Abstract: A window assembly includes an electrically conductive transparent layer and an antenna element disposed on a substrate. The transparent layer has an area defining a periphery with a plurality of edges. An outer region devoid of the transparent layer is defined adjacent the transparent layer along the periphery. The antenna element includes a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment. The first antenna segment is elongated and disposed in the outer region and spaced from the periphery and extends solely along one edge of the periphery. The second antenna segment extends integrally from the first antenna segment towards the transparent layer such that the second antenna segment crosses a periphery of the transparent layer. A feeding element is coupled to the first antenna segment to energize the antenna element and the transparent layer such that the antenna element and the transparent layer collectively transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.

Abstract: A window trim is used with a fixed window of a vehicle. The fixed window is fixed to the vehicle and has interior and exterior surfaces and a window edge. The window trim includes a trim body having a first section having a substantially linear configuration and a second section having an at least partially arcuate configuration defining a bend such that the second section extends back toward the first section and presents a contact surface engaging the window edge. The first section extends beyond the contact surface and along the interior surface. The window trim includes a reinforcement element having first and second reinforcement portions configured to correspond to the substantially linear and at least partially arcuate configurations of the trim body, respectively. The first and second reinforcement portions continuously extend as a single unit within the first and second portions, to support the trim body.

Abstract: The present invention provides low-E thin film optical stacks with improved optical and infrared reflecting properties and methods of making the same. More specifically, the present invention provides for a metal oxide thin film coating that exhibits lower emissivity values than its predecessor due to the inclusion of an oxidizer in the metal oxide deposition process, such as a strong acid such as nitric acid. The present invention also provides for a method that increases the coating efficiencies of the thin films described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel plasma sources useful in the thin film coating arts and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention provides novel linear and two dimensional plasma sources that produce linear and two dimensional plasmas, respectively, that are useful for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The present invention also provides methods of making thin film coatings and methods of increasing the coating efficiencies of such methods.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly is used with a vehicle. The sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed panel having first and second edges, with the fixed panel also having an arcuate configuration between the first and second edges. The sliding window assembly includes at least one rail coupled to the fixed panel and having first and second rail ends. The rail extends along an axis between the first and second rail ends. The rail defines a rail channel having a substantially linear configuration along the axis. The sliding window assembly includes a sliding panel at least partially disposed within the rail channel and movable along the rail and the axis relative to the fixed panel between open and closed positions. The first edge of the fixed panel is spaced from the second edge of the fixed panel along the axis that the rail extends along.

Abstract: A window assembly includes an electrically conductive transparent layer and an antenna element disposed on a substrate. The antenna element includes a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment. The first antenna segment is elongated and disposed in an outer region devoid of the transparent layer. The second antenna segment extends from the first antenna segment toward the transparent layer such that the second antenna segment crosses a periphery of the transparent layer. The second antenna segment abuts and is in direct electrical contact with the transparent layer. A feeding element is coupled to the antenna element and energizes the first and second antenna segments and the transparent layer such that the first and second antenna segments and the transparent layer collectively transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.

Abstract: A vertical sliding window assembly can be coupled to a flange of a vehicle. The vertical sliding window assembly includes a first fixed panel and a second fixed panel adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The first and second fixed panels have a top edge and a bottom edge spaced from each other. First and second vertical tracks are coupled to and extends between the top and bottom edges of a respective one of the first and second fixed panels. Each of the vertical tracks have a bottom end adjacent the bottom edge of a respective one of the fixed panels. A sliding panel is movable along the first and second vertical tracks relative to the fixed panels. The bottom end of each of the first and second vertical tracks terminates between the top and bottom edges of the fixed panels.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a substrate that is substantially transparent and has a surface. A transparent layer is disposed on the surface and comprises a metal compound such that the transparent layer is electrically conductive. The transparent layer defines a first region and a second region that are spaced from one another by a section cut that is devoid of the transparent layer. The first and second regions are non-congruent to one another. A feeding arrangement is coupled to the first and second regions to energize the first and second regions such that the first and second regions operate as antenna elements. The first and second regions each define at least one performance enhancing slit that is devoid of the transparent layer. The slits are configured to operate as at least one of an impedance matching element and a radiation pattern altering element.

Abstract: A solder joint is disposed on an electrical conductor which comprises silver. The solder joint comprises bismuth and tin. The solder joint has a microstructure comprising a bismuth-rich solder bulk and a silver-solder reaction zone. The bismuth-rich solder bulk is disposed adjacent to the silver-solder reaction zone. The solder joint comprises a plurality of bismuth-rich grains formed from bismuth and substantially dispersed throughout at least the bismuth-rich solder bulk of the solder joint. A window pane comprising the solder joint is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having an optical component that is capable of concentrating solar energy and method of making the same. More specifically, the present invention provides for an on-line produced patterned glass component that is capable of concentrating solar energy and allows for significantly less photovoltaic material to be used in a photovoltaic device. The present invention also provides for an on-line method of making the patterned glass and a method for making a photovoltaic device incorporating the patterned glass described herein.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflective film comprises preparing a liquid composition with specific amounts of tetraethyl orthosilicate, polyethylene glycol, HCl, ethanol and at least one alcohol having a higher boiling point than ethanol and miscibility with both ethanol and water; applying the liquid composition onto a surface of a substrate to form a liquid film; evaporating the ethanol and the at least one alcohol from the liquid film to form a solid film; and heating the solid film to form a silica film.

Abstract: The present invention provides transparent conductive oxide (TCO) thin films with improved optical and electrical properties and methods of making the same. More specifically, the invention provides on-line processes for producing TCO thin films that allow for improvements in optical properties and post-production improvements in electrical properties of the TCO.

Abstract: A window pane has a daylight opening and includes a substrate having a first surface. The window pane further includes an electrical device including a first busbar, a second busbar, and a gridline portion with each independently including a conductive material. The gridline portion has a first end operatively connected to and abutting the first busbar and a second end operatively connected to and abutting the second busbar. A gridline length is defined between the first and second ends of the gridline portion. The gridline portion is completely and directly disposed on the first surface along the gridline length. The first busbar and second busbar each independently includes a first layer of the conductive material disposed on the substrate. At least one of the first and the second busbars each independently includes a second layer of the conductive material disposed on the first layer.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly is used with a vehicle. The sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed panel having first and second edges, with the fixed panel also having an arcuate configuration between the first and second edges. The sliding window assembly includes at least one rail coupled to the fixed panel and having first and second rail ends. The rail extends along an axis between the first and second rail ends. The rail defines a rail channel having a substantially linear configuration along the axis. The sliding window assembly includes a sliding panel at least partially disposed within the rail channel and movable along the rail and the axis relative to the fixed panel between open and closed positions. The first edge of the fixed panel is spaced from the second edge of the fixed panel along the axis that the rail extends along.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus which can acquire, readout and perceive a scene based on the insertion, or embedding of photosensitive elements into or on a transparent or semi-transparent substrate such as glass or plastic. The substrate itself may act as the optical device which deflects the photons of an incident image into the photosensitive elements. A digital neural memory can be trained to recognize patterns in the incident photons. The photosensitive elements and digital neural memory elements may be arranged with light elements controlled in accordance with the patterns detected. In one application, intelligent lighting units provide light while monitoring surroundings and/or adjusting light according to such surroundings. In another application, intelligent displays display images and/or video while monitoring surroundings and/or adjusting the displayed images and/or video in accordance with such surroundings.

Abstract: The invention provides low-emissivity stacks being characterized by a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), enhanced aesthetics, mechanical and chemical durability, and a tolerance for tempering or heat strengthening. The invention moreover provides low-emissivity coatings comprising, in order outward from the substrate a first dielectric layer; a first nucleation layer; a first Ag layer; a first barrier layer; a second dielectric layer; a second nucleation layer; a second Ag layer; a second barrier layer; a third dielectric layer; and optionally, a topcoat layer, and methods for depositing such coatings on substrates.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflective film comprises preparing a liquid composition with specific amounts of tetraethyl orthosilicate, polyethylene glycol, HCl, ethanol and at least one alcohol having a higher boiling point than ethanol and miscibility with both ethanol and water; applying the liquid composition onto a surface of a substrate to form a liquid film; evaporating the ethanol and the at least one alcohol from the liquid film to form a solid film; and heating the solid film to form a silica film.