Patents by Inventor Ronald O. Woodward

Ronald O. Woodward 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: 10151439
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for projecting light in a forward direction along an optical axis is provided. The headlamp assembly may include a housing, a low beam light emitting device, a high beam light emitting device, a low beam lens, a high beam lens, and a reflector. The low beam and high beam light emitting devices may be arranged in the housing and include first and second planar surfaces, respectively, from which light is emitted. The normal to the first and second planar surfaces may be oriented away from the optical axis at substantially forty-five degrees in relation to the optical axis. The normal to the second planar surface may be oriented away from the normal to the first planar surface at substantially ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 9869441
    Abstract: This invention provides an optical system that collects 100% of the light emitted from the light source and effectively directs it into the desired beam pattern. This is achieved by a combination of different optical control methods including reflector and lens optics. The cost is controlled by a design that reduces the optical part count to 2 main components, which reduces manufacturing and assembling time and maintains proper alignment to the light source and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20160201865
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for projecting light in a forward direction along an optical axis is provided. The headlamp assembly may include a housing, a low beam light emitting device, a high beam light emitting device, a low beam lens, a high beam lens, and a reflector. The low beam and high beam light emitting devices may be arranged in the housing and include first and second planar surfaces, respectively, from which light is emitted. The normal to the first and second planar surfaces may be oriented away from the optical axis at substantially forty-five degrees in relation to the optical axis. The normal to the second planar surface may be oriented away from the normal to the first planar surface at substantially ninety degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Ronald O. WOODWARD
  • Publication number: 20160061400
    Abstract: This invention provides an optical system that collects 100% of the light emitted from the light source and effectively directs it into the desired beam pattern. This is achieved by a combination of different optical control methods including reflector and lens optics. The cost is controlled by a design that reduces the optical part count to 2 main components, which reduces manufacturing and assembling time and maintains proper alignment to the light source and system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. WOODWARD
  • Patent number: 9182094
    Abstract: An optical system that collects 100% of the light emitted from the light source and effectively directs it into the desired beam pattern. This is achieved by a combination of different optical control methods including reflector and lens optics. The cost is controlled by a design that reduces the optical part count to 2 main components, which reduces manufacturing and assembling time and maintains proper alignment to the light source and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8721142
    Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Publication number: 20140036525
    Abstract: An optical system that collects 100% of the light emitted from the light source and effectively directs it into the desired beam pattern. This is achieved by a combination of different optical control methods including reflector and lens optics. The cost is controlled by a design that reduces the optical part count to 2 main components, which reduces manufacturing and assembling time and maintains proper alignment to the light source and system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20130250598
    Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Patent number: 8517584
    Abstract: The present invention is an optic used for producing a desired beam pattern having a body portion having a height and a thickness, and at least one sidewall profile, as well as an input port for receiving light from a light source. The optic of the present invention also includes an output surface formed as part of the body portion on the opposite side of the body portion in relation to the input port, at least one leg portion formed as part of the body portion, and at least one alignment feature formed as part of the leg portion, the alignment feature for controlling the alignment of the optic in relation to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8475019
    Abstract: The present invention is an optic used for producing a desired beam pattern having a body portion having a height and a thickness, and at least one sidewall profile, as well as an input port for receiving light from a light source. The optic of the present invention also includes an output surface formed as part of the body portion on the opposite side of the body portion in relation to the input port, at least one leg portion formed as part of the body portion, and at least one alignment feature formed as part of the at least one leg portion, the at least one alignment feature for controlling the alignment of the optic in relation to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20130155535
    Abstract: An integrated solar concentrator assembly (10) which is built to allow an opposing criss-cross optics pattern, creating a more compact, structurally sound unit having a nearly perpendicular light path into a mixing optic (32). This improves optical efficiency and allows for the mixing optic (32) to have a flat outer surface, thereby improving manufacturability. This criss-cross optical pattern also allows the opposite mirror structure to be used to support the solar receiver components, eliminating additional brackets. The configuration of the integrated solar concentrator assembly (10) allows frame mounts to be placed on the outboard corners of the assembly, improving the inherent aim accuracy, as well as simplifying installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20110308572
    Abstract: A solar collector optic system having a plurality of optics and a plurality of concentrators, where the plurality of optics directs light to the plurality of concentrators. The system has a first optic, a second optic, a first concentrator and a second concentrator. Each optic has a plurality of prisms which provide a progressive light distribution function such that as each of the plurality of prisms of the first optic is located further away from a focal line of the first concentrator, each of the plurality of prisms directs a greater amount of light to the second concentrator compared to the first concentrator. Also, as each of the plurality of prisms of the second optic is located further away from a focal line of the second concentrator, each of the plurality of prisms directs a greater amount of light to the first concentrator compared to the second concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8061880
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly which includes an optic used for providing a turn signal which meets the government requirements for luminous intensity when the turn signal is located near or next to the headlamp assembly. The present invention is a headlamp assembly which includes a housing, at least one optic disposed within the housing, as well as at least one light source which is operable with the optic such that light is emitted from the optic which meets or exceeds present regulatory requirements. The present invention also includes an outer lens mounted on the housing such that light emitted from the optic passes through the outer lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20110080744
    Abstract: The present invention is an optic used for producing a desired beam pattern having a body portion having a height and a thickness, and at least one sidewall profile, as well as an input port for receiving light from a light source. The optic of the present invention also includes an output surface formed as part of the body portion on the opposite side of the body portion in relation to the input port, at least one leg portion formed as part of the body portion, and at least one alignment feature formed as part of the leg portion, the alignment feature for controlling the alignment of the optic in relation to the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7902758
    Abstract: An automotive lighting assembly receiving light from a power source and for producing light. The automotive lighting assembly includes a first lighting circuit which is operatively connected to the power source for emitting light as a function of electric current. A second lighting circuit is operatively connected to the power source independently from the first lighting circuit. The second lighting circuit emits light as a function of the electric current. The automotive lighting assembly also includes a controller which is electrically connected between the power source and the first and second lighting circuits for independently operating the first and second lighting sources to emit a chosen amount of light in a chosen direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald O. Woodward, Jamie A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20100302795
    Abstract: A headlamp is provided which employs semiconductor light sources, such as light emitting diodes, and which includes light sources which can selectively be illuminated to provide steerable light beam patterns, to illuminate areas adjacent the optical axis of the headlamp, and corner light elements which can be illuminated to illuminate the area adjacent the steerable light beam patterns further from the optical axis of the headlamp. The corner light elements can be illuminated after the steerable light beam patterns have been provided or can be illuminated independently of the steerable light patterns, for example responsive to the activation of a turn signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7815350
    Abstract: Headlamp systems are provided that form desired beam patterns from light supplied by semiconductor light sources. The present invention is headlamp system for a vehicle including at least one first light source, at least one second light source, and a first lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one first light source to provide a spread portion of a desired beam pattern. The present invention also includes second lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one second light source to provide a hot spot portion of the desired beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Valcamp, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7717597
    Abstract: A light engine for use in systems such as automotive lighting systems employs two or more semiconductor light sources, such as LEDs. Light emitted from the light sources is captured by light pipes which are mounted such that the light capturing surface of the light pipes are properly positioned, with respect to the semiconductor light sources, substantially independent of changes in the dimensions of the light pipes which may result from thermal expansion or contraction of the light pipes. The light pipes transfer substantially all of the light captured from the semiconductor light sources to light emitting surfaces of the light pipes which can be appropriately located adjacent the output optics of the lighting system. The light engine can be easily assembled as the light pipes are retained in slots on a positioning member which is mounted at a known position with respect to the semiconductor light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Micheal D. Dolson, Ronald O. Woodward, James R. McFadden
  • Publication number: 20100084667
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source element includes a substrate to which at least one semiconductor light source is mounted. An optical body is mounted to the substrate with its light receiving surface located adjacent the light emitting surface of the at least one semiconductor light source. The optical body has a shape and light output surface profile which are selected to produce a desired beam pattern with the light emitted by the at least one semiconductor light source. When two or more semiconductor light sources are employed in the semiconductor light source element, the light sources can be positioned at different locations about the light receiving surface to emit light from the front edge of the optical body in correspondingly diverse patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Mcfadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Patent number: 7677777
    Abstract: A lamp assembly including a plurality of light sources, a plurality of light guides, and at least one lens. The plurality of light guides are optically connected to the plurality of light sources, and selected plurality of light sources emit light that is selectively propagated through the plurality of light guides. The at least one lens is optically connected to the plurality of light guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald O. Woodward, Christopher H. Wilson, Ronald G. Hare