A float glass includes a core layer, an upper ion exchange layer disposed on the core layer, and a lower ion exchange layer disposed below the core layer, where a density of the upper ion exchange layer is about 0.001 kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m.sup.3) to about 0.01 kg/m.sup.3 greater than a density of the lower ion exchange layer.

A float glass includes a core layer, an upper ion exchange layer disposed on the core layer, and a lower ion exchange layer disposed below the core layer, where a density of the upper ion exchange layer is about 0.001 kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m.sup.3) to about 0.01 kg/m.sup.3 greater than a density of the lower ion exchange layer.

Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.

To improve the production yield rate of a synthesis corundum cell superior in translucency, chemical resistance or an optical component comprising calcium fluoride. On the other end side of synthetic corundum piece, spacer intervenes between the surfaces which will be bonded. The spacer is crushed flat by pressure force which effects the other end side of synthetic corundum piece in the case of heat-treatment after the temporary bonding. Thereby, the spacer does not disturb the synthetic optical contacting or chemical pressurized fusion bonding state of corundum piece.

A method for producing an automotive glazing with an optical sensor device, with the glazing having superior optical qualities, including the steps of applying an enamel obscuration mask on at least one face of at least one glass sheet, where the obscuration mask extends to an area where the at least one optical sensor device will be fixed and includes at least one opening on the automotive interior side so as to be capable of acquiring information through the opening from the optical sensor device intended to be fixed at the at least one opening; drying or firing the enamel obscuration mask; applying a washable cover layer resisting at a temperature of at least 620? C. on the surface of the at least one opening; submitting the glass sheet to a heat treatment above 450? C. during a bending or tempering process; and removing by washing the washable cover layer.

A small defect detection apparatus installed online in a glass sheet processing system includes a line scan camera, a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern, an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor, wherein the upstream conveyor and downstream conveyor are positioned end-to-end, spaced apart by a selected size gap such that the camera may acquire multiple images of the background screen as the unsupported portion of the glass sheet is conveyed over the gap, and a computer programmed to execute logic for receiving the set of image data comprising multiple images of the background screen and identifying small defects in the glass from the data. The system may also include a glass sheet part identifier and a programmable control including logic for analyzing acquired image data and selecting an area of interest on the glass sheet for the analysis.

A glass tempering furnace and a method for heating a glass sheet. The glass sheet is heated in the glass tempering furnace by blowing heating air on the top surface of the glass sheet, and the blowing distance of the heating air from the top surface of the glass sheet is adjusted.

A glass tempering furnace and a method for heating a glass sheet. The glass sheet is heated in the glass tempering furnace by blowing heating air on the top surface of the glass sheet, and the blowing distance of the heating air from the top surface of the glass sheet is adjusted.

A glass heating furnace is disclosed, comprising a furnace body, an interior of which is formed with a chamber; plural upper heating elements which are disposed in the chamber; plural lower heating elements, which are disposed in the chamber and are located oppositely below the upper heating elements; plural rollers, which are disposed in the chamber and are locate between the upper heating elements and the lower heating element to carry glass to be heated up; and a roller power module, which is disposed outside the furnace body and is connected with the rollers. The rollers are controlled by the roller power module to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, driving glass to displace along a transversal direction. In addition, the upper heating elements and the lower heating elements are arranged in the chamber alternatingly and asymmetrically at an upper and lower position.

A system for acquiring surface data from one of the surfaces of a curved panel having a specular surface and developing a surface definition of the panel includes a conveyor for conveying the panel in a first direction, at least one display projecting a preselected multi-phase non-repeating contrasting pattern, and at least one camera, each one of the cameras uniquely paired with one of the displays. The system may also include a control programmed to execute logic for controlling each of the camera/display pairs to acquire the desired images, and logic for analyzing and combining the data acquired by the cameras to construct a definition of the surface of the panel.