Abstract: Fender Well Deicer (Defroster) consists of a curved housing covering a heated layer that can be attached to a wheel well using an attaching mechanism such as a series of eyelets on the housing and a plurality of screws. A wire running from the heated layer to the interior of the car connects to a control for providing power to the device. When in use, the device prevents and/or removes ice and/or snow build-up within the wheel well by through the application of heat. The device operates from a vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: A panel element with a toughened pane, provided with a total surface coating, which is electrically conducting and heated by applying an electrical voltage by electrodes. A partial zone of the coating is electrically separated by a separating line. Specifically, an inner surface zone of the coating is separated electrically, by at least one peripheral separating line, from an external edge region of the coating, and the electrodes are placed inside the surface zone surrounded by the peripheral separating line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window assembly having a transparent panel and a conductive heater grid formed integrally with the transparent panel. The conductive heater grid has a first group of grid lines and a second group of grid lines, with opposing ends of each group being connected to first and second busbars. Grid lines of the second group are spaced between adjacent grid lines of the first group, with the height of the grid lines themselves in the second group being less than the height of the grid lines in the first group.

Abstract: A method for making a transparent electrothermal body includes: a) plating ITO (indium tin oxide) onto a surface of a transparent substrate to form an ITO film, and b) printing a conducting material onto a surface of the ITO film to form two connecting portions each electrically connected to the ITO film, thereby forming a transparent electrothermal body. Thus, the transparent electrothermal body includes a circuit made of ITO material having greater transparency to form a conducting film that allows passage of the electric current, thereby enhancing the transparency of the electrothermal body, and thereby increasing the versatility of the electrothermal body.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic pane provided with embedded electrical conductors, in particular a window pane, in which the conductors are joined to a surface of a plastic sheet that subsequently receives another layer of plastic by injection molding from the rear for the purpose of forming a pane body. In the process the material of the plastic sheet and the injection-molded plastic are joined together directly by mutual adhesion, and the surface of the plastic sheet that is located on the opposite side from the conductors forms one of the outer faces of the finished pane. The electrical conductors are formed by furnishing the surface of the plastic sheet with at least one metal wire which is to be exposed to the rear injection molding.

Abstract: A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming includes a sensing unit and a heating element. The sensing unit is configured to detect a change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity. The heating element is configured to heat the fluid. The sensing unit operates to deactivate the heating element when the sensing unit detects the change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity.

Abstract: A window defroster assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a transparent panel and a defroster grid integrally formed with the transparent panel by means of a robotic dispensing mechanism. The defroster includes conductive first and second busbars and a plurality of conductive grid lines extending between and connected to the first and second busbars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moisture removal apparatus and method for accurately detecting moisture generation in an early stage and quickly removing it so as to prevent steam or frost from being formed on glass surfaces of vehicles and industrial devices, and other surfaces. The apparatus comprises a surface resistance detector (50) including two detection terminals attached on an insulation surface with a predetermined gap therebetween, and showing different resistances according to an amount of moisture on the insulation surface; a static electricity preventer (60) preventing static electricity generation to the signal sensed by the surface resistance detector (50); a moisture sensor (70) determining moisture states through variations of the current that flows according to resistances of the surface resistance detector (50), and outputting a corresponding signal; and a driver (80) being operable to the signal output by the moisture sensor (70) and removing moisture generated on the surface.

Abstract: An electrically heatable transparency has at least one substrate, a first bus bar spaced from a second bus bar, and a conductive coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first and second bus bars are in electrical contact with the coating. At least one of the bus bars has an end region in electrical contact with the coating. The end region is tapered such that the coating is of substantially uniform thickness on the end region.

Abstract: A window pane has a substrate formed from glass and includes an electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is operatively connected to and in electrical communication with the conductor for transferring electrical energy to the conductor. The substrate has a first coefficient of expansion and the connector has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. A difference between the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion is equal to or less than 5×10?6/° C. for minimizing mechanical stress between the connector and the substrate due to thermal expansion of the connector and the substrate resulting from changes in temperature.

Abstract: A car defogging system reduces energy required to defog a windshield glass of the car. A temperature sensor mounted at the windshield glass detects the glass surface temperature, Ts. A humidity sensor spaced from the windshield glass by a predetermined distance detects the humidity, H, around the windshield glass. A temperature sensor mounted inside the windshield glass detects peripheral temperature Te around the glass. A system controller determines if fog is or is not present by comparing the dew point temperature Td with the surface temperature Ts. Dew point temperature Td is derived by the combining values of H and a temperature Tc based on a combination of Ts and Te.

Abstract: A heating line pattern structure of a defogger comprising a meander shape heating line portion is provided, in which the local temperature rise of a glass panel may be suppressed and which has a good outward appearance. Two lateral heating lines each having a thick width are provided under the meander shape heating line portion. Tow lateral heating lines are connected to each lateral heating line under the meander shape heating line portion through a vertical heating line.

Abstract: An interlayer composite includes a plastic sheet having a predetermined outer shape and a major surface; a pair of bus bars, and an adhesive layer securing the bus bars directly on the major surface of the plastic sheet in a fixed relationship to one another.

Abstract: A method of making a windshield having first and second outer layers and a conductive bar, an electrical connector, and an intermediate layer positioned between the outer layers. The method includes the step of sinking the conductive bar and the electrical connector into a surface of the intermediate layer so as to be at least substantially flush with the surface. After sinking the conductive bar and the electrical connector into the surface, the first outer layer is engaged with the surface of the intermediate layer. Additionally, the second outer layer is engaged with a second surface of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: To provide a door mirror heater for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle or the like on which a high voltage battery is mounted, a door mirror heater compliant to a high voltage battery having a heat generating circuit provided with a PTC layer corresponding to a heating element and electrodes for applying a current to the PTC layer is structured such that an initial resistance value of the heat generating circuit is set between 20 and 200 ?, more preferably between 50 and 100 ?, a lower limit value of a PTC characteristic R100° C./R25° C. is set to 10, more preferably, to 50, and a rubber is added to a main material polymer of the PTC layer, and a metal oxide is added as a filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically heatable glazing panel comprising a substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating layer which is adapted to be electrically heatable and is divided into a plurality of zones, some heatable and some non-heatable. The glazing panel according to the invention is preferably a side window which may be used for de-misting or de-icing purposes.

Abstract: A power connection apparatus of a vehicle is provided that includes a pair of substantially flat electrical conductor strips each having a first end and a second end. The first ends are adapted to be electrically coupled to integrated heater conductors in an automobile glazing. A film forms a protective coating over an intermediate section of the pair of electrical conductor strips. The film insulates and maintains a spaced relationship between the pair of substantially flat electrical conductors. A pair of wires is electrically coupled to the second ends. A first protective overmold seal is formed over the second ends of the pair of substantially flat electrical conductor strips for sealing the electric coupling of the second ends of electrical conductor strips and the wires.

Abstract: A window glass for vehicles equipped with a conductor, which comprises a glass plate, a patterned conductor layer formed on the glass plate, and a covering layer formed to cover the conductor layer, wherein the covering layer comprises a fired product obtained by firing a composition containing a crystalline glass powder and a reducing agent capable of reducing silver ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to using the heat generated during thermal treatment of one or more glass sheets to melt solder. In one nonlimiting 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. Soldering the leads during the annealing or laminating process eliminated possible thermal damage to the sheet by having the sheet heated during the soldering operation instead of only a small surface portion of the sheet at and eliminates the cost of a separated soldering operation.

Abstract: Use of a composition comprising finely divided particles of (a) an electrically-conductive material; (b) one or more inorganic binders; and (c) one or more metal(s) selected from cobalt, nickel, iron and bismuth, wherein components (a), (b) and (c) are dispersed in a liquid vehicle, in the manufacture of an electrically-conductive pattern on a substrate for the purpose of increasing the resistivity of said electrically-conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to an electrical conductor. The conductor is applied to a glass substrate and the connector is placed over the conductor. An ultrasonic welding apparatus is used to oscillate the connector relative to the conductor to bond the connector to the conductor while maintaining the temperatures of the connector and conductor below the predefined melting points and without damaging the glass substrate. In addition, an electrically conductive foil can be disposed between the connector and the conductor for ensuring electrical communication between the connector and the conductor.

Abstract: A heatable article, e.g. a heatable windshield, having a generally trapezoidal shape has a conductive member, e.g. a conductive coating, between and in contact with a pair of spaced bus bars having different lengths. Selected portions of the coating between the bus bars are segmented to reduce the difference in watt density between the coatings at the bus bars when current moves through the coating. In one non-limiting embodiment, the width of the segments at the longer bus bar is less than the width of the segments at the longer bus bar. With this configuration, the watt density at the bottom of the windshield is increased to more efficiently remove ice and snow. In another non-limiting embodiment, the coating has a communication window to pass frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g. RF frequencies, to obtain information from within the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window assembly having a transparent panel and a conductive heater grid formed integrally with the transparent panel. The conductive heater grid has a first group of grid lines and a second group of grid lines, with opposing ends of each group being connected to first and second busbars. Grid lines of the second group are spaced between adjacent grid lines of the first group, with the width of the grid lines themselves in the second group being less than the width of the grid lines in the first group.

Abstract: An adjustable diving mask with a frame assembly has two-frames for mounting two lenses, and an angle adjusting mechanism mounted between the two frames for adjusting the included angle between the two frames, and accordingly, the included angle between the two lenses. The angle 10 adjusting mechanism includes a tight fit shaft having a tapered section and a non-circular section, about which the first and the second frame could be pivotally turned relative to each other to obtain a desired included angle between them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing electrically conducting tracks on a transparent substrate, by screen printing with an electrically conducting paste, and to the transparent substrate provided with said tracks. According to the invention, conducting tracks are formed with a width less than or equal to 0.3 mm by applying, by screen printing, a thixotropic electrically conducting paste having a ratio of the viscosity without shear stress to the viscosity under shear stress under screen-printing conditions of at least 50 and having a silver content greater than 35% and of which at least 98% of the particles which form it have a size less than 25 ?m, by means of a screen having at least 90 threads per cm, the coating of said screen being provided with slots, the narrowest width of which is equal to 0.25 mm±0.05 mm, and by subjecting said tracks to baking.

Abstract: Methods for forming electrically conductive heated dielectric panels are provided. The panels are utilized for warming objects and/or insuring unobstructed viewing through the panels by removing moisture. The methods include depositing electrically conductive metal bus bars onto the dielectric panel, onto which panel a conductive coating has previously been disposed. The conductive metal bus bars are deposited onto the coated dielectric panel through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus, in combination with an oxyacetylene or a plasma device. A metallic tab, which extends from the panel peripheral edge, is brought into electrical contact with each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-reflecting windshield that includes a laminated glass sheet and a detecting device for optically detecting a target object such as water droplets. The laminated glass sheet includes a first glass sheet, a heat-reflecting film formed on the first glass sheet, an intermediate film and a second glass sheet. The detecting device is disposed on a main surface of the laminated glass such that a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element in the device are arranged in a predetermined region of the main surface, and the predetermined region is rubbed by a windshield wiper. The heat-reflecting film includes at least three dielectric layers and at least two metal layers, and the heat-reflecting film is not formed in said predetermined region.

Abstract: A defroster for a heat exchanger includes a heat transfer plate on the heat exchanger; a thin film heater arranged on the heat transfer plate; and a power supply wire connected to the film heater for supplying power to the film heater. The defroster can be fabricated by forming a masking layer with a certain shape on an electrically resistant substrate; patterning a thin film heater on the substrate based on the shape of the masking layer; adhering the film heater to a heat transfer plate; and connecting a power supply to the film heater. Accordingly, it is possible to improve a defrosting performance of the heat exchanger and use an environment-friendly, alternative refrigerant with the relatively, low temperature defroster of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heated window with an electrically conducting surface coating that may be electrically connected as a heating element to a voltage source using a first and a second current-collecting rail and that is split into a first part, a heated look-through region, and a second part, an additional heated region. In the heated window at least two current-collecting rails are arranged in the additional heated region so that the direction in which the current flows in the additional heated region is roughly perpendicular to the direction in which the current flows in the heated look-through region.

Abstract: An automotive glazing panel has an electrically heatable solar control coating layer, spaced first and second bus bars positioned respectively adjacent a first and a second side edge of the glazing panel and adapted to relay electrical power to the coating layer and a data transmission window positioned adjacent the top edge of the glazing. This arrangement may be used to alleviate or reduce perturbations to heating of the glazing panel caused by the presence of the data transmission window.

Abstract: An electrically conductive heated glass panel assembly, control system, and method for producing panels are provided to warm objects and to insure unobstructed viewing through glass by removing moisture. An integrated connection circuit interconnects glass sheets, which have a low emissivity conductive coating deposited thereon. The circuit includes copper bus bars that are disposed onto the conductive coating through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus. A metallic tab, which extends from the glass sheet's peripheral edge, is disposed onto each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity. Two types of glazing channels are offered to interconnect multiple panels to external circuits and controls. A solid-state controller may be provided to obtain sensor control signals so as to drive a triac circuit that provides current flow through the panel for the desired heating.

Abstract: An automotive transparency having a heatable wiper rest area includes a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet secured together by an interlayer material. An opaque band is positioned on the inner surface of the outer glass sheet along a portion of an edge of the outer sheet at an expected wiper rest areas; and an electrically conductive member is positioned on a major surface of the second glass sheet and extends along an edge portion of the second sheet at the wiper rest area. A plurality of bus bars positioned in electrical contact along the conductive member divides the conductive member into a plurality of heatable areas with a first lead electrically interconnecting selected ones of the bus bars and a second lead electrically interconnecting other selected ones of the bus bars with overlying portions of the first and second leads electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A snow removal system for melting snow from the body of a vehicle is disclosed. The snow removal system includes a control assembly being designed for operationally coupling to a power supply of the vehicle. A plurality of conducting strips are operationally coupled to the control assembly. The conducting strips are designed for being coupled to the body of the vehicle. The control assembly distributes power through the conducting strips whereby the conducting strips generate heat when power is passed through the conducting strips for warming the body of the vehicle to melt snow on the vehicle.

Abstract: Windshield wiper apparatus is provided to substantially increase the amount of heat and the speed with which the heat is delivered to the wiper mechanism and blade to clean the ice and snow accumulation. Hot air is provided from either or both the exhaust system or a special electric heater directly into the modified windshield wiper and onto the windshield.

Abstract: A composite laminate useable in the manufacture of articles having a member responsive to electrical stimuli, e.g. changes transmission, and/or is heated, as current passes through the member includes a pair of spaced bus bars adhesively secured to a major surface of a plastic sheet in a spaced relationship to one another. Each of the bus bars includes, among other things, an end portion having a protective sleeve and an air barrier to prevent air from moving between the inner surfaces of the protective sleeve and the underlying surface of the end portion of the bus bar. A method of making the composite laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle safety device for melting ice and snow on roadways and in areas immediately adjacent the vehicle tires includes ductwork extending from a heater mounted adjacent the vehicle engine with the ductwork terminating at front and rear undercarriage mounted v-shaped ducts. Each v-shaped duct includes a pair of heating vents disposed adjacent each vehicle tire that blows heated air onto the roadway for melting the ice and snow. A heating grid is securable to the vehicle undercarriage for providing additional radiant heat to melt ice and snow, and a dashboard-mounted control panel provides for the manual activation of the heater and the heating grid while sensors mounted to the undercarriage and electrically connected to the control panel provide for automatic activation of the heater and heating grid upon sensing a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An automotive glazing panel has an electrically heatable solar control coating layer, spaced first and second bus bars adapted to relay electrical power to the coating layer. The glazing panel is provided with at least two, spaced data transmission windows positioned at least partially in contact with the heatable solar control coating layer which are separated by a portion of the glazing panel which is in electrical contact with the electrically heatable solar control coating layer.

Abstract: A cut-to-length heating system including a heating cable having a first conductor with a first resistivity and a second conductor with a second resistivity. The heating cable having a first end and a second end with the first conductor being electrically connected to the second conductor at the first end. The first resistivity substantially higher than the second resistivity. An average power limiting device electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor at the second end.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A window includes an ice removal structure thereon for weakening the adhesion strength of ice to the window upon an application of voltage. The ice removal structure is at least partially covered and/or coated with a layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the DLC may be of a type known as ta-C which can be very dense and have a large number of sp3 carbon-carbon bonds. The DLC protects the ice removal structure, and in certain instances can act as a semiconductor in order to aid ice removal. In other embodiments, the ice removal structure may include first and second substantially transparent electrodes sandwiching an anodized layer with columnar structure therebetween.

Abstract: Heating of a functional unit is started by a control device. An actual temperature or a parameter dependent on the actual temperature is monitored during, and optionally before and after the actual heating of the functional unit. A characteristic feature of the time course of the actual temperature or of the parameters dependent on the heating temperature, which determines the phase transition of water, serves for the evaluation and control of the heating. Analysis of the characteristic features is used to control the heating power of the heating elements. Threshold values and further factors such as proportionality factors for the controller, for example, are determined depending upon significant characteristics. The threshold values and factors are also particularly used for a subsequent starting of the heating using the corresponding analysis and control.

Abstract: A heated window including at least one rigid pane, at least two current busbars of different polarity placed substantially parallel close to one edge of the heated window at different distances from the edge, and linear heating resistors electrically connected thereto. The busbars lie sideways to the heating resistors and the heating resistors start from a first current busbar and, passing over the other current busbar while being insulated therefrom, in the direction of the window surface and in at least one loop, return toward the other current busbar and are electrically connected thereto.

Abstract: Opposing substrates of a vehicle window are laminated to one another using a polymer inclusive interlayer which has a notch or cut-out portion defined therein. Following lamination, at least one bus bar(s) supported by one of the substrates is exposed in this notch or cut-out portion of the interlayer. Then, an external connector may be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) at a location between the opposed substrates, by sliding a portion of the connector into a gap between the two laminated substrates at a location where the bus bar(s) is exposed due to the notch or cut-out in the interlayer. Because the connector can be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) after the lamination process, various techniques (e.g., nipper rolls, vacuum apparatus, etc.) may be used to laminate the substrates to one another prior to this electrical connection.

Abstract: A heatable window (e.g., vehicle windshield) includes a heatable layer including one or more conductive layers. The heatable layer may be a single layer conductive coating, or alternatively may be a multi-layer heatable coating including one or more dielectric layer(s) in addition to one or more heatable conductive layer(s). Bus bars are provided so that a voltage may be applied across at least one conductive layer of the coating, in order to heat the layer so that the coating generates heat for defogging, deicing and/or desnowing the window. At least a portion of one of the bus bars includes both an underlying conductive base layer portion, and an overlying conductive braid portion that is conductively attached to the conductive base portion. The braid portion significantly increases the current capacity of the bus bar portion if so desired.

Abstract: A microwave-heatable apparatus for defrosting a windshield includes a housing that has first and second sections integral with each other and selectively movable between open and closed positions. The first and second sections each has an elongated slot formed therein and for advantageously allowing air to flow upwardly therethrough respectively. The first and second sections each has a chamber defined about the respective slots thereof and a plurality of heat-absorbing members positioned within the chambers respectively for dissipating thermal energy so that as air passes upwardly through the slot the air will become heated.

Abstract: An electrically conductive coating of an automotive heatable windshield has a communication window having an enhanced frequency selective surface having arranged passing areas (uncoated areas) and blocking areas (coated areas) to pass and block, respectively, predetermined wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the frequency selective surface includes a pattern having a first plurality of arcuate break lines on one side of a dividing break line and a second plurality of arcuate break lines on the other side of the dividing break line. An elongated continuous blocking area is between adjacent break lines. The arcuate break lines of a group are nested within one another with the arcuate break line having the largest radius of curvature adjacent the dividing break line. The break lines each have alternating blocking and passing areas.

Abstract: A transparency, e.g. a laminated windshield has a pair of spaced bus bars on an electric conductive member e.g. an electric conductive coating on a glass sheet. The perimeter of the coating is spaced from the peripheral edge of the sheet to provide a non-conductive strip. Ends the bus bars extend into the non-conductive strip to minimize/eliminate hot spots at the end portions of the bus bars. An additional feature to reduce hot spots includes bus bars having different lengths with portions of the coating between the bus bars not extending beyond the ends of the longer bus bar. In another, the windshield has a vision area, a bus bar between the top edge of the coating and the top edge of the vision area and a bus bar between the bottom edge of the coating and bottom edge of the vision area.

Abstract: A heatable laminate includes a first substrate; an electrically conductive member on a portion of the first substrate; a pair of spaced bus bars each bus bar being in electrical contact with the electrically conductive member; a second substrate overlaying and the electrically conductive member and bus bars; an interlayer positioned between the two substrates; a first leads connected to one of bus bars and a second lead connected to the other bus bar, each lead having an end extending beyond the periphery of the first substrate to provide external electrical access to the bus bars; an electrically non-conductive sleeve over selected portions of each of the lead; and air barriers along selected portions of the sleeve to prevent air from enter between the substrates.

Abstract: A heated window consisting of at least one rigid pane, at least two current busbars of different polarity placed substantially parallel close to one edge of the heated window at different distances from the edge and linear heating resistors electrically connected thereto, characterized in that the busbars lie sideways to the heating resistors and the heating resistors (2) start from a first current busbar (4) and, passing over the other current busbar (3) while being insulated therefrom, in the direction of the window surface and in at least one loop, return toward the other current busbar (3) and are electrically connected thereto.

Abstract: 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.