Hurricane Window Laminate Using a Thin Untempered Inner Sheet

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hurricane windows require thermal strengthening of both glass sheets, which increases manufacturing costs and can result in large, sharp-edged fragments upon impact, compromising the integrity of the polymer interlayer seal.

Innovation Solution

A laminated pane design using a thermally strengthened first sheet and an untempered second sheet of soda lime silicate, boro-aluminosilicate, or alkali-free boro-aluminosilicate glass, with a polymer interlayer, reducing the need for thermal strengthening of the second sheet and maintaining seal integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If both glass sheets are thermally strengthened, then impact resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal strengthening selectively only to the first glass sheet (outer sheet) while leaving the second glass sheet (inner sheet) untempered. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve sufficient impact resistance through the strengthened outer sheet while avoiding the unnecessary cost and weight of strengthening the inner sheet, which does not directly contact impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal strengthening parameter from applying to both sheets to applying only to the outer sheet. By modifying this parameter, the invention reduces manufacturing costs and weight while maintaining adequate impact resistance, as the untempered inner sheet still provides structural support and prevents complete penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If both glass sheets are thermally strengthened, then impact resistance is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidwindow weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal strengthening selectively only to the first glass sheet (outer sheet) while leaving the second glass sheet (inner sheet) untempered. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve sufficient impact resistance through the strengthened outer sheet while avoiding the unnecessary cost and weight of strengthening the inner sheet, which does not directly contact impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal strengthening parameter from applying to both sheets to applying only to the outer sheet. By modifying this parameter, the invention reduces manufacturing costs and weight while maintaining adequate impact resistance, as the untempered inner sheet still provides structural support and prevents complete penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If glass breaks into large sharp-edged fragments, then energy absorption is improved, but seal integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorptionVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal strengthening selectively only to the first glass sheet (outer sheet) while leaving the second glass sheet (inner sheet) untempered. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve sufficient impact resistance through the strengthened outer sheet while avoiding the unnecessary cost and weight of strengthening the inner sheet, which does not directly contact impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The untempered inner glass sheet acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs residual impact energy and prevents the formation of sharp fragments that could compromise the seal. The polymer interlayer also provides beforehand cushioning by deforming to absorb impact energy while maintaining the seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design achieves hurricane resistance with reduced manufacturing costs and weight, while preserving the seal integrity of the polymer interlayer by using a thin, untempered glass sheet that does not break into sharp fragments.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer interlayer between the first sheet and the second sheet and adhered to the first sheet and the second sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the first sheet is a sheet of thermally strengthened glass... the first sheet and the second sheet of the laminated pane are heat strengthened, meaning they are thermally tempered to produce a surface compression generally in the range of from about 24 to 52 MPa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal strengthening: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20260042282A1Light weight hurricane window and laminate with untempered sheet

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 CORNING INC

AI summary

A hurricane-resistant laminated pane comprises a first sheet of thermally strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm, a second sheet of untempered glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm, and a polymer interlayer adhered between the first sheet and the second sheet. A process for making such a pane and a window comprising such a pane are also disclosed.