Patents by Inventor Eugene P. Wenninger

Eugene P. Wenninger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4890902
    Abstract: A light modulating material comprising phase-separated microdroplets of liquid crystal in a light transmissive, synthetic resin matrix wherein the index of refraction n.sub.p of the matrix is matched or mismatched to an index of refraction N.sub.o of the liquid crystal optical axis of the microdroplets so that when the microdroplet director is aligned relative to a surface of the material, maximum transmission of light occurs at a selected oblique angle relative to the surface of the material or at a selected narrow angle about the perpendicular to the surface of the material. Such matching or mismatching of indices of refraction may be accompanied by phase separation in an external magnetic or electric field, or by shaping the liquid crystal microdroplet into an ovoid or the like during or after phase separation to align the microdroplet directors thereby endowing the material with a permanent and movable viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Eugene P. Wenninger, John West, Bao-Gang Wu