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).

  • Patent number: 6697185
    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: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Patent number: 6671080
    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. Also disclosed is the use of steel bus clips for the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Poll, Kevin L. Ash, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 6661559
    Abstract: Electrochromic compositions suitable for use in electrochromic media in electrochromic devices contain minimally two electrochromic compounds of the same redox type, whose redox potentials are greater than 30 mV. The lower redox potential electrochromic compounds makes a large contribution to the absorbancy of the electrochromic medium despite being present in only minor concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Harlan J. Byker, Thomas F. Guarr, Derick D. Winkle
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030174378
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and 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, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Publication number: 20030165000
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6606184
    Abstract: An electrochromic device, such as a window or mirror, is disclosed that includes first and second substrates each having an inner surface spaced apart from one another to define a chamber, first and second electrodes carried on the inner surface of the second substrate and disposed thereon to be electrically isolated from one another, and an electrochromic medium disposed in the chamber. The electrodes may be disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate in substantially co-planar relation. Alternatively, the electrodes may be arranged in a stacked relation, with a layer of dielectric material provided therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Publication number: 20030137713
    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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Publication number: 20030137715
    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. Also disclosed is the use of steel bus clips for the electrochromic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Poll, Kevin L. Ash, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 6597489
    Abstract: An electrochromic device, such as a window or mirror, is disclosed that includes a transparent first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface spaced apart from the inner surface of the first substrate so as to define a chamber therebetween, first and second electrodes carried on the inner surface of the second substrate and disposed thereon so as to be electrically isolated from one another, and an electrochromic medium disposed in the chamber between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates. The electrochromic medium may be in solution-phase. Also, the electrodes may be disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate in substantially co-planar relation. Alternatively, the electrodes may be arranged in a stacked relation, with a layer of dielectric material provided therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 6594066
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, and an electrochromic medium which comprises a solvent, a cathodic material, and an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula: wherein R1-R10 are the same or different and at least three of R1-R10 are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites; nitro constituents; sulfoxides; sulfonates; phosphonium constituents; phosphonates; phosphonites; ammonium constituents; viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents; carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates; ketones; esters; and amides; ethers, inclu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Patent number: 6594067
    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. Also disclosed is the use of steel bus clips for the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Poll, Kevin L. Ash, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 6560004
    Abstract: Coupling of anodic electrochromic compounds by a covalent bond or a bridge link which provides for electronic communication between the coupled electrochromic compounds results in coupled electrochromic compounds which exhibit greater stability as well as electrochromic activity that differs from the monomeric electrochromic compounds. Extension of the absorption spectrum into the near-infrared region of the spectrum is frequently observed. The coupled electrochromic compounds are highly suitable for use in electrochromic media used to produce electrochromic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Theiste, Kelvin L. Baumann, Punam Giri, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Publication number: 20030053187
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: 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 wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is slow-diffusing; and an electron shuttle, wherein the electron shuttle serves to decrease switching time of the electrochromic device relative to the same without the electron shuttle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Rongguang Lin, Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • 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: 20030039020
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, and an electrochromic medium which comprises a solvent, a cathodic material, and an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Patent number: 6525861
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6496294
    Abstract: Anodic electrochromic materials for use in an electrochromic device comprising a first moiety, wherein the first moiety comprises a metallocene or a substituted metallocene, and a second moiety, wherein the second moiety comprises at least one constituent which serves to increase the solubility of the first moiety in an associated solvent relative to solubility of the first moiety without the second moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr