Method of making reflector for solar collector or the like and corresponding product
First Claim
1. A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
- providing a flat glass substrate;
forming a reflective coating on the flat glass substrate;
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 200 degrees C.; and
maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a pre-bent glass sheet and/or a thermoplastic member that is attached to the glass substrate and/or the coating thereon.
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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 glass substrate supporting the reflective coating may be maintained in desired bent form by using another glass substrate and a glue layer provided between the another glass substrate and the glass substrate supporting the coating. The bent reflector (e.g., mirror) may be used in a solar collector, or in any other suitable application.
89 Citations
28 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 reflective coating on the flat glass substrate;
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 200 degrees C.; and
maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a pre-bent glass sheet and/or a thermoplastic member that is attached to the glass substrate and/or the coating thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of making a reflector, the method comprising:
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providing a flat glass substrate;
forming a reflective coating on the flat glass substrate, the reflective coating for reflecting visible and/or IR radiation and comprising at least one reflective layer comprising one or more of Ag, Al and/or Cr;
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 200 degrees C.; and
maintaining the glass substrate and the coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using a frame member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A mirror comprising:
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a bent glass substrate;
a mirror coating on the bent glass substrate, the mirror coating for reflecting visible light and comprising at least one reflective layer comprising one or more of Ag, Al and/or Cr;
wherein the bent glass substrate with the mirror coating thereon is maintained in a desired bent shape by a frame member, so that if the frame member were removed then the glass substrate would no longer be in the desired bent shape, and wherein the frame member comprises one of;
(1) a thermoplastic member, or (2) another glass substrate with a glue layer being provided between the another glass substrate and the bent glass substrate supporting the mirror coating. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of making a coated article, the method comprising:
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providing a flat glass substrate;
forming a reflective coating on the flat glass substrate;
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 200 degrees C.; and
maintaining the glass substrate and the reflective coating thereon in substantially the desired bent shape by using another glass substrate and a glue layer, wherein the glue layer is provided between the glass substrate that supports the reflective coating and the another glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification