Patents by Inventor Leroy J. Kloeppner

Leroy J. Kloeppner 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: 20130120822
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Patent number: 8345345
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Publication number: 20110176195
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Patent number: 7884995
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Steven J. Veenman, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon
  • Patent number: 7864398
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrochromic element comprises providing a first substrate having first and second surfaces opposite one another and a first edge surface, providing a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces opposite one another and a second edge surface, wherein the third surfaces faces the second surface, and providing an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon the application of electric field thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Gary J. Dozeman, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, Thomas F. Guarr, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7706046
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a rearview mirror comprises a first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, a reflective coating disposed on a surface of the first substrate, and an electronic circuit component secured to the rear surface of the first substrate. The mirror element may be an electrochromic mirror element comprising a transparent second substrate positioned in front of the first substrate. The electronic component secured to the rear surface may be a component of a drive circuit for the electrochromic mirror element. The rearview mirror element may further comprise electrically conductive tracings provided on the rear surface of the first substrate electrically coupled to the electrical component. The tracings may be used to electrically couple the drive circuit to the electrodes of the electrochromic mirror element. The tracings may be deposited on the rear surface using numerous methods including inkjet printing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Bauer, Robert R. Turnbull, Thomas F. Guarr, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Eaton, Joel A. Stray, Barry K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7684103
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material, wherein the first and second substrates are substantially uniformly spaced apart by a spacing member comprising a non-polymeric material which substantially dissolves upon association with the at least one solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Steven J. Veenman, Michelle M. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20090027756
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material, wherein the first and second substrates are substantially uniformly spaced apart by a spacing member comprising a non-polymeric material which substantially dissolves upon association with the at least one solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Steven J. Veenman, Michelle M. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20090002803
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Steven J. Veenman, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon
  • Patent number: 7414770
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material, wherein the first and second substrates are substantially uniformly spaced apart by a spacing member comprising a non-polymeric material which substantially dissolves upon association with the at least one solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Steven J. Veenman, Michelle M. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20070201122
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrochromic element comprises providing a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a first edge surface, providing a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a second edge surface, the third surfaces facing the second surface, providing an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, the medium having a light transmittance that is variable upon application of electric field thereto, applying a conductive layer on a portion of at least one of the surfaces, wherein applying the layer is accomplished at substantially atmospheric pressure, and applying at least one of metallic particles, an organometallic, a metallo-organic, and combinations thereof, wherein the conductive layer has a bulk resistivity of greater than or equal to 150 ??·cm. The conductive layer may be applied via ink jetting, ultrasonic spraying, auger or jet pumping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Gary J. Dozeman, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, Thomas F. Guarr, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7001540
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; a cathodic electroactive material; an anodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a self-healing cross-linked polymer gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040061097
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6635194
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; a cathodic electroactive material; an anodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a self-healing cross-linked polymer gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6614578
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising at least one solvent, an anodic material, a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and an ultraviolet stabilizing material, wherein the ultraviolet stabilizing material includes a solublizing moiety which serves to increase solubility of the ultraviolet stabilizing material relative to the same without the solublizing moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Punam Giri, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Kelvin L. Baumann, Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Publication number: 20030042473
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; a cathodic electroactive material; an anodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a self-healing cross-linked polymer gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030030883
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising at least one solvent, an anodic material, a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and an ultraviolet stabilizing material, wherein the ultraviolet stabilizing material includes a solublizing moiety which serves to increase solubility of the ultraviolet stabilizing material relative to the same without the solublizing moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Punam Giri, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Kelvin L. Baumann, Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr