Humidity Or Temperature Control Patents (Class 359/512)
  • Patent number: 11927748
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a lens unit including a plurality of lenses stacked on each other to guide light to the imaging unit, a heater member used for a heater configured to heat a top lens closest to an object among the lenses included in the lens unit, and a reflection suppressor disposed between a region outside of an effective region of the top lens and the heater member, the reflection suppressor being configured to suppress light reflection. The reflection suppressor includes a first reflection suppressor disposed on the top lens side and having an uneven surface, and a second reflection suppressor disposed on the heater member side, the first reflection suppressor being layered on the second reflection suppressor. A surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the heater member is smoother than a surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the first reflection suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Okada, Katsumi Umeda
  • Patent number: 11889990
    Abstract: An endoscope including: an elongated shaft comprising at least a first shaft tube with a window inserted in its distal end, and an electrical heating device arranged proximate to the window at or in the first shaft tube; wherein the heating device includes a flexible printed circuit board on which a resistive heating element configured as a conductor loop and a temperature sensor are arranged, and a heat-conducting structure connected in a thermally conductive manner to the temperature sensor is applied to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Wieters, Sebastian Jungbauer, Sven Pabst
  • Patent number: 11602760
    Abstract: A showerhead that is attached to a shower arm which extends outward from a wall in a shower to support a base and/or a mirror. The base is provided for decorative purposes or to support the mirror. The mirror provides a mirrored surface that can be utilized by a person taking a shower to more safely, efficiently and effectively shave and/or accomplish other grooming tasks. The mirror attaches to the base, directly to the showerhead or to a tubular post that interconnects the showerhead and the base or mirror. Water from the showerhead discharges adjacent to the mirror. In either configuration, the mirror is more securely positioned in the shower so it will not drop to the shower floor. Hot water flowing through the mirror reduces fogging of the mirrored surface. In one configuration, the base is made out metal to further reduce the likelihood of fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Malco, LLC
    Inventor: David B. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 11485323
    Abstract: A heater includes a heat generation element which includes a heater wire which spreads in a planar manner, and a metal plate serving as a heat dissipation element which includes a material having a high thermal conductivity, which is placed on a vehicle windowpane side of the heat generation element, which is heated by heat from the heat generation element, and which irradiates heat to the vehicle windowpane side. The vehicle windowpane is heated by the heat irradiated from the metal plate serving as the heat dissipation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ooji, Hitoshi Shimada, Kazuya Shibata, Noritaka Terasawa, Masashi Kaji
  • Patent number: 11474417
    Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an anti-fogging apparatus for a camera assembly. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a camera affixed to a substrate, and a thermally conductive plate, the thermally conductive plate positioned in front of the substrate and defining a first aperture aligned with a lens of the camera. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a transparent plate positioned in front of the thermally conductive plate such that the transparent plate covers said first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes an insulating element positioned in front of the transparent plate and defining a second aperture aligned with the first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a heating element affixed to the thermally conductive plate. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a case enclosing the camera, the thermally conductive plate, the transparent plate, the insulating element, and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Lineage Logistics, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Frank Eckman
  • Patent number: 11470265
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and implementations for glare control. A sensor housing assembly is provided on an autonomous vehicle to house at least one sensor therein and protect the at least one sensor from negative impact from an environment including glare from the environment that prevents the at least one sensor from capturing accurate information regarding a field of view with respect to the environment to facilitate autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle. The negative impact on the at least one sensor is determined by a controller, which then activates a glare blocking mechanism in response to the determined negative impact. The glare blocking mechanism being mounted on the sensor housing assembly and configured to assist in blocking glare with respect to the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: PLUSAI, INC.
    Inventors: Jinpeng Li, Greg Seyfarth, Qiaoyu Zhang, Amit Kumar
  • Patent number: 11262561
    Abstract: Provided is a relay lens including a plurality of relay optical systems that are arranged in a long, rigid tube along a longitudinal direction and that re-form an image, wherein each of the relay optical systems includes a pair of rod lenses that are disposed with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction, a barrel that is disposed between the pair of rod lenses along the longitudinal direction, and a positive lens that is fixed to an inner side of the barrel and that has a positive refractive power; and a length of the barrel in the longitudinal direction is larger than a thickness of a peripheral edge of the positive lens in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 11178316
    Abstract: A monitoring camera having a compound window arranged in a frame of a camera housing, and a camera head arranged inside the housing, is disclosed. The compound window has an inner transparent plate, closest to the camera head, and an outer protective window, arranged in a plane parallel to the transparent plate, on an outside thereof, and the compound window further comprises a heating arrangement arranged and configured to supply thermal energy to peripheral areas of the transparent plate. The transparent plate has a greater heat conductivity than the protective window and is arranged in close proximity to the protective window, so thermal energy will be transferred from the heating arrangement to the transparent plate and then efficiently transferred to the protective window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: AXIS AB
    Inventor: Akira Tagaya
  • Patent number: 11163224
    Abstract: A projector includes a cooler configured to cool a cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas. A refrigerant generator of the cooler includes a first blower configured to deliver air to a first portion of a moisture absorbing/discharging member, a first heat exchanger, a heater, a second blower, a circulation path along which the air exhausted from the second blower circulates, and a second heat exchanger provided in the circulation path. The circulation path has a first path along which air after passing through a second portion of the moisture absorbing/discharging member flows into the first heat exchanger and a second path along which air exhausted from the first heat exchanger is delivered to the second portion. The second heat exchanger exchanges heat between the air flowing along the first path and the air flowing along the second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11128789
    Abstract: A system includes a lens mount defining an inner bore that includes inward facing threads for engaging a lens component, with a lens opening at one end of the lens mount. The lens mount includes outward facing threads for engaging a camera housing. A first seal ring is included inside the inner bore for sealing against the lens component. A second seal ring is included on an outside of the lens mount for sealing against the camera housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Danicich, Curtis Wicks
  • Patent number: 10989994
    Abstract: The projector includes a cooler cooling a cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas. A refrigerant generator of the cooler includes a moisture absorption/desorption member, a first blower feeding air to the moisture absorption/desorption member, a first heat exchanger, a second blower circulating air inside a circulation channel passing through the first heat exchanger and the moisture absorption/desorption member, a second heat exchanger at least partially disposed in the circulation channel. The second heat exchanger includes a thermoelectric element, a first heat-transfer member coupled to a heat absorption surface of the thermoelectric element, and a second heat-transfer member thermally coupled to a heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric element. The first heat-transfer member cools the air flowing through the circulation channel. The second heat-transfer member has a heat dissipation section configured to heat the air which was cooled by the first heat-transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Okada, Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10953853
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus, heating means, and a control device. The photographing apparatus is disposed inside a vehicle so as to face a window of the vehicle and is configured to receive photographing light passing through the window. The heating means is disposed inside the vehicle so as to face the window. The heating means generates heat that is given to the window when voltage of an electric power source of the vehicle is applied to the heating means. The control device changes voltage application time that is time period for applying the voltage of the electric power source to the heating means so that a total amount of heat generated by the heating means for a predetermined period of time is coincident with a predetermined amount determined based at least on an outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Oikawa
  • Patent number: 10912152
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus receiving photographing light passing through a window, a heater that is a heating wire generating heat when receiving electricity, a heated portion to which the heater is fixed, and a pair of electrical supply lines that is connected to both end portions of the heater respectively and supply the electricity to the heater. The heated portion releases radiation heat to the window when receiving heat from the heater. An amount of heat generated by the both end portions per unit time is smaller than an amount of heat generated by the heater's portion other than the both end portions. The both end portions of the heater are positioned on outer peripheral side with respect to the heated portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the heated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuichi Shinkai
  • Patent number: 10887496
    Abstract: In an imaging device, a heater heats cover glass from an outer circumferential side thereof. Here, a first heating area and a second heating area are provided respectively on a lower side and an upper side of the heater, and a heating density of the first heating area is greater than a heating density of the second heating area. Consequently, when defrosting the cover glass, it is possible to inhibit water droplets from remaining in a central portion of the cover glass and in an upper-side portion thereof above this central portion, and to inhibit water droplets from being present in the central portion of the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Reiya Ichimura, Nobuhiro Kudou, Suguru Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 10877265
    Abstract: A camera comprising a movable camera head, a transparent viewing window through which the camera head is arranged to capture images, and a heating arrangement for heating the viewing window is disclosed. The viewing window comprises an electrical conductor. The heating arrangement comprises an electrical contact device for contacting the conductor and applying an electric current to the conductor in a portion of the viewing window, thereby heating the conductor in the portion of the viewing window, and a movement device for movement of the heating arrangement in coordination with a movement of the camera head. A method of heating a viewing window of a camera is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventors: Helen Eftekhari, Linn Egelberg, Mikael Persson, Göran Lindfors
  • Patent number: 10843208
    Abstract: A showerhead assembly for dispersing liquid, comprising a back part; a front part coupled to the back part to form a plurality of dispersion chambers; an inlet boss disposed between the front part and back part for connecting a liquid supply line; a liquid supply, rail disposed between the front part and the back part and connected to the inlet boss for leading liquid to the dispersion chambers; and a plurality of support members slidably coupled to the front part such that the support members can slide between the front part and the back part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander Hatton
  • Patent number: 10825958
    Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided having a first transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first transparent electrode on the second surface of the first substrate; a second transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second transparent electrode on the first surface of the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is positioned in spaced relation to the first substrate, wherein an extended portion of the first substrate extends beyond an edge of the second substrate; an electro-optic medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the electro-optic medium is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a printed circuit board mounted directly to the extended portion of the first substrate, the printed circuit board having a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam R. Heintzelman, Xiaoxu Niu, Carl N. Wassink
  • Patent number: 10814786
    Abstract: There is provided with a shooting system for a mobile object. A first shooting unit shoots surroundings of a mobile object via a first transmissive portion. A second shooting unit shoots surroundings of the mobile object via a second transmissive portion. A first heater is capable of heating the first transmissive portion. A second heater is capable of heating the second transmissive portion. A notification unit notifies a passenger of information. A control unit determines a malfunction of the first heater and the second heater, and causes the notification unit to give notification regarding an occurrence of the malfunction. The control unit suppresses the notification by the notification unit when it is determined that the second heater has malfunctioned compared to when it is determined that the first heater has malfunctioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shintaro Ohtaki
  • Patent number: 10795241
    Abstract: An IP Camera includes a heat-generating element, a lens holder, a lens assembly and a heat-conducting element. The lens assembly includes a lens, a front portion and a rear portion opposite to the front portion. The front portion surrounds the lens. The lens assembly is disposed on the lens holder with the rear portion. The heat-conducting element has a thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/mK. The heat-conducting element is in contact with the heat-generating element, and a portion of the heat-conducting element surrounds the front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SERCOMM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 10732325
    Abstract: A hydrophilic multilayer film is provided on a substrate, the hydrophilic multilayer film having a multilayer film layer in which at least two kinds of layers having different refractive indices are laminated in order from the substrate side such that at least one or more of each kind of layer are laminated; and a hydrophilic thin film layer provided on the surface of the multilayer film layer. The multilayer film layer has one or more photocatalyst layers, and one layer of the photocatalyst layers is provided adjacently to the hydrophilic thin film layer. The hydrophilic thin film layer has a columnar structure having gaps extending between the top surface of the hydrophilic multilayer film and the face adjacent to the photocatalyst layer, and one or more of the photocatalyst layers included in the multilayer film layer has an oblique columnar structure including gaps oblique to the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10473887
    Abstract: A portable heated mirror includes a mount subassembly that includes a mount housing and a mount member that is configured to releasably attach the heated mirror to a support surface. The heated mirror also includes a mirror subassembly that is pivotally attached to the mount subassembly by a ball-in-socket arrangement. The mirror subassembly includes a mirror housing that contains a mirror and a flexible heating element in the form of a flexible heat film that contains heating elements and is secured to a rear surface of the mirror for heating the mirror when the flexible heat film is actuated. A battery power source is operatively connected to a printed circuit board that is contained within the mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOWN & COUNTRY LINEN CORP.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Beyda, Robert Passaretti, Gina Barnaba
  • Patent number: 10234651
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes a first lens element and a second lens element. The first lens element has at least one contacting surface. The second lens element has at least one contacting surface. The contacting surface of the first lens element comes in contact with the contacting surface of the second lens element, and at least one air duct is disposed on at least one of the contacting surface of the first lens element and the contacting surface of the second lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 10130985
    Abstract: A processing system employs a processing tool to process workpieces, for example cold working holes and/or installing expandable members into holes. Sensors sense various aspects of the processing. Information regarding performance of the process and/or materials may be stored, for example a hole-by-hole or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, allowing validation of processing. Information also allows dynamic operation of the processing tool. Analysis of response relationships (e.g., pressure or force versus position or distance) may provide insights into the process and materials, and/or facilitate the real-time feedback including control, alerts, ordering replacement for consumable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: FATIGUE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James Ryunoshin Ross, Timothy Howard Johnson, Doug Bakken, Kevin J. Dooley
  • Patent number: 10126548
    Abstract: In a vehicle mirror, a heat generating body of a heater generates heat so as to heat a mirror body. A central side portion and an outer peripheral side portion of the heat generating body configure a thick portion and a thin portion, and the thin portion generates a smaller amount of heat than the thick portion, such that a heating density of the mirror body by the heat generating body is lower on an outer peripheral side portion of the mirror body than at a central side portion of the mirror body. Accordingly, the temperature of an outer peripheral portion of the mirror body can be suppressed from rising suddenly on progression from the outer peripheral side toward the central side of the mirror body, thereby enabling stress arising in the outer peripheral portion of the mirror body to be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO, TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masakazu Aoki, Masashi Kaji
  • Patent number: 9481304
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a mirror heating element and a control. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle and a reflective element supported at the mirror head portion. The mirror heating element is disposed at a rear side of the reflective element and operable to heat the reflective element. The control is operable to power the mirror heating element to heat the reflective element. The control controls heating of the mirror heating element responsive at least in part to a signal indicative of air flow at or around the exterior rearview mirror assembly and the reflective element of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Dykhouse
  • Publication number: 20150138637
    Abstract: A mirror reflector sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. A principal reflector portion has a first radius of curvature and an auxiliary reflector portion includes a curved recess having a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature. The curved recess is established at the second surface of the glass substrate by physical removal of glass from a portion of the substrate. The mirror reflective element is supported at a side of a mirror back plate and an opposing side of the mirror back plate is adapted for attaching the mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with the mirror reflector sub-assembly. A heater pad is disposed at the second surface of the glass substrate between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9022583
    Abstract: A single-substrate mirror element defined by a transflective metal layer—non-metal layer—metal layer coating disposed on the first surface of the substrate and enabled to meet the requirements of operation in an exterior rearview assembly and to provide for stealthy appearance of a light source of the assembly disposed behind the mirror element. The appearance of the mirror element, defined in parameters of the CIELAB color system, is substantially color-neutral, while tuning of reflectance and transmittance characteristics can be achieved substantially independently from one another. Reflectance value and measure of color content of light specularly reflected by the mirror at non-zero angles remains substantially stable within wide range of angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Publication number: 20150085336
    Abstract: An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a reflective single glass element having a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a curved outboard reflective glass portion. The substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion has a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters and provides a first primary field of view rearward of the vehicle that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the vehicle. The curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle that encompasses a blind spot of the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion. The reflective single glass element includes a demarcation that generally demarcates the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from the curved outboard reflective glass portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20150062704
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical article comprising a substrate, at least one of the main surfaces of which is coated with a first coating comprising, at its surface, silanol groups and, in direct contact with this coating, a second coating which is a precursor for an antifog coating, the second coating being formed by deposition, on the first coating, of at least one compound A having: a polyoxyalkylene group, and at least one group capable of establishing a covalent bond with a silanol group, characterized in that the second coating comprises an internal part, in which said compound A is grafted to the first coating, and an external part, which can be removed by washing and/or wiping, resulting from the deposition of the compound A, and in that the second coating is coated with at least one temporary layer comprising at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and better still at least 70% by weight of silica, with respect to the total weight of the temporary layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)
    Inventors: Francis Henky, Alexis Theoden
  • Publication number: 20140368910
    Abstract: A fog-proof device for evaporating fog from a camera's lens includes a glass covering a front surface of the lens, and a light-shielding cylinder mounted to the glass. The light-shielding cylinder defines a through hole. A zigzagging heat-generating portion is formed along a circumference of the light-shielding cylinder, and two ends of the heat-generating portion are separated by a gap. Ends of the heat-generating portion at opposite sides of the gap are electrically connected to two power wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: INGRASYS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: SHU-YUN HUANG
  • Publication number: 20140327964
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The reflective element includes has a plano reflective element and a separate auxiliary reflective element having a curvature. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported adjacently at a backing plate element having a first support portion supporting the plano reflective element and a second support portion supporting the auxiliary reflective element. The auxiliary reflective element is positioned at an outboard portion of the reflective element assembly when the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the automobile. When the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to and operated at the side of the automobile, the field of view of the auxiliary reflective element overlaps with the field of view of the plano reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20140328360
    Abstract: A mount for an optical element such as in a laser, optical amplifier, or other optical system, is disclosed. The mount is a mounting vane (100) for cooling the optical element (125) by a fluid stream. The optical element may be a gain medium generating heat. The mounting vane comprises: an input section with a leading edge (110) for meeting the fluid stream; a diffuser section (130) which tapers to a trailing edge (135); and a Direction of plane section (120) with an aperture for receiving the optical element (125) for cooling by the fluid stream, the plane section arranged between the input section and diffuser section, wherein the diffuser section (130) includes one or more flow guiding fins (140) protruding from the diffuser section. The mounting vane may be stacked with a plurality of other mounting vanes in a manifold. The shape of the vane plate results in a turbulent fluid flow improving the heat exchange between a laser disc heated by optical pumping and a cryogenic He gas used for cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Ertel, Michael Fitton, Tristan Davenne
  • Patent number: 8870394
    Abstract: An anti-fog heat-generating glass system, comprising: a heat-generating glass unit separating an indoor and outdoor area, including general glass and heat-generating glass; a glass surface temperature-sensing unit arranged on indoor side heat-generating glass for sensing glass surface temperature; a control unit which compares the glass surface temperature and a fogging point of the indoor area to control heat-generation of the heat-generating glass unit; and a power-source unit supplying power to the heat-generating glass system to operate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Il Lee, Beom-Goo Son, Il-Joon Bae
  • Publication number: 20140268647
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave transmitting device having a body and a heating assembly. The body can include a transmitting end and a receiving end. The heating assembly can be disposed on at least a portion of the transmitting end of the body. The heating assembly can include an electrically resistive element having an electrical connector. The heating assembly can also include a first electrically non-conductive film disposed over the electrically resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Sean Blondin, Thomas Reed
  • Publication number: 20140254015
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a principal reflective element, a wide angle auxiliary reflective element and a back plate. The principal reflective element is disposed at a principal reflective element region of the back plate and has a cutout at a corner region thereof. The wide angle auxiliary reflective element is disposed at the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate and is adjacent to the principal reflective element at the corner region of the principal reflective element. A single heater pad is disposed between the principal reflective element and the principal reflective element region of the back plate and between the wide angle auxiliary reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate. When powered, the single heater pad heats the principal reflective element and the wide angle auxiliary reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Donald S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 8746901
    Abstract: A fogless shower mirror includes a mirror assembly having an elongated hollow body which has a thin, rectangular-shaped mirror frame section on which is mounted a mirror plate, and an upper rearwardly curved water supply conduit section. A rectangular slab-shaped reservoir within the mirror frame communicates at the upper end thereof with a bore through the water supply conduit, which has at an outer end thereof a vertically disposed water fill aperture. The reservoir and water supply conduit are filled with warm water, and the mirror assembly is releasably attached to a mirror support stand attached to a shower enclosure wall. The mirror plate is heated by the warm water in the reservoir to thus resist fogging caused by condensation of water vapor, Water cooled by warming the mirror plate trickles from a small drain hole in the reservoir and is replenished with warm water from the water supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
  • Patent number: 8699128
    Abstract: A laser scanning microscope includes a culture vessel that accommodates a specimen and is capable of maintaining an interior temperature and humidity thereof, and an optical system space adjacent and optically connected to the culture vessel. The optical system space includes a scanner that two-dimensionally scans ultrashort pulsed laser light across the specimen; an objective lens that focuses the scanned ultrashort pulsed laser light on the specimen and collects light coming from the specimen; a dichroic mirror, disposed between the scanner and the objective lens, that splits off the light coming from the specimen from the laser light; a photodetector that detects the split-off light coming from the specimen; and an outer cover, provided so as to surround the optical system space, that blocks light coming from outside the optical system space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamashita, Tatsuo Nakata
  • Patent number: 8667623
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods involve a showerhead that directs a stream of fluid through a portion of a cavity in a direct heat transfer relationship with a reflective surface prior to directing a stream out of the cavity and through a plurality of apertures toward a user. In an illustrative example, the user may view an image on the reflective surface while being sprayed with the plurality of streams in a steam filled environment. In some examples, the showerhead may include an inlet configured to direct the fluid toward the reflective surface as it enters the cavity. In some examples, the showerhead may operate to substantially reduce or prevent condensation from forming on the reflective surface by promoting heat transfer from the fluid to the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Clifson Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas G. Paget
  • Patent number: 8619376
    Abstract: A lens support frame includes an annular body portion; a large diameter lens holding groove on an inner peripheral surface of the body portion which is open on one side; a small diameter lens holding groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the body portion and is open on the one side; and large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions formed on inner peripheral surfaces of a large diameter lens holding groove and the small diameter lens holding groove, respectively, and allow an adhesive to be injected into the large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions through end openings thereof on the one side, the end opening of the small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depression being communicatively connected with the large-diameter-groove lens-bonding depression. Circumferential positions of the large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions are mutually different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Kota Miya
  • Patent number: 8608323
    Abstract: A barrier layer capable of preventing permeability of moisture, oxygen, other gases, solvents and volatile organic compounds is provided. The barrier layer includes a surface profile undulating in all directions. Further, the surface profile is characterized by the absence of non-undulating surface, straight lines and sharp edges. Further, the surface profile bends in reaction to at least one of thermal stress, mechanical stress, and load caused by deformation of an adjoining substrate or layer. This allows the barrier layer to stretch and shrink in all directions in a plane along the surface profile of the barrier layer and prevents cracking of the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Moser Baer India Limited
    Inventor: Joost Muller
  • Patent number: 8602573
    Abstract: An electronics module is attachable to an exterior mirror of a vehicle and supports a camera and/or a display. The electronics module may be an add-on device that is retrofittable to the exterior mirror. The display may be arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Velvac Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert R. Brester
  • Publication number: 20130314791
    Abstract: The mirror includes a flexible support layer with at least one metallic layer and electrical contacts on the support layer, wherein the metallic layer forms the mirror and contains interruptions smaller than 100 ?m, through which metallic layer an electric current applied to the mirror to heat the mirror is evenly distributed along the metallic layer, which has a thickness of about 700 nm or less. The interruptions are so constructed as to avoid hot spots in the metallic layer when heated. The mirror and its heating functions are produced on one production line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: PolylC GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ullmann, Walter Fix
  • Publication number: 20130308190
    Abstract: A method for achieving and maintaining a substantially fog-free mirror surface in a hot water shower. The method involves locating a thin acrylic mirror in a flow of hot water having a water temperature in an enclosed shower for a treatment period of time of 10 seconds or less to treat the mirror to bring the mirror to a temperature substantially the same as the water temperature to achieve a substantially fog free mirror surface. The treated mirror maintains the substantially fog free mirror surface for a period of time at least 18 times the treatment time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: The Cumberland Companies, LLC
    Inventor: The Cumberland Companies, LLC
  • Patent number: 8419196
    Abstract: An optical mirror comprising: a mirror body having a reflective surface; a waffle structure that is connected to a surface opposite to the reflective surface of the mirror body, the waffle structure comprising partition walls, wherein at least one of the partition walls includes a heat generation part; and a power supply part configured to supply power to the heat generation part, wherein the partition walls and the mirror body are made of a same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Kume, Hajime Takeya
  • Patent number: 8398234
    Abstract: Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, inc.
    Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Brij P. Singh, Aladin B. Ferian, III, Timothy H. Morgan, Debra N. Welchel, Matrice B. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8390908
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser and a first optical element that are fixed on a single continuous member. A second optical element, which is a diffraction optical element, has a diffracting surface in which a plurality of elliptical grooves is formed and which includes a diffracting portion power such that a change in the beam waist position in a main scan direction and a sub-scan direction due to temperature variation in the optical scanning apparatus becomes substantially zero. The member on which the semiconductor laser and the first optical element are fixed has a linear coefficient of expansion such that the change in the beam waist position becomes substantially zero even when there is temperature variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohji Sakai
  • Patent number: 8380393
    Abstract: A variably dimmable window system including a variably dimmable window having a light transmissivity; a controller in communication with the variably dimmable window, wherein the controller is configured to determine a target transmissivity to adjust the light transmissivity to correspond to the target transmissivity; and a navigational input in communication with the controller, wherein the target transmissivity is determined, in part, based on the navigational input. Methods for controlling the light transmissivity of a variably dimmable window mounted on a vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Akitoshi Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 8366283
    Abstract: A reduced fogging mirror configured to be removably mounted to a surface such as a shower surface is disclosed. The reduced fogging mirror includes a reflective substrate and a foam backing attached to the reflective substrate. The foam backing is used as an insulator to keep the temperature of the reflective surface from fluctuating. This allows the reflective surface to maintain a temperature similar to a shower's water and steam, reducing the fogging on the reflective substrate. The foam backing is also configured to retain water such that the reduced fogging mirror can be adhered to the shower surface using water tension between the foam backing and the shower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: SA Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sierra
  • Publication number: 20120281179
    Abstract: Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Brij P. Singh, Aladin B. Ferian, III, Timothy H. Morgan, Debra N. Welchel, Matrice B. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120212817
    Abstract: A self heating inspection mirror for dental use has a pencil like handle with an angled mirror. A resistance wire heating coil is surrounded by wafers of insulation and lies in contact with the mirror. Leads pass down the handle to a plug and socket. The socket is in the battery compartment which allows the operator to unplug the handle and immerse the mirror and handle as a unit. The battery compartment has an integral switch for connecting the battery to the heating coil The 3V rechargeable lithium battery maintains the lightweight mirror at 43EC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Craig Moore