Method and apparatus for improving radio frequency signal transmission through low-emissivity coated glass
First Claim
1. A method of removing or creating an absence of a portion of a low emissivity (low-E) coating from a sheet of glass, comprising:
- removing or creating an absence of a portion of the low-E coating in a pattern of intersecting lines or curves, in a manner that keeps the majority of the glass coated by the low-E coating, where all the lines or curves are interconnected and leave behind a plurality of areas of the coating that are permanently electrically isolated by the removal or absence of the portion of the coating and that remain electrically isolated while the glass is in use, wherein the removed portion or absence of the coating is of a size and shape such that the coated sheet of glass allows transmission, through the glass, of cellular and wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) radio signals with an insertion loss of 10 dB or less.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for modifying low emissivity (low-E) coated glass, so that windows using the processed glass allow uninterrupted use of RF devices within commercial or residential buildings. Glass processed in the manner described herein will not significantly diminish the energy conserving properties of the low-E coated glass. This method and apparatus disrupts the conductivity of the coating in small regions. In an embodiment, the method and apparatus ablates the low-E coating along narrow contiguous paths, such that electrical conductivity can no longer occur across the paths. The paths may take the form of intersecting curves and/or lines, so that the remaining coating consists of electrically isolated areas. The method and apparatus are applicable both to treating glass panels at the factory as well as treating windows in-situ after installation.
51 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of removing or creating an absence of a portion of a low emissivity (low-E) coating from a sheet of glass, comprising:
removing or creating an absence of a portion of the low-E coating in a pattern of intersecting lines or curves, in a manner that keeps the majority of the glass coated by the low-E coating, where all the lines or curves are interconnected and leave behind a plurality of areas of the coating that are permanently electrically isolated by the removal or absence of the portion of the coating and that remain electrically isolated while the glass is in use, wherein the removed portion or absence of the coating is of a size and shape such that the coated sheet of glass allows transmission, through the glass, of cellular and wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) radio signals with an insertion loss of 10 dB or less. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Specification