Patents by Inventor David J. Cammenga

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

  • Publication number: 20150085340
    Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Theiste, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Sue F. Franz, Kevin L. Ash, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga
  • Publication number: 20150084024
    Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one including a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal between the second and third surfaces includes a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer. A gasket is disposed between the first and second epoxy layers. The seal and the first and second substrates define a substantially hermetic cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Tammy G. Morgan, David A. Theiste
  • Publication number: 20150085341
    Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces, at least one of which includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one of which includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, which define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A plurality of beads are disposed in a central portion of the cavity and are movable to a perimeter portion of the cavity. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Sue F. Franz, Adam R. Heintzelman, David J. Cammenga
  • Publication number: 20150055207
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Adam R. Heintzelman, Autumn W. Trombka, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Publication number: 20140363624
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge is a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Donald L. Bareman, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen, Thomas J. Scott, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8899761
    Abstract: A vibratory assembly having a housing. A transducer is operably coupled with the housing and has a substantially cylindrical shape. An isolator is at least partially disposed between the housing and the transducer. A lens cover is operably coupled with the transducer. A power source includes contacts operably coupled with the transducer. The power source supplies power to the transducer at various frequencies swept around a resonance harmonic to account for mass changes resulting from debris accumulation on the lens cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, David J. Cammenga, Luke W. Koops, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Kristopher R. Green, Timothy L. Pawlowski, Sandra Lynn Suman
  • Patent number: 8885240
    Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a housing. A carrier is operably connected with the housing and supports a display. A circuit board is disposed in the housing. A sensing system is disposed proximate the display and is connected with the circuit board. A switching assembly is operably connected with the circuit board. Actuation of the switching assembly when the sensing system has been activated enables a function of the rearview assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Roth, Mark D. Bugno, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Sandra Lynn Suman
  • Patent number: 8873127
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, Scott D. Frasher
  • Patent number: 8864322
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity, a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity between the front substrate and the second substrate and bounded by the perimeter seal, wherein the front substrate and the second substrate have a shaped edge having continuously arcuate shape, and wherein an interface the first substrate and the second substrate is approximately 1 mm or less from an outermost portion of the rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Adam R. Heintzelman, Autumn W. Trombka, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Publication number: 20140307344
    Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, William L. Tonar, Jeremy A. Fogg, Michael F. Lisowski, Peter N. Rizk
  • Patent number: 8842358
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge being a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Bareman, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen, Thomas J. Scott, David J. Cammenga, Peter N. Rizk, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark R. Roth, Paul V. Flynn, Jr., James R. Thommen, II, Happy T. Holden
  • Patent number: 8827517
    Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark R. Roth, William L. Tonar, Jeremy A. Fogg, Michael F. Lisowski, Peter N. Rizk
  • Publication number: 20140192392
    Abstract: An electro-optic assembly that includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface; a rear substrate spaced from and substantially parallel to the front substrate, and having a third surface and a fourth surface substantially parallel to the third surface; and a carrier operably connected to at least one of the front substrate and the rear substrate. Further, the electro-optic assembly includes an appliqué layer directly on at least a first portion of the fourth surface and having an opening over a second portion of the fourth surface; and an assembly component that is coupled to the carrier, behind the fourth surface and substantially coincident with the opening. The portions of the fourth surface are in a transmissive region of the rear substrate, and the front and rear substrates define a cavity at least partially filled with an electro-optic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman, Joel A. Stray, Autumn W. Trombka
  • Publication number: 20140139901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8730551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Henry A. Luten, David J. Cammenga, Juan C. Lara, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Publication number: 20140071513
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, Scott D. Frasher
  • Publication number: 20140055836
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity, a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity between the front substrate and the second substrate and bounded by the perimeter seal, wherein the front substrate and the second substrate have a shaped edge having continuously arcuate shape, and wherein an interface the first substrate and the second substrate is approximately 1 mm or less from an outermost portion of the rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Adam R. Heintzelman, Autumn W. Trombka, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Publication number: 20140036338
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge being a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald L. Bareman, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen, Thomas J. Scott, David J. Cammenga, Peter N. Rizk, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, Paul V. Flynn, JR., James R. Thommen, II, Happy T. Holden
  • Publication number: 20140036337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Henry A. Luten, David J. Cammenga, Juan C. Lara, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Patent number: 8643931
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror element including a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface. A cross-section of the second rear surface defines a first line. A rear element includes a third front surface and a fourth rear surface. Electrochromic material is located between the front element and the rear element. A spotter optic is located in the second rear surface of the front element. A cross-section of the spotter optic defines a second line. A transition region is disposed between the spotter optic and the second rear surface of the front element. A distance from a surface of the transition region to an intersection of the first line and the second line is between about 0.001 mm and 0.034 mm. At least a portion of the spotter optic includes a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first front surface includes a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Brian J. Steenwyk, Michael L. McLarty, Randall S. Braun