UV-Contrast Patterned Glass Coating for Bird Collision Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Windows with high thermal performance often reflect the sky and landscape, causing bird collisions due to misperception of flight paths, and there is a need for cost-effective solutions to reduce these collisions.
Innovation Solution
A coated architectural window with a first substrate having a patterned coating on one surface and a functional layer on the opposite surface, using a magnetron sputter vapor deposition process to create a contrast in the UV and bird-visible range, reducing collisions by scattering or redirecting radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a window coating is applied to improve thermal performance, then energy loss is reduced, but the window reflects sky and landscape causing bird collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a patterned coating only to specific portions of the window surface rather than the entire surface. This creates localized high-reflectance areas that form visible patterns (such as stripes or geometric shapes) which disrupt the uniform reflection of sky and landscape, making the window more visible to birds while maintaining thermal performance in the overall window structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses coatings with different optical properties (reflectance characteristics) in different regions of the window. The patterned areas have enhanced reflectance in the visible and UV ranges compared to non-patterned areas, creating visual contrast that alerts birds to the window's presence without compromising the thermal insulation properties of the window as a whole.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a patterned coating is applied to reduce bird collisions, then bird safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating process is divided into multiple sequential steps: first applying a base coating layer, then applying a patterned coating layer only to specific regions using masks or direct-write techniques, and finally applying a protective top layer. This segmentation allows for precise control of the pattern formation while using standard coating equipment and processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary mask application or pre-programming of coating patterns before the actual coating deposition. Masks are positioned on the substrate beforehand to define the exact areas where patterned coating will be applied, ensuring precise pattern formation without requiring complex real-time control during the coating process.
3Loss of energy
If high reflectance coating is applied to improve thermal performance, then energy conservation is improved, but the window becomes less visible to birds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric patterns (such as stripes, geometric shapes, or irregular designs) on the window surface that break the uniformity of the reflection. This asymmetric patterning creates visual contrast against the uniform sky or landscape background, making the window more detectable to birds while the overall high reflectance of the coating maintains thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the UV spectrum dimension in addition to the visible spectrum. The patterned coating is designed to reflect or absorb UV radiation differently than visible light, creating a contrast that is visible to birds (which have UV vision) but may not be as apparent to human observers. This adds a dimensional aspect to the visibility problem that benefits bird safety while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The patterned coating effectively reduces bird collisions by creating a visible contrast that avoids misperception, enhancing safety while maintaining thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first coating is applied in a manner to produce a predetermined pattern... The predetermined pattern forms a contrasting surface on the first substrate in comparison to other portions of the No. 1 surface of the substrate. This contrasting surface reduces bird collisions with the window.
Implementation Method 2
The collisions are caused due to the fact that the substrate of the window reflects the sky and landscape behind the bird... The first coating can comprise nanoparticles... The first coating can comprise silicon nitride or various oxides, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, and/or zinc stannate.
Implementation Method 3
using a magnetron sputter vapor deposition process to create a contrast in the UV and bird-visible range
Implementation Method 4
The first coating can be applied to the No. 1 surface... applying a first coating to the No. 1 surface, wherein the first coating has a predetermined pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A coated substrate, such as an architectural window, for reducing bird collisions comprising a first substrate, having a No. 1 surface and a No. 2 surface oppositely disposed from the No. 1 surface, wherein the No. 2 surface comprises at least one functional layer located thereon, and wherein the No. 1 surface includes a first coating having a predetermined pattern that creates a contrast in the UV and/or bird-visible range when compared to uncoated portions of the No. 1 surface of the substrate or when compared to other coated portions of the No. 1 surface. The coated substrate can be used as a single substrate in an architecture window or as a substrate in an insulating glass unit. A method for forming the architectural window for reducing bird collisions using a sputter-up and sputter-down process is also provided.