US5118540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corrosion resistant flexible reflective film for solar energy applications
Assignee: Solar Kinetics Inc
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Filing: 1990-04-23
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Granted: 1992-06-02
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Expires: 2010-04-23
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Hutchison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:40
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/81; B; B32; B32B; B32B15/00; B32B15/04; B32B15/08; B32B15/09; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/30; B32B27/304; B32B27/32; B32B27/322; B32B27/36; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; B32B7/023; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/712; B32B2307/714; B32B2311/00; B32B2311/02; B32B2311/08; B32B2327/00; B32B2327/12; B32B2327/18; B32B2367/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/14; Y10T428/1424; Y10T428/1429; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/24967; Y10T428/24975; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/266; Y10T428/28; Y10T428/2839; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31681; Y10T428/31692; Y10T428/31699
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the flexible polymeric support sheet is between about 25-75 micrometers thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the flexible polymeric support sheet is a biaxially oriented co-extruded composite of polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) comprising: a first polyester lamina about 12 micrometers thick containing slip agents and hence having a mildly irregular surface to facilitate winding; and a second polyester lamina about 38 micrometers thick free from slip agents and hence having an optically smooth surface, the specularly reflective layer of silver overlaying the surface of the second polyester lamina opposite to the first polyester lamina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the flexible polymeric support sheet is another layer of the fluorocarbon film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the specularly reflective layer of silver is about 1.0-1.5 micrometers thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is stable to ultraviolet light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the adhesive contains about 10 wt % UV absorber comprising approximately equal parts of 2-[2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-(alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl)phenyl]benzotriazole and 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-ditertiaryamylphenylbenzotriazole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the fluorocarbon film is about 25-75 micrometers thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the fluorocarbon film is a poly(vinyl fluoride).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the fluorocarbon film is a poly(vinylidene fluoride).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein the fluorocarbon film is a poly(tetrafluoroethylene).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein another layer of the fluorocarbon film is bonded with another layer of the adhesive to the surface of the flexible polymeric support sheet opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reflective film of claim 1 wherein a premask film overlays the surface of the fluorocarbon film opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein a layer of an adhesive overlays the flexible polymeric support sheet opposite to the specularly reflective layer of silver so that the flexible reflective film may be bonded to the surface of a structure for reflecting light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 14 wherein a release liner overlays the surface of the adhesive opposite to the flexible polymeric support sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 1 wherein a suitable medium containing a corrosion inhibitor is applied to the immediate surface of the specularly reflective layer of silver opposite to the flexible polymeric support sheet, the suitable medium containing a corrosion inhibitor being transparent to at least a portion of the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum between about 300-2,500 nonometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 16 wherein the corrosion inhibitor consists essentially of a sufficient quantity of mercaptide-type sulfur to bond with a substantial fraction of the available silver atoms when applied at the immediate surface of the silver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 16 wherein the suitable medium for the corrosion inhibitor is a layer of the adhesive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible reflective film of claim 16 wherein the suitable medium for the corrosion inhibitor consists essentially of an acrylate paint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
A reflector 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 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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
A reflector 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 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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the means for attaching the flexible reflective film to the surface of the structure for reflecting light is bonding with an adhesive the flexible reflective film to the surface of the structure for reflecting light.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the means for attaching the flexible reflective film to the structure for reflecting light is holding with a vacuum the flexible reflective film in the desired position in the structure for reflecting light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the reflective surface of the structure for reflecting light is planar.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the reflective surface of the structure for reflecting light is angular.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the reflective surface of the structure for reflecting light is curved.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflector of claim 20 wherein the reflective surface of the structure for reflecting light is parabolic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-02 | 1995-12-02 | 1996-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-02 | 1999-12-02 | 2000-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-02 | 2003-12-02 | 2004-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |