Abstract: The present invention places an electronic controller and/or a triac in a frame, a cover, a chase, or a mounting member of a heated glass panel assembly, where the panel has a conductive coating dispose on it. By placing the controller in the panel frame, the cover, the chase, or the mounting member, field wiring of the panel assembly is greatly reduced, wire lengths are standardized, production glazing, wiring, and pre-testing are facilitated, and installation time and complexity are minimized. By placing the triac in thermal contact with the panel frame, the cover, the chase, or the mounting member, the heat from the triac may be used to complement the heat supplied by the assembly.

Abstract: A heated insulating glass panel, with a fitting, is provided. The heated insulating glass panel is formed from two dielectric sheets that are separated by a spacer, which has a spacer layer at the spacer edge. The fitting, which is made of a fitting base portion and a fitting tubular portion, is attached to the spacer layer at the spacer edge by way of, for example, two screws. Thus, the fitting provides a pathway for routing wires into and away from the heated insulating glass panel. If necessary, an elbow may be provided which attaches to the fitting tubular portion for changing the direction of the routing of the wires. In addition, conduit may be attached to the fitting to route the wiring to and from the heated insulating glass panel.

Abstract: Heated architectural panel temperature control systems and methods are provided for heating windows that are formed from heated architectural panels. The control system comprises the heated architectural panel that produces heat when connected to external AC power, a panel frame disposed around the panel periphery, and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to the window. The temperature control circuit, which may be disposed in the panel frame, controls the temperature of the panel by utilizing a Hall effect sensor and the panel temperature coefficient of resistance ?. The panel may comprise insulated glass panels, laminated structures, or combinations thereof, where the window is disposed in an opening of a building.

Abstract: A wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel assembly is provided that includes a metal oxide coated glass panel with a panel frame, an opening frame that cooperates with the coated glass panel frame to allow the panel to cover a panel opening, a receiving coil that is positioned in the panel frame and that is wired to the panel, and a sending coil that is positioned in the opening frame and that is wired to an electrical power source. When the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the sending coil, the sending coil wirelessly induces an electrical current in the receiving coil, which causes the dielectric panel to provide heat.

Abstract: A wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel assembly is provided that includes a metal oxide coated glass panel with a panel frame, an opening frame that cooperates with the coated glass panel frame to allow the panel to cover a panel opening, a receiving coil that is positioned in the panel frame and that is wired to the panel, and a sending coil that is positioned in the opening frame and that is wired to an electrical power source. When the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the sending coil, the sending coil wirelessly induces an electrical current in the receiving coil, which causes the dielectric panel to provide heat.

Abstract: A heated insulating glass panel, with a fitting, is provided. The heated insulating glass panel is formed from two dielectric sheets that are separated by a spacer, which has a spacer layer at the spacer edge. The fitting, which is made of a fitting base portion and a fitting tubular portion, is attached to the spacer layer at the spacer edge by way of, for example, two screws. Thus, the fitting provides a pathway for routing wires into and away from the heated insulating glass panel. If necessary, an elbow may be provided which attaches to the fitting tubular portion for changing the direction of the routing of the wires. In addition, conduit may be attached to the fitting to route the wiring to and from the heated insulating glass panel.

Abstract: Heated architectural panel temperature control systems and methods are provided for heating windows that are formed from heated architectural panels. The control system comprises the heated architectural panel that produces heat when connected to external AC power, a panel frame disposed around the panel periphery, and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to the window. The temperature control circuit, which may be disposed in the panel frame, controls the temperature of the panel by utilizing a Hall effect sensor and the panel temperature coefficient of resistance ?. The panel may comprise insulated glass panels, laminated structures, or combinations thereof, where the window is disposed in an opening of a building.

Abstract: An electrically conductive heated glass panel assembly, control system, and method for producing panels are provided to warm objects and to insure unobstructed viewing through glass by removing moisture. An integrated connection circuit interconnects glass sheets, which have a low emissivity conductive coating deposited thereon. The circuit includes copper bus bars that are disposed onto the conductive coating through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus. A metallic tab, which extends from the glass sheet's peripheral edge, is disposed onto each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity. Two types of glazing channels are offered to interconnect multiple panels to external circuits and controls. A solid-state controller may be provided to obtain sensor control signals so as to drive a triac circuit that provides current flow through the panel for the desired heating.

Abstract: Methods for forming electrically conductive heated dielectric panels are provided. The panels are utilized for warming objects and/or insuring unobstructed viewing through the panels by removing moisture. The methods include depositing electrically conductive metal bus bars onto the dielectric panel, onto which panel a conductive coating has previously been disposed. The conductive metal bus bars are deposited onto the coated dielectric panel through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus, in combination with an oxyacetylene or a plasma device. A metallic tab, which extends from the panel peripheral edge, is brought into electrical contact with each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity.

Abstract: A cloth heater and method for using the heater are provided. The heater utilizes a horizontally disposed surface, a heated glass panel, and support members. The horizontally disposed surface may comprise the top edge or surface of the heated glass panel, or a surface on a separate rack that is above and vertically inline with the top edge of the heated glass panel. The heated glass panel also has two opposing major surfaces. The support members physically support the heated glass panel and have electrical leads that communicate electrical power to the heated glass panel, thus heating the heated glass panel. When a cloth is placed across the horizontally disposed surface, the horizontally disposed surface supports the cloth, and the cloth makes contact with the two opposing major surfaces of the heated glass panel, thus heating the cloth at both opposing major surfaces.

Abstract: A quartz heater is provided for heating fluids or objects. The heater comprises a member, for example, a quartz glass tubular or non-tubular member, with a low-emissivity conductive coating that produces heat when connected to external power. The fluid can be heated as it passes through the tubular member. If the member is not completely coated, then heat radiates toward the center of the member, pass through its uncoated portion, and then onto objects for heating.

Abstract: An electrically conductive heated glass panel assembly, control system, and method for producing panels are provided to warm objects and to insure unobstructed viewing through glass by removing moisture. An integrated connection circuit interconnects glass sheets, which have a low emissivity conductive coating deposited thereon. The circuit includes copper bus bars that are disposed onto the conductive coating through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus. A metallic tab, which extends from the glass sheet's peripheral edge, is disposed onto each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity. Two types of glazing channels are offered to interconnect multiple panels to external circuits and controls. A solid-state controller may be provided to obtain sensor control signals so as to drive a triac circuit that provides current flow through the panel for the desired heating.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated heater assembly is provided for heating fluids and solids. The assembly includes an inner member, for example, a quartz glass tube with a low-emissivity conductive coating that produces heat when connected to external power. The inner member is attached to end caps that are attached to ends of, for example, an outer quartz glass tube, thus positioning the inner member within the outer tube. With a vacuum drawn within the space between the two tubes, the resulting heat radiates toward the center of the inner member, thus providing a thermos bottle type of construction. The fluid can be heated as it passes through the inner tube. If the inner member is not completely coated then heat would radiate toward the center of the inner member, pass through its uncoated portion, and then pass through the outer tube, where objects can be heated.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelf has an upper surface and a perimeter edge defined by a front edge, two side edges, and a rear edge. A reservoir for liquids spilled on the shelf is partially created by upwardly turning the front and rear edges of the shelf member. At least two end caps, which extend above the upper surface, are applied to the two side edges to complete the walls of the reservoir. The shelf may be supported within the refrigerator compartment in a horizontal orientation either by cantilever beams, or by slidably engaging the shelf with channels located within the sidewalls of the refrigerator compartment.

Abstract: A heating assembly is provided for heating objects, for example, food items, that comprises a substrate attached to an insulating frame, which may optionally be attached to a metal pan. The complete assembly is attached to a cooking appliance. The substrate may take the form of a glass disk, for example, tempered soda-lime silica glass, having a conductive coating disposed on one of its surfaces. Conductive metal bus bars, for example, sprayed copper, are disposed onto and in electrical contact with the coating. A temperature sensor may be placed in thermal contact with the heating assembly. As a result, the temperature sensor would allow a cooking appliance to control the electric current being conducted through the heating assembly and, consequently, the temperature of the object being heated.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated heater assembly is provided for heating fluids and solids. The assembly includes an inner member, for example, a quartz glass tube with a low-emissivity conductive coating that produces heat when connected to external power. The inner member is attached to end caps that are attached to ends of, for example, an outer quartz glass tube, thus positioning the inner member within the outer tube. With a vacuum drawn within the space between the two tubes, the resulting heat radiates toward the center of the inner member, thus providing a thermos bottle type of construction. The fluid can be heated as it passes through the inner tube. If the inner member is not completely coated then heat would radiate toward the center of the inner member, pass through its uncoated portion, and then pass through the outer tube, where objects can be heated.

Abstract: The invention is a free-standing, self-supporting windshield adapted to be secured to the hull of a marine vessel. The windshield has at least one sheet of substantially transparent material having a peripheral edge. A polymeric frame is molded around the peripheral edge of the transparent material. An adhesion promoting primer applied to the peripheral edge of the substantially transparent material assists the polymeric frame to adhere to the transparent material. A lower portion of the frame is adapted to conform with, and be sealingly affixed to, a surface of the hull of the vessel. A top portion of the frame is designed to absorb an impact for safety considerations and it may also function as a handrail.

Abstract: A glass substrate is provided with a tin oxide coating. The tin oxide coating is then polished, preferably with alumina. The polishing removes the peaks from the tin oxide coating and produces a less abrasive coating. A coating of polymeric material may be applied after the polishing operation. The polymeric coating improves the lubricity of the surface of the glass substrate. The glass substrate is then heated so that the polymeric material adheres to the substrate. The invention provides greatly improved resistance to abrasion and scratching for a coated glass article. The invention may advantageously be used in automotive, architectual and bar code scanner applications.

Abstract: A coated glass article is comprised of a transparent infrared reflective coating disposed on each major surface of a glass substrate. The glass article has a particular application as part of the window assembly for an oven door of a self cleaning oven. The window assembly includes a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate and a frame which supports the first and second glass substrates in a spaced apart and mutually parallel relationship. An infrared reflective coating is disposed preferably on both major surfaces of the first and second glass substrates. The invention also includes the method of making the coated glass article.