Patents by Inventor Francis Wuillaume

Francis Wuillaume has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150225286
    Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including a material such as silver (Ag), which is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having at least one layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or a substantially metallic layer. The overcoat has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Muhammad IMRAN, Francis WUILLAUME, Brent BOYCE
  • Publication number: 20150132555
    Abstract: This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 50%, more preferably no greater than about 40%, and most preferably no greater than about 39%).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Francis WUILLAUME, Muhammad IMRAN, Afonso KRELING, Brent BOYCE
  • Publication number: 20150118465
    Abstract: An insulating glass (IG) window unit includes first and second substrates, and a low-emissivity (low-E) coating supported by one of the substrates. The low-E coating has two silver based infrared (IR) reflecting layers and allows the IG window unit to realize an increased SHGC to U-value ratio, and an increased thickness ratio of an upper silver based layer of the coating to a bottom silver based layer of the coating. The low-E coating is designed to have a low film-side reflectance, so that for example when the low-E coating is used on surface number three of an IG window unit the IG window unit can realize reduced visible reflectance as viewed from the outside of the building on which the IG window unit is mounted or is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Francis WUILLAUME, Brent BOYCE
  • Patent number: 9017821
    Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including a material such as silver (Ag), which is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having at least one layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or a substantially metallic layer. The overcoat has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Muhammad Imran, Francis Wuillaume, Brent Boyce
  • Patent number: 8940399
    Abstract: This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 50%, more preferably no greater than about 40%, and most preferably no greater than about 39%).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Francis Wuillaume, Muhammad Imran, Afonso Kreling, Brent Boyce
  • Patent number: 8940400
    Abstract: An insulating glass (IG) window unit includes first and second substrates, and a low-emissivity (low-E) coating supported by one of the substrates. The low-E coating has two silver based infrared (IR) reflecting layers and allows the IG window unit to realize an increased SHGC to U-value ratio, and an increased thickness ratio of an upper silver based layer of the coating to a bottom silver based layer of the coating. The low-E coating is designed to have a low film-side reflectance, so that for example when the low-E coating is used on surface number three of an IG window unit the IG window unit can realize reduced visible reflectance as viewed from the outside of the building on which the IG window unit is mounted or is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Francis Wuillaume, Brent Boyce
  • Publication number: 20140098415
    Abstract: This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 50%, more preferably no greater than about 40%, and most preferably no greater than about 39%).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventors: Francis WUILLAUME, Muhammad IMRAN, Afonso KRELING, Brent BOYCE
  • Publication number: 20130216861
    Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers. The IR reflecting layer may be of or include a material such as silver (Ag), and is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having a substantially metallic layer (e.g., NbZr or Zr) which has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Muhammad IMRAN, Francis Wuillaume, Brent Boyce
  • Publication number: 20130216860
    Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including a material such as silver (Ag), which is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having at least one layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or a substantially metallic layer. The overcoat has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Muhammad IMRAN, Francis WUILLAUME, Brent BOYCE
  • Patent number: 7678459
    Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. In certain example embodiments, a silicon metal oxide (e.g., silicon aluminum oxide) inclusive nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott, Yiwei Lu, Leonard L. Boyer, Jr., Brent Boyce, Donald V. Jacobson, Francis Wuillaume
  • Patent number: 7621648
    Abstract: A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Francis Wuillaume, Anton Dietrich, Brent Boyce, Gregory Scott
  • Publication number: 20080073203
    Abstract: A method of making a mirror such as a first-surface mirror (FSM) is provided. The mirror includes a reflecting layer structure made of a visible light reflecting material such as aluminum (Al) or the like. At least part of the reflecting layer structure is oxide graded, continuously or discontinuously, so as be more oxided at one or both sides of the layer structure. In other words, the reflecting layer structure is more or entirely metallic at a central portion thereof, and more oxided at the top and/or bottom side(s) thereof. In certain example embodiments, such first surface mirrors may be used in the context of projection televisions, or in any other suitable application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Hong Wang, Brent Boyce, Francis Wuillaume
  • Publication number: 20070291381
    Abstract: A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicants: C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Francis Wuillaume, Anton Dietrich, Brent Boyce, Gregory Scott
  • Publication number: 20070243355
    Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. In certain example embodiments, a silicon metal oxide (e.g., silicon aluminum oxide) inclusive nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott, Yiwei Lu, Leonard Boyer, Brent Boyce, Donald Jacobson, Francis Wuillaume
  • Patent number: 7276289
    Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. A metal oxide (e.g., aluminum oxide) nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Donald V. Jacobson, Francis Wuillaume
  • Publication number: 20060077580
    Abstract: A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp., C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Francis Wuillaume, Anton Dietrich, Brent Boyce, Gregory Scott
  • Publication number: 20060063010
    Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. A metal oxide (e.g., aluminum oxide) nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Donald Jacobson, Francis Wuillaume