APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNAL TRANSMISSION THROUGH LOW-EMISSIVITY COATED GLASS

摘要

A method and apparatus for modifying low emissivity (low-E) coated glass, so that windows using the processed glass allow uninterrupted use of RF devices within commercial or residential buildings. Glass processed in the manner described herein will not significantly diminish the energy conserving properties of the low-E coated glass. This method and apparatus disrupts the conductivity of the coating in small regions. In an embodiment, the method and apparatus ablates the low-E coating along narrow contiguous paths, such that electrical conductivity can no longer occur across the paths. The paths may take the form of intersecting curves and/or lines, so that the remaining coating consists of electrically isolated areas. The method and apparatus are applicable both to treating glass panels at the factory as well as treating windows in-situ after installation.

主权项

1. An apparatus for modifying a low emissivity (low-E) coating on a sheet of glass, the apparatus comprising:
a laser, a lens array configured to focus said laser on locations on the low-E coating; and two or more motors of which at least one motor is configured to control the position and movement of the laser in a first direction essentially parallel to the glass, and at least one other motor is configured to control the position and movement of the laser in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and essentially parallel to the glass, wherein said two or more motors are configured to move said laser in such a manner as to ablate intersecting lines or curves in the low-E coating, creating electrically isolated areas of remaining low-E coating, wherein said laser is configured to ablate the low-E coating at the locations along which said laser is directed as said laser is moved.