GLASS-SENSOR STRUCTURES
The present invention generally relates to glass-sensor structures and methods of making the same.
1 . A glass-sensor structure: comprising:
a sensor glass layer, comprising:
Layer A: a flat glass layer, optionally comprising: a reflective surface on its top or bottom; and,
a sensory element;
optionally, the glass-sensor structure, further comprises: from 1-4 layers selected from;
Layer B: a flat glass layer located on top of and at least partially in contact with Layer A, provided that if Layer B is present, Layer C is also present;
Layer C: a flat glass layer located on top of and at least partially in contact with Layer B, if present, or Layer A if Layer B is not present, and optionally comprising: a reflective surface on its top or bottom;
Layer D: a flat glass layer located on the bottom of and at least partially in contact with Layer A, provided that if Layer D is present, Layer E is also present; and
Layer E: a flat glass layer located on the bottom of and at least partially in contact with Layer D, if present, or Layer A if Layer D is not present, and optionally comprising: a reflective surface on its top or bottom.
2 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor glass layer, comprises: a plurality of sensory elements.
3 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 1 , wherein
the sensory element is in contact with at least a portion of the top of Layer A and has a smaller surface area than Layer A.
4 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 3 , wherein:
the glass of Layer A near the edges of the sensory element is partially absent.
5 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 3 , wherein:
the reflective surface is present on Layer A.
6 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 5 , wherein:
the reflective surface is on the bottom of Layer A.
7 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 3 , wherein:
Layers B and C are present.
8 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 7 , wherein:
a middle portion of Layer B is absent, such that an inner portion of Layer B is near the edges of the sensory element.
9 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 8 , wherein:
a middle portion of Layer C is absent.
10 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 7 , wherein:
the reflective surface is present on Layer C.
11 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 10 , wherein:
the reflective surface is on the top of Layer C.
12 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 7 , wherein:
Layers D and E are present.
13 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 12 , wherein:
the reflective surface is present on Layer E.
14 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 15 , wherein:
the reflective surface is on the bottom of Layer E.
15 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 1 , wherein
the sensory element is in the same plane as Layer A and is housed in an opening in the middle of Layer A that is at least the size of the sensory element.
16 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 43 , wherein:
Layers B, C, D, and E are present.
17 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of mechanical pins.
18 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 17 , wherein the pins are electrically conductive and pass through and extend beyond the bottom of the structure.
19 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 17 , further comprising: a plurality of surface mount, electrically conductive pads present on the bottom layer of the structure.
20 . The glass-sensor structure of claim 19 , wherein the mechanical pins are electrically conductive and are in electrical connection with the pads.