Patents by Inventor Kenneth Nietering

Kenneth Nietering 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: 7608822
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60) . The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum and maximum temperature limits are obtained from the light-source wavelength-temperature characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Publication number: 20080107841
    Abstract: A reflective clear coat composition. In at least one embodiment, the composition includes a clear coat composition including a polymeric binder comprised of one or more resins and reflective flakes having a reflectivity of at least 30% in at least a portion of the near infrared radiation (NIR) region of the solar spectrum and a reflectivity of 29% or less in at least a portion of the visible region of the solar radiation spectrum. The reflective clear coat composition can be cured onto an exterior cured paint surface of an automotive vehicle. The resulting cured clear coat composition may reduce the temperature generated within a vehicle passenger cabin while exposed to solar radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering, Mark Nichols, John Ginder
  • Patent number: 7368714
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the tight source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum and maximum temperature limits are obtained from the light-source wavelength-temperature characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Publication number: 20080083875
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum and maximum temperature limits are obtained from the light-source wavelength-temperature characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Publication number: 20080017798
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the tight source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum and maximum temperature limits are obtained from the light-source wavelength-temperature characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Patent number: 7276696
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum temperature limit corresponds to the wavelength-temperature characteristic of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Publication number: 20070200064
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum temperature limit corresponds to the wavelength-temperature characteristic of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Publication number: 20050128727
    Abstract: A color-corrected lighting system for night vision applications includes a near infrared light source and a thin-sheet optical element disposed a distance from the near infrared source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the near infrared source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. The system also includes a visible, non-red light source in the form of a plate having a plurality of non-red LEDs arranged thereon. The plate is proximate a surface of the optical element such that the output surface of the optical element emits the visible light to mask the emitted near infrared light. A camera is adapted to receive the near infrared light from the near infrared light source reflected off an object within a camera field of view, and a display images objects detected within the camera field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Willes Weber, Kenneth Nietering, Michael Marinelli
  • Publication number: 20050074221
    Abstract: A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering, Willes Weber, David Scholl, Michael Marinelli