System and method for forming infrared glass optical components
AssigneeUmicore AG & Co. KG
InventorsWilliam David Autery, Gregory Stewart Tyber, Donald Bryan Christian, Marissa Marie Barnard
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Abstract
A system and method for forming infrared glass optical components are provided. The system includes first and second mold halves having first and second respective faces. The first and second mold halves are configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface that defines a lens-shaped cavity. A tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face.
Claims24
A system for forming infrared glass lenses, comprising:
- a first mold half having a first face;
- a second mold half having a second face;
- the first and second mold halves being configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface there between;
- wherein the interface between the first and second faces defines a lens-shaped cavity;
- and
- wherein the interface between the first and second mold halves defines a shaped reservoir for receiving liquid chalcogenide glass, the shaped reservoir being in fluid communication with the lens-shaped cavity;
- and wherein the shaped reservoir includes an angled surface configured to receive the liquid chalcogenide glass to control a rate at which the liquid chalcogenide glass enters the lens-shaped cavity.
A method for forming infrared glass lenses, comprising:
- heating a two-piece mold to a temperature near a glass transition temperature of a chalcogenide glass, wherein the two-piece mold comprises first and second mold halves having first and second faces, respectively, configured to be removably coupled such that the first and second faces form an interface there between that defines a lens-shaped cavity;
- pouring liquid chalcogenide glass into the two-piece mold;
- pressing the liquid chalcogenide glass in said two-piece mold so that the chalcogenide glass takes a shape of a lens defined by the lens-shaped cavity;
- and
- cooling the chalcogenide glass to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the chalcogenide glass.
A system for forming infrared glass lenses, comprising:
- a first mold half having a first face;
- a second mold half having a second face;
- the first and second mold halves being configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface there between;
- wherein the interface between the first and second faces defines a lens-shaped cavity;
- wherein a tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face;
- wherein the system further comprises at least one inlet hole being formed in the first mold half;
- wherein the interface between the first and second mold halves defines a shaped reservoir for receiving liquid chalcogenide glass, the shaped reservoir being in fluid communication with the inlet hole and the lens-shaped cavity;
- and
- wherein the shaped reservoir includes an angled surface configured to receive the liquid chalcogenide glass to control a rate at which the liquid chalcogenide glass enters the lens-shaped cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.