Abstract: A protective housing wherein two parts (102, 104) of the housing may be closed together to encapsulate connectors and associated components that are external to the glazing laminate. The protective housing is sealed to the glazing and between the two parts to provide a fluid-tight housing. The parts of the protective housing are connected to the glazing and to each other by adhesive layers (116, 118, 120). A vehicle glazing (10) wherein a light guide stack (22) is located between a portion of the inner transparency (26) and the outer transparency (28). The light guide stack includes a polycarbonate film (32) that is bonded to the transparencies by layers of PET (38, 40) that are secured to the polycarbonate film on one side by silicone (34, 36) and that are secured to the transparencies on the other side by PVB (42, 44).

Abstract: A process for making a symmetrical glazing that has the same nominal weight as an asymmetrical glazing that has been determined to afford enhanced glazing strength, glazing rigidity, or stone impact resistance wherein the symmetric glazing has improved acoustic attenuation over coincidence frequencies of the asymmetric glazing design.

Abstract: An antenna suitable for use in the 5 GHz WLAN/Wi-Fi and DSRC frequency band is integrated with a vehicle window that is includes outer and inner transparent plies bonded together by an interlayer. The inner transparent ply and the interlayer serve as an antenna substrate. A first conductive layer is formed on the inner surface of the outer transparent ply and a second conductive layer that defines a coupling slot is formed on the outer surface of the inner transparent ply. The antenna may be excited by a coaxial cable or a microstrip line that crosses the coupling slot.

Abstract: A test fixture (10) for heads-up windshields (12) wherein aspherical devices (26) compensate for complex curvatures and optical aberrations in a heads-up display surface (16) of the windshield. A movable test grid (20) adjusts the elevation of preferred camera settings and a pivotal mounting of the test grid (20) enhances ghost image reduction and improves camera image resolution. A filter (36) limits interference of secondary ghost images (caused by IR coatings) with compliance assessment of the windshield.

Abstract: A slot antenna in a heatable vehicle glazing established between the heating bus bar, bus bar extensions and the peripheral edge of an IR reflective coating. The antenna slot may be fed directly by a voltage source, a current source, or a coupled coplanar line at locations that excite both fundamental and higher order modes for multiband antenna applications. The slot antenna may be established between split bus bars or split bus bar extensions that limit heat loss and improve antenna efficiency. Multiple antennas can be integrated into the heatable glazing for multiband applications and/or diversity antenna systems.

Abstract: A test fixture (10) for HUD windshields (12) wherein aspherical devices (26) compensate for complex curvatures and optical aberrations in a heads-up display surface (16) of the windshield. Tunable lenses cooperate with a movable test matrix to improve image resolution and enhance ghost image reduction.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing (10) wherein a light guide stack (22) is located between a portion of the inner transparency (26) and the outer transparency (28). The light guide stack includes a polycarbonate film (32) that is bonded to the transparencies by layers of PET (38, 40) that are secured to the polycarbonate film on one side by silicone (34, 36) and that are secured to the transparencies on the other side by PVB (42, 44). The terminal end of an extending tab of the polycarbonate film forms an edge that is connected to a light bar (14) that such visible light propagates through the light bar and into the polycarbonate film through the edge. Visible light propagates through etchings in the smooth surface of the polycarbonate film to form an image. An extension of one of the transparencies protects the polycarbonate tab and supports the light bar during installation of the glazing into the vehicle portal.

Abstract: A slot antenna in a heatable vehicle glazing established between the heating bus bar, bus bar extensions and the peripheral edge of an IR reflective coating. The antenna slot may be fed directly by a voltage source, a current source, or a coupled coplanar line at locations that excite both fundamental and higher order modes for multiband antenna applications. The slot antenna may be established between split bus bars or split bus bar extensions that limit heat loss and improve antenna efficiency. Multiple antennas can be integrated into the heatable glazing for multiband applications and/or diversity antenna systems.

Abstract: A test fixture (10) for HUD windshields (12) wherein aspherical devices (26) compensate for complex curvatures and optical aberrations in a heads-up display surface (16) of the windshield. Tunable lenses cooperate with a movable test matrix to improve image resolution and enhance ghost image reduction.

Abstract: An antenna suitable for use in the 5 GHz WLAN/Wi-Fi and DSRC frequency band is integrated with a vehicle window that is includes outer and inner transparent plies bonded together by an interlayer. The inner transparent ply and the interlayer serve as an antenna substrate. A first conductive layer is formed on the inner surface of the outer transparent ply and a second conductive layer that defines a coupling slot is formed on the outer surface of the inner transparent ply. The antenna may be excited by a coaxial cable or a microstrip line that crosses the coupling slot.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing (10) wherein a light guide stack (22) is located between a portion of the inner transparency (26) and the outer transparency (28). The light guide stack includes a polycarbonate film (32) that is bonded to the transparencies by layers of PET (38, 40) that are secured to the polycarbonate film on one side by silicone (34, 36) and that are secured to the transparencies on the other side by PVB (42, 44). The terminal end of an extending tab of the polycarbonate film forms an edge that is connected to a light bar (14) that such visible light propagates through the light bar and into the polycarbonate film through the edge. Visible light propagates through etchings in the smooth surface of the polycarbonate film to form an image. An extension of one of the transparencies protects the polycarbonate tab and supports the light bar during installation of the glazing into the vehicle portal.

Abstract: An automotive glazing that provides a portal (32) for receiving infrared radiation and an automotive glazing (40, 50) that defines an open pathway for infrared radiation between an infrared camera on one side of the glazing and a camera field of view on the other side of the glazing.

Abstract: A slot antenna in a vehicle glazing established between the surface of the vehicle portal for the glazing and the peripheral edge of an IR reflective coating that has a bus bar over the coating edge. The antenna slot is fed directly by a voltage probe and/or a conductive line located in the slot and parallel to the bus bar. Multiple voltage probes and conductive lines can support respective antennas. A second conductive line is parallel and cooperates with the first conductive line to form a coupled coplanar line that links to the antenna slot. The longitudinal location of the links and the length of the coplanar lines are adjusted to excite multiple frequency modes. Multiple antennas can be used to broaden overall bandwidth or to add additional frequency modes.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing with a slot antenna between the vehicle portal and the peripheral edge of an IR reflective coating that includes a heating bus over the coating edge. The antenna slot may be fed directly by a voltage probe or a coupled coplanar line at a position to excite both fundamental and higher order modes for multiband antenna applications. A portion of the IR reflective coating may overlay the window frame at null positions of first higher order mode to tune the slot antenna to higher frequencies. Slot antenna resonant frequency may also be moved higher by separating the IR reflective coating into two coating panel with the lower coating panel connected to electrical ground by capacitive coupling. Multiple antennas can be fed at different locations for multiband applications and diversity antenna systems.

Abstract: A window antenna wherein three embedded wires are laminated inside a glazing and a connector is attached to the joint end of the first and second wires and a signal input. The second antenna wire is longer and resonates at a lower frequency than the first antenna wire. A third antenna wire is a parasitic L-shape wire with part of the wire in close distance to the open end of the second antenna wire. The third antenna wire is electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna wire in the near field so that the antenna may support an additional resonance to provide multiband and wideband performance.

Abstract: A test fixture (10) for heads-up windshields (12) wherein aspherical devices (26) compensate for complex curvatures and optical aberrations in a heads-up display surface (16) of the windshield. A movable test grid (20) adjusts the elevation of preferred camera settings and a pivotal mounting of the test grid (20) enhances ghost image reduction and improves camera image resolution. A filter (36) limits interference of secondary ghost images (caused by IR coatings) with compliance assessment of the windshield.

Abstract: A process for making a multi-transparency glazing that has similar nominal weight as a standard two-transparency laminate glazing that has been determined to increase acoustic attenuation over coincidence frequencies of monolithic and two-transparency design using multi-stage damping to further convert vibrational energy to heat.

Abstract: An asymmetric glazing laminate (34) that includes an outer transparency (36) and an inner transparency (50) that are maintained together by an interlayer (44). Outer transparency (36) has a nominal thickness (42) of 2.1 mm and inner transparency (50) has a nominal thickness of 1.2 mm. The asymmetric glazing has greater stone impact resistance and lower per unit weight than symmetric glazing laminate (10) in which the outer and inner transparencies (12 and 26) each have nominal thickness of 2.1.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping at least one glass sheet wherein a lower press ring and an upper press ring are configured to clamp a perimeter section of the glass sheet between the lower press ring and the upper press ring. The apparatus also includes an upper press at least partially disposed within the upper press ring and configured to shape at least a section of the glass sheet inside the perimeter section of the glass sheet, including forming by use of applied vacuum. The inner press may include openings that apply vacuum in selected areas of the inner press to vacuum form the ply within the selected areas. To control the ply on the upper press assembly, vacuum that is applied though passageways in the upper press ring to the gap between the upper press ring and the inner press is controlled through a seal in the gap. The upper press ring includes pivotal joints that increase adjustability of the forming surface of the upper press ring to the face surface of the inner press.

Abstract: A window antenna wherein three embedded wires are laminated inside a glazing and a connector is attached to the joint end of the first and second wires and a signal input. The second antenna wire is longer and resonates at a lower frequency than the first antenna wire. A third antenna wire is a parasitic L-shape wire with part of the wire in close distance to the open end of the second antenna wire. The third antenna wire is electromagnetically coupled to the second antenna wire in the near field so that the antenna may support an additional resonance to provide multiband and wideband performance.