Abstract: An adhesively bonded window and hardware assembly includes a window member (12) presenting a surface (12a), a hardware member (14) having a flange (14a) and a projecting portion (14b) contiguous with and projecting from the flange, an adhesive member (18) disposed between the flange and the surface of the window member and adhesively bonding the hardware member (14) to the window member (12), and a sealing member (20) that envelopes part o the flange, fully surrounds the adhesive member, and bonds to and seals against the surface of the window member. The sealing member (20) serves to protect the adhesive member (18) from heat and humidity in the surrounding environment. The sealing member (20) can comprise an overmolded member formed of a polymer material.

Abstract: An antenna system and method utilize a splitter electrically connectable to a single antenna for splitting an RF signal into two signals. A variable phase shifter shifts the phase of one of the signals. A combiner combines the phase shifted and non-phase shifted signals to produce a conditioned signal. A quality examiner circuit changes the amount of phase shift provided by the variable phase shifter to produce a plurality of different conditioned signals. The quality examiner circuit then determines a quality of each conditioned signal and changes the phase shift again to provide the highest quality conditioned signal to a receiver.

Abstract: A window assembly is used in a vehicle. The window assembly comprises a transparent pane having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced from the inner surface. The window assembly also comprises a ceramic frit disposed on a portion of the transparent pane. A primer is disposed on at least one of the transparent pane and the ceramic frit for providing a bonding surface. An encapsulation is coupled to the primer.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle comprises a first fixed panel and a second fixed panel spaced from the first fixed panel. A sliding panel is movable relative to the fixed panels. A rail is coupled to the fixed panels. The rail has a channel portion for receiving the sliding panel and an attachment portion extending from the channel portion. The attachment portion has an interior surface. The sliding window assembly further comprises an elongated member that couples the rail to the fixed panels. The elongated member partially encapsulates the rail with a portion of the interior surface of the attachment portion free of the elongated member to present an exposed bonding surface. The exposed bonding surface allows the rail to be bonded to the flange of the vehicle for mounting the sliding window assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel between an open position and a closed position. An elongated member is connected to the fixed panel and defines a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A rail is disposed in the channel along the longitudinal axis and is spaced along the longitudinal axis from the first end. The elongated member defines a drain hole molded into the elongated member in the channel. The drain hole is defined between the rail and the first end of the channel along the axis for draining water from the channel.

Abstract: An antenna system for receiving an RF signal from a first antenna and a second antenna includes a phase shift circuit. The phase shift circuit shifts a phase of the RF signal from the second antenna by one of a plurality of possible phase shifts to produce a phase shifted signal. A combiner combines the RF signal from the first antenna and the phase shifted signal to produce a combined signal. A comparator circuit compares a signal quality of the combined signal with a minimum threshold value to determine if the signal quality of the combined signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The comparator circuit is in communicative control of the phase shift circuit and maintains the phase shift of the RF signal received by the second antenna in response to the signal quality of the combined signal being equal to or greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A method verifies a completeness of an antenna disposed on a window. The antenna is electrically conductive and has a first end and a second end spaced from each other. The method comprises the step of placing the window on a fixture for supporting the window. The method also includes the steps of automatically aligning a distributing probe and the first end of the antenna and automatically aligning a receiving probe and the second end of the antenna. The method further includes the step of activating a current source to pass an electrical current from the distributing probe to the receiving probe through the antenna. The method also includes the step of indicating passage of the electrical current from the antenna to the receiving probe with the indicator to verify a completeness of the antenna.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sliding window assembly for a vehicle. The sliding window assembly comprises a first fixed panel configured for coupling with the vehicle and a second fixed panel configured for coupling with the vehicle. The second fixed panel is spaced from the first fixed panel to define an opening therebetween. A track is connected to the first fixed panel and to the second fixed panel and the track defines a U-shaped channel. The sliding window assembly also comprises a sliding panel disposed within the channel and moveable relative to the first and second fixed panels along the track for covering and uncovering the opening. The sliding window assembly further includes a channel seal having a finger contacting the sliding panel and a base extending from the finger and coupled to the track for sealing the channel from environmental elements.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel between an open position and a closed position. An elongated member is connected to the fixed panel and defines a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A rail is disposed in the channel along the longitudinal axis and is spaced along the longitudinal axis from the first end. The elongated member defines a drain hole molded into the elongated member in the channel. The drain hole is defined between the rail and the first end of the channel along the axis for draining water from the channel.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel. A track includes a first side wall connected to the fixed panel and a second side wall spaced from and extending along the first side wall defining a channel therebetween. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A horizontal seal is coupled to the first side wall in the channel for sealing between the first side wall and the sliding panel. A vertical seal is affixed to the fixed panel and intersects the horizontal seal at an intersection in the channel. The vertical seal extends along the wall into the channel beyond the horizontal seal at the intersection for preventing the flow of water from the horizontal seal past the vertical seal and onto an interior side of the fixed panel.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a sliding panel and a rail. The rail defines a channel for receiving the sliding panel. The sliding panel is movable between a closed position and an open position along the rail. An encapsulation at least partially encapsulates the sliding panel. The encapsulation includes a silicone-based polymer that has a minimal coefficient of friction. The encapsulation provides operational advantages to the sliding window assembly.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle comprises a first fixed panel and a second fixed panel spaced from the first fixed panel. A sliding panel is movable relative to the fixed panels. A rail is coupled to the fixed panels. The rail has a channel portion for receiving the sliding panel and an attachment portion extending from the channel portion. The attachment portion has an interior surface. The sliding window assembly further comprises an elongated member that couples the rail to the fixed panels. The elongated member partially encapsulates the rail with a portion of the interior surface of the attachment portion free of the elongated member to present an exposed bonding surface. The exposed bonding surface allows the rail to be bonded to the flange of the vehicle for mounting the sliding window assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: An antenna system (10) for receiving satellite signals in a vehicle exhibits a radiation pattern (11). The antenna system (10) includes a plurality of parasitic elements (18) which are electrically connectable together using linking switches (20). The geometry of the radiation pattern (11) changes as the linking switches (20) are activated and deactivated. Control of the linking switches (20), and thus the geometry of the radiation pattern (11), is based on the geographic location of the antenna system (10). Thus, the radiation pattern (10) can be steered based on geographic location to enhance signal reception. The geographic location may be obtained automatically via a GPS receiver (30) or manually via a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding window assembly for a vehicle including a fixed panel and a first heating grid coupled to the fixed panel. A sliding panel is movably coupled to a track and a second heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel. A conductive rail is coupled to the track and includes a first conductive segment, a second conductive segment spaced from the first conductive segment, and an insulator segment disposed between the first and second conductive segments with the first and second heating grids remaining electrically connected to the first and second conductive segments in both the open and closed positions in a series circuit. In one configuration, a sliding window assembly includes a connector disposed between a heating grid and a conductive rail with the connector comprising a compressible material and having a conductive property to define a conductive connector.

Abstract: A cable drive system and a sliding window assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. The sliding window assembly further includes a sliding panel coupled to the track and movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel for defrosting the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly also includes a cable coupled to the sliding panel for moving the sliding panel between the open and closed positions. In addition, the sliding window assembly includes a conductive element electrically connected to the heating grid and coupled with the cable such that the conductive element moves concurrently with the cable as the cable moves the sliding panel between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes panels and heating grids coupled to respective panels for defrosting the panels. The assembly further includes a conductive element in continuous electrical connection to the panels for defrosting the panels.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes first and second fixed window panes spaced from each other defining an opening therebetween. A sliding window pane is moveable relative to the first and second fixed window panes for covering and uncovering the opening. First and second tracks are spaced from each other and are connected to the first and second fixed window panes. The first and second tracks are coupled to the sliding window pane for guiding movement of the sliding window pane relative to the first and second fixed window panes. The first track and the second track are rigidly interconnected only by the first and second fixed window panes.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a circularly polarized (CP) antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a circularly polarized RF signal. The CP antenna includes a pair of radiating patches each having an elongated shape. An elongated axis is defined along a longest length of each of the radiating patches. The elongated axes are disposed generally perpendicular to one another to generate the circular polarization. A coplanar waveguide feeding element is disposed between the radiating patches for feeding RF signals from and/or to the radiating patches via electromagnetic coupling. A width of the slot of the coplanar waveguide is varied to provide impedance matching of the CP antenna with a transmission line.

Abstract: An antenna for radiating an electromagnetic field having both linear and circular polarization includes a ground plane and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the ground plane and has at least one exposed surface that radiates the electromagnetic field. A first feeding element is disposed on the exposed surface for electrically exciting the dielectric layer to provide the linear polarization at a first frequency having a first effective wavelength. A second feeding element is disposed on the exposed surface for electrically exciting the dielectric layer to provide the circular polarization at a second frequency having a second effective wavelength. The feeding elements are separated by a distance greater than ? wavelength of the largest of the effective wavelengths.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes first and second fixed panels and upper and lower fixed panels with an opening defined between the fixed panels. At least one track member is attached to at least one of the fixed panels. A sliding unit is slidably engagable with the track member and slidable between an open position and a closed position. The sliding unit includes a carrier component having an outer face and a flange portion extending from the outer face. A sliding panel is attached to the flange portion. The sliding panel and the fixed panels form a substantially flush outer surface. A U-shaped seal is disposed on the fixed panels adjacent to and encircling the opening. The seal engages the outer face of the carrier component when the sliding unit is in the closed position.