Windshield Or Window Patents (Class 219/203)
  • Method and apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly
    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
  • Heated planar element
    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
  • Method and device for brazing connections by induction heating
    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
  • Systems And Methods For Windshield Deicing
    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
  • Device equipped with planar heater
    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
  • Flat heating element
    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
  • COATED DISK HAVING A HEATABLE COMMUNICATION WINDOW
    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
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING AND DE-ICING
    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
  • ELECTRICALLY HEATED WINDOW
    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
  • Deicing method based on carbon/glass fiber hybrid textile
    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
  • SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
    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
  • Thermally conditionable light transmitting subassembly
    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
  • DISC WITH A HEATABLE, OPTICALLY TRANSPARENT SENSOR ARRAY
    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
  • TRANSPARENT ARTICLE WHICH CAN BE ELECTRICALLY EXTENSIVELY HEATED, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND THE USE THEREOF
    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
  • SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY
    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
  • SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY
    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
  • Electrical connector for automotive glazing
    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
  • ELECTRICALLY EXTENSIVELY HEATABLE, TRANSPARENT OBJECT, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND USE THEREOF
    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
  • Heated glass guard with sensorless control for forklift trucks
    Patent number: 8084716
    Abstract: An open forklift truck is provided having an elongated windshield that protects the operator from wind chills experienced when operating the truck in a cold storage environment. The windshield is a laminate having a plurality of heating elements disposed therein that are electrically connected to a control that monitors speed, battery voltage, temperature, and ambient feedback and adjusts the power supply to the windshield based on this feedback. Accordingly, the windshield is maintained at a predetermined temperature selected to limit condensation and fogging of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Richard M. Day
  • DEFROSTING, DEFOGGING AND DE-ICING STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20110297661
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh Raghavan, Senthil Kumar Vadivelu
  • Ceramic heater, gas sensor, and method of producing ceramic heater
    Patent number: 8058592
    Abstract: A gas sensor is equipped with a built-in ceramic heater. The gas sensor detects the concentration of a predetermined gas component contained in the exhaust gas. The ceramic heater has a heater base member made of ceramic, a heating element formed in the inside of the heater base material, and a pair of external electrode pads that is electrically connected to the output terminals for the outer leads. The external electrode pads, the heating element, and the heater leads are made of base metal. The outer surface of each external electrode pad is covered only with a dense protective film made of noble metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), and palladium (Pd).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehito Kimata, Kiyomi Kobayashi
  • Windshield heat and clean
    Patent number: 8047451
    Abstract: A washer fluid heater apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a heat exchanger having a washer fluid inlet to allow washer fluid to enter the heat exchanger and a washer fluid outlet to allow the washer fluid to exit the heat exchanger; and (b) a coolant passage traversing through the heat exchanger having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the coolant inlet and coolant outlet operably coupled to an engine's coolant system to allow passage of engine coolant through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: McNaughton Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick James McNaughton
  • MECHANICAL SCRAPER SYSTEM WITH SYNCHRONIZED PULSE ELECTROTHERMAL DEICING
    Publication number: 20110259880
    Abstract: A mechanical scraper with synchronized pulse electrothermal deicing includes a heating element that is coupled to a power supply and that is operable to convert power from the power supply into heating energy. A controller controls the magnitude and duration in which power is applied to the heating element, such that only an interfacial layer of ice at an ice-object interface is disrupted for a sufficient period of time to allow the scraper to move or remove the dislodged ice/snow. A scraper then works over the surface to be deiced, thus removing the ice before the interfacial layer re-freezes. Another method of the present invention electromagnetically induces current at the ice-to-object interface, to melt interfacial ice, using coils and a high frequency power supply disposed proximal to the scraper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ICECODE, LLC
    Inventors: Victor F. Petrenko, Charles Sullivan
  • Electrical heater for vehicle windshields and windows
    Publication number: 20110253692
    Abstract: An electrical heater for vehicle windshields and windows includes an electrically driven heater element and heater circuit wiring electrically connected to the element for electrically the element to produce heat from the element when energized, wherein the heater circuit wiring is adapted to only be electrically connected to a conventional DC electrical system of a vehicle, and wherein the heater element is adapted to only be mounted to the under-windshield vents of the vehicle to thereby direct airflow flowing over the heater element as forced by the vehicle's heater core fan through the vehicle ducting and out from the vehicle's under-windshield vents only onto the underside of the windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Egon Schauble
  • Electrical heater with a resistive neutral plane
    Patent number: 8039774
    Abstract: A heating system in the form of a multi-layer, yet relatively thin and flexible panel. The panel contains a number of layers including first, second and third electrically insulating layers. A first electrically conductive resistive layer (heater layer) is sandwiched between the first and second insulating layers. A second electrically conductive resistive layer (resistive neutral plane layer) is sandwiched between the second and third insulating layers. The heater layer has a neutral electrical connection and a live electrical connection. The neutral and live electrical connections are electrically connected to each other at the panel only by electrically resistive material of the heater layer extending between the neutral and live electrical connections. The resistive neutral plane layer has a neutral electrical connection electrically connected with the neutral connection of the heater layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Ashish Dubey
  • HEATED VEHICLE WINDOW
    Publication number: 20110233182
    Abstract: A heated vehicle window includes at least one ply of a glazing material, provided with an antenna and an array of electrical conductors forming a heating circuit. The heating circuit comprises a plurality of electrical conductors and at least two busbars for supplying direct electrical current to which the electrical conductors are connected. A discrete electrically conductive layer is provided to cover at least a portion of at least two of the busbars in direct current electrical isolation therefrom. The busbars and the discrete electrically conductive layer act as a capacitor in the presence of alternating electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Pilkington Automotive Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Baranski
  • Heatable glass pane
    Patent number: 8022334
    Abstract: A heatable glass pane is disclosed. The glass pane includes two bus bars which are located parallel to a base edge of the glass pane and arranged essentially in a line in their axial direction, spaced apart a short distance from one another. The glass pane includes a set of heating wires which are in electrical contact with the two contact busbars and the heating wires have essentially the same lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Bäumler
  • Substrate with electroconductive coating and a communication window
    Patent number: 8022333
    Abstract: The invention is aimed at a substrate, in particular window pane, with an electrically conducting and heatable coating, at least one communication window made in the latter in the form of an interruption of said coating, the window being able to allow communication radiation used as signal carrying information to be transmitted therethrough and whose wavelength lies in a span of wavelengths that can be reflected or absorbed by the coating, and another electrically conducting element in contact with at least one part of edges of the window and in contact with the coating, characterized in that the communication window is provided with an electrically conducting covering and linked electrically to the other electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Helmut Maeuser
  • WINDSHIELD HEATER
    Publication number: 20110215078
    Abstract: A windshield heater includes a substrate that is sized and shaped to cover a typical automotive windshield when placed adjacent an interior side of the windshield. The device includes one or more heating elements supported by the substrate, with the heating elements being connected to a power source to carry an electrical current or other means of producing heat throughout the heating elements. The heating elements radiate heat toward the windshield, thereby warming the windshield and either defrosting it or preventing frost from building up in the first place. The heater may include a timer and thermal control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Paridon Williams
  • WINDSHIELD HEATER
    Publication number: 20110204037
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: W. John Seaborn
  • METHOD FOR OBTAINING A HEATED GLAZING
    Publication number: 20110198334
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of obtaining a heated window, comprising depositing a continuous thin film of a transparent electronically conductive oxide, having a sheet resistance that is uniform over the entire area of the film, on a glass sheet; and subjecting the thin film to a plasma treatment in which a device that emits excited species of an oxygen plasma is placed facing a region of the thin film, and then a relative movement is created between the thin film and the device in order to treat differentially the various regions of the thin film, so that after the thin film has been treated it has regions with different sheet resistances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT - GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Georges Zagdoun, Pierre Chaussade, Vincent Legois
  • Managing content remotely on a device
    Patent number: 7987238
    Abstract: An on-line service manages downloads of digital content in response to user requests. User requests to download digital content include parameters defining conditions for downloads. Parameters may define the device to which the requested content is to be downloaded and the time that the download is to take place. The requests and related parameters are maintained in a queue which may be centrally managed and maintained. The queue is monitored and downloads executed consistent with the user-specified parameters. Digital content is downloaded to devices other than from which the request was made and at times specified by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry P. Hook, Jerry Alan Johnson, Paul S. Hellyar, Shyam Krishnamoorthy, Simon P. Attwell
  • Vehicles Including Rear Defroster Assemblies with Protective Barriers
    Publication number: 20110174796
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Sterling, Corey B. Sargent, Mark T. Bacchus, Scott M. Ankeney
  • Carbon nanotube defrost windows
    Publication number: 20110155713
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Beijing Funate Innovation Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Quan Wang, Liang Liu
  • Window with de-icing feature and method
    Patent number: 7964821
    Abstract: A window such as a vehicle window (e.g., windshield) has a de-icing feature. In certain example embodiments, a conductive structure is provided on an interior surface of a substrate of the window, AC tuned to an ice removal frequency is caused to run through the conductive structure, and fields generated by the AC passing through the conductive structure propagate through the substrate to an exterior surface of the window and can be absorbed by ice thereby causing the ice to melt and/or be removed from the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Daniel F Prone, Scott V. Thomsen
  • DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING LAMINATED GLAZING TO AN APPARATUS OUTSIDE THE GLAZING, METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING GLAZING PROVIDED WITH ONE SUCH CONNECTION DEVICE, AND RESULTING GLAZING
    Publication number: 20110132888
    Abstract: A connection device configured to equip a laminated glazing unit requiring an electrical connection to equipment outside of the glazing unit. The laminated glazing unit includes at least one set of two sheets having a glass function between which are positioned a lamination interlayer sheet and at least one current lead. The connection device includes conductive portions that extend both on the inside and outside of the glazing unit, the internal conductive region configured to be connected to the current lead(s) and the external conductive region configured for connection to the equipment outside of the glazing unit and protected by an insulating shell. The external conductive region with its insulating shell is in a form of a connection box for connection via wiring to the equipment outside the glazing unit, the box including a mechanism receiving the conductive portion inside the glazing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Annabelle Andreau-Wiedermaier
  • Aircraft windshield defogging/deicing system and method of use thereof
    Patent number: 7928345
    Abstract: In an aircraft windshield defogging/deicing system, a pair of transparent sheets maintained in spaced facing relation by a transparent interlayer have a resistive coating positioned between the transparent sheets. An inverter is provided for applying to the resistive coating a square wave or quasi-square wave AC signal. In response to receiving this AC signal, the resistive coating generates heat, which reduces or avoids the accumulation of moisture or ice on the aircraft windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Briggs
  • Electrical connector
    Patent number: 7909665
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector for use with a glazing is disclosed. The glazing preferably comprises a ply of glazing material having a first electrically conductive component mounted thereon, and a second electrically conductive component, joined to the first by a solder. The second component comprises first and second connector feet linked by a bridge portion, the bridge portion being at a height h above each of the connector feet, and each of the feet comprises at least one protrusion having a height d. At least one of h or d is chosen to maximise the adhesion between the second electrically conductive component and the first electrically conductive component. Preferably, the glazing is an automotive glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Michael Lyon
  • Transparent Window Pane Provided with a Resistive Heating Coating
    Publication number: 20110062139
    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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Lothar SCHMIDT, Carole Baubet, Marc Maurer
  • HEATED REAR SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20110030276
    Abstract: A rear slider window assembly includes a frame portion, at least one fixed window panel and at least one movable window panel that is movable along the frame portion. The movable window panel is movable between a closed position and an opened position and has a first electrical element (such as a heater element) established thereat. The first electrical element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle irrespective of whether the movable window panel is in the opened or closed position. The first electrical element may be electrically connected to the power source of the vehicle via a flexible connector that is connected at one end to the first electrical element and at another end to an electrical connector at the fixed window panel, such as at an electrical element of the fixed window panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Dominic C. Smith, Troy F. Tooker, Darin J. Snider
  • Transparent window pane provided with a resistive heating coating
    Patent number: 7880120
    Abstract: The inventive transparent window pane is provided with a resistive heating coating (2) which extends through a substantial portion of the window pane, in particular on a main view field (A) and is electrically connected to at least two conductor rails (4, 5) in such a way that, when an electric' supply voltage is applied between said conductor rails, a circulating current heats the coating heating field, wherein said heating field comprises at least one semi-resistive area (6) directly contacting at least on e conductor rail (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Lothar Schmidt, Carole Baubet, Marc Maurer
  • Thermally Heated Collapsible Sun shade
    Publication number: 20110006050
    Abstract: The present invention is a heated sun shield assembly that has suction cups which attach the shield to the windshield of an automobile. The shade has a flexible opaque heated sheet that is attached to a flexible frame. The frame is designed and can be folded and twisted into a plurality of concentric loops that can be placed in a pouch for storage. The opaque sheet has affixed to one surface, a thermal electric foil or conductive ink grid, which connects to 12-volt supply wires, a 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter and a timer delay mechanism. Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a collapsible or roll up heated sun shield assembly that can shade the interior of an automobile as well as defrost the windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Nee, Sean Cody Bolduc
  • GLASS PANE AND GLASS PANE ARRANGEMENT
    Publication number: 20100314378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glass pane (1), comprising at least two individual panes and an adhesive layer located in between them, with the glass pane (1) having a local heating area (8) which only extends over part of the overall area of the pane (1) and which can be heated by means of a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Jan Grunert, Wolfgang Von Avenarius, Dang Cuong Phan
  • TRANSPARENT WINDOW PANE WITH A HEATING COATING
    Publication number: 20100270280
    Abstract: A transparent window pane including an electrically heating coating that extends over a large part of the surface of the window pane, or over its field of vision, and which is electrically connected to at least two busbars of low electrical resistance, such that, after an electrical supply voltage has been applied to the busbars, an electrical current flows in a heating field formed by the coating. Further, a heating element includes conducting elements of low electrical resistance, or printed conducting tracks and/or wires, in a zone of the surface not heated by the coating, which preferably lies on the edge of the transparent window pane and on the same face as the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Ariane Blanchard, Guenther Schall, Marc Maurer
  • Attachment system for attaching an electric cable to a glass pane to provide electricity thereto
    Patent number: 7816627
    Abstract: An attachment system for attaching an electric cable to a window pane. The system includes a generally elongated plate having a width approximately equal to a thickness of said pane, the plate being provided with a plurality of holes. A socket is fastened to the plate and is shaped and sized to receive a portion of the electric cable within it, the socket being in communication with an opening provided in the plate in order to permit electrical conductors to pass through the plate. The electric cable is fastened to the plate and the plate is fastened to an edge of the pane, in order to resist a 35 lb traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Prelco Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Langlais, Stephane Fournier, Stephane Mercier
  • ELECTRICALLY HEATABLE LAMINATED GLAZING
    Publication number: 20100258547
    Abstract: The invention discloses an electrically heated window having minimised hot spots. The window comprises at least two plies of a glazing material having a ply of an interlayer material laminated therebetween. An array of heating wires is carried by one of the plies, the heating wires extending between a first electrical connection means and a second electrical connection means for supplying current through the wires, the first and second electrical connection means being substantially parallel to each other. The first electrical connection means is shaped so as to define a wire-free area to allow a data signal to be transmitted through the window to a device positioned in the vicinity of the wire-free area. The second electrical connection means is shaped to correspond to the first electrical connection means, such that the heating wires in the array have a substantially constant length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Pilkington Group LImited
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Chamberlain, Jonathan Barclay Dixon
  • ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO PRINTED CIRCUITS ON PLASTIC PANELS
    Publication number: 20100252545
    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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: EXATEC, LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Weiss, Yana Shvartsman
  • GLAZING COMPRISING A NETWORK OF CONDUCTING WIRES
    Publication number: 20100252544
    Abstract: The invention relates to glazing units provided with conducting wires. The glazing units according to the invention comprise enameled conducting wires applied by screen-printing. When subjected to a “zebra” test (DIN 52305), in which the conducting wires are oriented parallel to those of the image of the test and the glazing receives the incident light beam at an angle of 30° C. in relation to the normal to the glazing, the increase in distortion in relation to that of the glazing without conducting wires is at most 70% and preferably at most 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: AGC Flat Glass Europe SA
    Inventor: Philippe Marquet
  • Heated insulating glass panel with a fitting
    Patent number: 7805896
    Abstract: A heated insulating glass panel, with a fitting, is provided. The heated insulating glass panel is formed from two dielectric sheets that are separated by a spacer, which has a spacer layer at the spacer edge. The fitting, which is made of a fitting base portion and a fitting tubular portion, is attached to the spacer layer at the spacer edge by way of, for example, two screws. Thus, the fitting provides a pathway for routing wires into and away from the heated insulating glass panel. If necessary, an elbow may be provided which attaches to the fitting tubular portion for changing the direction of the routing of the wires. In addition, conduit may be attached to the fitting to route the wiring to and from the heated insulating glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Engineered Glass Products, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Gerhardinger, Dillon R. Ashton
  • VEHICLE WINDOW PANEL
    Publication number: 20100243632
    Abstract: A vehicle window panel includes a panel body having a plate shape and made of a resin material. The panel body integrally includes a window portion permitting light to pass therethrough. A conductive layer strip is formed on an interior surface of the window portion by applying a paste containing silver powder, as a main component, and thermosetting resin, as a binder, onto the interior surface. The layer strip has a width ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, both inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DAIKYONISHIKAWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi IGURA