Low-emissivity coated glass for improving radio frequency signal transmission

Abstract

Modified 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sheet of glass, having a low emissivity (low-E) coating thereon, wherein a portion of the low-E coating is absent, leaving the glass uncoated in a region thereof, such that areas of the low-E coating remain, the remaining areas of the low-E coating comprising a plurality of areas of the low-E coating that are electrically isolated from each other by the region where the low-E coating is absent. 
     
     
         2 . The sheet of glass of  claim 1 , wherein the total area of the remaining low-E coating comprises 95% or more of the area of the sheet of glass, and the area of the sheet of glass where the low-E coating is absent comprises 5% or less of the total area of the sheet of glass. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet of glass of  claim 1 , wherein the region where the low-E coating is absent is shaped like a plurality of intersecting lines or curves, wherein the width of the lines or curves is 10 to 200 microns. 
     
     
         4 . A sheet of glass, having a low emissivity (low-E) coating thereon, wherein a portion of the low-E coating is absent along the edges of the glass, leaving the glass uncoated along one or more of its borders, such that an area of the low-E coating remains at the center of the glass.