Patents by Inventor Richard L. Hansler
Richard L. Hansler 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).
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Patent number: 5341445Abstract: An optical coupling assembly is useful for coupling a source of light, having high brightness and being non-coherent and focussed at a focal plane, to a plurality of optical light conductors. The coupling assembly includes an elongated light transmissive coupling member which has a central longitudinal axis and is disposed between the focal plane of the light source and leading ends of the optical light conductors. The elongated coupling member is any one of a limited number of different polygonal cross-sectional shapes. Also, the coupling member can have either a hollow tubular or a solid configuration. The hollow tubular member is coated with a highly reflective material. In one embodiment, the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the coupling member remains constant along the entire axial length of the coupling member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5317484Abstract: Improved collection optics for a lighting system comprised of a light source, reflector and light receptive component include a multi-portion reflector or a non-imaging optical collector having a positive curvature located at an input end to the light receptive component. The collection optics capture additional lumens for transmission through the light guide. The optical arrangement can also collect different colors of light from the source that would otherwise be omitted from transmission through the light receptive component.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1993Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, Kenneth S. King, William J. Cassarly
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Patent number: 5283563Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided with a source of backlighting which augments reflected incident light to provide increased contrast. A liquid crystal cell which does not contain dye, but becomes clear when a field is applied, is sandwiched in back of a liquid crystal cell with a dye and electrically connected so that when the front liquid crystal cell is turned ON to make selected portions of it transparent, the back liquid crystal cell is OFF so that corresponding portions of it are highly reflecting. No voltage is allowed to be applied across nonselected portions of the front liquid crystal and a voltage is applied across corresponding nonselected portions of the back liquid crystal making the nonselected portions of the back liquid crystal clear, producing a display of high contrast. Sandwiched to the rear of the back liquid crystal cell is a clear plastic wedge which is edge lighted.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1990Date of Patent: February 1, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary R. Allen, John M. Davenport, William W. Finch, Richard L. Hansler, Stuart C. Miller
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Patent number: 5278731Abstract: A lighting system particularly suited for an automotive application in which it is desired to utilize a central light source and couple the light output therefrom to a headlamp assembly having a number of conventional components includes introducing an output end of a light guide to the reflector assembly in place of an incandescent lamp, and disposing a mirror at the output end of the light guide to reflect light onto a conventional parabolic reflector. The mirror is preferably planar and serves to direct the light from the output end of the light guide to the parabolic reflector for collimation thereby and subsequent passage through a conventional lens member.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5259056Abstract: A light coupling arrangement for use with a central lighting system having a high brightness light source disposed in a housing includes a plurality of optical fibers having input ends and output ends which are distributed to various spaced apart location in the desired manner. The input ends of the optical fibers are stripped of cladding and compressed together within a first sleeve member so that boundaries between individual optical fiber input ends are substantially eliminated thereby resulting in a color and intensity mixing at such input end which translates to a uniform color and intensity distribution to the various spaced apart locations. A rod member can be disposed in optical contact with the input ends of the optical fibers and together with the optical fibers, slip fit within an outer sleeve member that assists the first sleeve member in maintaining the compressed relation of the input ends of the optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1992Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5257168Abstract: A projection headlamp lighting system includes a light source to generate light, a light distributing arrangement to distribute the light to a preselected lighting position, and a light projecting arrangement at the lighting position to project the light in the desired pattern. The light distributing arrangement includes at least one elongated optical light conductor having respective input and output ends. The light projecting arrangement includes an optical structure in the configuration of at least one stair step attached to and protruding axially outwardly from a transverse end face on the output end of the light conductor, and a collector lens being spaced from the outer end of the light conductor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1992Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5222793Abstract: An improved remote headlamp system includes a single light source operable in conjunction with a reflector arrangement constructed in a manner so as to generate at least two light spots from such single light source. These two light spots are picked up by the separate input ends of light transmissive elements such as optical fibers or light guides. The output ends of the light transmissive devices are directed to either side of the automobile with one side being imaged by a lens or mirror element to provide the spread portion of the standard pattern of road illumination and the other side being imaged by another lens or mirror element to provide the narrow, focused portion of the road illumination pattern. An arrangement for switching between high and low beam operation is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5221876Abstract: A lamp containing a fill of xenon, mercury and metal halide is disclosed which serves as a light source for lighting applications and is particularly suitable for automotive forward lighting applications. The xenon ingredient operates to provide for instant light necessary for automotive applications, whereas, the mercury and metal halide ingredients operate to provide for a long life, high efficiency lamp relative to either a xenon or tungsten lamp. The dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp of the present invention are approximately three-fifths (3/5) of those of a typical tungsten lamp utilized for automotive forward lighting applications. The reduced dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp allows for correspondingly reduced dimensions of a related reflector for such a xenon-metal halide lamp which accommodates the needs of aerodynamically styled automobiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1991Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rolf S. Bergman, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5199091Abstract: A light coupling arrangement for efficiently coupling a light source to a light distribution arrangement includes a solid optical coupling device constructed of a light transmissive material and configured in an essentially planar manner such that the length and width dimensions are significantly greater than the depth dimension. An aperture is formed on at least one side along the equatorial surface of the optical coupling device and allows connection to the light distribution arrangement. A bore, formed in the optical coupling device and having a flat polished surface, houses the light source in a manner such that the optical coupling device can act as a heat sink for the light source.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, William W. Finch, Richard L. Hansler, John L. Henkes, Kenneth S. King
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Patent number: 5198727Abstract: Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The xenon aggravates convection which causes arc-bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamps on unidirectional current upon which a frequency-modulated high frequency ripple has been imposed, acoustic resonance is used to straighten out the arc. The use of unidirectional current permits a reduction in cost and size of the ballast control circuits operated from auto storage battery. Frequency modulation of the ripple broadens the band allowing acoustic straightening of the arc. Additional control of the arc plus reduction of cataphoresis may be achieved through a horizontal magnetic field at the arc, transverse to current flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary R. Allen, Joseph M. Allison, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, Kenneth S. King
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Patent number: 5184883Abstract: In this automobile lighting system there is (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state, (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from the source and an output end to which this light is transmitted by the light guide, (iii) an indicating device at the output end for controlling the passage of light from the output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between the indicating device and the exterior location for receiving light passing through the indicating device from the light guide output end. The indicating device comprises a shutter having an opaque portion, a light blocking position in which the opaque portion blocks the passage of light from the output end to the lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through the indicating device to the lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1992Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William W. Finch, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5184882Abstract: A projection headlamp lighting system includes a light source to generate light, a light distributing arrangement to distribute the light to a preselected lighting position, and a light projecting arrangement at the lighting position to project the light in the desired pattern. The light distributing arrangement includes a plurality of elongated optical light conductors being of different diameter sizes and having respective input and output ends. The light projecting arrangement includes a housing for holding the output ends of the optical light conductors in an array to project a desired light pattern that is substantially tailored to optimally fit a vehicle's field of illumination with minimal obstruction of the projected light.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, Lee E. Barnes, Jr.
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Patent number: 5121034Abstract: Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The high pressure of xenon aggravates convection which causes arc bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamp at high frequency within selected bands, acoustic modes are excited in the fill which straighten the arc and make the envelope more isothermal. Frequency modulation of the input can be used to broaden the band selected for acoustic operation and relax the tolerance on arc tube and circuit parameters needed for a match. Acoustic operation may also be used to effect physical displacement of the arc for beam switching.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary R. Allen, Joseph M. Allison, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5101325Abstract: A thin, efficient and uniform illuminator for large areas comprises a plastic wedge of a series of plastic wedges applied to or formed integrally with a back surface of an area to be illuminated. Light is collected and concentrated from a high efficiency light source. The concentrated light is focused as an input to one or more light guides. The light guides may be optical fibers. The light guides or fibers are fused or mated in some other way to an edge or edges of an optically clear plastic wedge or wedges. The wedge shape increases the angle of the internal reflections of the edge coupled light per unit distance and intercepts more of the light as the wedge gets thinner. To further enhance the uniformity of the illuminating light, light scattering centers may be added to the surface or volume of the wedge. The number of scattering centers over the illuminating surface of the wedge or within the volume of the wedge may be increased along the distance moving away from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, John L. Henkes
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Patent number: 5087218Abstract: Flush and pump flush processes yielding light sources for incandescent and metal vapor discharge lamps are disclosed. The flush and pump flush processes also yield lamps that are particularly suitable for deposition of a reflective coating on its outer surface. For such reflective coated light sources, the associated lamp leads are encased in glass and therefore are protected against any deleterious reactions that may otherwise result from the deposition of the reflective coating process. The light source yielded by the flush and pump flush processes of the present invention are advantageous in reducing the mounting arrangement of the lamps in which the light sources are housed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: February 11, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frederic F. Ahlgren, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, John J. Karikas
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Patent number: 5058985Abstract: This coupling means comprises a sleeve containing a bore in which is located a bundle of optical fibers, at least some of which are of compression-deformable material. The input ends of the fibers, which receive light from a light source, are located in a predetermined plane. The bore tapers from a relatively large diameter at a location in a second plane spaced from said predetermined plane to a relatively small diameter at said predetermined plane. The tapered bore is of such a size that the optical fibers therein are laterally compressed and the compression-deformable fibers are so deformed in transverse cross-section relative to their normal cross-sections that the fibers more completely fill the bore in its relatively small diameter region than in said second plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1990Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, William W. Finch, Richard L. Hansler, John L. Henkes, Jeffrey D. Johnson
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Patent number: 5059865Abstract: A lamp containing a fill of xenon, mercury and metal halide is disclosed which serves as a light source for lighting applications and is particularly suitable for automotive forward lighting applications. The xenon ingredient operates to provide for instant light necessary for automotive applications, whereas, the mercury and metal halide ingredients operate to provide for a long life, high efficiency lamp relative to either a xenon or tungsten lamp. The dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp of the present invention are approximately three-fifths (3/5) of those of a typical tungsten lamp utilized for automotive forward lighting applications. The reduced dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp allows for correspondingly reduced dimensions of a related reflector for such a xenon-metal halide lamp which accommodates the needs of aerodynamically styled automobiles.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1990Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rolf S. Bergman, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5047695Abstract: A method and a ballast circuit are disclosed for operating a xenon-metal halide lamp particularly suited for automotive applications with a direct curernt (DC) levels having selectable amount of ripple imposed thereon. The ripple provides for acoustically straightening the arc between the electrodes of the xenon-metal halide lamp. The DC acoustic operation has the capability of utilizing cataphoresis effect so as to provide a less distracting forward beam illumination for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1990Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary R. Allen, Joseph M. Allison, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
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Patent number: 5045748Abstract: Flush and pump flush processes yielding light sources for incandescent and metal vapor discharge lamps are disclosed. The flush and pump flush processes also yield lamps that are particularly suitable for deposition of a reflective coating on its outer surface. For such reflective coated light sources, the associated lamp leads are encased in glass and therefore are protected against any deleterious reactions that may otherwise result from the deposition of the reflective coating process. The light sources yielded by the flush and pump flush processes of the present invention are advantageous in reducing the mounting arrangement of the lamps in which the light sources are housed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1989Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frederic F. Ahlgren, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, John J. Karikas
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Patent number: RE34318Abstract: A lighting system particularly suite for aerodynamically styled automobiles and aircraft is disclosed. The lighting system emits light from a strip arranged across a vehicle such as the automobile. The lighting system may comprise various subsystems finding application for the high and low beam frontal illumination and rear illumination all of the automobile. Each of the subsystems comprises a high intensity light source coupled to one end of each of a plurality of light pipes or optical fibers with each having their other end preferably positioned relative to a reflective element and lens. The reflective elements are arranged relative to a lens element to provide a prescribed illumination patterns. In one embodiment the lenses are arranged relative to each other and are located across a strip of the automobile to provide a composite beam to serve the needs of the high and low beam illumination patterns for the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler