Patents by Inventor Aaron K. Nienaber

Aaron K. Nienaber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11597059
    Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal and vertical lines of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has two triangular abrasive platelets, each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing. A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines. A second portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating second rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the horizontal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hanschen, Steven J. Keipert, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Erin D. Spring, Brant A. Moegenburg, Eric M. Moore, Thomas J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20230059388
    Abstract: A magnetic film includes a plurality of magnetically permeable particles dispersed between opposing first and second major surfaces of the magnetic film. The first and second major surfaces are spaced apart a distance D. The particles are agglomerated so as to form a plurality of substantially continuous layers of particles generally extending along orthogonal first and second directions and arranged along a third direction. Each substantially continuous layer of particles has a length L along the first direction from a first to an opposing second edge of the magnetic film and a width W along the second direction extending from the first to the second major surface. L/D?100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Zhonghua Lu, Jeffrey W. McCutcheon, Sergei A. Manuilov, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Michael S. Graff, Ronald D. Jesme, Charles L. Bruzzone, Steven H. Kong, Shane P. White
  • Publication number: 20230055151
    Abstract: A thermal interface layer includes pluralities of first and second particles dispersed in a polymeric binder at a total loading V in a range of about 40 volume percent to about 70 volume percent. The first and second particles have different compositions. The first particles include one or more of iron or nickel. The second particles include one or more of aluminum, magnesium, silicon, copper, or zinc. The thermal interface layer has a thermal conductivity in a thickness direction of the thermal interface layer in units of W/mK of at least K=5.1?0.17 V+0.002 V2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Samuel J. Carpenter, Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Ronald D. Jesme, Jacob P. Podkaminer, Victor Ho, Sebastian Goris, Matthew T. Johnson, Michael S. Graff, Steven H. Kong
  • Publication number: 20230049873
    Abstract: An electrically conductive adhesive layer includes a plurality of particles dispersed between opposing first and second major surfaces of the electrically conductive adhesive layer. The first and second major surfaces are spaced apart a distance D. The particles are agglomerated so as to form a plurality of substantially continuous layers of particles generally extending along orthogonal first and second directions and arranged along a third direction. Each substantially continuous layer of particles has a length L along the first direction from a first to an opposing second edge of the electrically conductive adhesive layer and a width W along the second direction extending from the first to the second major surface. L/D ? 100. At least some of the particles are electrically conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Zhonghua Lu, Jeffrey W. McCutcheon, Sergei A. Manuilov, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Michael S. Graff, Ronald D. Jesme, Steven H. Kong, Shane P. White
  • Patent number: 11577367
    Abstract: A method of aligning abrasive particles on a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate. The method also comprises providing abrasive particles. The method also comprises generating a modulated electrostatic field. The modulated electrostatic field is configured to have a first effective direction at a first time and a second effective direction at a second time. The electrostatic field is configured to cause the abrasive particles to align rotationally in both a z-direction and a y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Ronald D. Jesme, Aaron K. Nienaber
  • Publication number: 20230038232
    Abstract: Floor finish removal pad assemblies are described. Methods of removing floor finish with floor finish removal pad assemblies are described. In particular, the floor finish removal pad assemblies include a compressible backing pad and a plurality of discontinuously arranged non-rigid coated abrasives or a single discontinuously patterned substantially coextensive coated abrasive. Methods using such floor finish removal pad assemblies may remove floor finish effectively even without the use of chemical strippers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Lijun Zu, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Jaime M. Manalo, Yuyang Liu, Thomas J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20230013731
    Abstract: A dual mounted end-effector system mounted on a motive robot arm for preparing an object surface is described. The system includes a first tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface and a second tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface. The system also includes a force control. The force control is configured to align, in a first state, with the first tool in position to contact and prepare the object surface and, in a second state, with the second tool in a position to contact and prepare the object surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Jonathan B. Arthur
  • Publication number: 20230001535
    Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Mark W. Orlando, Nathan J. Herbst, Christie L. Vitale, Marc Eberwein, Brett R. Hemes, Jonathan B. Arthur, Thomas J. Strey
  • Publication number: 20230001448
    Abstract: A repaired area on a work surface is presented. The repaired area includes a repairboundary. Within the repairboundary, the work surface has a repair texture and, outside of the repair boundary, the work surface has a work surface texture. The repaired area also includes a repair depth distribution within the repair boundary and a concealing feature. The repaired area is a result of a robotic repair executed on the work surface to remove a defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Brett R. Hemes, Mark W. Orlando, Daniel M. Bodily, Jonathan B. Arthur, Nathan J. Herbst, Thomas J. Strey, Aaron K. Nienaber
  • Publication number: 20220396722
    Abstract: A shaped abrasive particle is presented. The shaped abrasive particle has a first and second surface. The first and second surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and separated by a thickness. Each of the first and second surfaces have a surface profile, which includes a plurality of corners and a plurality of edges connecting the plurality of corners. The shaped abrasive particle also includes a recess included wholly within one of the plurality of edges, wherein the recess is a concave void extending into the surface profile. The shaped abrasive particle also includes a magnetically responsive coating. The magnetically responsive coating causes the shaped abrasive particle to be responsive to a magnetic field. The shaped abrasive particle, when exposed to the magnetic field, experiences a net torque that causes the shaped abrasive particle to orient with respect to the magnetic field such that each of the first and second surfaces are substantially perpendicular to a backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Fay T. Salmon, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Cory M. Arthur, Alireza Ghaderi, Ronald D. Jesme, David T. Buckley
  • Patent number: 11484990
    Abstract: A bonded abrasive wheel comprises magnetizable abrasive particles retained in an organic binder. The bonded abrasive wheel has a central portion adjacent to a central hub, an outer circumference and a rotational axis extending through the central hub. The magnetizable abrasive particles adjacent to the central hub are aligned at an average angle of less than 35 degrees with respect to the rotational axis, and the magnetizable abrasive particles adjacent to the outer circumference of the bonded abrasive wheel are aligned at an average angle that is from 35 and 90 degrees, inclusive, with respect to the rotational axis. Methods of making a bonded abrasive wheel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Negus B. Adefris, Ronald D. Jesme, Thomas J. Nelson, Don V. West
  • Publication number: 20220241931
    Abstract: A method of aligning abrasive particles on a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate. The method also comprises providing abrasive particles. The method also comprises generating a modulated electrostatic field. The modulated electrostatic field is configured to have a first effective direction at a first time and a second effective direction at a second time. The electrostatic field is configured to cause the abrasive particles to align rotationally in both a z-direction and a y-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Ronald D. Jesme, Aaron K. Nienaber
  • Patent number: 11390059
    Abstract: Described herein is decorative article having a coefficient of friction less than 0.3 wherein the decorative articles comprises: (i) a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microsphere layer comprises a monolayer of microspheres and wherein the plurality of microspheres are in a microscopic periodic pattern; and (ii) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in the bead bonding layer. Also disclosed herein are transfer articles and methods of making the decorative articles and transfer articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Clark, Samad Javid, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Chris A. Pommer, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11351653
    Abstract: Abrasive articles including a nonwoven fibrous substrate having a plurality of fibers, and a multiplicity of shaped abrasive particles, each shaped abrasive particle adhered to a corresponding fiber, each shaped abrasive particle having a length (L) and a width (W) determined in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length, the ratio of the length to the width defining an aspect ratio (L/W) of at least 1.1, each abrasive particle is oriented relative to its corresponding fiber, and more than 50% of the abrasive particles are oriented with respect to their corresponding fiber such that the abrasive particle length extends generally outwardly away from a surface of the corresponding fiber as determined visually using the Orientation Test. The shaped abrasive particles may have the geometric shape of a polygonal prism having two faces and at least three sides thereon. Methods of making the abrasive articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Grayce T. Huberty, Thomas J. Nelson, Ronald D. Apple, Louis S. Moren, Robinette S. Alkhas, Nathan E. Schultz, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl
  • Publication number: 20220163951
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Brian E. Brooks, Gilles J. Benoit, Peter O. Olson, Tyler W. Olson, Himanshu Nayar, Frederick J. Arsenault, Nicholas A. Johnson, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Jonathan B. Arthur, Nathan J. Herbst, Aaron K. Nienaber, Sarah M. Mullins, Mark W. Orlando, Cory D. Sauer, Timothy J. Clemens, Scott L. Barnett, Zachary M. Schaeffer, Patrick G. Zimmerman, Gregory P. Moriarty, Jeffrey P. Adolf, Steven P. Floeder, Andreas Backes, Peter J. Schneider, Maureen A. Kavanagh, Glenn E. Casner, Miaoding Dai, Christopher M. Brown, Lori A. Sjolund, Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Carter C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11298800
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring particles by the use of a transfer tool to at least a portion of which is applied a vacuum to cause particles to jump from a particle source to the transfer tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Logan J. Klaers, John C. Clark
  • Publication number: 20220063060
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to, among other things, a method of making a coated abrasive article, the method comprising sequentially: locating a plurality of shaped abrasive particles in a tool comprising a plurality of cavities, wherein the plurality of shaped abrasive particles is held in the plurality of cavities, at least in part, electrostatically; and disposing the plurality of shaped abrasive particles onto a make layer precursor of a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein the make layer precursor is disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Richard M. Jendrejack, Joseph B. Eckel
  • Publication number: 20220063061
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and associated methods are shown that include one or more camouflaging layers that can be applied to a portion of the abrasive article. The one or more camouflaging layers can be applied over the size coat layer as a discontinuous colored layer covering a portion of the size coat layer. In an example, the camouflaging layer can be applied as a repeating pattern of one or more colors on the abrasive article. In an example, the camouflaging layer can be applied randomly to the abrasive article. The discontinuous layer can have a color markedly different than a color of the size coat layer and can be used to mask or minimize an appearance of particle imperfections or voids on the abrasive article. The discontinuous layer can be applicable to coated and non-woven abrasive articles in the form of sheets, discs, belts, pads, or rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Amelia W. Koenig, Ann M. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220055186
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for abrasive articles and manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Patent number: D963012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Jonathan B. Arthur