frequency electromagnetic waves, such as a microwave generator having an output frequency ranging from 20 GHz to 300 GHz and having a power output of at least 5 kW, would be suitable. A schematic representation of the various components of the magnetron 177 is shown in FIG. In general, and without limitation, in the operation of the magnetron 177, electrons emitted by the cathode 206 surrounded by the gun coil magnet 208 are accelerated in the strong magnetic field of the superconducting magnet 210. As the electron beam 212 travels through the strong magnetic field of the magnet 210, the electrons begin to swirl at a particular frequency given by the strength of the magnetic field. The THz radiation is strongly amplified in the cavity 214 at the location with the highest magnetic field strength. Mode converter 216 is used to form a free Gaussian beam 217 that exits magnetron 177 via window 222 and is coupled to waveguide 224. The operation of a magnetic coil is well known in the art and is not considered to be necessary without further discussion. Magnetic coils are commercially available, for example, from Gyrotron Technology, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, free Gaussian beam 217 passes through waveguide 224 to optical cassette 178. The optical cartridge 178 has a mirror (not shown) that is configured as known in the art to collimate the free Gaussian beam 217 into a single beam 225 and to control the size of the beam 225, for example, diameter. The collimated beam 225 exits the optical box 178 via the waveguide 226 and is passed into the mirror box 179. The mirror box 179 has one or more movable mirrors 228 (showing a mirror in phantom in Figure 10) to move The moving beam 225 passes through a predetermined area defined by the cone 230 (see Figures 6 and 10). In Figure 10, beam 225 moving through cone 230 is incident on a flat glass sheet, such as flat glass sheets 68 and 69 positioned on a bent iron (e.g., bent iron 70 (Fig. 4)). Sheets 68 and 69 and bent iron 70 are shown in block diagram in FIG.

Discussion is now directed to the portion 232 formed by the limb arm 234 of the bent iron 70 (Fig. 4) using the beam 225 from the magnetron 177 to heat the flat glass sheets 68 and 69 (see Fig. 3) and to be secured by the bent iron 70. The shaped portion 236 of the shaped rail 238 is formed. In general, the flat glass sheets 68 and 69 positioned on the forming rail 239 of the limb arm 234 maintain the limb arm 234 in the lower position (as viewed in Figure 4), which maintains the weight 240 in the upper position. . When the portion 232 of the forming rail 239 of the limb arm 234 of the clad iron 70 of the glass sheets 68 and 69 is heated to the forming temperature of the glass sheets 68 and 69, the weight 240 is moved downward, thereby moving the limb 234 upward. Move to shape portions 232 of glass sheets 68 and 69 into shape 232 shown on sheets 60 and 61 in FIG. For a more detailed discussion of the operation of the limb 234 of the bent iron 70, reference should be made to USPA '494. Portions 236 of flat glass sheets 68 and 69 are formed by fixed forming rails 238 to portions 236 of formed glass sheets 60 and 61. In the practice of the present invention, portions 232 and 236 of glass flakes 62 are heated by beam 225 from magnetron 177 to quickly reach a bending temperature in the range of 1000 °F to 1100 °F for lithium aluminum tellurite glass, and for The bending temperature of soda-lime-tantalum glass in the range of 1100 °F to 1200 °F.

A microprocessor or computer system 193 (Fig. 9) is programmed (such as, but not limited to, a signal transmitted along wire 239) to control the operation of the mirror of optical cartridge 178 to set the incidence of incident on the glass foil. The size of the beam 225 on the portion to control the movement of the mirror 228 of the mirror box 179 to control The direction of movement of beam 225 in zone 230 (see FIG. 10) and the speed of movement, and the energy of beam 225 are controlled by varying the anode voltage, the strength of the magnetic field and/or voltage applied to the system of the magnetron. As desired, referring to Figures 9 and 10, mirror 228, operated by microprocessor 193, moves beam 225 along a predetermined path 244 on surface 246 of the top glass sheet (e.g., facing top glass sheet 68 of mirror box 179). The energy beam 225 heats the glass flakes to their softening temperature for the glass flakes as they move along the path 244 in the region of the sheet indicated by reference numeral 236 to assume the shape of the fixed forming rail 238 (see Figure 4). The energy beam 225 heats the glass flakes to their forming temperatures as they move along the path 244 in the region of the sheet designated by number 232 (see Figure 11), at which point the limbs 234 of the bent iron 70 are in the region 232. The sheet is formed. A pyrometer 250 (see Figure 6) is mounted through the top plate 180 of the furnace 78 on each side of the mirror box 177 to monitor the temperature of the glass. Pyrometer 250 is coupled by wire 251 to a microprocessor or computer 193 for transmitting signals to microprocessor 193, and the microprocessor forwards the signal along wire 239 to change the speed of beam 225 along path 244 and/or Or maintaining the temperature of the selected portion of the glass within the desired temperature range by varying the energy of the beam, as discussed above. More specifically, reducing the speed of beam 225 increases the temperature of the glass, and vice versa, and increasing the anode voltage, magnetic field, and/or applied voltage increases the temperature of the glass, and vice versa.

The following is an example of the invention for forming a glass sheet for use in the manufacture of aircraft transparency. Flat glass sheets 68 and 69 (Fig. 3) are positioned on curved iron 70 (Fig. 4). The bent iron 70 is placed in the frame 170 (Fig. 7), and the frame is placed on the short roll 200 of the conveyor 202. The frame 170 having the bent iron 70 and the glass sheets 68 and 69 is moved by the short rolls 168 of the first furnace 76 into the interior 88 of the first furnace 76 (Fig. 6). In the closed interior of the first furnace 76 The glass flakes are heated to a temperature below the softening point of the glass. Thereafter, the frame 170 having the heated glass sheets 68 and 69 is moved by the short rolls 168 of the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78 into the interior 90 of the second furnace 78 and positioned at the cone 230 (see Figure 6 and In the area of Figure 10).

The temperature of the interior 90 of the second furnace 78 is substantially the same temperature as the interior 88 of the first furnace 76, that is, the temperature below the forming temperature of the glass flakes on the bent iron 70. At this temperature, the glass flakes positioned on the bent iron have not yet been formed. After the frame 170 positions the sheet within the cone 230, the magnetron 177, the optical cassette 178, and the mirror box 179 are energized to move the beam 225 along the scan path 244 (see FIG. 10). As beam 225 moves along scan path 244, magnetron 177 is in an operational mode. The energy beam 225 heats the glass flakes to their softening temperature for the glass flakes as they move along the path 244 in the region of the sheet designated by numeral 236 to assume the shape of the fixed forming rail 238 (see Figure 4). The energy beam 225 heats the glass flakes to their forming temperatures as they move along the path 244 in the region of the sheet designated by number 232 (see Figure 9), at which point the limbs 234 of the bent iron 70 are in the region 232. The sheet is formed. As the beam moves along segment 250 of the scan path, the beam is in an operational mode to heat segment 232 of sheet 68. When the segment or portion 232 of the sheet 68 is heated, the thin segment softens and the weight 240 of the bent iron moves the limb rail 238 upward to shape the portion 232 of the sheet 268. After the sheet is formed, the power to the magnetron 177 is reduced or disconnected to place the magnetron and beam 225 in an idle mode.

The second furnace 78 and the short rolls 168 of the first furnace 76 respectively move the frame 170 having the formed sheets 60 and 61 from the interior 90 of the second furnace 78 into the interior 88 of the first furnace 76. The shaped sheet in the first furnace 76 is controllably cooled to anneal the shaped glass flakes. Thereafter, the frame 170 is made up of The short roller 168 of a furnace 76 moves onto the movable conveyor 202 and the movable conveyor moves to an unloading area (not shown).

As will now be appreciated, when doors 92 and 94 (see Figures 5 and 6) are opened, it is carefully ensured that frame 170 (see Figure 9) is moved into furnaces 76 and 78 and between furnaces 76 and 78. As a safety feature, tracking sensors 300, 302, and 304 are used to track the position of frame 170 as it moves through furnaces 76 and 78. Although not limited to the present invention, each of tracking sensors 300, 302, and 304 includes a generated continuous beam of light, such as, but not limited to, a laser incident on the detector that produces a beam of light. As the frame 170 moves through the continuous beam, the speed of light is directed away from the detector, and the detector transmits a signal along the cable 306 indicating that the beam is not incident on the detector to the microprocessor 193. Computer microprocessor system 193 sends a signal along wire 308 to open or close door 92 or door 94. By way of illustration and not limitation, the tracking detector 300 is positioned in the furnace 76 spaced apart from the door 92 by a distance greater than the width of the frame 170. The travel of the beam is transverse to the path of travel of the frame 170. When the frame 170 is moved into the oven 76, the frame 170 interrupts the beam by directing the beam away from the detector of the sensor 300. The detector of the trace sensor 300 sends a signal along the cable 306 indicating that the beam has not hit the detector to the microprocessor 193, and the microprocessor sends a signal along the cable 308 to the motor 124 ( See Figure 5) Power up to close the door 92.

Optionally, as the frame 170 moves through the oven 76, the glass sheets 68 and 69 are heated, or the glass sheets 68 and 69 are moved to the center of the furnace and the heating of the sheets ceases. After heating the glass sheets, the glass sheets 68 and 69 (see Fig. 3) and the frame 170 are moved toward the doors 94 separating the furnaces 76 and 78. The frame interrupts the beam of the sensor 302 and transmits the signal along the cable 308 to the computer micro-location The processor system 193 energizes the motor 145 to raise the door 94. Timing of the system allows the frame 170 to be continuously moved from the first furnace 76 to the second furnace 78 without any interference. The frame 170 moves into the furnace 78 and, after fully entering the furnace 78, interrupts the beam of the sensor 304. Sensor 304 relays a signal along cable 308 to microprocessor 193 to close door 94; microprocessor 193 relays a signal along cable 308 to energize the motor to close door 94. The frame 170 is moved into the forming position and the conveyor is stopped. As can be appreciated, the distance from the forming position to the beam of the detector 304 and the speed of the frame 170 are known, and in this manner, the movement of the conveyor can be stopped when the frame and the glass sheet are in the forming position. . In another example of the present invention, the frame 170 is positioned in the forming position using a tracking sensor 309 (shown in phantom and shown only in Figure 6). When the frame 170 is displaced or interrupts the beam of the tracking sensor 309, a signal is transmitted (eg, along the cable 306) to the computer microprocessor system 193, and the computer microprocessor system forwards a signal (eg, Along the cable 308), the rotation of the column rolls is stopped to position the frame 170 and the glass sheets in the forming position. Depending on the situation, the timing of the sensor 309 and the computer microprocessor system can be used to position the frame relative to the beam.

After the glass sheets 68 and 69 are formed, the frame 170 and the formed sheets are removed from the furnace 74. More specifically, and not limited to the present invention, the frame 170 deflects or interrupts the beam of the sensor 304 to open the door 94, causing the beam of the detector 302 to interrupt the closing of the door 94, and causing the beam of the detector 300 to open the door. 92.

As can be appreciated, the present invention is not limited to the design of furnace 74, and the present invention encompasses any of the furnaces shown in Figures 12 and 6 such as those discussed above and discussed in Figures 12 and 15 discussed below and discussed below. Type furnaces practice the invention. More specifically, the furnace 258 having the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78 respectively discussed above, and the second opening attached to the second furnace 78, are shown in FIG. Furnace 260 of port 86 (see Figures 5, 6 and 12). If the furnace 260 and the first furnace 76 are different, they will be similar. With the furnace configuration shown in Figure 12, the frame 170 having the bent iron 70 (having the sheets 68 and 69) can be moved along the path indicated by arrow 270, through the furnace 76 to preheat the glass sheets 68 and 69, The furnace 78 is shaped to shape the glass flakes 68 and through the furnace 260 to anneal the shaped glass flakes 60 and 61 (as discussed above for the first furnace 76). In a second example of the present invention, the furnace 258 can shape the glass sheets 68 and 69 using the first furnace 76 and the second furnace 78, respectively, as discussed above, with a bend along the reciprocating path indicated by arrow 272. Iron 70 and frame 170 of glass sheets 68 and 69, and the second set of glass sheets 68 and 69 are formed using furnaces 78 and 260 in a manner similar to furnaces 76 and 78, and moved along a reciprocating path indicated by arrow 274. Move the second set of glass flakes.

Referring to Figure 13, another example of a furnace designated by reference numeral 261 is shown. Furnace 261 includes furnaces 76, 78 and 260 (see Figure 12) and furnaces 262 and 264. Forming furnace 78 is between furnaces 262 and 264. The glass treated using the furnace 261 has travel paths 270 and 278 in the horizontal direction and travel paths 270a and 278a in the vertical direction, as viewed in Fig. 13; reciprocating paths 272 and 274, and reciprocating in the vertical direction Travel paths 275 and 276 are as viewed in FIG. The glass sheets moving along the path 276 can be moved into and out of the furnaces 262 and 78 and furnaces 264 and 78. As can be appreciated, the conveyor system for the furnace 78 shown in Figure 13 can be adjusted or provided with a two-layer conveyor system to move the frame through the furnaces 262, 78 and 262 along path 278 and to move the frame through path 278a. Furnace 76, 78 and 260.

Referring to Figure 14, a further non-limiting embodiment of the furnace of the present invention indicated by reference numeral 280 is shown. Furnace 280 includes a first tunnel furnace 282 to be flat glass The glass sheets 68 and 69 are preheated as they move in the direction of arrow 284. The glass sheets 68 and 69 can be positioned on the bent iron 70 or, as discussed above, the bent iron 70 can be positioned in the frame 170. The forming furnace 286, located at the exit end 287 of the tunnel furnace 282, can have any number of magnetic coils to provide any number of forming zones, such as a forming zone 230 shown in solid lines, or two formed in phantom. Zone 231, or three forming zones 231 shown in solid lines 230 and phantoms. A second tunnel furnace 288 is coupled to the outlet end 289 of the forming furnace 286 to controllably cool the shaped glass sheets 60 and 61. Also depicted as thermal sensor 324 and position sensors 320 and 321 .

Thermal sensor 324 is any sensor or scanning device (such as an IR scanner or IR imaging sensor) capable of generating data indicative of the temperature of one or more portions of the glass sheet, such as a live coupled device (CCD) ), infrared laser light sensor devices, thermal imaging devices or thermal scanners, as widely known and commercially available. The representation of the glass flakes can be produced by a computer-implemented processing program, by means of a data obtained from a thermal sensor (such as raw CCD data) and a two- or three-dimensional temperature profile that produces at least a portion of the glass flakes. The thermal data is obtained from the thermal sensor as indicated below, and the temperature profile generated from the data is compared with the reference temperature profile in a computer implemented processing procedure, and any difference between the generated temperature profile and the reference temperature profile is triggered. The glass is selectively heated by a magnetron to match the temperature profile of the glass sheet to the reference temperature profile. The computer-implemented processing procedures for performing such tasks, as well as any of the tasks indicated herein, are readily designed and implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art of computer imaging and processing. One or more thermal sensors can be used, and more than one different type of sensor can be used to obtain an accurate and useful instant thermal profile of the glass sheets.

Position sensors 320 and 321 are any devices capable of producing information indicative of the shape of the glass sheet. Non-limiting examples of position sensors are CCD and laser light sensors, as widely known and commercially available. The data is obtained from position sensors 320 and 321 and processed by a computer to generate a profile of the shape of the glass flakes in furnace 78. As indicated below, the positional data is obtained from the position sensor, and the shape profile generated from the data is compared with the reference shape profile in a computer-implemented processing program, and any difference between the resulting shape profile and the reference shape profile is triggered. The glass sheet is selectively heated by a magnetron to match the shape profile of the glass sheet to the reference shape profile. Any number of position sensors can be used as long as there is meaningful information about the immediate shape profile of the glass sheets during the bending process. Likewise, more than one type of position sensor can be used to obtain the resulting shape profile to obtain an accurate and useful instant representation of the glass sheet during the bending process. For example, two CCDs can be used to create a three-dimensional profile of the glass sheet while using one or more laser distance sensors to determine the spatial position or orientation of one or more points on the surface of the glass sheet, so that The degree of bending of the glass flakes at any time is well determined.

The acquisition and processing of heat and shape data and the use of such data to produce temperature and shape profiles may be repeated one or more times during the bending process, for example, from 0.0001 second to every 60 second intervals, including Every increment of 0.0001 second, 0.001 second, 0.01 second, 0.1 second, 0.5 second, 1 second, 2 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds is included. Even shorter time intervals are expected, and shorter time intervals are only limited by the throughput of the computer system (eg, processing power). The magnetic coil system may not be able to respond to the computer system as quickly as the computer system can analyze the data. Therefore, the scanning interval can be set based on the response of the magnetron system. That is, within the limits of the associated hardware, scanning and analysis of the thermal and spatial spatial profiles can be performed at a faster rate than the control of the magnetic coil.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the inlet opening 290 of the first tunnel furnace 282 and the outlet opening 292 of the second tunnel furnace 288 may remain open during the formation of the sheet. The door entering and exiting the forming furnace 286 is preferably opened to move the glass sheet to be formed into and out of the furnace 288, and during the forming of the glass sheet in the forming furnace 286, the door (see Figure 5 and Figure). 6) Closed to minimize heat loss during the sheet forming process. Optionally, and within the scope of the present invention, the door of the tunnel furnace can be kept open for continuous movement of the glass sheet through the tunnel furnace to shape the glass sheet.

Figure 15 schematically shows an example of the furnace system of Figure 6. For ease of observation, the details of FIG. 6 which are unnecessary to show the operational and structural differences between the furnace of FIG. 6 and the furnace of FIG. 15 are omitted, but are included in FIG. As in FIG. 6, furnace system 74 of FIG. 15 includes a first chamber 76, a second chamber 78, and a door 94 supported by U-shaped member 136. The first chamber 76 preheats the glass sheet carried on the conveyor 202 to a temperature in the range of 900 °F to 1000 °F by using an infrared heater, but depending on the material of the glass sheet, other suitable preheating may be utilized. temperature. In use, the glass flakes are supported or positioned in a bent iron (not shown, but as depicted and described herein). A second chamber 78, also referred to herein as a forming chamber, selectively heats a portion of the flat glass sheet to achieve the desired shape of the glass sheet. The infrared heater of the second chamber 78 maintains the temperature of the chamber to between about 1000 °F and 1100 °F, or just below any temperature at which the glass flakes are formed or depressed. A particular portion of the glass sheet is in the second chamber 78 by a magnetron beam system (comprising a magnetron 177, a The optical cartridge 178 and a mirror cartridge 179) are selectively heated. A benefit of the use of the high energy microwave system described herein is that the microwave source (e.g., the magnetic coil) heats the glass flakes internally and at precise locations on the glass flakes. On the other hand, conventional infrared heaters only heat the glass surface, and energy is transferred into the glass via heat conduction. As a result, under conventional infrared heating, the glass surface is significantly hotter than the internal glass temperature, thus increasing the likelihood of poor manufacturing conditions for glass bending. "Selective heating" means that the magnetron beam system is related to heating a particular region, portion or location of the glass to sag the glass sheet to produce the desired shape. Once the glass flakes are formed to the desired specifications, the glass flakes are controllably cooled. In the illustrated embodiment, the first chamber 76 also acts as a cooling chamber for annealing the glass sheets such that once the glass sheets are formed in the second chamber 78, they are returned to the first chamber 76, At the first chamber 76, the glass flakes are cooled in a controlled manner. The furnace system 74 can include a third chamber on a side of the second chamber 78 opposite the first chamber 76, and the conveyor 202 sequentially passes from the first chamber 76, via the second chamber 78, The glass passed to the third furnace. Furnace system 280 of Figure 14 depicts a similar orientation. The inclusion of the third furnace simplifies the process in that the glass flakes can move through the system in a linear manner. The third furnace is a cooling chamber that can controllably cool the shaped glass flakes to anneal the shaped glass flakes. The third furnace can be modified such that the shaped glass flakes can be thermally tempered or heat strengthened.

In addition to or instead of the pyrometer 204 shown in FIG. 6, an infrared sensor 324 can be provided. Pyrometer 204 and/or infrared sensor 324 monitors the temperature of the entire sheet of glass and/or a particular portion of the glass. As used herein, a "portion" is an amount that is less than all or 100% of an article, and may be a point, line, and/or on an article (such as a glass sheet). Area, district, etc.

The methods and systems described herein rely on a computer in one aspect, such as, but not limited to, microprocessor 193, at least for monitoring and controlling the progression of heating and bending of the glass sheets described herein. The computer or computer system can be in any physical form, such as a personal computer (PC), a credit card computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a tablet, a workstation, a server, a large computer/enterprise server, and the like. The terms computer, computer system or microprocessor system or computer microprocessor system are used interchangeably herein. The computer includes one or more processors that perform instructions for the computer, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The computer also includes memory connected to the processor by any suitable structure, such as a system bus, such as RAM and ROM (eg, storing UEFI or BIOS). The computer also includes non-transitory storage for storing programming and data in the form of computer readable media such as hard disk drives, solid state drives (SSDs), optical drives, tape drives, flash memory. (for example, non-volatile computer storage chips), 匣 driver and control components for loading new software. Computer systems as described herein are not limited by the relative position of any topology or various hardware components, thereby identifying the physical and virtual structures that are commonly used by those skilled in the art to implement computer systems.

Data, protocols, controllers, software, programs, etc. can be stored locally on the computer, for example, on a hard drive or SSD; stored in a regional or wide area network, for example, in a server, network associated drive (NAS) Form; or remote storage, such that connections are made via an internet connection (eg, via remote access). The data, such as images, temperature profiles or shape profiles generated or used by the methods and systems described herein, may be organized on a computer readable medium in a database for one or more purposes. It Organized collection. Other exemplary hardware forming elements of a typical computer include input/output devices/埠 such as, without limitation: Universal Serial Bus (USB), SATA, eSATA, SCSI, Thunderbolt, Display (eg, DVI or HDMI) And Ethernet (as is widely known), and graphics adapters, which can be an integral part of the CPU, a subsystem of the motherboard, or as a separate hardware device (such as a graphics card). Wireless communication hardware and software such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. may also be included in the computer. The components of the computer need not be housed in the same housing and can be connected to the main computer housing via any suitable port/bus bar. In a typical computer, at least the CPU, memory (ROM and RAM), input/output functionality, and often the hard drive or SSD are housed in a display adapter and connected by a high-performance bus of any available topology.

A computer having memory and memory capabilities may include controller aspects that permit the design, storage, and execution of instructions that are executable for independently or collectively instructing a computer system to interact and operate programmatically. It is called "programming instruction". In the case of calculations, it is widely stated that computer-implemented processing programs (ie, programs) refer to any computer-implemented activities that produce consequences, such as the implementation of mathematical or logical formulas or operations, algorithms, and the like.

An example of a controller is a software application (such as a basic input/output system (BIOS), a unified scalable firmware interface (UEFI), an operating system, a browser application installed on a computer system for booting instructions. Programs, client applications, server applications, proxy applications, online service provider applications and/or private web applications). In one example, the controller is a WINDOWS ^TM operating system based on. Can by using any suitable computer language (for example, C \ C ++, UNIX SHELL SCRIPT, PERL, JAVA TM, JAVASCRIPT, HTML / DHTML / XML, FLASH, WINDOWS NT, UNIX / LINUX, APACHE, containing RDBMS ORACLE's, INFORMIX And MySQL) and/or object-oriented technology implementation controllers.

The controller can be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual device, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of communicating instructions to a computer system. In particular, a controller (eg, a software application, and/or a computer program) can be stored on any suitable computer readable medium (eg, a disc, device, or propagated signal) readable by a computer system such that the computer The system reads the storage media and performs the functions described in this article.

Computers contain "contracts" that control and, for example, instructions and materials for the bending process of glass flakes. Various modeling techniques can be used to develop the agreement and can be implemented as part of a computer implementation agreement. The modeling technique includes scientific and mathematical models specific to the glass bending process that are capable of determining the desired temperature at different stages of the process necessary to achieve a high quality final glass sheet. For example, the preheating temperature at the exit of the first furnace, the glass forming/bending temperature profile in the glass forming furnace, the exit glass temperature and the glass annealing temperature once the forming process is completed. The protocol controls the magnetron beam system to establish a heating profile to achieve a particular shape for the glass flakes. The magnetic coil beam can be manipulated in a variety of ways, such as changing the path, speed, width, shape, frequency of the magnetron beam, dwell time or intensity/energy at a location (position on the glass sheet) (eg, kilowatts, kW). In one embodiment, the beamwidth, beam shape, intensity/energy, and frequency are constant, but the position, path, velocity, and/or residence time at a location of the magnetron beam are modified to provide the desired Heating profile. In another example, when the magnetic coil beam The power of the beam is steerable as it moves across the surface of the glass sheet at a constant velocity to produce the desired heat profile. In another example, we can change both power and beam speed to achieve the same effect. The agreement includes at least any or all of the possible parameters (such as position, path, intensity/energy, velocity, beam shape, beam diameter, and output frequency) used to control the magnetron beam, which may be optically rotissible by a magnetic coil unit or a magnetron Device Control) instructions. Thus, the agreement controls the heat profile and/or heat distribution on the glass sheets for achieving the desired shape and size of the glass sheets. Included as part of the agreement, the computer receives and processes real-time data from thermal and position sensors (specifically, thermal sensors, and optionally, position sensors). The computer then generates a temperature profile from the instant data and, depending on the situation, the shape profile. The temperature profile and shape profile are only representations of the reference temperature and shape profile that can be stored in the computer in conjunction with the bending protocol. The computer system compares the resulting profile with the reference profile to determine the difference between the resulting profile and the reference profile at one or more locations on the glass sheet, and if there is a difference and one or more locations on the glass sheet are needed Heating to match the temperature and shape of the glass sheet to the reference profile, the computer controls one or more parameters of the magnetron beam to selectively heat a portion of the glass sheet to correct for differences. In addition to the above, the computer receives from one or more temperature sensors, such as one or more chambers and/or furnace thermocouples or IR scanners according to any of the examples described herein, as appropriate. Additional temperature data, and acting as a thermostat, monitors and adjusts the ambient temperature of the chamber, for example, by adjusting the output of IR heaters, blowers, etc. utilized in the system. For example, in one aspect, a thermocouple (eg, as shown in FIG. 6) detects the temperature of the second furnace 78, as shown in FIG. If the second furnace 78 is not at the desired temperature, the computer will process the actual ambient temperature of the second furnace 78 using, for example, a computer as described above. The degree is compared to the reference ambient temperature for storage of the second furnace 78, and the heat of the second furnace 78 is automatically adjusted to achieve the stored reference ambient temperature. Reference to the "ambient temperature" of the furnace described herein means the temperature of the atmosphere at one or more points in the furnace and does not refer to the temperature of the glass flakes.

In another aspect, thermal sensor 324 is an IR laser light sensor that captures an IR image of a glass sheet being curved that is sent to a computer, which captures the captured image for storage for a particular glass sheet. The reference image of the portion of the glass bending protocol is compared, and if one of the locations on the glass is at a temperature below the temperature at the same location in the image stored as part of the glass bending agreement, the magnetic coil beam is directed to heat the position until the The temperature of the location matches the reference temperature of the image stored as part of the glass bending protocol. As used herein, a protocol for producing a particular shape from a glass sheet contains one or more reference temperature distribution profiles and shape profiles for the particular shape and glass sheet at one or more time points during the bending process.

FIG. 15 also depicts an optional position sensor 320. A suitable light source can also be used to provide illumination of the glass sheets to the extent necessary to permit imaging, but for imaging purposes, the heated glass typically emits sufficient light. The position sensor includes a single unit or units that allow for instant image capture or capture of data, the data indicating the spatial location of one or more locations on the glass sheet. A non-limiting example is a position sensor obtained from Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradly), for example, a 42CM 18mm LaserSight or a 42EF LaserSight RightSight is a suitable position sensor. The position sensor can be an imaging sensor, such as one or more CCD and/or laser sensor devices that are housed together or housed at separate locations within the chamber 78. The CCD and/or laser light sensor device outputs 2D images processed in or on the computer. Such The image may be used in its 2D form, or may be processed by a computer to form a 3D image to produce a profile of the glass sheet indicating the instantaneous spatial position and shape of any portion or point on the glass sheet, and then associated with the 2D profile. A reference profile is compared and the heating is performed by a magnetron beam to match the shape profile of the glass sheet to the reference profile. A wide variety of position, distance, measurement, displacement, profile, 2D and 3D sensors (eg, laser sensors) are commercially available, such as, but not limited to, from Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradly), St. Louis Missouri Emerson Electric, Schmitt Industries, Inc. of Portland Oregon and Hoffman Estates, Omron Automation & Safety of Illinois. In any case, the position sensor is connected to the computer and the data is coordinated with the IR data described above, as obtained from the position sensor, and associated with the data for bending a particular glass sheet. References to the agreement are compared and the temperature of any part of the glass sheet can be adjusted using a magnetic coil beam.

As shown in Figure 15, two position sensors 320, 321 are shown. A composite 3D image or collection of images of glass flakes at any given point in time can be generated by a computer-implemented processing procedure to evaluate the shape of the glass flakes at any point in time. Comparing the set of 3D images, composite images or images produced by the computer system of the glass sheet and/or a portion thereof to the value of the agreed reference shape profile, and if there is a deviation from the desired shape stored in the agreement, the computer The system controls the ambient temperature of the magnetic coil 177 and/or the second furnace 78, as appropriate, in combination with infrared image data from the 2D infrared imaging sensor 324 to heat the glass flakes or portions thereof to shape the glass sheets to conform to the formulation. Requirements. Figure 16 provides a flow diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the method described herein using two or three chambers as discussed with respect to Figure 15. Figure.

The magnetron beam can be manipulated in various ways, such as changing the path, speed, width, frequency, residence time or energy intensity or power at a location of the magnetron beam. In one example, the beamwidth, energy, and frequency are constant, but the position, path, velocity, and/or residence time at a location of the magnetron beam are altered to provide a desired heating profile for the sheet.

"Temperature profile" or "temperature profile" refers to the temperature of any one or more portions of the sheet of glass at any one or more points during the heating process that bend and cool a particular glass sheet. As used herein, "reference temperature profile" refers to a temperature profile profile for a particular glass sheet that is stored locally on a computer system or remotely stored in association with a protocol for bending any particular glass sheet. The reference temperature profile is created or developed by any method, such as by formula and/or trial and error, to produce a particular shape of a particular glass sheet. The reference temperature profile used to produce the desired shape from the glass flakes will depend on a number of factors, including among the factors: the composition of the glass flakes, the desired shape, and the shape and functionality of the bent iron. By using a predetermined temperature profile as a reference and ultimately manipulating the magnetron system to selectively heat the glass flakes, a uniform glass viscosity profile is produced not only inside the glass but also through the glass. This uniform distribution of glass viscosity eliminates overheating of the glass surface and, as a result, the glass flakes will be formed or bent into a desired shape with satisfactory optical quality.

The term "shape profile" refers to a 2D or 3D shape of a glass sheet at any one or more points during the process of heating, bending, and cooling the glass sheet. "Reference shape profile" refers to the formation of glass for local storage in a computer system or remote storage in combination with a protocol for bending any particular glass sheet. A profile of the shape of a particular glass sheet at any point in the process. The reference shape agreement is created or developed by any method, such as by formulas and/or trial and error, to produce a particular shape of a particular glass sheet. As with the predetermined heat distribution, the reference shape profile used to produce the desired shape from the glass sheet will depend on a number of factors, including among the factors: the composition of the glass sheet, the desired shape, and the shape and functionality of the bent iron.

The invention further contemplates the use of a security device to limit or prevent injury to personnel of the operating device and/or to prevent or limit damage to the device. By way of example and not limitation, the device includes an arc detector 330. Arc detector 330 is mounted in furnace 78 and includes a photocell connected to microprocessor 193 via cable 306. As is known in the art, an arc acts as an ionizing thing, such as, but not limited to, an airborne pocket of dust, and appears as a cluster of light. Arcing phenomena are well known in the art and are not considered to be necessary without further discussion. The photocell of detector 330 senses the arc and transmits the signal along cable 305. Microprocessor 193 relays a signal along cable 308 to close the magnetic coil to prevent injury to personnel around the furnace 78 and damage to the magnetron apparatus.

An example of the invention is discussed to shape two glass sheets. As will now be appreciated, the invention is not limited thereto, and the invention may be practiced on one sheet or more than two sheets, such as, but not limited to, three, four or more sheets.

The invention may be further characterized in the following numbered clauses.

Clause 1: A method of forming a glass sheet comprising: a. preheating a glass sheet on a bent iron (70) to a range of from 600 a preheating temperature of one of °F to 1000 °F; b. increasing the temperature of the sheet to a temperature ranging from greater than the preheating temperature to a temperature less than a temperature of the glass sag; c. the glass is operated by Sheet bending: i. selectively heating a portion of the glass sheet to a temperature at which at least a portion of the glass sheet is depressed by a device (177) that produces an ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic wave controlled by a computer; Scanning at least a portion of the glass sheet with one or more thermal sensors (324) during or at one or more of the selective heating steps, and self-derived from the one or more thermal sensors The data of (324) obtains a temperature distribution in at least two dimensions for at least a portion of the glass flake; iii. using a computer-implemented processing program to achieve a reference temperature distribution of the obtained temperature profile with the computer implementation agreement Comparing; and iv. selectively heating the glass flakes with a beam (225) of the ultra-high frequency, high power device (177) controlled by a computer-implemented processing program to cause the obtained temperature profile to be agreed with the computer Reference temperature profile match.

Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the device (177) that produces ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves is a magnetic coil.

Clause 3: The method of clause 1 or 2, further comprising repeating steps ii. through iv. of the bending step until the obtained temperature profile matches the reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement.

Clause 4: The method of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the bending step c. further comprises: v. one or more position sensors from the one or more time points during the selective heating step (320 and 321) obtaining at least a portion of the glass flake Positioning data and using a computer-implemented processing program at the one or more time points to generate a shape profile for the glass sheet; vi. using a computer-implemented processing program to reference a generated shape profile to the computer implementation agreement Shape profile comparison; and vii. selectively heating the glass sheet with the beam (225) of the ultra high frequency, high power device (177) controlled by a computer processing program to shape a profile of the glass sheet The reference shape profile matches.

Clause 5: The method of clause 4, further comprising repeating steps v. to vii. of the bending step until the obtained shape profile matches the reference shape profile of the computer implementation agreement.

Clause 6: The method of clause 4 or 5, wherein the comparing steps iii. and vi. are performed substantially simultaneously.

Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 4 to 6, wherein one or more of the position sensors (320 and 321) are a camera or a charge coupled device (CCD).

Clause 8: The method of clause 7, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile translated from a data set obtained from a plurality of CCDs.

Clause 9: The method of clause 7, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile from a data set obtained from a plurality of laser light sensors.

Clause 10: The method of any of clauses 4 to 9, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors (320 and 321) are laser light sensors.

Clause 11: The method of any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the glass flakes are cut to a size before heating and shaping.

Clause 12: The method of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the thermal sensor (324) is an IR scanner or/and an IR imaging sensor, optionally a laser light sensor.

Clause 13: A system comprising: a first furnace (76) comprising an infrared heater (172) and a temperature sensor (191); and a second furnace (78) comprising an infrared heater (172) a device (177) for generating ultra-high frequency, high-power electromagnetic waves; and a shape and a position for controlling a beam of the device to a glass sheet on a bent iron in the second furnace (78) And a moving optical system; and one or more infrared (IR) imaging sensors; a conveyor system for carrying a glass sheet through the first furnace and the second on a bent iron (70) Furnace (76 and 78); a computer system coupled to the one or more IR imaging sensors and the UHF, high power device (177), including a processor and for being used by the super high An optional heating by the frequency, high power device (177) to control the bending of a glass sheet in the second furnace (78), the instructions including one for heating the second furnace (78) A computer-implemented agreement for the glass sheet to be bent, wherein the computer system is from the one or more time points during the bending of the glass material An imaging sensor (324) obtains a temperature profile of the glass sheet, compares the obtained temperature profile with a reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement, and controls the ultra high frequency, high power device (177) to selectively The glass flake is heated to match the reference temperature profile; and a third furnace (260) that controllably cools the glass flakes includes an IR heater, a forced cold air convection system, and a fan.

Clause 14: The system of clause 13, wherein the device that produces ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves (177) is a magnetic coil.

Clause 15: The system of clause 13 or 14, further comprising one or more position sensors (230 and 231) in the second furnace (78), the one or more position sensors Configuring to obtain positional information for one or more portions of the glass sheet during bending, wherein the position sensors (230 and 231) are coupled to the computer system, and the computer system: a. in the glass sheet One or more time points during the bending are obtained from the one or more position sensors (230 and 231); b. from the one or more position sensors at the one or more time points The obtained data is generated for a shape profile of the glass sheet; c. comparing the obtained shape profile with a reference shape profile of the computer implementation agreement; and d. controlling the UHF, high power device (177) The glass flakes are selectively heated to match a shape profile of the glass flakes to the reference shape profile.

Clause 16: The system of clause 15, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors (230 and 231) are a charge coupled device (CCD).

Clause 17. The system of clause 16, comprising a plurality of CCDs, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile translated from a plurality of CCD data sets.

The system of any one of clauses 15 to 17, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors (230 and 231) are laser light sensors.

Clause 19. The system of clause 18, comprising a plurality of the laser light sensors, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile from a data set obtained from the plurality of CCDs.

Clause 20: The system of any of clauses 13 to 19, wherein one or more of the one or more IR imaging sensors (324) is a laser light sensor or a CCD.

Clause 21: The system of any of clauses 13 to 20, further comprising a third furnace (260) having one of the IR heaters, and wherein the conveyor system further carries the glass sheet through the third furnace .

Clause 22: The system of clause 21, wherein the first furnace, the second furnace, and the third furnace (76, 78, and 260) form a single tunnel.

Clause 23. The system of clause 22, comprising a door between the first furnace and the second furnace (76 and 78) and between the second furnace and the third furnace (78 and 260) .

Clause 24: The system of any one of clauses 13 to 23, wherein the computer system obtains a temperature of the first furnace, and the temperature of the first furnace (76) is adjusted using the IR heaters to The computer implementation agreement matches a preheating temperature.

Clause: The system of any one of clauses 13 to 24, wherein the computer system obtains an ambient temperature of the second furnace (78), and the second furnace (78) is adjusted using the IR heaters The temperature is in a range from a preheating temperature to a temperature less than one of the glass sinking temperatures.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention disclosed herein may be unrestricted without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. The embodiment is modified. Therefore, the specific non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein, and are not intended to be .

Claims (24)

A method of forming a glass sheet, comprising: a. preheating a glass sheet on a bent iron to a preheating temperature ranging from 600 °F to 1000 °F; b. increasing the temperature of the sheet To a range from a preheating temperature to a temperature less than a temperature of the glass sag; c. bending the glass sheet by: i. generating ultra-high frequency, high power controlled by a computer One of the electromagnetic waves selectively heating a portion of the glass sheet to a temperature at which at least a portion of the glass sheet is depressed; ii. using one or more heat during or at one or more of the selective heating steps A sensor scans at least a portion of the glass sheet and obtains a temperature distribution in at least two dimensions for at least a portion of the glass sheet from data obtained from the one or more thermal sensors; iii. A computer implemented processing program compares the obtained temperature distribution with a reference temperature distribution of the computer implementation agreement; and iv. using the beam of the ultra high frequency, high power device controlled by a computer The glass flakes are selectively heated to match the obtained temperature profile to the reference temperature profile agreed upon by the computer. The method of claim 1, wherein the device for generating ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves is a magnetic coil. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps ii. through iv. of the bending step until the obtained temperature profile matches the reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement. The method of claim 1, wherein the bending step c. The step includes: v. obtaining, at one or more time points during the selective heating step, location information of at least a portion of the glass sheet from one or more position sensors and using a computer at the one or more points in time Implementing a processing procedure to generate a shape profile for the glass sheet; vi. using a computer-implemented processing program to compare a resulting shape profile to a reference shape profile of the computer implementation agreement; vii. The beam of the ultra high frequency, high power device selectively heats the glass sheet to match a shape profile of the glass sheet to the reference shape profile. The method of claim 4, further comprising repeating the steps v. to vii. of the bending step until the obtained shape profile matches the reference shape profile of the computer implementation agreement. The method of claim 4, wherein the comparing steps iii. and vi. are performed substantially simultaneously. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the position sensors are a camera or a charge coupled device (CCD). The method of claim 7, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile translated from a data set obtained from a plurality of CCDs. The method of claim 7, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile from a data set obtained from a plurality of laser light sensors. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors are laser light sensors. The method of claim 1, wherein the glass flakes are cut to a size before heating and forming. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal sensor is an IR scanner or an IR imaging sensor. A system comprising: a first furnace comprising an infrared heater and a temperature sensor; a second furnace comprising an infrared heater; a device for generating ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves; and a control An optical system in which one of the devices is beam-shaped to a shape, position and movement of a glass sheet on a bent iron in the second furnace; and one or more infrared (IR) imaging sensors; a conveyor system, It is used to carry a glass sheet through the first furnace and the second furnace on a bent iron; a computer system connected to the one or more IR imaging sensors and the ultra high frequency, high power device The invention includes a processor and an instruction for controlling bending of a glass sheet in the second furnace by selective heating by the ultra high frequency, high power device, the instructions including one for heating the A computer implemented agreement in which a glass sheet of one of the two furnaces is bent, wherein the computer system obtains the glass sheet from the one or more IR imaging sensors at one or more time points during the bending of the glass material a temperature profile, which will be obtained The degree profile is compared to a reference temperature profile of the computer implementation agreement, and the ultra high frequency, high power device is controlled to selectively heat the glass sheet to match the reference temperature profile; a third heating that controllably cools the glass sheet a furnace comprising an IR heater, a forced cold air convection system and a fan; and one or more position sensors in the second furnace, the one or more position sensors configured to obtain during bending Location information for one or more portions of the glass sheet, wherein the position sensors are coupled to the computer system And the computer system: a. obtaining data from the one or more position sensors at one or more points in time during the bending of the glass sheet; b. from the one or more points in time The obtained data of the one or more position sensors produces a shape profile for the one of the glass sheets; c. comparing the obtained shape profile with a reference shape profile of the computer implementation agreement; and d. controlling the super A high frequency, high power device selectively heats the glass sheet to match a shape profile of the glass sheet to the reference shape profile. The system of claim 13, wherein the device for generating ultra-high frequency, high power electromagnetic waves is a magnetic coil. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors are a charge coupled device (CCD). The system of claim 15 comprising a plurality of CCDs, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile translated from a plurality of CCD data sets. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more of the one or more position sensors are laser light sensors. The system of claim 17, comprising a plurality of the laser light sensors, wherein the shape profile is a three-dimensional shape profile from a data set obtained from the plurality of CCDs. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more of the one or more IR imaging sensors are a laser light sensor or a CCD. The system of claim 13, further comprising a third furnace having one of the IR heaters, and wherein the conveyor system further carries the The glass flakes pass through the third furnace. The system of claim 20, wherein the first furnace, the second furnace, and the third furnace form a single tunnel. The system of claim 21, comprising a door between the first furnace and the second furnace and between the second furnace and the third furnace. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer system obtains a temperature of the first furnace, and the temperature of the first furnace is adjusted using the IR heaters to match a preheating according to the computer implementation agreement temperature. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer system obtains an ambient temperature of the second furnace, and the temperature of the second furnace is adjusted using the IR heaters to match the range from the preheating The temperature is a temperature less than a temperature at which the glass sinks.