Patents Assigned to Guardian Glass, LLC
  • Publication number: 20200103995
    Abstract: A multi-layer conductive coating is substantially transparent to visible light, contains at least one conductive layer that is sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers, and may be used as an electrode and/or conductive trace in a capacitive touch panel. The multi-layer conductive coating may contain a dielectric layer of or including zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2) and/or silicon nitride, and may be used in applications such as capacitive touch panels for controlling showers, appliances, vending machines, electronics, electronic devices, and/or the like. The touch panel may further include a functional film(s) which may be one or more of: an index-matching film, an antiglare film, an anti-fingerprint film, and anti-microbial film, a scratch resistant film, and/or an antireflective (AR) film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Willem DEN BOER, Alexey KRASNOV, Jason BLUSH, Eric W. AKKASHIAN, Brent Boyce, Vishal Agarwal, Ali Mohammadkhah
  • Patent number: 10604834
    Abstract: A method for making low emissivity panels, including control the composition of a barrier layer formed on a thin conductive silver layer. The barrier structure can include a ternary alloy of nickel, titanium, and niobium, which showed improvements in overall performance than those from binary barrier results. The percentage of nickel can be between 5 and 15 wt %. The percentage of titanium can be between 30 and 50 wt %. The percentage of niobium can be between 40 and 60 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Guowen Ding, Brent Boyce, Jeremy Cheng, Muhammad Imran, Jingyu Lao, Minh Huu Le, Daniel Schweigert, Zhi-Wen Wen Sun, Yu Wang, Yongli Xu, Guizhen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200098150
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to an electronic device, including a user interface, and processing resources including at least one processor and a memory. The memory stores a program executable by the processing resources to simulate a view of an image through at least one viewer-selected product that is virtually interposed between a viewer using the electronic device and the image by performing functionality including: acquiring the image; facilitating viewer selection of the at least one product in connection with the user interface; retrieving display properties associated with the at least one viewer-selected product; generating, for each said viewer-selected product, a filter to be applied to the acquired image based on retrieved display properties; and generating, for display via the electronic device, an output image corresponding to the generated filter(s) being applied to the acquired image. The electronic device in certain example embodiments may be a smartphone, tablet, and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander SOBOLEV, Vijayen S. VEERASAMY
  • Patent number: 10590695
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to composite pillar arrangements for VIG units that include both harder and softer materials. The softer materials are located on the outside or extremities of the central, harder pillar material. In certain example embodiments, a high aspect ratio mineral lamellae is separated by an organic “glue” or polymer. When provided around a high strength pillar, the combination of the pillar and such a nano-composite structure may advantageously result in superior strength compared to a monolithic system, e.g., where significant wind loads, thermal stresses, and/or the like are encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 10590031
    Abstract: An ellipsometry system detects and/or identifies significant corrosion on glass, such as on soda-lime-silica based float glass. In certain example embodiments, there is provided a method and/or system using ellipsometry to detect and/or identify significant corrosion on soda-lime-silica based glass, so that such significantly corroded glass can be identified and not coated with a low-E coating and/or not used in applications where optical appearance is important. The ellipsometry system may be part of, or used in connection with, a sputtering apparatus/system for sputter-depositing low-E coatings on glass, so that whether to pass a piece of glass to the sputtering apparatus/system is based on whether significant corrosion is detected on the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Mohammadkhah, Shuang Ji, Jay Riggins, Kevin R. Fulton
  • Patent number: 10584058
    Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including titanium nitride (e.g., TIN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Boyce, Yiwei Lu, Guowen Ding, Cesar Clavero, Daniel Schweigert, Minh Le
  • Patent number: 10584409
    Abstract: A coated article includes a low emissivity (low-E) coating having at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver, gold, or the like, and at least one high refractive index layer of or including titanium oxide and at least one additional metal. A doped titanium oxide layer(s) is designed and deposited in a manner so as to be amorphous or substantially amorphous (as opposed to crystalline) in the low-E coating, so as to better withstand optional heat treatment (HT) such as thermal tempering and reduce haze. The high index layer may be a transparent dielectric high index layer in preferred embodiments, which may be provided for antireflection purposes and/or color adjustment purposes, in addition to having thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC.
    Inventors: Guizhen Zhang, Daniel Schweigert, Guowen Ding, Daniel Lee, Cesar Clavero, Scott Jewhurst, Gaurav Saraf, Minh Le, Nestor P. Murphy, Marcus Frank
  • Patent number: 10570057
    Abstract: A low-E coating has good color stability (a low ?E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). The provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver in a low-E coating has effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the ?E* value). One or more such crystalline, or substantially crystalline, layers may be provided under one or more corresponding IR reflecting layers comprising silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC.
    Inventors: Yongli Xu, Brent Boyce, Salah Boussaad, Philip J. Lingle, Jingyu Lao, Richard Vernhes
  • Patent number: 10570058
    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 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC., GUARDIAN EUROPE S.À R.L.
    Inventors: Bernd Disteldorf, Anton Dietrich, Krishna Swamynaidu
  • Patent number: 10562812
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles having a metamaterial-inclusive layer, coatings having a metamaterial-inclusive layer, and/or methods of making the same. Metamaterial-inclusive coatings may be used, for example, in low-emissivity applications, providing for more true color rendering, low angular color dependence, and/or high light-to-solar gain. The metamaterial material may be a noble metal or other material, and the layer may be made to self-assemble by virtue of surface tensions associated with the noble metal or other material, and the material selected for use as a matrix. An Ag-based metamaterial layer may be provided below a plurality (e.g., 2, 3, or more) continuous and uninterrupted layers comprising Ag in certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, barrier layers comprising TiZrOx may be provided between adjacent layers comprising Ag, as a lower-most layer in a low-E coating, and/or as an upper-most layer in a low-E coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Boyce, Patricia Tucker, Shashi Shah, Cesar Clavero
  • Patent number: 10556822
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC., GUARDIAN EUROPE S.À R.L.
    Inventors: Marcus Frank, Anton Dietrich, Greg Miller, Richard Blacker, Muhammad Imran, Jean-Marc Lemmer
  • Patent number: 10556824
    Abstract: A low-emissivity (low-E) coating includes first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers of or including a material such as silver. The coating includes a bottom dielectric portion including a layer of or including silicon zirconium oxynitride, and a center dielectric portion including a layer of or including zinc stannate. The coating is configured to realize a combination of desirable visible transmission, consistent and low emissivity values, thermal stability upon optional heat treatment such as thermal tempering, desirable U-value, desirable LSG value, and desirable coloration and/or reflectivity values to be achieved. In certain example embodiments, an absorber layer sandwiched between a pair of dielectric layers may be provided in. Coated articles herein may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, or in other suitable applications such as monolithic window applications, laminated windows, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: GUARDIAN EUROPE S.A.R.L., GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Disteldorf, Anton Dietrich, Francis Wuillaume
  • Patent number: 10556821
    Abstract: A laminated vehicle window has different glass substrates and a low-emissivity (low-E) coating on an interior surface thereof, so that the low-E coating is to be located adjacent and exposed to the vehicle interior. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating includes a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer of a material such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO). In certain example embodiments, the exterior glass substrate contains more iron, and is thus more absorbing of IR radiation, than the interior glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Vandal, Jim St. Jean
  • Patent number: 10550033
    Abstract: A coated article includes a low emissivity (low-E) coating having at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver, gold, or the like, and at least one high refractive index dielectric multilayer film. The high index dielectric multilayer film may be of or include a first high index layer of or including ZrSiN and/or ZrSiAlN, and a second high index layer of or including titanium oxide (e.g., TiO2). The first high index layer of or including ZrSiN and/or ZrSiAlN may be amorphous or substantially amorphous, and the second high index layer of or including titanium oxide may be substantially crystalline in certain example embodiments. The low-E coating may be used in applications such as monolithic or insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Guowen Ding, Daniel Schweigert, Minh Le, Brent Boyce
  • Patent number: 10540047
    Abstract: A multi-layer conductive coating is substantially transparent to visible light, contains at least one conductive layer comprising silver that is sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers, and may be used as an electrode and/or conductive trace in a capacitive touch panel. The multi-layer conductive coating may contain a dielectric layer(s), and may be used in applications such as capacitive touch panels for controlling showers, appliances, vending machines, electronics, electronic devices, and/or the like. In certain example embodiments, different electrodes of the touch panel may be formed by different silver based layers of the same or different multi-layer coatings. In patterning the electrodes, different laser scribing wavelengths may be used to pattern different respective silver based layers, of the same or different multi-layer coating(s), in certain example embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Willem Den Boer
  • Patent number: 10539864
    Abstract: A projection screen including a capacitive touch panel, such as a projected capacitive touch panel. The touch panel includes first and second glass substrates, one of which is patterned (e.g., etched with acid or the like) to form a diffuser. A conductive coating is formed on the patterned surface of the diffuser glass substrate, and is patterned into a plurality of electrodes for the touch panel. The system, including an optional projector, may be used as an interactive transparent display for augmented reality applications such as storefronts. The touch panel may also be used in applications such as capacitive touch panels for controlling showers, appliances, vending machines, electronics, electronic devices, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Willem Den Boer, Jason Blush, Eric W. Akkashian
  • Publication number: 20200017403
    Abstract: A low-emissivity (low-E) coating includes first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers of or including a material such as silver. The coating includes a bottom dielectric portion including a layer of or including silicon zirconium oxynitride, and a center dielectric portion including a layer of or including zinc stannate. The coating is configured to realize a combination of desirable visible transmission, consistent and low emissivity values, thermal stability upon optional heat treatment such as thermal tempering, desirable U-value, desirable LSG value, and desirable coloration and/or reflectivity values to be achieved. In certain example embodiments, an absorber layer sandwiched between a pair of dielectric layers may be provided in. Coated articles herein may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, or in other suitable applications such as monolithic window applications, laminated windows, and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicants: GUARDIAN EUROPE S.A.R.L., GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd DISTELDORF, Anton DIETRICH, Francis WUILLAUME
  • Publication number: 20200010360
    Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including titanium nitride (e.g., TiN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Boyce, Yiwei LU, Guowen DING, Cesar CLAVERO, Daniel SCHWEIGERT, Minh LE
  • Patent number: 10526242
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for converting sputter-deposited TiNx or TiOxNy layers into TiOx layers via activation with electromagnetic radiation. An intermediate layer including TiOxNy, 0<y?1 is formed on a substrate. The intermediate layer is exposed to the radiation, which is preferentially absorbed by the intermediate layer in an amount sufficient to heat the intermediate layer to a temperature of 500-650 degrees C. while keeping the substrate at a significantly lower temperature. A flash light operated with a series of millisecond or sub-millisecond length pulses may be used in this regard. The converting removes nitrogen from, and introduces oxygen into, the intermediate layer, causing the layer to expand beyond its initial thickness. At least some of the final layer may have an anatase phase, and it may be photocatalytic. These layers may be used in low-maintenance glass, antireflective, and/or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Jian-gang Weng, Xuequn Hu
  • Patent number: 10526692
    Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including zirconium nitride (e.g., ZrN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Guowen Ding, Cesar Clavero, Daniel Schweigert, Guizhen Zhang, Scott Jewhurst, Daniel Lee