Aircraft Transparency

• US 20100112355A1
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Cessna Aircraft Company (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Clothier, Brent
• Application Number:
  US12/266,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20100112355A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/412
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0227 using pressure vessels, e.g. autoclaves, vulcanising pans B29C35/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/006 Joining parts moulded in separate cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/561 Injection-compression moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/45 Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2029/00 Use of polyvinylalcohols, polyvinylethers, polyvinylaldehydes, polyvinylketones or polyvinylketals or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/12 Polymers of methacrylic acid esters, e.g. PMMA, i.e. polymethylmethacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/26 Polymers of acrylamide or methacrylamide
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0026 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3076 Aircrafts blades, propellers B29L2031/08
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/778 Windows profiled elements for making window frames B29L2031/005, windscreens B29L2031/3052
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/558 Impact strength, toughness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/71 Resistive to light or to UV
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/006 Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/18 Aircraft blades, propellers B32B2603/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/18 : characterised by the use of special additives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 : comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 : comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/365 : comprising polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 : using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1492 : Structure and mounting of the transparent elements in the window or windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate

Abstract

A hybrid polymeric aircraft transparency is disclosed. The transparency, e.g., window, is easier to maintain because scratches can be polished out of the surface. Further, the transparency is lighter in weight and relatively tough because it is constructed of polycarbonate layers instead of acrylics. The transparency is constructed using injection-compression-molding techniques.

Claims

1. An aviation transparency comprising:

a base layer including a polycarbonate polymer;

an upper layer including an acrylic polymer; and

an intermediate layer including a polymeric material for confining defects to the base layer and the upper layer, the intermediate layer between the base layer and the outer layer.

2. The aviation transparency of claim 1 including an aircraft window.

3. The aviation transparency of claim 1 wherein said polycarbonate polymer is an optical grade polycarbonate.

4. The aviation transparency of claim 1 wherein said acrylic polymer is Polymethyl Methacrylate (methyl 2-methylpropenoate) (PMMA).

5. The aviation transparency of claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer is Polyvinyl butyral resin (PVB).

6. An aviation transparency comprising:

a polycarbonate polymer central layer;

a first acrylic polymer layer adhered to one side of said central layer; and

a second acrylic polymer layer adhered to another side of said central layer.

7. The aviation transparency of claim 6 wherein said first acrylic layer is adhered to said central layer using a first intermediate layer of polymeric material and said second acrylic layer is adhered to said central layer using a second intermediate layer of polymeric material.

8. A method of making an aircraft transparency, said method comprising:

injection compression molding a polycarbonate base layer;

injection compression molding an acrylic outer layer such that said outer layer nests with said base layer;

adhering said base and outer layers to one another using an optically-clear adhesion promoter to form an assembly; and

curing said assembly.