Patents by Inventor John VanDerploeg
John VanDerploeg 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).
-
Patent number: 8236116Abstract: In certain example embodiments of this invention, there is provided a method of making a window, the method including: forming a multi-layered low-E and/or solar control coating on a glass substrate; providing at least two flexible protective sheets in non-liquid form to the glass substrate over at least part of the low-E and/or solar control coating; applying at least one protective coating in liquid form, before and/or after the flexible protective sheets are provided, so as to reduce one or more gaps formed between the low-E and/or solar control coating and the flexible protective sheet(s) and/or between the flexible protective sheets; and performing one or more of cutting, edge seaming, and/or washing the coated article with the protective coating and protective sheets thereon and peeling the protective sheets and at least part of the protective coating off of the top surface of the low-E and/or solar control coating. Heat treatment (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et al Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.), Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Jean-Marc Sol, Herbert Lage, John A. Vanderploeg, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Lutz Henkel, Marcel Schloremberg
-
Patent number: 8228590Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
-
Publication number: 20120033285Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
-
Publication number: 20110169402Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp., C.R.V.C.Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
-
Publication number: 20110141381Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly comprising a light source illuminating the mirror system within the housing of the assembly. The light source is a layered structure including generally co-extensive optical elements such as a light-guiding element that accepts light from light emitters and distributes this light along an area that is not transverse with respect to a display of the assembly. Light distributed and outcoupled through the light-guiding element illuminates the whole display, while radiation from other emitters may traverse the light-guiding element in order to highlight respectively corresponding segments of the display. The display may be configured in a spatially-segmented fashion to increase brightness of displayed indicia.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L Minikey, JR., Ethan J. Lee, John A. VanderPloeg, William L. Tonar
-
Patent number: 7931971Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
-
Publication number: 20100201816Abstract: A multi-display vehicular rearview mirror system (2600) and method includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element (2603) and a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) (2605a, 2605b, 2605c) positioned behind EC element (2603). A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (2610a, 2610b, 2610c) are used for providing backlighting for each respective LCD of the plurality of LCDs such that the LCDs utilize a plurality of imaging devices (2717, 2719, 2721) for forming substantially a single image across the plurality of LCDs (2605a, 2605b, 2605c).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Ethan J. Lee, Daniel B. Lee, Michael G. Hendricks, Mark R. Roth, Craig R. Myers, G. Bruce Poe, David A. Blaker, Carsten Schaudel, Mark A. VanVuuren, John A. VanderPloeg
-
Publication number: 20100187990Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp. and CRVCInventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
-
Publication number: 20100180939Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to optical coatings including magnesium fluoride and/or organosilane based coatings, which may be disposed on textured or un-textured substrates (e.g., glass substrates). Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the magnesium fluoride coatings are temperable, while the organosilane based coatings are low temperature heat treatable. Additionally, surprisingly and unexpectedly, such coatings on textured and un-textured glass surfaces result in superior transmission increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, John A. Vanderploeg, Kevin R. Fulton
-
Patent number: 7713633Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp., Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
-
Patent number: 7695785Abstract: Certain embodiments of this invention relates to a coated article including a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) which supports a coating thereon, wherein the coating includes at least one layer of or including SbOxNy. This layer is desirable for blocking (reflection and/or absorption) of at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the layer of SbOxNy may be used as a dielectric layer in a low-E (low-emissivity) coating, and may improve UV-blocking capability of such a low-E coating. Coated articles in certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of windows.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, John A. Vanderploeg
-
Publication number: 20090297864Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Philip J. Lingle, Anton Dietrich, Yiwei Lu, Willem Den Boer, John A. Vanderploeg, Yei-Ping (Mimi) H. Wang
-
Publication number: 20090194155Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a photovoltaic (PV) device including an electrode such as a front electrode/contact, and a method of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the front electrode has a textured (e.g., etched) surface that faces the photovoltaic semiconductor film of the PV device. In certain example embodiments, the front electrode is formed on a flat or substantially flat (non-textured) surface of a glass substrate (e.g., via sputtering), and the surface of the front electrode is textured (e.g., via etching). In completing manufacture of the PV device, the etched surface of the front electrode faces the active semiconductor film of the PV device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Willem den Boer, Alexey Krasnov, John A. Vanderploeg
-
Publication number: 20090194157Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a photovoltaic (PV) device including an electrode such as a front electrode/contact, and a method of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the front electrode has a textured (e.g., etched) surface that faces the photovoltaic semiconductor film of the PV device. In certain example embodiments, the front electrode is formed on a flat or substantially flat (non-textured) surface of a glass substrate (e.g., via sputtering), and the surface of the front electrode is textured (e.g., via etching). In certain example embodiments, a combination of two or more different etchants can be used in order to provide the front electrode with a textured surface having at least two different feature sizes. In completing manufacture of the PV device, the etched surface of the front electrode faces the active semiconductor film of the PV device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Willem den Boer, Alexey Krasnov, John A. Vanderploeg
-
Publication number: 20090068350Abstract: A temporary protective coating is provided over a coated glass substrate. The temporary protective coating is preferably applied in liquid form then solidified on the substrate. In some instances, the temporary protective coating may be easily removed by simply peeling it off. In certain example embodiments, the temporary protective coating is applied after heat treatment and is removed by peeling it off before the coated substrate is coupled to another substrate to form a window unit such as an IG window unit or a laminated vehicle windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, John A. Vanderploeg
-
Publication number: 20080302462Abstract: In certain example embodiments of this invention, there is provided a method of making a window, the method including: forming a multi-layered low-E and/or solar control coating on a glass substrate; providing at least two flexible protective sheets in non-liquid form to the glass substrate over at least part of the low-E and/or solar control coating; applying at least one protective coating in liquid form, before and/or after the flexible protective sheets are provided, so as to reduce one or more gaps formed between the low-E and/or solar control coating and the flexible protective sheet(s) and/or between the flexible protective sheets; and performing one or more of cutting, edge seaming, and/or washing the coated article with the protective coating and protective sheets thereon and peeling the protective sheets and at least part of the protective coating off of the top surface of the low-E and/or solar control coating. Heat treatment (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicants: Gaurdian Industries Corp.Inventors: Jean-Marc Sol, Herbert Lage, John A. Vanderploeg, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Lutz Henkel, Marcel Schloremberg
-
Publication number: 20080014448Abstract: Certain embodiments of this invention relates to a coated article including a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) which supports a coating thereon, wherein the coating includes at least one layer of or including SbOxNy. This layer is desirable for blocking (reflection and/or absorption) of at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the layer of SbOxNy may be used as a dielectric layer in a low-E (low-emissivity) coating, and may improve UV-blocking capability of such a low-E coating. Coated articles in certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, John A. Vanderploeg
-
Patent number: 6567143Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders located on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders are provided. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in the different embodiments herein, the display exhibits improved contrast and reduced inversion, often in the same viewing areas. Contrast ratio in the positive vertical viewing zone is especially improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Gang Xu
-
Patent number: 6292242Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by nx>ny>nz in certain embodiments where the “z” direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the “x” and “y” directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Gang Xu, Adiel Abileah
-
Patent number: 6023317Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being defined by n.sub.x =n.sub.y >n.sub.z where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. According to certain embodiments, a pair of positive and a pair of negative retardation films are provided such that the two positive retarders sandwich both the liquid crystal layer and the negative retarders therebetween. By providing the positive and negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gang Xu, John A. VanderPloeg