Gentex Corporation

Gentex Optics, Inc.

Robert A Sallavanti

Scott M Hartley

Brad L Sutter

Leonard Peter Frieder, Iii

Paresh V Kitchloo

Holly C Axtell

Michael J Lubianetsky

Paul L Cote

Jeffrey L Dalton

Robert C Bertelson

Sharon M Olsen

Mark E Carr

Tayyibe Smolik

John B Price

Steven R Clarke

Stephen P Zawislak

Matthew P Curtis

A weldable workpiece having a surface deposition including an absorber dye possessing strong absorption and a high extinction coefficient. The dye is deposited at a uniform density and thereby has the capacity to convert inbound radiant energy over about 0.1 J per square millimeter into thermal energy via vibronic relaxation and exothermic decomposition. In optical applications, the workpiece forms welds of high photopic and optical transmission. The improved transmission results from the solvent residues, additives, dyes and by-products being mutually miscible with the workpiece surface. A method for preprocessing the workpiece describes steps for selecting polymers, dyes and vehicles.

Pre-processed workpiece having a surface deposition of absorber dye rendering the workpiece weld-enabled

Selection criteria for dyes that predicts efficiency and performance for plastics welding. A first stage quantitative calculation screens dyes that possess an absorption band that can be matched to a laser that is suitable for plastic welding. It also identifies absorption troughs in the visible spectrum and establishes relationships between the relative optical densities of the absorption band and trough. A second stage quantitative calculation screens dyes for their contribution to the transparency of the substrate. By combining these two stages, the usefulness of a candidate dye can be quickly, easily and inexpensively determined.

Visibly transparent dyes for through-transmission laser welding

A reactive and adsorptive (i.e., multi-functional protective) textile and methods for constructing and using same which possess at least chemically reactive and biocidal properties. Nanoparticles from different classes such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal hydrates and POMs are incorporated into elements which can be utilized in a wide variety of protective materials. The nanoparticles may be treated to reduce water solubility or combined with halogens, alkali metals or secondary metal oxides to specifically engineer the nanoparticle to address a particular chemical or biocidal threat. In one aspect, a protective spatially-distributed biocidal interface is provided comprising a textile having interior structures, wherein protective nanoparticles bonded to said interior structures such that an article or portions of an article which are maintained in proximity to the textile are permitted to safely pass through a contaminated environment without dispersing the nanoparticles from protective proximity to the article.

Multi-functional protective textiles and methods for decontamination

A reactive-adsorptive protective material having an activated carbon adsorbent, including those manufactured from a gel-type ion exchange resin. The activated carbon adsorbent has adsorptive properties for adsorbing chemical impurities. The activated carbon is wettlerized to further impart reactive properties onto the activated carbon for providing protection against blood agents in the atmosphere. Advantageously, a superior reactive-adsorptive material is provided having the ability to neutralize chemical substances, in particular, blood agents, while at the same time not diminishing the effectiveness of the carbon's adsorption capabilities.

Reactive-adsorptive protective materials and methods for use

A weldable workpiece prepared by depositing on a surface of the workpiece, an absorber dye possessing strong absorption and a high extinction coefficient. The dye is deposited at a uniform density and thereby has the capacity to convert inbound radiant energy over about 0.1 J per square millimeter into thermal energy via vibronic relaxation and exothermic decomposition. In optical applications, the workpiece forms welds of high photopic and optical transmission. A method for preprocessing the workpiece describes steps for selecting polymers, dyes and vehicles.

The present invention provides eye protection systems. The eye protection systems include a lens capable of being mounted in and being interchangeable between a plurality of different lens-mounting platforms. These platforms may include spectacles or goggles with release mechanisms, which permit the lens to be removed while providing full ballistic protection when installed in the platform. The lens of the present invention protects against a plurality of threats including spectrums of light, such as sun light, ultraviolet light, or laser light, wind, dust, projectiles, etc. The lens may include a laminate structure, which protects sensitive technologies from exposure to environmental conditions, such as chemicals, weather, etc.

Eyewear for ballistic and light protection

A method for optically coupling a thermoplastic material to an outer surface layer of an organic, dielectric, optical film and the resulting optical filter. Initially, a dielectric film is selected that includes (i) repeating optical layers of at least two polymers having different refractive indexes from each other, (ii) an exterior film surface, (iii) a refractive boundary along the exterior film surface, and (iv) a delamination threshold based on total thermal energy delivered to the film. A thermoplastic material which is miscible with the exterior film surface is fused to the refractive boundary with thermal energy below the delamination threshold to form a polydisperse region having a higher optical transmission than the refractive boundary. Add-on filters in the form of hardcoat layers, anti-reflection layers, holograms, metal dielectric stacks and combinations of these may be combined with the thermoplastic-film construct.

Substrate mounting for organic, dielectric, optical film

A method and system for assessing proper pre-processing and proper welding of polymer workpieces. A visible or infrared radiation source, optionally coupled with optical filters, directs radiation at test wavelengths through a workpiece which is captured by sensors at one or more stations. The system controller determines from the sensor data whether the absorber dye was properly deposited onto the workpiece. The workpiece is then certified weld-enabled within a bandwidth range of the test wavelength. The bandwidth range is determined by absorption spectra and extinction coefficients of the dye or by utilizing multiple test wavelengths. For determining whether proper welds occurred, a further embodiment of the method and system check for spectral characteristics that the dye vehicle did not unduly interfere or occlude the weld. Further spectral data indicates fusing of reflective surfaces, increased transmission and increase photopic transmission.

Quality management system for pre-processed workpiece

A method of infusing a dye into the surface of an article formed of a plastic material comprises contacting the surface with a solution including one or more solvents each aggressive to the plastic material, one or more dyes and one or more substances each capable of plasticizing the plastic material. If the plastic material is polycarbonate, then the aggressive solvent may be one or more chlorinated hydrocarbons. The dye may be a photochromic dye, a cosmetic tinting dye, dyes for absorbing infrared, laser and ultraviolet radiation, or combinations thereof. A wide range of plasticizers has been investigated. The article is contacted by the solution for ten seconds to one minute; and nearly all the infused solvent is then evaporated from the article by heating. The use of one or more plasticizers reduces or eliminates bubbling or hazing of the contacted surface during solvent evaporation. The dyed article comprises a surface layer having a depth of the order of magnitude of 100 microns containing one or more dyes, one or more plasticizers and, likely, a trace amount of the one or more aggressive solvents.

Infusion of dye using a plasticizer

A method of making photochromic thermoplastic wherein the material is extruded into a length or lengths having at least one relatively small cross-sectional dimension. The length or lengths are treated with a solution of photochromic dye dissolved in a solvent, for example, cyclohexanone, which attacks the material. The length or lengths have a surface area-to-volume ratio sufficiently large to absorb an effective amount of the dye at their surface or surfaces. The length or lengths are dried to evaporate the solvent. The length or lengths are heated during the treating and drying steps. The dried length or lengths are cut into smaller pieces which may be introduced directly into a molding machine to form photochromic articles. Where a plurality of lengths are provided, the surfaces thereof are maintained separated from one another during the treating and drying steps.

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Dalton, PA, United States of America

Robert A Sallavanti