Abstract: A photovoltaic glazing assembly including first and second substrates, at least one being formed of a light transmitting material. The assembly includes a photovoltaic coating over at least the central region of a surface of the first substrate or the second substrate. In some embodiments, a seal system encloses a gas space between the substrates and optionally has a thickness of between approximately 0.01 inch and approximately 0.1 inch. Certain embodiments provide a flexible and electrically non-conductive retention film over the photovoltaic coating. Additionally or alternatively, the assembly can have a peripheral seal system with relative dimensions in certain ranges. Advantageous manufacturing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel includes a substrate, a photovoltaic coating extending over, and being adhered to, a central region of a major surface of the substrate, and a flexible and electrically non-conductive film overlaying the photovoltaic coating, such that the photovoltaic coating is sandwiched between the film and the substrate. An assembly, which includes the photovoltaic panel, further includes a second substrate, which is joined to the first substrate, for example, by a seal member, such that an air space is enclosed between the film and the second substrate.

Abstract: A glazing assembly includes a functional coating extending over, and being adhered to a central region of an inner major surface of a first substrate, which opposes a second substrate, whose inner surface includes a central region facing the functional coating; a spacer member, which is directly adhered to aligned peripheries of the inner major surfaces, joins the substrates, such that an airspace is enclosed between the central regions thereof. The spacer member may be pre-formed from a material having properties that result in a relatively low moisture vapor transmission rate therethrough, and may have a pre-formed footprint that matches a shape of the periphery of each of the substrates. A silane primer may be applied to the peripheries of the substrates to improve hydrolytic stability of the adhesion between the substrates and the spacer member.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing coatings from generally opposed first and second major surfaces of a substrate. The method includes providing a table having a surface for slidable receipt of the substrate. First and second grinding apparatuses are provided at a mounting portion of the table, opposite one another. As the substrate moves over the table surface, it contacts the first and second grinding apparatuses. The coatings are simultaneously removed from the first major surface with the first grinding apparatus from the second major surface with the second grinding apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing coatings from generally opposed first and second major surfaces of a substrate. The method includes providing a table having a surface for slidable receipt of the substrate. First and second grinding apparatuses are provided at a mounting portion of the table, opposite one another. As the substrate moves over the table surface, it contacts the first and second grinding apparatuses. The coatings are simultaneously removed from the first major surface with the first grinding apparatus from the second major surface with the second grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate has a durable exterior surface bearing a temporary protective cover that protects the durable surface against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the durable surface by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate has a durable exterior surface bearing a temporary protective cover that protects the durable surface against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the durable surface by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a substrate (e.g., a glass pane) having generally opposed first and second major surfaces. At least one of these major surfaces bears a functional coating and has a peripheral region that is substantially free of the functional coating. Another embodiment provides a multiple-pane insulating glass unit comprising two spaced-apart panes and a spacer joining confronting, inner peripheral surfaces of the panes. At least one of the panes has a coated outer surface. This coated outer surface has a peripheral region that is substantially free of the coating. The invention also provides methods for treating a coated substrate that has generally opposed first and second major surfaces each bearing a functional coating. The coating is substantially removed from a peripheral region of the first major surface. Likewise, the coating is substantially removed from a peripheral region of the second major surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing coatings from generally opposed first and second major surfaces of a substrate. The method includes providing a table having a surface for slidable receipt of the substrate. First and second grinding apparatuses are provided at a mounting portion of the table, opposite one another. As the substrate moves over the table surface, it contacts the first and second grinding apparatuses. The coatings are simultaneously removed from the first major surface with the first grinding apparatus from the second major surface with the second grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A layer of silver metal or the like, included as one of a plurality of transparent coating layers upon a glass pane, is protected from staining by providing the pane with a barrier layer comprising the oxides of at least two metals of which one is Me(1) and another is Me(2) wherein Me(1) is titanium, zirconium or hafnium and Me(2) is zinc, tin, indium or bismuth. The barrier layer is non-transmissive of moisture and other staining agents, is amorphous and is free of grain boundaries.

Abstract: An insulating unit suitable for installation in walls, doors, and the like, is manufactured by a method that includes the steps of supporting a heat-shrinkable plastic film between spaced but parallel glass panes to provide an integral unit, and then heating the unit to cause the plastic film to shrink and become taut and wrinkle-free.