Windshield Or Window Patents (Class 219/203)
  • Patent number: 8525079
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flat heating element in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor. According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Publication number: 20130213949
    Abstract: A transparent pane having an electrically heatable coating is described. The transparent pane is electrically connected to at least two first electrodes provided for electrical connection to two terminals of a voltage source. A heating field includes at least one coating-free zone. At least one second electrode is provided for electric connection to one terminal of the voltage source. A method for manufacturing the transparent pane is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Günther Schall, Dang Cuong Phan, Bernhard Reul, Lothar Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130186875
    Abstract: A transparent pane with a conductive coating extending at least over a part of the transparent pane surface, in particular over a visual field of the transparent pane is described. The conductive coating is electrically connected to at least two strip-shaped bus bars such that after application of a supply voltage, a current flows over a heating field formed by the conductive coating. The conductive coating has an electrical resistance such that upon application of a supply voltage in the range from more than 100 volts to 400 volts, a heating output from the heating field is in the range from 300 watt/m2 to 1000 watt/m2. The at least two strip-shaped bus bars have a maximum width of less than 5 mm and are dimensioned such that a maximum electrical power loss per unit of length is 10 watt/m. Moreover, the at least two strip-shaped bus bars have a specific resistivity ranging from 2 ?ohm·cm to 4 ?ohm·cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Martin Melcher, Volkmar Offermann, Andreas Schlarb
  • Patent number: 8481857
    Abstract: The present invention describes a windowpane, in particular vehicle windowpane, having at least one flat-conductor soldered connecting element for making electrical contact, which flat-conductor soldered connecting element has at least one electrically insulating plastic layer and one electrically conductive layer or foil which is connected to a soldering surface for soldering on a line connection which leads on from the windowpane, and which flat-conductor soldered connecting element is adhesively attached to an outer surface of the windowpane, characterized in that at least one electrically insulating buffer layer is provided between a section of the electrically conductive layer or foil with a freely exposed soldering surface, on the one hand, and the surface of the windowpane, on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Bernhard Reul
  • Publication number: 20130161309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent pane with a transparent heatable coating, which extends at least over a part of the pane surface, in particular over its visual field. The heatable coating is divided by at least one heatable coating-free zone into at least one first heatable coating zone and a second heatable coating zone, wherein the two heatable coating zones are in each case electrically connected to at least two collecting conductors such that after application of a supply voltage that is provided by a voltage source, in each case a current flows over at least one first heating field formed by the first heatable coating zone and at least one second heating field formed by the second heatable coating zone. At least one heating element is disposed in the heatable coating-free zone, which heating element has an ohmic resistance such that by means of application of the supply voltage to the heating element, the pane is heatable in a surface area containing the heatable coating-free zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Guenther Schall, Dang Cuong Phan, Bernhard Reul, Gunther Vortmeier
  • Patent number: 8471177
    Abstract: A laminated heated glazing including at least two superposed transparent and mechanically strong substrate panes with interposition of an interlayer made of a transparent plastic between two adjacent panes. The glazing further includes, in its thickness or on the surface, at least one thin transparent conductive film that extends over at least part of the glazing, the film or films being heated for deicing and/or demisting by Joule effect, at least one film having flow separation lines formed by etching to guide current from one band to the other. The width of the flow separation lines is small enough for them to be invisible to the naked eye in the laminated heated glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Pierre Chaussade, Guillaume Goffin, Vincent Legois
  • Publication number: 20130153558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic interface 7 able to be installed between a liquid supply tube 6 and a connector 4 of a device for wiping a window of a vehicle, comprising at least one first portion 8 able to channel the liquid and a heating means 13 able to be supplied electrically, characterized in that the heating means 13 is fastened at least on an exterior face 11 of the first portion 8. The invention also covers a system for feeding and/or distributing liquid for a wiping installation for automotive vehicle, comprising such an interface. Application to automotive vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Lionel Cros
  • Publication number: 20130153559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating element comprising: two or more heating units comprising two busbars and a conductive heating means electrically connected to the two busbars, in which the busbars of the heating units are connected with each other in series and power per unit area of each of the heating units in the heating element decreases as a length of the busbar increases, and a method of preparing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeon Choi, Su-Jin Kim, Ki-Hwan Kim, Young-Jun Hong
  • Patent number: 8450660
    Abstract: A system for effectively defrosting a plastic window includes a transparent plastic panel, a heater grid having a plurality of grid lines that are integrally formed with the plastic panel, and equalizing means for equalizing the electrical current traveling through each of the grid lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Exatec LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Weiss, Yana Shvartsman
  • Patent number: 8431870
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a wiper blade with heating elements embedded therein and coupled to a wiper arm of a vehicle to wipe a glass surface while moving together with the wiper arm. The method includes: detecting the operation or not of an engine of a vehicle; detecting the external temperature outside of the vehicle; and automatically supplying power to the heating elements based on the detected information on the operation of the engine and the temperature information. A wiper blade with heating elements capable of optimally maintaining a condition of the wiper blade even when the external temperature is low is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ADM 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Kyu Kim, Young Hoon Lee, Tae Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8431867
    Abstract: A transparent windowpane including a resistive heating coating that extends over a substantial part of a surface of the windowpane, and over a main field of view, and which is electrically connected, at least indirectly, with at least two busbars such that, when a power supply voltage is applied between the two busbars, a current flows between the busbars, heating a heating field in the heating coating. The heating field includes at least one semiresistive region in direct contact with at least one busbar, and including conducting strands in a form of thin longitudinal wires, the ohmic resistance of which is less than that of the heating coating. At least one conducting strand has a transverse conducting structure in electrical contact with the semiresistive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Ariane Blanchard, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 8431869
    Abstract: Defrosting, defogging, and de-icing structures are disclosed herein. An example of the structure includes at least one optically transparent member, at least one electrical strip extending along the at least one surface of the at least one optically transparent member; and an optically transparent composite established on at least the at least one surface of the at least one optically transparent member. The composite is in thermal communication with the at least one electrical strip. The composite includes a matrix, and a predetermined amount of graphene. The predetermined amount is based upon a predetermined transparency for the structure and a predetermined thermal conductivity of the structure. Furthermore, the structure is configured such that the graphene functions as a thermal conductor for substantially uniform heating of the composite and not an electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Raghavan, Senthil Kumar Vadivelu
  • Patent number: 8431871
    Abstract: A transparent glazing unit including a resistive heating coating that extends over a substantial part of the glazing unit, in particular over a main viewing field, and is electrically connected to at least two busbars such that, when an electrical supply voltage is applied between the busbars, a current flows, which heats a heating field in the coating. The heating field includes at least one semiresistive region in direct contact with at least one busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Lothar Schmidt, Carole Baubet, Marc Maurer
  • Patent number: 8431868
    Abstract: A thermally regulated electrical deicing apparatus with a flexible cover portion is mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicular windshield; the flexible cover portion includes an electrical deicing element with either a resistance element heat tape or a serpentine woven heating element directed therethrough in electrical communication with an alternating current power supply. A thermistor effects selective heating in the heating element. The electrical deicing element further includes a male alternating current electrical plug conducting current to the heating element through an electrical power supply line, wherein the thermistor is interposed between the male alternating current plug and the heating element, and controls the current conducted to the heating element; and a female alternating current electrical plug attached to the power supply line, which provides a connection means for a second thermally regulated electrical deicing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: John T. Akin
  • Patent number: 8426776
    Abstract: A defrost window includes a transparent substrate, a carbon nanotube film, a first electrode, a second electrode and a protective layer. The transparent substrate has a top surface. The carbon nanotube film is disposed on the top surface of the transparent substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode electrically connect to the carbon nanotube film and space from each other. The protective layer covers the carbon nanotube film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Beijing FUNATE Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Quan Wang, Liang Liu
  • Publication number: 20130092679
    Abstract: Portable apparatus for identifying and mitigating defects in electronic devices disposed on substrates or windows are disclosed herein. Such defects can be visually perceived by the end user. The substrates or windows may include flat panel displays, photovoltaic windows, electrochromic devices, and the like, particularly electrochromic windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SOLADIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Rozbicki, Bruce Baxter
  • Publication number: 20130092676
    Abstract: A composite pane having an electrically heatable coating is described. The composite pane comprises: at least two individual panes; an intermediate layer, which connects the individual panes to one another; at least one transparent, electrically conductive coating on at least one side of at least one of the at least two individual panes, the at least one side faces the intermediate layer; and at least two bus bars, which are connected to the at least one transparent, electrically conductive coating, wherein a first bus bar is electrically connected to a first feed line provided for connection to one pole of a voltage source and a second bus bar is electrically connected to a second feed line provided for connection to the second pole of the voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Volkmar Offermann, Andreas Schlarb, Martin Melcher, Susanne Lisinski
  • Patent number: 8420985
    Abstract: The de-fogging device and has an elongated heating element mounted within a housing. There is an elongated opening in the housing beneath the heating element for admission of air below the device and a second elongated opening in the housing above the heating element through which air heated by the heating element flows by convection. The device is mounted to a mirror or window and is positioned such that the heated air flows upwardly across the mirror or window. There is means for regulating the temperature of the heating element such that the heated air prevents any moisture in the air surrounding the mirror or window from condensing on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Dallaire
  • Publication number: 20130082043
    Abstract: An aircraft transparency has a heatable member to remove fog, ice and snow from the outer surface of the transparency. The heatable member includes a pair of spaced parallel bus bars with the ends of the bus bars offset from one another, and a coating including a plurality of spaced segments of an electrically conductive coating electrically connecting the bus bars. The ratio of the major diagonal to the minor diagonal is in the range of greater than 1 to 1.25 to more uniformly heat the coating and the outer surface of the transparency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventor: William Casey McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20130075383
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transparent heating device. The transparent heating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a transparent heating unit disposed on one side portion of the window to generate heat so as to remove and prevent frost or condensation over the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8399805
    Abstract: An anti-fogging device has a substantially transparent or optically clear plastic layer with a heater element formed of etched metallic foil bonded to it. The device has an adhesive element disposed at the periphery of the device for sticking to a viewing member such as a motorcycle helmet visor, surgical mask or rear windscreen for a convertible car, to leave a gap between the heater element and the viewing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: NEL Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Michael Philip Biddell
  • Patent number: 8389910
    Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiper with an inductively heatable portion, and an induction heating device including an induction work coil which is configured to be placed near the wiper to inductively heat the inductively heatable portion. The inductively heatable portion may be in the wiper blade, the wiper arm which supports the blade, or both. The induction work coil may be placed on or near the windshield or other surface which is cleaned by the wiper and may heat the wiper regardless of its position or only when the wiper is at a specific location such as its retracted “rest” position. The wiper assembly may also include a temperature sensor for sensing a current temperature of the wiper and control circuitry associated with the induction heating device for controlling operation of the work coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Bourke, III, Brian L. Clothier
  • Publication number: 20130048622
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating windows of a motor vehicle with a vehicle heating system which directs warm air onto the windows in a controlled manner, wherein the motor vehicle has electrically heated windows (in particular a front windscreen and/or a rear backlite window) and side windows without electrical heating. The warm air from the vehicle heating system is concentrated on the windows without electrical heating when the electric window heating is switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Markowitz, Dietmar Fischer, Rob Alders
  • Patent number: 8383994
    Abstract: A transparency, e.g. an aircraft laminated windshield, includes one or more sensors to monitor performance of one or more properties, e.g. a heating arrangement of the windshield, and to generate signals representative of the performance of the properties. One part of a connector, external of the transparency and connected to the sensors is connected to a system positioned in the aircraft. The system receives a signal from each of the sensors, and processes the signals to determine difference between performance of the property as indicated by the signal received and a preferred performance of the property to provide real time monitoring of the performance of the windshield. With this arrangement information regarding the performance of the windshield is available to schedule timely repair or replacement of the windshield that is performing outside of acceptable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali N. Rashid, Monroe A. Stone, James F. Priddy
  • Patent number: 8383988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glass pane, comprising at least two individual panes and an adhesive layer located in between them, with the glass pane having a local heating area which only extends over part of the overall area of the pane and which can be heated by means of a heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Jan Grünert, Wolfgang Von Avenarius, Dang Cuong Phan
  • Patent number: 8378262
    Abstract: A defogging device for reducing fog on a surface of a substrate, which comprises a power unit and a heating element. The heating element is attached to the substrate, which comprises at least one carbon nanotube film comprising carbon nanotubes arranged substantially parallel to each other. The heating element transforms electricity into heat to vaporize fog of the first surface of the substrate when the heating element is connected to the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Tsang Wei, Ga-Lane Chen
  • Publication number: 20130032584
    Abstract: A defogger system includes structure defining a window or a mirror, a heating element operatively connected to the structure to selectively apply heat to the structure, and a source of electrical energy. The defogger system also includes a switch and an electrically conductive path from the source of electrical energy to the heating element. The switch includes an active material member, and is configured such that the switch interrupts the electrically conductive path when the active material member is above a predetermined temperature. The switch is also configured such that the switch does not interrupt the electrically conductive path when the active material member is below the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8362399
    Abstract: A windshield heater for heating the bottom section of a vehicle windshield includes a heating element located proximate the windshield selectively energized by direct current from the electrical circuit of the vehicle. The heater may be a heating element directly adhered to the windshield. Alternatively, the heater may include a sleeve enveloping the length of the heating element and a corresponding length of compressible material to lodge the heater between the windshield and the adjacent section of a dashboard to place the heating element proximate the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: W. John Seaborn
  • Publication number: 20130020303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating element and to a method for manufacturing same, and more particularly, to a heating element and to a method for manufacturing same wherein the heating element comprises a) a transparent substrate, and b) a conductive heating pattern formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate, wherein the average distance between lines in a vertical direction of the conductive heating pattern is wider than the average distance between lines in a horizontal direction thereof. The heating element according to the present invention not only minimizes the side effects due to diffraction and interference phenomena of light but also exhibits superior heating performance at a low voltage while being invisible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Sujin Kim, Ki-Hwan Kim, Young Jun Hong, Hyeon Choi
  • Patent number: 8324532
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear window and a defroster assembly including heating lines extending across the rear window. A protective barrier at least partially covers the heating lines. The protective barrier includes a film that provides a barrier between the heating lines and sulfur gases generated by components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Sterling, Corey B. Sargent, Mark T. Bacchus, Scott M. Ankeny
  • Patent number: 8310843
    Abstract: There is provided a terminal sealing device that can realize easy change of a protective cover, reduce the number of components used, and be efficiently placed in a small space. A power supply terminal sealing device 10 includes a molded thermoplastic resin member 11 that seals a power supply terminal 13 provided on a surface of a glass plate 16, and a locking hole 12 formed integrally with the molded thermoplastic resin member 11, and the locking hole 12 engages a protective cover 18 that houses the molded thermoplastic resin member 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasukazu Kanatani, Kazuhiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8299400
    Abstract: A heatable vehicle window (e.g., windshield or backlite) has bus bars electrically connected to a heatable coating having one or more heatable conductive layers. Electrical connection(s) between at least one bus bar and a corresponding external connector in the heatable window is/are made using a silver inclusive epoxy. The use of the silver inclusive epoxy permits a thin substantially uniform electrical connection to be made and permits numerous example advantages to be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Prone, Matthew Zabiega
  • Patent number: 8299401
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using induction heating to solder an item of hardware to a glass substrate, wherein the glass substrate; preferably, is a vehicle window, the substrate and bonded item(s) of hardware forming a vehicle window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8283612
    Abstract: The invention provides a planar element which is intrinsically heatable and which is particularly suitable for attachment to multi-dimensionally curved surfaces. For this purpose the planar element features particularly high deformability, achieved in accordance with the invention through a planar element having a layer sequence comprising a heating layer and a contacting layer, each of these two layers being composed of a polymeric material based on elastomers and/or on plastic polymers which have a particular elongation at break and at the same time a particular tensile elasticity modulus. Furthermore, the invention provides an adhesively bonded assembly comprising a bonding substrate and a planar element of the aforesaid kind, a method of producing a planar element of the aforesaid kind, and the use of such a planar element for heating an adhesively bonded assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tesa SE
    Inventors: Klaus Keite-Telgenbuescher, Monika Junghans, Bernd Dietz, Udo Dominikat, Frank Domann, Ute Ellringmann, Veronika Ramm
  • Patent number: 8278609
    Abstract: A method and device for soldering plural electrical connections, in which contact elements have to be soldered to soldered-connection faces positioned on a non-metallic glazing. In the method a soldering tool is used to emit a magnetic field towards the solder spots to heat these by induction. The magnitude and shape of the soldering tool is sized according to the surface area over which plural solder spots that have to be heated simultaneously in a soldering operation are situated. At the same time, the frequency of an AC voltage applied to the loop or to the coil is tailored to the connection geometry and set to 150 kHz at most. Thus, for a high work rate, markedly better heating of the components that need to be soldered is obtained because the low-frequency field lines have a greater depth of penetration into the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Bernhard Reul
  • Publication number: 20120234816
    Abstract: Cost efficient, lightweight and rapid windshield deicing systems and methods are disclosed. The systems utilize step-up converters or inverters, or dual-voltage batteries, to provide a voltage high enough to deice a windshield in less than thirty seconds at ambient temperatures above ?10 C. Some of the disclosed systems include sensors for deicing element and ambient temperatures, and in some embodiments windspeed. All embodiments have a controller for limiting deicing time to that sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice. The controller of embodiments with sensors computes deicing time as a function of ambient temperature. Embodiments interact with wiper systems to enable wipers to clear ice once the boundary layer is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles R. Sullivan, Oleg Nickolayev, Valeri Kozlyuk
  • Patent number: 8263913
    Abstract: The planar heater includes an insulating substrate, an electric conductive film disposed on the substrate, a plurality of electrodes both attached to one side of the electric conductive film, and an insulating film covering the electric conductive film. The electric conductive film is preferably formed of material having a resistance temperature coefficient of 420 ppm/° C. or higher at normal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8253071
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flat heating element (20), in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor (25). According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors (25) is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Publication number: 20120193341
    Abstract: A transparent disk that can be electrically heated over a large surface area, comprising: a large-surface-area, electrically conductive, transparent coating, which is applied to a transparent substrate, at least two bus ribbons, which are electrically connected to the electrically conductive transparent coating, at least one locally delimited region free from the coating, wherein at least one heating conductor having two poles is applied inside the free region, and wherein the first pole is electrically connected to the electrically conductive, transparent coating and the second pole is electrically connected to the electrically conductive, transparent coating or a bus ribbon. A method for the production of the disk is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Reul, Dang Cuong Phan, Günther Schall, Susanne Lisinski, Jean-Luc Lesage
  • Publication number: 20120193340
    Abstract: A windshield heated liquid spray assembly including a liquid heating assembly and a heated liquid spray assembly operative to spray the heated liquid onto a windshield, the liquid heating assembly including a liquid heating chamber, at least one heating element disposed in the liquid heating chamber and an electrical power supply connection to the at least one heating element that includes a meltable conductor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Uri ARKASHEVSKI
  • Publication number: 20120152930
    Abstract: An electrically heated window comprising at least two plies of a glazing material; at least one ply of an interlayer material; a grid of at least one electrically conductive pathway attached to a film; and an electrical connector for supplying current to the grid in order to heat the window; wherein the at least one ply of an interlayer material, the grid and the film are laminated between the at least two plies of a glazing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Chamberlain
  • Publication number: 20120132634
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a deicing method based on carbon/glass fiber hybrid textile, with carbon fiber rovings in warp direction and AR-glass fiber rovings in weft direction; additionally, the mesh size of the textile is not less than 10 mm* 10 mm. The carbon/glass fiber hybrid textile treated with epoxy resin impregnating and sand penetration is embedded into thermal conducting layer, and carbon fiber rovings are wired to high power supply to turn electric energy into heat energy, which can melt ice and snow on the surface of thermal conducting layer when the surface temperature exceeds zero degree Celsius. In order to reduce thermal loss and make full use of thermal energy, thermal insulation layer is placed between thermal conducting layer and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Shide Song
  • Publication number: 20120117880
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding window assembly for a vehicle including a fixed panel and a first heating grid coupled to the fixed panel. A sliding panel is movably coupled to a track and a second heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel. A conductive rail is coupled to the track and includes a first conductive segment, a second conductive segment spaced from the first conductive segment, and an insulator segment disposed between the first and second conductive segments with the first and second heating grids remaining electrically connected to the first and second conductive segments in both the open and closed positions in a series circuit. In one configuration, a sliding window assembly includes a connector disposed between a heating grid and a conductive rail with the connector comprising a compressible material and having a conductive property to define a conductive connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.
    Inventors: David W. Lahnala, Mark S. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 8173939
    Abstract: A non-film based, thermally conditionable light transmitting article is provided. The article includes an adhesively coated resistive wire and a substrate suitably selected for light transmittance. The adhesively coated resistive wire is solely and directly adhesively affixed to the substrate so as to be thereby supported upon and by the substrate. A layer of adhesive, in the form of an adhesive linkage originating from the adhesive of the adhesively coated resistive wire, is present between the resistive wire and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Minco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Bobgan
  • Publication number: 20120103960
    Abstract: A pane having a heatable, optically transparent sensor array comprising at least: a) a pane, b) at least one optically transparent sensor array on the surface of the pane, c) at least one heatable film which is fitted to the optically transparent sensor array, comprising: c1) a support film, c2) a heatable coating, printed conductors, meshes and/or heating wires on the support film, d) at least one electrical contact-making means, which is fitted to the heatable coating and/or to the heating wires, and e) encapsulation, which is fitted to the optically transparent sensor array and to the heatable film, and a sensor which is fitted in the encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Emily Bressand, Ilkay Arslan, Dirk Wohlfeil
  • Publication number: 20120103961
    Abstract: An electrically heatable, transparent article and a method for fabricating such article are described. The article comprises an electrically conductive transparent coating and a transparent substrate. The coating is in contact with electrical bus bars and delimits a localized region, which contains a coating-free transparent region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Volkmar Offermann, Alwin Timmermann
  • Publication number: 20120091114
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes panels and heating grids coupled to respective panels for defrosting the panels. The assembly further includes a conductive element in continuous electrical connection to the panels for defrosting the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.
    Inventors: Mark S. ACKERMAN, Dan BENNETT, David W. LAHNALA
  • Publication number: 20120091113
    Abstract: A cable drive system and a sliding window assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. The sliding window assembly further includes a sliding panel coupled to the track and movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel for defrosting the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly also includes a cable coupled to the sliding panel for moving the sliding panel between the open and closed positions. In addition, the sliding window assembly includes a conductive element electrically connected to the heating grid and coupled with the cable such that the conductive element moves concurrently with the cable as the cable moves the sliding panel between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.
    Inventors: Dan BENNETT, Mark S. ACKERMAN, David W. Lahnala
  • Patent number: 8106332
    Abstract: A connector is shaped to receive the edge region of an automotive glazing between opposing connector arms. A first surface of the automotive glazing is provided with a first electrical function situated thereon, and a second surface of the automotive glazing is provided with a second electrical function situated thereon. Connector arms carry wiring for the automotive glazing electrical functions. The connector further includes a cap which covers one connector arm and a connection between the wiring carried by that arm to the electrical function on the surface of the glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Pilkington Automotive France SA, Pilkington Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Menu, Camillo Piguzzi
  • Publication number: 20120000896
    Abstract: A heatable, transparent object and methods of making such device are described. Such device can be electrically heatable and can be created on an electrically insulating substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Dang Cuong Phan, Gunther Schall