MIRROR

• US 20110220097A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AGC Glass Europe SA (AGC, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AGC Glass Europe SA (AGC, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ventelon, Lionel, Bouesnard, Olivier
• Application Number:
  US13/058,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20110220097A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/684
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/82 characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

Mirror assemblies according to the present invention comprise a mirror (1) and a facing panel (2) with a sealed gas space (5) therebetween. The mirror (1) may be a mirror comprising a glass substrate (10), a silver coating layer (11) and at least one paint layer (12), or a mirror comprising an organic mirror film (14) bonded to a substrate (13). In the case of a glass mirror, the at least one paint layer (12) faces the sealed gas space (5) and in the case of a mirror comprising an organic mirror film (14), the mirror film faces the sealed gas space (5).

Claims

1. A mirror assembly, comprising:

a mirror and a facing panel with a sealed gas space therebetween;

wherein the mirror is selected from the group consisting of;

(a) a mirror comprising

a glass substrate,

a silver coating layer provided at a surface of the glass substrate and

at least one paint layer covering the silver coating layer,

wherein the at least one paint layer faces the sealed gas space; and

(b) a mirror comprising

an organic mirror film bonded to a substrate,

wherein the mirror film faces the sealed gas space.

2. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealed gas space has a dew point temperature of less than 0°

C.

3. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealed gas space is a low pressure space having a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

4. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a desiccant.

5. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panel is selected from the group consisting of a glass sheet, a metallic sheet and a composite sheet.

6. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mirror and the panel are held in a spaced relationship by at least one spacer.

7. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealed gas space comprises a plurality of gas spaces.

8. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealed gas space is maintained in a sealed state by a sealing material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of an epoxy material, an acrylate material, a butyl material, a polyurethane material, a polysulfide material, an acrylic material and a silicone material.

9. A mirror assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sealing material has a moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) equal to or less than 30 g/m².24 h for a 2 mm thick membrane.

10. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly has a curved shape.

11. A solar energy reflector, comprising:

the mirror assembly according to claim 1.