Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising first and second sheets of glass joined by an interlayer structure is described. The second sheet of glass has a first edge surface in an upper region of the laminated glazing. The first edge surface of the second sheet of glass is configured to comprise at least one region between first and second edges of the second sheet of glass such that in the at least one region the shortest distance along a straight line on the first edge surface of the second sheet of glass connecting a first point on the first edge of the second sheet of glass to a second point on the second edge of the second sheet of glass is at least 1.7 times the thickness of the second sheet of glass. A method of making the laminated glazing is also described.

Abstract: Methods for preparing multi-layer optical laminates include placing an optical film that is free form an adhesive layer between first and second glass substrates that are free of an adhesive layer, placing this laminate under vacuum, and then heating the laminate under pressure to a temperature above the softening temperature of the optical film. The glass substrates are free of an adhesive layer but may include a silane surface treatment. The resulting multi-layer laminate is optically clear and does not show scattering of reflected light by the optical film.

Abstract: Embodiments of a laminate including a first curved glass substrate comprising a first viscosity (poises) at a temperature of 630° C.; a second curved glass substrate comprising a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity at a temperature of 630° C.; and an interlayer disposed between the first curved glass substrate and the second curved glass substrate, are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the first curved glass substrate exhibits a first sag depth that is within 10% of a second sag depth of the second curved glass substrate. In one or more embodiments, the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate exhibit a shape deviation therebetween of about ±5 mm or less as measured by an optical three-dimensional scanner or exhibit minimal optical distortion. Embodiments of vehicles including such laminates and methods for making such laminates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ballistic transparency includes a first ply having a peripheral edge; a second ply spaced from the first ply and having a peripheral edge; a polymeric layer located between the first ply and the second ply; and at least one flexible mounting member having a first end extending within the polymeric layer and a second end extending beyond the peripheral edges of the first and second plies.

Abstract: An improved vibration damping apparatus is provided for use with window structures, including windows used in vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. The vibration damping system includes at least two separate layers of solid material that are typically substantially clear at visible wavelengths, in which the two layers are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance to form a space or gap therebetween. This gap will be of a size and shape to enhance vibration damping when it is filled with a gaseous compound, such as air. The air-film vibration damping system created by the above structure can be applied to an external pane of a window structure, or to the interior pane of a window structure, or perhaps to both an exterior pane and an interior pane of the same window structure, if desired.

Abstract: A window panel including at least one electronic device that includes at least one electronic memory in which is stored information that can be read remotely using an appropriate reading apparatus. An electronic device connected to the memory receives and processes data so as to transmit and enter information to and in the memory in response to signals received in a programmed way by one or more units for detecting and sending data associated with the window panel and/or a device accommodating the window panel.

Abstract: An improved vibration damping apparatus is provided for use with window structures, including windows used in vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. The vibration damping system includes at least two separate layers of solid material that are typically substantially clear at visible wavelengths, in which the two layers are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance to form a space or gap therebetween. This gap will be of a size and shape to enhance vibration damping when it is filled with a gaseous compound, such as air. The air-film vibration damping system created by the above structure can be applied to an external pane of a window structure, or to the interior pane of a window structure, or perhaps to both an exterior pane and an interior pane of the same window structure, if desired.

Abstract: A translucent wall element comprising a first plate-like member (1) of a transparent material and a second plate-like member (2) of a translucent material positioned at the outer side of said first plate-like member (1) substantially parallel to said first plate-like member. Means for coupling light into said first plate-like member are present. The surface (7) of said first plate-like member (1) is provided with spots of light-distribution means (8) at the side facing the second plate-like member (2). The light-distribution means (8) direct light radiation towards the other side of said first plate-like member (1).

Abstract: A window panel including at least one electronic device that includes at least one electronic memory in which is stored information that can be read remotely using an appropriate reading apparatus. An electronic device connected to the memory receives and processes data so as to transmit and enter information to and in the memory in response to signals received in a programmed way by one or more units for detecting and sending data associated with the window panel and/or a device accommodating the window panel.

Abstract: A window assembly for an aircraft fuselage comprises an exterior transparent panel and an interior transparent panel positioned in an opening of the fuselage. At least one of the transparent panels may be relatively lightweight and the exterior transparent panel may be spaced apart from and in overlying relationship with the interior transparent panel. To ameliorate pressure build up in the spaced apart area, a pressure modulator, such as a vent, may be provided.

Abstract: In the disclosed method of fitting a fixed flush glazed window of a high-speed rail vehicle, a first edge of the window is first placed from the exterior of the vehicle in a groove situated on a horizontal portion of the window frame, after which the window is tilted to move the opposite second edge of the window toward the opposite horizontal portion of the window frame, and finally the opposite second edge is fixed to the opposite horizontal portion of the window frame from inside the vehicle. Thus there is no mechanical fixing to the horizontal portion of the window where the groove is located, so that it is no longer necessary to demount all of the interior fittings when changing a window, while fixing the other horizontal portion from the inside minimizes the width of the mastic. Furthermore, installation from the outside means that the window may be fitted independently of the position of the vehicle on the assembly line, since whether the interior fittings have been fitted or not is of no importance.

Abstract: A window assembly incorporating a window frame and seal and a method of forming the same are provided. The window assembly includes a window transparency first ply coupled to a first window structure. A window transparency second ply is coupled to the first ply and is spaced apart from the first structure defining a gap there between. A portion of the first structure, or a second window structure coupled to the first structure, extends over the second ply. A seal is placed, fitted or formed within the gap and between the second ply and the portion of the first structure or the second structure extending over the second ply.

Abstract: A region in a metallic panel that facilitates the transmission of radio frequency signals. The metallic panel may be included in a window such as the window of a vehicle or building. For example, the metallic panel may be used for heating or to reflect infrared radiation. An aperture is formed in the metallic panel to enable radio frequency signals to be transmitted through the metallic panel. The design of the aperture may be selected to enable the transmission of the desired frequency band. Furthermore, the aperture is designed such that there is a taper in the transmission amplitude and/or the phase to suppress lobing effects on the other side of the aperture. In an embodiment in which the metallic panel is used to conduct electric current, the aperture may be oriented such that the current may flow between the openings of the aperture. Accordingly, there may be uniform heating across the metallic panel without blocking the transmission of radio frequency signals in the desired frequency band.

Abstract: The double glazed panel assembly comprises a glass holder frame which includes an inner annular glass supporting surface and an outer annular glass supporting surface which extends along an outer periphery of the inner annular glass supporting surface in a laterally spaced relationship and is raised relative to the inner annular glass supporting surface, and the outer and inner glass sheets are supported by the outer and inner annular glass supporting surfaces, respectively. Therefore, the outer peripheral part of the outer glass sheet provides an inwardly facing surface (facing the corresponding glass supporting surface of the glass holder frame) that is available as a surface for bonding onto the glass holder frame so that the outer glass sheet as well as the inner glass sheet can be firmly attached to the glass holder frame, and a required integrity of the assembly can be ensured even though the panel assembly presents a flush outer surface.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor structure for use in a vehicle includes a first sheet of transparent armor composite comprising at least one layer of polymeric material and at least one layer of tempered silica glass bonded to form a laminated bullet resisting structure and also having a bracket member adapted to hold a second transparent spall resisting layer parallel to and slightly spaced from the inner surface of the first transparent composite layer. A spacing means between the first and second layers forms a chamber between the first and second panels and a desiccant is located within the chamber to minimize the amount of condensation on the surface of the transparent armor surfaces.

Abstract: A laminated strength-reinforced window assembly comprises a sheet of strength-reinforced transparent material, first and second transparent windowpane sheets. The strength-reinforced sheet has a tensile strength value, an impact resistance value, an environmental resistance value, an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. Each windowpane sheet has a respective tensile strength value, impact resistance value and environmental resistance value. The first sheet is disposed over at least a part of the upper sealing surface and the second sheet is disposed under at least a part of the lower sealing surface. At least one of the tensile strength value, the impact resistance value and the environmental resistance value of the strength-reinforced material is significantly greater than the corresponding value of one of the first and second windowpanes.

Abstract: A laminated glazing panel (10) has at least one sheet of glass having a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3.5 mm. The glass sheet has: a) an edge compression stress of between 20 MPa and 80 MPa; and b) a surface compressive stress at a central portion of the glass of between 2 MPa and 39 MPa. The glazing panel may be used as a laminated automotive glazing.

Abstract: A method for adhering/bonding a frame profile (e.g., weather strip, water seal, spacer, etc.) to a substrate (e.g., glass or plastic substrate) in the context of a vehicle window unit. A frame profile is formed via extrusion so as to include both a polymer profile portion and a selectively activatable interface or adhesive portion. Following extrusion, the frame profile may be stored, cut, trimmed, cure, etc. At some point following extrusion, the interface/adhesive is in a non-activated state, or at least in a state where it is not activated to an extent sufficient to bond/adhere the frame to the substrate. To adhere/bond the frame profile to the substrate, the interface/adhesive portion of the frame profile is activated (e.g., heat activated). Following and/or during heat activation, the frame profile is pressed against the substrate, or vice versa, so that the activated adhesive bonds the polymer profile to the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing provided with a mark indicating a security related attribute of the vehicle. In a laminated glazing the mark is preferably located within the glazing remote from the exterior of the glazing which prevents the mark being soiled and from being damaged or removed from the glazing. The mark may be formed from an ink composition that includes a phosphorescent pigment which enables it to be seen in darkness.

Abstract: A wedge shaped interlayer blank is used in the fabrication of a laminate e.g. a vehicle windshield to provide the subsequently formed windshield with opposing major surfaces that are non-parallel and offset at a predetermined angle such that images from a display source that are reflected off the opposing major surfaces of the windshield are substantially superimposed over each other.

Abstract: This invention pertains to coated polymer sheets which are useful as visibly transparent heat reflective thermal control films and which are suitable for use in glazing applications. The coated polymer sheets are characterized by a high transmission of visible radiation (i.e., visibly transparent) and a high reflectance at one or more near infrared radiation center wavelengths (i.e., heat reflective), and rely primarily on the interference effects of the dielectric layers to achieve these results. More specifically, the present invention pertains to thermal control films comprising (a) a thin flexible polymeric sheet having a first face and an opposite second face and a thickness of from 0.