Vacuum IG pillar with lubricating and/or reflective coating
US6946171B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2958
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vacuum insulating glass (IG) unit is provided with an array of spacers/pillars between opposing glass sheets. At least some of the spacers/pillars are coated on at least one surface thereof with a dry lubricant and/or reflective material such as silver. This coating permits the glass sheet(s) to move relative to one another during thermal expansion while minimizing the degree to which the spacers/pillars scratch or crack the glass during such relative movement. A method of making an exemplary spacer/pillar includes transforming by chemical reaction silver ions on a core into a metallic silver coating thereby resulting in a coated spacer/pillar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.