Abstract: 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:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith, James M. Nelson
Abstract: A magnetic film includes one or more magnetically conductive layers. Each magnetically conductive layer is cracked to form a plurality of first through-cracks defining a plurality of magnetically conductive segments. The first through-cracks extend along a first direction and form a first regular pattern along an orthogonal second direction at a first pitch P1, such that a Fourier transform of the first regular pattern has a first peak along the second direction at a first spatial frequency corresponding to the first pitch P1. The first through-cracks have an average length L1 along the first direction. L1/P1 is greater than or equal to 5.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Inventors:
Jinwook Kim, Seong-Woo Woo, Jung Ju Suh, Matthew R.C. Atkinson
Abstract: A display system including an imager for forming an image, and a projection lens system for projecting the image formed by the imager is described. For each pixel in the plurality of pixels, the imager is configured to emit a cone of light having a central ray having a direction that varies with location of the pixel in the imager. The variation may increase a brightness of an image projected through the projection lens system by at least 30 percent. The display system may include a light guide having a light insertion portion adapted to receive light; a light transport portion disposed to receive light from the light insertion portion; and a light extraction portion disposed to receive light from the light transport portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Inventors:
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun, Gilles J. Benoit, Jo Anne Etter
Abstract: A fault circuit indicator (FCI) detection system for electrical equipment disposed in an enclosure or vault having an above-ground vent pipe exhaust outlet comprises one or more sensors disposed in the enclosure or vault to sense a condition of at least one unit of the electrical equipment. A sensored analytics unit (SAU) is coupled to the sensors to receive sensor data and analyze the sensor data, the SAU generating a corresponding analyzed data signal that provides information related to a condition of the at least one unit of electrical equipment. A transceiver is disposed inside at least a portion of the vent pipe to receive the analyzed data signal, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate the analyzed data signal. A visual indicator is disposed on or within the vent pipe comprising one or more visual indicators, such as LEDs, driven by a driving circuit board to provide a visual signal corresponding to the condition of the at least one unit of electrical equipment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 6, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Laszlo Markos, Jr., Steven E. Turch, Shuguang Wu
Abstract: A welding helmet (1) with a head suspension system, a protective shield (2) and a movable visor (3). The protective shield forms a see-through window. The welding helmet further has a first neck shield (6). The protective shield forms a lower end at which the first neck shield is removably attachable.
Abstract: Compression sleeve (1) for application circumferentially around a human limb (10) to exert therapeutic pressure on the limb. The compression sleeve has a fabric (80), which comprises viscoelastic strands (90) for providing the fabric with viscoelastic properties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Guido Hitschmann, Joseph D. Rule, John J. Rogers
Abstract: Described herein is curable composition comprising a halogenated amorphous polymer having at least 25% halogen by weight; at least 0.5 phr of an acid acceptor; at least 0.01 phr of silicon-containing compound; and a dehydrohalogenation cure system. Upon curing, a silicon-containing superficial layer forms, which can provide increased durability, non-tackiness, and a matte finish to the cured elastomer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Tho Q. Nguyen, Tatsuo Fukushi, Allen M. Sohlo, Mary J. Swierczek, Steven J. Wellner
Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to a device comprising a product status synchronization device. Examples of the product status synchronization device comprise a plurality of input ports and an encoder input, each of the input ports coupled to one of a plurality of registers and configured to receive a signal indicative of a status assigned to a product by one of a plurality of process stations, and to register the status assigned to the product into the one of the plurality of registers coupled to the input port, wherein one or more of the plurality of process stations are located at different distances from a predetermined location along a processing line and are configured to asynchronously process one or more products moving through the processing line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Steven P. Floeder, Kenneth G. Brittain, Joseph R. Nesbitt
Abstract: System and technique for inspecting a moving film by measuring the levels of light transmission through a thickness dimension of the film are described. The system includes a light source configured to provide light including a particular wavelength, or a particular range of wavelengths. The light from the light source is directed toward a first surface of the film, and an image capturing device is located adjacent to the light source on a second side of the film opposite the first surface, the image capturing device configured to measure the levels of light intensity exiting a second surface of the film. Measurements of the level of the light intensity passing through the film may be spatially synchronized to physical positions along the film to generated at least one roll map indicative of light transmission characteristics of the film over the imaged portions of the film.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Joseph R. Nesbitt, Steven P. Floeder, Michael L. Ruegsegger, Crystal A. Dehn, Arthur L. Kotz
Abstract: Described herein is method of making branched perfluorinated compounds, specifically (CF3)2CFCF(CF3)OCF(CF3)C(?O)F and (CF3)2CFCF(CF3)OCF?CF2. Also disclosed herein is a fluoropolymer derived from the branched perfluorovinyl ether monomer and methods of making the fluoropolymer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Miguel A. Guerra, Michael G. Costello, Tatsuo Fukushi
Abstract: An article is provided. The article includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer, a transparent metal layer on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, wherein a thickness of the transparent metal layer continuously decreases in a direction; and a second transparent conductive oxide layer on the transparent metal layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 18, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Robert R. Owings, Mark J. Pellerite, Arnold W. Funkenbusch
Abstract: Compositions that are curable to polythioether polymers are provided, comprising: a) a dithiol monomer; b) a diene monomer; c) a radical cleaved photoinitiator; d) a peroxide; and e) an amine; where the peroxide and amine together are a peroxide-amine redox initiator. In some embodiments, the amine is a tertiary amine. In some embodiments, the amine is selected from the group consisting of dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, and N, N, N?, N?, N?-pentamethyl-diethylenetriamine. In some embodiments, the peroxide is selected from the group consisting of di-tert-butyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, and benzoyl peroxide. In some embodiments, the composition may additionally comprise a polythiol monomer having three or more thiol groups.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Inventors:
Sheng Ye, Junting Li, Yizhong Wang, Joel D. Oxman, Susan E. DeMoss, Jonathan D. Zook
Abstract: A device for differentially enumerating colonies of coliform and Escherichia coli microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a water-impermeable first sheet; a water-impermeable second sheet attached to the first sheet; a dry, rehydratable culture medium comprising a lactose-fermentation indicator system, a ?-D-glucuronidase indicator system that comprises a plurality of compounds that enhance ?-glucuronidase enzyme activity in E. coli, a redox indicator system and a first cold-water soluble gelling agent adhered to the first sheet, the culture medium disposed in a microbial growth zone; and a second cold-water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the second sheet. The microbial growth zone is disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet. Methods of using the device are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Inventors:
Sailaja Chandrapati, Alec J. Teagarden, Haley A. Saddoris
Abstract: Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures, crosslinkable compositions containing the polymeric materials, crosslinked compositions formed from the crosslinkable compositions, and various articles are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds having a carbonyl group between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Kevin M. Lewandowski, Stephen B. Roscoe, Babu N. Gaddam, Bryan T. Whiting, John L. Battiste
Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to display systems, display devices, and methods of making and using them. Some exemplary display systems are capable of attaching a display device to a computer monitor. The exemplary display systems sought to create improved display systems and devices capable of displaying information to a user and attaching to a computer monitor and/or large format electronic display.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Inventors:
James K. Magargee, Jacob T. Lusson, Alonso M. Hernandez, Scott A. Spoo
Abstract: A multi-piece optical coupling device comprises a first piece that includes one or more first receiving elements configured to receive and secure one or more optical waveguides. The first piece further includes one or more light affecting elements configured to affect one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguides while propagating the light within the optical coupling device. A second piece is separate from the first piece and includes one or more second receiving elements configured to receive the waveguides, the first receiving elements and the second receiving elements configured to align the second piece and the first piece using the optical waveguides. The second piece also includes one or more mating alignment features configured to engage with a mating optical coupling device and to align the optical coupling device with the mating optical coupling device.
Abstract: Electrical conductors are disclosed. More particularly, undulating electrical conductors are disclosed. Certain disclosed electrical conductors may be suitable to be disposed on flexible or stretchable substrates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Nicholas T. Gabriel, Ronald D. Jesme, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ravi Palaniswamy, Andrew P. Bonifas, Alejandro Aldrin A. Narag, II, Robert M. Jennings, Robin E. Gorrell