Corrosion resistant flexible reflective film for solar energy applications
First Claim
1. A flexible reflective film comprising in combination:
- a flexible polymeric support sheet;
a specularly reflective layer of silver overlaying the surface of the flexible polymeric support sheet, the layer of silver being at least partially reflective to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers;
an adhesive overlaying the surface of the specularly reflective layer of silver opposite to the flexible polymeric support sheet, the adhesive being transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers; and
a fluorocarbon film overlaying and bonded to the surface of the adhesive opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver, the fluorocarbon film being impervious to moisture, stable to ultraviolet light, and transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Highly weather and corrosion resistant flexible reflective films for solar energy applications and lighting reflectors are formed by vapor-depositing silver onto a flexible support sheet, e.g., biaxially oriented polyester film and adherently bonding a protective fluorocarbon film, e.g., poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidine fluoride), or poly(tetrafluoroethylene), to the surface of the silver distal to the flexible support sheet with a layer of adhesive. Fluorocarbon film is highly optically transmissive to visible, ultraviolet, and/or near infra-red light between about 300-2,500 nanometers, stable to ultraviolet light, impervious to moisture, non-hygroscopic, scratch resistant, and easy to keep clean. The adhesive is highly optically transmissive to light between about 300-2,500 nanometers and stable to ultraviolet light. Chemical corrosion inhibitors and UV absorbers incorporated into the flexible reflective film can increase its resistance to corrosion and degradation by ultraviolet light.
189 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A flexible reflective film comprising in combination:
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a flexible polymeric support sheet; a specularly reflective layer of silver overlaying the surface of the flexible polymeric support sheet, the layer of silver being at least partially reflective to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers; an adhesive overlaying the surface of the specularly reflective layer of silver opposite to the flexible polymeric support sheet, the adhesive being transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers; and a fluorocarbon film overlaying and bonded to the surface of the adhesive opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver, the fluorocarbon film being impervious to moisture, stable to ultraviolet light, and transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A reflector comprising in combination:
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a flexible polymeric support sheet; a specularly reflective layer of silver overlaying the surface of the flexible polymeric support sheet, the layer of silver being at least partially reflective to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nonometers; an adhesive overlaying the surface of the specularly reflective layer of silver opposite to the flexible polymeric support sheet, the adhesive being transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nonometers; a fluorocarbon film overlaying and bonded to the surface of the adhesive opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver, the fluorocarbon film being impervious to moisture, stable to ultraviolet light, and transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nanometers; and a means for attaching the flexible reflective film to a structure for reflecting light. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification