With Ice Clearer Or Preventer Patents (Class 343/704)
  • Patent number: 7623080
    Abstract: A loop antenna able to be mounted on the rear window of a vehicle provided with a defogger, that is, a loop antenna to be mounted on a rear window provided with a defogger having electrodes arranged in the vertical direction at the two ends and a plurality of electrical heating wires bridging the electrodes in the horizontal direction, wherein an antenna element forming a loop is made polygonal in shape, two power feed terminals of the loop antenna are provided at positions a predetermined distance away from the midpoint of the bottom of the antenna element, constituted by one side, in the vertical direction, a distance between the power feed terminals and bottom is formed smaller than the distance between adjoining electrical heating wires of the defogger, and the loop antenna is mounted on the rear window between the adjoining electrical heating wires. The polygonal shape may be a triangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Kazushige Ogino, Yoshio Umezawa, Katsuhiro Tsuruta, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7554499
    Abstract: A radome uses traditional continuous heating wires mixed with detuned dipoles between heating wires and can be placed at any chosen distance from an array antenna or FSS. The continuous heating wires add a reactive component to the incident field phase, which is effectively cancelled out by the detuned dipoles which provide a capacitive component. The orthogonal components of the incident field are transmitted with very small losses over a wide number of scan angles. These heating and detuned dipoles can be printed on low loss dielectric materials. In addition, the printed elements of this radome can be scaled to operate over a chosen frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Benedikt A. Munk, Heriberto J. Delgado, Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 7511676
    Abstract: A rear window glass sheet 10 includes a plurality of heating wires 2 and a plurality of bus bars 5a and 5b for feeding the heating wires 2, the heating wires 2 and the bus bars form a defogger, the heating wires 2 extend in a horizontal direction of the rear window glass sheet 10, and an antenna conductor 6 is disposed in an upper blank region of the rear window glass sheet 10 except for a defogger region. When it is assumed that there is a line, which passes through the center of the antenna conductor 6 in a left-to-right direction of the antenna conductor or the center of gravity thereof, and which extends parallel to the heating wire at the highest position, is called an imaginary parallel line 11, an island-like conductor 1a is disposed in an region of the rear window glass sheet 10 between the imaginary parallel line 11 and the heating wire 2a at the highest position as viewed three-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7501988
    Abstract: An antenna device (8) for a motor vehicle (10) is disclosed whereby the antenna device (8) includes a dielectric carrier (1) and components mounted on it, including at least one antenna (3; 6) and at least one impedance transformer (5) assigned to this one, as a minimum, antenna (6). In addition, the motor vehicle (10) is described with the antenna device (8) being mounted in a roof area (14) of the motor vehicle (10) and a spoiler (11) in which the antenna device (8) is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ingo Schön, Jörg Giere, Andreas Kelm, Bernhard Schittek, Joachim Schütz, Andreas Kwoczek
  • Publication number: 20090027283
    Abstract: A high frequency wave antenna for an automobile is provided, which improves antenna gain of an antenna conductor provided in a spoiler. A defogger is provided on a rear window glass plate 14, a part of a plurality of heater wires extend in a horizontal direction, a spoiler including an antenna conductor 6 embedded therein is provided above the rear window glass plate 14, at least one of a plurality of bus bars has a bus bar horizontal portion 1H extending in a horizontal direction, the bus bar horizontal portion 1H is provided in an upper region of the rear window glass plate 14, and a plurality of vertical heater wires 2 extending in a vertical direction from the bus bar horizontal portion 1H, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenichiro SHIMO, Kazuyoshi Noda, Takuji Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090015492
    Abstract: In a multiband antenna system for a vehicle windshield, an antenna conductor structure is provided in lateral recesses of the heating conductor field. The antenna conductor structure is non-electrically coupled to the heating conductor field with low resistance using high-frequency technology. This system ensures defrosting of the vehicle windshield in the entire wiped area without being affected by the antenna conductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Rainer Kuehne
  • Patent number: 7457650
    Abstract: A portable radio communication apparatus is provided with a boom portion having both ends connected with a housing of the portable radio communication apparatus and having a central portion located between both ends. In the portable radio communication apparatus, at least one through hole is formed between the boom portion and the housing. The boom portion includes a central portion and two end portions. The central portion extends in parallel to a width direction of the portable radio communication apparatus, and the two end portions are bent respectively from both ends of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwai, Shinji Kamaeguchi, Kenichi Yamada, Toshihiro Asahina, Atsushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7456796
    Abstract: There is provided an antenna formed on at least upper blank space of defogging heating strips of a rear window glass of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoji Nagayama, Yasuo Takaki
  • Patent number: 7397442
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes an antenna and a radome that covers the antenna. The radome can be single- or double-walled, and, to prevent accumulation of dew on the radome, a radome heater operates to heat the radome's surface temperature in a relatively uniform manner by raising the radome air space's air temperature. To increase the radome heater's energy efficiency, an insulating layer thermally insulates the radome heater from the surface on which it is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: KVH Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey O. Hawes
  • Patent number: 7379028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an antenna-embedded laminated glass with an antenna element sealed between glass sheets, which is characterized to comprise forming two or more glass sheets forming the laminated glass; bonding a transfer film on a surface of one of the glass sheets by a boding strip, the transfer film including the bonding strip and a conductive strip forming the antenna element; and press-bonding glass sheet, through a intermediate film, to the surface of the one glass sheet with the transfer film bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Katsumi Hisaeda
  • Patent number: 7348927
    Abstract: The aerial of antennas FM1 and FM2 comprises, in addition to the original defrosting network (2), two pairs of vertical lines (9,10) which are disposed symmetrically in relation to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle. The FM1 signal is collected at a point (12) of the aerial which makes it possible to obtain a directive signal in the direction of the length of the vehicle on a plane with zero height. The FM2 signal is collected at a point (13) which is different from the aerial, making it possible to obtain a directive signal in the direction of the width of the vehicle on a plane with zero height. The serigraphed antenna for the rear window of a salon-type car provides excellent reception for FM, AM and servitude function modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Societe de Composants Electriques
    Inventors: Alessandro Mondadori, Didier Viratelle
  • Patent number: 7345640
    Abstract: An invisible antenna with excellent antenna characteristics that cannot be visually recognized by naked eyes. A pair of linear conductors 11 are connected to a feeding line 12, and a plurality of the linear conductors 11 are disposed on and/or within a transparent insulating layer 14. The linear conductor 11 cannot be visually recognized by human naked eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Watari, Toshiyuki Ando, Toshiyuki Takano
  • Publication number: 20070273597
    Abstract: A rear window glass sheet 10 includes a plurality of heating wires 2 and a plurality of bus bars 5a and 5b for feeding the heating wires 2, the heating wires 2 and the bus bars form a defogger, the heating wires 2 extend in a horizontal direction of the rear window glass sheet 10, and an antenna conductor 6 is disposed in an upper blank region of the rear window glass sheet 10 except for a defogger region. When it is assumed that there is a line, which passes through the center of the antenna conductor 6 in a left-to-right direction of the antenna conductor or the center of gravity thereof, and which extends parallel to the heating wire at the highest position, is called an imaginary parallel line 11, an island-like conductor 1a is disposed in an region of the rear window glass sheet 10 between the imaginary parallel line 11 and the heating wire 2a at the highest position as viewed three-dimensionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi NODA
  • Patent number: 7245950
    Abstract: In a portable radio communication apparatus including a housing, at least one part of the housing is formed as a housing electrical conductor portion by an electrically conductive material. The housing electrical conductor portion is connected with a radio communication circuit of the portable radio communication apparatus so as to operate as at least one part of an unbalanced type antenna of the radio communication circuit. Further, the portable radio communication apparatus further includes a boom portion coupled with the housing at least at two positions so as to provide at least one penetrating hole between the housing and the boom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwai, Atsushi Yamamoto, Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7211768
    Abstract: A heating line pattern structure of a defogger comprising a meander shape heating line portion is provided, in which the local temperature rise of a glass panel may be suppressed and which has a good outward appearance. Two lateral heating lines each having a thick width are provided under the meander shape heating line portion. Tow lateral heating lines are connected to each lateral heating line under the meander shape heating line portion through a vertical heating line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yamashita, Kazuhisa Ono
  • Patent number: 7190326
    Abstract: An electrically conductive coating of an automotive heatable windshield has a communication window having an enhanced frequency selective surface having arranged passing areas (uncoated areas) and blocking areas (coated areas) to pass and block, respectively, predetermined wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the frequency selective surface includes a plurality columns spaced from one another by a continuous elongated blocking area. Each of the columns includes passing areas with each of the passing areas have a perimeter with a blocking area in the perimeter spaced from the perimeter. The perimeters of the passing areas contact one another with the blocking area of adjacent passing areas spaced from one another. The elongated blocking area between the break lines and columns extend to the perimeter of the communication window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Voeltzel
  • Patent number: 7148854
    Abstract: A precipitation removal apparatus includes a satellite dish that is positioned on a mounting. An arm is attached to the mounting. A signal receptor is mounted on a post attached to the arm and is directed toward the dish. A tube is fluidly coupled to a top wall of a housing assembly, and a fan is mounted on a bottom wall of the housing assembly for directing air through an opening in the bottom wall. A heating element is mounted in the housing assembly. A bracket removably attaches the housing assembly to the arm so that the second end of the tube is directed adjacent and parallel to an outer surface of the signal receptor. The fan and heating element are turned on and warm air ejected outwardly of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Joel A. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7145499
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mitigating precipitation effects realized at an antenna system of an instrument such as a microwave radiometer are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a blower mechanism that enables instrument operation even during precipitation events (rain, snow, sleet, or excessive condensation) by causing a flow of air at relatively high velocity tangentially across the antenna system. The air flow is of sufficient force to disallow contact by hydrometeors with the antenna or antenna window of the system by redirecting the path of the falling hydrometeors in flight and/or to sweep hydrometeors reaching or formed at the window from the vicinity of the window. Other mechanisms for such precipitation effects mitigation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Radiometrics Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph Ware, Fredrick Solheim, Michael L. Exner
  • Patent number: 7123202
    Abstract: An antenna window with a high-frequency electric component placed fixedly on one of its surfaces, which is electrically connected to a conductor structure provided on the same surface of the window. The high-frequency component has at least one flat coupling electrode, which is kept at a specific distance from the flat conductor structure conducting high-frequency antenna signals, by an intermediate dielectric layer, to form the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Helmut Maeuser, Bernhard Reul
  • Patent number: 7091914
    Abstract: A glass antenna for a vehicle includes: a window to be disposed along a metal window frame. The window includes a first wire, a second wire and a heating conductor wire. The first wire is capacitive-coupled with a part of the metal window frame. The second wire is capacitive-coupled with the heating conductor wire. The first wire and the second wire are connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Central Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Noguchi, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kanya Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7038630
    Abstract: An antenna disposed on glass including first and second spatially separated grid portions is disclosed. The first grid portion is electromagnetically coupled to the second grid portion to provide reception of AM and FM signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies
    Inventors: Nazar F. Bally, Korkut Yegin, Randall J. Snoeyink, William R. Livengood
  • Patent number: 7027790
    Abstract: A transceiver front-end provides an interface between a transmission medium and transmitter, and between a transmission medium and receiver. The transceiver front-end includes a hybrid circuit, a high-pass filter, and a gain stage, that permits the reduction or the complete elimination of buffer amplifiers. Buffer amplifiers can be eliminated because the hybrid circuit and/or the high-pass filter are adapted so that they can be directly connected to each other, without a loss in circuit performance. Furthermore, the high-pass filter and/or the gain stage are also adapted so they can be directly connected. As such, the transceiver front-end can be constructed using all passive components, reducing or eliminating excess heat generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jan R. Westra, Rudy J. van de Plassche, Chi-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6937198
    Abstract: A glass antenna system for vehicles to receive AM and FM bands is provided. An electrically conductive transparent film is formed on a side glass. A silver printed line have a wide width is formed around the electrically conductive transparent film. A loop-shaped silver printed line is provide surrounding the film, which is capacitively coupled to the body. In this manner, an opening is formed in a space between the silver printed line and the electrically conductive film. An electrically shorted portion is provided between the silver printed line and the electrically conductive film. A coaxial feeder for AM/FM is provided. A central conductor of the feeder is connected to the silver printed line and the outer conductor to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iijima, Hitoshi Kakizawa, Ryokichi Doi
  • Patent number: 6917326
    Abstract: An antenna assembly for use with a level measurement device for measuring the level of a material held in a container is provided. The antenna assembly includes an upper section for coupling to the level measurement device, and an antenna for transmitting energy pulses emitted by the level measurement device and receiving energy pulses reflected by the material in the container. A transducer module is disposed between the upper section and the antenna. A controller is operably connected to the transducer module, the transducer module being responsive to control signals of the controller for activating the transducer module such that the transducer module, when activated by the controller, vibrates the antenna to dislodge or remove material adhering to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments
    Inventors: James Edward Tregenza, Timothy Little
  • Patent number: 6906671
    Abstract: A glass antenna of the present invention includes a window glass: a defogging heater including a plurality of conductive lines arranged on the window glass; a first antenna element and a second antenna element arranged at an upper side relative to the heater on the window glass; and a first feeding point for the first antenna element arranged at a left side of the window glass, and a second feeding point for the second antenna element arranged at a right side of the window glass. The first antenna element and the second antenna element each are capacitively coupled with the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Oka
  • Patent number: 6891517
    Abstract: An electrically conductive coating of an automotive heatable windshield has a communication window having an enhanced frequency selective surface having arranged passing areas (uncoated areas) and blocking areas (coated areas) to pass and block, respectively, predetermined wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the frequency selective surface includes a pattern having a first plurality of arcuate break lines on one side of a dividing break line and a second plurality of arcuate break lines on the other side of the dividing break line. An elongated continuous blocking area is between adjacent break lines. The arcuate break lines of a group are nested within one another with the arcuate break line having the largest radius of curvature adjacent the dividing break line. The break lines each have alternating blocking and passing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: PPG Industries ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Voeltzel
  • Patent number: 6888508
    Abstract: An active broad-band reception antenna, in which the internal amplification of the active antenna is lowered if a predetermined signal level is exceeded, and which consists of a passive antenna part having output connectors that are connected with the input connectors of an amplifier circuit. The input circuit of the amplifier circuit contains a three-pole amplification element with its impedance control connector being connected with the first connector of the passive antenna part, at high frequency. The input admittance of a transformation network having the nature of a low loss filter for low amplitude, high-frequency reception signals, has a counter-coupling and linearizing effect in the high-frequency connection between the source connector of the three-pole amplification element and the second connector of the passive antenna part. The transformation network is loaded with a continuing circuit at its output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: FUBA Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Lindenmeier
  • Patent number: 6873295
    Abstract: A radio antenna formed on a window pane includes parallel heating elements extending between busbars at opposite edges of the pane. Plural interconnecting elements extend across the heating elements. The length from the midpoint of a busbar to the point of connection of the interconnecting element, measured along the busbar and then along the heating element, is approximately ?/4+N(?/2), where n is an integer greater than or equal to zero, and ? is a select wavelength from the band of signals to be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Industries Limited
    Inventor: John Davies
  • Patent number: 6867739
    Abstract: An improved diversity antenna system for moving vehicles is distinguished, inter alia, by the following features: the diversity antenna system can be retrofitted, the first antenna connection (17?) is formed by the first heating connection (17), the first heating line (17a) and/or the first busbar (3) of the heating panel (1), the second antenna connection (23?) is formed by the second heating connection (23), the second heating connecting line (23a) and/or the second busbar (3?) of the heating panel (1), the device for producing different terminating impedances or reactances of different magnitude comprises a tuning box (31), and the tuning box (31) has one or more circuits, via which the magnitude of the terminating impedances or reactances which are formed in the tuning box can be varied continuously or in analog form or a switching box (31?) is provided, having at least three integrated different terminating impedances or reactances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG
    Inventors: Peter Karl Prassmayer, Florian Haidacher
  • Patent number: 6758091
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for local measurement of an icing factor for atmospheric air containing supercooled water, and wherein the apparatus comprises at least one surface element made of a material suitable for ice in atmospheric air to freeze on, and said surface element having a predetermined surface area, and wherein the apparats further comprises means that are configured for moving the surface element through the atmospheric air at a predetermined rate and for a predetermined period of time, and wherein means am also provided that are configured for measuring the thickness or mass of the ice frozen fast onto the surface element after the predetermined time interval during which the element is moved through the atmospheric air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Dalsgaard Nielsen ApS
    Inventor: Evan Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20040113854
    Abstract: An active broad-band reception antenna, in which the internal amplification of the active antenna is lowered if a predetermined signal level is exceeded, and which consists of a passive antenna part having output connectors that are connected with the input connectors of an amplifier circuit. The input circuit of the amplifier circuit contains a three-pole amplification element with its impedance control connector being connected with the first connector of the passive antenna part, at high frequency. The input admittance of a transformation network having the nature of a low loss filter for low amplitude, high-frequency reception signals, has a counter-coupling and linearizing effect in the high-frequency connection between the source connector of the three-pole amplification element and the second connector of the passive antenna part. The transformation network is loaded with a continuing circuit at its output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Heinz Lindenmeier
  • Publication number: 20040070544
    Abstract: An improved diversity antenna system for moving vehicles is distinguished, inter alia, by the following features:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Karl Prassmayer, Florian Haidacher
  • Patent number: 6693597
    Abstract: An improved wire pattern layout for a window antenna that takes into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern. The wire pattern layout comprises a heating grid that is adapted to be in electrical communication with a DC power source. A plurality of antenna wires traverse the heating grid. The antenna wires are adapted to be in electrical communication with a feed to a radio frequency device such as an AM radio, a FM radio, an AM/FM radio, a CB radio, a cellular phone, a global positioning system, or combinations thereof. The antenna wires may extend across the heating grid in substantially straight lines or in a step-wise fashion. In addition, the antenna wires may change direction while traversing the heating grid. By taking into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern, the improved design of the wire pattern layout provides enhanced directional gain and impedance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignees: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Calear s.r.l.
    Inventors: Eric K. Walton, Yasutaka Horiki, Martino Rosin
  • Patent number: 6674392
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle radar system provided with at least one housing includes at least one send/receive element for sending and/or receiving electromagnetic waves, at least one first dielectric member in the beam path of the electromagnetic waves, and at least one arrangement of electrical conductor tracks which are in direct contact with the first dielectric member. It is possible to supply an electric power to the electrical conductor tracks, the electrical conductor tracks preferably being used to heat the first dielectric member, and the electrical conductor tracks being made of a material having a pronounced, positive temperature coefficient (PTC characteristic).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ewald Schmidt, Klaus Voigtlaender, Bernhard Lucas, Joerg Schneemann
  • Patent number: 6630901
    Abstract: A motor vehicle radar system having at least one sensor-radiation transparent body for focusing the sensor beam and/or at least one radome without intentional focusing in the beam path, at least one arrangement made of electrical printed circuit traces being arranged in the area of the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome, the arrangement being suitable at least for heating the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome, electrical power being able to be supplied to the electrical printed circuit traces, power control of the supplied electrical power being carried out as a function of operating states and ambient conditions, such that the surface temperature (TL) of the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome does not exceed preestablished temperature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Winter, Hermann Mayer, Bernhard Lucas, Wolfgang Peveling
  • Patent number: 6593889
    Abstract: An antenna system is described having at least one LMK antenna which is arranged on a window or another non-conducting part of a motor vehicle and has an antenna capacitance Ca, and an antenna booster for the LMK reception. The antenna is characterized in that the distance of the antenna conductor(s) to the parts surrounding the LMK antenna is selected in such a way that the value of the harmful capacitance Ca of the LMK antenna, which is essentially formed by the capacitance between the antenna conductors and the conductive parts surrounding the antenna, is selected to be greater than the value at which the maximum antenna output voltage results, and the value of the harmful capacitance Ca is selected such that, by increasing the source capacitance of the antenna booster, the signal-to-noise ratio is optimized in the lower LMK range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Raddant
  • Patent number: 6583685
    Abstract: A matching circuit for a screen antenna receives on its signal input an MF or LF signal output of a screen antenna and feeds a signal though its signal output via a capacitive feeder to a radio receiver. The matching circuit includes components which operate in conjunction with capacitances in components connected to the signal input and the signal output to form an internally-terminated band-pass filter network having a pass-band which covers a range of frequencies to be received by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Glass Antennas Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brian Easter, Keith Jeremy Twort, John Davies
  • Patent number: 6574460
    Abstract: A radiotelephone system for motor vehicles, having a group antenna system with a plurality of antenna elements, and a mobile radiotelephone with a high-frequency input for receiving radio signals. The group antenna system contains controllable phase and/or amplitude adjusting elements, which are set so that a directed reception with a main receiving direction is available. The controllable phase and/or amplitude adjusting elements are controlled by a processor for tracking the main receiving direction azimuthally in the direction of a fixed station with the help of a tracking signal. Controllable switching-elements for reversing antenna signals for diversity reception are integrated in the signal paths of the group antenna system so that the azimuthal main direction of reception is tracked with a defined tracking by setting a combination of the switching positions of the controllable switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Fuba Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Lindenmeier, Rainer Kronberger, Jochen Hopf, Leopold Reiter
  • Patent number: 6553214
    Abstract: A window glass antenna system for the reception of AM and FM radio broadcasts in an automobile includes an antenna grid applied to a window of a vehicle, that is electrically separate from a heater grid applied to the rear window. An antenna module connected to the vehicle window antenna grid is comprised of a low noise amplifier, matching, and overload protection circuits. The overload protection circuit is included between the antenna grid and the RF amplifier. When the received radio antenna signal is at the typical operating level of the amplifier, the overload protection circuit connects the output of the antenna grid to the RF amplifier. When the received signal is higher than the linear dynamic range of the amplifier the overload protection circuit provides linearity of the signal that is applied to the car radio. This process consists of two steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Tenatronics Limited
    Inventors: Victor Rabinovich, Irina Rabinovich, Terrance R. Reardon
  • Publication number: 20030058178
    Abstract: A window unit including a transparent window, at least two functional electric elements mounted on the transparent window, each of the functional electric elements being provided with an electrical contact face arranged on the window near the edge of the window, the electrical contact faces being distributed along the edge of the window, a flexible contact element mounted to the window at the edge of the window, having a shape tailored to the edge of the window, connecting the electrical contact faces, and covering the electrical contact faces, at least two conductors insulated from one another and arranged in the flexible contact element, and a circuit element supported by the flexible contact element, wherein the conductors are positioned to make electrical connection with at least one of the electrical contact faces of the functional electric elements covered by the flexible contact element and the circuit element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Ulrich Von Alpen, Martin Englmeier, Detlev Durkop
  • Patent number: 6538609
    Abstract: A vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle. The integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna. Two or more antennas are provided in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Anh Nguyen, Argy A. Petros
  • Patent number: 6515631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glass pane including (a) a glass substrate having first and second major surfaces opposed to each other, (b) a functional film formed on the first major surface of the glass substrate, and (c) a conductive wire formed on the functional film. This glass pane is produced by a process having the sequential steps of (a) applying a coating liquid to the first major surface of the glass substrate, thereby forming thereon a first precursory film; (b) subjecting the coated glass substrate to a first baking at a first temperature of 550-620° C., thereby turning the first precursory film into a second precursory film; (c) printing a metal-containing paste on a part of the second precursory film, thereby forming thereon a precursory conductive wire; and (d) subjecting the coated glass substrate to a second baking at a second temperature of 600-670° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Isao Nakamura, Mizuki Nishi
  • Patent number: 6504512
    Abstract: A glass antenna for an automobile that can improve sensitivity in an FM broadcast band and a frequency band region higher than the FM broadcast band, in which a defogger 3 and an antenna conductor 4 are provided in a rear window glass sheet 1. A vertical portion of the antenna conductor 4 crosses or overlaps a plurality of heater strips 2, and the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid one upon another by interposing an insulation layer 15 in the crossing or overlapping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kohji Tabata
  • Patent number: 6448935
    Abstract: An antenna includes a support and an electroconductive first antenna element, e.g., an electroconductive coating, located on the support and spaced from at least one electroconductive second antenna element. The first antenna element is connected to a ground through an electronic filter device, such as an inductor, configured to pass selected frequencies, e.g., AM frequencies, to the ground to eliminate the selected frequencies from the signal provided by the first antenna element. The first antenna element is preferably located between the second antenna element and a source of electronic noise to shield the second antenna element from at least a portion of the electronic noise. The second antenna element receives and provides at least one of the selected frequencies passed to the ground from the first antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Fuchs, Ralf Duersch, Charles S. Voeltzel
  • Patent number: 6445349
    Abstract: A heated antenna system includes an antenna having a reflecting surface and a heater associated with the reflecting surface. A storage capacitor is connected with and provides power to the heater. An electronic control system is electrically connected to the storage capacitor. The electrical control system charges and monitors the storage capacitor and issues a status signal indicative of a status of the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6433753
    Abstract: A radome having for a RWR in a motor vehicle, upon which layers of snow or ice are prevented from forming. Thin metals layers 3 of the radome exhibit an ohmic resistance, an electric current source 4 for heating the radome injects an electric current into the metal layers 3 which flows laterally through the metal layers 3. The radome is suitable for use in a motor vehicle for visually adapting the radome to its surrounding motor vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Werner Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6396445
    Abstract: A window glass antenna apparatus for vehicles includes a defogger for defogging a window glass of a vehicle, which has bus bars at both ends and which is constituted of a thin, narrow strip conductor formed on the window glass such that the bus bars are opposed to a window metal frame of the vehicle with a predetermined gap therebetween, a driven antenna having a height and arranged close and opposite to the defogger with a predetermined clearance such that one side of the driven antenna is mutually coupled to that of the defogger, and a short circuit for causing a short circuit between each of the upper right and left ends of the bus bars and the window metal frame at a high frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Harada Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Saitoh, Richard Langley, Hiroshi Endo
  • Patent number: 6369768
    Abstract: A glass antenna assembly for receiving and transmitting cellular telephone signals includes a two pair of dipole antennas, each pair mounted on a vehicle window. Space diversity is achieved by placing the vehicle windows with the antenna pair on opposite sides of the vehicle. This results in an improved omni-directional antenna pattern. Each dipole antenna is tunes, and employs at least three elements to broad band the dipole antenna. Coaxial feeders leading from the antenna assembly can be concealed under the roof lining for improved aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Fusinski
  • Publication number: 20010054982
    Abstract: A glass antenna for an automobile which can improve sensitivity in an FM broadcast band and a frequency band region higher than the FM broadcast band, wherein a defogger 3 and an antenna conductor 4 are provided in a rear window glass sheet 1; a vertical portion of the antenna conductor 4 crosses or overlaps a plurality of heater strips 2, and the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid one upon another by interposing an insulation layer 15 in the crossing or overlapping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kohji Tabata
  • Patent number: RE37835
    Abstract: A bifilar coil construction is used for isolating radio signals picked up by a motor vehicle window heating element from the power supply circuit for the heating element. The coil construction has two separate windings (9,10) which are arranged bodily alongside each other. In one embodiment there is an inner cylindrical winding (9) within and in contact with an outer cylindrical winding (10), and a two part pot core (15,16) is clamped within and around the windings (9,10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Glass Antennas Technology Limited
    Inventors: Jerzy Jacek Kropielnicki, Keith Jeremy Twort, Brian Easter