Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional glazing unit suitable for generating electricity, to a method of preparing same and use thereof, said multifunctional glazing unit comprising a first sheet of glazing material comprising a first face and a second face, a second sheet of glazing material comprising a first face and a second face, a photovoltaic portion, and a reflecting element, wherein the first sheet of glazing material and the second sheet of glazing material are separated by a cavity, the second faces of each sheet of glazing material face towards the cavity, the photovoltaic portion and the reflecting element are each positioned between the first sheet of glazing material and the second sheet of glazing material, and wherein the photovoltaic portion comprises a transparent region, a bi-facial region, and at least one photovoltaic element.

Abstract: A support for a sheet of glass is disclosed. The support comprises first and second support assemblies each comprising a respective base and arm assembly. Each arm assembly comprises a respective first arm having first and second ends and a first contact surface at each end thereof for contacting a first major surface of the sheet of glass when the sheet of glass is supported on the support. Each arm assembly is coupled to the respective base by a respective coupling for rotation about a pivot axis. Any of the first contact surfaces may be provided by a ball castor or wheel. The support is useful when supporting the glass sheet wherein a measurement of the shape thereof is required because the support is able to quickly reach an equilibrium configuration. A method of supporting a glass sheet using the support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated glass article and a method for its production is disclosed. One or more coatings and layers are applied onto or disposed between a pair of glass sheets to produce such coated glass article that enhances an accuracy and reliability of a heads-up-display system and an optical sensor coupled thereto. More particularly, the coated glass article includes an antireflective layer to facilitate a light transmission of at least 80% for a plurality of wavelengths through the coated glass article and a visible light reflective layer to enhance a visible light reflectance of the coated glass article to between 8.0% and 10.0%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of depositing a coating comprising zinc oxide on a substrate; to a chemical vapour deposition precursor mixture for use in same and to a coated glass article and a photovoltaic cell prepared with a zinc oxide coating prepared using the method which comprises: providing a substrate, providing a precursor mixture comprising an alkyl zinc compound and a phosphorus source, the phosphorus source comprising a compound of formula OnP(OR)3, wherein n is 0 or 1 and each R is hydrocarbyl, and delivering the precursor mixture to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A glazing includes at least one transparent substrate comprising a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, wherein said first major surface is coated with an electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive layer is absent in one or more regions of the first major surface. At least a portion of the one or more regions of the first major surface, and/or corresponding regions of the opposing second major surface, bears a low-emissivity material, and the one or more regions permit the passage of electromagnetic radiation through the glazing.

Abstract: A vehicle windscreen has a bracket attached for a sensor including a camera, the bracket comprising a baseplate and a retaining element. The sensor is housed in a housing inserted in the bracket, and at least one rod-shaped member projects from the housing, by way of which it is removably retained in the bracket. A first retaining element variant comprises a raised bed integrated with the baseplate, and a resilient opposed limb, joined to the bed at one end and free at the other end. The limb opposes the bed, and an elongate space extends between the two, with the space closed at one end and open at the other end so the rod-shaped member may enter/be retained in the space. Another retaining element variant comprises a bore having a conical portion and a cylindrical portion in communication with each other, and aligned along a common axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. The glass sheet is heated to a temperature suitable for shaping. The glass sheet is deposited on a first bending tool. The glass sheet is disposed over a first segment of the first bending tool. The first segment at least partially defines a shaping surface of the first bending tool. The first segment of the first bending tool is moved from a first position to a second position to cause contact with a first portion of the glass sheet. The contact with the first portion of the glass sheet adjusts a position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool. The glass sheet is shaped on the first bending tool.

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising first and second sheets of glass joined together by an interlayer structure comprising at least a first layer of adhesive interlayer material is disclosed. The surface compressive stress in a central region of a first major surface of the first sheet of glass is dependent upon the thickness of the first sheet of glass. For a thickness t of the first sheet of glass between 1.4 mm and 2.6 mm the minimum surface compressive stress CSmin (in MPa) in the central region of the first major surface of the first sheet of glass is given by CSmin (MPa)=21.0×t3?118.6×t2+236.9×t?a1, wherein a1 is between 135 MPa and 140 MPa. The second sheet of glass may be a sheet of chemically strengthened glass having a thickness between 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm. The laminated glazing may be fixed or movable in an aperture in a vehicle.

Abstract: A laminated glazing has a first glass ply having first and second surfaces, a second glass ply having third and fourth surfaces, an obscuration band around at least a portion of the glazing periphery, the obscuration band having a sensor window and comprising first and second obscuration layers, the first obscuration layer adhered to at least a portion of the periphery of the first/second surface and comprising a first sensor window portion having a first sensor window portion optical distortion, the second obscuration layer adhered to at least a portion of the periphery of the third/fourth surface and comprising a second sensor window portion having a second sensor window portion optical distortion. first and second sensor window portion optical distortions are each controlled so the absolute magnitude of the optical distortion of the sensor window is lower than the absolute magnitude of the first and second sensor window optical distortions.

Abstract: A coated glazing includes at least the following layers in sequence: a transparent glass substrate, a layer based on an oxide of a metal and/or a layer based on an oxide of a metalloid, and a further layer, wherein either the layer based on an oxide of a metal or the layer based on an oxide of a metalloid is adjacent the transparent glass substrate. The layer that is adjacent the transparent glass substrate has a surface that, prior to a coating of the surface, has an arithmetical mean height of the surface value, Sa, of at least 4.0 nm when tested in accordance with ISO 25178-2:2012, and the coated glazing exhibits an average haze value of at least 0.47% when tested in accordance with ASTM D1003-13.

Abstract: A film contains an electrically actuated liquid having variable optical opacity under the influence of an electric field. The film comprises first and second spaced apart substrates defining a first cavity therebetween in which some or all of the liquid is contained. The film also comprises a liquid trap in fluid communication with the first cavity via a first opening. The liquid trap contains liquid that may flow from the first cavity through the first opening due to the volume of first cavity decreasing. The film may be included in a laminated glazing. A method of preparing a cell for a liquid is also described, and such a cell may be part of a film having variable optical opacity.

Abstract: A chemical vapour deposition process for preparing a coated glass substrate, said process comprising at least the following steps in sequence: a) providing a glass substrate having a surface, b) depositing a layer based on SiCO and/or SiNO on the surface of the glass substrate, c) exposing the layer based on SiCO and/or SiNO to a gaseous mixture (i) comprising water, and d) subsequently depositing a layer based on a TCO over the layer based on SiCO and/or SiNO.

Abstract: A laminated glazing has a first glass ply having first and second surfaces, a second glass ply having third and fourth surfaces, an obscuration band around at least a portion of the glazing periphery, the obscuration band having a sensor window and comprising first and second obscuration layers, the first obscuration layer adhered to at least a portion of the periphery of the first/second surface and comprising a first sensor window portion having a first sensor window portion optical distortion, the second obscuration layer adhered to at least a portion of the periphery of the third/fourth surface and comprising a second sensor window portion having a second sensor window portion optical distortion. first and second sensor window portion optical distortions are each controlled so the absolute magnitude of the optical distortion of the sensor window is lower than the absolute magnitude of the first and second sensor window optical distortions.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater and at least one capacitive proximity sensor, comprising: a CVD coater, and at least one capacitive proximity sensor attached to the CVD coater, wherein the at least one capacitive proximity sensor is arranged to determine the distance between a glass substrate and the CVD coater.

Abstract: A method of depositing a coating utilizing a coating apparatus includes providing a coating apparatus above a glass substrate and forming a coating on a surface of the glass substrate while flowing a fluorine-containing compound into the coating apparatus. The fluorine-containing compound inhibits the formation of the coating on one or more portions of the coating apparatus.

Abstract: A laminated glazing includes first and second sheets of glazing material joined by an interlayer structure including a first sheet of adhesive interlayer material having a first (window) region for positioning a (LIDAR) sensor thereon and a second region that is a through-vision region. The first region comprises a first portion and the second region comprises a second portion of a major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The laminated glazing has a first transmittance of electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the sensor at the first portion that is higher than a second transmittance at the second portion. It also has a visible light transmission greater than 70% at the second portion. The separation of the first and second glazing material sheets varies in at least one direction and/or the first sheet of adhesive comprises heat absorbing particles such as lanthanum hexaboride particles or certain metal-doped metal oxide particles.

Abstract: A coated glazing includes a transparent glass substrate and a coating located on the glass substrate. The coating includes at least the following layers in sequence starting from the glass substrate: a first layer having a refractive index of more than 1.6, an optional second layer having a refractive index that is less than the refractive index of the first layer, a third layer based on tin dioxide doped with fluorine, and a fourth layer based on titanium oxide, wherein the fourth layer is photocatalytic.

Abstract: A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical device is described. The method comprises the steps: (i) providing a layer of interlayer material having a first major surface and a second opposing major surface; (ii) positioning at least a first electrically operable component on the first major surface of the first layer of interlayer material, the first electrically operable component being mounted on a first circuit board; and (iii) providing a layer of adhesive material, preferably as a liquid, to cover at least a portion of the first major surface of the layer of interlayer material and at least a portion of the first electrically operable component and/or at least a portion of the first circuit board such that following step (iii) the first electrically operable component is fixed on the layer of interlayer material by at least a portion of the layer of adhesive material.

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising first and second sheets of glass joined by an interlayer structure is described. The second sheet of glass has a first edge surface in an upper region of the laminated glazing. The first edge surface of the second sheet of glass is configured to comprise at least one region between first and second edges of the second sheet of glass such that in the at least one region the shortest distance along a straight line on the first edge surface of the second sheet of glass connecting a first point on the first edge of the second sheet of glass to a second point on the second edge of the second sheet of glass is at least 1.7 times the thickness of the second sheet of glass. A method of making the laminated glazing is also described.