Francis A Wuillaume

US Patent:

7621648, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Aug 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/892500

Inventors:

Francis Wuillaume - Plymouth MI, US
Anton Dietrich - Fontnas, CH
Brent Boyce - Novi MI, US
Gregory Scott - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI
Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.) - Grand Duche de Luxembourg

International Classification:

G02B 7/182

US Classification:

359883

Abstract:

A mirror (e. g. , first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrN). In certain example embodiments, the CrNlayer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNreduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.

US Patent:

7678459, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Jan 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/657120

Inventors:

Gregory Scott - Shelby Township MI, US
Yiwei Lu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Brent Boyce - Novi MI, US
Donald V. Jacobson - Saline MI, US
Francis Wuillaume - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B32B 17/06
G02B 5/08

US Classification:

428432, 428448, 428697, 4289122, 428699, 428701, 359883, 359884

Abstract:

A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. In certain example embodiments, a silicon metal oxide (e. g. , silicon aluminum oxide) inclusive nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.

US Patent:

20060063010, Mar 23, 2006

Filed:

Sep 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/945430

Inventors:

Yiwei Lu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Donald Jacobson - Saline MI, US
Francis Wuillaume - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B32B 17/06
B32B 9/00

US Classification:

428432000, 428428000, 428448000, 428469000, 428472200

Abstract:

A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. A metal oxide (e.g., aluminum oxide) nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.

US Patent:

20060077580, Apr 13, 2006

Filed:

Oct 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/959321

Inventors:

Francis Wuillaume - Plymouth MI, US
Anton Dietrich - Fontnas, CH
Brent Boyce - Novi MI, US
Gregory Scott - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Aubum Hills MI
C.R.V.C. - Grand Duche de

International Classification:

G02B 5/08

US Classification:

359883000

Abstract:

A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrN). In certain example embodiments, the CrNlayer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNreduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.

US Patent:

20080073203, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/523092

Inventors:

Hong Wang - Shanghai, CN
Brent Boyce - Novi MI, US
Francis Wuillaume - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B05D 5/06
C23C 14/32

US Classification:

2041921, 427162

Abstract:

A method of making a mirror such as a first-surface mirror (FSM) is provided. The mirror includes a reflecting layer structure made of a visible light reflecting material such as aluminum (Al) or the like. At least part of the reflecting layer structure is oxide graded, continuously or discontinuously, so as be more oxided at one or both sides of the layer structure. In other words, the reflecting layer structure is more or entirely metallic at a central portion thereof, and more oxided at the top and/or bottom side(s) thereof. In certain example embodiments, such first surface mirrors may be used in the context of projection televisions, or in any other suitable application.

US Patent:

20130216860, Aug 22, 2013

Filed:

Feb 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/401948

Inventors:

Muhammad IMRAN - Brownstown MI, US
Francis WUILLAUME - Victor NY, US
Brent BOYCE - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B32B 17/06
B32B 9/04

US Classification:

428623, 428426, 428336, 428428, 428457

Abstract:

A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including a material such as silver (Ag), which is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having at least one layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or a substantially metallic layer. The overcoat has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.

US Patent:

20130216861, Aug 22, 2013

Filed:

Feb 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/401988

Inventors:

Muhammad IMRAN - Brownstown MI, US
Francis Wuillaume - Victor NY, US
Brent Boyce - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B32B 15/04
B32B 17/06

US Classification:

428630, 428433

Abstract:

A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers. The IR reflecting layer may be of or include a material such as silver (Ag), and is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having a substantially metallic layer (e.g., NbZr or Zr) which has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.

US Patent:

20200017403, Jan 16, 2020

Filed:

Jun 28, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/456468

Inventors:

- BERTRANGE, LU
- AUBURN HILLS MI, US
Francis WUILLAUME - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

GUARDIAN EUROPE S.A.R.L. - BERTRANGE
GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC - AUBURN HILLS MI

International Classification:

C03C 17/36

Abstract:

A low-emissivity (low-E) coating includes first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers of or including a material such as silver. The coating includes a bottom dielectric portion including a layer of or including silicon zirconium oxynitride, and a center dielectric portion including a layer of or including zinc stannate. The coating is configured to realize a combination of desirable visible transmission, consistent and low emissivity values, thermal stability upon optional heat treatment such as thermal tempering, desirable U-value, desirable LSG value, and desirable coloration and/or reflectivity values to be achieved. In certain example embodiments, an absorber layer sandwiched between a pair of dielectric layers may be provided in. Coated articles herein may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, or in other suitable applications such as monolithic window applications, laminated windows, and/or the like.