Patents by Inventor WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV
WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV 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).
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Patent number: 11035168Abstract: A vacuum insulating glazing unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ASTRAVAC GLASS, INC.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Publication number: 20190071920Abstract: A vacuum insulating glazing unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Patent number: 10119327Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ASTRAVAC GLASS, INC.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Patent number: 9540863Abstract: An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly gas-restrictive coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.Inventors: Seth A. Miller, David H. Stark, William H. Francis, IV, Viswanadham Puligandla, Edward N. Boulos, John Pernicka
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Publication number: 20170002602Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: EVERSEALED WINDOWS, INC.Inventors: WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV, GREGG E. FREEBURY, NEAL J. BEIDLEMAN, MICHAEL HULSE
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Patent number: 9328512Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Publication number: 20150218876Abstract: An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly gas-restrictive coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: SETH A. MILLER, DAVID H. STARK, WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV, VISWANADHAM PULIGANDLA, EDWARD N. BOULOS, JOHN PERNICKA
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Patent number: 8950162Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass unit (VIGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly hermetic coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.Inventors: Seth A. Miller, David H. Stark, William H. Francis, IV, Viswanadham Puligandla, Edward N. Boulos, John Pernicka
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Publication number: 20130316099Abstract: A stand-off is necessary to separate two glass lites (panes of glass) in a vacuum insulated glazing system. This stand-off must provide sufficient mechanical support to keep the lites apart despite one atmosphere pressure pushing the lites together. For systems that are designed with flexible edge seals, there will be movement of one lite relative to the other during diurnal cycling, and the stand-offs will therefore be scraped against at least one of the lite surfaces. Because many mechanically robust materials suitable for stand-offs have high friction, it is beneficial to apply a lubricant to the surface of the stand-off. However, it is also beneficial to adhere the stand-off to one lite during the manufacturing operation, and this need opposes the need for good lubricity. This invention describes means for optimizing the composition of a stand-off to meet these conflicting needs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: EVERSEALED WINDOWS, INC.Inventors: SETH A. MILLER, WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV
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Publication number: 20120279170Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: EVERSEALED WINDOWS, INC.Inventors: William H. FRANCIS, IV, Gregg E. FREEBURY, Neal J. BEIDLEMAN, Michael HULSE
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Publication number: 20110296771Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass unit (VIGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly hermetic coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: SETH A. MILLER, DAVID H. STARK, WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV, VISWANADHAM PULIGANDLA, EDWARD N. BOULOS, JOHN PERNICKA