Gyroscopes are sensors that measure angular rate and angular orientation. A three-dimensional fused silica micro shell rate-integrating gyroscope is presented. One aspect of the gyroscope includes the use of optical sensors to detect motion of the resonator. The proposed gyroscope is attractive because it achieves several magnitudes higher accuracy as well as high vibration and shock insensitivity from a novel resonator design as well as other unique manufacturing processes.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a curved joined glass sheet having excellent optical quality by adjusting a radius of curvature of a curved thick glass sheet and a radius of curvature of a curved thin glass sheet. The method includes preparing a curved thick glass sheet having a first radius of curvature, manufacturing a curved thin glass sheet having a second radius of curvature by heating and molding a flat plate thin glass sheet, providing a joining film or an adhesive agent between a concave surface of the curved thick glass sheet and a convex surface of the curved thin glass sheet, and elastically deforming the curved thin glass sheet to join the elastically deformed curved thin glass sheet so as to match with the concave surface of the curved thick glass sheet.

A tool for holding at least one glass pane by means of suction in a bending process, comprising a frame-like, convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second pressure in a second pressure region, which is arranged in a central region inside the contact surface, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.

Methods and apparatus provide for an ultra-thin glass sheet having a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm, being of a non-developable 3D shape, and including at least one bend having a radius of curvature of less than about 200 mm.

Methods and apparatus provide for an ultra-thin glass sheet having a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm, being of a non-developable 3D shape, and including at least one bend having a radius of curvature of less than about 200 mm.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.

A glass sheet used in the making of an aircraft windshield is shaped using the “cut-to-size” method instead of the “cut-after-bend” method. In a preferred aspect of the invention the “cut-to-size” method is practiced using a bending iron having a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position.

A glass sheet used in the making of an aircraft windshield is shaped using the “cut-to-size” method instead of the “cut-after-bend” method. In a preferred aspect of the invention the “cut-to-size” method is practiced using a bending iron having a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position.

Methods are provided for laser processing arbitrary shapes of molded 3D thin transparent brittle parts from substrates with particular interest in substrates formed from strengthened or non-strengthened Corning Gorilla® glass (all codes). The developed laser methods can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermal stressing the desired profile. Methods can be used to form 3D surfaces with small radii of curvature. The method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that may be optionally followed by a CO.sub.2 laser for fully automated separation.