Guardian Industries Corporation

Centre Luxembourgeois De Recherches Pour Le Verre Et La Ceramique S.a. (c.r.v.c.)

Central Glass Company, Limited

Guardian Glass, LLC

Guardian Europe S.a.r.l.

Duane O Recker

Robert A Vandal

Jean-Marc Sol

Yei-Ping (Mimi) H Wang

Kevin J O'Connor

Greg Brecht

Yei-ping Wang

Shane Hadfield

Keith Aldrich

Mark A Schreiner

Darrin Neitzke

Kevin O'CONNOR

Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for sealing insulating glass (IG) units via an adhesive. The adhesives of certain example embodiments may be applied to the inner surface(s) of the substrates that form the IG unit and/or an outer surface of the spacer, without first priming and/or cleaning the surface(s). These adhesives may be silanol-inclusive moisture-cured adhesives. In certain example instances, the adhesive may be moisture-cured at ambient or other conditions such that the component and the substrate are adapted to survive large temperature fluctuations and vibrational shocks.

Insulated glass units including silanol-inclusive adhesives, and/or associated methods

Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened.

Modifiable slider glass assemblies for utility cabs and vehicles, and/or methods of making the same

In certain example embodiments, a solar collector system including a plurality of reflectors is provided. Each reflector has a stiffening rib associated therewith and is attached thereto on a side facing away from the sun. At least one area on each stiffening rib is suitable for accommodating a polymer-based adhesive for bonding the rib to a side of the associated reflector facing away from the sun. Each stiffening rib is formed so as to substantially match a contour of the associated reflector. At least two of each rib, the associated reflector, and the adhesive have respective coefficients of thermal expansion within about 50% of one another. Each stiffening rib is sized and positioned on the associated reflector so as to increase an EI value thereof at least about 10 times or to at least about 9,180 pascal meters. Methods of making the same also are provided in certain example embodiments.

Stiffening members for reflectors used in concentrating solar power apparatus, and method of making same

A glazing edge seal is provided so as to include an embedded stiffener which is embedded in a polymer inclusive base portion of the edge seal. The embedded stiffener is flexible so as to allow the base portion of the edge seal to be easily formed to an appropriate shape, but is rigid enough to maintain that formed shape while adhesive sets and/or cures. In certain example embodiments, the bottom surface of the edge seal is provided with a cut-out portion or cavity for receiving an adhesive(s) between the glazing and a main body of the edge seal, thereby permitting the adhesive to be controlled within a defined area, and/or to a defined thickness, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Vehicle glazing edge seal with embedded stiffener

A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made by (a) forming reflective coating on a thin substantially flat glass substrate (the thin glass substrate may or may not be pre-bent prior to the coating being applied thereto), (b) optionally, if the glass substrate in (a) was not prebent, then cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member to the thin bent glass substrate with the coating thereon from (a) and/or (b), the plate or frame member (which may be another thicker pre-bent glass sheet, for example) for maintaining the thin glass substrate and coating thereon in a desired bent orientation in a final product which may be used as parabolic trough or dish type reflector in a concentrating solar power apparatus or the like.

Parabolic trough or dish reflector for use in concentrating solar power apparatus and method of making same

Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for bonding automotive brackets for sensors, rear view mirrors, and/or other components to an interior surface of the glass. The adhesive films of certain example embodiments may be film-based adhesives that may be die-cut and pre-applied to the brackets or components. They may have a good initial adhesion or green strength immediately upon contact with the glass. In certain example instances, the films may be applied and successfully bond to the glass at near ambient temperature conditions to a strength level adequate to meet operational specifications for the component in under 72 hours.

Techniques for mounting brackets to glass substrates for automotive applications

A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made by (a) forming a reflective coating on a thin substantially flat glass substrate (the thin glass substrate may or may not be pre-bent prior to the coating being applied thereto), (b) optionally, if the glass substrate in (a) was not prebent, then cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member to the thin bent glass substrate with the coating thereon from (a) and/or (b), the plate or frame member (which may be another thicker pre-bent glass sheet, for example) for maintaining the thin glass substrate and coating thereon in a desired bent orientation in a final product which may be used as parabolic trough or dish type reflector in a concentrating solar power apparatus or the like.

Certain example embodiments relate to a window assembly for a vehicle. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. An elongated upper rail includes first and second upper rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top pin attached to the slidable panel. An elongated lower rail includes first and second lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. The upper and lower rails are connected to the fixed panel. The first upper rail channel and the first lower rail channel are provided at a first depth and the second upper rail channel and the second lower rail channel are provided at a second depth. The slidable panel is substantially flush with the fixed panel when closed, but is slightly inwardly and laterally movable when being opened. Safety features may include, for example, teeth provided to the upper and/or lower elongated rails of the window assembly and/or a downwardly extending flange provided to the upper rail of the window assembly. Water management features may include, for example, one or more sealing bulbs provided to the window assembly and/or a draining recess or channel provided to the lower rail of the window assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, IN, United States of America

Duane O Recker