Patents by Inventor Michael Haase
Michael Haase 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: 10802225Abstract: An inspection device for an optical ferrule includes one or more reflectors. Each reflector has a mating surface and a mirror disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the mating surface. Each reflector is configured to mate with the optical ferrule when the optical ferrule is disposed within a housing of an optical connector. When the mating surface of the reflector is in mated contact with the mating surface of the optical ferrule, the mirror is positioned to provide a reflected view of at least a portion of a mating surface of the optical ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Haase, Bing Hao
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Publication number: 20200301080Abstract: A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200284996Abstract: An optical connector (100) includes a housing (112) configured to contain one or more optical ferrules (121) disposed within the housing and accessible through an opening at a mating end of the housing. A cover (130) is disposed at the mating end, the cover configured to be rotated about a pivoting axis between a closed position an open position. An actuator (135, 136) is configured to cause the cover to rotate about the pivoting axis from the closed position to the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
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Publication number: 20200271876Abstract: An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10746942Abstract: A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200233155Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Publication number: 20200225421Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Ding Wang, Alexander R. Mathews
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Publication number: 20200200978Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10690870Abstract: An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10649153Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 10641969Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Ding Wang, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10620383Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10605256Abstract: The invention refers to a fan system (10) comprising a fan shroud (14) and a ring fan (12) having a hub (30), a plurality of fan blades (32), and a ring structure (34). The ring structure (34) has a ring member (46) and a flange member (48), the ring member (46) having a hollow cylindrical shape, the flange member (48) extending radially outwardly from the ring member (46). The fan shroud (14) has an annular shroud flange (54), a shroud body (56) and a plurality of shroud guide vanes (58), the shroud flange (54) extending radially outwardly from the shroud body (56) and being disposed along the rotary axis (A) between the flange member (48) and the shroud body (56), the shroud body (56) being disposed about the ring member (46) and having a first body portion (70), a second body portion (72) and a divergent nozzle (74).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Todd Michael Tyner, Tobias Moser, Frank Michael Haase
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Publication number: 20200088953Abstract: An optical connector (100) comprises one or more optical cables (110) disposed within a housing (120). Each optical In cable (110) includes an array of at least one optical waveguide (111) and at least one optical ferrule (112) attached to the array of optical waveguides (111). The housing (120) includes a first housing portion (121) and a second housing portion (122) engaged with the first housing portion (121). The second housing portion (122) comprises at least one carrier (130) and one frame (140). The carrier (130) and frame (140) of the second housing portion (122) are configured to support the one or more optical cables (110). The first housing portion (121) and the second housing portion (122) are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion (121) with the second housing portion (122) moves the carrier (130) relative to the frame (140). Movement of the carrier (130) relative to the frame (140) causes a bend in each optical waveguide (111) and rotation of each ferrule (112).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Daniel F. Cronch, Sergio D. Carranza, Boon K. Lee, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Publication number: 20200057209Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200057207Abstract: An optical ferrule adapted to receive and transmit light is described. The optical ferrule includes first and second alignment features for mating with corresponding alignment features of a mating optical ferrule. One of the first and second alignment features may be compressible or expandable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 10520684Abstract: An optical ferrule adapted to receive and transmit light is described. The optical ferrule includes first and second alignment features for mating with corresponding alignment features of a mating optical ferrule. One of the first and second alignment features may be compressible, expandable or compliant. An optical ferrule having first and second alignment features is described, wherein the ferrule is adapted such that the mating/unmating to/from a corresponding ferrule can be effected along two orthogonal dimensions of the ferrule. Additionally an optical ferrule having first and second alignment features is described, wherein the first and second alignment features are located at substantially different first and second locations/contact regions along the ferrule mating direction; the contact regions may also be offset along the thickness direction of the ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 10514512Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides, such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contact optical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, are easily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector) and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Ding Wang, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10459173Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20190312352Abstract: A flexible coil includes a flexible substrate with a plurality of holes extending through the substrate. Each hole is configured to receive at least a portion of a fastener extending through the hole. Each fastener engages the flexible substrate and an antenna loop to positively retain the antenna loop to the flexible substrate. The holes are arranged in the flexible substrate to align each antenna loop with respect to the other antenna loops mounted to the flexible substrate. The fasteners are removably mounted to the flexible substrate such that the fastener positively retains the antenna loop to the flexible substrate when mounted to the flexible substrate but allows individual antenna loops to be removed from the flexible substrate when the fastener is removed from the flexible substrate. Multiple fasteners are provided for each antenna loop and are spaced apart from each other and positioned along the length of the loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Kyle Johnson, Michael Haase