Humidity Or Temperature Control Patents (Class 359/512)
  • Patent number: 7002139
    Abstract: A window mounting system for optical sensors including a removable connection for window replacement, an alignment system to assure precision registration of the window or dome with the sensor internal optics, and thermal insulation to limit heat transfer from the window to the optics housing and sensor. The removable connection maintains precise optical alignment of curved domes with significant optical power, yet also is effective with simple flat windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Stallard, William H. Wellman
  • Patent number: 6991339
    Abstract: An electro-optic device is disclosed having a self-cleaning, hydrophilic optical coating. The electro-optic device preferably forms an external rearview mirror for a vehicle. The optical coating preferably includes photocatalytic layer(s), a hydrophilic layer, and a color suppression coating. The electro-optic device is preferably an electrochromic mirror. The disclosed optical coating exhibits a reflectance at the front surface of the reflective element that is less than about 20 percent, and has sufficient hydrophilic properties such that water droplets on a front surface of the optical coating exhibit a contact angle of less than about 20°. The mirror exhibits a C* value of less than 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, David J. Cammenga
  • Patent number: 6959994
    Abstract: To provide a camera built-in type rearview mirror device with illumination, wherein rigidity of the mirror housing can be raised, the camera main body part can photo a clear picture by extensive photographing feasible viewing angle through a transparent cover, and built-in of the camera module is simple. Mirror housing 2 includes concave part 2C formed in an opening manner downwardly which is arranged in the vicinity of photographing window 2B where lens 5B of the camera main body part 5A is faced, and capable of accommodating an illumination light source. For this reason, opening area of the photographing window 2B is decreased. Also, the circumference of the photographing window 2B is reinforced by the cross-sectional box type form of the concave part 2C. Especially a bulge part with circular curved section is formed so that the lens of the camera main body part may rush in, to thereby decrease the opening area of the photographing window further. Then rigidity of the mirror housing 2 is further raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fujikawa, Yoshinori Hitomi, Hisaya Suzuki, Akiyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6952245
    Abstract: A polarizing plate having excellent moisture durability and a liquid crystal display using the same are disclosed. The polarizing plate is produced by covering all surfaces and sides of a polarizer with low moisture-permeable layers having moisture permeability of 310 g/m2·24 h or less. The rate of change in dimension of the polarizer in the uniaxially stretched direction is ±0.1% or less after left at a temperature of 60° C. and humidity of 95% for 100 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Youichirou Sugino, Eiji Hamamoto, Seiichi Kusumoto, Hisashi Mihara, Senri Kondou, Kazuki Tsuchimoto
  • Patent number: 6866391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to overcome and eliminate the effects of condensation contamination of optical surfaces that are induced by radiative cooling. The invention counteracts the effects of radiative cooling on optical surfaces and maintains an optical system within a very tight limit to the ambient temperature by utilizing a resistive heater element that is in contact with the optical components subject to condensation. In thermal contact with this optical component is a solid-state precision temperature sensor. In addition, there is a matching solid-state precision temperature in thermal contact with the ambient air but thermally isolated from the optical element. Signals from these two sensors are applied to a comparator that functions to generate a data signal when the optical surface temperature is less than the ambient or reference temperature. This data signal is used to activate a solid-state power switch that applies a voltage to a resistive heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Remote Sights, Ltd.
    Inventor: George J. Krausse
  • Patent number: 6840635
    Abstract: An iodine-PVA polarizing element 30 ?m thick is dried by heating at 50° C. for 30 minutes to thereby obtain a polarizing element having a moisture content of 4.9% by weight. A pair of 100 ?m-thick norbornene resin films (tradename “ARTON” made by JSR Corporation) used as protective films are stuck to opposite surfaces of the obtained polarizing element through layers of PVA adhesive agents which are applied on the pair of nonbornene resin films respectively and dried, to form, a polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroe Maeda, Hirotaka Matsuura, Shuuji Yano
  • Publication number: 20040257656
    Abstract: A fogless mirror having a mirror, a heater element and a light assembly. The mirror includes a transparent substrate and reflective coating attached to the transparent substrate. The mirror has at least one light transmissive region. The heater element is mounted with respect to the mirror. The light assembly is mounted with respect to the mirror such that light emitted from the light assembly passes through the light transmissive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Reid C. Sellgren, Robert W. Verhey
  • Patent number: 6831713
    Abstract: A polarizing plate having excellent moisture durability and a liquid crystal display using the same are disclosed. The polarizing plate is produced by covering all surfaces and sides of a polarizer with low moisture-permeable layers having moisture permeability of 310 g/m2·24 h or less. The rate of change in dimension of the polarizer in the uniaxially stretched direction is ±0.1% or less after left at a temperature of 60° C. and humidity of 95% for 100 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Youichirou Sugino, Eiji Hamamoto, Seiichi Kusumoto, Hisashi Mihara, Senri Kondou, Kazuki Tsuchimoto
  • Patent number: 6820985
    Abstract: To provide a display panel, such as a PDP, that can reduce noise caused by a collision sound which occurs when a front panel member and a back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven. Projections (21) are provided on a surface of a first panel member facing a second panel member. The first panel member and the second panel member are connected to each other by a connecting material in areas (23) where the projections intersect barrier ribs (18). In this way, noise (noise level) caused by a collision sound which occurs when the front panel member and the back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ookawa, Junichi Hibino, Yoshiki Sasaki, Katuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040218272
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror includes a heater is mounted adjacent to the mirror and is preferably resizable to conform to a configuration of the mirror. A method of manufacturing a vehicular mirror assembly is provided as well. An exemplary mirror according to the invention has a housing with an opening, a heater and a mirror. The heater is resized to conform with the size of the mirror. The heather element is mounted within the housing adjacent to the mirror. The resizable nature of the heater element allows a commonly-sized heater element to be used in a wide variety of mirror configurations, shapes and sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: MAGNA DONNELLY MIRRORS NORTH AMERICA L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ian Boddy
  • Patent number: 6809303
    Abstract: Devices and methods for applying heat to a platen of a biometric image capturing device are described that remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen. These devices and methods prevent undesirable interruptions of total internal reflection of a prism that result in biometric images having a halo effect. In embodiments of the invention, an electrically conductive transparent material is used to apply heat to the platen. In other embodiments, resistive heating elements attached to non-optical areas of the platen (e.g., the ends) are used to apply heat to the platen. Heater assemblies according to the invention can be used to heat an area where a biometric object is placed, or an area adjacent to where the biometric object is placed, to remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Carver, George W. McClurg, Joe F. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6805453
    Abstract: A medical instrument arrangement includes an operation microscope system (100) and a carrier unit (101) carrying the operation microscope (102). The medical instrument arrangement is at least partially covered by a drape (110). The air inside the drape (110) is removed by a suction unit. The drape (110) is fixed to a portion of the carrier unit (101) at a collar (115). By operating the suction unit at different suction rates, disturbing vibrations of the system during a surgical procedure can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Robert F. Spetzler, Jeremy Diringer, Günther Grubauer, Klaus Gottwaldt, Kirsten Stäbler
  • Patent number: 6796665
    Abstract: An anti-fogging mirror assembly (10) comprises a mirrored sheet (12), a second sheet (16), and a bonding medium (18) adapted to bond together the mirrored sheet (12) and the second sheet (16). The bonding medium (18) has embedded In it a heating pad (20) in the form of an electrical resistance heating element, which, when it Is supplied with electrical energy, heats the mirrored sheet (12) such that any moisture on the mirrored sheet (12) is be evaporated, and condensation of moisture on the mirrored sheet (12) is prevented. The heating element (20) may be in the form of a polyester substrate printed with a conductive ink, and electrical energy to the heating element (20) may be supplied through upper (68) and lower (26) bus bars. A thermostat (54) may be provided such that when the heating element (20) reaches a predetermined temperature, electrical energy is no longer supplied to the heating element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Barry Ernest Pillinger
  • Patent number: 6786607
    Abstract: In an arrangement for storing and transporting at least one optical component, it is the object of the invention to protect the optical components from contamination not only during their storage and transport, but also when installing them in operative condition in the optical projection beam path so as to ensure their readiness for immediate operation. This object is met in that every optical component is fastened in an aligned manner to a carrier that is provided in a vessel, and a manipulator acts on the carrier to transfer the carrier into an optical beam path enclosed by a cleanroom through an airlock opening which is formed when the vessel door is open. The arrangement can be used particularly when optics must be stored and manipulated so as to be protected from environmental influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Jenoptik Laser, Optik, Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Dressler
  • Publication number: 20040165267
    Abstract: An outer mirror includes a mirror base laterally extending from a side surface of a vehicle body, a mirror housing having an opening and attached to the mirror base, a mirror member arranged in the opening of the mirror housing with its mirror surface tiltable relative to the mirror housing, and a plate member having translucency and covering the opening of the mirror housing at a rear side of the mirror member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Oishi, Kazuyoshi Umeki, Yoshiaki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6757051
    Abstract: A projection optical system forms an image of an object in a first plane onto a second plane. The projection optical system has an optical element group including at least one refractive member and plural reflective members, and a plurality of lens-barrel units holding the optical element group divided into a plurality of respective groupings. The reflective members are all held by a single lens-barrel unit of the plurality of lens-barrels units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Takahashi, Jin Nishikawa, Yasuhiro Omura
  • Publication number: 20040105153
    Abstract: A device for reception and transmission of electromagnetic waves in the visible and/or infrared spectral region and/or the UV-region, emitted by a gaeous, liquid or solid material sample, to an analytical unit, preferably for the determination of the temperature of the material sample. The device comprises a heat-resistant sleeve, open at the front end, with a light wave guide coupled to the analytical unit. In order to record the electromagnetic waves of high intensity, the device has a heat-resistant protective element, arranged at the front end region of the sleeve, which conducts electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Ramaseder, Gunter Poferl, Josef Heiss, Manfred Kreindl
  • Patent number: 6742902
    Abstract: On the surface of a light-transmitting plate material 22, a transparent metal thin film 24 is provided, and further, on the surface of the transparent metal thin film 24, a hydrophilic functional layer 26 containing a photocatalytic substance is provided. The hydrophilic functional layer 26 comprises a laminate of, from the side of the transparent metal thin film 24, a photocatalytic layer 28 containing a photocatalytic substance and a hydrophilic layer 30 containing a hydrophilic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kikuchi, Toru Komatsu, Masaki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040079743
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an external mirror which is, in turn, equipped with a defroster. Means are provided for displaying a visual indication on the mirror when the defroster is activated. When a driver operates a manual switch within the vehicle, current is supplied from the vehicle's source of potential to the defroster and to the display means causing it to display an appropriate symbol or symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Tommy E. White
  • Patent number: 6726331
    Abstract: An image synthesizing optical apparatus includes displays for modulating first, second, and third color beams according to image signals and outputting the first, second, and third color beams thus modulated. The optical axis of the second color beam coincides with the optical axis of the first color beam. The optical axis of the third color beam crosses a midpoint between the first and second displays on the optical axes of the first and second color beams. The apparatus has a color beam combining unit at the midpoint and combining the color beams from the respective displays, and a support supporting the foregoing components. The support maintains optical path lengths of the respective color beams from the displays to the color beam combining unit equal even with a change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Miyata
  • Patent number: 6712479
    Abstract: The present invention includes maintaining the region of the proximal lens of a laparoscope at greater than ambient temperature in order to prevent fogging during use. Heating is accomplished using commercially available chemical heat packs generally used for heating boots or gloves, or by using electrically powered heating tape. The invention differs from other anti-fogging devices, which either immerse the distal lens region of the laparoscope in a warm fluid or treat this lens with anti-fogging solutions, in that above-ambient temperature is continuously maintained throughout the laparoscope, since it is known that a cool laparoscope fogs when placed in the vicinity of warm, wet patient tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Seitzinger, David Platts
  • Patent number: 6710846
    Abstract: Disclosed is an environmental control apparatus for controlling a working environment in an exposure apparatus for effecting exposure using exposure light having a wavelength range in which oxygen absorbs the exposure light. The apparatus comprises an ozone removing filter for removing ozone in the air supplied to the exposure apparatus. By use of the environmental control apparatus of the present invention, ozone which is present in the air supplied to the exposure apparatus and absorbs the exposure light can be removed, so that a decrease in the amount of exposure light can be suppressed and hence, the amount of exposure light can be stabilized during exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiharu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6639743
    Abstract: A support member (311) for supporting liquid crystal panels (441R, 441G, 441B) is disposed parallel to a cooling air flow channel formed between a light-incident end of a cross dichroic prism (45) and the respective liquid crystal panels and is constructed by a pair of components for supporting a neighborhood of the ends of the respective liquid crystal panels, so that the gap between the light-incident end of the cross dichroic prism and the respective liquid crystal panels facing the cooling air flow channel can be enlarged, thereby flowing cooling air sufficient for cooling a polarizer (446) and the respective liquid crystal panels in a direction of the cooling air flow channel for efficiently cooling them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6619805
    Abstract: A condensation free mirror to be used in a shower environment consisting of a mirror substrate and a means for detachably mounting the mirror to a shower wall. The mirror assembly is designed for optimum heat retention in order to provide a condensation free surface after being exposed to the warm shower stream. No internal plumbing, reservoirs, or anti-fog coatings are required to achieve a condensation free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Paul F. Roth
  • Patent number: 6583857
    Abstract: In the present invention, a light source portion including a laser resonator of a laser unit is housed in an environment control chamber where the main body of the exposure apparatus including a projection optical system is also housed, and temperature control of the main body of the exposure apparatus and the light source portion is performed so as to maintain the temperature of the entire optical system within the chamber uniform. Thus, the footprint of the apparatus can be reduced compared with when the whole laser unit is arranged separately from the main body of the exposure apparatus. Shift of the center wavelength and change in the spectral half-width and the degree of energy concentration can be avoided, and variation of image forming characteristics including the chromatic aberration of the projection optical system due to the wavelength shift can be suppressed to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20030089702
    Abstract: Devices and methods for applying heat to a platen of a biometric image capturing device are described that remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen. These devices and methods prevent undesirable interruptions of total internal reflection of a prism that result in biometric images having a halo effect. In embodiments of the invention, an electrically conductive transparent material is used to apply heat to the platen. In other embodiments, resistive heating elements attached to non-optical areas of the platen (e.g., the ends) are used to apply heat to the platen. Heater assemblies according to the invention can be used to heat an area where a biometric object is placed, or an area adjacent to where the biometric object is placed, to remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Carver, George W. McClurg, Joe F. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6450651
    Abstract: This invention is an anti-glare device comprising a flexible, soft material that is rolled as a sleeve to be wrapped around, while projecting from an end of an objective lens housing such as is found on telescopic scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, cameras and video cameras to prevent sun glare on the lens or lenses of such devices regardless of the angle of the sun rays otherwise engaging such lens or lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Ted F. Hoganson
  • Patent number: 6443578
    Abstract: A personal shower mirror for attaching to a shower curtain pole or to a sliding glass shower door comprising a mirror element, a housing enclosing the mirror element, a hanging device and an extendable pole connected at one end to the housing and at the other threaded to receive the hanging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: David Patrick Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20020097491
    Abstract: A personal shower mirror for attaching to a shower curtain pole or to a sliding glass shower door comprising a mirror element, a housing enclosing the mirror element, a hanging device and an extendable pole connected at one end to the housing and at the other threaded to receive the hanging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: David Finnigan
  • Patent number: 6421127
    Abstract: Provided are novel methods of preventing deposition on an optical component in an absorption spectroscopy measurement cell. The methods involve performing an absorption spectroscopy measurement of a sample gas introduced into the cell, and introducing a flow of purge gas from a purge gas inlet pipe across a critical surface of the optical element at a velocity effective to prevent deposition on the critical surface. The gas inlet is disposed adjacent said critical surface. Also provided are devices for practicing the inventive method, measurement cells useful in absorption spectroscopy measurements, apparatuses for performing an absorption spectroscopy measurement and semiconductor processing apparatuses. The invention allows for the performance of accurate spectroscopic measurements. Because deposits are prevented from forming on the surface of an optical element, interference therefrom can effectively be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. F. McAndrew, Benjamin Jurcik, Carol Schnepper, Ronald Inman, Dmitry Znamensky, Tracey Jacksier
  • Patent number: 6398366
    Abstract: A display apparatus of the projection type is improved in that, when a lamp valve breaks or is to be replaced, glass fragments and so forth thereof are prevented from being scattered into the inside of an outer housing of a projector apparatus through a cooling air intake port in a portion of the outer casing below the lamp valve and a comparatively small number of cooling fans are used to reduce the size and the weight of the overall display apparatus while optical modulation elements, a light source element and so forth can be forcibly cooled in a high efficiency. Cooling air blasted from an air blasting fan is blasted through an air blasting duct to three spatial optical modulation elements, a PS conversion element and a discharge lamp to forcibly air-cool the elements. A lamp box in which the light source is accommodated and which is removably mounted in an outer housing has a cooling air intake port through which cooling air is taken in to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hara, Takuji Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6394613
    Abstract: An anti-fogging and anti-reflection optical article included a substrate, a first water-absorbing film provided on the substrate, a thin film of high refractive index provided on the first water-absorbing film, and a second water-absorbing film provided on the thin film of high refractive index. The first water-absorbing film contains a water-absorbing polymer and is provided on the substrate. The thin film of high refractive index includes a polycondensation product of a hydrolysate of a metal alkoxide, and the second water-absorbing film includes a water-absorbing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hatakeyama, Hideo Ukuda
  • Patent number: 6365876
    Abstract: A wall-mounted cabinet having a pivotable door with opposed exterior and interior mirrors which can be convectively and radiatively heated to prevent fogging, by a sheet heater between the two mirrors. The exterior mirror is electrically insulated, and the exterior and interior mirrors are grounded to prevent electric shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Parkson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hubert Park
  • Patent number: 6359678
    Abstract: When an illumination light beam is radiated by an illumination system at a predetermined angle of incidence &thgr; with respect to a pattern plane of a mask, the illumination light beam is reflected by the pattern plane. The reflected light beam is projected by a projection optical system PO onto a substrate, and a pattern in an area on the mask illuminated with the illumination light beam is transferred onto the substrate. During the transfer, a stage control system is operated to synchronously move a mask stage and a substrate stage in the Y direction, while adjusting a relative position of the mask in the Z direction with respect to the projection optical system, on the basis of predetermined adjusting position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Ota
  • Patent number: 6315418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of commanding the heating of a motor vehicle rear-view mirror, said vehicle being, in particular, equipped with an electrical device for commanding the movement of the windows, said method being characterized in that the device for commanding the lifting and lowering of one and the same window is used as a command to heat the rear-view mirror. The present invention also relates to a corresponding rearview mirror heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Tornare
  • Patent number: 6290361
    Abstract: A clearing system for external mirrors and side windows of a vehicle provides a flow of compressed warm air to an air distribution unit equipped with a number of openings to direct the flow of air towards the surface of the mirror or a side window. In one embodiment, the air compressor, the air heater and an optional air filter are located in the housing of the external mirror. In another embodiment, a supplemental air distribution unit is provided to be mounted along the door of the vehicle to increase the coverage area of the side window. In a further embodiment of the invention, the system is made adjustable for allowing the most appropriate angle for the air openings towards the mirror and the side window. Provisions are also made to use the system for newly designed vehicles and incorporate the elements of the system into the design of the vehicle door. Alternately, an add-on elements are described to allow existing vehicles to benefit from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Leonid Berzin
  • Publication number: 20010007507
    Abstract: A photocatalytic panel or pane and a method for activating the same are disclosed. The photocatalytic panel includes a transparent substrate having major surfaces parallel with and opposed to each other and an edge surface; a photocatalytic film formed on at least one of the major surfaces and a light source for exciting the photocatalytic film. Light from the light source enters the substrate from a vicinity of the edge surface (or a peripheral portion of the substrate) and then is reflected totally within a laminate of the substrate and the photocatalytic film. The method includes the steps: preparing the photocatalytic panel, entering light from the light source into the substrate from a vicinity of the edge surface (or the peripheral portion and reflecting the light within the laminate in accordance with total internal reflection, thereby the photocatalytic film is excited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Keiji Iimura
  • Patent number: 6244714
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for an external rear view mirror for motor vehicles is provided. The adjusting mechanism includes a mirror glass holder connected to a drive housing. A mirror glass is mounted on the holder, and at least one electrical drive is provided for adjusting the holder. At least one heating element is also provided for heating the mirror glass. A single plug component is provided for supplying power to both the drives and the heating element, with the plug component being adapted to be connected to a power supply cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jens Mertens
  • Patent number: 6238052
    Abstract: A mirror ideally suited for use in a shower enclosure, bathroom or other high humidity environment is adjustable by a user to provide a magnification increasable from unity to three times or more, as well as being resistant to condensation fogging of viewing surfaces thereof. A fogless adjustable magnification mirror according to the present invention includes a ring-shaped frame which holds within an inner peripheral wall surface thereof a clear front viewing window and a rear flexible mirror plate or diaphragm having a reflective surface and a circular shape. The viewing window and mirror plate are held within the frame in a fluid pressure-tight seal, and form therebetween a sealed hollow cylindrically-shaped interior space or plenum bordered on a peripheral longitudinal surface thereof by the inner annular surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
  • Patent number: 6234635
    Abstract: The present invention includes maintaining the region of the proximal lens of a laparoscope at greater than ambient temperature in order to prevent fogging during use. Heating is accomplished using commercially available chemical heat packs generally used for heating boots or gloves. The invention differs from other anti-fogging devices, which either immerse the distal lens region of the laparoscope in a warm fluid or treat this lens with anti-fogging solutions, in that above-ambient temperature is continuously maintained throughout the laparoscope, since it is known that a cool laparoscope fogs when placed in the vicinity of warm, wet tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Michael R. Seitzinger, David Platts
  • Patent number: 6149277
    Abstract: A shower mirror, for attaching onto a shower head pipe, comprising a generally rectangular housing and an attachment device for attaching onto the pipe. The housing has a housing front having an inner frame, which encloses a fog-free, wide view mirror element. The attachment device includes a tubular clip having an opening for selectively mounting onto the shower head pipe, and a pair of ropes which extend from the clip to the housing to support the housing immediately below the shower head pipe. Lights are present on the housing front, which are operable with a push-button. A clock is also present on the housing front to provide the current time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Kim Broussard
  • Patent number: 6088069
    Abstract: A shatter resistant flat panel display system is provided in which the glass portion of the flat panel display system may be coated with a safety film to increase its shatter resistance. In addition, for a flat panel display system having an attached glass touch screen, the flat panel display may be protected from damage caused by the shattering of the touch screen glass and the display system may not be affected by changes in the temperature or humidity of the environment in which the display system operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Reptron Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Farlow
  • Patent number: 6055085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photocatalytic glass pane including (a) a glass substrate having (1) major surfaces that are substantially parallel with and opposed to each other and (2) an edge surface that connects the major surfaces together; (b) a photocatalytic film formed on at least one of the major surfaces of the glass substrate; and (c) a light source for exciting the photocatalytic film. A light from the light source enters the glass substrate from its edge surface and then is reflected totally within the glass pane. Another photocatalytic glass pane of the invention is substantially the same as the above, except that the light enters the glass substrate from its peripheral surface. It is optional to form a prism on the peripheral surface. Alternatively, the peripheral surface may be inclined such that the glass substrate is tapered at a position of the peripheral surface. With this, the light is totally reflected within the another glass pane, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakashima, Seiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6014263
    Abstract: A method for preventing clouding of a lens employed in a high-temperature oxidizing environment, an example of which is a lens of a pyrometer used to sense exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of a gas turbine engine. Clouding is prevented by inhibiting the generation of volatile oxide species that react with high-temperature lens materials, forming deposits including oxides of chromium, molybdenum and other elements having volatile oxide species. The method is particularly directed to a pyrometer whose lens is formed of sapphire (alumina) or silica, and is mounted within a structure formed of a material containing chromium and/or molybdenum, such as a superalloy or stainless steel. The method entails forming an alumina scale-forming barrier coating such as a diffusion aluminide on surfaces of the structure that are subject to oxidation and high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jon C. Schaeffer, Nripendra N. Das, Brian F. Mickle, Ching-Ho Wang, Matthew S. Tomaszewski, Kevin G. McAllister
  • Patent number: 5953157
    Abstract: A fog-free shower mirror assembly comprises a mirror body (16) and an arm (18) connecting the body to a showerhead pipe (12). The arm is connected to the pipe by a T-fitting (14) that diverts warm water from the pipe to the mirror body. The T-fitting also returns the water after it passes through a heat transfer tube (56) in the mirror body. The arm is flexible and contains two inner tubes (36 and 38) for supply and return of the water. The arm is connected to the mirror body by a swivel fitting (20). The mirror body contains a thermal transfer disc (58) positioned between the heat transfer tube and the back of the mirror. Heat from the water in the heat transfer tube is thereby transferred to the mirror to keep it above the condensation point so as to maintain it fog-free. An additional mirror (68) that also is heated by heat from the heat transfer tube may be provided on an opposite side of the mirror body, also in thermal contact with the transfer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Showertek, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Christianson
  • Patent number: 5943174
    Abstract: A monocular night vision device comprising an objective lens assembly for receiving low intensity light; an image intensifier assembly comprising a variable gain image intensifier tube having an adjustable potentiometer mounted external to the tube for converting the low intensity light into a visible output image; a single eyepiece lens assembly for viewing the output image from the image intensifier assembly; and a non-metallic housing for receiving the objective lens assembly, image intensifier assembly, and eyepiece lens assembly, wherein the housing aligns the objective lens assembly with the image intensifier assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly along an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Bryant, Roger Douglas Whiddon, Harrison Lewis Buchanan, Jr., Lapthe Chau Flora, John Carl Nelson, Bradley Todd Philippi
  • Patent number: 5920377
    Abstract: A multi-hood system for correcting individual lens distortions includes an air supply hood provided on an outer circumference of a lens; a plurality of air dividing partitions for dividing the air supply hood into a plurality of divided regions; and a plurality of air supply lines for individually supplying air of predetermined temperatures to the divided regions of the air supply hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 5905594
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved reflector for use in a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) luminaire and a luminaire incorporating such a reflector. The present invention achieves significantly improved light output from a CFL by employing a reflector of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Not only is light output improved over presently employed CFL luminaire reflectors, providing more light and/or allowing for less energy usage, but the luminaire of the present invention also produces a more pleasing light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon L. McGregor, Raymond B. Minor, Gregory E. Hannon
  • Patent number: 5894369
    Abstract: An anti-fogging lens device, having a plural number of optical glass lens elements mounted within a lens barrel, including a first lens element located in a foremost position on the side of a subject and a second lens element located behind and at a space from the first lens element. A spacer ring is fitted in the lens barrel to set apart the first and second lens elements by a gap space of a predetermined width. The spacer ring is formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the lens elements and, on the inner peripheral side thereof, provided with a moisture depositing surface which is formed in a non-flat shape to increase its surface area. The lens barrel is fitted in a cylindrical member, and a seal pocket, to be packed with a seal material, is formed between the lens barrel and the cylindrical member to stop clearances between these two members with a secure hermetical seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harou Akiba, Naotake Mitsumori, Joji Watanabe, Yuichi Torii
  • Patent number: 5889624
    Abstract: A plug-in side mirror assembly removably attachable to a side portion of a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror housing connected to a top end of a support arm and a male mounting attachment connected to the bottom end of the support arm. A mounting structure in a side portion of a vehicle has a female receiving socket therein. The male mounting attachment is shaped and sized to removably plug into the receiving socket such that the support arm and the mirror housing are supported at a predetermined position adjacent to the side portion of the vehicle. A heater and positioning motor are coupled to the mirror housing, and electrical wires extend from the heater and motor, through the support arm, and terminate at electrical blade connectors adjacent to the male mounting attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Paccar Inc
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Dickenson