Method of making reflector for solar collector or the like, and corresponding product, including reflective coating designed for improved adherence to laminating layer
First Claim
1. A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
- providing a flat glass substrate;
forming a mirror coating on the flat glass substrate, the mirror coating including a reflective layer and an uppermost film comprising tin oxide and/or silane(s);
after the mirror coating has been formed on the flat glass substrate, bending the glass substrate together with the coating thereon into a desired bent shape, the bending being performed when the glass substrate is at a temperature of no more than about 200 degrees C.; and
maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a plate that is laminated to the glass substrate using a polymer based glue layer, so that the polymer based glue layer directly contacts the uppermost film of the mirror coating which comprises tin oxide and/or silane(s).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made performing at least the following steps: (a) forming a reflective coating on a flat glass substrate, (b) cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member (e.g., another glass sheet/substrate, or alternatively a thermoplastic member) to the cold-bent glass substrate, the plate or frame member for maintaining the coated glass substrate in a desired bent orientation. In certain example embodiments, the reflective coating is a mirror coating and includes a passivating film including tin oxide and/or silane(s) for better adhering to the polymer based glue/adhesive/laminating layer which may be made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or the like.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
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providing a flat glass substrate; forming a mirror coating on the flat glass substrate, the mirror coating including a reflective layer and an uppermost film comprising tin oxide and/or silane(s); after the mirror coating has been formed on the flat glass substrate, bending the glass substrate together with the coating thereon into a desired bent shape, the bending being performed when the glass substrate is at a temperature of no more than about 200 degrees C.; and maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a plate that is laminated to the glass substrate using a polymer based glue layer, so that the polymer based glue layer directly contacts the uppermost film of the mirror coating which comprises tin oxide and/or silane(s). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
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providing a flat glass substrate; forming a reflective coating on the flat glass substrate, the reflective coating including a reflective layer and an uppermost film comprising metal oxide and/or silane(s); after the reflective coating has been formed on the flat glass substrate, bending the glass substrate together with the coating thereon into a desired bent shape, the bending being performed when the glass substrate is at a temperature of no more than about 250 degrees C.; and maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a plate that is laminated to the glass substrate using a polymer based laminating layer, so that the polymer based laminating layer directly contacts the uppermost film of the reflective coating which comprises metal oxide and/or silane(s).
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16. A mirror, comprising:
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a first bent glass substrate with a mirror coating formed thereon, wherein the mirror coating comprises a reflective layer and an uppermost film comprising metal oxide and/or silane(s); a second bent glass substrate laminated to the first bent glass substrate using a polymer based glue layer, and wherein the polymer based glue layer directly contacts the uppermost film of the mirror coating which comprises metal oxide and/or silane(s). - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification