Patents Assigned to C.R.V.C.
  • Patent number: 8221832
    Abstract: A method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including carbon and an overlying protective film including a zinc oxide inclusive layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Nestor P. Murphy, Maximo Frati, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Jiangping Wang, Jens-Peter Muller, Herbert Lage
  • Publication number: 20120177899
    Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a solar control coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer and a breaker layer, one or both of which may be of or include a material such as NiCr, NiCrNx, NbCr, NbCrNx, NbZr, NbZrNx, Nb and/or NbNx. Each of the IR reflecting layer and the breaker layer is sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers of a material such as silicon nitride or the like. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the IR reflecting layer is substantially thicker than the breaker layer. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows such as monolithic or IG windows, and may optionally be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances and may be substantially thermally stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Javier Unquera, Guillermo Benito, Bernd Disteldorf, Muhammad Imran, Anton Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8187713
    Abstract: A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics. In certain example embodiments, a zinc oxide inclusive layer is provide over an IR reflecting layer in order to improve thermal stability. A zirconium oxide overcoat may also be provided in certain example instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C)
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Lemmer, Jens-Peter Muller, Jose Ferreira, Pierre Pallotta
  • Patent number: 8187671
    Abstract: There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed via blasting it off using particles mainly of material softer than the DLC. In certain example embodiments, the blasting particles may be of or include sodium bicarbonate and/or may be directed at the protective film at a blasting pressure of from about 2.5 to 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Sol
  • Patent number: 8173263
    Abstract: A heat treatable coated article (e.g., vehicle windshield, IG unit, etc.) is provided with a dual-silver low-E coating. Before and/or after heat treatment (HT), the coating and/or coated article has a visible transmittance of at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%. Moreover, the coating and/or coated article is designed so as to have approximately the same color when viewed over a wide range of viewing angles. In certain embodiments, at least one contact layer (e.g., of or including NiCrOx) that contacts an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) is oxidation graded so that it progressively becomes less oxidized through its thickness as it nears the IR reflecting layer. In still other embodiments, a Si-rich silicon nitride layer(s) may be utilized to reduce haze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Ronald E. Laird, Jean-Marc Lemmer
  • Patent number: 8142622
    Abstract: A coated article is provided with a low-emissivity (low-E) layer stack for use in a window unit or the like. The layer stack, or coating, may permit the coated article to achieve one or more of a low solar factor (SF) value, a high selectivity (Tvis/SF) value, substantially neutral color at normal and/or off-axis viewing angles, and/or low emissivity. When high selectivity values are achieved, there is provided a high ratio of visible transmission to SF, which is a desirable feature in certain example instances. In certain example embodiments, a sub-oxide layer (e.g., NiCrOx) may be used as a contact layer under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer in order to permit low SF values, high selectivity, and good coloration to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Jose Ferreira, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Jens-Peter Müller, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20120067717
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for sputter-depositing a thin film(s) including two or more materials using targets such as rotating cylindrical sputtering targets, including a method and apparatus. Magnet bar assemblies in first and second adjacent sputtering targets are oriented differently. The different orientations of the magnet bar assemblies allows material from the second target to be sputtered onto the first target, or vice versa. The mixture of material on the first target, including sputtering material from both the first and second targets, is then sputtered onto a substrate to form a sputter-deposited thin film that includes a mixture of the sputtering materials from the targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp., C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Anton Dietrich, Kevin O'Connor, Richard Blacker
  • Patent number: 8124237
    Abstract: A coated article is provided which may be heat treated thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Jose Nunez-Regueiro, Anton Dietrich, Philip J. Lingle, Scott V. Thomsen, Hong Wang, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Nancy Bassett, Bryce Corsner
  • Publication number: 20120015195
    Abstract: There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp. and C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Jiangping WANG, Jens-Peter Muller, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Jean-Marc Lemmer
  • Publication number: 20110284366
    Abstract: A coated article that can be used in applications such as insulating glass (IG) units, so that resulting IG units can achieve high visible transmission of at least 70% (e.g., when using clear glass substrates from 1.0 to 3.5 mm thick), combined with at least one of: (a) SHGC no greater than about 0.45, more preferably no greater than about 0.40; (b) SC no greater than about 0.49, more preferably no greater than about 0.46; (c) chemical and/or mechanical durability; (d) neutral transmissive color such that transmissive a* is from ?5.0 to 0 (more preferably from ?3.5 to ?1.5), and transmissive b* is from ?2.0 to 4.0 (more preferably from 1.0 to 3.0); and (e) neutral reflective color from the exterior of the IG unit (i.e., Rg/Rout) such that reflective a* is from ?3.0 to 2.0 (more preferably from ?2.0 to 0.5), and reflective b* is from ?5.0 to 1.0 (more preferably from ?4.0 to ?1.0).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: C.R.V.C., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Laird, Carole Laird, Uwe Kriltz
  • Patent number: 8017243
    Abstract: An absorbing layer of a low-E coating is designed to cause the coating to have a more neutral and/or green color at normal and/or certain off-axis viewing angles. In certain example embodiments, the metallic or substantially metallic absorbing layer (e.g., NiCr) is from about 20-30 angstroms (?) thick; this thickness has been found to unexpectedly provide less red and more neutral coloration for the coated article at certain off-axis viewing angles (e.g., at a 45 degree off-axis viewing angle). In certain example embodiments, the absorbing layer is provided between first and second nitride layers in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment thereby permitting predictable coloration to be achieved following the heat treatment. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Richard Blacker, Philip J. Lingle, Jochen Butz, Anton Dietrich, Donald V. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7998320
    Abstract: A coated article that can be used in applications such as insulating glass (IG) units, so that resulting IG units can achieve high visible transmission of at least 70% (e.g., when using clear glass substrates from 1.0 to 3.5 mm thick), combined with at least one of: (a) SHGC no greater than about 0.45, more preferably no greater than about 0.40; (b) SC no greater than about 0.49, more preferably no greater than about 0.46; (c) chemical and/or mechanical durability; (d) neutral transmissive color such that transmissive a* is from ?5.0 to 0 (more preferably from ?3.5 to ?1.5), and transmissive b* is from ?2.0 to 4.0 (more preferably from 1.0 to 3.0); and (e) neutral reflective color from the exterior of the IG unit (i.e., Rg/Rout) such that reflective a* is from ?3.0 to 2.0 (more preferably from ?2.0 to 0.5), and reflective b* is from ?5.0 to 1.0 (more preferably from ?4.0 to ?1.0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Ronald E. Laird, Carole Laird, legal representative, Uwe Kriltz
  • Publication number: 20110169402
    Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp., C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
  • Publication number: 20110097590
    Abstract: A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics. In certain example embodiments, a zinc oxide inclusive layer is provide over an IR reflecting layer in order to improve thermal stability. A zirconium oxide overcoat may also be provided in certain example instances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Lemmer, Jens-Peter Muller, Jose Ferreira, Pierre Pallotta
  • Patent number: 7931971
    Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
  • Patent number: 7923063
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making glass. In certain example embodiments, a major surface(s) of the glass is treated with aluminum chloride (e.g., AlCl3). This treating, or application of an aluminum chloride based layer on the glass substrate, may be performed using combustion deposition. The combustion deposition may be performed at or just prior to the annealing lehr in certain example embodiments, or at any other suitable location. The aluminum chloride barrier layer, applied at a desirable glass temperature, helps to reduce sodium leaching or diffusion from the glass during conditions such as high heat and/or humidity, thereby improving the durability and/or stability of the resulting product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.), Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Bernd Disteldorf, Pramod K. Sharma, Nathan P. Mellott
  • Patent number: 7897260
    Abstract: A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Jose Nunez-Regueiro, Anton Dietrich, Philip J. Lingle, Scott V. Thomsen, Hong Wang, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Nancy Bassett, Bryce Corsner
  • Publication number: 20110024284
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to sputtering apparatuses that include a plurality of targets such that a first one or ones of target(s) may be used for sputtering in a first mode, while a second one or ones of target(s) may be used for sputtering in a second mode. Modes may be switched in certain example embodiments by rotating the position of the targets, e.g., such that one or more target(s) to be used protrude into the main chamber of the apparatus, while one or more target(s) to be unused are recessed into a body portion of a cathode of (e.g., integrally formed with) the sputtering apparatus. The targets may be cylindrical magnetic targets or planar targets. At least one target location also may be made to accommodate an ion beam source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Marcel Schloremberg, Guy Comans, Philippe Uselding
  • Publication number: 20110027595
    Abstract: There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include an oxide of zinc. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.; C.R.V.C.
    Inventor: Nestor P. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110027471
    Abstract: There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include an oxide of zinc. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp.; C.R.V.C.
    Inventors: Nestor P. Murphy, Maximo Frati, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Jiangping Wang, Jens-Peter Muller, Herbert Lage