Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Guarr

Thomas F. Guarr 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: 20140139902
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20130258440
    Abstract: A controller system configured to control an electrochromic device and method thereof are provided, wherein the controller system includes an electrochromic device having a first substantially transparent substrate, a second substantially transparent substrate approximately parallel to the first substantially transparent substrate such that a chamber is defined by the first and second substantially transparent substrates, and an electrochromic medium between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, and a controller in communication with the electrochromic device, wherein the controller is configured to monitor electrical power supplied to the electrochromic device and adjust the electrical power supplied to the electrochromic device to maintain the electrochromic device in an approximately minimum transmission state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David L. Eaton, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 8508832
    Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element a rear element, and an electro-optic medium, the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab?) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (?hab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20130182308
    Abstract: A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials 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 electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an Ev of less than approximately 20, and more preferably less than approximately 5, while in a low transmission state during normal daylight conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste, Kevin L. Ash, David I. Driscoll, Henry A. Luten
  • Publication number: 20120243067
    Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element a rear element, and an electro-optic medium, the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab?) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (?hab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8228590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120033285
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • 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: 7855821
    Abstract: An electrochromic device having an electrochromic medium which includes a compound represented by the following formula: wherein R1-R10 are the same or different and comprise H, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, and/or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 50 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; with the proviso that R2 and R7 each comprise at least two carbon atoms, at least one of R2 and R7 comprises less than 2 ? hydrogen atoms and is void of a benzyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7835059
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a tristate electrochromic device, comprising: (a) at least one solvent; (b) at least one anodic material; (c) at least one 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, in a first state, the electrochromic medium exhibits a maximum light transmission; (e) wherein, in a second state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in one of visible radiation or near-infrared radiation without significant attenuation in the other; and (f) wherein, in a third state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in the other spectral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Punam Giri, Thomas F. Guarr
  • 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: 7525714
    Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly is disclosed that includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is maintained in a parallel and spaced relation from the first substrate by means of a window frame and spacer. The window assembly further includes an electrochromic device mounted within the airtight chamber formed between the first and second substrates. Electrochromic device 22 may be mounted so as to provide an air chamber between first substrate 12, which is the external substrate, and electrochromic device 22. At least one of the chambers formed between substrates 12 and 14 and electrochromic device 22 may be filled with an insulating gas such as argon. Also disclosed are novel methods for manufacture of an electrochromic device for incorporation into such a window assembly. A novel electrochromic device is also disclosed having electrical bus clips secured about the entire periphery of the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David L Poll, Kevin L Ash, David A Theiste, Thomas F Guarr, William L Tonar
  • Patent number: 7508568
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical medium for use in a reversible electrodeposition device including at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one active metal; and optionally at least one redox buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Rongguang Lin, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20080316574
    Abstract: An electrochromic device having an electrochromic medium which includes a compound represented by the following formula: wherein R1-R10 are the same or different and comprise H, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, and/or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 50 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; with the proviso that R2 and R7 each comprise at least two carbon atoms, at least one of R2 and R7 comprises less than 2? hydrogen atoms and is void of a benzyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7450291
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochromic device comprising: first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies which each comprise; a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies are in optical alignment, and further wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, Frederick T. Bauer, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7428091
    Abstract: An electrochromic device having an electrochromic medium comprising: a material represented by the following formula: wherein X comprises N—R10, O, or S; wherein R1-R10 are defined herein with the proviso that at least one of R5 and R10 comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, and/or alkynyl group containing 4 to approximately 50 carbon atoms, wherein at least one of the carbon atoms may be a linking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof, and wherein at least one of R5 and R10 is void of any ? hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, Punam Giri, Mark D. Muyskens, Sue F. Franz
  • Patent number: 7265888
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: (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 comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a cathodic electroactive material; (3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and (4) a color-stabilizing additive, wherein the color-stabilizing additive is electroactive within a normal operating voltage of the electrochromic device; and (d) means associated with the color-stabilizing additive for maintaining an at least nearly colorless electrochromic device while the electrochromic device is in an open circuit and/or zero potential state relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • 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: 7256924
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochromic device comprising: first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies which each comprise; a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies are in optical alignment, and further wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, Frederick T. Bauer, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7193764
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversible electrodeposition device comprising: a first substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a nucleation layer at least partially covering at least one of the electrically conductive materials of the first and second substrates; an electrochemical medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Rongguang Lin, David Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Kathy E. Roberts