A multilayer glass panel may be cut using a laser cutting technique. In some examples, the technique involves directing a laser beam into to panel to form a separation line. The separation line includes a plurality of spaced-apart defect columns extending at least partially through a first glass substrate but not through a second glass substrate. The plurality of spaced-apart defect columns each include a plurality of spaced-apart filamentation flaws. The example method can also involve separating a portion of the first glass substrate from the second glass substrate along the separation line to thereby configure the multilayer panel with a shelf defined by a portion of the second glass substrate extending outwardly from the separation line.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing at least one anatomical parameter of an upper airway of a patient by analysing spectral properties of an utterance, comprising: a mechanical coupler comprising means for restricting the jaw position of the patient; means for recording an utterance; and processing means for determining at least one anatomical parameter of the upper airway from the recorded utterance and comparing the recorded utterance to a threshold value. In addition the present invention relates to the use of the above mentioned systems as a diagnostics tool for assessing obstructive sleep apnea.

A method includes introducing light into a glass article such that at least a portion of the introduced light is emitted from an edge of the glass article. The light emitted from an edge of the glass article is detected. An intensity profile of the emitted light is an intensity of the emitted light as a function of axial position. A first intensity boundary of the intensity profile and a second intensity boundary of the intensity profile are determined. A thickness of a layer of the glass article is determined based on an axial distance between the first intensity boundary and the second intensity boundary.

A method and apparatus for cutting a glass laminate. A trench line is formed in a glass substrate that is an uppermost layer of a glass laminate by scoring a surface of the glass substrate. The glass laminate is cut in the direction parallel to the trench line. It is possible to prevent the propagation of cracks commonly formed during the cutting of glass laminates.

A method for severing a glass sheet includes preferentially heating a region of the glass sheet to form a softened region. A slit is formed in the softened region of the glass sheet to form a slit region. The slit extends at least partially into a thickness of the glass sheet. Heat is preferentially applied to the slit region of the glass sheet.

A method of cutting a laminate glass article is disclosed. The method comprises heating at least a portion of a laminate glass article to a reheat temperature. The laminate glass article has a core layer and a first cladding layer and is in stress characterized by a thermally-induced differential stress between the core layer and first cladding layer. The laminate glass article having been set at a setting temperature and the reheat temperature is lower than the setting temperature. The heating of the laminate glass article reduces the thermally-induced differential stress between the core layer and first cladding layer. The method may further comprise scoring the laminate glass article in the heated portion to create a score in the laminate glass article along a cutting line and bending the laminate glass article at the score to cut the glass.

Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.

A method of shaping a laminated glass structure includes providing the laminated glass structure comprising a flexible glass sheet having a thickness of no greater than about 0.3 mm laminated to a non-glass substrate by an adhesive layer. The flexible glass structure and adhesive layer are ground using a first tool to remove glass material. The non-glass substrate is cut with a second tool different from the first tool through a kerf formed through the flexible glass structure thereby forming a shaped laminated glass structure. A glass edge strength of a cut edge of the shaped laminated glass structure is at least about 20 MPa.

Apparatuses and methods for heating moving continuous glass ribbons at desired lines of separation and/or for separating glass sheets from continuous glass ribbons are disclosed. An apparatus includes a translatable support portion and a heating apparatus coupled to the support portion. The heating apparatus is configured to contact the continuous glass ribbon across at least a portion of a width of the continuous glass ribbon at the desired line of separation as the support portion moves in a draw direction, thereby preferentially applying heat to a first side of the continuous glass ribbon at the desired line of separation as the continuous glass ribbon moves in the draw direction.

An apparatus for cutting laminated glass and film-covered glass includes a powered hand-held tool with a blade set including two static cutting blades and one dynamic, reciprocating cutting blade. The reciprocating cutting blade moves between the two static cutting blades which are rigidly mounted to the tool head. The left and right static cutting blades were spaced apart by about 0.250 inches, and the cutting blade had a thickness of about 0.200-0.250 inches. The clearance between the reciprocating and each static blade is between about 0.005-0.025 inches.