Patents by Inventor David A. Ender
David A. Ender 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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Publication number: 20220350127Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiphoton imaging method. The method includes a) immersing a semi-submersible microscope objective in a liquid medium that is at least one of scattering or absorbing; b) directing laser light through the semi-submersible microscope objective and into the liquid medium in an image-wise manner under conditions such that multiphoton absorption by the multiphoton absorber occurs, and at least partial polymerization of the polymerizable compound occurs resulting in an article; and c) removing uncured polymerizable compound to clean the article. The liquid medium includes a polymerizable compound, a secondary component, and a multiphoton absorber. An article is also provided. The article includes a material defining one or more tortuous or arcuate channels, one or more internal architectural voids, one or more undercuts, one or more perforations, or combinations thereof, at least one of which exhibits a surface roughness of 1.0 micrometer Ra or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Alexander J. Huffman, Brian J. Gates, Jeremy K. Larsen, David A. Ender, Gareth A. Hughes, James D. Hansen
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Patent number: 10509157Abstract: Lightguides including pixelated images, and methods of making the lightguides are provided. The lightguides include an image formed on a major side which is illuminated for directly viewing. The image includes an elongated portion being pixelated into an array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a single light extracting structure adapted to receive the propagating light within the lightguide along the optical axis and extract the received light transversely out of the lightguide.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Tao Liu, Brent A. Hedding, David C. Mercord, Brian W. Ostlie, David A. Ender
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Publication number: 20180306964Abstract: Optically transparent lightguides (200) including light extractors (230) with a maximum dimension of a projected area of each light extractor onto the lightguide less than 100 microns are disclosed. Each light extractor may be disposed in a different corresponding area cell (220) The plurality of light extractors extract light uniformly over the entire active region (210). Embodiments with a nearest neighbour distance of at least 100 microns and with an image behind the lightguide are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Bing HAO, David A. ENDER
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Publication number: 20180231708Abstract: Lightguides including pixelated images, and methods of making the lightguides are provided. The lightguides include an image formed on a major side which is illuminated for directly viewing. The image includes an elongated portion being pixelated into an array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a single light extracting structure adapted to receive the propagating light within the lightguide along the optical axis and extract the received light transversely out of the lightguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Tao Liu, Brent A. Hedding, David C. Mercord, Brian W. Ostlie, David A. Ender
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Publication number: 20180156957Abstract: Lightguides and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. A structured layer is provided with light extractors formed on a structured surface thereof. In some cases, the structured layer is removably laminated onto a substrate to provide uniform light extraction. In some cases, indicia are cut out of the structured layer and laminated onto the substrate. In some cases, the structured surface of the structured layer is selectively filled to form a pattern for light extraction. In some cases, a tool for producing a structured layer has a region of structures selectively filled to form a pattern for light extraction on the produced structured layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Jeremy K. Larsen, Bing Hao, David A. Ender, Tao Liu, Olester Benson, Joseph V. Crimando, Raveesh K. Shenoy, John C. Schultz
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Patent number: 9989691Abstract: A lightguide (100) is disclosed. The lightguide includes a plurality of light extractors (120-123). Each light extractor is designed primarily to extract light that propagates within the lightguide and is incident on the light extractor from a first direction and reflect light that propagates within the lightguide and is incident on the light extractor from a second direction different than the first direction, toward another light extractor, where the other light extractor extracts the reflected light.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: David A. Ender
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Patent number: 9823402Abstract: Illumination articles are described. More specifically, illumination articles that include a wearable device configured for wearing on the head of a wearer, a lightguide and light sources for emitting light into the lightguide are described. The illumination articles allow for wearable devices that uniformly illuminate a working area at high brightness without providing excessive glare to observers.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Bing Hao, David A. Ender, Michael E. Griffin, Kevin W. Anderson, Gina M. Buccellato, Barry S. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9816679Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
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Publication number: 20170282104Abstract: Keyed fluid-handling devices comprise a fluid-handling device such as a filter, a bypass, or an adapter and an optical key. The optical keys are amenable to all types of filter component and can be readily retrofitted to existing designs. The optical keys may be formed from a variety of materials and combination of phases. That is, optical keys may comprise one or more solid materials, or perhaps may result from a combination of: solid materials, such as in transparent or semi-transparent polymers or glass; liquid fluids, such as water; and gaseous gaps such as an air gap. Optical keys may be light conduits or light guides. Filter manifolds comprise optical locks to ensure compatibility of the filter components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Scott A. Baum, Jeremy A. Schmoll, Michael E. Griffin, David A. Ender, Robert E. Astle, Justin M. Mazzoni
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Patent number: 9599308Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David A. Ender, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jennifer J. Sahlin, Michael E. Griffin, Karl A. Vick, Bing Hao, Scott M. Schnobrich
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Publication number: 20160299280Abstract: Lightguides are disclosed. In particular, lightguides including extractors with directionally dependent extraction efficiency are disclosed. The lightguide may include a series or array of directionally dependent light extractors. Certain configurations enabling the display of indicia and exemplary light extractor shapes are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: David A. Ender, Michael A. Haase, Bing Hao, Michael E. Griffin, Jeremy K. Larsen, Karl A. Vick
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Patent number: 9429691Abstract: Lightguides, devices incorporating lightguides, processes for making lightguides, and tools used to make lightguides are described. A lightguide includes light extractors arranged in a plurality of regions on a surface of the lightguide. The orientation of light extractors in each region is arranged to enhance uniformity and brightness across a surface of the lightguide and to provide enhanced defect hiding. The efficiency of the light extractors is controlled by the angle of a given light extractor face with respect to a light source illuminating the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Tzu-Chen Lee, David A. Ender, Guoping Mao, Jun-Ying Zhang, Jaime B. Willoughby
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Patent number: 9423297Abstract: Optical devices (100) that contain a sensor (140) are described. More particularly, optical devices that contain a light source (120), cavity (110) and sensor (140), in which the optical device (100) may provide an optimal light output from an output surface (112) of the cavity (110) based on various characteristics of the light are described. Additionally, methods of making and using such optical devices as well as arrays of such optical devices are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael E. Griffin, David A. Ender
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Publication number: 20160215950Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: David A. Ender, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jennifer J. Sahlin, Michael E. Griffin, Karl A. Vick, Bing Hao, Scott M. Schnobrich
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Publication number: 20160170119Abstract: Illumination articles are described. More specifically, illumination articles that include a wearable device configured for wearing on the head of a wearer, a lightguide and light sources for emitting light into the lightguide are described. The illumination articles allow for wearable devices that uniformly illuminate a working area at high brightness without providing excessive glare to observers. The disclosed illumination article comprises: a wearable device configured for wearing on the head of a wearer, a lightguide disposed on the wearable device, wherein the lightguide is elongated and has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first light source positioned at the first end, for emitting light into the lightguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Bing Hao, David A. Ender, Michael E. Griffin, Kevin W. Anderson, Gina M. Buccellato, Barry S. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9329326Abstract: Light guides comprising light extraction structure arrays and articles comprising such light guides are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Charles A. Marttila, Charles D. Hoyle, David A. Ender, Jaime B. Willoughby, Robert J. DeVoe
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Publication number: 20160047521Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
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Patent number: 9261643Abstract: Lightguide is disclosed. The lightguide includes a staircase shape optical construction that includes a plurality of light reflecting risers. At least two of the risers include non-parallel light reflecting portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: David A. Ender
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Publication number: 20150362152Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, a light source, an outer light cover having a first color zone and a second, different color or clear zone, and an inner lens with a transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Timothy V. Stagg, David A. Ender, Mark E. Napierala, Barry S. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9200775Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source (18), an outer light cover (12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley