Abstract: A method and powder mixture are described for cutting a refractory body. The powder mixture comprises refractory metal oxide particles and fuel particles which burn exothermically by combining with oxygen to form a refractory oxide. The mixture is characterised in that the refractory metal oxide of the powder mixture comprises calcium oxide and/or magnesium oxide. The powder mixture enables refractory bodies to be cut more effectively than hitherto.

Abstract: Soda lime glass including glass-forming constituents for soda lime glass; and coloring agents including iron, cobalt and selenium present in a form and in an amount as percent by weight of the soda lime glass as follows:from 1.00 to 1.65% of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;from 0.017 to 0.030% of Co; andfrom 0.001 to 0.010% of Se.The soda lime glass has a very dark grey color, a total luminous transmission measured for Illuminant A for a glass thickness of 4 mm (TLA4) of less than 20%, and a total energy transmission measured for a glass thickness of 4 mm (TE4) of less than 20%. This glass is particularly suitable for vehicle roof panels.

Abstract: Soda lime glass includes glass forming constituents for soda lime glass; and coloring agents including iron, cobalt, selenium and chromium express in the form indicated and in an amount as percent by weight of the soda lime glass as follows:from 1.05 to 1.80% of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3,from 0.0040 to 0.0180% of Co,from 0.0003 to 0.0040% of Se, andfrom 0.0010 to 0.0100% of Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3.The soda lime glass has a dark grey color, a total energy transmission measured for a glass thickness of 4mm (TE4) mm (TE4) ranging between 15 to 40%, a selectivity (SE4) which is high and is at least 1.2, and an excitation purity which does not exceed 10%. This glass is particularly suitable for automobile rear windows or rear side windows.

Abstract: A ceramic welding process for forming a coherent refractory mass on a surface of a refractory which is hot and which is comprised of at least one silicon compound includes providing a mixture composed of combustible particles including silicon particles, refractory particles which are silicon carbide particles and which constitute a major portion by weight of the mixture, and particles of one of (a) another substance selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, FeO, and mixtures thereof or (b) particles of a nonmetallic precursor of the another substance, which another substance causes incorporation of silica, formed by combustion of the silicon particles, into a crystalline lattice of a compound formed between the silica and the another substance within the coherent refractory mass being formed; and projecting the mixture against the surface of the refractory, simultaneously with substantially pure oxygen, so that the combustible particles react in an exothermic manner by combusting with the projected oxy

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a ceramic article, especially pipes and tubes of ceramic material such as silicon carbide, in which the article is formed by projecting a ceramic powder mixture comprising refractory particles and combustible particles against a smooth-surface metal former which is heated to a temperature of at least 850.degree. C. where in the presence of an oxygen-rich gas the combustible particles react exothermically to produce from the refractory particles and the reaction product of the combustible particles a coherent refractory article in the shape of the former.

Abstract: An improved optical cell (light valve) of the type which includes a liquid suspension of particles orientable by an electrical field to vary the amount of luminous transmission is described. The cell comprises two adjacent plates held apart by a spacer to define a space occupied by the suspension. The cell further includes a first opening which passes through the spacer into the space to permit introduction of the suspension into the cell and a second opening which passes through the spacer at or near the furthest possible distance permitted by the configuration of the cell from the first opening, whereby the introduction of the suspension displaces through the second opening any fluid such as air which is initially present in the space.

Abstract: A process for producing a crystalline siliceous refractory mass includes providing particulate constituents to be projected comprised of (1) solid refractory particles comprising silica in the form of vitreous silica, and (2) solid combustible particles comprising silicon particles; projecting the particulate constituents with gaseous oxygen against a surface under ceramic welding conditions effective to cause a reaction between the solid combustible particles and the gaseous oxygen to occur against the surface, thereby releasing the heat of reaction against the surface so that a coherent refractory mass comprising cristobalite is formed, wherein the surface against which the solid refractory particles are projected is at a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. The process can be used to manufacture refractory bricks or blocks, to repair furnaces, or to repair worn surfaces of a siliceous refractory material.

Abstract: A control system for an optical cell (light valve) is provided which comprises a first (oscillator) circuit supplied by a low voltage power source and including a primary winding of an induction coil and a secondary (resonant) circuit which includes the optical cell and a secondary winding of the induction coil. The secondary circuit includes the inductance of the secondary winding and the optical cell, and the induction coil provides a weak coupling between the primary and secondary windings. The resonant circuit provides a large over-voltage coefficient and great stability and the configuration made possible by the invention facilitates a significant reduction in the bulk of the control system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal oxide coated glass which is a glass substrate bearing a pyrolytically formed coating composed of at least two metal oxides and which has a corrosion resistance at least equal to 5 as determined by Applicants' defined transmission test, the method including contacting a hot glass substrate with a coating precursor material composed of a tin-containing material and a titanium-containing material in the presence of oxygen to form a metal oxide coating composed of at least two metal oxides including tin oxide and titanium oxide on the hot glass substrate by pyrolyzing the coating precursor material as it contacts the hot glass substrate, wherein the titanium-containing material comprises a titanium chelate which is a reaction product of octyleneglycol titanate and acetylacetone.

Abstract: Grey soda-lime glass is composed of main glass-forming constituents together with iron, selenium, cobalt and chromium as colouring agents in the following quantities:______________________________________ Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.5 to 0.9% Co 0.012 to 0.025% Se 0.0025 to 0.010% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.005 to 0.020%. ______________________________________The proportions of colouring agents are such that the glass has a light transmission factor (TL) of less than 30% and an excitation purity (P) of less than 12%. The dark grey glass is especially appropriate for installation in the sunroofs of cars.

Abstract: A glazing panel produced by pyrolytic coating of a substrate is described. One absorbent coating layer comprises at least one metal oxide selected from the oxides of chromium, cobalt and iron. A non-absorbent coating layer, in contact with absorbent layer comprises a material having a refractive index n(.lambda.) within the range 1.4 to 3.0. The glazing panel exhibits a color purity of greater than 16%, as measured by reflection from the coated side; and a solar factor of less than 70%.

Abstract: A coated substrate, includes a substrate; at least one primary coating layer formed on the substrate; and a sputtered protective layer which is provided by cathode vacuum sputtering on an outermost coating layer of the at least one primary coating layer, which is exposed, which is composed of a material having a refractive index of less than 1.7 and comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting essentially of oxides of silicon, oxynitrides of silicon, and mixtures of at least one of oxides of silicon, nitrides of silicon, and oxynitrides of silicon, and which has a thickness ranging from 1 to 10 nm, wherein the material of the sputtered protective layer additionally comprises not more than 10% by weight of a further substance which is one of an oxide of a silicon dopant or an oxynitride of a silicon dopant.

Abstract: A device for the formation, by pyrolysis, of a coating on a face of a hot glass substrate includes a vault; support elements for conveying the substrate along a path through a coating chamber defined between the main vault and the substrate; elements for supplying and distributing gaseous reagent to the coating chamber; elements for discharging exhaust gas from the coating chamber; and a plurality of struts. The elements for supplying and distributing gaseous reagent to the coating chamber include an ejection nozzle having defined therein a slot which opens directly into the coating chamber, has opposing longitudinal internal walls, extends transverse to the path of the substrate, and has a length which is substantially equal to the coating width of the coating formed. The plurality of struts are positioned at spaced intervals and connect the opposing walls of the slot together to thereby maintain the walls of the slot in substantially parallel disposition.

Abstract: A method of repairing an oxide-based refractory body by projecting a powder mixture against a hot surface of the body and in the presence of oxygen to provide a refractory repair mass includes providing a powder mixture composed of particles of at least one refractory oxide; fuel particles which react in an exothermic manner with the oxygen to form a refractory oxide and which are particles composed of at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, and mixtures thereof; and particles of silicon carbide present in an amount which is effective to provide a reduced porosity of the refractory repair mass and which does not exceed 10% by weight based on the weight of the powder mixture; and projecting the powder mixture against a hot surface of the oxide-based refractory body and in the presence of oxygen. Preferably, the powder mixture contains at least 1%, most preferably from 1 to 5%, by weight of the particles of silicon carbide.

Abstract: A rear-view assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror and an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity. The anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device of a vehicle includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for forming a coherent refractory mass on a surface of a refractory, which refractory includes at least one silicon compound, the process including providing a mixture including (1) combustible particles including silicon particles, (2) refractory particles of one or a plurality of substances which constitute a major portion by weight of the mixture, and (3) particles of another substance or precursor of the another substance which particles are nonmetallic and which another substance causes incorporation of silica, formed by combustion of the silicon particles, into a crystalline lattice of a compound formed between the silica and the another substance within the coherent refractory mass to be formed; and projecting the mixture against the surface of a refractory, simultaneously with oxygen, so that the combustible particles react in an exothermic manner with the projected oxygen and release sufficient heat to form the coherent refractory mass under action of heat of combustion and so that silica i

Abstract: A multiple glazing unit comprising two vitreous material sheets positioned in a face-to-face spaced apart relationship, and having a gas space there-between delimited by a peripherally extending spacer. Layers of sealant are positioned between the spacer and each of the sheets. A cordon or cordons of resin are positioned in contact the layers of sealant and extending between the spacer and each of the sheets. At least part of each face of the spacer in contact with the sealant extends obliquely with respect to the inner surface of the adjacent sheet. The layers of sealant extend progressively from a region of minimum thickness to a region of maximum thickness. The resin is in contact with the sealant substantially in the region of maximum thickness. The spacer has a cross-section which is open to the gas space and/or the oblique faces of the spacer extend at an angle of at least 9.1.degree..

Abstract: A glazing panel includes at least one sheet of vitreous material; a conductive transparent coating which is provided on at least one face of at least one sheet of the at least one sheet of vitreous material and which constitutes a heating element for the glazing panel when connected to an electrical power source; and a control circuit for controlling heating power output of the glazing panel, the control circuit including adjustable means for controlling the heating power output to a preselected level as a function of voltage of the electrical power source and electrical resistance of the heating element.

Abstract: A glazing unit, including a composite glazing panel having a pair of vitreous sheets positioned parallel to one another and having respective marginal portions which face one another; an intervening layer which is comprised of polymeric material, which is sandwiched between the pair of vitreous sheets, and which has viscoelastic properties such that the composite glazing panel has a critical frequency of coincidence (or a lower or lowest critical frequency of coincidence if there is more than one), (.phi..sub.p) , which is greater than a critical frequency of coincidence of a notional monolithic vitreous sheet, (.phi..sub.

Abstract: A fire-retarding window assembly, includes a frame; and at least two transparent window panels which are held to the frame at two opposed edges and which are disposed in edge-to-edge relationship with one another, wherein each transparent fire-retarding window panel includes a plurality of sheets of glazing material and at least one intumescent layer sandwiched between sheets of the glazing material, at least one sheet of glazing material of each panel having a fire resistance which is at least equivalent to that of a sheet of annealed soda-lime glass having the same longest dimension as the panel, having a ratio of its longest dimension to its thickness of not more than 340:1, and having a minimum thickness of 5 mm, and wherein adjacent edges of successive transparent fire-retarding window panels are sealed with a non-structural filler material which is one of non-flammable or self-extinguishing.