Windshield Or Window Patents (Class 219/203)
  • Patent number: 10358117
    Abstract: A control system can include an actuator actuable into an on state to instruct a wiper motor to move a wiper over a vehicle exterior surface, and a source of vehicle movement data that indicates whether the vehicle is moving. A processor based controller can instruct the wiper motor to move the wiper to either a Park 1 position that provides enhanced aerodynamic effects or a different Park 2 position that provides enhanced accessibility to the wiper if the actuator is not actuated into the on state. The controller being specifically configured to instruct the wiper motor to move the wiper to the Park 1 position if the source of vehicle information indicates that the vehicle is moving, and to instruct the wiper motor to move the wiper to the Park 2 position if the source of vehicle information does not indicate that the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erik F. de Almeida, Michael T. Binfet
  • Patent number: 10355378
    Abstract: A pane having at least one electrical connection element is described. The pane has a substrate, an electrically conductive structure on a region of the substrate, a layer of a solder material on a region of the electrically conductive structure, and at least two soldering points of a connection element on the solder material. The at least two soldering points define at least one contact surface between the connection element and the electrically conductive structure, and a shape of the at least one contact surface has at least one segment of an oval, an ellipse, or a circle with a central angle ? of at least 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Christoph Degen, Bernhard Reul, Mitja Rateiczak, Andreas Schlarb, Lothar Lesmeister
  • Patent number: 10351248
    Abstract: Aircraft and aircraft windshield heating systems are provided. An aircraft windshield heating system includes a windshield, first and second heating elements, and a power bus controller. The windshield has a main portion and a reduced portion, the first and second heating elements are thermally coupled with the main portion and the reduced portion, respectively. The power bus controller is operatively coupled with the first heating element and the second heating element and is configured for coupling to a primary power supply and a backup power supply. The power bus controller is configured to determine when the primary power supply is available, to direct power from the primary power supply to the first heating element when the primary power supply is available, and to direct power from the backup power supply to the second heating element when the primary power supply is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Palfreyman
  • Patent number: 10354904
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes: a body substrate having a substrate front surface and a substrate rear surface and made of ceramic; an attraction electrode provided in the body substrate; a metal base having a base front surface and a base rear surface, and placed such that the base front surface faces the substrate rear surface of the body substrate; and an internal through hole formed so as to penetrate the base front surface and the base rear surface of the metal base. The body substrate has a plurality of heating regions in each of which a heater electrode is provided. In the internal through hole, a plurality of heater electrode terminals are provided which are electrically connected to the heater electrode in each heating region. The plurality of heater electrode terminals provided in the internal through hole are electrically connected to a connection member provided in the internal through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Okugawa, Yosuke Shinozaki, Toshihisa Nomura
  • Patent number: 10347964
    Abstract: An electrically heatable antenna pane includes a transparent pane and an electrical heating layer extending over a portion of a pane surface. The pane serves at least section-wise as a planar antenna for receiving and/or transmitting electromagnetic waves. A first busbar and a second busbar electrically connectable to a voltage source and electrically conductingly connected to the heating layer are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Stefan Droste, Bernd Stelling, Guillaume Francois
  • Patent number: 10348011
    Abstract: A composite pane with electrical contact-making means is described, having: a first pane and a second pane, which panes are connected to one another over their surface by means of a thermoplastic intermediate layer, at least one electrically conductive coating at least on the inner surface of the first pane, at least one busbar on a region of the electrically conductive coating, and at least one electrically conductive contact strip on at least one region of the busbar, wherein the contact strip is connected to at least one electrical feed line, and at least one region of the contact strip is in direct contact with the busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Bernhard Reul, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 10327286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heatable glazing comprising an electrically conductive coating and a data transmission window. The data transmission window comprises a plurality of grids made by ablations in the electrically conductive coating and at least one break line between adjacent grids. At least one of a width “a” of the grids and a distance “b” between adjacent grids is selected to maximise transmission of a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic radiation and to reduce the formation of hot spots. Preferred embodiments conform to a standard size of an ERTICO window and a frequency range from 5 GHz to 6 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Paulus, Hidetoshi Oka, Mark Andrew Chamberlain, Tatsumi Tokuda
  • Patent number: 10323818
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided that includes a light source, a lens in front of the light source, conductive circuitry provided on the lens and forming a capacitive sensor for sensing moisture on the lens and a heater for removing the moisture, and switching circuitry for selectively energizing one of the capacitive sensor and the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 10327285
    Abstract: The present specification provides a heating element including an adhesive film; and a conductive heating pattern provided on at least one surface of the adhesive film and having a line height of 10 micrometers or less, and a method for fabricating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jiehyun Seong, Hyeon Choi, Sarah Kim, Seung Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 10314116
    Abstract: A heating system includes a conductive layer disposed on a pane surface of a glass pane, a first busbar extending along a first pane edge portion of the glass plane in electrical contact with the conductive layer, and a second busbar extending along a second pane edge portion of the glass plane in electrical contact with the conductive layer. Applying power to the first busbar causes current to travel from the first busbar along the conductive layer to the second busbar, heating the pane surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei, James R. Wilson, John Raff, Martin Melcher
  • Patent number: 10286473
    Abstract: A method for producing a pane with an electrically conductive coating and a metallic strip soldered thereon is described. The method includes providing a substrate with an electrically conductive coating, providing a metallic strip with at least one through-hole, positioning the metallic strip on the electrically conductive coating, wherein the hole is arranged on the electrically conductive coating, and soldering the metallic strip to the electrically conductive coating via a soldering compound using an ultrasonic soldering tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Bernhard Reul, Francois Hermange
  • Patent number: 10274449
    Abstract: An inter-digital capacitive sensor and control system are used to distinguish between rain, ice, dirt and debris on the outer lens surface of a surveillance camera. The electrodes of the capacitive sensor are made from a conductive coating such as printed epoxy or a transparent conductive oxide, that is directly deposited onto the inner surface of the lens. A defroster is spaced radially-outward from the capacitive sensor and is formed by metal deposition directly on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Dannan
  • Patent number: 10251219
    Abstract: A defrosting glass includes a glass substrate, at least one carbon nanotube composite wire, and at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode. The carbon nanotube composite wire is disposed on the surface of the glass substrate. A carbon nanotube composite wire includes a carbon nanotube wire and a metal coating layer. Each carbon nanotube composite wire includes a carbon nanotube wire and a metal coating layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing FUNATE Innovation Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Li Qian, Yu-Quan Wang
  • Patent number: 10222016
    Abstract: A daylighting member includes a first daylighting section and a second daylighting section having different daylighting properties from the first daylighting section. The first daylighting section includes an optically transparent first substrate and a plurality of optically transparent daylighting portions provided on a first surface of the first substrate. The first daylighting section diffuses incoming light in a desired direction and emits the incoming light. The second daylighting section diffuses and emits the incoming light. The first daylighting section and the second daylighting section are placed side by side in a direction intersecting a direction in which the daylighting portions extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsujimoto, Tsuyoshi Kamada
  • Patent number: 10182469
    Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle steering wheel may include a conductive element surrounding at least a portion of the steering wheel, a power supply for the conductive element configured to provide an input voltage, and a transformer between the power supply and the conductive element and configured to receive the input voltage and provide an output voltage higher than the input voltage to the conductive element for heating the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Chascsa, II, Ishak Zaman
  • Patent number: 10161860
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fog detection method in a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a first fog sensor with a first transmitter emitting a first encoded optical signal into a vehicle's surroundings, and an associated first receiver for receiving an optical signal reflected from the vehicle's surroundings, and a first analyzing unit for decoding, analyzing and providing a first detection result related to the reception, wherein, for encoding, a code is selected among a plurality of possible codes (A,B,C) by the first transmitter in a code selection, and the code selection is communicated from the first transmitter to the first receiver and/or the analyzing unit, wherein, upon analyzing the signal received from the first receiver by the first analyzing unit, the code selection is used for identifying the first encoded optical signal in the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: PREH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Kleffel, Norbert Bauer
  • Patent number: 10161667
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having a defrost chamber is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a defrost drawer housing, and a pair of electromagnetic electrodes. The defrost drawer housing may be mounted within the chilled chamber and define the defrost chamber for the receipt of a food item. The pair of electromagnetic electrodes may be spaced apart along a vertical direction within the drawer housing. Each electromagnetic electrode may include a first heating ring and a second heating ring that is larger than the first heating ring. Each electromagnetic electrode may also include a conductive path and an electrical restrictor element. The conductive path may extend between the first heating ring and the second heating ring. The electrical restrictor element may be coupled to the conductive path and selectively permit a current therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Keith Besore, Brent Alden Junge, Bradley Nicholas Gilkey
  • Patent number: 10165627
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element, including: a substrate; a first bus bar provided on the substrate; a second bus bar which is provided on the substrate so as to be opposite to the first bus bar; and a heating pattern which is provided to electrically connect the first bus bar and the second bus bar, wherein the heating pattern includes a first pattern region which is in contact with the first bus bar and a second pattern region which is in contact with each of the second bus bar and the first pattern region and the first pattern region has an opening region which serves as a communication window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Hyeon Choi
  • Patent number: 10159115
    Abstract: A pane having an electric heating layer is described, including at least: a first pane having a first surface; at least one electric heating layer that is applied to at least part of the surface and has an uncoated zone; at least two busbars, provided for connection to a voltage source, which are connected to the electric heating layer such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars; and at least one separating line which electrically subdivides the electric layer into at least two segments. At least one segment is arranged in the form of a strip around the uncoated zone such that the current path for the heating current is at least partially guided around the uncoated zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Dang Cuong Phan, Bojan Dimitrijevic, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 10129932
    Abstract: A sensing element for sensing a temperature of an electrically heated window includes a coil of filament wire having a first end and a second end, the coil having a resistivity that changes based on temperature, a first substantially flat conductive material electrically coupled to the first end of the coil, a second substantially flat conductive material electrically coupled to the second end of the coil, a first lead wire electrically coupled to the first substantially flat conductive material and extending outwardly, and a second lead wire electrically coupled to the second substantially flat conductive material and extending outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Briggs, Robert A. Drensek, Stephen J. Molmer, Andrew T. Troller
  • Patent number: 10120202
    Abstract: Patterned articles include a substantially transparent substrate having at least one optical property, the substrate further having an outer surface and an inner surface; and at least one patterned layer on the outer surface of the substrate, the at least one patterned layer visible on the outer surface and having at least one optical property substantially matching the at least one optical property of the substrate, whereby visibility of the at least one patterned layer is at least partially restricted through the inner surface. Methods of forming a patterned article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: QUANTUM INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Norman L. Kester
  • Patent number: 10118369
    Abstract: A laminated glazing unit including a first and a second glass sheet, the first glass sheet being equipped with a first through-hole, a spacer film of thermoplastic polymer disposed between the first and second glass sheets, at least one conducting wire buried within the spacer film or disposed between the spacer film and the first glass sheet or disposed between the spacer film and the second glass sheet, one end of each conducting wire exiting from the laminated glazing unit via the first through-hole in the first glass sheet. The conducting wires are fed through a laminated glazing unit, with a guaranteed quality of positioning of the conducting wires, an improved field of view and with no induced noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Dominique Bureloux, Adeline Girod, Alexandre Hennion, Andreas Schlarb, Bernd Stelling
  • Patent number: 10111581
    Abstract: A thermal defogging system and method for an optical instrument is described. In one embodiment, the thermal defogging system for an optical instrument is comprised of: at least a primary housing, the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element adapted to be aligned with the aperture for transmission of optical signals, at least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment; and a transparent conductive layer covering an area at least as large as the optical footprint of the transmitted optical signal through the transparent element, wherein responsive to the application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Nir Makmel
  • Patent number: 10098186
    Abstract: A heated laminated windscreen including two sheets of glass joined by an inserted sheet, and including a system of conductive layers covering most of a surface of one glass sheet of the windscreen. The system is electrically powered by busbars at a top and bottom of the windscreen, with windows which are devoid of layers arranged at the top in the middle of the windscreen. The windscreen further including at least one additional busbar arranged laterally on edges and at the top of the windscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: AGC GLASS EUROPE
    Inventors: Laurent Goutiere, Peter Masschelein
  • Patent number: 10063047
    Abstract: A system for monitoring performance of an aircraft windshield includes a sensor comprising a sensory contact and an evaluation unit. The sensory contact is in physical contact with one or more components of the windshield, and generates a signal representative of the performance of the component(s) of the windshield. An electrical connector is secured to the surface of the windshield facing the interior of the aircraft. The signal from the sensory contact passes through the connector to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit acts on the signal to determine the performance of the component(s) of the windshield, wherein the evaluation unit is spaced from and out of physical contact with the windshield and the electrical connector, and is in electrical contact with the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas B. Duarte, Yu Jiao, Khushroo H. Lakdawala, Arthur C. Scott, Monroe A. Stone
  • Patent number: 10017416
    Abstract: A composite pane having a sun protection and a heat protection function is described. The composite pane has an outer pane having an outer surface and an inner surface, an inner pane having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a thermoplastic intermediate layer, having at least a sun protection coating on at least the inner surface, the outer surface, or in the thermoplastic intermediate layer, and a heat protection layer on the inner surface. The sun protection layer has at least one functional layer containing at least silver, and the heat protection layer has at least one functional layer containing at least one metal of the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, and zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Florian Manz
  • Patent number: 10018679
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide systems and methods for a vehicle component structural integrity assessment system, comprising a first connection and a second connection coupled to a conduction path, which is associated with a vehicle component. The conduction path has an initial resistance. A controller is configured to transmit a signal upon the detection of a change in the resistance of the conduction path from the initial resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Masias
  • Patent number: 9963009
    Abstract: An air-heating blower device for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a body with at least one inlet opening at least one outlet opening an electrically driven axial fan rotatably mounted around its axis within the body. The fan is associated to an electric motor (M) with toroidal geometry, having an annular rotor which is rotatable within an annular stator and defining a central opening inside thereof, said fan (F) having one or more blades (B) which are carried by the rotor and each blade extending into said central opening towards a free end of the blade which terminates at a distance from the central axis of the fan, and in that the annular body of the rotor and/or the annular body of the stator define a guide tube for the airflow activated by the fan (F) over the resistive electric heater (H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Interactive Fully Electrical Vehicles S.r.l., Poli-Model S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pietro Perlo, Pietro Guerrieri
  • Patent number: 9958131
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a housing having a compartment with an opening. At least one lighting element is mounted in the compartment, defines at least one light output range, and is electrically connected to a circuit board. A transparent cover is disposed in front of the opening of the housing. A thermally conductive member is mounted to a rear face of the transparent cover and has a shape located corresponding to a periphery of the at least one light output range. A front surface of the thermally conductive member abuts the rear face of the transparent cover. A heating element electrically connected to a heating control device is mounted to a rear surface of the thermally conductive member and includes a heating wire having a diameter smaller than a width of the thermally conductive member. The heating wire is longer than the thermally conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Min Hsiang Corporation
    Inventor: Shang-kuei Tai
  • Patent number: 9949319
    Abstract: A pane having an electric heating layer is described, including: a first pane having a surface; at least one electric heating layer that is applied to at least part of the surface and has at least one uncoated zone; at least two busbars, provided for connection to a voltage source, which are connected to the electric heating layer such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars; and n separating lines which electrically subdivide the electric layer into m segments. The segments are arranged in the form of strips around the uncoated zone such that the current path for the heating current is at least partially guided around the uncoated zone and the segments have equal width and the sum of widths of segments is equal to the width of the electric heating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Dang Cuong Phan, Bojan Dimitrijevic, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 9888566
    Abstract: A transparency having a bus bar system includes a non-conductive substrate having a major surface. At least one conductive coating is located over at least a portion of the major surface. An electrically conductive adhesive, such as an isotropically conductive tape or film, is located over at least a portion of the conductive coating. A metallic member, such as a metallic foil or metallic braid, is located over the isotropically conductive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Short
  • Patent number: 9868535
    Abstract: A method of treating ice for a windshield of an aircraft, in which method at least two distinct de-icing zones of the windshield are defined. During a de-icing step, at least one de-icing means is activated temporarily in order to de-ice the de-icing zones in succession and in a given cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Robert Leschi, Stephane Catris, Gregory Balmain
  • Patent number: 9821770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a windowpane defogging device for a motor vehicle which, upon generation of a fog on a windowpane, comes into a defogging mode to remove the fog generated on the windowpane. The windowpane defogging device includes a relative humidity detecting unit configured to detect a windowpane relative humidity of a driver seat view field region of the windowpane and a windowpane relative humidity of a passenger seat view field region of the windowpane, and a control unit configured to control entry into the defogging mode by determining the generation or non-generation of the fog on the windowpane based on the windowpane relative humidity of the driver seat view field region and the windowpane relative humidity of the passenger seat view field region inputted from the relative humidity detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Baek
  • Patent number: 9751498
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for de-icing a transparent window, in particular a vehicle windshield, with an electric heating device, are described. The method has the following steps: Step A): Measuring a window temperature before an initial application of a heating voltage; Step B): Measuring the window temperature after a beginning of a heating period; and Step C): Applying a heating voltage of more than 100 volts to a heating device over a heating period of a maximum of 2 minutes, in particular a maximum of 90 seconds, and repeating step B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Andreas Schlarb, Guenther Schall, Marcel Klein, Xavier Fanton
  • Patent number: 9664132
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for operating an oxygen sensor. In one example, a method of operating an oxygen sensor including a heater comprises sampling a first heater resistance at a first temperature, and determining a resistance-temperature transfer function relating heater resistance to heater temperature based on the first heater resistance and a second heater resistance at a second temperature, the second temperature different from the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9646436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for hands-free activation of vehicle functions such as accessing doors and windows, and establishing driver preferences such as seat positions is disclosed. A capacitive sensor is embedded in a non-metallic portion of the vehicle such as a tail light, window, or cladding on the vehicle. The capacitive sensor is in communication with a vehicle control unit, which can detect the proximity of a user or a specific gesture to activate a predetermined vehicle function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Huf North America Automotive Parts Manufacturing, Corp.
    Inventors: Robert J. Campbell, Yipeng Tang, Mansour Ashtiani, Khalid Kamal, Lynn D Da Deppo
  • Patent number: 9625685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a window glass for a vehicle, attached to a body flange of the vehicle at a circumferential edge portion thereof, including: an infrared ray shielding portion which reflects or absorbs infrared rays on a large part of the window; and electromagnetic wave transmitting portions having a substantially rectangular shape, which transmit at least a predetermined electromagnetic wave, at each of lower end portions on both sides in a width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masanobu Ogawa, Junzo Ooe, Takuma Sawaya, Takashi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9629204
    Abstract: Condensation mitigation devices and condensation prediction/detection techniques configured to prevent window condensation with reduced power consumption are disclosed. A condensation mitigation device is configured to predict and/or detect a window condensation event. The condensation mitigation device is powered on only during such an event, and the condensation mitigation device is powered off afterwards to conserve power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Armstrong, Shannon Cushman, Phillip B. Liescheski, Paul Spieker
  • Patent number: 9610752
    Abstract: A laminated glass pane with electrical function and connection element is described. The laminated glass pane has at least two individual glass panes, which are areally connected to at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer. The laminated glass pane further has at least one electrically functional layer, which is situated between the at least two individual glass panes at least one foil conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to the at least one electrically functional layer, and at least one housing with at least one electrical feed line and at least one electrical line connection. The at least two individual glass panes has at least one undercut glass pane, wherein the at least one foil conductor runs without an overhang around a lateral edge of the at least one undercut glass pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Andreas Schlarb, Walter Schreiber, Bernhard Reul
  • Patent number: 9581033
    Abstract: A surface mounted heater assembly for an aerospace component having a support layer, an electrically resistive heater foil element supported by the support layer, a coating covering the heater element; and an adhesive to secure said support layer to the component is provided. The coating has two layers that are visually distinct to permit identification of potential exposure of the heater foil element. A surface mounted heater having a multiple layer assembly having a support layer; a heater element and a transition layer to couple the support layer to the aerospace component is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP0RATION
    Inventor: John H Vontell
  • Patent number: 9526130
    Abstract: A transparent pane having an electrically heatable coating is described. The transparent pane is electrically connected to at least two first electrodes provided for electrical connection to two terminals of a voltage source. A heating field includes at least one coating-free zone. At least one second electrode is provided for electric connection to one terminal of the voltage source. A method for manufacturing the transparent pane is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Susanne Lisinski, Günther Schall, Dang Cuong Phan, Bernhard Reul, Lothar Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9511648
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle heater that is capable of being easily manufactured and being miniaturized due to a decrease in a thickness by forming a heat generating part using a first support part (and a second support part) positioned perpendicularly to an air flow direction and having a plate form and is capable of improving heating performance by improving heat exchange performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jung Sam Gu, Kwang Hun Oh, Young-Ha Jeon, Jun Young Song, Hong-Young Lim
  • Patent number: 9503619
    Abstract: An arrangement for an image recording device in a vehicle having an image recording device for recording image data. The arrangement includes a carrier part which can be positioned on the vehicle with the front side of the carrier part on or in front of the inside of a vehicle window, retaining elements for retaining the image recording device, the retaining elements are coupled to the carrier part in such a way that the optical recording axis of the image recording device is directed into an area in front of the front side of the carrier part, and a heating device, the heating device designed in such a way that the thermal radiation produced by the heating device in the direction of the area in front of the front side of the carrier part is determined. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the heating device in such an arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: CALESCO FOIL, VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Roland Hacker, Kjell Jacobsen, Pär Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 9487437
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to substrates or assemblies having laser-fused frits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a pattern is formed or written on a stock glass sheet by laser fusing frit material to the glass sheet. An optional thin film coating is disposed on and supported by the stock glass sheet. The stock glass sheet with the pattern and the optional thin film coating is cut prior to heat treatment (e.g., heat strengthening and/or thermal tempering). A YAG or other type of laser source may be used to directly or indirectly heat the frit material, which may be wet applied to the substrate. In certain instances, the laser firing of the frit raises the temperature of the glass substrate to no more than 100 degrees C. and, preferably, the temperature is kept even lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Matthew S. Walp
  • Patent number: 9481228
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle windshield which can decrease chances of a fogging to occur by having an antifogging property, and under a situation that a fogging occurs, it is able to allow a driver to easily and surely recognize an occurrence state of the fogging in its initial state without adversely affecting visibility. The vehicle windshield has a window glass, a strip-shaped black ceramic layer, and a water absorbing antifogging film, wherein the water absorbing antifogging film has a thin-film area located outside a visual field area where a visual field of a driver is ensured in the vehicle windshield and inside an area where the black ceramic layer is formed, the thin-film area having a maximum film thickness in a range of 30% to 70% of a minimum film thickness in the visual field area and having a size recognizable by the driver when a fogging occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Hideki Ishioka
  • Patent number: 9422189
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to substrates or assemblies having laser-fused fits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a pattern is formed or written on a stock glass sheet by laser fusing frit material to the glass sheet. An optional thin film coating is disposed on and supported by the stock glass sheet. The stock glass sheet with the pattern and the optional thin film coating is cut prior to heat treatment (e.g., heat strengthening and/or thermal tempering). A YAG or other type of laser source may be used to directly or indirectly heat the frit material, which may be wet applied to the substrate. In certain instances, the laser firing of the frit raises the temperature of the glass substrate to no more than 100 degrees C. and, preferably, the temperature is kept even lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Matthew S. Walp
  • Patent number: 9395538
    Abstract: An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hui, Yew Kwang Low, Kok Wee Yeo
  • Patent number: 9357636
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a conductive structure body that comprises a darkening pattern layer having AlOxNy, and a method for manufacturing the same. The conductive structure body according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may prevent reflection by a conductive pattern layer without affecting conductivity of the conductive pattern layer, and improve a concealing property of the conductive pattern layer by improving absorbance. Accordingly, a display panel having improved visibility may be developed by using the conductive structure body according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Hyong Lim, Song Ho Jang, Jin Woo Park, Ki-Hwan Kim, In-Seok Hwang, Chung Wan Kim, Seung Heon Lee, Beom Mo Koo, Ji Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 9321364
    Abstract: An electric bus may include a charging interface positioned on an external surface of the electric bus. One or more heating pads may be removably attached to the charging interface and configured to heat the charging interface. The heating pads may include a rigid plate forming an exposed surface of the charging interface. The plate may be positioned such that a first side of the plate forms a charging head contact surface when the charging head engages with the charging interface. A heating device may be attached to a second side of the plate opposite the first side. The heating device may include a heating element configured to heat the plate by resistive heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor A. Ashworth, Seamus T. McGrath, Seneca A. Schepmann
  • Patent number: 9302934
    Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate for covering or accommodating at least one heating element, wherein the plate is at least partly coated with at least one nanoscale layer based on a metallic material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the glass-ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: EUROKERA S.N.C.
    Inventors: Pablo Vilato, Caroline Faillat, Marie-Helene Rouillon