Patents by Inventor Christopher Stipe
Christopher Stipe 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).
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Patent number: 11987677Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer thin film is formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film and its method of manufacture may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example polymers may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. Example additives may occupy up to approximately 60 wt. % of the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a piezoelectric coefficient (d31) of at least approximately 5 pC/N or an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.1.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Sheng Ye, Hao Mei, Cody Wayne Weyhrich, Arman Boromand, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Emma Rae Mullen, Christopher Stipe, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi, Rui Jian
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Publication number: 20240077727Abstract: An optical element includes a first optical substrate, a second optical substrate overlying at least a portion of the first optical substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed within a cell gap between the first optical substrate and the second optical substrate, and a plurality of carbon nanotube pillars extending between the first optical substrate and the second optical substrate across the cell gap. The carbon nanotube pillars may have an aspect ratio of at least approximately 2:1, and may be configured to maintain a uniform cell gap thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Sriharsha Uppalapati, Amit Bhowmick, Christopher Stipe, Afsoon Jamali, Dmytro Y Reznikov
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Patent number: 11885982Abstract: A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10?2 g/m2/day.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Hayden Erik Hernandez
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Patent number: 11885983Abstract: A liquid lens includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer polyurethane-based membrane overlying the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer polyurethane-based membrane. The multilayer polyurethane-based membrane, which may include thermoplastic and/or thermoset polymer layers, may be formed by slot die coating or gravure coating one or more constituent layers and may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 5% while limiting the transpiration of fluid therethrough to less than approximately 10?2 g/m2/day.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Hayden Erik Hernandez
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Patent number: 11889763Abstract: An actuator may be integrated into an optical element such as a liquid lens and configured to create spherical curvature as well as a variable cylinder radius and axis in a surface of the optical element. An example actuator may include a stack of electromechanical layers, and electrodes configured to apply an electric field independently across each of the electromechanical layers. Within the stack, an orientation of neighboring electromechanical layers may differ, e.g., stepwise, by at least approximately 10°.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Spencer Allan Wells, Christopher Stipe, Kenneth Alexander Diest, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi, James Howard Thomas Ransley, Taha Masood, Liliana Ruiz Diaz, Laura Cressman
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Patent number: 11878493Abstract: A polymer bilayer includes a layer of a porous fluoropolymer directly overlying a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer may be porous or dense and may include an ultra-high molecular weight polymer. The polymer bilayer may be co-integrated with structures (e.g., wearable devices) exposed to high thermal loads (>0-1000 W/m2) and provide passive cooling thereof. For instance, passive cooling of AR/VR glasses under different solar loads may be achieved by a polymer bilayer that is both highly reflective across solar heating wavelengths and highly emissive in the long-wavelength infrared. The high reflectance decreases energy absorption across the solar spectrum while the high emissivity promotes radiative heat transfer to the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Arman Boromand, Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe
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Patent number: 11867973Abstract: A varifocal lens includes a substrate having an inclined region, a primary electrode disposed over the inclined region of the substrate, a dielectric layer disposed over the primary electrode, a deformable membrane disposed over and at least partially spaced away from the dielectric layer, a secondary electrode disposed over a surface of the deformable membrane facing toward or away from the dielectric layer and overlying at least a portion of the primary electrode, and a fluid between the membrane and the substrate, wherein a surface of the dielectric layer facing the secondary electrode comprises a textured surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Christopher Stipe, Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Maik Andre Scheller, Sheng Ye, John Cooke, Yigit Menguc, Nagi Elabbasi, James Ransley
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Patent number: 11852827Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a reflective polarizer configured to selectively reflect or transmit a polarized light based on a polarization of the polarized light. The device also includes a display element disposed at a first side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to output a first image light representing a virtual image. The device also includes a polarization switch disposed between the display element and the reflective polarizer, and configured to switch or maintain a polarization of the first image light. The device further includes an active dimming device disposed at a second side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to provide an adjustable transmittance of an input light.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Afsoon Jamali, Sandro Pintz, Kurt Jenkins, Christopher Stipe
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Publication number: 20230324672Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first lens configured to provide a first optical power that is variable within a first optical power adjustment range at a first step resolution. The device also includes a second lens coupled with the first lens and including a deformable member that is deformable to vary an optical power of the second lens. The second lens is configured to provide a second optical power that is variable within a second optical power adjustment range at a second step resolution, the second step resolution being smaller than the first step resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Afsoon Jamali, Spencer Allan Wells, Changwon Jang, Christopher Stipe, Sandro Pintz
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Publication number: 20230194873Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a reflective polarizer configured to selectively reflect or transmit a polarized light based on a polarization of the polarized light. The device also includes a display element disposed at a first side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to output a first image light representing a virtual image. The device also includes a polarization switch disposed between the display element and the reflective polarizer, and configured to switch or maintain a polarization of the first image light. The device further includes an active dimming device disposed at a second side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to provide an adjustable transmittance of an input light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Afsoon Jamali, Sandro Pintz, Kurt Jenkins, Christopher Stipe
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Patent number: 11598906Abstract: A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10?2 g/m2/day.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Hayden Erik Hernandez
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Publication number: 20230057524Abstract: Eyeglass devices may include a frame shaped and sized to be worn by a user at least partially in front of the user's eyes, a varifocal optical element mounted to the frame, and an eye-tracking element mounted to the frame. The varifocal optical element may include a substantially transparent actuator positioned at least partially within an optical aperture of the varifocal optical element and configured to alter a shape of the varifocal optical element upon actuation. The eye-tracking element may be configured to track at least a gaze direction of the user's eyes, and the varifocal optical element may be configured to change, based on information from the eye-tracking element, in at least one optical property including a focal distance. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Christopher Stipe, Marina Zannoli, Ian Erkelens, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Spencer Allan Wells, Eugene Cho, John Cooke, Robin Sharma, Jonathan Robert Peterson
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Publication number: 20230039862Abstract: A polymer bilayer includes a layer of a porous fluoropolymer directly overlying a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer may be porous or dense and may include an ultra-high molecular weight polymer. The polymer bilayer may be co-integrated with structures (e.g., wearable devices) exposed to high thermal loads (>0-1000 W/m2) and provide passive cooling thereof. For instance, passive cooling of AR/VR glasses under different solar loads may be achieved by a polymer bilayer that is both highly reflective across solar heating wavelengths and highly emissive in the long-wavelength infrared. The high reflectance decreases energy absorption across the solar spectrum while the high emissivity promotes radiative heat transfer to the surroundings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Arman Boromand, Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe
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Publication number: 20230044340Abstract: A polymer bilayer includes a layer of a porous fluoropolymer directly overlying a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer may be porous or dense and may include an ultra-high molecular weight polymer. The polymer bilayer may be co-integrated with structures (e.g., wearable devices) exposed to high thermal loads (>0-1000 W/m2) and provide passive cooling thereof. For instance, passive cooling of AR/VR glasses under different solar loads may be achieved by a polymer bilayer that is both highly reflective across solar heating wavelengths and highly emissive in the long-wavelength infrared. The high reflectance decreases energy absorption across the solar spectrum while the high emissivity promotes radiative heat transfer to the surroundings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Arman Boromand, Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Stipe
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Publication number: 20220348748Abstract: A polymer thin film includes polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight of at least approximately 500,000 g/mol, where the thin film is characterized by transparency within the visible spectrum of at least approximately 80%, bulk haze of less than approximately 5%, and an in-plane elastic modulus of at least approximately 10 GPa. The polymer thin film may be thermally conductive and may be incorporated into an optical element and configured to dissipate heat, such as from a light-emitting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Christopher Stipe, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Eugene Cho, Sheng Ye, Arman Boromand, Alex Ockfen, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi
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HIGH STRENGTH AND HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY POLYETHYLENE THIN FILM HAVING A BIMODAL MOLECULAR WEIGHT
Publication number: 20220348747Abstract: An optically clear, high strength, high modulus, and high thermal conductivity polyethylene thin film may be formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the crystallizable polymer to facilitate crystallite alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polyethylene thin film. The polyethylene thin film may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example crystallizable polymers may include high molecular weight polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Example additives may include low molecular weight polyethylene and polyethylene oligomers. The polyethylene thin film may be characterized by a Young's modulus of at least approximately 10 GPa, a tensile strength of at least approximately 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Sheng Ye, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Arman Boromand, Christopher Stipe, Hao Mei, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao -
Publication number: 20220348729Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer thin film is formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film and its method of manufacture may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example polymers may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. Example additives may occupy up to approximately 60 wt. % of the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a piezoelectric coefficient (d31) of at least approximately 5 pC/N or an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.1.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Sheng Ye, Hao Mei, Cody Wayne Weyhrich, Arman Boromand, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Emma Rae Mullen, Christopher Stipe, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi, Rui Jian
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Publication number: 20220283340Abstract: A liquid lens includes a substrate, a transparent elastic membrane forming a cavity with the substrate, and a transparent fluid filling the cavity between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane has a pre-distorted, rotationally asymmetric shape in absence of the fluid in the cavity. When the cavity is filled with the fluid and the substrate is disposed vertically w.r.t. gravity at a pre-defined clocking angle, the membrane adopts a substantially rotationally symmetric shape due to elasticity of the membrane counteracting gravity exerting a downward force on the fluid in the cavity, reducing the effect of the gravity sag on optical performance of the liquid lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi, Spencer Allan Wells, Christopher Stipe, Kenneth Alexander Diest, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Liliana Ruiz Diaz, Laura Cressman, Taha Masood, James Howard Thomas Ransley
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Publication number: 20220276483Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlying at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electroactive layer has a first curvature when zero voltage is applied between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, and a second curvature when a non-zero voltage is applied between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Nagi Elabbasi, Christopher Stipe, Spencer Allan Wells, Kenneth Alexander Diest, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Liliana Ruiz Diaz, Taha Masood, Laura Cressman, James Ransley
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Publication number: 20220271214Abstract: An actuator may be integrated into an optical element such as a liquid lens and configured to create spherical curvature as well as a variable cylinder radius and axis in a surface of the optical element. An example actuator may include a stack of electromechanical layers, and electrodes configured to apply an electric field independently across each of the electromechanical layers. Within the stack, an orientation of neighboring electromechanical layers may differ, e.g., stepwise, by at least approximately 10°.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Spencer Allan Wells, Christopher Stipe, Kenneth Alexander Diest, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Nagi Hosni Elabbasi, James Howard Thomas Ransley, Taha Masood, Liliana Ruiz Diaz, Laura Cressman