A low emissivity coating 30 includes a plurality of phase adjustment layers 40, 50, 62; a first metal functional layer 46; and a second metal functional layer 58 located over and spaced from the first metal functional layer 48. A ratio of the geometric thickness of the first metal functional layer divided by the geometric thickness of the second metal functional layer is in the range of 0.6 to 1. The low emissivity coating 30 provides a reference IGU summer/day SHGC of at least 0.4 and a reference IGU winter/night U factor of no greater than 0.4 BTU/hr-ft-° F. (2.27 W/m2-K).

A daylight redirecting window film having a layered structure with a total thickness of less than one millimeter and having a first optically transmissive film, a second optically transmissive film approximately coextensive with the first optically transmissive film, an intermediate layer of a relatively soft optically transmissive material disposed between the first and second optically transmissive films, a parallel array of linear three-dimensional structures formed in a space between the first and second optically transmissive films, a layer of an optically transmissive adhesive coating a surface of the first optically transmissive film, and a two-dimensional pattern of light scattering surface microstructures formed in an outer surface of the second optically transmissive film. The parallel array of linear three-dimensional structures defines a parallel array of linear channels, and each of the linear three-dimensional structures has a total internal reflection wall extending transversely through a portion of the layered structure.

A substrate is coated on one face with a thin-films stack having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in solar radiation including at least one metallic functional layer, based on silver or on a metal alloy containing silver, and at least two antireflection coatings. The coatings each include at least one dielectric layer. The functional layer is positioned between the two antireflection coatings. The stack also includes a terminal layer which is the layer of the stack which is furthest from the face. The terminal layer is a metallic layer consisting of zinc and tin, made of Sn.sub.xZn.sub.y with a ratio of 0.1≦x/y≦2.4 and having a physical thickness of between 0.5 nm and 5.0 nm excluding these values, or even between 0.6 nm and 2.7 nm excluding these values.

A heat ray shielding film is disclosed, including composite tungsten oxide particles; and an ionomer resin. The composite tungsten oxide particles are expressed by a general formula M.sub.xWO.sub.y (where M denotes one or more kinds of elements selected from Cs, Rb, K, Tl, In, Ba, Li, Ca, Sr, Fe, Sn, Al, Cu, and Na, and 0.1≦x≦0.5 and 2.2≦y≦3.0).

The present invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising a multiple layer coating stack and the use of same in the manufacture of a double glazing unit, wherein the multiple layer coating stack comprises, n functional metal layer, m; and n plus 1 (n+1) dielectric layer, d, wherein the dielectric layers are positioned before and after each functional metal layer, and wherein n is the total number of functional metal layer in the stack counted from the substrate and is greater than or equal to 3; and wherein each dielectric layer comprises one or more layers, characterized in that the geometrical layer thickness of each functional metal layer in the coating stack Gm, is greater than the geometrical layer thickness of each functional metal layer appearing before it in the multiple layer coating stack, that is, Gmi+1>Gm.sub.i wherein i is the position of the functional metal layer in the coating stack counted from the substrate, and wherein for each dielectric layer d located before and after each functional metal layer m, the optical layer thickness of each dielectric layer (opln) is greater than or equal to the optical layer thickness of the dielectric layer (opln−1) positioned before it in the coating stack with the proviso that: twice the optical layer thickness of the first dielectric layer (opl.sub.1) in the coating stack, is less than the optical layer thickness of the second dielectric layer (opl.sub.2) in the coating stack, that is, (2×opl.sub.1)<opl.sub.2; and twice the optical layer thickness of the last dielectric layer (opl.sub.n+1) in the coating stack, is greater than the thickness of the optical layer thickness of the penultimate dielectric layer (opl.sub.n), that is, (opl.sub.n)<(opl.sub.n+1)×2.

Methods of making a vacuum insulating glass (VIG) window unit, including edge sealing techniques relating to the same, are provided. Certain example embodiments relate to providing an infrared (IR) absorbing element(s) such as a clip or clamp proximate an edge portion of a VIG assembly during formation of an edge seal. The IR absorbing element(s) absorb applied IR radiation and heat up during an edge seal formation process. Because the IR absorbing element(s) is/are thermally conductive and in contact with at least one of the glass substrates the element(s) causes/cause heat to be transferred from the element(s) to the adjacent glass substrate(s) and to the adjacent edge seal material thereby helping the edge seal material to heat up faster during the edge seal formation process and keeping other areas of glass at lower temperatures.

To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and a conductive layer. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position, and a second voltage is applied to a stop to electrostatically hold the shutter in the closed position. The first and second voltage levels can be reduced once the shutter is extended to the closed position, the reduction to the first voltage level being greater than the reduction to the second voltage level.

An insulating glazing system may include: at least two glass panes and a spacer element, wherein the at least two glass panes and the spacer element define a closed volume; a light ray shielding device within the closed volume, defining: transparent areas allowing passage of incident light rays with a given angle of incidence, whereas light rays having other angles of incidence are unable to pass through the transparent areas; and non-transparent areas configured to block the passage of the incident light rays, the non-transparent areas defining first and second surfaces; and a support means connected to the spacer element and operably associated with the shielding device. The shielding device may include a layer having retroreflective properties. The layer may at least partially cover one or both of the first and second surfaces of at least one of the areas of the non-transparent areas of the shielding device.

Liquid crystal modulator optical devices and more specifically shutters and smart windows are presented. The liquid crystal modulator devices are characterized by a reduced polymer content which is eliminated from the material composition of the liquid crystal layer and characterized by non-uniform electrode structures in the liquid crystal structure configured to generate spatially non-uniform electric fields and therefore non-uniform molecular reorientation of liquid crystal molecules. This arrangement advantageously makes light scattering electrically controllable.