Patents by Inventor George A. Neuman

George A. Neuman 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).

  • THIN-FILM COATINGS, ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20150124308
    Abstract: An electro-optic element comprises a first substrate, including first and second surfaces. The first substrate contains at least a first layer of electrically conductive material that is deposited on the second surface and is substantially transparent. The element also comprises a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface. The first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2. In addition, the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Kevin B. Kar, John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Vehicular exterior transflective rearview mirror assembly
    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
  • Electro-optic system configured to reduce a perceived color change
    Patent number: 8964278
    Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROCESS WITH LASER INDUCED CHANNEL EDGE
    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
  • Lens cleaning apparatus
    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
  • Thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
    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
  • Apparatus, method, and process with laser induced channel edge
    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
  • VEHICULAR EXTERIOR TRANSFLECTIVE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140211492
    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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • ELECTRO-OPTIC SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO REDUCE A PERCEIVED COLOR CHANGE
    Publication number: 20140139902
    Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS
    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
  • Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
    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
  • MULTI-ZONE MIRRORS
    Publication number: 20140126036
    Abstract: A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Jeffrey N. Williams, Lansen M. Perron
  • THIN-FILM COATINGS, ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS
    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
  • Multi-zone mirrors
    Patent number: 8649083
    Abstract: A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Henry A Luten, John S Anderson, George A Neuman, Jeffrey A Forgette, Jeffrey N Williams, Lansen M Perron
  • VARIABLE REFLECTANCE MIRROR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140036339
    Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminated film is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, John S. Anderson, Gary J. Dozeman, Tammy G. Morgan
  • VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS
    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
  • APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROCESS WITH LASER INDUCED CHANNEL EDGE
    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
  • Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
    Patent number: 8638488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: 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
  • Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
    Patent number: 8614847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
    Patent number: 8614845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: 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