Patents Assigned to Cardinal IG
  • Patent number: 12296558
    Abstract: An electrical characteristic of a privacy glazing structure and indicative of a health of the privacy glazing structure can be measured at a first time and at a second time later than the first time. In response to detecting a change in the electrical characteristic indicating a change in the health of the privacy glazing structure, one or more parameters of an electrical drive signal can be adjusted to compensate for the change in the health of the privacy glazing structure. The electrical characteristic can be measured at a plurality of times after the second time and compared to the electrical characteristic measured at the first time. If, at any of the plurality of times, the measured electrical characteristic differs from the electrical characteristic measured at the first time by more than a threshold amount, one or more parameters of the electrical drive signal can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Hari Atkuri, Andrew DeMiglio, Michael Eul
  • Patent number: 12253783
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may be fabricated from multiple panes of transparent material that hold an optically active material and also define a between-pane space that is separated from a surrounding environment for thermal insulating properties. The privacy glazing structure may include various functional coatings and intermediate films to enhance the performance and/or life span of the structure. For example, the privacy glazing structure may include a low emissivity coating and a laminate layer positioned between an optically active layer and an exterior environment exposed to sunlight. The low emissivity coating and laminate layer may work in combination to effectively protect the optically active layer from sunlight degradation. Additionally or alternatively, the laminate layer may impart safety and impact resistance properties to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicolas Le Houx, Hari Atkuri, Andrew DeMiglio, Eric Bjergaard
  • Patent number: 12255428
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly includes a window balance assembly, a pivot bar, and an electrically conductive pathway. The window balance assembly includes a first portion configured to be fixed in place and a second portion configured to be movable relative to the first portion. The pivot bar is conductively coupled to the second portion of the window balance assembly. And, the electrically conductive pathway extends between the window balance assembly and the pivot bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventor: Eric Berner
  • Patent number: 12164186
    Abstract: An electrically dynamic window structure may include first and second panes of transparent material and an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the two panes. A driver can be electrically connected to electrode layers carried by the two panes. The driver may be configured to alternate between a drive phase in which a drive signal is applied to the electrode layers and an idle phase in which the drive signal is not applied to the electrode layers. The electrically controllable optically active material can maintain its transition state during the idle phase. As a result, the power consumption of the structure may be reduced as compared to if the driver continuously delivers the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Hari Atkuri, Eric Bjergaard
  • Patent number: 12000203
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include an offset pane arrangement. The structure may include first and second panes that contain an optically active material. The two panes may be sandwiched by two laminated outer panes. In some examples, the first and second panes are recessed relative to the laminated outer panes along their side edges to define recesses in which electrical connection features are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio
  • Patent number: 11934055
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Berner, Eric Bjergaard, Timothy Braun, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
  • Patent number: 11826986
    Abstract: An electrical characteristic of a privacy glazing structure and indicative of a health of the privacy glazing structure can be measured at a first time and at a second time later than the first time. In response to detecting a change in the electrical characteristic indicating a change in the health of the privacy glazing structure, one or more parameters of an electrical drive signal can be adjusted to compensate for the change in the health of the privacy glazing structure. The electrical characteristic can be measured at a plurality of times after the second time and compared to the electrical characteristic measured at the first time. If, at any of the plurality of times, the measured electrical characteristic differs from the electrical characteristic measured at the first time by more than a threshold amount, one or more parameters of the electrical drive signal can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Hari Atkuri, Andrew DeMiglio, Michael Eul
  • Patent number: 11822166
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first arm, a second arm, a rotatable pin coupling, and a power transfer conduit. The rotatable pin coupling rotationally couples the second arm to the first arm. The first arm defines a first portion of a channel, the second arm defines a second portion of the channel, and rotatable pin coupling defines a third portion of the channel. The power transfer conduit extends through the first portion of the channel at the first arm, the third portion of the channel at the rotatable pin coupling, and the second portion of the channel at the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Berner, Zachary Franz
  • Patent number: 11774825
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may be fabricated from multiple panes of transparent material that hold an optically active material and also define a between-pane space that is separated from a surrounding environment for thermal insulating properties. The privacy glazing structure may include various functional coatings and intermediate films to enhance the performance and/or life span of the structure. For example, the privacy glazing structure may include a low emissivity coating and a laminate layer positioned between an optically active layer and an exterior environment exposed to sunlight. The low emissivity coating and laminate layer may work in combination to effectively protect the optically active layer from sunlight degradation. Additionally or alternatively, the laminate layer may impart safety and impact resistance properties to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicolas Le Houx, Hari Atkuri, Andrew DeMiglio, Eric Bjergaard
  • Patent number: 11740497
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Andrew DeMiglio, Eric Bjergaard, Hari Atkuri, Nicholas Schieder
  • Patent number: 11698562
    Abstract: A controllable privacy structure, such as a window or door, may include an electrically controllable optically active material connected to a driver. The driver can control the application and/or removal of electrical energy to the optically active material to transition from a scattering state in which visibility through the structure is inhibited to a transparent state in which visibility through the structure is comparatively clear. The driver may need to be located in relatively close physical proximity to the privacy structure the driver is intended to control. Devices, systems, and techniques are described for discretely positioning a driver relative to a privacy structure to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
  • Patent number: 11681170
    Abstract: An electrical driver can be used to provide electrical drive signals to a first and second electrically controllable optical privacy glazing structures. A first electrical drive signal can be applied to the first privacy glazing structure and a second electrical drive signal can be applied to the second privacy glazing structure. Applying the first and second electrical drive signal can comprise temporally staggering delivery of the first and second electrical drive signals such that a peak power draw and/or a peak current draw from the first privacy glazing structure is temporally offset from a peak power draw and/or a peak current draw from the second privacy glazing structure. Staggering can include delaying the application of one electrical drive signal relative to the other, phase shifting one electrical drive signal relative to the other, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Peter Whaley, Eric Berner
  • Patent number: 11474385
    Abstract: An electrically dynamic window structure may include first and second panes of transparent material and an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the two panes. A driver can be electrically connected to electrode layers carried by the two panes. The driver may be configured to alternate between a drive phase in which a drive signal is applied to the electrode layers and an idle phase in which the drive signal is not applied to the electrode layers. The electrically controllable optically active material can maintain its transition state during the idle phase. As a result, the power consumption of the structure may be reduced as compared to if the driver continuously delivers the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Hari Atkuri, Eric Bjergaard
  • Patent number: 11467439
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Berner, Eric Bjergaard, Timothy Braun, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
  • Patent number: 11448910
    Abstract: An electrical response of a privacy glazing structure to an applied electrical sensing pulse can be measured, and one or more parameters of the privacy glazing structure can be characterized. The one or more parameters can be used to load one or more drive parameters for subsequent use in an electrical drive signal used to operate the privacy glazing structure. If an electrical drive signal is already in place, the characterized one or more parameters can be compared to one or more parameters characterized at a previous time. If the one or more characterized parameters are different from those characterized at the previous time by more than a threshold amount, one or more drive parameters of the electrical drive signal can be adjusted to a new value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schieder, Michael Eul, William Emile Julien Schoettler, Peter Whaley
  • Patent number: 11360364
    Abstract: A controllable privacy structure, such as a window or door, may include an electrically controllable optically active material connected to a driver. The driver can control the application and/or removal of electrical energy to the optically active material to transition from a scattering state in which visibility through the structure is inhibited to a transparent state in which visibility through the structure is comparatively clear. The driver may need to be located in relatively close physical proximity to the privacy structure the driver is intended to control. Devices, systems, and techniques are described for discretely positioning a driver relative to a privacy structure to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Eric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
  • Patent number: 11333912
    Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Andrew DeMiglio, Eric Bjergaard, Hari Atkuri, Nicholas Schleder
  • Patent number: 11325352
    Abstract: An electrical characteristic of a privacy glazing structure and indicative of a health of the privacy glazing structure can be measured at a first time and at a second time later than the first time. In response to detecting a change in the electrical characteristic indicating a change in the health of the privacy glazing structure, one or more parameters of an electrical drive signal can be adjusted to compensate for the change in the health of the privacy glazing structure. The electrical characteristic can be measured at a plurality of times after the second time and compared to the electrical characteristic measured at the first time. If, at any of the plurality of times, the measured electrical characteristic differs from the electrical characteristic measured at the first time by more than a threshold amount, one or more parameters of the electrical drive signal can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Hari Atkuri, Andrew DeMiglio, Michael Eul
  • Patent number: 11243421
    Abstract: A driver for an electrically dynamic structure may store and release energy during polarity cycling to improve the energy efficiency of operation. In some examples, the driver includes an energy storage element. In operation, the driver can charge an electrically controllable optically active material to a first operating voltage at a first polarity and subsequently discharge the optically active material during polarity reversal. The driver may store energy released from the optically active material during discharging and subsequently release the energy to charge the optically active material to a second operating voltage at a second polarity different than the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Michael Eul, Chad Peters, Hari Atkuri
  • Patent number: 11175523
    Abstract: An electrical driver can be used to provide electrical drive signals to a first and second electrically controllable optical privacy glazing structures. A first electrical drive signal can be applied to the first privacy glazing structure and a second electrical drive signal can be applied to the second privacy glazing structure. Applying the first and second electrical drive signal can comprise temporally staggering delivery of the first and second electrical drive signals such that a peak power draw and/or a peak current draw from the first privacy glazing structure is temporally offset from a peak power draw and/or a peak current draw from the second privacy glazing structure. Staggering can include delaying the application of one electrical drive signal relative to the other, phase shifting one electrical drive signal relative to the other, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Schleder, Peter Whaley, Eric Berner