Sealed structural passenger window assembly and method of forming same

摘要

A window assembly and method for use with a mobile platform, and particularly with commercial or military aircraft. The window assembly includes a composite window panel that is secured to the fuselage skin of the aircraft. A tempered glass fairing is used in connection with a retainer clip and a plurality of sealing components to seal the fairing over the window panel in a manner that provides a sealed air gap between the inner surface of the fairing and the outer surface of the window panel. The fairing and the sealed air gap help to thermally isolate the window panel from the significant ambient temperature changes that are encountered during flight of the mobile platform. The fairing also provides a hazard barrier to protect the composite window panel from impact by foreign objects during flight. The sealed air gap also helps to control deflection of the fairing to thus ensure that the fairing maintains an aerodynamic profile generally in accordance with the contour of the outer surface of the fuselage.