Patents Assigned to Guardian Industries Corp.
  • Patent number: 9419151
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) includes: a front substrate (e.g., glass substrate); a semiconductor absorber film; a back contact including a first conductive layer of or including an alloy of molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) and optionally a second conductive layer of or including either molybdenum (Mo) or Cu; and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). The first conductive layer of or including molybdenum and copper is located between at least the rear substrate and a semiconductor absorber film that is located between at least the back contact and the front substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Alexey Krasnov
  • Patent number: 9416581
    Abstract: This relates to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window units and methods for making VIG window units. Hybrid getter(s) are utilized. In certain example embodiments, a hybrid getter for use in a VIG window unit and/or a method making same includes both evaporable getter (EG) material and non-evaporable getter (NEG) material. In certain example embodiments, the NEG material may be covered (directly or indirectly) with EG material in the hybrid getter at least prior to getter activating/flashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Rudolph H. Petrmichl, John P. Hogan
  • Patent number: 9410359
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe low-e panels and methods for forming low-e panels. A transparent substrate is provided. A low-e stack is formed above the transparent substrate. Each of the layers of the low-e stack are formed to have a specific thickness to tune the performance characteristics of the low-e panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Guowen Ding, Brent Boyce, Tong Ju, Minh Huu Le, Phil Lingle, Daniel Schweigert, Yongli Xu, Guizhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9403717
    Abstract: A coated article is provided, having a coating supported by a glass substrate where the coating includes at least one color and/or reflectivity-adjusting absorber layer. The absorber layer(s) allows color tuning, and reduces the glass side reflection of the coated article and/or allows sheet resistance of the coating to be reduced without degrading glass side reflection. In certain example embodiments the absorber layer is provided between first and second dielectric layers which may be of substantially the same material and/or composition. In certain example embodiments, the coated article is capable of achieving desirable transmission, together with desired color, low reflectivity, and low selectivity, when having only one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of silver and/or gold. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, monolithic windows, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.), Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Hartmut Knoll, Jochen Butz, Uwe Kriltz, Bernd Disteldorf, Jose Ferreira, Pierrot Pallotta
  • Patent number: 9403345
    Abstract: An IG window unit includes a coating supported by a glass substrate. The coating includes at least the following: a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a dielectric layer comprising an oxide of titanium; another dielectric layer; a layer comprising zinc oxide; an infrared (IR) reflecting layer comprising silver on the glass substrate, located over and directly contacting the layer comprising zinc oxide, wherein the coating includes only one IR reflecting layer; and an overcoat comprising (i) a layer comprising tin oxide and (ii) a layer comprising silicon nitride located over and contacting the layer comprising tin oxide. The IG unit may have an SHGC value of at least 0.65, a visible transmission of at least 70%, and/or an Energy Rating of at least 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Jingyu Lao, Philip J. Lingle, Brent Boyce, Bernd Disteldorf, Richard Blacker
  • Patent number: 9388628
    Abstract: Vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit configurations with getter structures are provided, as are methods for making the same. Techniques are provided for optimizing (e.g., increasing) the surface area of active getter material, before and/or after activation/flashing, within the constraints of a VIG window unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Rudolph H. Petrmichl, John P. Hogan
  • Patent number: 9371684
    Abstract: A coated article is provided with at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer. The IR reflecting layer may be of silver or the like. In certain example embodiments, a titanium oxide layer is provided over the IR reflecting layer, and it has been found that this surprisingly results in an IR reflecting layer with a lower specific resistivity (SR) thereby permitting thermal properties of the coated article to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches Pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.), Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Jochen Butz, Uwe Kriltz, Artur Siwek, Anton Dietrich, Jens-Peter Muller, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Richard Blacker
  • Patent number: 9371032
    Abstract: In certain example embodiments, moisture sensors, defoggers, etc., and/or related methods, are provided. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to moisture sensors and/or defoggers that may be used in various applications such as, for example, refrigerator/freezer merchandisers, vehicle windows, building windows, etc. When condensation or moisture is detected, an appropriate action may be taken (e.g., actuating windshield wipers, turning on a defroster, triggering the heating of a merchandiser door or window, etc.). Bayesian approaches optionally may be implemented in certain example embodiments in an attempt to improve moisture detection accuracy. For instance, models of various types of disturbances may be developed and, based on live data and a priori information known about the model, a probability of the model being accurate is calculated. If a threshold value is met, the model may be considered a match and, optionally, a corresponding appropriate action may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 9371683
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window assembly and method for making same is provided in which dimensions of a hole and/or pump-out tube inserted therein are selected to provide sufficient clearance for efficient insertion and accommodate sufficient adhesive material, while at the same time providing sufficient support to resist substantial tilting/tipping of the pump-out tube. A length of the pump-out tube may be selected so that a distance between a top of the pump-out tube (which is subjected to heat sealing) and an interface between the tube and frit material proximate the hole reduces the likelihood of tube cracking at the tube/frit interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Dennis, Andrew W. Pantke
  • Patent number: 9365450
    Abstract: Low emissivity coated panels can be fabricated using a base layer having a low refractive index layer on a high refractive index layer. The low refractive index layer can have refractive index less than 1.5, and can include MgF2, CaF2, SiO2, or BO. The high refractive index layer can have refractive index greater than 2.3, and can include TiOx, NbOx, or BiOx. The multilayer base structure can allow color tuning with enhanced transmission, for example, as compared to similar structures having single layer base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries, Corp.
    Inventors: Guowen Ding, Brent Boyce, Muhammad Imran, Minh Huu Le, Zhi-Wen Sun, Yu Wang, Yongli Xu
  • Patent number: 9359247
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to seals for glass articles. Certain example embodiments relate to a composition used for sealing an insulted glass unit. In certain example embodiments the composition includes vanadium oxide, barium oxide, zinc oxide, and at least one additional additive. For instance, another additive that is a different metal oxide or different metal chloride may be provided. In certain example embodiments, a composition may be combined with a binder solution that substantially or completely burns out by the time the composition is melted. In certain example embodiments, a CTE filler is included with a frit material. In certain example embodiments, a vacuum insulated glass unit includes first and second glass substrates that are sealed together with a seal that includes the above-described composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Dennis
  • Patent number: 9359249
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to methods of making anti-corrosion anti-reflection (ACAR) films, and/or associated coated articles. The methods may involve forming the reaction product of a hydrolysis and/or a condensation reaction of at least one hybrid alkoxide selected from the group consisting of Si(OR)4—Al(s-OBu)3, Si(OR)4—B(OBu)3 and Si(OR)4 and Zr(OBu)4, where R is a CH2CH3 group, s-OBu is sec-butoxide and OBu is n-butoxide. The solution optionally may be blended and/or mixed with silicon nanoparticles and/or siloxanes. A Tqe % gain of about 3.2% and/or refractive index of 1.5 or less is/are possible in certain example embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Liang Liang
  • Patent number: 9353000
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to articles including anticondensation coatings that are exposed to an external environment, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the anticondensation coatings may be survivable in an outside environment. The coatings also may have a sufficiently low sheet resistance and hemispherical emissivity such that the glass surface is more likely to retain heat from the interior area, thereby reducing (and sometimes completely eliminating) the presence condensation thereon. The articles of certain example embodiments may be, for example, skylights, vehicle windows or windshields, IG units, VIG units, refrigerator/freezer doors, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Lemmer, Nestor P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9354755
    Abstract: A projected capacitive touch panel, including a substrate, a silver-inclusive transparent conductive coating which forms a plurality of row electrodes, a plurality of column electrodes, and a plurality of conductive traces, and a signal processor which sequentially measures a capacitance between each of row electrodes and an adjacent column electrode. The row electrodes, the plurality of column electrodes, and the plurality of traces are on a plane substantially parallel to the substrate. Each of the row electrodes is electrically connected to the signal processor by one of the plurality of conductive traces. The plurality of traces are at least partially substantially parallel to the column electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Willem Den Boer, Alexey Krasnov
  • Patent number: 9340452
    Abstract: A coated article includes a low-E coating having an absorbing layer located over a functional layer (IR reflecting layer) and designed to cause the coating to have an increased outside reflectance (e.g., in an IG window unit) and good selectivity. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layer is metallic, or substantially metallic, and is provided directly over and contacting a lower of two IR reflecting layers. In certain example embodiments, a nitride based layer (e.g., silicon nitride or the like) may be located directly over and contacting the absorbing layer in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening) thereby permitting predictable coloration, high outside reflectance values, and/or good selectivity to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin O'Connor, Jingyu Lao, John Wolff
  • Patent number: 9341748
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to sputtered aluminum second surface mirrors with tapes optionally provided thereto, and/or methods of making the same. The tape replaces the paint backing that conventionally is used in the mirror industry to help protect the reflecting member of the mirror from the ingress of moisture. The final layer of the thin film layer stack is selected so as to help make its interface with the tape less sensitive to moisture. Because the safety tape can remain adhered to the layer stack even in high humidity environments, such minors may be used in a potentially broader array of applications and/or environments such as, for example, bathrooms, interior and/or exterior applications in areas where there are humid climates, etc. In one of the example embodiments, the tape is a safety tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Willem Den Boer, Lisa Green
  • Patent number: 9333728
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to ruggedized switchable glazings, and/or methods of making the same. The PDLC stack of certain example embodiments includes an outer substrate, a low-E UV blocking coating deposited on an inner surface of the outer substrate, a first PVB or EVA laminate, a first PET layer, a first TCO layer, the PDLC layer, a second TCO layer, a second PET layer, a second PVB or EVA laminate, and an inner substrate. The substrates may be glass substrates. The low-E UV blocking coating may include at least two layers of or including silver and/or may include one or more IR layers. Thus, certain example embodiments may advantageously reduce one or more problems associated with residual haze, color change, flicker, structural changes in the polymer and/or the LC, degradations in state-switching response times, delamination, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 9332862
    Abstract: Refrigerator doors (which includes freezer doors) are provided for use in display areas where refrigerated merchandise (e.g., frozen or chilled food) is displayed. It is desired to increase energy efficiency of the doors and thus of the refrigerated display system, while at the same time reducing visible reflectance from the doors to make it easier for customers to see merchandise which is being displayed behind the transparent doors. Refrigerator doors according to certain example embodiments of this invention include one or more AR coatings, some of which may include a transparent conductive layer (e.g., ITO) so as to also function as a low-E coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Jose Nunez-Regueiro, David D. McLean
  • Patent number: 9328017
    Abstract: A coated article including a coating having first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers comprising silver. A first absorption layer including Zr is located such that the first absorption layer is located between the glass substrate and the first IR reflecting layer, and a second absorption layer including Zr is located such that both the first and second IR reflecting layers are located between the glass substrate and the second absorption layer. The first absorption layer and the second absorption layer are each sandwiched between and contacting dielectric layers. The first absorption layer may be from about 120-200 angstroms (?) thick, and may be at least 40 angstroms thicker than the second absorption layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Anton Dietrich, Bernd Disteldorf, Piotr Kokot, Adam Tokarz
  • Patent number: 9315414
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe a low-e panel and a method for forming a low-e panel. A transparent substrate is provided. A metal oxide layer is formed over the transparent substrate. The metal oxide layer includes a first element, a second element, and a third element. A reflective layer is formed over the transparent substrate. The first element may include tin or zinc. The second element and the third element may each include tin, zinc, antimony, silicon, strontium, titanium, niobium, zirconium, magnesium, aluminum, yttrium, lanthanum, hafnium, or bismuth. The metal oxide layer may also include nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Mohd Fadzli Anwar Hassan, Richard Blacker, Guowen Ding, Jingyu Lao, Minh Huu Le, Yiwei Lu, Minh Anh Nguyen, Zhi-Wen Sun