System and method for processing sheet glass
US5772715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B29/08
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A processing system (20,20') for processing sheet glass G includes a housing (22) and at least one slit seal (38i,38i',38e,38e') constructed to permit continuous passage of sheet glass in an efficient manner without fluttering. The slit seal functions as both an ingress slit seal (38i,38i') and as an egress slit seal (38e,38e'). Each slit seal has side seals (100, 102, 112, 114) and preferably has three stages of vacuum drawn by an associated first, second and third vacuum pumps (80,82,84). The sealing method for use in processing sheet glass has particular utility in connection with depositing semiconductor materials for photovoltaics and can be performed on either discrete glass sheets (28) or a continuous glass ribbon (30).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.