Abstract: A method of making glass (e.g., grey in color in some embodiments, or otherwise colored in other embodiments) in a manner so as to reduce selenium (Se) burnoff. In some embodiments, Epsom salt(s) is added to the glass batch in order to reduce Se burnoff. The resulting glass product is useful, for example, in vehicle and/or architectural privacy glass applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bending and/or tempering glass substrate(s) are provided. The amount of near-IR radiation which reaches the glass to be bent and/or tempered is limited (e.g., via filtering or any other suitable technique). Thus, the IR radiation (used for heating the glass) which reaches the glass to be bent and/or tempered includes mostly mid-IR and/or far-IR radiation, and not much near-IR. In such a manner, coating(s) provided on the glass can be protected and kept at lower temperatures so as to be less likely to be damaged during the bending and/or tempering process. Heating efficiency can be improved. A ceramic (e.g., aluminosilicate) filter or baffle may be used in certain embodiments in order to reduce the amount of mid-IR and/or far-IR radiation reaching the glass to be tempered and/or bent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a laminated window such as a vehicle windshield. At least one of the two glass substrates of the window is ion beam milled prior to heat treatment and lamination. As a result, defects in the resulting window and/or haze may be reduced.

Abstract: A glass composition including from 0.10 to 2.0% yttrium oxide (e.g., Y2O3) and employing in its colorant portion iron (total iron expressed as Fe2O3), erbium (e.g., Er2O3), and/or holmium (e.g., Ho2O3). In certain embodiments, the glass may be grey in color.

Abstract: A grey glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (Fe2O3/FeO) and erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3), and also preferably selenium and cobalt. An exemplary colorant portion for use in a glass composition (with a soda lime silica or other suitable base glass) includes, by weight percentage: Total iron (expressed as Fe2O3): 0.1 to 0.6% erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3): 0.3 to 1.5% selenium (Se): 0.0002 to 0.0010% cobalt oxide (e.g., Co3O4): 0.0005 to 0.0018% titanium oxide (e.g., TiO2): 0.0 to 1.0% boron oxide (e.g., B2O3): 0.0 to 2.0% The resulting glass may exhibit high visible transmittance (Lta), while at the same time low UV and IR transmittance.

Abstract: A method of making glass (e.g., grey in color in some embodiments, or otherwise colored in other embodiments) in a manner so as to reduce selenium (Se) burnoff. In some embodiments, Epsom salt(s) is added to the glass batch in order to reduce Se burnoff. The resulting glass product is useful, for example, in vehicle and/or architectural privacy glass applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a window (e.g., vehicle windshield, architectural window, etc.), and the resulting window product. At least one glass substrate of the window is ion beam treated and/or milled prior to application of a coating (e.g., sputter coated coating) over the treated/milled substrate surface and/or prior to heat treatment. As a result, defects in the resulting window and/or haze may be reduced. The ion beam used in certain embodiments may be diffused. In certain embodiments, the ion beam treating and/or milling is carried out using a fluorine (F) inclusive gas(es) and/or argon/oxygen gas(es) at the ion source(s). In certain optional embodiments, F may be subimplanted into to treated/milled glass surface for the purpose of reducing Na migration to the glass surface during heat treatment or thereafter, thereby enabling corrosion and/or stains to be reduced for long periods of time.

Abstract: A thermally insulating panel (e.g., vacuum IG window unit) includes first and second opposing substrates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. A low pressure space is defined between the substrates, and is hermetically sealed off by at least one edge seal. During evacuation of the space, a plasma is ignited within the space in order to reduce the time needed to evacuate the space down to the desired low pressure.

Abstract: A grey glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (Fe2O3/FeO) and erbium (Er2O3), and also preferably selenium and cobalt. An exemplary colorant portion for use in a glass composition (with a soda lime silica or other suitable base glass) includes, by weight percentage: Total iron (expressed as Fe2O3): 0.35 to 0.50% Er2O3: 0.50 to 1.20% Se: 0.0002 to 0.0010% CO3O4: 0.0007 to 0.0018% TiO2:  0.0 to 0.15% B2O3: 0.0 to 1.5% The resulting glass may exhibit high visible transmittance (Lta), while at the same time low UV and IR transmittance.

Abstract: A glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (total iron expressed as Fe2O3), erbium (e.g., Er2O3), and holmium (e.g., Ho2O3). The glass may be grey or otherwise colored in different embodiments. In certain example embodiments the colorant portion may include, by weight percentage: Ingredient wt. % total iron: 0.10-0.90% erbium oxide: 0.20-2.50% selenium:   0.0-0.0020% cobalt oxide:   0.0-0.0050% titanium oxide: 0.0-2.0% boron oxide: 0.0-2.0% holmium oxide: 0.10-1.60% thulium oxide: 0.0-2.0% ytterbium oxide: 0.0-3.0% lutetium oxide:  0.0-1.0%.

Abstract: A grey glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (Fe2O3/FeO) and erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3), and also preferably selenium and cobalt. An exemplary colorant portion for use in a glass composition (with a soda lime silica or other suitable base glass) includes, by weight percentage: 1 Total iron (expressed as Fe2O3): 0.1 to 0.6% erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3): 0.3 to 1.5% selenium (Se): 0.0002 to 0.0010% cobalt oxide (e.g., Co3O4): 0.0005 to 0.0018% titanium oxide (e.g., TiO2): 0.0 to 1.0% boron oxide (e.g., B2O3): 0.0 to 2.

Abstract: A grey glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (Fe2O3/FeO) and erbium (Er2O3), and also preferably selenium and cobalt. An exemplary colorant portion for use in a glass composition (with a soda lime silica or other suitable base glass) includes, by weight percentage: 1 Total iron (expressed as Fe2O3): 0.35 to 0.50% Er2O3: 0.50 to 1.20% Se: 0.0002 to 0.0010% Co3O4: 0.0007 to 0.0018% TiO2: 0.0 to 0.15% B2O3: 0.0 to 1.

Abstract: A vacuum insulating glass (IG) unit and method of making the same. A plurality of fiber spacers (e.g. glass fibers) are provided between first and second opposing substrates in order to space the substrates from one another and maintain a low pressure space therebetween. The fiber spacers may be randomly distributed in a viewing area of the unit, or distributed in approximately uniform rows and/or columns in different embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the fibers may be substantially transparent to certain wavelengths of visible light to render the IG unit more aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a green colored, infrared and ultraviolet absorbing glass article having a luminous transmittance of up to 60 percent. The composition of the glass article uses a standard soda-lime-silica glass base composition and additionally iron, cobalt, selenium, and chromium, and titanium, as infrared and ultraviolet radiation absorbing materials and colorants. The glasses of the present invention have a color characterized by a dominant wavelength in the range of about 480 to 565 nanometers, preferably about 495 to 560 nanometers, with an excitation purity of no higher than about 20 percent, preferably no higher than about 10 percent, and more preferably no higher than about 7 percent. The glass compositions may be provided with different levels of spectral performance depending on the particular application and desired luminous transmittance.

Abstract: Photochromic float glass and methods of making the same are provided. In especially preferred forms, the present invention is embodied in float glass having a non-photochromic glass substrate layer and a photochromic layer fused onto the substrate layer. During production, layers of the photochromic and non-photochromic glass are brought into contact with under conditions which fuse the layers one to another.

Abstract: A vacuum insulating glass (IG) unit and method of manufacturing the same. A peripheral or edge seal (11) of a vacuum IG unit is formed utilizing microwave energy (17) in order to enable tempered glass sheets (2, 3) of the IG unit to retain a significant portion of their original temper strength. In certain exemplary embodiments, the edge seal may be formed of glass frit or solder glass. In certain embodiments, at least a portion (12, 12a, 301) of the edge seal material may be deposited on one or both substrates prior to a thermal tempering process so that during tempering the edge seal material is permitted to diffuse into (i.e., bond to) the glass substrate(s) (2, 3). Optionally, additional edge seal material (303) may be added after tempering. The final edge seal (11) is preferably formed via microwave heating (17) of the edge seal material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composition having a neutral gray color and a luminous (visible) transmittance within a range that allows the glass to be used as privacy glazing in a vehicle. The glass of the present invention has a standard soda-lime-silica flat glass base composition and uses iron, cobalt and selenium, and optionally nickel, as the colorants. It has also been found that a nickel-free, neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of up to 40% at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.59 to 0.99 wt. % of the total glass Fe2O3 (total iron), no greater than 0.30 wt. % FeO; 60 to 180 PPM CoO and 5 to 30 PPM Se. It has been found that a nickel-bearing, neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of up to but less than 40% at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.35 to 1.1 wt. % of the total glass Fe2O3 (total iron), no greater than 0.30 wt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composition having a neutral gray color and a luminous (visible) transmittance within a range that allows the glass to be used as privacy glazing in a vehicle. The glass of the present invention has a standard soda-lime-silica flat glass base composition and uses iron, cobalt and selenium, and optionally nickel, as the colorants. It has also been found that a nickel-free, neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of up to 40% at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.59 to 0.99 wt. % of the total glass Fe2O3 (total iron), no greater than 0.30 wt. % FeO; 60 to 180 PPM CoO and 5 to 30 PPM Se. It has been found that a nickel-bearing, neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of up to but less than 40% at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.35 to 1.1 wt. % of the total glass Fe2O3 (total iron), no greater than 0.30 wt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composition having a neutral gray color and a luminous (visible) transmittance within a range that allows the glass to be used in the forward vision areas of a vehicle. The base glass is a soda-lime-silica composition and iron, cobalt, selenium and/or nickel are added as colorants. In one particular embodiment of the invention which is essentially nickel-free, a neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of 60% and higher at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.30 to 0.70 wt. % Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, no greater than 0.21 wt. % FeO, 3-50 PPM CoO and 1-15 PPM Se, and preferably 0.32 to 0.65 wt. % Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.065 to 0.20 wt. % FeO, 5 to 40 PPM CoO and 1 to 9 PPM Se. In an alternate embodiment of the invention which includes nickel oxide as a colorant, a neutral gray colored glass with a luminous transmittance of 60% and higher at a thickness of 3.9 millimeters may be attained by using 0.15 to 0.65 wt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composition having a bronze color and a luminous (visible) transmittance of 70% or greater. The base glass is a soda-lime-silica composition and iron and selenium are added as colorants. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a bronze colored glass with a luminous transmittance (C.I.E. illuminant A) of 70% and higher at a thickness of 4.1 millimeters may be attained by using as colorants: 0.4 to 0.6 wt. % Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.09 to 0.17 wt. % FeO and 3 to 11 PPM Se. In addition, it is preferred that the total solar energy transmittance be no greater than 60%.