Methods and apparatus for free-shape cutting of flexible thin glass
US9624121B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/57
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus provide for supporting a source glass sheet and defining an at least partially non-straight cutting line that establishes a closed pattern that circumscribes a desired final shape; scoring the glass sheet at an initiation line using a mechanical scoring device; applying a laser beam to the glass sheet starting at the initiation line and continuously moving the laser beam relative to the glass sheet along the cutting line to elevate a temperature of the glass sheet at the cutting line to a substantially consistent temperature, where the laser beam is of a circular shape; and applying a cooling fluid simultaneously with the application of the laser beam, such that the cooling fluid at least reduces the temperature of the glass sheet in order to propagate a fracture in the glass sheet along the cutting line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.