WINDOW ASSEMBLIES
A flexure ring for a window assembly includes a continuous annular portion and a segmented portion. The continuous annular portion defines a ring axis. The segmented portion defines a plurality of circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion is connected to each circumferential segment by a respective neck. Each neck extends from the continuous annular portion to a respective one of the circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion, the segmented portion and the necks are configured to circumscribe a window pane.
Latest GOODRICH CORPORATION Patents:
This invention was made with government support under contract number W9089-34082 awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense. The government has certain rights in the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to window assemblies, and more particularly to window assemblies such as those that require specific optical performance for use in applications that can impose stress, such as in the exterior of aircraft, other vehicles, and environmental test chambers.
2. Background of the Related Art
Windows installed on vehicles need to be durable but also meet stringent optical and mechanical requirements depending on the intended application. A traditional window assembly includes a window substrate cemented into a frame using a compliant adhesive, such as a room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) material. The RTV bond provides isolation of the window from environmental loads. The portions of loads that are not absorbed by the RTV bond layer can be transmitted to the window and can cause stress and strain in the window substrate. Stress and strain can alter a window's optical properties. As a result, traditional window assemblies can have variable optical and mechanical performance depending on forces acting on the vehicle housing them.
Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purposes. However, there is still a need in the art for improved window assemblies. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA flexure ring for a window assembly includes a continuous annular portion and a segmented portion. The continuous annular portion defines a ring axis. The segmented portion defines a plurality of circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion is connected to each circumferential segment by a respective neck. Each neck extends from the continuous annular portion to a respective one of the circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion, the segmented portion and the necks are configured to circumscribe a window pane.
Each neck can extend from the continuous annular portion in a substantially axial direction with respect to the ring axis, and/or at an angle with respect to the ring axis, e.g. in a cantilevered fashion. The circumferential dimension of each neck can be less than the circumferential dimension of its respective circumferential segment. Each circumferential segment, respective necks and continuous annular portion can have substantially similar inner diameters when in a relaxed state. The radially outer extent of the continuous annular portion can be greater than the radially outer extent of the segmented portion and the necks when in a relaxed state.
A window assembly includes a window pane and a flexure ring. The window pane has opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery. The flexure ring defines a ring axis and is mounted to the outer periphery of the window pane for providing the window pane with substantial isolation from vehicle induced loads.
The window assembly can include an elastomeric material between the outer periphery of the window pane and the flexure ring. Each circumferential segment can have an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. The inner diameter surface can be secured to the window pane. The continuous portion of the flexure ring has an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface, wherein the outer diameter surface is secured to a frame. An adhesive layer can be disposed on an inner diameter surface of each circumferential segment. The adhesive layer can be segmented to correspond to each circumferential segment.
The window assembly can also include an intermediary ring mounted radially between the outer periphery of the window pane and the flexure ring. Each circumferential segment can have an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. The inner diameter surface can be secured to an outer diameter surface of the intermediary ring.
These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a window assembly accordance with the disclosure is shown in
As shown in
Now with reference to
As shown in
With continued reference to
As shown in
Circumferential segments 128 can be sized for optimal stress distribution in the adhesive regions, e.g. between inner diameter surface 132 of circumferential segments 128 and outer diameter surface 142 of intermediary ring 106, for example. In other words, the shape and size of each circumferential segment 128 dictates the stress distribution in the adhesive layer, e.g. adhesive 148, and also its stiffness. The shape and size of circumferential segments 128 can also effect the performance of window assembly 100, as a whole, for example, it can vary the natural frequency, bond strength, and ultimately the optical performance. It is contemplated that flexure ring 104 can be mounted to frame 108, intermediary ring 106, and/or window pane 102 in a strain-free state. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that mounting in a strain-free state means, for example, assembling an optomechanical assembly where the critical optical and mechanical reference surfaces are aligned by use fixtures, then a suitable adhesive material, such as RTV or epoxy, is injected between desired mating surfaces while the parts are in a non-strained, or at-rest, condition.
With continued reference to
As shown in
With reference now to
As shown in
With reference now to
The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for window assemblies with superior properties including improved isolation from vehicle induced loads while maintaining out-of-plane stiffness. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A window assembly comprising:
- a window pane having opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery; and
- a flexure ring defining a ring axis and mounted to the outer periphery of the window pane for providing the window pane with substantial isolation from vehicle induced loads, wherein the flexure ring includes a continuous portion and a segmented portion defining a plurality of circumferential segments, wherein the continuous portion is connected to each circumferential segment by a respective a neck, wherein each neck extends from the continuous portion in a substantially axial direction with respect to the ring axis to a respective one of the circumferential segments, wherein a circumferential dimension of each neck is less than a circumferential dimension of its respective circumferential segment, and wherein each circumferential segment extends away from and is aligned with the continuous portion in an axial direction parallel to the ring axis.
8. A window assembly as recited in claim 7, further comprising an elastomeric material between the outer periphery of the window pane and the flexure ring.
9. (canceled)
10. A window assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein each circumferential segment has an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface, wherein the inner diameter surface is secured to the window pane.
11. A window assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the continuous portion of the flexure ring has an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface, wherein the outer diameter surface is secured to a frame.
12. A window assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein an adhesive layer is disposed on an inner diameter surface of each circumferential segment.
13. A window assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer is segmented to correspond to each circumferential segment.
14. A window assembly as recited in claim 7, further comprising an intermediary ring mounted radially between the outer periphery of the window pane and the flexure ring.
15. A window assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein each circumferential segment has an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface, wherein the inner diameter surface is secured to an outer diameter surface of the intermediary ring.
Type: Application
Filed: May 13, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2015
Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION (Charlotte, NC)
Inventors: Steven Podyma (New Milford, CT), William Zmek (Bethlehem, CT)
Application Number: 14/276,549