Patents by Inventor David J. Lamb
David J. Lamb 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: 11726243Abstract: A retroreflective article including a retroreflective layer including a structured surface that is opposite a major surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive that contacts at least a portion of the structured surface to form an optically inactive area that does not substantially retroreflect incident light and at least one low refractive index layer forming an optically active area that retroreflects incident light, wherein the optically active area comprises about 25% or less of the structured surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David J. Lamb, Guanglei Du, Scotty A. Kopp, Suman K. Patel, John A. Wheatley
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Publication number: 20200348458Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises (a) a retroreflective layer including a structured surface that is opposite a major surface, (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive that contacts at least a portion of the structured surface to form an optically inactive area that does not substantially retroreflect incident light and (c) at least one low refractive index layer forming an optically active area that retroreflects incident light; wherein the optically active area comprises about 25% or less of the structured surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: David J. LAMB, Guanglei DU, Scotty A. KOPP, Suman K. PATEL, John A. WHEATLEY
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Publication number: 20200142104Abstract: An optical film includes a microstructured surface having a plurality of irregularly arranged planar portions forming greater than about 10% of the microstructured surface. The microstructured surface may be configured such that, when the microstructured surface is placed on an emission surface of a lightguide with a first luminous distribution of light exiting the lightguide from the emission surface in a first plane perpendicular to the emission surface, the light emitted by the lightguide is transmitted by the microstructured surface at a second luminous distribution of the transmitted light in the first plane. The first luminous distribution includes a first peak making a first angle greater than about 60 degrees with a normal to the microstructured surface. The second luminous distribution includes a second peak making a second angle in a range from about 5 degrees to about 35 degrees with the normal to the microstructured surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: David A. Rosen, Kristopher J. Derks, Tri D. Pham, Kenneth A. Epstein, David J. Lamb
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Publication number: 20200064525Abstract: An optical film (210) includes a microstructured surface (211) comprising a plurality of prismatic structures (230), the microstructured surface (211) defining a reference plane (241-242) and a thickness direction (243) perpendicular to the reference plane; wherein the plurality of prismatic structures includes a plurality of facets (231), each facet having a facet normal direction forming a polar angle with respect to the thickness direction and an azimuthal angle along the reference plane, and wherein the microstructured surface has a surface azimuthal distribution of the plurality of facets that is substantially uniform, and wherein the microstructured surface has a surface polar distribution of the plurality of facets that has an off-axis peak polar distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Kristopher J. Derks, Tri D. Pham, Kenneth A. Epstein, David J. Lamb
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Patent number: 9914543Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of temperature measurements from temperature sensors of an aircraft. The method includes determining whether a first count of one or more first temperature metrics that are within a temperature range is greater than a first threshold. The one or more temperature metrics are derived from the plurality of temperature measurements. The method includes initiating generating an icing output signal when the first count is greater than or equal to the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Charles S. Meis, Todd J. Germeroth, David J. Lamb, Hosam E. El-Gabalawy
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Patent number: 9690038Abstract: A backlight includes a light source and one or more light recycling films. The light source generates light that exits the light source with an angular exit distribution. The light recycling films are oriented in relation to the light source so that the prism peaks of the recycling films are oriented away from the light source. The recycling films have a range of optimal incident angles that allow light to pass through the recycling films without recycling. The components of the light source, the characteristics of the recycling films, or both, are configured to control the overlap between the exit distribution of the light source and the optimal incident angle range of the recycling films.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary T. Boyd, Ji-Young Choi, John T. Cowher, Yasuyuki Daigo, Kenneth A. Epstein, Shandon D. Hart, Charles D. Hoyle, Min-Young Ji, Chideuk Kim, Byung-Soo Ko, Keith M. Kotchick, Wade D. Kretman, David J. Lamb, Seo-Hern Lee, Eric W. Nelson, Youngsoo Park, Xianneng Peng, Yuji Saito, Naoya Taniguchi, John F. Van Derlofske, III, Leland R. Whitney, Xingpeng Yang, Yang Yu, Jie Zhou, Rui Zhang
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Publication number: 20170166314Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of temperature measurements from temperature sensors of an aircraft. The method includes determining whether a first count of one or more first temperature metrics that are within a temperature range is greater than a first threshold. The one or more temperature metrics are derived from the plurality of temperature measurements. The method includes initiating generating an icing output signal when the first count is greater than or equal to the first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Charles S. Meis, Todd J. Germeroth, David J. Lamb, Hosam E. El-Gabalawy
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Patent number: 8848132Abstract: A backlight (120) that includes a front reflector (130) and a back reflector (160) that form a hollow light recycling cavity (162) having an output surface (164) is disclosed. The front reflector includes at least four directional recycling films (132). The backlight also includes a semi-specular diffuser disposed between the front reflector and the back reflector, and one or more light sources (166) disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mark B. O'Neill, Shandon D. Hart, Kenneth A. Epstein, David G. Freier, David J. Lamb
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Publication number: 20110261584Abstract: A backlight includes a light source and one or more light recycling films. The light source generates light that exits the light source with an angular exit distribution. The light recycling films are oriented in relation to the light source so that the prism peaks of the recycling films are oriented away from the light source. The recycling films have a range of optimal incident angles that allow light to pass through the recycling films without recycling. The components of the light source, the characteristics of the recycling films, or both, are configured to control the overlap between the exit distribution of the light source and the optimal incident angle range of the recycling films.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Ji-Young Choi, John T. Cowher, Yasuyuki Daigo, Kenneth A. Epstein, Shandon D. Hart, Charles D. Hoyle, Min-Young Ji, Chideuk kim, Byung-Soo Ko, Keith M. Kotchick, Wade D. Kretman, David J. Lamb, Seo-Hern Lee, Eric W. Nelson, Youngsoo Park, Xianneng Peng, Yuji Saito, Naoya Taniguchi, John F. Van Derlofske, III, Leland R. Whitney, Kingpeng Yang, Yang Yu, Jie Zhou, Rui Zhang
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Publication number: 20110051047Abstract: A backlight (120) that includes a front reflector (130) and a back reflector (160) that form a hollow light recycling cavity (162) having an output surface (164) is disclosed. The front reflector includes at least four directional recycling films (132). The backlight also includes a semi-specular diffuser disposed between the front reflector and the back reflector, and one or more light sources (166) disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Mark B. O'Neill, Shandon D. Hart, Kenneth A. Epstein, David G. Freier, David J. Lamb
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Patent number: 7303322Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to backlighting systems, which include first and second lightguides, at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the first lightguide and at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the second lightguide for supplying light into their respective interiors. In the appropriate exemplary embodiments, the backlighting systems of the present disclosure include an extractor disposed at a surface of the second lightguide for diffuse extraction of light from the interior of the second lightguide. In such exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the light supplied into the interior of the second lightguide and then diffusely extracted therefrom enters the interior of the first lightguide through a substantially optically clear surface. In some exemplary embodiments, the backlighting systems of the present disclosure include recycling enhancement structures, which may be attached to the first lightguide.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. Lamb, Keith M. Kotchick, Mark E. Gardiner, Kenneth A. Epstein
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Patent number: 7223005Abstract: Backlighting systems are disclosed, which include a lightguide with at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the lightguide for supplying light into its interior and a reflective cavity with at least one light source optically connected to the reflective cavity for supplying light into its interior. The reflective cavity may include a first reflector and a second reflector and at least one source may be disposed at an edge of the reflective cavity. Alternatively, the reflective cavity may include a back reflector portion and light sources may be disposed at the back reflector portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Inventors: David J. Lamb, Keith M. Kotchick, Mark E. Gardiner, Mark B. O'Neill, Patrick H. Marushin, Kenneth A. Epstein, Philip E. Watson
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Patent number: 7095943Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert M. Emmons, David J. Lamb, Yaoqi J. Liu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Larry A. Meixner, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Steven J. Rhyner, Philip E. Watson, Leland R. Whitney, Jie Yang
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Patent number: 7010212Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert M. Emmons, David J. Lamb, Yaoqi J. Liu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Larry A. Meixner, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Steven J. Rhyner, Philip E. Watson, Leland R. Whitney, Jie Yang
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Publication number: 20030223216Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Robert M. Emmons, David J. Lamb, Yaoqi J. Liu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Larry A. Meixner, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Steven J. Rhyner, Philip E. Watson, Leland R. Whitney, Jie Yang
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Patent number: 6576887Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leland R. Whitney, Gary T. Boyd, Keith M. Kotchick, Kenneth A. Epstein, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Philip E Watson, David J. Lamb, Mark E. Gardiner
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Publication number: 20030034445Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Keith M. Kotchick, Kenneth A. Epstein, Sanford Cobb, Philip E. Watson, David J. Lamb, Mark E. Gardiner