Patent US4786784A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4786784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing an electrically heated window assembly and resulting article
Assignee: Pilkington North America Inc
•
Filing: 1988-02-05
•
Granted: 1988-11-22
•
Expires: 2008-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming a vehicle window assembly includes applying a band of an opaque ceramic enamel material to a predetermined peripheral portion of a sheet of relatively flat glass, and heating the glass to a prefire temperature to fuse the opaque material to the glass. An electrically conductive material is applied to the band in a predetermined pattern to form a pair of bus bars typically along the top and bottom edges of the sheet of glass. The glass is again heated to fire the bus bar material and soften the glass for bending into a desired window shape. A mask is applied to the bus bars for later connection of electrical leads and the sheet of glass is washed prior to the next operation. An electrically conductive film is applied to the second surface of the sheet of glass and electrically connected to the bus bars. The sheet of glass is laminated to a sheet of plastic material which covers the electrically conductive film and, typically, the plastic sheet is laminated to a second sheet of glass which has been preformed, i.e., bent, to conform to the first sheet. Electrical leads are attached to the bus bars to complete the window assembly. The electrically conducting film and glass sheet composition and thickness are chosen to maximize for the window assembly the desired performance characteristics of resistance, transmission, reflection and color-all of which are mutually interactive.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Nikodem
- 👤 Peter J. Tausch
- 👤 Ronald D. Goodman
- 👤 Robert M. Felt
- 👤 Michael J. Grogan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:44
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10761; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10036; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/84; H05B3/86; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/20; B32B2307/202; B32B2307/40; B32B2307/41; B32B2307/412; H05B2203/00; H05B2203/013; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/24967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming an electrically heated window assembly, comprising the steps of: a. applying to a surface of a first transparent sheet of glass an electrically conducting film stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer being of a thickness in the range of 70 to 100 angstroms and said zinc oxide layers being in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, said filmed sheet having an electrical resistance less than or equal to 10 ohms per square; and b. laminating said first sheet to a second transparent sheet with the filmed surface of said first sheet facing said second sheet, the composition and thickness of said transparent sheets and said electrically conducting film being effective after lamination to provide a window assembly having an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance less than or equal to 9 percent and a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, the window being neutral in color transmittance and substantially free of reflected color.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming an electrically heated window assembly, comprising the steps of: a. applying to a surface of a first transparent sheet of glass an electrically conducting film stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer being of a thickness in the range of 70 to 100 angstroms and said zinc oxide layers being in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, said filmed sheet having an electrical resistance less than or equal to 10 ohms per square; and b. laminating said first sheet to a second transparent sheet with the filmed surface of said first sheet facing said second sheet, the composition and thickness of said transparent sheets and said electrically conducting film being effective after lamination to provide a window assembly having an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance less than or equal to 9 percent and a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, the window being neutral in color transmittance and substantially free of reflected color.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=34.7±3; a*=0±3; b*=1.5±3.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said CIELAB scale parameters are: L*=34±3; a*=0±3; b*=-1.5±1.5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said first glass sheet is composed of a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing glass composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein both said first glass sheet and said second transparent sheet are composed of a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing glass composition.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of forming an electrically heated vehicle window assembly, comprising the steps of: a. applying a band of opaque heat fusible material to a predetermined peripheral portion of a surface of a relatively flat first sheet of glass; b. heating said first sheet and said opaque material to a prefire temperature at which said opaque material fuses to said surface; c. applying an electrically conductive material in a predetermined pattern to said band to define a bus bar means; d. heating said first sheet and said electrically conductive material to a firing temperature to fuse said bus bar means to said first sheet and bending said first sheet into a desired shape; e. applying an electrically conductive transparent film to said surface in electrical contact with said bus bar means by depositing on said surface a first layer of zinc oxide to a thickness of between 350 to 500 angstroms, depositing a layer of silver metal on the first zinc oxide layer to a thickness of between 70 to 100 angstroms, depositing a layer of zinc metal on said silver metal layer to a thickness between 20 to 40 angstroms, and depositing a second zinc oxide layer on said zinc metal layer to a thickness of between 350 to 500 angstroms; and f. laminating said first sheet to a second sheet of transparent material with said filmed surface facing said second sheet to form a window assembly.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of forming an electrically heated vehicle window assembly, comprising the steps of: a. applying a band of opaque heat fusible material to a predetermined peripheral portion of a surface of a relatively flat first sheet of glass; b. heating said first sheet and said opaque material to a prefire temperature at which said opaque material fuses to said surface; c. applying an electrically conductive material in a predetermined pattern to said band to define a bus bar means; d. heating said first sheet and said electrically conductive material to a firing temperature to fuse said bus bar means to said first sheet and bending said first sheet into a desired shape; e. applying an electrically conductive transparent film to said surface in electrical contact with said bus bar means by depositing on said surface a first layer of zinc oxide to a thickness of between 350 to 500 angstroms, depositing a layer of silver metal on the first zinc oxide layer to a thickness of between 70 to 100 angstroms, depositing a layer of zinc metal on said silver metal layer to a thickness between 20 to 40 angstroms, and depositing a second zinc oxide layer on said zinc metal layer to a thickness of between 350 to 500 angstroms; and f. laminating said first sheet to a second sheet of transparent material with said filmed surface facing said second sheet to form a window assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said first glass sheet is composed of a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing glass composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein said second transparent sheet is a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing glass sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said prefire temperature is one in the range of 750° F. to 1000° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said firing temperature is one in the range of 1000° F. to 1300° F.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 6, including a step of forming a cutout in said second sheet adjacent said bus bar means after performing said step d, and a step of attaching electrical leads to said bus bar means after performing said step f.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
A window assembly adapted to be heated electrically, comprising a first transparent sheet, a transparent electrically conductive film stack on a surface of said sheet, said stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer having a thickness between 70 and 100 angstroms and each said zinc oxide layers having a thickness in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, a bus bar in contact with said film stack, a plastic interlayer adhered to the filmed surface of said first sheet, and a second transparent sheet adhered to the interlayer opposite said first sheet, said transparent sheet and film layer thicknesses being selected to provide said window assembly with an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance from either exposed assembly surface of less than or equal to 9 percent, a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, and a sheet resistance measured across said film stack of less than or equal to 10 ohms per square, the window being substantially free of reflected color and being neutral in color transmittance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
189 words
A window assembly adapted to be heated electrically, comprising a first transparent sheet, a transparent electrically conductive film stack on a surface of said sheet, said stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer having a thickness between 70 and 100 angstroms and each said zinc oxide layers having a thickness in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, a bus bar in contact with said film stack, a plastic interlayer adhered to the filmed surface of said first sheet, and a second transparent sheet adhered to the interlayer opposite said first sheet, said transparent sheet and film layer thicknesses being selected to provide said window assembly with an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance from either exposed assembly surface of less than or equal to 9 percent, a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, and a sheet resistance measured across said film stack of less than or equal to 10 ohms per square, the window being substantially free of reflected color and being neutral in color transmittance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A window assembly according to claim 12, including an opaque band of ceramic enamel material fired on said filmed surface and underlying said bus bar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A window assembly according to claim 12, wherein said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=34.7±3; a*=0±3; b*=1.5±3.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
205 words
A window assembly adapted to be heated electrically, comprising a first glass sheet, a film stack on a surface of said sheet, said stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer having a thickness between 70 and 100 angstroms and each said zinc oxide layers having a thickness in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, a pair of spaced bus bars, each positioned adjacent a peripheral edge of the first sheet in contact with said film stack, a layer of polyvinyl butyral adhered to the filmed surface of said first glass sheet, and a second glass sheet adhered to the polyvinyl butyral layer opposite said first glass sheet, said glass sheet and film layer thicknesses being selected to provide said window assembly with an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance from either exposed glass surface of less than or equal to 9 percent, a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, and a sheet resistance measured across said film stack of less than or equal to 10 ohms per square, the window being substantially free of reflected color and being neutral in color transmittance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
205 words
A window assembly adapted to be heated electrically, comprising a first glass sheet, a film stack on a surface of said sheet, said stack including a layer of silver metal interposed between layers of zinc oxide, said silver metal layer having a thickness between 70 and 100 angstroms and each said zinc oxide layers having a thickness in the range of 350 to 500 angstroms, a pair of spaced bus bars, each positioned adjacent a peripheral edge of the first sheet in contact with said film stack, a layer of polyvinyl butyral adhered to the filmed surface of said first glass sheet, and a second glass sheet adhered to the polyvinyl butyral layer opposite said first glass sheet, said glass sheet and film layer thicknesses being selected to provide said window assembly with an Illuminant A transmittance greater than or equal to 70 percent, an Illuminant C reflectance from either exposed glass surface of less than or equal to 9 percent, a total solar transmittance less than or equal to 45 percent, and a sheet resistance measured across said film stack of less than or equal to 10 ohms per square, the window being substantially free of reflected color and being neutral in color transmittance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A window assembly according to claim 12, wherein said glass sheets are of a thickness between 0.070 inch and 0.090 inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A window assembly according to claim 15, wherein said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=34.7±3; a*=0±3; b*=1.5±3.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A window assembly according to claim 17, wherein both of said glass sheets are of a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing composition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window assembly according to claim 17, wherein said first glass sheet is of a glare reducing iron oxide-containing heat absorbing composition and said second glass sheet is of a regular clear glass composition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A window assembly according to claim 17, wherein both of said glass sheets are of a regular clear glass composition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A window assembly according to claim 17, wherein said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=34.7±3; a*=0±3; b*=1.5±1.5.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
A window assembly according to claim 21, wherein said Illuminant A transmittance is in the range of 70 to 80 percent, said Illuminant C reflectance is in the range of 7 to 9 percent, said total solar transmittance is in the range of 42 to 45 percent, and said sheet resistance is in the range of 6 to 9 ohms per square.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
A window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said Illuminant A transmittance is approximately 71.5 percent, said Illuminant C reflectance is approximately 8.2 percent, said total solar transmittance is approximately 44 percent, said sheet resistance is approximately 7.5 ohms per square, and said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=35; a*=0.76; b*=-1.25.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
A window assembly according to claim 19, wherein said Illuminant A transmittance is approximately 76.5 percent, said Illuminant C reflectance is approximately 8.5 percent, said total solar transmittance is approximately 51.5 percent, said sheet resistance is approximately 7.5 ohms per square, and said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=35.3; a*=0.8; b*=-1.30.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A window assembly according to claim 20, wherein said Illuminant A transmittance is approximately 81.5 percent, said Illuminant C reflectance is approximately 9 percent, said total solar transmittance is approximately 62 percent, said sheet resistance is approximately 9 ohms per suqare, and said color has the following CIELAB scale parameters: L*=35; a*=1.9; b*=-1.2.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window assembly according to claim 15, wherein said silver metal layer is approximately 75 to 85 angstroms in thickness and said zinc oxide layers are each approximately 400 to 450 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A window assembly according to claim 15, including an opaque band of ceramic enamel material fired on said filmed glass surface and underlying said bus bars.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
A window assembly according to claim 25, wherein said Illuminant A transmittance is in the range of 70 to 80 percent, said Illuminant C reflectance is in the range of 7 to 9 percent, said sheet resistance in the range of 6 to 9 ohms per square, and said total solar transmittance is in the range of 42 to 45 percent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |