US 2011/0032524 A1 · Glass Thickness Measurement Using Fluorescence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for measurement of the stress in and thickness of flat glass or curved glass segments is disclosed that uses fluorescence to quickly and accurately ascertain both the thickness of the stress layers and the wall thickness in addition to the stress curve in flat glass or curved glass segments. The apparatus and method may be used to quickly and accurately measure both the stress in and the thickness of flat glass or curved glass segments at a plurality of various locations therein. The apparatus and method are adapted for large scale flat glass or curved glass segment manufacturing, and are capable of high speed measurement of the stress in and the thickness of the flat glass or curved glass segments.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An apparatus for measuring the thickness of a segment of glass, comprising:

a light beam source that generates a light beam;
light beam coupling apparatus for directing said light beam at the side of a segment of glass at an angle facilitating entry of said light beam into and through the side of the segment of glass, said light beam causing fluorescent light to be emitted within the segment of glass in response to said light beam within the side of the segment of glass;
fluorescent light coupling apparatus for coupling a portion of said fluorescent light emitted in response to said light beam within the segment of glass outwardly from the side of the segment of glass;
and
fluorescent light processing and analysis apparatus that processes the fluorescent light exiting the side of the segment of glass and determines the thickness of the segment of glass from the processed fluorescent light exiting the side of the segment of glass.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Glass Thickness Measurement Using Fluorescence

Life of this patent

Glass Thickness Measurement Using Fluorescence

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25