Patents by Inventor Timothy Fohl
Timothy Fohl 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).
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Patent number: 5700078Abstract: A tail lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light pipe which illuminates a unitary thin sheet optic having an input section, a manifold section, and a kicker section.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
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Patent number: 5681103Abstract: An electrostatic shutter includes an input window, an electrical contact connected to the voltage source, a metallized polymer scroll having one end electrically connected to the electrical contact, an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink selectably connected to the voltage source and so that a potential difference exists between the electrical contact and the heat sink and an electrical insulator covering the heat sink. When a sufficient voltage potential exists between the scroll and the heat sink, the scroll unrolls so that the scroll is in direct contact with the input window and thermally coupled to the heat sink through the insulator and the input window.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Timothy Fohl, Alfred Wasilewski
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Patent number: 5288992Abstract: A filtering system is disclosed for receiving and bandpass filtering free space optical signals. The filtering system includes a plurality of optical fibers for accepting an optical signal. The fibers are implanted in an embedding material, having an index of refraction which is less than the optical fiber, for collimating the optical signal. The signal is further passed through a narrow, bandpass filter before detection by a photodetector device. In an alternative embodiment, the optical fibers are enclosed in a cladding, having a surface roughness at the interface of the cladding and the fiber, for enhancing the collimation of the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: GTE Laboratories IncorporatedInventor: Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 5271077Abstract: A reflector for coupling light from a light source into an optical waveguide includes input and output ends, a central axis and a reflecting surface disposed around the central axis. A light source, such as an arc lamp, is positioned on the central axis at the input end of the reflector. An input end of an optical waveguide is positioned on the central axis at the output end of the reflector. The reflecting surface has a first section adjacent to the input end with a first curvature that is concave toward the central axis, a second section adjacent to the output end with a second curvature that is concave away from the central axis, and an inflection section between the first and second sections. The first and second curvatures are selected to reflect light through the output end of the reflector within a prescribed range of angles that corresponds to the acceptance angle of the optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Kacia K. Brockman, Timothy Fohl, Pablo A. Vicharelli
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Patent number: 5124859Abstract: A narrow passband, reflective optical filter at a wavelength L, has a container filled with a pressurized gas, the pressurized gas having a ground state transition corresponding to the wavelength L and transparent to all other wavelengths. The container has at least one optically transparent major planar surface serving as the face thereof, whereby incoming broadband light is absorbed by the gas, except at its resonance wavelength L, which is specularly reflected. The optically transparent face of the container optionally has a broadband anti-reflective coating to improve its out-of-band rejection of unwanted wavelengths of the light signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1991Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Assignees: GTE Government Systems Corporation, GTE Laboratories, IncorporatedInventors: Frederick Martin, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 5113121Abstract: An electrodeless lamp may be formed with a capsule having a radiant energy transmissive material defining an approximately cylindrical enclosed volume having an external length less than 20.0 millimeters, and an outer diameter less than 8.0 millimeters. The enclosed volume is filled with a lamp fill excitable by a high frequency electromagnetic field to produce radiant energy. The small size capsule produces a particularly efficient, orientation tolerant arc discharge. The arc is then highly stable as to position, yielding a good optical source to design for. The temperature gradient is small, thereby yielding little thermal stress on the capsule. An electrodeless HID headlamp system may be formed with the efficient capsule from a radio frequency source operating from the power supply of a typical automobile. The headlamp system includes a high frequency power source, a transmission line, a coupler, an excitable lamp fill captured in a lamp capsule, a reflector and a lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: GTE Laboratories IncorporatedInventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Joseph M. Proud, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 5003220Abstract: A tri-color lamp for use as an element in the optical presentation of information. The lamp includes a sealed envelope having a common envelope member and a plurality (e.g., three) of longitudinally extending leg members. A common electrode is located within the common envelope member and is spacedly located from opposing electrodes located within each of the leg members. A phosphor layer within the sealed envelope subtends at least the major body portion of each of the leg members such that the surface brightness of the phosphor layer as viewed through the end portions of the lamp is greater than the intensity of the external surface brightness of the phosphor layer on the major body portion. In the presentation of color information, each of the leg members is coated with respective phosphors emitting the primary colors red, green and blue.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Timothy Fohl, Warren C. Gungle, Robert Y. Pai
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Patent number: 4983880Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel AC thin film electroluminescent display devices employing a protective dielectric stripe along the edges of the transparent electrode (or conductor). In particular, the present invention is directed to an AC thin film electroluminescent display device comprising:a multilayer stack including a first dielectric layer; a phosphor layer; and a second dielectric layer; situated on a glass substrate which includes parallel stripes of etched transparent conductors;said multilayer stack further including a protective stripe of dielectric material placed at least along the edges of the transparent conductors.The present invention is also directed to a method for protecting an AC thin film electroluminescent display device against premature breakdown at the edges of the transparent conductors. This protection is achieved by depositing a stripe of dielectric material along the edges of the transparent conductors.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1990Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Mohamed I. Abdalla, Lawrence L. Hope, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4891542Abstract: A method of prolonging the life of thin film dichroic coated lamp components and of employing inexpensive components has been discovered. This method is the use of a hydrogen getter located in the outer jacket of the lamp, adjacent to the dichroic coating. The getter is preferably located and aligned so as to reach an optimum operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1988Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Charles Mellor, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4786841Abstract: An arc discharge lamp having a sealed envelope including a major body portion and at least one minor transverse end portion. A non-specular light diffusing surface is axially located between the minor transverse end portion and one of the lamp electrodes. A phosphor layer within the sealed envelope subtends the major body portion of the envelope. The surface brightness of the phosphor layer as viewed through the minor transverse end portion of the envelope is greater than the intensity of the external surface brightness of the phosphor layer on the major body portion of the envelope during operation of the lamp. A lamp array for use as an element in a picture display is also disclosed including a plurality of sealed envelopes. In the case of a color presentation of information, one picture element is composed of three sealed envelopes phosphor coated with the primary colors red, green and blue.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: November 22, 1988Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Timothy Fohl, Robert Y. Pai, Warren C. Gungle
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Patent number: 4580989Abstract: A metal halide arc discharge lamp having a gaseous fill within the outer envelope and means for suppressing convection currents within such fill; and methods of operating and constructing such lamps. A light-transmissive sleeve or enclosure surrounding the arc tube laterally and about at least one end thereof is so shaped and mounted with respect to the arc tube as to insure that the Rayleigh Number, a quantitative measure of convective flow, in the atmosphere laterally surrounding the arc tube will be less than 5.times.10.sup.4 during operation of the lamp whereby excessive convective heat loss in such lamp will be effectively suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1984Date of Patent: April 8, 1986Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Timothy Fohl, William M. Keeffe, Harold L. Rothwell
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Patent number: 4499396Abstract: A metal halide arc discharge lamp having a gaseous fill within the outer envelope and means for suppressing convection currents within such fill; and methods of operating and constructing such lamps. A light-transmissive sleeve or enclosure surrounding the arc tube laterally and about at least one end thereof is so shaped and mounted with respect to the arc tube as to insure that the Rayleigh Number, a quantitative measure of convection flow, in the atmosphere laterally surrounding the arc tube will be less than 5.times.10.sup.4 during operation of the lamp whereby excessive convective heat loss in such lamp will be effectively suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1982Date of Patent: February 12, 1985Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Timothy Fohl, William M. Keeffe, Harold L. Rothwell
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Patent number: 4375953Abstract: A miniature photoflash unit which is electrically activated when the unit is electrically connected to a power source (piezoelectric crystal) associated with many of today's pocket type cameras. The unit is capable of being positioned atop the camera and comprises a small planar housing, lamp-firing circuitry positioned externally of the housing, several (e.g., ten) subminiature flash lamps secured to the base and having lead-in wires passing through the base to effect electrical contact with the lamp-firing circuitry, a tabular mounting device is inserted within the camera to provide electrical connection between the circuitry and power source, and means for covering the externally located lamp-firing circuitry. The circuitry may be positioned either on an external surface of the housing or on a planar surface of the cover means which is attached to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1980Date of Patent: March 8, 1983Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Andre C. Bouchard, John A. Scholz, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4347053Abstract: A photographic flash device which includes several pyrotechnic charges for emitting light upon electrical ignition thereof. Each charge is centrally suspended within an individual chamber located within the device's light-transmitting, plastic housing. The charges may be arranged in annular or linear arrays.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1980Date of Patent: August 31, 1982Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Timothy Fohl, Andre C. Bouchard
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Patent number: 4311453Abstract: A high voltage, electrically-activated flashlamp which includes an improved ignition means comprising a pair of lead-in wires, a glass or ceramic insulator positioned on the ends of the wires, and a plurality of spark gap members arranged in either an annular or linear pattern with the lamp's envelope for simultaneously igniting the lamp's shredded zirconium or hafnium combustible material. The spark gap members, each comprising a pair of spaced (or gapped) layers of aluminum or copper bridged by a small quantity of high voltage breakdown primer material, are electrically connected in series.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1980Date of Patent: January 19, 1982Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventor: Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4298908Abstract: A disk-shaped flashlamp unit for use within an indexing means or mechanism associated with a camera. The unit includes several, e.g. ten, electrically-activated flashlamps radially disposed within the unit's plastic, light-transmitting housing. A pair of planar reflectors are utilized for each lamp to reflect the light therefrom through the housing. Light output can be further enhanced by utilization of two additional planar reflective members adjacent each lamp, the four members surrounding the side and bottom portions of the flashlamp's envelope to thereby direct light emitted from the flashlamp in a substantially singular direction through the peripheral region of the plastic housing. The invention's reflectors also assure prevention of sympathetic ignition.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1979Date of Patent: November 3, 1981Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: George J. English, Robert E. Levin, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4279590Abstract: A photoflash lamp having a glass envelope with a clear protective exterior coating comprising a photopolymer reinforced with glass fibers. In applying the coating, a long strand of glass fibers is wrapped about the lamp envelope, which is then dipped in a liquid photopolymer, or short lengths of glass fiber are dispersed throughout the liquid photopolymer, either by premixing or application after dipping. The wet-coated lamp is then cure-hardened by a short period of irradiation with a source of ultraviolet light.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1976Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Judith A. Dow, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4232058Abstract: A photoflash lamp having a glass envelope with a clear protective exterior coating comprising a photopolymer reinforced with glass fibers. In applying the coating, a long strand of glass fibers is wrapped about the lamp envelope, which is then dipped in a liquid photopolymer, or short lengths of glass fiber are dispersed throughout the liquid photopolymer, either by premixing or application after dipping. The wet-coated lamp is then cure-hardened by a short period of irradiation with a source of ultraviolet light.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1978Date of Patent: November 4, 1980Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Judith A. Dow, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 4204834Abstract: A flash lamp which is electrically activated using capacitive coupling between a pair of conductors located externally of the lamp's glass envelope and a respective pair of conductors located within the envelope. A quantity of primer material, also located within the envelope, serves to ignite the flash lamp's combustible material (e.g. shredded zirconium). The primer material is electrically joined to the internal conductors through either a pair of spring contacts or the shredded combustible material.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1978Date of Patent: May 27, 1980Assignee: GTE Sylvania IncorporatedInventor: Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: D270915Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1981Date of Patent: October 11, 1983Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventor: Timothy Fohl