Induction heating method and apparatus for shaping thin glass

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems for shaping glass structures, comprising a shaping mold; a magnetic field generator; and a susceptor plate positioned substantially between the shaping mold and the magnetic field generator. Also disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass structures, comprising a magnetic field generator comprising at least one induction coil and a one power supply connected to the at least one induction coil; and a susceptor plate having a first surface proximate the at least one induction coil and an opposing second surface proximate the glass structure. Further disclosed herein are methods for heating glass structures, comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping mold; introducing the shaping mold and glass structure into a furnace; and indirectly heating at least a portion of the glass structure using at least one induction heating source.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.