Abstract: An antenna is integrated with a window of a vehicle primarily for operating in multiple cellular telephone frequency bands. The antenna includes a conductive area formed of conductive material defining a slot. The slot is dimensioned such that edges adjacent the slot radiate primarily in a first frequency band. The antenna also includes a conductive strip formed of conductive material extending from the conductive area. The conductive strip is dimensioned to radiate primarily in a second frequency band.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a track member defining a channel. The track member further defines a gap that extends laterally into the channel having a gap length along the track member. The sliding window assembly further includes a sliding panel having an edge. The sliding window assembly includes a shoe extending from the sliding panel and engages the track member to support the sliding panel on the track member. The shoe has a shoe length that is parallel with the track member. The shoe length is less than the gap length to allow for removal of the sliding panel by aligning and passing the shoe through the gap.

Abstract: A patch antenna for receiving and/or transmitting circularly polarized RF signals includes a first radiating layer and a second radiating layer disposed substantially parallel to each other. Each radiating layer defines a pair of perturbation features. A ground plane layer is disposed underneath the radiating layers. The antenna also includes a feed line layer implemented as a coplanar wave guide and disposed between the radiating layers. The feed line layer allows for connection of a single transmission line to the antenna and for electromagnetically connecting the radiating layers to the transmission line. Dielectric layers separate the radiating layers, feed line layer, and ground plane layer.

Abstract: A patch antenna receives circularly polarized RF signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a radiating element. A plurality of feed lines feed the radiating element at a plurality of feed points. The feed points are spaced apart to generate a circularly polarized radiation beam solely in a higher order mode at a desired frequency. The antenna may include a plurality of parasitic structures. The feed point spacing and/or the parasitic structures tilt the radiating beam away from an axis perpendicular to the radiating element. Thus, the patch antenna provides excellent RF signal reception from satellites at low elevation angles.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals at multiple cellular frequency bands is disposed on a non-conductive pane. The antenna includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element. The first antenna element has a first radiating element and a second radiating element arranged together in an opposing relationship to form a first bowtie shape. The second antenna element is spaced from the first antenna element and has a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element arranged together in an opposing relationship to form a second bowtie shape with a different dimension than the first bowtie shape. A first trace element connects to and extends between said first and third radiating elements and a second trace element connects to and extends between said second and fourth radiating elements. The antenna establishes an electromagnetic coupling for dual band operation at the multiple cellular frequency bands.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a log-periodic antenna and method for controlling multiple polarizations of the antenna per a given frequency or frequencies The antenna includes a boom and a plurality of pairs of elements where each element of each pair of elements extends laterally from the boom in opposite directions. The plurality of pairs of elements includes a first pair of elements disposed in a first plane with the boom and a second pair of elements disposed in a second plane with the boom. The first plane extends radially from the boom at a first radial angle and the second plane extends radially from the boom at a second radial angle. The first radial angle is offset to the second radial angle. The antenna may include at least one adjustment mechanism. Each adjustment mechanism allows angular adjustment of at least one of the elements for controlling the multiple polarizations of the antenna.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes an upper track member, a lower track member, and a carrier component. The track members each define a first channel having a first depth, a second channel having a second depth, and a third channel having a third depth less than each of the first and second depths. The carrier component includes upper and lower edges. Each edge has a first tab extending to a first length and a second tab extending to a second length. The carrier component slides in the track members to move between an open and a closed position. The first tabs slide in the first channels, the second tabs slide in the second channels, and the edges of the carrier component slide in the third channels. The first lengths correspond to the first depths and the second lengths correspond to the second depths so the tabs appropriately fit in their respective channels.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna includes a non-conductive pane, a ground plane disposed on the non-conductive pane, and a radiating strip for operating in a plurality of frequency bands. The radiating strip includes an elongated portion and a meander line portion extending away from an end of the elongated portion. The radiating strip also includes a pair of tuning stubs extending from the elongated portion.

Abstract: An antenna for radiating an electromagnetic field includes a ground plane, a first dielectric layer disposed on the ground plane, and a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer. The antenna includes at least one feeding element embedded in the first dielectric layer and a radiating element extending from the feeding element. The radiating element is embedded within the first dielectric layer adjacent to the second dielectric layer. A beam steering element is embedded in the second dielectric layer and electromagnetically coupled to the radiating element. Embedding the beam steering element in the second dielectric layer and electromagnetically coupling the beam steering element to the radiating element allows the antenna to tilt a radiation beam to overcome a roof obstruction from a vehicle while maintaining acceptable gain, polarization, and directional properties for SDARS applications.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving and/or transmitting circularly polarized RF signals includes a patch element, a ground plane, a dielectric, and a feed line. The patch element is disposed on a pane of glass and includes a pair of radiating sides disposed opposite each other and a pair of spacer sides disposed opposite each other. The radiating sides form an angle less than 90 degrees with the spacer sides. A first axis is defined through a center of the radiating sides and a second axis defined though a center of the spacer sides. The ground plane is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the patch element. The dielectric substrate is sandwiched between the patch element and the ground plane. The feed line is disposed substantially parallel to and offset from the first axis for providing the antenna with a circular polarization radiation characteristic. The antenna is compact in size and generally conformal to the pane of glass.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving and/or transmitting circularly and linearly polarized RF signals includes a circularly polarized radiation element and a linearly polarized radiation element. The radiation elements are disposed co-planar and spaced apart from each other on a pane of glass. The linearly polarized radiation element is fed with a phase-shifted signal line. A ground plane is disposed parallel to the radiation elements to sandwich a dielectric of air. The antenna produces the effect of tilting a radiation beam from a higher to a lower elevation angle to achieve a higher gain at lower elevation angles.

Abstract: A window pane has a substrate formed from glass and includes an electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is operatively connected to and in electrical communication with the conductor for transferring electrical energy to the conductor. The substrate has a first coefficient of expansion and the connector has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. A difference between the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion is equal to or less than 5×10?6/° C. for minimizing mechanical stress between the connector and the substrate due to thermal expansion of the connector and the substrate resulting from changes in temperature.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes an upper track member, a lower track member, and a sliding unit. The track members each define a first channel having a first depth, a second channel having a second depth, and a third channel having a third depth less than the first and second depths. The sliding unit includes upper and lower edges. Each edge has a first tab and a second tab extending from the edge. The sliding unit slides in the track members to move between an open and a closed position. The first tabs slide in the first channels, the second tabs slide in the second channels, and the edges slide in the third channels.

Abstract: A laser marking system for automotive glass having an ink spray device capable of depositing an ink layer upon the glass and a drying system is provided for accelerating the drying of the ink layer. A laser system is also provided to operably heat and bond at least a portion of the ink layer to the glass in a predetermined pattern. A cleansing system removes unbonded portions of the ink layer from the glass and a controller is provided to direct the laser system in the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to an electrical conductor. The conductor is applied to a glass substrate and the connector is placed over the conductor. An ultrasonic welding apparatus is used to oscillate the connector relative to the conductor to bond the connector to the conductor while maintaining the temperatures of the connector and conductor below the predefined melting points and without damaging the glass substrate. In addition, an electrically conductive foil can be disposed between the connector and the conductor for ensuring electrical communication between the connector and the conductor.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving and/or transmitting circularly and/or linearly polarized RF signals includes a radiation element, a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, and a feed line. The radiation element is disposed on a pane of glass. The radiation element defines a slot having a first leg and a second leg forming the shape of a cross for generating the circular and/or linear polarization. The cross-shaped slot includes a center point. The ground plane is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the radiation element. The dielectric substrate is sandwiched between the radiation element and the ground plane. The feed line extends within the dielectric substrate and is electromagnetically coupled with the radiation element and the ground plane. The feed line terminates at a distal end short of the center point of the slot. That is, the feed line does not cross the center point. The antenna is compact in size and generally conformal to the pane of glass.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna for receiving an RF signal from a satellite includes a radiation element and a ground plane disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the radiation element. A first dielectric and a second dielectric are sandwiched between the ground plane and the radiation element, in a side-by-side relationship. The first dielectric has a first relative permittivity and the second dielectric has a second relative permittivity different from the first relative permittivity. A feed line electrically connects the antenna to an amplifier. A section of the feed line is disposed between the first and second dielectrics. The antenna produces the effect of tilting a radiation beam from a higher to a lower elevation angle to achieve a higher gain at lower elevation angles.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving an RF signal from a satellite is preferably integrated with a window of a vehicle. The window preferably includes a first nonconductive pane and a second nonconductive pane laminated together with a PVB adhesive layer. A first conductive layer is disposed on one of the surfaces of the nonconductive panes and a second conductive layer is disposed on another of the surfaces of the nonconductive panes. The second conductive layer includes a main slot extending thereinto. The main slot defines a feed line region and ground plane regions. The second conductive layer also includes stub slots extending into the ground plane regions for antenna impedance matching and providing the antenna with a circular polarization.