Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle defogging system may include a side mirror defogger, one or more other vehicle defoggers, one or more sensors, and a control unit. The side mirror defogger is independently controllable from the one or more other vehicle defoggers. The one or more sensors are configured to output a signal indicative a substance on a side mirror of a vehicle. The control unit is configured to detect the substance on the side mirror based on the signal of the one or more sensors, and activate the side mirror defogger in response to detecting the substance on the side mirror.

Abstract: A thermal insulation device includes a film unit including inner and outer layers and a thermal insulation unit. The outer layer is mounted to a window of a vehicle. The inner layer has a peripheral portion connected sealingly to the outer layer, and a center portion spaced apart from and cooperating with the outer layer to define a thermal insulation space therebetween. The film unit is formed with inlet holes communicating with the thermal insulation space and a seating space of the vehicle, and outlet holes communicating with the thermal insulation space and open toward the bodyshell, such that air in the seating space flows into the thermal insulation space through the inlet holes and is discharged from the thermal insulation space toward the bodyshell through the outlet holes. The thermal insulation unit includes a heat insulation layer disposed on the outer layer.

Abstract: The present application for patent is in the field of projectile-proof panels and devices and more specifically in the field of visually transparent projectile-proof panels which are light weight and suitable for goggles, helmets and other devices which benefit from being light weight.

Abstract: A dryer attachment for a vehicle, including: a coupler adapted to engage a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct of the vehicle; a flexible conduit coupled to the coupler; and a nozzle coupled to the flexible conduit opposite the coupler; wherein the coupler, the flexible conduit, and the nozzle are collectively adapted to deliver an air flow from the HVAC duct of the vehicle to an object disposed adjacent to a port of the nozzle. The coupler is adapted to engage a vent of the HVAC duct of the vehicle. Alternatively, the coupler is adapted to replace a vent of the HVAC duct of the vehicle. Alternatively, the coupler is adapted to engage a dedicated port of the HVAC duct of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle interior system and associated processes are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a base with a curved surface, and a curved glass article disposed on the curved surface. The curved glass article includes a high modulus adhesive layer located on the second major surface. The high modulus adhesive layer has a modulus of elasticity of at least 500 MPa. The high modulus adhesive layer provides crack resistance to the glass article. Methods for forming such glass articles and vehicle interior systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transportation apparatus includes: a window member; a first heating unit arranged to heat a first region of the window member; a second heating unit arranged to heat a second region of the window member; and a control unit configured to control driving of the first heating unit and the second heating unit. The first region and the second region are adjacent regions. The control unit performs first heating control of making a heating output of the first heating unit larger than a heating output of the second heating unit.

Abstract: A laminated glass includes a pair of glass plates facing each other, a pair of intermediate adhesive layers positioned between the pair of glass plates and in contact with the respective glass plates, a wiring positioned between the pair of intermediate adhesive layers, and one set of bus bars connected to the wiring. The wiring includes conductive thin wires arranged in parallel with each other between the bus bars. The bus bars are arranged alongside a same edge of the glass plates. In an area corresponding to at least a part of a principal face of the glass plates, the conductive thin wires are arranged as one aggregation and include at least one turnaround. A resistance value of each of the conductive thin wires is within a range of 10% or less with respect to an average value of resistance values of the conductive thin wires.

Abstract: A panel heater with at least one flat substrate and an electrically conductive coating is described. The electrically conductive coating extends at least over part of a substrate area and is electrically connected to at least two connecting electrodes provided for electrical connection to the two terminals of a voltage source, such that by applying a feed voltage, a heating current flows in a heating field, which is provided with one or a plurality of heating current paths formed into the conductive coating. The panel heater has one or more measurement current paths formed into the electrically conductive coating, which differ at least in sections from the heating current paths. The heating and measurement current paths are formed into the electrically conductive coating by coating-free separating regions. A method for operation and use of the panel heater is also described.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: An air duct system may employ an HVAC case having an exit air duct and a return air duct, a windshield with an interior surface, an approximately vertical duct, and a horizontal duct. Ducts mount to the windshield and each define an interior passageway with the interior surface of the windshield and a second, return air, passageway. The interior passageway may receive air from the exit air duct and the second passageway may return air to the return air duct. End chambers of each duct reverse air direction 180 degrees. Air of each interior passageway may warm an adjacent area of the windshield that forms part of each interior passageway and a windshield wiper. The first air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a maximum non-park wiper position and the second air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a wiper park position.

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.

Abstract: A transparent windowpane including a resistive heating coating that extends over a substantial part of a surface of the windowpane, and over a main field of view, and which is electrically connected, at least indirectly, with at least two busbars such that, when a power supply voltage is applied between the two busbars, a current flows between the busbars, heating a heating field in the heating coating. The heating field includes at least one semiresistive region in direct contact with at least one busbar, and including conducting strands in a form of thin longitudinal wires, the ohmic resistance of which is less than that of the heating coating. At least one conducting strand has a transverse conducting structure in electrical contact with the semiresistive region.

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.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation, to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

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).

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.

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: A window defrost assembly having a substrate, a polycarbonate film adjacent to the substrate, a heater grid located between the substrate and the polycarbonate film, and a light control layer located between the polycarbonate film and the heater grid. The heater grid includes first and second bus bars and a plurality of grid lines extending between and connecting to the first and second bus bars.

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: 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: 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 insulated glass (IG) assembly for windows which includes an internal lighting system is disclosed. The IG assembly includes two or more panes of glass, a spacer and a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The spacer separates glass panes and provides the hermetic seal for the IG assembly. The spacer extends around the periphery of the glass panes with a portion of its ends overlapping to form a sealed corner joint. The LED light strip includes a plurality of LED lamps connected in series by thin electrical contact wires fixed in a flexible nonconductive substrate. The LED strip is fixed to the spacer and extends around the periphery of the insulated glass unit. The lead wires from the LED light strip pass through the corner joint between the overlapped ends of the spacer. The LED light systems provide dependable illumination but emit relatively little thermal energy. Consequently, the LED light system maintains the thermal insulating properties of an insulated glass unit.

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: A heatable vehicle window includes a bottom bus bar and a plurality of top bus bars. Voltages or electric potentials applied to the top bus bars are different, so that a first one of the top bus bars is at a given electric potential and another one of the top bus bars is at another electric potential (i.e., the voltages/potentials are offset from one another). The degree to which the top bus bar voltages/potentials are offset relative to one another is a function of the distance each respective bus bar is from the bottom bus bar across the heatable layer(s). Given a substantially continuous heatable layer(s), this can in certain example embodiments enable approximately uniform heating of the window (e.g., laminated vehicle windshield, laminated vehicle backlite, or laminated vehicle sidelite).

Abstract: A glass pane including at least a glass sheet provided with heating strips powered by collectors, the heating strips being divided in groups. The power supply of the different groups is provided sequentially, each group being powered once per sequence. The supply is provided by a device equipped to measure the outside temperature and the temperature of the outer surface of the glass, to determine a minimum heating time for each group according to the outside temperature, and to maintain the heating in the group as long as the outer surface temperature of the glass opposite the group is not higher than the melting point of ice.

Abstract: A window, in particular for mounting in an inclined roof surface, comprising a frame structure and a relative thereto openable sash structure with an insulating pane (6), the frame and the sash structures comprising top, bottom and side members (21-24) in the form of solid profiles which are for the major part made from a thermally well insulating material. For providing a good heat-transmission from the interior side of the sash structure to border areas of the insulating pane a passive heat bridge has been established at least in the areas (30, 31) around the corners of the sash bottom member (21) and the adjacent side members (24), said heat bridge being of a well heat-conducting material and established in connection with or through said bottom and side members (23, 24) of the sash structure.

Abstract: A heatable vehicle window including at least three different heating zones. A conductive coating is divided into at least three different heatable coating portions which are spaced apart from one another. A top bus bar includes a step or protruding portion which extends toward the bottom bus bar at an area of an intermediate one of the heatable coating portions. This protruding portion enables, for example and without limitation, a rain sensor or toll device to efficiently transmit and/or receive signals (e.g. IR signals, RF signals, or the like) through the window at an area behind the protrusion where the coating has been deleted. Because of the division of the coating into at least three different heatable coating portions, approximately uniform current distribution is enabled along the top bus bar (even at the protruding portion thereof) so as to reduce the likelihood of overheating.

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 vehicle window (e.g., windshield, sidelite or backlite) includes a multi-layer coating formed on a substrate. The multi-layer coating includes at least one dielectric layer and at least one conductive layer. A pair of bus bars are deposited on the substrate over the coating, so that at least the dielectric layer is provided between the bus bars and the conductive layer(s). In order to create an electrical connection between the bus bars and the conductive layer(s) of the coating, the bus bars and/or coating is/are heated to a temperature sufficient to permit the bus bars to reach molten or semi-molten form. Portions of bus bar material then flow down through at least the dielectric layer of the coating (i.e., forming a contact hole in the coating) so as to contact the coating's conductive layer(s). After cooling of the newly formed bus bars, the window may be selectively heated by passing current through the conductive layer(s) via the bus bars.

Abstract: A bus bar arrangement for a heatable vehicle window. An electroconductive coating is divided into two separate coating portions which represent two different respective heating zones. A single bottom bus bar is common to both heating zones, while a first upper/top bus bar portion is provided for the first heating zone and a different second upper/top bus bar portion is provided for the second heating zone. The two upper/top bus bars are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another. Conductive bus bar extension portions lead from the respective upper bus bars down to a bottom edge of the window (e.g., vehicle windshield) so that electrical connectors for all three bus bars can be located along or proximate a single edge of the window.

Abstract: A portable defogging device for defogging multi-paned windows comprising an open loop source of low moisture gas and a flexible conduit for introducing the gas into the enclosed space between the window panes. A regulator is used to introduce the fixed rate of flow of gas through the flexible conduit and into the enclosed space so as to remove the pre-existing or previous condensation in the enclosed space. In a double-paned aircraft window, the low moisture gas is introduced through a pressure equalization hole in the window. A method of defogging a multi-paned window comprising passing a low moisture gas through a flexible conduit and into an enclosed space between at least two window panes. The discharge of gas is regulated to a constant flow so as to remove moisture from the enclosed space, wherein the defogging device is deactivated and removed from the window to complete the defogging cycle.

Abstract: The invention concerns glazing sheets with variable absorbing power. The glazing comprises two transparent walls providing an inter-wall space containing one of the two following fluids: either a first transparent fluid, such as air; or a second transparent fluid, absorbing solar energy over a very large part of the spectrum, in particular liquid water or liquid water with added alcohol. The glazing further compromises a circuit for discharging energy in the form of a bead, located at its periphery, preferably consisting of a heat pip-exchanger. The glazing also comprises an apparatus for filling up or emptying the inter-wall space, as well as flexible elements for absorbing the second fluid expansion depending on temperature. The glazing can in particular be used for producing car windows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated pane (1), in particular heating or aerial pane, having electrically conductive wires (2) which are embedded in a thermoplastic adhesion layer (3) and are in electrical contact in particular with at least one connection element, and is distinguished by the fact that the wires (2) comprise at least two conductive material layers, one of which consists of a metal which can withstand high mechanical loads and the other of which consists of a metal of higher electrical conductivity and good solderability. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the laminated pane (1), there are electrically conductive wires (2) which have a core which is made from a metal which can withstand mechanical loads and is sheathed by a metal of higher conductivity and good solderability.

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 and are energized when the windshield falls below a predetermined temperature to prevent condensation from accumulating on the windshield when the truck is moved into a warmer environment. Accordingly, both sides of the windshield are maintained at a temperature greater than the dew point of the warmer environment.

Abstract: A multipane insulating glass for appliances having an inner-chamber temperature which is lower than the ambient temperature, in particular for viewing doors of refrigerators and freezers comprises at least two panes which are of approximately equal size and are arranged at a distance from one another. The distance is maintained by a spacer which runs continuously around the vicinity of the edge. One of the two outer panes is provided with an electrically conductive, transparent coating on its side which faces towards the space between the panes. In this glass, the coating, which is applied to the entire surface, is deactivated in the peripheral area of the pane, containing the contact surface for the spacer. Also, a process for producing coated flat glass materials for such insulating glass materials, as described above.