Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10431—Specific parts for the modulation of light incorporated into the laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10467—Variable transmission
  • B32B17/10495—Variable transmission optoelectronic, i.e. optical valve
  • B32B17/10513—Electrochromic layer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
  • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
  • B32B17/10045—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10174—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
  • B32B17/10743—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing acrylate (co)polymers or salts thereof
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
  • B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
  • B32B17/10981—Pre-treatment of the layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B38/00—Ancillary operations in connection with laminating processes
  • B32B38/0004—Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
  • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
  • C03B33/0222—Scoring using a focussed radiation beam, e.g. laser
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
  • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
  • C03B33/023—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position
  • C03B33/027—Scoring tool holders; Driving mechanisms therefor
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
  • C03B33/07—Cutting armoured, multi-layered, coated or laminated, glass products
  • C03B33/076—Laminated glass comprising interlayers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
  • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
  • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
  • C03B33/09—Severing cooled glass by thermal shock
  • C03B33/091—Severing cooled glass by thermal shock using at least one focussed radiation beam, e.g. laser beam
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
  • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
  • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
  • G02F1/133351—Manufacturing of individual cells out of a plurality of cells, e.g. by dicing
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
  • G02F1/1514—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect characterised by the electrochromic material, e.g. by the electrodeposited material
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
  • G02F1/153—Constructional details
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
  • G02F1/153—Constructional details
  • G02F1/1533—Constructional details structural features not otherwise provided for
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
  • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
  • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
  • Y10T156/1062—Prior to assembly
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
  • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
  • Y10T156/1062—Prior to assembly
  • Y10T156/1064—Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
  • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
  • Y10T156/1062—Prior to assembly
  • Y10T156/1075—Prior to assembly of plural laminae from single stock and assembling to each other or to additional lamina
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
  • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
  • Y10T156/1089—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina

Definitions

• the center of the glass may have a considerably higher temperature than, for example, the edges of the glass, which are typically covered or shadowed by a frame or other architectural structure.
• the more tinted the glass the greater the solar absorption, and the larger the potential temperature differential between the COG and the glass edges or other shaded areas. This results in stress, typically along the glass edges, which if greater than about 14 to about 28 MPa, could result in cracking.
• normal practice dictates that glass be heat-strengthened or tempered to reduce the incidence of fracture.
• the absorbing glass pane is heat-treated or tempered so as to withstand at least about 35 MPa, or to conform with industry standards, such as ASTM E2431 (Practice for Determining the Resistance of Single Glazed Annealed Architectural Flat Glass to Thermal Loadings) .
• ASTM E2431 Practice for Determining the Resistance of Single Glazed Annealed Architectural Flat Glass to Thermal Loadings
• electrochromic devices Like tinted glasses, electrochromic devices (hereinafter “EC devices”) absorb significant amounts of solar radiation, especially when in a fully darkened state.
• EC devices electrochromic devices
• insulated glass unit means two or more layers of glass separated by a spacer along the edge and sealed to create a dead air space (or other gas, e.g. argon, nitrogen, krypton) between the layers.
• the IGU 18 comprises an interior glass panel 10 and an EC device 19 .
• the EC device 19 is comprised of an EC stack 11 comprising a series of applied or deposited films on the EC substrate 12 .
• the EC substrate 12 is traditionally comprised of glass which has been heat-strengthened or tempered.
• a glass panel which will become the EC substrate 12 , is first cut to a custom size according to the dimensions needed.
• the cut glass panel 12 is then tempered or heat-strengthened to provide sufficient strength to endure fabrication stresses and stresses encountered during its service life ("service loads") .
• the EC device stack 11 comprising, for example, a series of thin films, is then applied or deposited to the glass panel 12 by methods known in the art ⁇ see, for example, United States Patent Nos . 7, 372, 610 and 7,593,154, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein) .
• Cutting of the glass panel 12 is not performed after tempering or heat strengthening.
• the substrate of an EC device 19 is generally not tempered or SAGE 3.4-031
• the IGU 18 is then assembled by combining the EC device 19 with another glass panel 10 .
• the two panels are separated by spacers 17 .
• Panel 10 may contain thin film coatings on either side (e.g. for solar control) .
• FIG. la is a cut-away view of a traditional IGU comprising an EC device.
• FIG. lb is a cut-away view of an IGU comprising an EC device, where the EC device is itself a laminate of two materials .
• FIG. 2 is a plot of stress distribution of an EC laminate comprising a low coefficient of thermal expansion glass laminated to a soda-lime glass.
• FIG. 3a is a plot of EC laminates comparing peak edge tensile stresses for several laminates exposed to solar irradiation .
• FIG. 3b is a plot of an EC laminate comparing peak edge tensile stresses for several laminates exposed to solar irradiation .
• FIG. 4 provides a summary of impact testing as a function of EC substrate, EC outer laminate glass pane, and interlayer thicknesses.
• FIG. 5 provides an example of a four-point bend test showing a laser-cut glass sample under testing conditions.
• FIG. 6. provides a probability plot of strength for glass samples comparing mechanical cut and laser cut panels.
• an electrochromic device laminate comprising: (a) providing an electrochromic substrate; (b) cutting the electrochromic substrate into one or more substrate daughter panes; (c) fabricating a plurality of electrochromic device precursors on each of the one or more substrate daughter panes; (d) cutting each of the electrochromic device precursors into individual electrochromic devices; and (e) laminating each of the individual electrochromic devices to a separate outer laminate glass pane (an example of the "cut-then-coat-then-cut” process described further herein) .
• the electrochromic device precursors are mechanically cut .
• the electrochromic device precursors are laser cut.
• the EC device is cut by electrothermal cutting.
• the individual electrochromic devices have an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic devices have an edge strength of at least about 69 MPa. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic devices have an edge strength of at least about 75 MPa. In another embodiment, the individual EC devices have an edge strength of at least about 100 MPa.
• the individual electrochromic devices are about the same size as the outer laminate glass pane. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic devices are smaller than the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic devices are indented about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm relative to the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic devices are indented about 1 mm to about 2.0 mm SAGE 3.4-031
• the electrochromic substrate and the outer laminate glass pane comprise the same material.
• the electrochromic substrate is a different material than the outer laminate glass pane.
• a material for the electrochromic substrate is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, other low-sodium composition glasses or a polymer.
• the electrochromic substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K for glass substrates and up to about 80 ppm/K for polymer substrate materials.
• the electrochromic substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 4 ppm/K to about 8 ppm/K.
• the electrochromic substrate has a thickness ranging from about 0.7 mm to about 6 mm.
• a material for the outer laminate glass pane is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, heat-strengthened glass, tempered glass, or a polymer.
• the outer laminate glass pane has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K. For polymer-based substrates, the coefficient of thermal expansion can be up to about 80 ppm/K.
• the outer laminate glass pane has a thickness ranging from about 2.3 mm to about 12 mm.
• the interlayer material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylbutyral, ionomeric polymers, ethylenevinyl acetate, polyurethanes , or mixtures thereof.
• Another aspect of the present invention is a laminate prepared according to the "cut-then-coat-then-cut” process.
• the laminate prepared according to the "cut-then-coat-then-cut” process comprises a substrate having an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa.
• an electrochromic device laminate comprising: (a) providing an electrochromic substrate; (b) fabricating a plurality of electrochromic device precursors on the electrochromic substrate; (c) cutting each of the electrochromic device precursors into individual electrochromic devices; and (d) laminating each of the individual electrochromic devices to a separate outer laminate glass pane (an example of the "coat-then-cut” process described further herein) .
• the EC device precursors may be cut mechanically by laser, or by electrothermal cutting.
• the individual electrochromic devices have an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa. In another embodiment, the edge strength is at least about 69 MPa. In another embodiment, the edge strength is at least about 75 MPa. In another embodiment, the edge strength is at least about 100 MPa.
• the individual electrochromic device is about the same size as the outer laminate glass pane. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic device is smaller than the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic device is indented about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm relative to the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the individual electrochromic device is indented about 1 mm to about 2.0 mm relative to the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension . SAGE 3.4-031
• the annealed glass substrate and the outer laminate glass pane comprise the same material.
• the electrochromic substrate is a different material than the outer laminate glass pane.
• a material for the electrochromic substrate is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, low-sodium composition glasses, or a polymer.
• the electrochromic substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K. For polymer-based substrates, the coefficient of thermal expansion can be up to about 80 ppm/K.
• the electrochromic substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 4 ppm/K to about 8 ppm/K.
• the electrochromic glass substrate has a thickness ranging from about 0.7 mm to about 6 mm.
• a material for the outer laminate glass pane is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, heat-strengthened glass, tempered glass, or a polymer.
• the outer laminate glass pane has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K.
• the out laminate glass pane has a thickness ranging from about 2.3 mm to about 12 mm.
• the interlayer material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylbutyral, ionomeric materials, ethylenevinyl acetate, polyurethanes , or mixtures thereof.
• Another aspect of the invention is a laminate prepared according to the "coat-then-cut” process.
• the laminate prepared according to the SAGE 3.4-031 is a laminate prepared according to the SAGE 3.4-031
• coat-then-cut process comprises a substrate having an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa.
• Applicants have discovered a laminate comprising: (a) an electrochromic device, said electrochromic device comprising an electrochromic stack on an annealed glass substrate;
• the electrochromic device has an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa. In another embodiment, the edge strength is at least about 69 MPa. In another embodiment, the edge strength is at least about 75 MPa, and in other embodiments at least about 100 MPa. In another embodiment, the electrochromic device is prepared by mechanical cutting. In another embodiment, the electrochromic device is prepared by laser cutting. In another embodiment, the electrochromic device is prepared by electrothermal cutting. In another embodiment, the laminate is part of an integrated glass unit.
• the annealed glass substrate and the outer laminate glass pane comprise the same material.
• the annealed glass substrate is a different material than the outer laminate glass pane.
• a material for the annealed glass substrate is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, low-sodium composition glass, or a polymer.
• the annealed glass substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K.
• the annealed glass substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 4 ppm/K to about 8 ppm/K. In another embodiment, the annealed glass pane has a thickness ranging from about 0.7 mm to about SAGE 3.4-031
• the annealed glass pane has the same thickness as the outer laminate. In another embodiment, the annealed glass pane has a different thickness than the outer laminate.
• a material for the outer laminate glass pane is selected from the group consisting of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass, soda-lime float glass, aluminosilicate glass, borofloat glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, heat-strengthened glass, tempered glass, or a polymer.
• the outer laminate glass pane has a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from about 2 ppm/K to about 10 ppm/K.
• the coefficient of thermal expansion can be up to about 80 ppm/K.
• the outer laminate glass pane has a thickness ranging from about 2.3 mm to about 12 mm.
• the annealed glass substrate is about the same size as the outer laminate glass pane. In another embodiment, the annealed glass substrate is smaller than the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the annealed glass substrate is indented about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm relative to the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, the annealed glass substrate is indented about 1 mm to about 2.0 mm relative to the outer laminate glass pane in at least one dimension. In another embodiment, a perimeter of the smaller annealed glass substrate is surrounded on at least one side by interlayer material or another material, such as a polymer including silicones, urethanes, epoxies, and acrylates .
• the interlayer material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylbutyral, ionomeric materials, ethylenevinyl acetate, polyurethanes , or mixtures thereof.
• the annealed glass substrate is soda-lime float glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of about 8.5 ppm/K
• said outer laminate glass pane is tempered soda-line float glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of about 8.5 ppm/K
• the interlayer material is polyvinylbutyral.
• the interlayer material is SentryGlas® Plus (SGP) .
• the annealed glass substrate is prepared by laser cutting and has an edge strength of at least 69 MPa.
• the electrochromic stack is between the annealed glass substrate and the interlayer material.
• the electrochromic stack is on a surface of the annealed glass substrate opposite of the interlayer material .
• Applicants have discovered a laminate comprising: (a) an electrochromic device, said electrochromic device comprising an electrochromic stack on a substrate; (b) an outer laminate glass pane; and (c) an interlayer material sandwiched between the electrochromic device and the outer laminate glass pane.
• the electrochromic device is prepared by laser cutting or electrothermal cutting.
• the electrochromic device laminates (or IGUs comprising these laminates) of the present invention can withstand stresses similar to those encountered by traditional electrochromic devices manufactured on tempered or heat-treated glass substrates (or IGUs comprising such traditional electrochromic devices) .
• the EC device laminate of the present invention can withstand similar center of glass and edge stresses, and can withstand stresses of at least about 17 MPa.
• laminates or IGUs of the present invention pass about the same industry standard tests as traditional electrochromic devices or IGUs.
• by withstanding similar stresses it is meant that that the electrochromic device laminates or IGUs of the present invention can withstand (i) stresses safely in excess of maximum in-service thermomechanical stresses encountered in traditional EC applications, and/or (ii) at least about 50% of the same service loads or stresses as traditional EC devices or IGUs.
• Applicants have also surprisingly found that that these objectives can be achieved using annealed glass substrates upon which the electrochromic stack is applied or deposited.
• annealed glass substrates can be laser cut to produce a sufficiently defect free edge that will, it is believed, endure the full range of thermal and load stresses that the EC device laminate will be subjected to during its service life.
• Applicants have tested the laser cut glass and the EC device laminates of FIG. IB at the high end of the thermal and mechanical stress parameter space and have determined that laser cut, EC device laminates or substrates are highly durable and suitable for use in residential and commercial architectural applications and other applications.
• One aspect of the present invention is an EC device laminate comprising an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device comprising an electrochromic stack on an EC substrate; an EC outer laminate glass pane; and an interlayer material sandwiched between the electrochromic device and the outer laminate glass pane.
• FIG. IB The EC device laminate 29 and IGU 30 containing it are shown in FIG. IB.
• EC device laminate 29 is comprised of an EC device 32 laminated to an EC outer laminate glass pane 22. Between the EC device 32 and the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 is an interlayer material 28 which bonds the EC device 32 and the outer laminate pane 22 .
• the EC device 32 is itself comprised of an EC stack 21 which is applied or deposited on an EC substrate 31 .
• the completed IGU 30 comprises the EC device laminate 29 together with another glass panel 20 , separated by spacers 27 .
• IB represents a two pane IGU, however, the invention also contemplates IGUs containing three or more panes (the additional panes may be any shape or size and comprise any coating, tinted or otherwise, known in the art) .
• SAGE 3.4-031 SAGE 3.4-031
• Any EC stack 21 may be used as known to those of skill in the art. Exemplary EC stacks are described, for example, in United States Patent Nos. 5,321,544; 5,404,244; 7,372,610; and 7,593,154, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
• At least the EC substrate 31 of the EC device laminate 29 is comprised of annealed glass.
• annealed glass means glass produced without internal stresses imparted by heat treatment and subsequent rapid cooling. This includes glass typically classified as annealed glass or float glass and only excludes heat-strengthened glass or tempered glass.
• both the EC substrate 31 and the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 are comprised of annealed glass.
• the annealed glass utilized may be the same ("matched") or different ("mismatched") .
• the annealed glass substrates used may also have the same or different coefficients of thermal expansion or different types and/or amounts of dopants.
• substrate 31 may be comprised of soda-lime float glass while EC outer laminate glass pane 22 is comprised of low coefficient of thermal expansion glass (low CTE glass), or vice versa.
• substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 may both be comprised of soda-lime float glass or, alternatively, both may be comprised of low CTE glass.
• mismatched also means the use of glass having different thicknesses, regardless of whether the type of glass is the same or different.
• substrate 31 and outer laminate glass pane 22 could be of the same material, but have different thicknesses.
• substrate SAGE 3.4-031
• substrate 31 can be of a material that is different than outer laminate glass pane 22 and have different thicknesses. Further, by way of example only, substrate 31 can be of a material that is the same type as outer laminate glass pane 22 but have a different coefficient of thermal expansion and/or different thickness.
• the EC substrate 31 of the present invention may be selected from traditional glass materials including soda-lime annealed glass, such as from Guardian Industries (Guardian Global Headquarters, Auburn Hills, MI), Pilkington, North America (Toledo, OH) , Cardinal Glass Industries (Eden Prairie, MN) , and AGC (AGC Flat Glass, Alpharetta, GI), who produce large area thin glass.
• soda-lime annealed glass such as from Guardian Industries (Guardian Global Headquarters, Auburn Hills, MI), Pilkington, North America (Toledo, OH) , Cardinal Glass Industries (Eden Prairie, MN) , and AGC (AGC Flat Glass, Alpharetta, GI), who produce large area thin glass.
• the EC substrate 31 may also be selected from materials including low CTE borofloat glass, such as that available from Schott (Schott North America Elmsford, NY) , or boroaluminosilicate glasses such as Corning 1737TM, and Corning Eagle XGTM (each of which are available from Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY) . Moreover, the EC substrate 31 may be selected from materials including aluminosilicate glass. Those skilled in the art will be able to select other glass substrates suitable for this purpose and meeting the limitations of the claimed invention.
• the EC substrate 31 may also be comprised of a polymer, copolymer, or mixtures of one or more polymers or copolymers.
• Nonlimiting examples of polymers include polyimide, polyethylene, napthalate (PEM) , polyethylene teraphthallate (PET) , aramid or other similar polymer materials .
• PEM polyethylene, napthalate
• PET polyethylene teraphthallate
• aramid or other similar polymer materials .
• the EC substrate 31 may have any thickness depending on the desired application (e.g. residential architectural window, commercial architectural window, or even an automotive window) and desired SAGE 3.4-031
• substrate 31 has a thickness ranging between about 0.7 mm and about 6 mm. In some embodiments, EC substrate 31 has a thickness ranging from between about 1.5 mm and about 2.3 mm.
• the annealed glass or soda-lime float glass utilized has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of between about 7.0 ppm/K and about 10.0 ppm/K.
• CTE coefficient of thermal expansion
• the soda-lime float utilized glass has a CTE of between about 8.2 ppm/K and about 9.0 ppm/K.
• the coefficient of thermal expansion ranges from about 2.0 ppm/K to about 6.4 ppm/K.
• the coefficient of thermal expansions are as follows: Corning 1737 (about 3.76 ppm/K), Corning EagleXGTM (about 3.2 ppm/K) and Schott Borofloat 33TM (about 3.3 ppm/K) .
• the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 of the present invention may be selected from materials including heat-strengthened glass, tempered glass, partially heat-strengthened or tempered glass, or annealed glass.
• "Heat-strengthened glass” and "tempered glass”, as those terms are known in the art, are both types of glass that have been heat treated to induce surface compression and to otherwise strengthen the glass. Heat-treated glasses are classified as either fully tempered or heat-strengthened. According to Federal Specification DD-G-1403B, fully tempered glass must have a surface compression of about 69 MPa or more for an edge compression of about 67 MPa or more.
• heat-strengthened glass must have a surface compression between about 24 and about 69 MPa, or an edge compression between about 38 and about 67 MPa.
• the fracture characteristics of heat-strengthened glass it is believed, vary widely and fracture can occur at stresses from about 41 to above 69 MPa.
• the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 may have any thickness depending on the desired application (e.g. residential architectural window or commercial architectural window) and desired thermal/structural properties.
• the EC outer laminate pane 22 may be comprised of plastics, including polycarbonates.
• the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 has a thickness ranging between about
• EC outer laminate glass pane 22 has a thickness ranging from between about 2.3 mm and about 6mm.
• thicker glass may be utilized should the application require it, e.g. when used in architectural applications experiencing high wind loads or for ballistic- or blast-resistant applications.
• the annealed glass or soda-lime float glass utilized has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of between about 7.0 ppm/K and about 10.0 ppm/K.
• CTE coefficient of thermal expansion
• the soda-lime float glass has a CTE of between about 8.2 ppm/K and about 9.0 ppm/K.
• the coefficient of thermal expansion ranges from about 2.0 ppm/K to about
• the coefficient of thermal expansions are as follows: Corning 1737TM, about 3.76 ppm/K; Corning EagleXGTM, about 3.2 ppm/K; and Schott Borofloat 33TM, about 3.3 ppm/K.
• the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have about the same coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) . In other embodiments, the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have different CTEs . In other embodiments, the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs by less than about 50%. In yet other embodiments, the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs by less than about 30%. In further embodiments, the SAGE 3.4-031
• EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs by less than about 20%. In yet further embodiments, the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 have a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs by less than about 10%. As discussed herein, the selection of an appropriate interlayer material 28 may assist in mitigating any stresses caused by a CTE mismatch.
• FIG. 2 shows the stress distribution of a laminate when low CTE glass is used as the EC substrate 31 , soda-lime glass is used as the EC outer laminate pane 22 , and polyvinylbutyral is used as the interlayer material 28 .
• the simulation shows the shadowing effect of a 25mm frame around the edge of the panel. It is believed that the frame causes a temperature gradient between the edge and center of the laminate, thereby, it is believed, causing formation of edge stresses.
• a mismatch in CTE causes additional stresses as solar absorption causes the device to heat up. The effect of this CTE mismatch is shown in FIG.
• the edge of EC substrate 31 is protected from handling and mechanical damage. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that if the edges of EC substrate 31 are significantly nicked or chipped, the overall strength of the EC device could be compromised.
• the EC substrate 31 is indented relative to EC outer laminate glass pane 22 .
• the size of the EC substrate 31 is slightly smaller than the size of the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 , in at least one dimension, preferably in at least two dimensions, and more preferably in all dimensions.
• EC substrate 31 is indented about 0.5mm to about 3 mm in at least one dimension, and preferably about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm around the perimeter, with respect to glass pane 22 . In other embodiments, EC substrate 31 is indented about 1 mm to about 2.0 mm, in at least one dimension, and preferably about 1 mm to about 2.0 mm around the perimeter with respect to glass pane 22 .
• the depth of the indentation is determined by the automated placement tolerances of the two pieces of glass during the lamination layup/manufacturing process as well as any slight movements incurred during the thermal lamination process.
• the interlayer material is allowed to flow around the edge of EC substrate 31 providing an element of protection which, it is believed, further protects the EC device laminate 29 from damage during shipment and installation.
• excess interlayer material is added to achieve this.
• additional protective materials can be deposited around the perimeter of the EC device such as polymers (including but not limited to epoxies, urethanes, silicones, and acrylates) .
• the interlayer material may be selected from any material which allows for the EC device 32 to be laminated, by those methods known in the art, to the EC outer laminate glass pane 22 .
• the interlayer material 28 should possess a combination of characteristics including: (a) high optical clarity; (b) low haze; (c) high impact resistance; (d) high penetration resistance; (e) ultraviolet light resistance; (f) good long term thermal stability; (g) sufficient adhesion to glass and/or other polymeric materials/sheets; (h) low moisture absorption; (i) high moisture resistance; (j) excellent weatherability; and (k) high stress load resistance (e.g. impact loading or windloading) .
• the interlayer material 28 at least provides sufficient adhesion to both the EC device 32 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 in order to prevent delamination during in-service stress loads and also be selected such that it does not negatively affect the visual characteristics of the EC device laminate 29 .
• the interlayer material should be selected such that industry standard performance criteria is satisfied for both loading modes ⁇ see, for example, ANSI Z97.1 for impact testing and ASTM E1300 for windload criteria) .
• a suitable interlayer material 28 is polyvinylbutyral (PVB) , available from Solutia Inc. (St. Louis, Missouri) under the trade name SaflexTM. PVB is also available from DuPont (Wilmington, DE) under the trade name ButaciteTM.
• Other suitable materials for interlayer material 28 include ionomeric materials such as SentryGlas PlusTM (SGP) from DuPont, ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) and cross-linking polyurethanes (e.g. cast-in-place resins) or thermoplastic polyurethanes . Of course, mixtures of any of the above identified materials may be used.
• SGP SentryGlas PlusTM
• EVA ethylenevinyl acetate
• cross-linking polyurethanes e.g. cast-in-place resins
• thermoplastic polyurethanes thermoplastic polyurethanes
• interlayer material 28 can be used as an interlayer material 28 provided that they satisfy at least some of the thermomechanical, adhesion, and optical transparency functional requirements recited above. This also includes interlayer materials composed of composite polymer layers designed for improved sound attenuation, ballistic-resistant and blast-resistant applications. These materials are readily available to those of skill in the art .
• the interlayer material 28 may include silicones and epoxies.
• the EC substrate 31 and EC outer laminate glass pane 22 are comprised of the same material, it is believed that both glass panels would have about the same coefficient of thermal expansion. Where the materials differ, i.e. a mismatch situation such as in FIG. 2, without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the selection of an appropriate interlayer material 28 could affect the transfer or distribution of stress between the mismatched glass panels and therefore, it is believed, relieve at least some of the stresses present at various points in the laminate .
• the interlayer should be selected such that it either be (1) compliant enough not to transmit tensile stresses from the higher CTE glass panel to the lower CTE glass panel; or (2) stiff enough from the lamination temperature such that compressive stresses would be transmitted from the high CTE glass panel to the low CTE glass panel during cooling with negligible polymer mechanical relaxation at low temperatures.
• CTE coefficient of thermal expansion
• FIGs. 3a and 3b provide a comparison of peak edge tensile strength for a laminate (where the component panels in this case have thicknesses of 0.7 mm and 6 mm, respectively) SAGE 3.4-031
• the EC device laminates 29 (or IGUs 30 comprising these laminates) are believed to withstand stresses similar to those encountered by traditional electrochromic devices manufactured on tempered or heat-treated glass substrates (or IGUs comprising such traditional electrochromic devices) .
• the EC device laminates 29 or IGUs 30 of the present invention pass about the same industry standard tests as traditional electrochromic devices or IGUs. In other embodiments, by withstanding similar stresses it is meant that that the EC device laminates 29 or IGUs 30 of the present invention can withstand (i) stresses safely in excess of maximum in-service thermomechanical stresses encountered in traditional EC applications, and/or (ii) at least about 50% of the same service loads or stresses as traditional electrochromic devices or IGUs.
• the EC device laminate 29 is able to withstand a thermal edge stress (or service load) of at least about 17 MPa. In other embodiments, the EC device laminate is able to withstand a thermal edge stress of at least about 21 MPa. In some embodiments, the EC device 29 has an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa. In other embodiments, the EC device or
• EC substrate has an edge strength of at least about 69 MPa. In yet other embodiments, the EC device or EC substrate has an edge strength of at least about 75 MPa. In even further SAGE 3.4-031
• the EC device or EC substrate has an edge strength of at least about 100 MPa.
• the EC laminate 29 or EC substrate 31 is part of an IGU.
• the glass panel 20 which is used to form the IGU, may be selected from any material, including glasses or plastics, traditionally used in IGU structures. For example, any kind of glass (soda-lime glass, low CTE glass, tempered glass, and/or annealed glass) or plastic may be used.
• the glass panel 20 may itself be a multipane laminate of one or more materials (multiple panes of glass, multiple panes of plastic, alternating glass, plastic panes in any order) .
• the glass panel 20 may also be tinted with any color or coated on one or both sides in any traditional manner, such as chemical or physical vapor deposition coating.
• the glass panel 20 may be an electrochromic or thermochromic device.
• the glass panel 20 may be laser cut or be mechanically scribed.
• IGU 30 of FIG. IB may be a triple pane IGU, i.e. an IGU containing an additional glass (or polymer, e.g. acrylic) panel 20 adjacent to one of glass panel 20 or EC device laminate 29 , but separated by spacers.
• Glass panel 20 may have any thickness or have any properties, provided it meets minimum commercial or residential building codes and/or window standards.
• Applicants have discovered a manufacturing approach which involves the concept of 'coat-then-cut'.
• a process of manufacturing an electrochromic device laminate comprising providing an electrochromic substrate; fabricating a plurality of electrochromic device precursors on the substrate; cutting each of the electrochromic device precursors into individual electrochromic devices, and laminating each of the individual electrochromic devices to a SAGE 3.4-031
• an “electrochromic device precursor” is an EC device, typically a stack of thin films as described above, applied or deposited on a substrate prior to the cutting of that substrate into individual EC devices. As such, multiple EC device precursors are fabricated on any single substrate, or as described herein, substrate daughter pane. Typically, the EC precursor layout is designed to incorporate sufficient space between the precursors to allow for cutting, preferably without damaging any films or the stack in general.
• the EC device (or precursor) 32 is produced, til: general, by coating or applying the EC stack 21 on a large substrate panel 31, such as annealed glass.
• the stack may be applied or deposited according to those methods known in the art and as incorporated herein.
• the EC device (or precursor) 32 is then subsequently cut (by traditional mechanical means, by laser cutting, or by electrothermal cutting methods, detailed herein) to a desired dimension depending on the ultimate application.
• the panel may be cut into any size or shape.
• the substrate may also have been pre-cut from a larger panel.
• the device 32 is then laminated to an EC outer laminate glass pane 22, preferably to provide additional mechanical strength.
• the EC laminate 29 can be constructed with the EC device substrate 32 as shown in FIG. IB (i.e. with the EC film stack 21 on the outside of the EC laminate 29) or alternatively, the EC laminate 29 can be constructed with the EC device substrate 32 oriented with the EC film stack 21 in contact with the interlayer material 28 (i.e. the EC film stack on the inside of the laminate) .
• the EC device laminate 29 is processed, it is optionally combined with glass 20 to form an IGU 30.
• the EC outer laminate glass pane is about the same size as the EC device. In other embodiments, the EC outer laminate glass pane is a different SAGE 3.4-031
• the EC device size than the EC device.
• the EC substrate is indented relative to the outer glass pane, as described above.
• the EC outer laminate glass may have about the same or different thicknesses and/or coefficients of thermal expansion as the EC device (or the substrate on which the EC device is deposited) .
• the outer laminate glass pane may be mechanically cut or laser cut.
• Another aspect of the invention is a laminate made according to this process.
• Applicants have discovered a manufacturing approach which involves first cutting a large panel of an EC substrate into one or more substrate daughter panels, followed by applying the 'coat-then-cut' concept described above, such as to each of the one or more substrate daughter panels (this process is hereinafter referred to as a "cut-then-coat-then-cut” process ) .
• another aspect of the present invention is a process of manufacturing an electrochromic device laminate comprising providing an electrochromic substrate; cutting the electrochromic substrate into one or more substrate daughter panels; fabricating a plurality of electrochromic device precursors on each of the one or more substrate daughter panels; cutting each of the electrochromic device precursors into individual electrochromic devices; and laminating each of the individual electrochromic devices to a separate outer laminate glass pane.
• a large substrate panel of annealed glass is cut into one or more substrate daughter panels. In other embodiments, a large substrate panel of annealed glass is cut into a plurality of substrate daughter panels. Each of the substrate daughter panels may be about the same size and/or shape, or may be different sizes and/or SAGE 3.4-031
• the initial large EC substrate may be cut into three equally sized substrate daughter panels or may be cut into three substrate daughter panels with each having a different size. At least some of the edges of the substrate daughter panels may then undergo an optional edge grinding process, followed preferably, by washing. In other embodiments, the large substrate panel is cut into a single smaller (in at least one dimension) substrate daughter panel.
• the substrate daughter panels are loaded onto carriers for further processing, i.e. fabrication of the EC device precursors by coating each of the substrate daughter panels with an EC stack as described herein. Any number of substrate daughter panels may be loaded onto any single carrier, but it is preferred to optimize the surface area of the carrier with as many substrate daughter panels as will fit.
• Each of the EC device precursors on each of the substrate daughter panels are then further cut, such as by a laser or electrothermal cutting, or by mechanical means.
• the cut-then-coat-then-cut process provides several advantages.
• applying coatings e.g., EC stacks
• sputtering on smaller pieces of glass first cut from a larger substrate panel, could assist in alleviating any potential non- uniformity.
• the substrate glass is held vertically during coating. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is also believed that bowing could be caused by thermal stresses. It is believed that any thermal SAGE 3.4-031
• substrate daughter panels preferably smaller substrate daughter panels.
• edges of the as-received glass may not always be in a condition suitable for immediate processing. In these cases, it is desirable to first cut the glass into smaller daughter panels having a defect free edge or an edge that meets downstream manufacturing and processing requirements.
• any piece of large glass may contain a defect.
• a glass panel (s) without the defect can be cut from the large glass panel, without wasting large amounts of glass or processing time.
• lamination step in the "coat-then-cut” and the "cut-then-coat-then-cut” processes are carried out using methods known to those of skill in the art.
• typical lamination processes include heating the laminate under moderate pressures to create a partial bond between the glass panels, e.g. a nip roller process, followed by an extended bonding process, e.g. using an autoclave, at elevated temperatures and pressures to complete the bonding to the glass and either remove residual air or dissolve the air into the polymer structure to create an optically-clear interlayer.
• Typical glass preparation involves creating a cut on the surface of the glass panel using a carbide or a diamond tip scribe or wheel, then applying a bending moment to propagate surface cracks along the edge to create, it is believed, a straight cut.
• the edges of glass are often ground using a grinder or silicon carbide sanding belt .
• a laser is used to cut the EC device laminate 29 or the EC substrate 31.
• laser cut means (i) using a laser to create a thin crack perpendicular to the substrate surface which is subsequently propagated through the glass by an applied bending moment to produce a complete separation, or (ii) a complete cut through the glass by a laser-induced crack that is propagated along the length of the substrate to complete separation.
• the process of laser cutting is equally applicable to the "coat-then-cut” and the " cut-then-coat-then-cut " processes.
• an electrochromic device laminate comprising providing an electrochromic substrate; fabricating a plurality of electrochromic device precursors on the substrate; laser cutting each of the electrochromic device precursors into individual electrochromic devices; and laminating each of the individual electrochromic devices to a separate outer laminate glass pane.
• the laser cutting process involves either inducing a thin surface crack later propagated to separation by application of a bending moment, or a complete "cut-through” by initiating and propagating a crack along the substrate to complete separation with no subsequent bending or "breakout" required.
• a thermally tough, innovative laminated outer glazing is fabricated using a focused laser beam to facilitate cutting of the coated glass substrates into SAGE 3.4-031
• the laser energy locally heats the glass followed by rapid cooling along the separation lines. This results in crack formation perpendicular to the glass resulting in an edge that is free of chips and additional microcracks that may cause contamination and edge weakening, respectively.
• the resultant laser processed edge does not require any additional edge finishing .
• the laser-cut edges can withstand stresses about 2 to about 3 times higher than standard mechanically cut edges and, it is believed, are of comparable edge strength to heat-strengthened glass. Consequently, it is believed that the laser cut, untempered EC device substrates can withstand temperature variations, and hence the stresses associated with such temperature variations, that are typically generated in the field when the glass is deeply tinted.
• the laser cut panels are able to withstand stresses of at least about 60 MPa. In other embodiments, the laser cut panels are able to withstand stresses of at least about 69 MPa. In yet other embodiment, the laser cut panels are able to withstand stresses of at least about 75 MPa. In yet other embodiment, the laser cut panels are able to withstand stresses of at least about 100 MPa. In even further embodiments, the laser cut panels are able to withstand stress of between about 70 MPa and about 310MPa .
• ETC electrothermal cutting
• the glass is cut by the application of an AC electrical discharge between two electrodes.
• an AC electrical discharge between two electrodes.
• the high voltage locally heats the glass and a cooling head causes suitable stress to create a through crack to form.
• the electrode/cooling head assembly is then moved in a defined path to propagate the crack (controlled separation) in the desired pattern defined by the custom size of the required EC substrate or EC substrate daughter panel.
• the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses similar to those cut by laser. In other embodiments, the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses of at least about 60 MPa. In yet other embodiments, the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses of at least about 69 MPa. In further embodiments, the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses of at least about 75 MPa. In yet further embodiments, the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses of at least about 80 MPa. In even further embodiments, the panels cut by ETC are able to withstand stresses of at least about 100 MPa.
• PVB performance is related to the enhanced compliance/stretching of the PVB material .
• FIG. 4 summarizes impact testing data as function of EC substrate 31 , EC outer laminate glass pane 22 , and interlayer 28 thickness.
• FIG. 4 demonstrates different combinations of EC substrate 31 thickness, EC outer laminate glass pane 22 thickness and interlayer material 28 thickness.
• the data suggested application over a wide range of glass and interlayer thicknesses. It is believed that PVB, is more robust with respect to glass and interlayer thicknesses.
• the pass/fail criteria for the Z97.1 and 16CFR1201 tests are slightly different.
• the Z97.1 test allows breakage and formation of a tear/hole smaller than would allow a 3-inch diameter ball to pass through.
• the 16CFR1201 test additionally requires that a 3-inch ball weighing 4 pounds will not fall through the opening after 1 second duration when the panel is in a horizontal position.
• the pass/fail data reported are based on Z97.1 criteria, but the rigidity of the laminate would, we believe, allow for a 16CFR1201 pass. SAGE 3.4-031
• Example 1 EC Laminate
• Example 1 The laminated EC structure of Example 1 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process. Equivalent results could be obtained using a vacuum laminating process.
• Example 2 The laminated EC structure of Example 2 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• Example 3 The laminated EC structure of Example 3 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• Example 4 The laminated EC structure of Example 4 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• Example 5 The laminated EC structure of Example 5 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• Example 6 The laminated EC structure of Example 6 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• Example 7 The laminated EC structure of Example 7 was manufactured according to a "cut-then-coat" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• the IGU of Example 8 was manufactured according to the standard manufacturing processes described herein.
• EC device laminates (and IGUs comprising them) of the present invention are capable of meeting/exceeding all critical industry mechanical performance requirements for architectural applications .
• FIG. 6 further shows a comparative probability plot of edge strength for mechanical and laser scribing. It is believed that the laser scribed panels show a strength of at least 60 MPa. In some embodiments, the strength of the laser SAGE 3.4-031
• scribed panels is at least 69 MPa, preferably about 75 MPa, more preferably about 100 MPa.
• FIG. 6 also provides a comparison of experimental testing (mechanical (“Mechanical Scribe”) and ("Laser cut”) and literature data (adjusted for differences in test sample geometry) .
• Our test data for annealed samples made using conventional mechanical scribe and laser cut processes are shown as triangles and squares, respectively in FIG. 6.
• the strength distribution of laser-cut glass (representing the total data from five different laser cutting campaigns using different laser cutting machines) can be described as having a performance between HS and FT performance .
• the laser-cut laminate of Example 9 was manufactured according to a "coat-then-cut" process. The lamination was performed using a conventional nip roller/autoclave process.
• the EC substrate (EC device or device precursor) was laser-cut, as described herein, after the EC stack was deposited.
• the laser-cut laminate edge strength was measured by inducing edge stresses by creation of a temperature gradient in the sample. The temperature gradient was created using a silicone heating pad that was smaller in laterial dimensions compared to the laminate. The pad was placed on the surface of the laminate with an unheated perimeter about 25mm wide. The magnitude of the gradient was controlled by SAGE 3.4-031
• the laser-cut, laminated EC structures having the components detailed above had an edge strength of at least about 60 MPa after lamination.
• a process capability study of as-fabricated thermal laser scribe (TLS) processing was also performed.
• the study used the mechanical, four-point bend test described above. Data from over 80 samples from five testing sessions were collected. The data, representing five different TLS campaigns over a six-month period, were used to develop a process capability based on different maximum in-service edge stresses.
• the process capability Cpk suggested that the as-fabricated strength was sufficient to provide a low probability of failure in the operational stress environment for EC device laminate window applications.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Nonlinear Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)
• Electrochromic Elements, Electrophoresis, Or Variable Reflection Or Absorption Elements (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=43983540

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Cited By (37)

Families Citing this family (65)

Citations (14)

Family Cites Families (94)

• 2011
  • 2011-03-04 EP EP17156934.6A patent/EP3216597A1/en active Pending
  • 2011-03-04 EP EP13173248.9A patent/EP2641734B1/en active Active
  • 2011-03-04 JP JP2012556257A patent/JP5877166B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-03-04 WO PCT/US2011/027148 patent/WO2011109688A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-03-04 US US13/040,787 patent/US8482837B2/en active Active
  • 2011-03-04 KR KR1020127026169A patent/KR20130010899A/ko not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-03-04 ES ES13173248.9T patent/ES2621758T3/es active Active
  • 2011-03-04 CN CN201611217082.0A patent/CN106932995B/zh active Active
  • 2011-03-04 ES ES11708645.4T patent/ES2450520T5/es active Active
  • 2011-03-04 EP EP11708645.4A patent/EP2542407B2/en active Active
  • 2011-03-04 BR BR112012022488A patent/BR112012022488A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-03-04 CN CN201180013326.2A patent/CN102883880B/zh active Active
  • 2011-07-07 US US13/178,065 patent/US8482838B2/en active Active
• 2013
  • 2013-05-31 US US13/906,487 patent/US9182644B2/en active Active
  • 2013-05-31 US US13/906,456 patent/US9316883B2/en active Active
• 2016
  • 2016-01-25 JP JP2016011861A patent/JP6116718B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2016-03-09 US US15/065,050 patent/US11241865B2/en active Active
• 2017
  • 2017-03-21 JP JP2017054795A patent/JP2017151445A/ja active Pending
• 2020
  • 2020-04-22 JP JP2020076082A patent/JP7163336B2/ja active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-12-21 US US17/557,627 patent/US11890835B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (14)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events