Danny L Graves

US Patent:

6855947, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Jul 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/909453

Inventors:

Danny Graves - Springfield TN, US
Jaroslav Purma - Karvina, CZ
Jiri Kocarek - Jablonec nad Nisou, CZ
Jaromir Lan - Ruprechticka, CZ

Assignee:

The Gates Corporation - Denver CO

International Classification:

G01N015/06

US Classification:

250573, 25022725

Abstract:

The invention is a precipitation sensor adapted to detect water upon an automotive glass and a method for its use. The precipitation sensor includes an optical emitter and a first mirror surface in optical communication with the optical emitter. The first mirror surface is adapted to reflect and collimate light emission from the optical emitter. The precipitation sensor also includes an optical receiver and a second mirror surface in optical communication with the optical receiver. The second mirror surface is adapted to focus collimated light upon the optical receiver. The precipitation sensor further includes an intermediate reflector in optical communication with the first mirror surface and with the second mirror surface.

US Patent:

7402827, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Oct 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/968439

Inventors:

Danny Graves - Springfield TN, US
Jaroslav Purma - Karvina, CZ
Jiri Kocarek - Jablonec nad Nisou, CZ
Jaromir Lan - Ruprechticka, CZ

Assignee:

The Gates Corporation - Denver CO

International Classification:

G01N 15/06
G02B 6/42

US Classification:

250573, 25022725

Abstract:

The invention is a precipitation sensor adapted to detect water upon an automotive glass and a method for its use. The precipitation sensor includes an optical emitter and a first mirror surface in optical communication with the optical emitter. The first mirror surface is adapted to reflect and collimate light emission from the optical emitter. The precipitation sensor also includes an optical receiver and a second mirror surface in optical communication with the optical receiver. The second mirror surface is adapted to focus collimated light upon the optical receiver. The precipitation sensor further includes an intermediate reflector in optical communication with the first mirror surface and with the second mirror surface.

US Patent:

60314516, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

Feb 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/030897

Inventors:

Danny R. Graves - Springfield TN
Timothy W. Brooks - Cedar Hill TN

Assignee:

ACD Tridon Inc. - Burlington

International Classification:

B40Q 126

US Classification:

340468

Abstract:

An electrical circuit for turn signal, hazard signal, and brake signal lights of an automotive vehicle has first and second relays each having an energizable coil and contacts which are in a first configuration when the coil is not energized and a second configuration when the coil is energized. A brake signal switch is operable to supply relative high steady electrical current to the first and second relay contacts, the contacts of the first relay when in the first configuration conducting the relative high steady electrical current to left rear light and the contacts of the second relay when in the first configuration conducting the relative high steady electrical current to a right rear light. The turn signal switch, when operated, also causes relative high electrical current to be supplied intermittently to the first and second relay contacts, the contacts of the first relay presenting an open circuit to the intermittent relative high current when in the first configuration and supplying the relative high intermittent current to a left front and the left rear lights, when in the second configuration to cause the left front and the left rear lights to be illuminated intermittently in a flashing manner, and the contacts of the second relay presenting an open circuit to the relatively high intermittent current when in the first configuration and supplying the relatively high intermittent current to a right front light and the right rear light, when in the second configuration to cause the right front and right rear lights to be illuminated in flashing manner. A hazard signal switch is operable to energize the coils of the first and second relays with relatively low steady electrical current to cause the contacts thereof to move to the second configuration, the hazard switch when operated also causing relatively high electrical current to be supplied intermittently to the first and second relay contacts to cause the left and right front lights and the left and right rear lights to be illuminated in a flashing manner.