Patent ID: 7171827
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: C03B,C03C

Abstract:
1. A method for the automated casting of infrared glass lenses, comprising: heating a mold in a mold chamber to a temperature near a melting temperature of infrared glass, the mold chamber being a first pressurized, heated enclosure having an interior; pouring molten liquid infrared glass into the mold while said mold is in an open position in a casting chamber, the casting chamber being a second pressurized, heated enclosure having an interior; closing said open mold on said molten liquid infrared glass; and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass; and wherein the mold chamber and casting chamber are coupled together, providing a path of fluid communication between the interior of the mold chamber and the interior of the casting chamber.