Glass tube bi-directional stretching method, tool and fine tuning system
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsThierry Luc Alain Dannoux, Vladislav Yuryevich Golyatin, Stephane Poissy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of reforming a glass sleeve and a shaping tool is disclosed. The method for reforming a glass sleeve may be carried out by providing a tube made of glass. The tube may have a longitudinal axis and an inner curved surface enclosing a space. The tube may be heated to a temperature within the soften range of the glass. A shaping tool may be introduced. The shaping tool may have at least two opposing fingers into the enclosed space. The at least two opposing fingers may extend generally radially. The at least two opposing fingers may be moved against the inner curved surface along a radial axis to reform the tube to form the first portion.
Claims21
A method for reforming a glass sleeve comprising:
- a. providing a tube made of glass, the tube having a longitudinal axis and an inner surface enclosing a space;
- b. heating the tube to a temperature within the softening range of the glass;
- c. introducing a shaping tool having at least two opposing fingers into the enclosed space, the opposing fingers extending generally radially;
- d. moving the at least two opposing fingers against the inner surface along a radial axis to reform the tube, to form a first portion;
- and
- e. moving the at least two opposing fingers apart, deviating from the radial axis, to reform the tube, to form a second portion.
A shaping tool comprising:
- a pair of opposing fingers, each finger extending generally radially and comprising a tip configured to contact a glass surface;
- and
- a first articulating device connected to a finger, the articulating device configured to move along a radial axis and deviate from the radial axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.