Aviation assembly glass in which the entire surface is covered by a robust film covered in an adhesive interlayer

Abstract

The invention relates to a laminated glazing consisting of a first transparent sheet (1) of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm or of polymeric material with a thickness of 1.2 to 8 mm, which is intended to face towards the outside atmosphere in the installed position of the glazing, and which is bonded to a second transparent sheet (3) of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.2 mm or of polymeric material with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, which is intended to face towards the interior volume of the installation structure in the installed position of the glazing, by means of a transparent adhesive interlayer (2) with a thickness of 0.4 to 5 mm, and a strong film (9) of transparent polymeric material with a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm is interposed in the adhesive interlayer (2) over the entire surface of the laminated glazing; its use in aviation.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to lightweight aerospace assembly glass, such as for helicopters and business jets with pressurized cabins, which requires two important functions: bird strike resistance and failure safety in the event of structural glass panel breakage.

[0002] This type of lightweight assembled glass typically consists of an outer glass sheet (exposed to the outside atmosphere) bonded via an adhesive interlayer to an inner sheet of a robust, transparent polymer material (in contact with the internal volume of the mounting structure). The glass sheet is made of float, soda-lime, aluminosilicate, or borosilicate inorganic glass, which may be chemically strengthened, heat-tempered, or tempered. The polymer material sheet is, for example, made of coated polyester (CPE), such as polyester (PET) with a polysiloxane scratch-resistant coating on its free surface exposed to the internal volume of the mounting structure. The adhesive interlayer is preferably made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but may also be made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), molding resin, or ionomer resin. An example of this type of assembled glass is shown in application WO 2012 085433A1.

[0003] Bird strikes first occur on the outer glass sheet, but the "bird strike" function is performed by the inner sheet of polymer material (also known as the "shatterproof layer"): this rear polymer sheet does not tear and encases the bird.

[0004] The assembled glass is connected to the mounting structure via a composite insert protruding beyond at least one of the laminated assembled glass assembly, either through the adhesive insert layer or through the adhesive insert layer itself protruding beyond at least one of the laminated assembled glass assembly, thereby achieving a "fail-safe" function. In the first case, the overhang of the composite insert is bonded between an outer frame and an inner frame connected to the structure; these two frames are bolted to the structure via bolts through holes in the overhang of the composite insert and in the two frames. In the second case, the overhang of the adhesive insert layer is bonded and clamped between an outer frame and an inner frame, which are bolted to the structure via bolts through holes arranged in the overhang of the adhesive layer and in the two frames.

[0005] The weight of the assembled glass types involved can be optimized while maintaining or even improving the required mechanical properties. Secondly, the inner sheets of polymer materials are almost unfunctionalizable or difficult to functionalize and are fragile. The inventors have focused on reducing the weight of lightweight assembled glass with bird strike and fail-safe features without compromising these characteristics.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the present invention, which therefore relates to a laminated assembly glass comprising a first transparent sheet of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm or of polymer material with a thickness of 1.2 to 8 mm, the first transparent sheet being intended to face the external atmosphere at the mounting position of the assembly glass, and bonded to a second transparent sheet of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.2 mm or of polymer material with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm by a transparent adhesive insert layer with a thickness of 0.4 to 5 mm, the second transparent sheet being intended to face the internal volume of the mounting structure at the mounting position of the assembly glass, characterized in that a robust film of transparent polymer material with a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm is inserted into the adhesive insert layer across the entire surface of the laminated assembly glass.

[0007] Each transparent sheet of laminated glass is either flat or curved.

[0008] Inorganic glass refers to float glass, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, etc., which can be hardened, heat-tempered, or chemically strengthened.

[0009] Transparent polymer materials include coated polyester (CPE), particularly polysiloxane-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or equivalents, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyurethane (PU) and equivalents.

[0010] The adhesive intercalation layer herein refers to polyvinyl butyral (PVB), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), molding resin, ionomer resin, and equivalents. Since the robust film is intercalated within the adhesive intercalation layer, the present invention does not preclude the possibility of it being sandwiched between two different types of adhesive intercalation layers, such as between a PVB layer and a TPU layer. Each of the two adhesive intercalation layers sandwiching the robust film can have multiple functions: sun protection, shading, acoustic functions, particularly through a laminated structure, etc.

[0011] For the purposes of this invention, a robust film is tear-resistant and in which cracks are difficult to propagate; an example is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film approximately 0.2 mm thick.

[0012] The robust membrane strengthens the mechanical bond between the mounting structure and the transparent portion of the assembled glass. It provides bird strike resistance and fail-safety in the event of breakage of the first and second transparent sheets, while eliminating peripheral composite inserts and / or reducing the thickness of the glass or organic components. The result is reduced manufacturing costs and significantly lighter laminated assembled glass. This robust membrane can support functions such as thermal control (sun protection or low emissivity) or can be fully or partially tinted (sunshading).

[0013] The present invention can also replace the inner transparent sheet of polymer material (“bird strike”) with thin inorganic glass sheets or other transparent elements, which provide better mechanical strength (abrasion resistance, routine maintenance) and easier functionalization (scratch-resistant varnish, heating layer, etc.).

[0014] The functionality sought by this invention has been achieved with a robust film not extending beyond the first and second transparent sheets. However, in a preferred configuration of the laminated assembled glass according to the invention, in its mounting position, the free surface of the first transparent sheet is bonded to the outer frame by adhesive at its periphery, the free surface of the second transparent sheet is bonded to the inner frame by adhesive at its periphery, and the robust film extends beyond the edge of at least one of the first and second transparent sheets to reach the edges of the outer and inner frames. This arrangement improves the ability of the fastening system to hold the assembled glass in its notch in the event of breakage of the transparent sheet (“fail-safe”) or even all the transparent sheets (“fully fail-safe”), i.e., ensuring that the assembled glass does not loosen.

[0015] According to a first embodiment of the preferred configuration, the second transparent sheet protrudes from the first transparent sheet to extend to the edges of the outer and inner frames at the mounting location of the laminated assembled glass.

[0016] According to a second embodiment of this preferred configuration, at the mounting position of the laminated assembled glass, the outer frame and the inner frame are connected to the mounting structure by sleeve bolts passing through the robust membrane, such that the assembled glass is clamped by pressure applied on the first transparent sheet (via adhesive) by the outer frame on one side and by pressure applied on the second transparent sheet (also via adhesive) by the inner frame on the other side. This arrangement increases the degree to which "fail-safe" and "fully fail-safe" functions can be achieved.

[0017] Preferably, the robust film is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, preferably 0.12 to 0.3 mm and particularly preferably 0.15 to 0.25 mm, or has equivalent toughness.

[0018] Preferably, the surface of the first transparent sheet within the laminated structure has a conductive heating layer of metal or transparent conductive oxide (TCO). Examples include metal layers of silver, gold, indium oxide (ITO), or fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO2:F). The heating layer disposed near the outer surface of the assembled glass within the thickness of the laminated structure essentially has an anti-icing function.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the laminated glass according to the invention, the second transparent sheet is made of inorganic glass and has one or more functional layers / stacks. The inner sheet of such inorganic glass has higher scratch resistance than scratch-coated polyester. Unlike the latter, it is easy to deposit thin layers in the form of one or more functional stacks, each layer having a thickness of a few nanometers, as can be obtained by magnetic field-assisted sputtering.

[0020] The second transparent sheet facing the laminated structure preferably has a sun-protective or low-emissivity thermal control layer, and its side facing the internal volume of the mounting structure has an anti-fog coating. The sun-protective layer reflects sunlight, preventing excessive temperature rise within the defined volume and / or reducing glare for pilots / drivers / users / passengers / occupants to some extent. The low-emissivity layer reflects infrared radiation corresponding to the heat within the defined internal volume of the mounted glass, thus retaining more heat internally. The anti-fog coating specifically consists of a hydrophilic layer that prevents condensation from forming droplets. This water deposits as a uniform film that does not obstruct vision, is completely transparent, and does not degrade the optical quality of the mounted glass. This is a layer of inorganic oxides such as silica or titanium dioxide, or polymers such as polyurethane, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyvinyl alcohol, formed by liquid, sol-gel, or equivalent methods.

[0021] Preferably, the second transparent sheet is made of chemically strengthened inorganic glass, particularly aluminosilicate glass or soda-lime glass.

[0022] According to an advantageous variant, the composite insert is located within the outer peripheral portion of the adhesive insert layer, facing the outer peripheral portion of the first transparent sheet (opposite to that portion of the first sheet), and extends to the edges of the outer and inner frames.

[0023] Another subject of the invention includes the use of the laminated mounting glass disclosed above in aviation as mounting glass for passenger aircraft, business jets (such as the Falcon F10 from Dassault Aviation) or helicopters.

[0024] The invention will be better understood in conjunction with the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are schematic cross-sectional views, wherein:

[0025] [ Figure 1 ]and[ Figure 2 This shows two examples of glass assembly techniques in the prior art;

[0026] [ Figure 3 ]and[ Figure 4 [ ] are views of two variations of laminated assembled glass according to the present invention.

[0027] refer to Figure 1The laminated glass assembly consists of a 3mm thick chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass sheet 1 bonded to a 0.18mm thick scratch-resistant coated PET sheet 3 via a 3.8mm thick TPU insert layer 2. The PET sheet 3 and adhesive layer 2 protrude from the glass sheet 1. An outer frame 4 is bonded to the outer periphery of the free surface of the glass sheet 1 and adhesive layer 2 using adhesive 6; an inner frame 5 is bonded to the outer periphery of the free surface of the PET sheet 3 using adhesive 7. A sleeve 8 is inserted through holes in the outer frame 4, adhesive 6, TPU layer 2, adhesive 7, and inner frame 5. The assembly is bolted to a mounting structure (not shown) via the sleeve 8, clamping the laminated glass assembly under pressure from the outer frame 4 to the glass sheet 1 via adhesive 6 or from the inner frame 5 to the coated PET sheet via adhesive 7.

[0028] on the contrary, Figure 2 All laminated glass assemblies shown have substantially aligned edges. The composite insert 10 is encapsulated in a peripheral strip of TPU adhesive layer 2, extending between adhesives 6 and 7 to the edges of the outer frame 4 and inner frame 5. Optional and not shown, alternatives such as... Figure 1 The sleeve shown will pass through the outer frame 4, adhesive 6, composite insert 10, adhesive 7 and inner frame 5 to accommodate the bolted connection of the assembly to the mounting structure.

[0029] Figure 3 The laminated glass according to the present invention shown in the figure Figure 2 The difference in the laminated glass assembly is that the composite insert 10 is omitted, and instead a 0.18 mm thick robust PET film 9 covers the entire surface of the laminated glass, except for the surface covered by the composite insert 10. For example... Figure 2 As disclosed, optional assemblies (not shown) can also be bolted together. Eliminating the composite insert 10 simplifies the manufacturing of the assembled glass. Compared to using this composite insert 10, using the membrane 9 provides bird strike and fail-safe functionality, while thinning the glass sheet 1, insert layer 2, and coated PET sheet 3, ultimately reducing the weight of the assembled glass. Even when using with Figure 1 and Figure 2 Using the same type and thickness of glass sheet 1 and coated PET sheet 3, the adhesive insert layer 2 of the latter is simply replaced by a 0.18 mm thick PET sheet sandwiched between two 1.25 mm thick TPU layers 2, which reduces the mass per unit area of ​​the assembled glass by 10% while improving its required mechanical properties.

[0030] Figure 4 The assembled glass and Figure 1 The difference in the assembled glass in the middle is that it will be with Figure 3 The same PET film 9 is encapsulated within the TPU layer 2, also covering the entire surface of the mounting glass. Figure 1 Compared to the assembled glass shown in the image, Figure 4 The assembled glass shown can be adapted to thinner glass sheets 1, adhesive layers 2, and coated PET sheets 3.

Claims

1. A laminated assembly glass comprising a first transparent sheet (1) of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm or polymer material with a thickness of 1.2 to 8 mm, the first transparent sheet facing the external atmosphere at the assembly glass mounting position, and bonded to a second transparent sheet (3) of inorganic glass with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.2 mm or polymer material with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm via a transparent adhesive insert layer (2) with a thickness of 0.4 to 5 mm, the second transparent sheet facing the internal volume of the mounting structure at the assembly glass mounting position, characterized in that, A robust film (9) of transparent polymer material with a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm is inserted into an adhesive insert layer (2) on the entire surface of the laminated assembled glass. In its mounting position, the free surface of the first transparent sheet (1) is bonded to the outer frame (4) at its periphery by adhesive (6), and the free surface of the second transparent sheet (3) is bonded to the inner frame (5) at its periphery by adhesive (7). The robust film (9) extends beyond the edge of at least one of the first and second transparent sheets (1, 3) to the edges of the outer frame (4) and the inner frame (5).

2. The laminated glass according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second transparent sheet (3) protrudes from the first transparent sheet (1) so as to extend to the edges of the outer frame (4) and the inner frame (5) at the mounting position of the laminated assembled glass.

3. The laminated glass according to claim 1, characterized in that, At the installation position of the laminated assembled glass, the outer frame (4) and the inner frame (5) are bolted to the mounting structure by sleeves (8) passing through the rigid film (9), such that the assembled glass is clamped by pressure applied on the first transparent sheet (1) by the outer frame (4) and on the second transparent sheet (3) by the inner frame (5).

4. The laminated glass according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The robust film (9) is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

5. The laminated assembled glass according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first transparent sheet (1) has a conductive heating layer of metal or transparent conductive oxide on the side facing the laminate structure.

6. The laminated assembled glass according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The second transparent sheet (3) is made of inorganic glass and has one or more functional layers.

7. The laminated glass according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second transparent sheet (3) has a sun-protective or low-emissivity thermal control layer on the side facing the laminated structure, and has an anti-fog coating on the side facing the internal volume of the mounting structure.

8. The laminated assembled glass according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The second transparent sheet (3) is made of chemically strengthened inorganic glass.

9. The laminated assembled glass according to claim 4, characterized in that, The robust film (9) is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 0.12 to 0.3 mm.

10. The laminated glass according to claim 4, characterized in that, The robust film (9) is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 0.15 to 0.25 mm.

11. The use of the laminated glass according to any one of claims 1-10 in aviation as a glass assembly for business jets or helicopters.

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