US4422893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing mirrors and mirrors so obtained
Assignee: BFG Glassgroup GIE
•
Filing: 1980-04-15
•
Granted: 1983-12-27
•
Expires: 2000-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a mirror which comprises the steps of selecting a former of shape complementary to the shape of the desired mirror surface, applying to such former a plurality of mirror elements each constituted by a glass element having a reflective coating on one face thereof, and applying and adhesively bonding directly to such mirror elements a preformed, substantially rigid, unitary structural support.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Duchateau
- 👤 Maurice Nicolas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/02; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/82; F24S25/00; F24S25/60; F24S2025/601; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1754; Y10T156/1756; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/16; Y10T428/163; Y10T428/164; Y10T428/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of manufacturing a curved mirror having a solar reflective surface of large area sufficient to concentrate solar energy for use as a solar reflective panel, said method comprising the steps of selecting a former of large area and curved shape complementary to the large area and curved shape of the mirror solar reflective surface which is to be used for concentrating solar energy, applying to such former a plurality of mirror elements in substantially juxtaposed relationship, to form a solar reflective surface each mirror element being constituted by a glass element having a reflective coating on one face thereof, and applying and adhesively bonding directly to the so positioned mirror elements a preformed substantially rigid unitary structural support of similar large area and curved shape made from material comprising expanded vitreous material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of manufacturing a curved mirror having a solar reflective surface of large area sufficient to concentrate solar energy for use as a solar reflective panel, said method comprising the steps of selecting a former of large area and curved shape complementary to the large area and curved shape of the mirror solar reflective surface which is to be used for concentrating solar energy, applying to such former a plurality of mirror elements in substantially juxtaposed relationship, to form a solar reflective surface each mirror element being constituted by a glass element having a reflective coating on one face thereof, and applying and adhesively bonding directly to the so positioned mirror elements a preformed substantially rigid unitary structural support of similar large area and curved shape made from material comprising expanded vitreous material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said glass element is constituted by a sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said glass sheet is 2 mm or less in thickness.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein said mirror elements are bonded to the support with their reflective coatings located between the support and their glass elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said support has a cellular structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said cellular support is formed as an integral molding comprising a base and an upstanding network of ribs defining the walls of a honeycomb cell structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said glass elements are bonded to the base of the support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said support is formed using a cellular material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said cellular material has a closed cell form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said mirror elements are held in place relative to one another on the former prior to their bonding to the support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said mirror elements are held relative to one another using adhesive tape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said tape is applied along the joint lines of the elements on their non-coated face to mask those faces from the adhesive to be used to bond the elements to the support.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said elements are held in place on the former by suction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said mirror elements are bonded to said support using a weatherproof adhesive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the adhesive used is a fluid adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the adhesive used is an adhesive which sets substantially without the evolution of vapor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 16 wherein said adhesive is selected from silicone adhesives, epoxy type adhesives and neoprene adhesives.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 16 wherein the adhesive used is a hot-melt adhesive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said adhesive is applied to a thickness which will result in an adhesive layer in the finished mirror which is less than 150 microns thick.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the adhesive is applied over the whole area of each element-to-support joint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3298886A
Cited
US3676248A
Cited
US3856384A
Cited
US3841738A
Cited
US4140567A
Cited
US4195913A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |