Patents Assigned to Guardian Industries Corp.
  • Photovoltaic systems and associated components that are used on buildings and/or associated methods
    Patent number: 9202958
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) or building adapted photovoltaic (BAPV) systems and components thereof. In certain example embodiments a component includes an asymmetric glass substrate that includes at least first, second, and third surfaces. The third surface can be laminated to a photovoltaic sub-assembly. The first surface can structured to be angled away from a vertical plane of a building at an angle of between 5 and 40 degrees. The first surface may be longer than the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Alexey Krasnov
  • Method of making hydrophobic coated article, coated article including hydrophobic coatings, and/or sol compositions for use in the same
    Patent number: 9181455
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including a coating formed from a sol that has hydrophobic surface properties. The sol may include a mixture of at least two alkylsiloxane chemicals, with the sol potentially being aged for a certain comparatively short amount of time before being wet-applied to a major substrate surface. The application process may also undergo a certain comparatively short curing process to help provide hydrophobic surface properties. The hydrophobic surface properties help provide anti-soiling functions that are advantageous in a variety of applications including, for example, solar mirror applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Liang Liang
  • Thermochromic window and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9170465
    Abstract: A thermochromic window, including: a first glass substrate, a transparent conductive film applied to the first glass substrate, a silicone resin layer applied to the conductive film, a second glass substrate, and a power source which supplies power to the conductive film, the silicone resin layer including vanadium oxide (e.g., VO2) nanoparticles which are encapsulated in a silica inclusive (e.g., SiO2) shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Cerny
  • Organic light emitting diode with transparent electrode and method of making same
    Patent number: 9172056
    Abstract: A transparent electrode is provided for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The electrode may be made according to a method including: sputter-depositing a first layer of or including indium tin oxide (ITO) on a substrate; sputter-depositing a thin second metallic or substantially metallic layer on the glass substrate over the first layer to form an electrode structure, and heat treating the electrode structure at temperature(s) of at least about 400 degrees C. in order to thermally activate at least the first layer of or including ITO. The electrode structure may then be provided in an OLED device on the light-emitting side of the organic light emitting semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Alexey Krasnov
  • Method and apparatus for making vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit including cleaning cavity thereof
    Patent number: 9169155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a cavity of a vacuum insulated glass window assembly is provided in which a cleaning gas mixture of or including ozone is introduced into the cavity of the vacuum insulated glass assembly and allowed to react with residual materials, such as, for example, hydrocarbons and/or polymers. Reacted hydrocarbons and/or polymers are then removed from the vacuum cavity along with any residual cleaning gas mixture. The cleaning method is preferably performed at substantially ambient temperatures or at least temperatures below about 250° C. The ozone cleaning cycle may be repeated multiple times and followed by additional purges with other gases, such as for example nitrogen. Additional energy may be provided by heating, RF plasma; corona discharge, UV lamp, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Dennis, Andrew W. Pantke, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Heat treatable four layer anti-reflection coating
    Patent number: 9163150
    Abstract: A coated article includes a heat treatable (e.g., temperable) antireflection (AR) coating having four layers. The AR coating includes a layer adjacent the glass substrate having an index of refraction substantially matching that of the glass substrate, and having a compressive residual stress. In certain example embodiments, the coating may include the following layers from the glass substrate outwardly: stress-reducing layer/medium index layer/high index layer/low index layer. In certain example embodiments, depending on the chemical and optical properties of the high index layer and the substrate, the stress-reducing layer of the AR coating is selected to cause a net compressive residual stress and thus improve the overall performance of the antireflection coating when the coated article is heat treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Broadway, Alexey Krasnov, Willem Den Boer
  • Back contact having selenium blocking layer for photovoltaic devices such as copper—indium-diselenide solar cells
    Patent number: 9159850
    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 copper (Cu) and a second conductive layer of or including molybdenum (Mo); and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). A selenium blocking layer is provided between at least the Cu inclusive layer and the Mo inclusive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Alexey Krasnov
  • Patterned glass cylindrical lens arrays for concentrated photovoltaic systems, and/or methods of making the same
    Patent number: 9156720
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to patterned glass that can be used as a cylindrical lens array in a concentrated photovoltaic application, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and/or single-axis tracking systems. That is, in certain example embodiments, lenses in the lens array may be arranged so as to concentrate incident light onto respective strip solar cells, and the entire assembly may be connected to a single-axis tracking system that is programmed to follow the East-West movement of the sun. A low-iron glass may be used in connection with certain example embodiments. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Willem Den Boer
  • Substrates or assemblies having two-color laser-fused frits, and/or method of making the same
    Patent number: 9150449
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to substrates or assemblies having two-colored laser-fused frits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a first pattern is formed or written on a glass sheet by laser fusing a first frit material to the glass sheet. A second pattern is formed by laser fusing a second frit material disposed on the first frit material. An optional thin film coating is supported by the glass sheet. The glass sheet with the first and second patterns and optional coating is cut prior to heat treatment. A YAG or other type of laser may be used to directly or indirectly heat the frit materials, at the same or different times, and the frit materials may be wet-applied to the substrate. In certain instances, the laser firing raises the temperature of the glass substrate to no more than 100 degrees C. or preferably even lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Jason E. Theios
  • Coated article with low-E coating having absorbing layers for low film side reflectance and low visible transmission
    Patent number: 9150003
    Abstract: Absorbing layers of a low-emissivity (low-E) coating are designed to cause the coating to have a reduced film side reflectance which is advantageous for aesthetic purposes. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layers are metallic or substantially metallic (e.g., NiCr or NiCrNx) and are each provided between first and second nitride layers (e.g., silicon nitride based layers) in order to reduce or prevent oxidation of the absorbing layers during optional heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening). Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, other types of windows, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Anton Dietrich, Bernd Disteldorf, Piotr Kokot, Adam Tokarz
  • Multi-functional photovoltaic skylight and/or methods of making the same
    Patent number: 9151879
    Abstract: Certain examples relate to improved solar photovoltaic systems, and/or methods of making the same. Certain improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the solar heat gain coefficient. The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and lateral displacement tracking systems. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Willem Den Boer, Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Mirror having reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum
    Patent number: 9151880
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to mirrors having a reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum (e.g., SiAl). The mirrors may be first surface mirrors, or second surface mirrors. The SiAl layer may be provided between dielectric layers. The mirrors may be flat or bent in different instances, and may or may not be heat treated. In certain example instances, such mirrors may be used in interior residential, commercial, appliance, and/or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Guardian do Brasil Vidros Planos Ltda., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Afonso Kreling, Fabiola Ramos Torres, Juan Baillo Abreu, Willem Den Boer, Alexey Krasnov
  • Platform shipping rack cart for glass sheets
    Patent number: 9145083
    Abstract: A platform shipping rack cart for shipping rack(s) supporting glass sheets is provided. The cart may include a plurality of upwardly extending locator projections (e.g., pins) for engaging L-frame racks that hold glass sheets, so as to allow the L-frame rack(s) to be positioned and securely mounted on the cart for shipping and the like. The locator projections are arranged so that first and second L-frame racks may be provided on the cart either facing each other, or in back-to-back position, as desired. The cart advantageously allows multiple L-shaped glass racks to be stabilized on the cart and moved at a given time, and allows for loading the glass in either lengthwise or sideways orientations into vans or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Bikramjit Singh Samra
  • Electrochromic devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same
    Patent number: 9140950
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Mirror
    Patent number: 9134467
    Abstract: Mirrors having at least one of: (a) a reflective film including a first layer of or including aluminum and a second layer of or including silver or the like, and/or (b) a color tuning layer between first and second layers. The mirrors may be second surface mirrors in certain example embodiments. The mirrors may be flat or bent in different instances, and may or may not be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered and/or thermally bent).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Willem den Boer
  • Mirror having reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum
    Patent number: 9134466
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to mirrors having a reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum (e.g., SiAl). The mirrors may be first surface mirrors, or second surface mirrors. The mirrors may be flat or bent in different instances, and may or may not be heat treated. In certain example instances, such mirrors may be used in interior residential, commercial, appliance, and/or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Guardian do Brasil Vidros Planos Ltda., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Afonso Kreling, Fabiola Ramos Torres, Juan Baillo Abreu, Philip J. Lingle, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Willem Den Boer, Alexey Krasnov
  • Spacer separation for coated glass sheets such as first surface mirrors
    Patent number: 9108775
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to an apparatus, system and/or method for holding coated glass sheets (e.g., mirrors) during transport, storage and/or the like. In certain example, embodiments, spacers are used between adjacent glass sheets so as to reduce the amount of contact between the spacers and the glass sheets when such glass sheets are stored and/or transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Hal Savakus
  • FRITS FOR USE IN VACUUM INSULATING GLASS (VIG) UNITS, AND/OR ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20150218042
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units having improved seals made using two different frit-based edge seal materials, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a first frit material is applied around peripheral edges of first and second glass substrates. The first frit material, which may be bismuth-based in certain example embodiments, is fired with a heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering) process. A second frit material, which may be VBZ-based in certain example embodiments, is applied and at least partially overlaps with the fired first frit material. The first frit material acts as a primer, and the second frit material helps seal together the VIG unit. The second frit material is fired at a significantly lower temperature that enables the glass to retain the temper or other strength imparted by the heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: John P. HOGAN, Timothy Alan DENNIS, Rudolph Hugo PETRMICHL, Greg KEMENAH
  • VACUUM INSULATING GLASS (VIG) UNIT WITH LEAD-FREE DUAL-FRIT EDGE SEALS AND/OR METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150218032
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units having improved seals made using two different frit-based edge seal materials, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a first frit material is applied around peripheral edges of first and second glass substrates. The first frit material, which may be bismuth-based in certain example embodiments, is fired with a heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering) process. A second frit material, which may be VBZ-based in certain example embodiments, is applied and at least partially overlaps with the fired first frit material. The first frit material acts as a primer, and the second frit material helps seal together the VIG unit. The second frit material is fired at a significantly lower temperature that enables the glass to retain the temper or other strength imparted by the heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: John P. HOGAN, Timothy Alan DENNIS, Rudolph Hugo PETRMICHL, Greg KEMENAH
  • First surface mirror, method of making the same, and scanner and/or copier including the same
    Patent number: 9097843
    Abstract: A first surface mirror including for example a substrate, a reflective layer (including aluminum, an aluminum alloy, silver, and/or a silver alloy), a dielectric layer, and an overcoat layer, a method of making the same, and a scanner and/or copier including the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Jiangang Weng, Yiwei Lu