Abstract: Radiator-Curable coating compositions which form transparent, abrasion-resistant, tintable coatings upon curing by exposure to high intensity irradiation, such as ultraviolet light or electron beam irradiation. The coating composition comprises a combination of effective amounts of (a) colloidal silica, (b) the hydrolysis product of a silane compound having a polymerizable functional group such as acryloxy-functional silanes or glycidoxy-functional silanes or mixtures of both, (c) polyfunctional, polymerizable, non-acrylate-functional ethers, (d) at least one radiation sensitive initiator and, preferably, (e) a monofunctional monomer. When the surface of a substrate coated with the cured coating composition is immersed in a colored dye bath for a sufficient period of time, the coating absorbs or transmits to the substrate a desired amount of dye.

Abstract: Clear, abrasion resistant, tintable coating compositions which are based on siloxane/silica hybrid coating resins and which also contain at least about 3 weight percent and up to about 30 weight percent of a tintability enhancing compound comprising at least one alkylated amine formadehyde compound. These coating compositions are especially useful for providing both abrasion resistance and high levels of tinting.

Abstract: Abrasion resistant, tintable coating compositions which are based on siloxane/silica hybrid coating resins and which also contain at least about 3 percent but less than about 20 percent of a tintability enhancing compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyl-functional compounds and butylated urea formaldehyde compounds. These coating compositions are especially useful for providing both abrasion resistance and high levels of tinting and, optionally, absorbance of ultraviolet radiation. Tetrahydroxybenzophenone is a preferred tintability enhancing compound that also absorbs UV light.

Abstract: An optical transparency assembly suitable for use in applications where substantial pressure, temperature and humidity differentials between the air spaces on its opposite sides must be withstood, with one of its external surfaces maintaining a precise contour. One embodiment of the transparency assembly meets these requirements by including two separate transparent panels joined together at their peripheries with a narrow air space defined between them, with a unit being provided for conditioning the air in this narrow space such that it has a pressure, temperature and humidity substantially the same as that in the space adjacent the surface whose contour is to be maintained. Pressure, temperature and humidity gradients across one panel of the transparency assembly are minimized and that panel's contour is thereby precisely maintained.

Abstract: An optical transparency adapted to substantially attenuate electromagnetic pulses incident on it, yet transmit visible light with minimal distraction being caused by Fraunhofer diffraction. The transparency includes a transparent sheet and a laminated, electrically-conductive grid that defines a densely-packed array of apertures. Each aperture is a modified polygon having multiple curved sides, such that visible light from a remote point source of light is diffracted by the curved sides of each aperture over multiple, diverging, fan-like areas and minimal distraction to a person viewing through the transparency is thereby provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed transparent, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising a colloidal dispersion of a water insoluble dispersant in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of silanol wherein the dispersant comprises metals, alloys, salts, oxides and hydroxides thereof.

Abstract: A contoured transparency such as an aircraft windshield or canopy, and a method for making it, that provides reduced optical distortion for a pilot seating beneath it. The transparency is configured to have a tailored thickness gradient across its surface such that light passing obliquely through it and converging at a predetermined low distortion point is refracted in such a way the optical distortion is minimized. In one embodiment, the thickness gradient is selected such that light passing obliquely through it and converging on a single point follows a path after exiting the transparency that substantially parallels its path before entering the transparency. This eliminates angular deviation of a line of sight from that specific low distortion point. In another embodiment, the thickness gradient is selected such that the angle between the lines of sight of the pilot's two eyes to a remote target remains unchanged after passing through the transparency. This eliminates binocular deviation.

Abstract: A plastic transparency, and method for making it, that is the polymerization product of at least 97.5 mole percent of a monofunctional, vinyl monomer, of which at least 70 percent and preferably 100 percent is methyl methacrylate, and up to 2.5 mole percent neopentylene glycol dimethacrylate. The transparency exhibits significantly reduced optical hazing in an acidic environment, making it particularly suitable for use as an aircraft transparency.

Abstract: An impact resistant transparent laminate that includes as one ply a special urethane-modified acrylic sheet containing a vinyl-functional polyurethane elastomer that is a polymerization product of an aliphatic diisocyanate, one or more hydroxyl-functional polyether or polyester prepolymers, and a hydroxyl or amine-functional vinyl monomer. In a three-ply embodiment of the invention, the urethane modified acrylic sheet serves as the back ply, a hard plastic sheet formed of a material like cast acrylic serves as the front ply, and a thin sheet having high elongation such as polyurethane serves as an intermediate ply. In a five-ply embodiment of the invention, the laminate further includes a second thin sheet having high elongation disposed immediately behind the urethane-modified acrylic ply and a ductile plastic sheet formed of a material like polycarbonate to serve as its back ply.

Abstract: There is disclosed transparent, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising a colloidal dispersion of a water insoluble dispersant in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of silanol wherein the dispersant comprises metals, alloys, salts, oxides and hydroxides thereof.

Abstract: Articles coated with transparent, abrasion resistant compositions comprising a colloidal dispersion of a water insoluble dispersant in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of silanol wherein the dispersant comprises metals, alloys and salts thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed transparent, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising a colloidal dispersion of a water insoluble dispersant in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of silanol wherein the dispersant comprises metals, alloys and salts thereof.

Abstract: A cured transparent, abrasion resistant coating on at least one surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an effective abrasion resisting amount of a colloidal dispersion containing colloidal antimony oxide and colloidal silica in a weight ratio of less than or equal to about 30:70, in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of R(Si(OH).sub.3) wherein R is an organic radical.

Abstract: A coating composition which forms an improved transparent, abrasion resistant coating upon curing. The coating composition comprises an effective abrasion resisting amount of a colloidal dispersion containing colloidal antimony oxide and colloidal silica in a weight ratio of less than or equal to about 30:70, in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of R(Si(OH).sub.3) wherein R is an organic radical.

Abstract: A plastic transparency for particular use as an airplane window, including a transparent sheet member and a thin resinous coating overlying the peripheral edge surface of the sheet member. The sheet member is formed of a multi-axially oriented plastic material that is absorptive of moisture, the volume of the member varying in accordance with the amount of moisture absorbed. The edge coating has a moisture permeation rate substantially less than that of the underlying sheet member, so when the window is exposed to an environment of high or variable humidity, any moisture gradient adjacent the peripheral edge surface is reduced, and the resultant tensile stress and incidence of cracking in the window are correspondingly reduced.

Abstract: A focusing reflector comprises a sheet of transparent material such as acrylic or the like formed to have a smooth-surfaced upper face and a lower face with a modified corner cube geometry. The modified corner cube geometry includes a plurality of multifaceted reflective elements arranged in a hexagonal close pack relationship with each element being defined by three planar facets forming a pyramid-shaped structure. Each element has two of its facets oriented mutually perpendicularly, and the third facet is oriented with respect to the perpendicular facets at a predetermined angle other than ninety degrees for redirection of light incident upon the upper sheet face toward a prescribed focal zone. The angular orientation of the third facet of each element is a function of the location of the element with respect to the position of the focal zone, together with the desired size and shape of the focal zone.

Abstract: A focusing device for concentrating radiation, such as sunlight, and producing a prescribed distribution of energy over a target surface. The principles of the device have both photovoltaic and photothermal applications, and can be embodied in either a lens or a mirror, having a plurality of discrete focusing surfaces for redirecting radiation onto a target surface. The angle for each of the respective focusing surfaces, relative to the direction of the radiation being received, is selected to redirect an increment of such radiation to a unique portion of the target surface, whereby a superposition of the radiation increments redirected by all of the focusing surfaces produces the prescribed distribution of energy on the target. In one embodiment, a plurality of focusing segments is provided each having a plurality of the focusing surfaces for irradiating the target surface with a prescribed energy distribution.