Ryan Lee Dear

US Patent:

20120210750, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Feb 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/929876

Inventors:

David J. Cooper - Canton MI, US
Ryan L. Dear - Huntertown IN, US
Robert A. Miller - Sylvania OH, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

C03C 27/00

US Classification:

65 43, 65152, 156109

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, infrared (IR) heating elements are controllable to emit IR radiation at a peak wavelength in the near infrared (NIR) and/or short wave infrared (SWIR) band(s), and the peak wavelength may be varied by adjusting the voltage applied to the IR heating elements. The peak wavelength may be selected so as to preferentially heat the frit material used to form a VIG edge seal while reducing the amount of heat provided to substrates of the VIG unit. In certain example embodiments, the substrates of the VIG unit do not reach a temperature of 325 degrees C. for more than 1 minute.

US Patent:

20120304696, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

May 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/149085

Inventors:

Robert A. MILLER - Sylvania OH, US
Ryan L. Dear - Huntertown IN, US
Jeffrey A. Jones - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

C03C 27/00

US Classification:

65 322, 65 34, 65152

Abstract:

A thermally insulating panel (e.g., vacuum IG window unit) includes first and second opposing substrates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. A low pressure space is defined between the substrates, and is hermetically sealed off by at least one edge seal. During evacuation of the space, a plasma is ignited within the space via a static grid assembly in order to reduce the time needed to evacuate the space down and/or to help remove debris from within the space to the desired low pressure.

US Patent:

20130153550, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/326876

Inventors:

Ryan L. DEAR - Huntertown IN, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B23K 26/00

US Classification:

21912166, 2191216

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for sealing the tips of pump-out tubes of vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, a laser source used in sealing the pump-out tube is thermally insulated from the VIG unit and emits a laser beam through one or more windows in an oven towards a mirror located therein. The mirror is located so as to redirect the laser beam onto the pump-out tube to thereby seal it. For instance, a substantially horizontal laser beam emitted from a laser source located outside the oven enters into the oven through one or more windows and is reflected by a mirror towards the pump-out tube to be sealed. The repositioning of the laser source advantageously can change its effective focal length and/or the location of the laser beam, e.g., because of the fixed location of the mirror.

US Patent:

20130153551, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/326893

Inventors:

Ryan L. DEAR - Huntertown IN, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B23K 26/00

US Classification:

21912166, 21912165

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for sealing the tips of pump-out tubes of vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, a laser source used in sealing the pump-out tube is thermally insulated from the VIG unit and emits a laser beam through one or more windows in an oven towards a mirror located therein. The mirror is located so as to redirect the laser beam onto the pump-out tube to thereby seal it. For instance, a substantially horizontal laser beam emitted from a laser source located outside the oven enters into the oven through one or more windows and is reflected by a mirror towards the pump-out tube to be sealed. The repositioning of the laser source advantageously can change its effective focal length and/or the location of the laser beam, e.g., because of the fixed location of the mirror.

US Patent:

20110159199, Jun 30, 2011

Filed:

Dec 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/654653

Inventors:

David D. McLean - Hazel Park MI, US
Kevin L. Widman - Findlay OH, US
Ryan L. Dear - Huntertown IN, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B05D 1/08
C23C 16/00
C23C 16/52
C23C 16/46

US Classification:

427446, 118725, 118663

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments relate to an in-line scalable system that may be used in the combustion deposition depositing of thin films. The systems of certain example embodiments may comprise one or more modules, with each such module including at least one burner and at least one high volume cooling section. In certain example implementations, multiple burners and multiple cooling sections are provided to a single module in alternating order. The systems of certain example embodiments may, in addition or in the alternative, comprise a combined flame guard and exhaust system. The combined flame guard and exhaust system of certain example embodiments advantageously may provide a means to reduce the amount of interference of the deposition process by ambient conditions, improve flame uniformity in the deposition zone, contain and exhaust combustion products while reducing restrictions to the stable operating space of the combustion deposition process, etc.

US Patent:

20110159198, Jun 30, 2011

Filed:

Dec 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/654651

Inventors:

David D. McLean - Hazel Park MI, US
Ryan L. Dear - Huntertown IN, US

Assignee:

Guardian Industries Corp. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

C23C 16/448
F15D 1/04
F16L 9/14
F24F 7/007
B23P 11/00
C23C 16/00

US Classification:

427446, 138 39, 138149, 454341, 29428, 118724

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments relate to an in-line scalable system that may be used in the combustion deposition depositing of thin films. The systems of certain example embodiments may comprise one or more modules, with each such module including at least one burner and at least one high volume cooling section. In certain example implementations, multiple burners and multiple cooling sections are provided to a single module in alternating order. The systems of certain example embodiments may, in addition or in the alternative, comprise a combined flame guard and exhaust system. The combined flame guard and exhaust system of certain example embodiments advantageously may provide a means to reduce the amount of interference of the deposition process by ambient conditions, improve flame uniformity in the deposition zone, contain and exhaust combustion products while reducing restrictions to the stable operating space of the combustion deposition process, etc.

US Patent:

20180066471, Mar 8, 2018

Filed:

Nov 2, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/801401

Inventors:

- Auburn Hills MI, US
Ryan L. DEAR - Huntertown IN, US
Robert A. MILLER - Sylvania OH, US

International Classification:

E06B 3/663
C03C 27/06
E06B 3/673

Abstract:

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, infrared (IR) heating elements are controllable to emit IR radiation at a peak wavelength in the near infrared (NIR) and/or short wave infrared (SWIR) band(s), and the peak wavelength may be varied by adjusting the voltage applied to the IR heating elements. The peak wavelength may be selected so as to preferentially heat the frit material used to form a VIG edge seal while reducing the amount of heat provided to substrates of the VIG unit. In certain example embodiments, the substrates of the VIG unit do not reach a temperature of 325 degrees C. for more than 1 minute.

US Patent:

20170268287, Sep 21, 2017

Filed:

Jun 6, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/614839

Inventors:

- Auburn Hills MI, US
Ryan L. DEAR - Huntertown IN, US
Jeffrey A. JONES - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

E06B 3/677
C03C 27/06

Abstract:

A thermally insulating panel (e.g., vacuum IG window unit) includes first and second opposing substrates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. A low pressure space is defined between the substrates, and is hermetically sealed off by at least one edge seal. During evacuation of the space, a plasma is ignited within the space via a static grid assembly in order to reduce the time needed to evacuate the space down and/or to help remove debris from within the space to the desired low pressure.