Method for molding chalcogenide glass lenses

• US 6,668,588 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amorphous Materials, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Amorphous Materials, Inc.
• Inventors: Hilton, Albert Ray II, Thompson, William S., Hilton, Albert Ray III
• Primary Examiner(s): Colaianni, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/162,561
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 65/37, 65/38, 65/39, 65/42, 65/47, 65/48, 651/53, 651/56, 653/89, 651/02
• US Class Current: 65/37
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 11/14 Pressing laminated glass articles or glass with metal inserts or enclosures, e.g. wires, bubbles, coloured parts
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2201/86 Chalcogenide glasses, i.e. S, Se or Te glasses
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2215/48 Convex-concave
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2215/72 Barrel presses or equivalent, e.g. of the ring mould type
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 23/22 Uniting glass lenses, e.g. forming bifocal lenses

Abstract

A method for molding a chalcogenide glass lens includes providing a mold. A preformed lens of chalcogenide glass is placed within the mold. The lens has a top surface and a bottom surface. An amount of chalcogenide glass is deposited within the mold and on the top surface of the preformed lens. The mold is heated, such that the chalcogenide glass on the top surface of the preformed lens softens, melts, and bonds to the top surface of the preformed lens. A lens surface is formed in the melted chalcogenide glass to form a molded lens which is bonded to the top surface of the preformed lens. The molded lens and preformed lens assembly is then removed from the mold.

Claims

1. A method for molding an infrared transmitting chalcogenide glass lens comprising:

providing a mold;

placing a preformed lens of chalcogenide glass comprising compounds selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium and combinations thereof, within the mold, the lens having a top surface and a bottom surface;

depositing an amount of chalcogenide glass comprising compounds selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium and combinations thereof, within the mold and on the top surface of the preformed lens;

heating the mold, such that the chalcogenide glass deposited on the top surface of the preformed lens softens, melts and bonds to the top surface of the preformed lens;

forming in the mold a desired lens surface in the melted chalcogenide glass to form a molded chalcogenide lens which is bonded to the top surface of the preformed lens; and

removing the molded lens and preformed lens assembly from the mold.