Windshield Or Window Patents (Class 219/203)
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Publication number: 20100237055Abstract: A defrosting or defogging structure includes at least one optically transparent member and an optically transparent composite laminated to the optically transparent member(s). The optically transparent composite includes a thermally and electrically conductive filler material embedded in a polymer matrix. The filler material has at least one dimension on the nanoscale. The optically transparent composite is configured to heat the optically transparent member(s) when an electric current is applied thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Ingrid A. Rousseau, Xinran Xiao
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Patent number: 7792998Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing a real-time streaming service between terminals by using a wired/wireless communication channel. The system for providing a real-time streaming service between terminals includes a server terminal for parsing and separately storing header information of media data, decoding and outputting each of video and audio data included in the media data, and providing header information and the media data being currently reproduced in response to a sharing request for the media data; and a client terminal for generating a decoder by means of the header information received from the server terminal according to the sharing request for the media data being reproduced in the server terminal, decoding the media data provided from the server terminal by means of the generated decoder, and outputting the media data.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Dong-Kyu Heo, Jin-He Jung, Sang-Bong Lee, Jeong-Hoe Ku
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Publication number: 20100219173Abstract: A viewing window for an optical sensor and/or detection system in a vehicle, wherein at least one viewing field of the optical system is defined within the viewing window. A window-heating device encircles the viewing field while the viewing field itself is designed to be free from integrated elements or surface-mounted elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventor: Andreas Gruber
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Publication number: 20100213183Abstract: A transparent window (1) has an electrically heatable coating, which extends over a substantial part of the area of the window (1), in particular over its viewing area (A). In addition, the coating is electrically connected to at least two mutually opposite low-impedance bus bars in such a way that, after an electrical feed voltage has been applied to the bus bars, a current flows between them over a heating area (21) formed by the coating. In this arrangement, there is between the bus bars and the heating area (21) at least one at least partially light-transmitting transitional region (15), the effective surface resistance of which is lower than the surface resistance of the coating. In order to obtain a transitional region (15) having the visual appearance of a band filter, it is proposed that the surface resistance in the at least one transitional region (15) increases in the direction from the assigned bus bar to the heating area (21).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventor: Guenther Schall
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Patent number: 7783400Abstract: The present invention is an ice and snow elimination system for motor vehicles. The present invention is unique in that its counterintuitive features are activated when the engine is off. The system allows consumers to remotely activate the ice and snow elimination system in Standard Sentry Mode to keep the exterior car surfaces free of ice and snow. Automatic Sentry Mode functions in the same way except that no remote communication device is needed. The Ice Buster feature is used to quickly eliminate a large buildup of ice and snow (for economy cars) or, in mid-priced cars when the driver forgets to activate Standard Sentry Mode. Upon the availability of better conditions such as the onset of warmer weather, the ice and snow elimination system will shut down temporarily to optimize the system. Preferably, the system has three models available, one for luxury vehicles (Automatic Sentry Mode), another for mid-priced vehicles (Standard Sentry Mode), and another for economy vehicles (Ice Buster Feature).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Inventor: Peter W Zimler
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Patent number: 7781705Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Exatec, LLCInventors: Keith D. Weiss, Yana Shvartsman
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Publication number: 20100202052Abstract: A vehicle heating system employs a vehicle rearview mirror outer case that defines a cavity within which a mirror resides. A vehicle rearview mirror inner case may define a cavity and the rearview mirror inner case may reside within the rearview mirror outer case. A mirror surface or mirror structure, such as glass or plastic, may reside against the rearview mirror inner case to enclose the inner case, with the exception of air inlet and outlet tubes. A rearview mirror inlet tube may pass through the outer case and the inner case and permit air to enter the rearview mirror inner case. A rearview mirror outlet tube that passes through the outer case and the inner case may permit air to exit the rearview mirror inner case. An HVAC unit attaches to the rearview mirror inlet tube to blow air into the rearview mirror outer case or inner case.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventor: Rajeev Sharma
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Publication number: 20100193494Abstract: A conductive composition having a conductive component, a glass frit component, an organic medium, a boride component and a platinum group metal component, is provided. Embodiments of the conductive composition incorporate a palladium component and boride component selected from ZrB2, TiB2 and LaB6 and combinations thereof and having a Mohs hardness of about 7 or greater. Embodiments of articles with a conductive composition disposed thereon and methods of preparing such articles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: BASF Catalysts LLCInventors: Robert Prunchak, Francisco Vieira, Xuerong Gao, Virginia Garcia
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Patent number: 7748765Abstract: A sub-assembly of a lift-glass hinge is disclosed. The sub-assembly includes a conductive connection member including a central portion, a first terminal end and a second terminal end; a first conductive lead; and a second conductive lead, wherein each of the first and second conductive leads include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first conductive lead is connected proximate one of the first and second terminal ends of the conductive connection member, wherein the first end of the second conductive lead is connected proximate the central portion of the conductive connection member. A lift-glass hinge is also disclosed. A vehicle system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Byrnes, Timothy F. O'Brien, Daniel V. Beckley
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Publication number: 20100163675Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.Inventors: Ali N. Rashid, Monroe A. Stone, James F. Priddy
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Patent number: 7731373Abstract: An electrically heated window intended to be fitted with an imaging device which views an object through a viewing area of the window. A resistance heating element comprises at least one electrically conductive wire extending across the viewing area a plurality of times along a plurality of arc-shaped path.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Maria Oskarsson, Jenny Hendenberg, Jan Rapo, Martin Petersson
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Patent number: 7718923Abstract: A sunshade for an automobile placed upon a dashboard in the interior of the vehicle provides a reflective outer surface to deflect heat and sunlight through the windshield into a vehicle during hot weather conditions and also provides the outer surface with heat strip elements when enabled during cold weather to provide a radiant heat to the windshield to prevent ice build-up on the windshield maintaining a clear windshield during freezing temperatures, the heat strip elements drawings a low voltage current from a rechargeable battery supply or a 12 volt DC power from a cigarette lighter plug, or both.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Inventors: Scott P. Hansen, Mary J. Hunt-Hansen
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Patent number: 7714254Abstract: A climate control device (1) with a heater (5), a ventilation device (7), and with an operating device (3). The operating device includes an operating element (9) that can be switched to at least three different operating states. The operating element (9) has a first and a second electrical resistance device (11, 11?, 13, 13?), the first of which is associated with the heater (5) and the second of which is associated with the ventilation device. The electrical resistance of the two resistance devices (11, 11?, 13, 13?) can be changed simultaneously by actuating the operating element (9).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AGInventors: Rainer Spee, Michael Seifert, Stefan Stöwe
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Patent number: 7700901Abstract: A glass panel assembly according to one embodiment of the invention may include a first glass sheet having an electro-conductive film provided thereon and a conductor positioned at a location on the electro-conductive film. A retainer engages an edge portion of the first glass sheet and the conductor so that the retainer applies a compressive pressure to the conductor. The compressive pressure enhances electrical contact between the conductor and the electro-conductive film.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Radiant Glass Industries, LLCInventors: Steve Busick, Gino Figurelli
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Patent number: 7696644Abstract: A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, such as a movable glass-containing functional element, such as a sliding glass door. The power transfer system preferably includes a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism with a power transfer circuit having first and second separated coils, and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency. The power transfer mechanism is designed to apply power to the functional element and/or to other devices or systems connected to it. The power transfer system may include an electronic feedback mechanism with an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the functional element.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: CookTek LLCInventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber
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Publication number: 20100084389Abstract: A windshield deicer has a windshield with a substantially transparent heating element that generates heat in response to applied power in a magnitude sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice on the windshield; and a controller for limiting duration of the applied power such that a heat diffusion distance into the interfacial layer of ice and/or the windshield is less than about a thickness of the ice and/or the windshield. In an embodiment, the heating element is visually transparent semiconductor material having an electron gap larger than about 3 eV, and examples are given including ZnO and ZnS films. In another embodiment, the heating element is a transparent conductor made from indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide, metal, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the heating element dissipates at least 2 kilowatts per square meter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventor: Victor F. Petrenko
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Publication number: 20100059495Abstract: The present invention provides interlayers that comprise a polymer film onto which micro lines have been formed from a conductive material. The interlayers comprising such films can be incorporated, for example, into a two glass pane multiple layer glazing. Such glazings can be used, for example, in automobile windscreens or rear window applications or other applications that require a heated glazing panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventor: Pol D'Haene
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Patent number: 7671298Abstract: A heating line pattern structure is provided, in which the effect of the heating lines of a defogger on an antenna for a TV broadcast especially for a digital TV broadcast may be decreased. The defogger is structured by arranging heating lines between bus bars on both sides. The portion of an uppermost heating line in proximity to the monopole antenna are folded rectangularly at a regular interval to form a meander shape. One lateral heating line is extended under the meander-shaped heating line portion, and is connected to a vertical heating line to which four lateral heating lines are connected together.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventors: Ryokichi Doi, Hiroshi Iijima, Kazuo Takayama, Kouichi Chikaishi
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Publication number: 20100032421Abstract: Flat electric heater element having a self-adhesive surface for the purpose of adhesive-bonding to a glass pane of a motor vehicle, and having a passage opening to allow the passage of signals from/to a signaling device which is installed in the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2007Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Jose A. Martinez, Erik Arnold
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Patent number: 7652226Abstract: An electrically heated window glass is provided, in which an electric power load may be suppressed by causing a consumed electric power for energizing a heater to be variable depending on the purpose of heating. The electrically heated window glass in accordance with the present invention comprises two glass panels laminated to each other; a plurality of heaters sandwiched between the two glass panels for heating the glass panels, the heaters being positioned in such a manner that the heaters divide the surface of the laminated glass panels into plural parts; a plurality bus bars each provided at the end portions of each of the plurality of heaters for feeding thereto; and a changeover means for switching the connection between selected one of the plurality of bus bars and a DC power supply to heat the plurality of heaters in a series connected manner or parallel connected manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Takashi Muromachi, Harunori Murakami
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Publication number: 20100006555Abstract: In an electrically-heated glazing unit including a plurality of collector conductors configured to supply a plurality of heating conductors with an electric current used to heat up the heating conductors and the glazing unit, at least one partial region of the surface of the glazing unit includes an arrangement of parallel heating conductors in which the current flows in opposing directions. The arrangement of the heating conductors in the partial region of the surface is tuned to minimize by mutual compensation or eliminate the magnetic field acting locally within this partial region and perpendicularly to the plane of the glazing unit when the current flows. The operation of an apparatus sensitive to magnetic fields, for example a compass, in the immediate vicinity of the glazing unit thus becomes more reliable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Marc Maurer, Stefan Ziegler, Martin Melcher
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Publication number: 20090321407Abstract: A vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glazing material, e.g. glass, and a heatable coating layer provided on a surface of the glazing, in electrical contact with first and second electrically conductive busbars, each busbar having a length, a width and first and second ends, the width of at least one of the busbars being gradually reduced towards at least one of its ends. The glazing may be a laminate, having a further pane of glazing material joined to the pane of glazing material by a ply of interlayer material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: PILKINGTON ITALIA S.P.A.Inventors: Jonathan Barclay Dixon, Giovanni Gagliardi
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Patent number: 7617964Abstract: A low temperature solder including indium in the range of 62-65 weight percent and tin in the range of 31-33 weight percent uses the heat generated during thermal treatment of one or more glass sheets to melt the solder. In one non-limiting embodiment, a lead providing external access to an electrical conductive arrangement, e.g. a conductive member between and connected to spaced bus bars between laminated sheets has an end portion of a connector, e.g. a lead soldered to each of the bus bars during thermal processing of the sheets, e.g. during the lamination of the sheets during a windshield manufacturing process. In another nonlimiting embodiment, the connector is soldered to the electrically conductive arrangement during the annealing of glass blanks following the heating and shaping of the glass blanks.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: John A. Winter, Charles S. Voeltzel, Cheryl E. Belli, James P. Thiel
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Patent number: 7601929Abstract: A system for detecting an alignment of a sensor mounted on a vehicle and a method of making the same is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle windshield having the sensor mounted thereto at a predetermined location. At least one conductive strip is included having a first and a second end, wherein the conductive strip is attached to the windshield. The system further includes at least one conductive point disposed between the windshield and the sensor and mounted at the first and the second end. The conductive point establishes a closed circuit between the conductive strip and the sensor so long as the sensor is mounted to the windshield at the predetermined location. Upon displacement of the sensor from the predetermined location, an open circuit occurs between the conductive strip and the conductive point. Accordingly, the sensor generates signals indicating the misalignment of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saed Ehsani, Gyu Myeong Joh, Hubert Szawarski
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Publication number: 20090206068Abstract: A window-glass heating device for providing each adequate heat amount in accordance with each parts of the glass and for securing the good visibility to a driver, comprises: a first heater having a transparent heating film attached on the whole surface of the vehicle window glass; a second heater having a transparent heating film attached on a part of the surface of the vehicle window glass and being arranged at least overlapped with the first heater; a heating-requirement detector for detecting at least one of heating requirements such as the outside temperature, the inside temperature and any input through the operational equipments of vehicle inside; and a heating controller for controlling heat amount of the first and second heaters depending on the heating requirement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Seiichi Ishizeki, Tomotaka Sawada
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Patent number: 7576301Abstract: The performance of a thermal insulation for a building surface 6, subject to a thermal gradient emitting from the building interior, is enhanced by a neutral thermal gradient. For this purpose an electrical heating element 1 is adapted to release very low Wattages of thermal energy and is contained within an inner layer 4 and an outer layer 5 of thermal insulation. Adjusting the thermal efficiency of the insulation layers controls the magnitude of the thermal energy required to maintain the temperature of the element 1 at the equivalent temperature level to the building interior. The element 1 may be provided with a moisture controller and discharge sizeable quantities of thermal energy to dry moisture from the thermal insulation materials of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: FreeGEN Research LimitedInventor: Christopher Norman Gaskell
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Patent number: 7557329Abstract: A plate element including at least one rigid pane, in particular a pane of glass, which bears an electrically conductive coating that heats by applying an electrical voltage via connectors, and an electrically conductive partial surface, which is electrically isolated from the coating and provided with at least one electrical connector of its own. The partial surface is provided for connection to a ground potential.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventor: Hubert Hauser
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Patent number: 7520416Abstract: A transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, having at least one electroconducting, non-transparent contact surface placed on one of its surfaces, to connect it by soldering to a connection piece. In the region of the soldering location, the contact surface has at least one cutout via which the soldering filler metal is visible through the pane after the connection piece has been soldered to the contact surface. Such a configuration allows reliable visual verification of the soldering locations, even in cases in which the soldering location is incorporated within a composite glazing panel and has been soldered, if necessary by induction heating.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Richard Crumbach, Bernhard Reul, Andreas Sznerski
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Patent number: 7518093Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Daniel F Prone, Scott V. Thomsen
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Patent number: 7514654Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a glass article with a metal member joined thereto in which an electroconductive coating film is formed on at least a part of the surface of the glass article by baking a silver paste that includes Ag particles and a glass frit, a joining plane of the metal member is fixed onto the electroconductive coating film with a lead-free solder alloy containing Sn as a main component, and the lead-free solder alloy contains at least 1.5 mass % of Ag, which prevents the appearance of the electroconductive coating film and the bonding strength from degrading. Furthermore, in the present invention, when using a metal member having at least two joining planes, the total area of the joining planes is set within a range of 37 mm2 to 50 mm2, which allows high bonding strength between the glass article and metal member to be maintained while using the lead-free solder alloy.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Ichiro Okajima, Hideki Watanabe, Kazuo Yamada
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Publication number: 20090050614Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a heating system for a side window of a vehicle is provided. The heating system comprises a belt seal and a resistive element. The belt seal is configured to be installed on the vehicle at a location at least partially surrounding the side window. The resistive element is embedded within the belt seal. The resistive element is configured to receive power from a power source and to heat the side window.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: DAVID T. RENKE, JERRY MALLARD
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Publication number: 20090044464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2005Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventors: Lothar Schmidt, Carole Baubet, Marc Maurer
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Patent number: 7482558Abstract: A thermotherapy device is operated as an incubator or as an open care unit. The care unit has a bed for receiving newborns, which can be closed with a hood (3). At least one heat radiation source (4) is provided. The hood (3) is located between the bed and the heat radiation source (4) when the thermotherapy device is closed and the hood is at least partially transparent to the radiation originating from the heat radiation source (4). The device allows only a small temperature drop during the transfer from the open mode of operation into the closed mode of operation and vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGInventor: Jochim Koch
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Patent number: 7479620Abstract: Disclosed a heater and a method for manufacturing the heater using a PCB process for providing a heater generating heat at a temperature that is proper to use by designing the heater having an accurate resistance using the PCB process on an insulated board.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventor: Jae-Sang Park
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Publication number: 20090014426Abstract: Disclosed is a heated window pane (1), particularly for side windows of vehicles, comprising two differently polarized contact busbars (6, 7) which extend essentially parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction thereof as well as parallel to a bottom edge (2) of the heated window pane (1), and a bunch of heating filaments (9) that electrically contact the contact busbars (6, 7). The inventive window pane (1) is characterized in that the contact busbars (6, 7) are arranged substantially along one line in the longitudinal direction thereof while the heating filaments (9) have essentially the same length such that uniform heating of the entire window pane (1) can be ensured. The heating filaments (9) can be made to have the same length by configuring compensation loops (11) and/or varying the amplitude of a heating filament (9) that is disposed in a wavy shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2004Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventor: Peter Baumler
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Publication number: 20080308542Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventor: Richard M. Day
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Publication number: 20080290081Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: NEL TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventor: Michael Philip Biddell
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Publication number: 20080223842Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGEInventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles R. Sullivan, Oleg Nickolayev, Valeri Kozlyuk
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Patent number: 7423239Abstract: A laminated panel element that includes at least two rigid panes, for example glass panes, bonded to each other on their surfaces, which are each provided, over their whole surface, with an electrically conductive coating that can be heated by application of a voltage via electrodes. One of the two rigid panes is provided with a cut-out allowing the passage of external electrical connections that are in electrical contact with the two coatings.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventor: Detlef Mann
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Patent number: 7423240Abstract: A window defroster system that includes a heater grid and a controller. The controller includes a pulse width modulator configured to provide a driving signal to the heater grid. The driving signal has an initial heating portion and a pulsed portion. The initial heating portion provides an initial voltage that is greater than an optimal operating voltage of the heater grid, the pulsed portion provides a pulsed signal with a pulsed high voltage that is greater than the optimal operating voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Exatec LLCInventors: Robert Schwenke, Keith D. Weiss
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Publication number: 20080203079Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.,Inventors: Vijayen Veerasamy, Daniel Prone, Scott V. Thomsen
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Publication number: 20080203078Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle windshield assembly for assisting a vehicle defroster in melting ice or snow on a vehicle windshield by engaging and heating an outer circumference area of an inner side of the windshield using a flexible electrical heating element, an adhesive for adhering the heating element to the windshield, an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the heating element to an electrical outlet in the vehicle, and an electrical control device for controlling operation of the heating element at a plurality of heating levels. The heating element may be capable of plugging directly into a universal vehicle power outlet, lighter socket, fuse box, or the vehicle's electrical system. A heating element is held to an outer perimeter of the windshield using a flexible adhesive tape, a permanent adhesive, or may be sandwiched between two panels of glass forming the windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventor: MICHAEL CARL HUERTER
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Publication number: 20080197122Abstract: The combination defroster panel and sunshade for vehicle glass includes an electrically heated element disposed upon one side of a rigid panel and a reflective surface disposed upon the opposite side of the panel. The device is placed adjacent to the interior surface of the window glass of a vehicle for operation. The panel may be placed with the heating element facing the interior surface of the glass, and electrical power (battery, power grid, etc.) provided to melt ice and/or snow from the exterior of the glass and/or to evaporate condensation from the interior surface of the glass. Alternatively, the device may be placed with the reflective surface facing the interior of the glass, to reduce the interior temperature of the vehicle. The combination panel may be formed as a single rigid panel, or, alternatively, as a plurality of smaller panels hinged together to facilitate storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Kenneth Parks Gober
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Patent number: 7410267Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicular lamp including a wire installation process that installs a wire (hearing wire) 6 in a flat resin plate 7 by heat; a shape-forming process that forms the resin plate 7 into a predetermined curved shape; a trimming process that trims the resin plate formed in the predetermined curved shape into a desired shape of the exterior contour of a front lens 3; and a fixing process that fixes the front lens to a lamp body 2 by optical welding.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuyuki Mochizuki
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Patent number: 7411158Abstract: A heatable composite pane having a trapezoidal outline, including a heating area having heating wires embedded in the composite and at least two main busbars. The two main busbars connect ends of a first group of parallel heating wires electrically in parallel. The outer triangular surface of the trapezoidal outline includes at least a second group and a third group of parallel heating wires that can be fed electrically via busbars. The second group and the third group of heating wires have different lengths and are combined to be connected in parallel with the first group. The second group and the third group are electrically connected to one another in series such that an effective wire length between the two main busbars is increased to homogenize heating power in the triangular surface with heating power in the heating area.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventor: Jan Andrt
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Patent number: 7393557Abstract: An electrically conductive film contains electrically connected first and second visible light-transmissive metal or metal alloy layers separated by a visible light-transmissive crosslinked polymeric layer. The film can be joined or laminated into glazing (especially non-planar vehicular safety glazing) with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will be damaged or distorted. The film also can transparently shield a device that can cause or is sensitive to electromagnetic interference with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will fracture.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: Robert James Fleming, Christopher Stewart Lyons, Clark Ivan Bright, Edward John Anderson, Brian Leroy Koster, Maria Lenni Zelinsky
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Patent number: 7379028Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an antenna-embedded laminated glass with an antenna element sealed between glass sheets, which is characterized to comprise forming two or more glass sheets forming the laminated glass; bonding a transfer film on a surface of one of the glass sheets by a boding strip, the transfer film including the bonding strip and a conductive strip forming the antenna element; and press-bonding glass sheet, through a intermediate film, to the surface of the one glass sheet with the transfer film bonded thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventor: Katsumi Hisaeda
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Patent number: 7362491Abstract: A heated glass panel assembly according to one embodiment of the invention may include a substrate having an electro-conductive film provided thereon. A conductor is positioned in contact with the electro-conductive film. A resilient material is positioned in contact with the conductor so that at least a portion of the conductor is located between the resilient material and the electro-conductive film. A retainer is positioned in contact with the resilient material so that at least a portion of the resilient material and at least a portion of the conductor are located between the retainer and the electro-conductive film. The retainer applies a compressive pressure to the resilient material which transfers at least a portion of the compressive pressure to the conductor to hold the conductor in contact with the electro-conductive film.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Radiant Glass Industries, LLCInventors: Steve Busick, Gino Figurelli
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Patent number: 7358466Abstract: The present invention is a BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus and method for heat treating the leading and/or trailing edge section(s) of a BLISK airfoil using the BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus. The apparatus comprises a pair of hingedly connected heat treating shells, each shell having a cavity for receiving an airfoil edge section requiring heat treatment. A resistive heating element is positioned with the shells to heat the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey L. Myers, Thomas F. Broderick
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Patent number: RE41715Abstract: A glazing provided with an electric circuit includes an electrically conducting substrate and a terminal for making electrical connection thereto. The terminal is attached to the glazing by an adhesive, rather than solely by solder, and the electrical connection between the terminal and the substrate is provided by means other than, or additional to, physical contact between the terminal and the substrate. For instance, the adhesive may be electrically conducting, or a soldered joint may additionally be provided if the adhesive is electrically insulating, or of insufficient conductivity for the type of circuit in question. The adhesive may be pre-applied to the terminal, and may be a tack-free adhesive activated or cured by heat. The terminal may be in two parts, with the base part of a standardized design. The glazing is suitable for use in buildings, appliances or vehicles, especially automotive vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Pilkington Italia S.p.A.Inventors: Luigi Capriotti, Ciro Paudice