Patents by Inventor Anthony J. Piekarczyk

Anthony J. Piekarczyk 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).

  • Publication number: 20160245486
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes advanced lighting elements, in particular solid-state lighting elements, and luminaires that include an array of lighting elements. The lighting elements, and luminaires including the lighting elements can exhibit benefits that include high optical efficiency and therefore high luminous efficacy; extraordinary directional control and therefore extraordinary glare control and efficacy of delivered lumens; and exceptional mixing of individual-device emission providing exceptional suppression of punch-through and color breakup. In many cases, the architecture can be amenable to low-cost manufacturing in a modular format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: David G. Freier, Michael A. Meis, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Scott E. Simons, Matthew M. Philippi, Kenneth A. P. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20160230957
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes light delivery and distribution components of a ducted lighting system having a cross-section that includes at least one curved portion and a remote light source. The delivery and distribution system (i.e., light duct and light duct extractor) can function effectively with any light source that is capable of delivering light which is substantially collimated about the longitudinal axis of the light duct, and which is also preferably substantially uniform over the inlet of the light duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Vadim N. Savvateev, William F. Edmonds, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael A. Meis, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Qingbing Wang
  • Publication number: 20160223742
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes light delivery and distribution components of a ducted lighting system having a cross-section that includes at least one curved portion and a remote light source. The delivery and distribution system (i.e., light duct, redistribution plate, and light duct extractor) can function effectively with any light source that is capable of delivering light which is substantially collimated about the longitudinal axis of the light duct, and which is also preferably substantially uniform over the inlet of the light duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Vadim N. Savvateev, Michael A. Meis, David G. Freier, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., Rolf W. Biernath
  • Publication number: 20160018592
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes light delivery and distribution components of a ducted lighting system having a cross-section that includes at least one curved portion and a remote light source. The delivery and distribution system (i.e., light duct and light duct extractor) can function effectively with any light source (480) that is capable of delivering light which is substantially collimated about the longitudinal axis (405) of the light duct (410), and which is also preferably substantially uniform over the inlet of the light duct. A turning film (450) comprising parallel ridged microstructures intercepts and redirects light rays exiting the light output region. The light duct (410) is hollow and comprises a light transmissive region (430) which may vary in size along the longitudinal axis (405).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Vadim N. Savvateev, Michael A. Meis, David G. Freier, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Patent number: 9194124
    Abstract: A sound absorbing luminaire providing lighting for an interior space environment and managing the acoustics within the environment. The luminaire includes a frame holding an acoustic film and a lighting element, forming a resonant cavity between them. The acoustic film is used for absorbing sound within the resonant cavity, and the lighting element provides light from a light source, such as LEDs, through the acoustic film. An optical film can be mounted in the frame between the acoustic film and the lighting element for providing a desired distribution of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnson, Michael A. Meis, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Martin Kristoffersen, Stephanie B. Castiglione
  • Patent number: 9028108
    Abstract: Illumination devices whose function are to inject light into backlights, particularly into backlights that incorporate a recycling cavity formed by a front (50) and back (52) reflector, are described. In some embodiments, the device includes a light source (59) disposed proximate the back reflector, and first (42) and second (44) reflecting structures. The first reflecting structure includes an inner reflective surface (41b) at least a portion of which is inclined to form a wedge with the back reflector. The wedge partially collimates and directs light from the light source generally away from the recycling cavity. The second reflecting structure receives light exiting the wedge and redirects such light into an injection beam directed into the recycling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., David G. Freier, Rolf W. Biernath, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Michael A. Meis
  • Patent number: 8928745
    Abstract: 3D stereoscopic viewing enabled by the use of a fast switching speed LCD panel, dynamic backlight, and low cost glasses. The system utilizes an LCD panel with an LED backlight and wavelength selective glasses to isolate each channel by color. The system is based on alternating left and right image frames on an LCD panel. The left and right frames are illuminated by two slightly different red-green-blue light sources that are synchronized sequentially. The light sources are designed to emit light of different spectral composition. The viewer wears glasses where the left lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the left channel of data, and the right lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the right channel of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Vadim N. Savvateev, William J. Bryan, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Scott E. Brigham, Kathy L. Hagen, Martin B. Wolk, Craig R. Schardt
  • Publication number: 20130148357
    Abstract: A sound absorbing luminaire providing lighting for an interior space environment and managing the acoustics within the environment. The luminaire includes a frame holding an acoustic film and a lighting element, forming a resonant cavity between them. The acoustic film is used for absorbing sound within the resonant cavity, and the lighting element provides light from a light source, such as LEDs, through the acoustic film. An optical film can be mounted in the frame between the acoustic film and the lighting element for providing a desired distribution of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Michael A. Meis, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Martin Kristoffersen, Stephanie B. Castiglione
  • Publication number: 20100208041
    Abstract: 3D stereoscopic viewing enabled by the use of a fast switching speed LCD panel, dynamic backlight, and low cost glasses. The system utilizes an LCD panel with an LED backlight and wavelength selective glasses to isolate each channel by color. The system is based on alternating left and right image frames on an LCD panel. The left and right frames are illuminated by two slightly different red-green-blue light sources that are synchronized sequentially. The light sources are designed to emit light of different spectral composition. The viewer wears glasses where the left lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the left channel of data, and the right lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the right channel of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Vadim N. Savvateev, William J. Bryan, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Scott E. Brigham, Kathy L. Hagen, Martin B. Wolk, Craig R. Schardt
  • Publication number: 20100165621
    Abstract: Illumination devices whose function are to inject light into backlights, particularly into backlights that incorporate a recycling cavity formed by a front (50) and back (52) reflector, are described. In some embodiments, the device includes a light source (59) disposed proximate the back reflector, and first (42) and second (44) reflecting structures. The first reflecting structure includes an inner reflective surface (41b) at least a portion of which is inclined to form a wedge with the back reflector. The wedge partially collimates and directs light from the light source generally away from the recycling cavity. The second reflecting structure receives light exiting the wedge and redirects such light into an injection beam directed into the recycling cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hoffend, JR., David G. Freier, Rolf W. Biernath, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Michael A. Meis
  • Patent number: 5420958
    Abstract: A compact optical fiber distribution center has a housing provided by a pair of stackable containers. One container encloses a fiber connector zone in which a plurality of card-like modules are slidably mounted, normally aligned in single file, and each extending vertically when the distribution center is in use. The other container has a jumper routing zone at the front, a fiber routing zone at the rear, and an intermediate fiber storage zone which is divided by partitions, each of which is aligned with a space between adjacent modules. Each module carries a row of optical fiber connectors. At one side of the housing, the rear ends of the connectors can be connected to optical fibers of one or more feeder cables, and at the other side, the rear ends can be connected to optical fibers of one or more distribution cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Michael A. Meis, Anthony J. Piekarczyk
  • Patent number: 5325455
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector for coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic component mounted near the edge of a circuit card. The connector includes a housing, a frame and a plug. The housing is mounted to the circuit card and contains the optoelectronic components. The front edge of the housing, which is flush with the edge of the circuit card, has an alignment block with a plurality of holes therein. The frame is attached to a support bar adjacent the edge of the circuit card. The plug, which has several ferrules each containing the terminal end of an optical fiber, is received by the frame and the ferrules are thereby aligned with the holes in the housing. A tongue-and-groove arrangement may be used to align the plug with the frame, and the plug is preferably polarized. A novel torsion member is used to releasably secure the plug in the frame at one of two positions, an operative position and a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Nicholas A. Lee, Anthony J. Piekarczyk