# US 10,370,283 B2 · Method for forming a glass preform

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- Number: US 10,370,283 B2
- Document ID: US10370283B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/543,103
- Filed: 2015-01-15
- Published: 2017-12-21
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-15
- Assignees: Heraeus Quartz North America LLC
- Applicants: Heraeus Quartz North America LLC
- Inventors: Jong-Won Lee; Qiulin Ma; Kai Huei Chang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370283B2

## CPC

- C03B 33/06: Cutting or splitting glass tubes, rods, or hollow products (C03B33/09 takes precedence)
- C03B 33/105: {Details of cutting or scoring means, e.g. tips}
- C03B 37/01225: {Means for changing or stabilising the shape, e.g. diameter, of tubes or rods in general, e.g. collapsing}
- C03B 37/01228: {Removal of preform material (C03B37/01251 takes precedence)}
- C03B 37/01466: {Means for changing or stabilising the diameter or form of tubes or rods (C03B37/01861 takes precedence)}
- C03B 37/01861: {Means for changing or stabilising the diameter or form of tubes or rods}
- Y02P 40/57: Improving the yield, e-g- reduction of reject rates
- C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A method of forming a glass preform of predetermined length comprises providing a length of glass material to be separated to form a preform length and a remaining length; forming a notch in the glass material; inducing a tensile stress in excess of the tensile strength of the glass in an area adjacent to the notch; and separating the preform length from the remaining length at the notch.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a glass preform of predetermined length, comprising:
providing a length of glass material to be separated to form a preform length and a remaining length;
forming a notch in the glass material;
inducing a tensile stress in excess of the tensile strength of the glass in an area adjacent to the notch by deflecting a portion of the glass material using an impact tool comprising an impact face that is contoured to correspond with a portion of an outside surface of the glass material; and
separating the preform length from the remaining length at the notch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the length of glass material continually advances in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the glass material as the method is performed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the glass material advances in a generally vertically downward direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the impact tool does not advance with the glass material in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the glass material as the method is performed.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the length of glass material is a solid or hollow cylindrical form.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the glass material is comprised of two or more glass materials.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the glass material includes fused silica.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the notch is formed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the length of glass material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the deflection is a transverse deflection of the glass material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the impact tool comprises a resilient layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the tool is a vibration inducing tool.

### Claim 12

A method of forming a glass preform of predetermined length, comprising:
providing a length of glass material to be separated to form a preform length and a remaining length;
forming a notch in the glass material;
inducing a tensile strength in excess of the tensile strength of the glass in an area adjacent the notch by deflecting a portion of the glass material using a set of two or more opposing grippers, each of the two or more opposing grippers having a respective engagement surface that grips the glass material, each respective engagement surface being contoured to correspond with a portion of an outside surface of the glass material, the two or more opposing grippers being displaced with respect to each other perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the glass material to cause the deflection; and
separating the preform length from the remaining length at the notch.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the length of glass material continually advances in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the glass material as the method is performed.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the set of two or more grippers grip and travel with the length of glass material as it continually advances in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the glass material prior to separating the preform length from the remaining length.