Patents by Inventor Timothy L. Graf

Timothy L. Graf 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: 6638144
    Abstract: A method of polishing and cleaning a glass surface with a single abrasive article. The abrasive article includes ceria abrasive particles dispersed in binder, the abrasive article having a textured, three-dimensional abrasive coating. The method includes contacting the glass surface with the abrasive article at a desired pressure and in the presence of water, and moving the abrasive article and glass in relation to each other under pressure. The water is believed to mediate a chemical reaction involving the ceria and the glass, thereby leaving a haze on the glass surface. With continued motion of the abrasive article in relation to the glass workpiece, without the addition of additional water, the haze is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Craig F. Lamphere, Timothy L. Graf, John L. Barry
  • Publication number: 20010051494
    Abstract: A method of polishing and cleaning a glass surface with a single abrasive article. The abrasive article includes ceria abrasive particles dispersed in binder, the abrasive article having a textured, three-dimensional abrasive coating. The method includes contacting the glass surface with the abrasive article at a desired pressure and in the presence of water, and moving the abrasive article and glass in relation to each other under pressure. The water is believed to mediate a chemical reaction involving the ceria and the glass, thereby leaving a haze on the glass surface. With continued motion of the abrasive article in relation to the glass workpiece, without the addition of additional water, the haze is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Craig F. Lamphere, Timothy L. Graf, John L. Barry
  • Patent number: 5880956
    Abstract: A lead-through robot programming system for programming a robot to drive an end effector through a series of desired path points along a desired path with respect to a workstation. The system includes a six DOF digitizing arm having a working end, an end effector model mounted to the working end, a workstation model, and a programming computer system. A user manipulates the working end to move the end effector model through a model path with respect to the workstation model. At selected model path points, the digitizing arm generates model path point data representing the position and orientation of the end effector model with respect to the workstation model. The programming computer system includes a video monitor, a user interface, and memory for storing data including the model path point data, robot simulation and motion program generation software, and models of the robot, workstation and end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Graf
  • Patent number: 5758531
    Abstract: A peening particle support having a plurality of asymmetrically arranged peening particles positioned to minimize tracking on a workpiece. The peening particles are attached to an exposed surface of the peening particle support. The peening particle arrangement includes three or less peening particles with substantially the same non-zero radial distance from a center of the exposed surface. The peening particles are preferably arranged in at least one linear array of peening particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Graf
  • Patent number: 5619877
    Abstract: A peening particle support having a plurality of asymmetrically arranged peening particles positioned to minimize tracking on a workpiece. The peening particles are attached to an exposed surface of the peening particle support. The peening particle arrangement includes three or less peening particles with substantially the same non-zero radial distance from a center of the exposed surface. The peening particles are preferably arranged in at least one linear array of peening particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Graf
  • Patent number: 5495410
    Abstract: A lead-through robot programming system for programming a robot to drive an end effector through a series of desired path points along a desired path with respect to a workstation. The system includes a six DOF digitizing arm having a working end, an end effector model mounted to the working end, a workstation model, and a programming computer system. A user manipulates the working end to move the end effector model through a model path with respect to the workstation model. At selected model path points, the digitizing arm generates model path point data representing the position and orientation of the end effector model with respect to the workstation model. The programming computer system includes a video monitor, a user interface, and memory for storing data including the model path point data, robot simulation and motion program generation software, and models of the robot, workstation and end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Graf