Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Kar

Kevin B. Kar 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: 9529214
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Kevin B. Kar, John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, Gary J. Dozeman
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7511872
    Abstract: An electrochromic device that may have an elastomeric seal is disclosed as is an electrochromic device having a seal provided on the peripheral edges of both the front and rear elements and wherein the seal may comprises a first material having an oxygen permeability of less than about 2.0 cm3·mm/m2·day·atm. In addition, an electrochromic device may include a seal comprising a thin member bonded to the peripheral edge of at least one of the front and rear elements, wherein the thin member comprises one of a film, thin glass, and a strip of foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Publication number: 20080151350
    Abstract: An electrochromic device that may have an elastomeric seal is disclosed as is an electrochromic device having a seal provided on the peripheral edges of both the front and rear elements and wherein the seal may comprises a first material having an oxygen permeability of less than about 2.0 cm3·mm/m2·day·atm. In addition, an electrochromic device may include a seal comprising a thin member bonded to the peripheral edge of at least one of the front and rear elements, wherein the thin member comprises one of a film, thin glass, and a strip of foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Patent number: 7349143
    Abstract: To allow an electrochromic device to have little or no offset between its front and rear elements, an electrical conductor may be provided to electrically couple a portion of a first conductive layer provided on the rear surface of the front element with a portion of a second conductive layer provided on the front surface of the rear element. The electrical conductor may be in the form of a conductive portion of the seal. To prevent shorting across the electrochromic medium, at least one of the first and second conductive layers is separated into a first portion and a second portion that is electrically isolated from the first portion and is in electrical contact with the electrochromic material. An elastomeric bezel may be utilized. Also, an edge seal may optionally be employed so as to reduce the need or width of the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Patent number: 7064882
    Abstract: To allow an electrochromic device to have little or no offset between its front and rear elements, an electrical conductor may be provided to electrically couple a portion of a first conductive layer provided on the rear surface of the front element with a portion of a second conductive layer provided on the front surface of the rear element. The electrical conductor may be in the form of a conductive portion of the seal. To prevent shorting across the electrochromic medium, at least one of the first and second conductive layers is separated into a first portion and a second portion that is electrically isolated from the first portion and is in electrical contact with the electrochromic material. An elastomeric bezel may be utilized. Also, an edge seal may optionally be employed so as to reduce the need or width of the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Publication number: 20040218247
    Abstract: To allow an electrochromic device to have little or no offset between its front and rear elements, an electrical conductor may be provided to electrically couple a portion of a first conductive layer provided on the rear surface of the front element with a portion of a second conductive layer provided on the front surface of the rear element. The electrical conductor may be in the form of a conductive portion of the seal. To prevent shorting across the electrochromic medium, at least one of the first and second conductive layers is separated into a first portion and a second portion that is electrically isolated from the first portion and is in electrical contact with the electrochromic material. An elastomeric bezel may be utilized. Also, an edge seal may optionally be employed so as to reduce the need or width of the bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Publication number: 20040061920
    Abstract: To allow an electrochromic device to have little or no offset between its front and rear elements, an electrical conductor may be provided to electrically couple a portion of a first conductive layer provided on the rear surface of the front element with a portion of a second conductive layer provided on the front surface of the rear element. The electrical conductor may be in the form of a conductive portion of the seal. To prevent shorting across the electrochromic medium, at least one of the first and second conductive layers is separated into a first portion and a second portion that is electrically isolated from the first portion and is in electrical contact with the electrochromic material. An elastomeric bezel may be utilized. Also, an edge seal may optionally be employed so as to reduce the need or width of the bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, David L. Poll, Kevin B. Kar, Bradley L. Busscher