A system and method of thermally tempering a glass laminate including a core layer and cladding layers fused to opposing sides of the core layer, the method including: preheating the glass laminate to a temperature between the annealing point and the softening point of the core layer; and selectively heating the glass laminate using microwave radiation, while actively cooling the glass laminate, such that a temperature differential of at least about 30 C. is generated between the core and cladding layers.

A system and method of thermally tempering a glass laminate including a core layer and cladding layers fused to opposing sides of the core layer, the method including: preheating the glass laminate to a temperature between the annealing point and the softening point of the core layer; and selectively heating the glass laminate using microwave radiation, while actively cooling the glass laminate, such that a temperature differential of at least about 30 C. is generated between the core and cladding layers.

A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for making the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.

A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for making the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.

An apparatus for thermally strengthening a glass sheet includes a first heat sink surface, a second heat sink surface separated from said first heat sink surface by a gap between the heat sink surfaces of distance g, and a liquid feed structure positioned to be able to feed a liquid to the gap, wherein the distance g is sufficiently small relative to a thickness t of a glass sheet to be processed such that when a sheet of thickness t is positioned within the gap of distance g, thermal transfer from a first surface of the sheet facing the first heat sink surface is more than 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% or more by conduction from the first surface of the sheet through the liquid to the first heat sink surface.

An apparatus for thermally strengthening a glass sheet includes a first heat sink surface, a second heat sink surface separated from said first heat sink surface by a gap between the heat sink surfaces of distance g, and a liquid feed structure positioned to be able to feed a liquid to the gap, wherein the distance g is sufficiently small relative to a thickness t of a glass sheet to be processed such that when a sheet of thickness t is positioned within the gap of distance g, thermal transfer from a first surface of the sheet facing the first heat sink surface is more than 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% or more by conduction from the first surface of the sheet through the liquid to the first heat sink surface.

A strengthened photochromic glass sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened photochromic glass sheet or article is provided. The process comprises heating the photochromic glass sheet to a desired temperature in a short time period without distortion to the photochromic glass sheet. The process also comprises in cooling the photochromic glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened photochromic glass sheets.

A strengthened photochromic glass sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened photochromic glass sheet or article is provided. The process comprises heating the photochromic glass sheet to a desired temperature in a short time period without distortion to the photochromic glass sheet. The process also comprises in cooling the photochromic glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened photochromic glass sheets.

Method and apparatus are provided for the controlled transport of glass sheets (13) or glass ribbons (15) undergoing heating and/or cooling (e.g., thermal tempering) by conduction more than convection. The controlled transport is achieved by applying a gas-based force (17,19,21) to the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15). The gas-based force (17,19,21) can move the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) in a desired direction and/or cause it to acquire a desired orientation. The gas-based force (17,19,21) can also cause the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) to retain a desired position and/or a desired orientation. The gas-based force (17,19,21) can be applied to the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) continuously or intermittently. Systems for transitioning a glass sheet (13) or a glass ribbon (15) between a heating zone (27) and a quench zone (31) are also discussed.

Method and apparatus are provided for the controlled transport of glass sheets (13) or glass ribbons (15) undergoing heating and/or cooling (e.g., thermal tempering) by conduction more than convection. The controlled transport is achieved by applying a gas-based force (17,19,21) to the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15). The gas-based force (17,19,21) can move the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) in a desired direction and/or cause it to acquire a desired orientation. The gas-based force (17,19,21) can also cause the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) to retain a desired position and/or a desired orientation. The gas-based force (17,19,21) can be applied to the glass sheet (13) or glass ribbon (15) continuously or intermittently. Systems for transitioning a glass sheet (13) or a glass ribbon (15) between a heating zone (27) and a quench zone (31) are also discussed.