Humidity Or Temperature Control Patents (Class 359/512)
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Patent number: 12025792Abstract: A sleeve for absorbing moisture from lenses is revealed. A sleeve body is divided into an upper space and a lower space for mounting a lens by a partition. A mounting cavity in which a moisture absorption material is disposed is in the upper space. An upper cover with a moisture detecting unit is fastened on an open end of the mounting cavity. The lower space provides a stretchable space to have a tight fit on the lens with different sizes. The moisture absorption range of the moisture absorption material extends to the periphery of the lens through air channels so that the moisture absorption material absorbs moisture from the lens through gaps of a lens end, a focus ring, and an iris ring of the lens for keeping the lens dry. The moisture detecting unit allows users to replace or treat the moisture absorption material in time.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Inventor: Tsang-Hung Hsu
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Patent number: 11927748Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a lens unit including a plurality of lenses stacked on each other to guide light to the imaging unit, a heater member used for a heater configured to heat a top lens closest to an object among the lenses included in the lens unit, and a reflection suppressor disposed between a region outside of an effective region of the top lens and the heater member, the reflection suppressor being configured to suppress light reflection. The reflection suppressor includes a first reflection suppressor disposed on the top lens side and having an uneven surface, and a second reflection suppressor disposed on the heater member side, the first reflection suppressor being layered on the second reflection suppressor. A surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the heater member is smoother than a surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the first reflection suppressor.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinya Okada, Katsumi Umeda
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Patent number: 11889990Abstract: An endoscope including: an elongated shaft comprising at least a first shaft tube with a window inserted in its distal end, and an electrical heating device arranged proximate to the window at or in the first shaft tube; wherein the heating device includes a flexible printed circuit board on which a resistive heating element configured as a conductor loop and a temperature sensor are arranged, and a heat-conducting structure connected in a thermally conductive manner to the temperature sensor is applied to the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBHInventors: Martin Wieters, Sebastian Jungbauer, Sven Pabst
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Patent number: 11602760Abstract: A showerhead that is attached to a shower arm which extends outward from a wall in a shower to support a base and/or a mirror. The base is provided for decorative purposes or to support the mirror. The mirror provides a mirrored surface that can be utilized by a person taking a shower to more safely, efficiently and effectively shave and/or accomplish other grooming tasks. The mirror attaches to the base, directly to the showerhead or to a tubular post that interconnects the showerhead and the base or mirror. Water from the showerhead discharges adjacent to the mirror. In either configuration, the mirror is more securely positioned in the shower so it will not drop to the shower floor. Hot water flowing through the mirror reduces fogging of the mirrored surface. In one configuration, the base is made out metal to further reduce the likelihood of fogging.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Malco, LLCInventor: David B. Malcolm
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Patent number: 11485323Abstract: A heater includes a heat generation element which includes a heater wire which spreads in a planar manner, and a metal plate serving as a heat dissipation element which includes a material having a high thermal conductivity, which is placed on a vehicle windowpane side of the heat generation element, which is heated by heat from the heat generation element, and which irradiates heat to the vehicle windowpane side. The vehicle windowpane is heated by the heat irradiated from the metal plate serving as the heat dissipation element.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignees: KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Ooji, Hitoshi Shimada, Kazuya Shibata, Noritaka Terasawa, Masashi Kaji
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Patent number: 11474417Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an anti-fogging apparatus for a camera assembly. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a camera affixed to a substrate, and a thermally conductive plate, the thermally conductive plate positioned in front of the substrate and defining a first aperture aligned with a lens of the camera. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a transparent plate positioned in front of the thermally conductive plate such that the transparent plate covers said first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes an insulating element positioned in front of the transparent plate and defining a second aperture aligned with the first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a heating element affixed to the thermally conductive plate. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a case enclosing the camera, the thermally conductive plate, the transparent plate, the insulating element, and the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Lineage Logistics, LLCInventor: Christopher Frank Eckman
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Patent number: 11470265Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and implementations for glare control. A sensor housing assembly is provided on an autonomous vehicle to house at least one sensor therein and protect the at least one sensor from negative impact from an environment including glare from the environment that prevents the at least one sensor from capturing accurate information regarding a field of view with respect to the environment to facilitate autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle. The negative impact on the at least one sensor is determined by a controller, which then activates a glare blocking mechanism in response to the determined negative impact. The glare blocking mechanism being mounted on the sensor housing assembly and configured to assist in blocking glare with respect to the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: PLUSAI, INC.Inventors: Jinpeng Li, Greg Seyfarth, Qiaoyu Zhang, Amit Kumar
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Patent number: 11262561Abstract: Provided is a relay lens including a plurality of relay optical systems that are arranged in a long, rigid tube along a longitudinal direction and that re-form an image, wherein each of the relay optical systems includes a pair of rod lenses that are disposed with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction, a barrel that is disposed between the pair of rod lenses along the longitudinal direction, and a positive lens that is fixed to an inner side of the barrel and that has a positive refractive power; and a length of the barrel in the longitudinal direction is larger than a thickness of a peripheral edge of the positive lens in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Takayuki Kato
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Patent number: 11178316Abstract: A monitoring camera having a compound window arranged in a frame of a camera housing, and a camera head arranged inside the housing, is disclosed. The compound window has an inner transparent plate, closest to the camera head, and an outer protective window, arranged in a plane parallel to the transparent plate, on an outside thereof, and the compound window further comprises a heating arrangement arranged and configured to supply thermal energy to peripheral areas of the transparent plate. The transparent plate has a greater heat conductivity than the protective window and is arranged in close proximity to the protective window, so thermal energy will be transferred from the heating arrangement to the transparent plate and then efficiently transferred to the protective window.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: AXIS ABInventor: Akira Tagaya
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Patent number: 11163224Abstract: A projector includes a cooler configured to cool a cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas. A refrigerant generator of the cooler includes a first blower configured to deliver air to a first portion of a moisture absorbing/discharging member, a first heat exchanger, a heater, a second blower, a circulation path along which the air exhausted from the second blower circulates, and a second heat exchanger provided in the circulation path. The circulation path has a first path along which air after passing through a second portion of the moisture absorbing/discharging member flows into the first heat exchanger and a second path along which air exhausted from the first heat exchanger is delivered to the second portion. The second heat exchanger exchanges heat between the air flowing along the first path and the air flowing along the second path.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Nobuo Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11128789Abstract: A system includes a lens mount defining an inner bore that includes inward facing threads for engaging a lens component, with a lens opening at one end of the lens mount. The lens mount includes outward facing threads for engaging a camera housing. A first seal ring is included inside the inner bore for sealing against the lens component. A second seal ring is included on an outside of the lens mount for sealing against the camera housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey P. Danicich, Curtis Wicks
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Patent number: 10989994Abstract: The projector includes a cooler cooling a cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas. A refrigerant generator of the cooler includes a moisture absorption/desorption member, a first blower feeding air to the moisture absorption/desorption member, a first heat exchanger, a second blower circulating air inside a circulation channel passing through the first heat exchanger and the moisture absorption/desorption member, a second heat exchanger at least partially disposed in the circulation channel. The second heat exchanger includes a thermoelectric element, a first heat-transfer member coupled to a heat absorption surface of the thermoelectric element, and a second heat-transfer member thermally coupled to a heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric element. The first heat-transfer member cools the air flowing through the circulation channel. The second heat-transfer member has a heat dissipation section configured to heat the air which was cooled by the first heat-transfer member.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoya Okada, Nobuo Sugiyama
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Patent number: 10953853Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus, heating means, and a control device. The photographing apparatus is disposed inside a vehicle so as to face a window of the vehicle and is configured to receive photographing light passing through the window. The heating means is disposed inside the vehicle so as to face the window. The heating means generates heat that is given to the window when voltage of an electric power source of the vehicle is applied to the heating means. The control device changes voltage application time that is time period for applying the voltage of the electric power source to the heating means so that a total amount of heat generated by the heating means for a predetermined period of time is coincident with a predetermined amount determined based at least on an outside air temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshitaka Oikawa
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Patent number: 10912152Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus receiving photographing light passing through a window, a heater that is a heating wire generating heat when receiving electricity, a heated portion to which the heater is fixed, and a pair of electrical supply lines that is connected to both end portions of the heater respectively and supply the electricity to the heater. The heated portion releases radiation heat to the window when receiving heat from the heater. An amount of heat generated by the both end portions per unit time is smaller than an amount of heat generated by the heater's portion other than the both end portions. The both end portions of the heater are positioned on outer peripheral side with respect to the heated portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the heated portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Shinkai
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Patent number: 10887496Abstract: In an imaging device, a heater heats cover glass from an outer circumferential side thereof. Here, a first heating area and a second heating area are provided respectively on a lower side and an upper side of the heater, and a heating density of the first heating area is greater than a heating density of the second heating area. Consequently, when defrosting the cover glass, it is possible to inhibit water droplets from remaining in a central portion of the cover glass and in an upper-side portion thereof above this central portion, and to inhibit water droplets from being present in the central portion of the cover glass.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Reiya Ichimura, Nobuhiro Kudou, Suguru Fujisaki
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Patent number: 10877265Abstract: A camera comprising a movable camera head, a transparent viewing window through which the camera head is arranged to capture images, and a heating arrangement for heating the viewing window is disclosed. The viewing window comprises an electrical conductor. The heating arrangement comprises an electrical contact device for contacting the conductor and applying an electric current to the conductor in a portion of the viewing window, thereby heating the conductor in the portion of the viewing window, and a movement device for movement of the heating arrangement in coordination with a movement of the camera head. A method of heating a viewing window of a camera is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Axis ABInventors: Helen Eftekhari, Linn Egelberg, Mikael Persson, Göran Lindfors
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Patent number: 10843208Abstract: A showerhead assembly for dispersing liquid, comprising a back part; a front part coupled to the back part to form a plurality of dispersion chambers; an inlet boss disposed between the front part and back part for connecting a liquid supply line; a liquid supply, rail disposed between the front part and the back part and connected to the inlet boss for leading liquid to the dispersion chambers; and a plurality of support members slidably coupled to the front part such that the support members can slide between the front part and the back part.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventor: Alexander Hatton
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Patent number: 10825958Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided having a first transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first transparent electrode on the second surface of the first substrate; a second transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second transparent electrode on the first surface of the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is positioned in spaced relation to the first substrate, wherein an extended portion of the first substrate extends beyond an edge of the second substrate; an electro-optic medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the electro-optic medium is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a printed circuit board mounted directly to the extended portion of the first substrate, the printed circuit board having a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the first electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Adam R. Heintzelman, Xiaoxu Niu, Carl N. Wassink
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Patent number: 10814786Abstract: There is provided with a shooting system for a mobile object. A first shooting unit shoots surroundings of a mobile object via a first transmissive portion. A second shooting unit shoots surroundings of the mobile object via a second transmissive portion. A first heater is capable of heating the first transmissive portion. A second heater is capable of heating the second transmissive portion. A notification unit notifies a passenger of information. A control unit determines a malfunction of the first heater and the second heater, and causes the notification unit to give notification regarding an occurrence of the malfunction. The control unit suppresses the notification by the notification unit when it is determined that the second heater has malfunctioned compared to when it is determined that the first heater has malfunctioned.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Shintaro Ohtaki
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Patent number: 10795241Abstract: An IP Camera includes a heat-generating element, a lens holder, a lens assembly and a heat-conducting element. The lens assembly includes a lens, a front portion and a rear portion opposite to the front portion. The front portion surrounds the lens. The lens assembly is disposed on the lens holder with the rear portion. The heat-conducting element has a thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/mK. The heat-conducting element is in contact with the heat-generating element, and a portion of the heat-conducting element surrounds the front portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: SERCOMM CORPORATIONInventor: Cheng-Chung Chang
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Patent number: 10732325Abstract: A hydrophilic multilayer film is provided on a substrate, the hydrophilic multilayer film having a multilayer film layer in which at least two kinds of layers having different refractive indices are laminated in order from the substrate side such that at least one or more of each kind of layer are laminated; and a hydrophilic thin film layer provided on the surface of the multilayer film layer. The multilayer film layer has one or more photocatalyst layers, and one layer of the photocatalyst layers is provided adjacently to the hydrophilic thin film layer. The hydrophilic thin film layer has a columnar structure having gaps extending between the top surface of the hydrophilic multilayer film and the face adjacent to the photocatalyst layer, and one or more of the photocatalyst layers included in the multilayer film layer has an oblique columnar structure including gaps oblique to the thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Hiroki Takahashi
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Patent number: 10473887Abstract: A portable heated mirror includes a mount subassembly that includes a mount housing and a mount member that is configured to releasably attach the heated mirror to a support surface. The heated mirror also includes a mirror subassembly that is pivotally attached to the mount subassembly by a ball-in-socket arrangement. The mirror subassembly includes a mirror housing that contains a mirror and a flexible heating element in the form of a flexible heat film that contains heating elements and is secured to a rear surface of the mirror for heating the mirror when the flexible heat film is actuated. A battery power source is operatively connected to a printed circuit board that is contained within the mirror housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: TOWN & COUNTRY LINEN CORP.Inventors: Jeffrey Beyda, Robert Passaretti, Gina Barnaba
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Patent number: 10234651Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes a first lens element and a second lens element. The first lens element has at least one contacting surface. The second lens element has at least one contacting surface. The contacting surface of the first lens element comes in contact with the contacting surface of the second lens element, and at least one air duct is disposed on at least one of the contacting surface of the first lens element and the contacting surface of the second lens element.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.Inventor: Ming-Shun Chang
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Patent number: 10130985Abstract: A processing system employs a processing tool to process workpieces, for example cold working holes and/or installing expandable members into holes. Sensors sense various aspects of the processing. Information regarding performance of the process and/or materials may be stored, for example a hole-by-hole or a workpiece-by-workpiece basis, allowing validation of processing. Information also allows dynamic operation of the processing tool. Analysis of response relationships (e.g., pressure or force versus position or distance) may provide insights into the process and materials, and/or facilitate the real-time feedback including control, alerts, ordering replacement for consumable components.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: FATIGUE TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: James Ryunoshin Ross, Timothy Howard Johnson, Doug Bakken, Kevin J. Dooley
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Patent number: 10126548Abstract: In a vehicle mirror, a heat generating body of a heater generates heat so as to heat a mirror body. A central side portion and an outer peripheral side portion of the heat generating body configure a thick portion and a thin portion, and the thin portion generates a smaller amount of heat than the thick portion, such that a heating density of the mirror body by the heat generating body is lower on an outer peripheral side portion of the mirror body than at a central side portion of the mirror body. Accordingly, the temperature of an outer peripheral portion of the mirror body can be suppressed from rising suddenly on progression from the outer peripheral side toward the central side of the mirror body, thereby enabling stress arising in the outer peripheral portion of the mirror body to be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO, TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTDInventors: Masakazu Aoki, Masashi Kaji
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Patent number: 9481304Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a mirror heating element and a control. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle and a reflective element supported at the mirror head portion. The mirror heating element is disposed at a rear side of the reflective element and operable to heat the reflective element. The control is operable to power the mirror heating element to heat the reflective element. The control controls heating of the mirror heating element responsive at least in part to a signal indicative of air flow at or around the exterior rearview mirror assembly and the reflective element of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Robert J. Dykhouse
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Publication number: 20150138637Abstract: A mirror reflector sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. A principal reflector portion has a first radius of curvature and an auxiliary reflector portion includes a curved recess having a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature. The curved recess is established at the second surface of the glass substrate by physical removal of glass from a portion of the substrate. The mirror reflective element is supported at a side of a mirror back plate and an opposing side of the mirror back plate is adapted for attaching the mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with the mirror reflector sub-assembly. A heater pad is disposed at the second surface of the glass substrate between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
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Patent number: 9022583Abstract: A single-substrate mirror element defined by a transflective metal layer—non-metal layer—metal layer coating disposed on the first surface of the substrate and enabled to meet the requirements of operation in an exterior rearview assembly and to provide for stealthy appearance of a light source of the assembly disposed behind the mirror element. The appearance of the mirror element, defined in parameters of the CIELAB color system, is substantially color-neutral, while tuning of reflectance and transmittance characteristics can be achieved substantially independently from one another. Reflectance value and measure of color content of light specularly reflected by the mirror at non-zero angles remains substantially stable within wide range of angles.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: George A. Neuman, Jeffrey A. Forgette
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Publication number: 20150085336Abstract: An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a reflective single glass element having a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a curved outboard reflective glass portion. The substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion has a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters and provides a first primary field of view rearward of the vehicle that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the vehicle. The curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle that encompasses a blind spot of the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion. The reflective single glass element includes a demarcation that generally demarcates the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from the curved outboard reflective glass portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20150062704Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical article comprising a substrate, at least one of the main surfaces of which is coated with a first coating comprising, at its surface, silanol groups and, in direct contact with this coating, a second coating which is a precursor for an antifog coating, the second coating being formed by deposition, on the first coating, of at least one compound A having: a polyoxyalkylene group, and at least one group capable of establishing a covalent bond with a silanol group, characterized in that the second coating comprises an internal part, in which said compound A is grafted to the first coating, and an external part, which can be removed by washing and/or wiping, resulting from the deposition of the compound A, and in that the second coating is coated with at least one temporary layer comprising at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and better still at least 70% by weight of silica, with respect to the total weight of the temporary layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)Inventors: Francis Henky, Alexis Theoden
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Publication number: 20140368910Abstract: A fog-proof device for evaporating fog from a camera's lens includes a glass covering a front surface of the lens, and a light-shielding cylinder mounted to the glass. The light-shielding cylinder defines a through hole. A zigzagging heat-generating portion is formed along a circumference of the light-shielding cylinder, and two ends of the heat-generating portion are separated by a gap. Ends of the heat-generating portion at opposite sides of the gap are electrically connected to two power wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: INGRASYS TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: SHU-YUN HUANG
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Publication number: 20140328360Abstract: A mount for an optical element such as in a laser, optical amplifier, or other optical system, is disclosed. The mount is a mounting vane (100) for cooling the optical element (125) by a fluid stream. The optical element may be a gain medium generating heat. The mounting vane comprises: an input section with a leading edge (110) for meeting the fluid stream; a diffuser section (130) which tapers to a trailing edge (135); and a Direction of plane section (120) with an aperture for receiving the optical element (125) for cooling by the fluid stream, the plane section arranged between the input section and diffuser section, wherein the diffuser section (130) includes one or more flow guiding fins (140) protruding from the diffuser section. The mounting vane may be stacked with a plurality of other mounting vanes in a manifold. The shape of the vane plate results in a turbulent fluid flow improving the heat exchange between a laser disc heated by optical pumping and a cryogenic He gas used for cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Klaus Ertel, Michael Fitton, Tristan Davenne
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Publication number: 20140327964Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The reflective element includes has a plano reflective element and a separate auxiliary reflective element having a curvature. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported adjacently at a backing plate element having a first support portion supporting the plano reflective element and a second support portion supporting the auxiliary reflective element. The auxiliary reflective element is positioned at an outboard portion of the reflective element assembly when the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the automobile. When the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to and operated at the side of the automobile, the field of view of the auxiliary reflective element overlaps with the field of view of the plano reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 8870394Abstract: An anti-fog heat-generating glass system, comprising: a heat-generating glass unit separating an indoor and outdoor area, including general glass and heat-generating glass; a glass surface temperature-sensing unit arranged on indoor side heat-generating glass for sensing glass surface temperature; a control unit which compares the glass surface temperature and a fogging point of the indoor area to control heat-generation of the heat-generating glass unit; and a power-source unit supplying power to the heat-generating glass system to operate the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.Inventors: Dong-Il Lee, Beom-Goo Son, Il-Joon Bae
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Publication number: 20140268647Abstract: An electromagnetic wave transmitting device having a body and a heating assembly. The body can include a transmitting end and a receiving end. The heating assembly can be disposed on at least a portion of the transmitting end of the body. The heating assembly can include an electrically resistive element having an electrical connector. The heating assembly can also include a first electrically non-conductive film disposed over the electrically resistive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Sean Blondin, Thomas Reed
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Publication number: 20140254015Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a principal reflective element, a wide angle auxiliary reflective element and a back plate. The principal reflective element is disposed at a principal reflective element region of the back plate and has a cutout at a corner region thereof. The wide angle auxiliary reflective element is disposed at the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate and is adjacent to the principal reflective element at the corner region of the principal reflective element. A single heater pad is disposed between the principal reflective element and the principal reflective element region of the back plate and between the wide angle auxiliary reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate. When powered, the single heater pad heats the principal reflective element and the wide angle auxiliary reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Donald S. Rawlings
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Patent number: 8746901Abstract: A fogless shower mirror includes a mirror assembly having an elongated hollow body which has a thin, rectangular-shaped mirror frame section on which is mounted a mirror plate, and an upper rearwardly curved water supply conduit section. A rectangular slab-shaped reservoir within the mirror frame communicates at the upper end thereof with a bore through the water supply conduit, which has at an outer end thereof a vertically disposed water fill aperture. The reservoir and water supply conduit are filled with warm water, and the mirror assembly is releasably attached to a mirror support stand attached to a shower enclosure wall. The mirror plate is heated by the warm water in the reservoir to thus resist fogging caused by condensation of water vapor, Water cooled by warming the mirror plate trickles from a small drain hole in the reservoir and is replenished with warm water from the water supply conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
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Patent number: 8699128Abstract: A laser scanning microscope includes a culture vessel that accommodates a specimen and is capable of maintaining an interior temperature and humidity thereof, and an optical system space adjacent and optically connected to the culture vessel. The optical system space includes a scanner that two-dimensionally scans ultrashort pulsed laser light across the specimen; an objective lens that focuses the scanned ultrashort pulsed laser light on the specimen and collects light coming from the specimen; a dichroic mirror, disposed between the scanner and the objective lens, that splits off the light coming from the specimen from the laser light; a photodetector that detects the split-off light coming from the specimen; and an outer cover, provided so as to surround the optical system space, that blocks light coming from outside the optical system space.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Yusuke Yamashita, Tatsuo Nakata
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Patent number: 8667623Abstract: Various apparatus and methods involve a showerhead that directs a stream of fluid through a portion of a cavity in a direct heat transfer relationship with a reflective surface prior to directing a stream out of the cavity and through a plurality of apertures toward a user. In an illustrative example, the user may view an image on the reflective surface while being sprayed with the plurality of streams in a steam filled environment. In some examples, the showerhead may include an inlet configured to direct the fluid toward the reflective surface as it enters the cavity. In some examples, the showerhead may operate to substantially reduce or prevent condensation from forming on the reflective surface by promoting heat transfer from the fluid to the reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Clifson LimitedInventor: Nicholas G. Paget
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Patent number: 8619376Abstract: A lens support frame includes an annular body portion; a large diameter lens holding groove on an inner peripheral surface of the body portion which is open on one side; a small diameter lens holding groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the body portion and is open on the one side; and large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions formed on inner peripheral surfaces of a large diameter lens holding groove and the small diameter lens holding groove, respectively, and allow an adhesive to be injected into the large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions through end openings thereof on the one side, the end opening of the small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depression being communicatively connected with the large-diameter-groove lens-bonding depression. Circumferential positions of the large-diameter-groove and small-diameter-groove lens-bonding depressions are mutually different.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Kota Miya
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Patent number: 8608323Abstract: A barrier layer capable of preventing permeability of moisture, oxygen, other gases, solvents and volatile organic compounds is provided. The barrier layer includes a surface profile undulating in all directions. Further, the surface profile is characterized by the absence of non-undulating surface, straight lines and sharp edges. Further, the surface profile bends in reaction to at least one of thermal stress, mechanical stress, and load caused by deformation of an adjoining substrate or layer. This allows the barrier layer to stretch and shrink in all directions in a plane along the surface profile of the barrier layer and prevents cracking of the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Moser Baer India LimitedInventor: Joost Muller
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Patent number: 8602573Abstract: An electronics module is attachable to an exterior mirror of a vehicle and supports a camera and/or a display. The electronics module may be an add-on device that is retrofittable to the exterior mirror. The display may be arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Velvac IncorporatedInventor: Robert R. Brester
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Publication number: 20130314791Abstract: The mirror includes a flexible support layer with at least one metallic layer and electrical contacts on the support layer, wherein the metallic layer forms the mirror and contains interruptions smaller than 100 ?m, through which metallic layer an electric current applied to the mirror to heat the mirror is evenly distributed along the metallic layer, which has a thickness of about 700 nm or less. The interruptions are so constructed as to avoid hot spots in the metallic layer when heated. The mirror and its heating functions are produced on one production line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: PolylC GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Ullmann, Walter Fix
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Publication number: 20130308190Abstract: A method for achieving and maintaining a substantially fog-free mirror surface in a hot water shower. The method involves locating a thin acrylic mirror in a flow of hot water having a water temperature in an enclosed shower for a treatment period of time of 10 seconds or less to treat the mirror to bring the mirror to a temperature substantially the same as the water temperature to achieve a substantially fog free mirror surface. The treated mirror maintains the substantially fog free mirror surface for a period of time at least 18 times the treatment time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: The Cumberland Companies, LLCInventor: The Cumberland Companies, LLC
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Patent number: 8419196Abstract: An optical mirror comprising: a mirror body having a reflective surface; a waffle structure that is connected to a surface opposite to the reflective surface of the mirror body, the waffle structure comprising partition walls, wherein at least one of the partition walls includes a heat generation part; and a power supply part configured to supply power to the heat generation part, wherein the partition walls and the mirror body are made of a same material.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masami Kume, Hajime Takeya
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Patent number: 8398234Abstract: Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, inc.Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Brij P. Singh, Aladin B. Ferian, III, Timothy H. Morgan, Debra N. Welchel, Matrice B. Jackson
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Patent number: 8390908Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser and a first optical element that are fixed on a single continuous member. A second optical element, which is a diffraction optical element, has a diffracting surface in which a plurality of elliptical grooves is formed and which includes a diffracting portion power such that a change in the beam waist position in a main scan direction and a sub-scan direction due to temperature variation in the optical scanning apparatus becomes substantially zero. The member on which the semiconductor laser and the first optical element are fixed has a linear coefficient of expansion such that the change in the beam waist position becomes substantially zero even when there is temperature variation.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kohji Sakai
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Patent number: 8380393Abstract: A variably dimmable window system including a variably dimmable window having a light transmissivity; a controller in communication with the variably dimmable window, wherein the controller is configured to determine a target transmissivity to adjust the light transmissivity to correspond to the target transmissivity; and a navigational input in communication with the controller, wherein the target transmissivity is determined, in part, based on the navigational input. Methods for controlling the light transmissivity of a variably dimmable window mounted on a vehicle are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Akitoshi Ohtomo
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Patent number: 8366283Abstract: A reduced fogging mirror configured to be removably mounted to a surface such as a shower surface is disclosed. The reduced fogging mirror includes a reflective substrate and a foam backing attached to the reflective substrate. The foam backing is used as an insulator to keep the temperature of the reflective surface from fluctuating. This allows the reflective surface to maintain a temperature similar to a shower's water and steam, reducing the fogging on the reflective substrate. The foam backing is also configured to retain water such that the reduced fogging mirror can be adhered to the shower surface using water tension between the foam backing and the shower surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: SA Ventures, LLCInventor: Michael Sierra
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Publication number: 20120281179Abstract: Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Brij P. Singh, Aladin B. Ferian, III, Timothy H. Morgan, Debra N. Welchel, Matrice B. Jackson