Patents by Inventor Douglass L. Blanding
Douglass L. Blanding 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: 9199816Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding flexible glass ribbons (13) without mechanically contacting the central portion (4) of the ribbon are provided in which two curved sections are formed in the ribbon which stiffen the ribbon so that lateral forces can be applied to the ribbon without causing it to buckle. The curvatures of the curved sections are along the direction of motion (15) of the ribbon and can be produced using curved air-bars (12,14) and/or pairs of cylindrical rollers (5a,5b,16a,16b). The lateral forces can be applied by pairs of guide rollers (7a,7b,9a,9b) which can be mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms (6,19,29) and can have a complaint outer coating or sleeve (35). The guiding system can be used in the winding of the glass ribbon onto a cylindrical core (11).Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, Sean Matthew Garner, Gary Edward Merz, John Earl Tosch
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Patent number: 9132578Abstract: A skinning apparatus including: a manifold having: a chamber, one or more channels, or both, to receive a source of flowable cement and to direct the received flowable cement to an interior skinning region or skinning chamber surrounding at least a portion of the lateral surface of a first article received in the skinning chamber, and to form a cement skin on the lateral surface of the received article; a source of motive force to controllably urge the received article into and through the skinning chamber; and a support member to receive and support the resulting skinned article. Also disclosed is a method for skinning a ceramic article using the aforementioned skinning apparatus, as defined herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: John Crawford Anthony, Douglass L Blanding, Michael Jon Christenson, Calvin Thomas Coffey, William Albert Mammosser, Michael George Shultz
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Publication number: 20130136866Abstract: A skinning apparatus including: a manifold having: a chamber, one or more channels, or both, to receive a source of flowable cement and to direct the received flowable cement to an interior skinning region or skinning chamber surrounding at least a portion of the lateral surface of a first article received in the skinning chamber, and to form a cement skin on the lateral surface of the received article; a source of motive force to controllably urge the received article into and through the skinning chamber; and a support member to receive and support the resulting skinned article. Also disclosed is a method for skinning a ceramic article using the aforementioned skinning apparatus, as defined herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: John Crawford Anthony, Douglass L. Blanding, Michael Jon Christenson, Calvin Thomas Coffey, William Albert Mammosser, Michael George Shultz
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Publication number: 20120111054Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding flexible glass ribbons (13) without mechanically contacting the central portion (4) of the ribbon are provided in which two curved sections are formed in the ribbon which stiffen the ribbon so that lateral forces can be applied to the ribbon without causing it to buckle. The curvatures of the curved sections are along the direction of motion (15) of the ribbon and can be produced using curved air-bars (12,14) and/or pairs of cylindrical rollers (5a,5b,16a,16b). The lateral forces can be applied by pairs of guide rollers (7a,7b,9a,9b) which can be mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms (6,19,29) and can have a complaint outer coating or sleeve (35). The guiding system can be used in the winding of the glass ribbon onto a cylindrical core (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Sean Matthew Garner, Gary Edward Merz, John Earl Tosch
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Patent number: 7916408Abstract: An optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member by a plurality of flexures. A first and a second translational adjustment apparatus are disposed to translate the inner member within a translation plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, wherein each translational adjustment apparatus has an actuator movable within the outer member along a linear travel path that is parallel to the translation plane and a shaft extending between the outer and inner members, the shaft coupled to the actuator with a first ball-and-socket joint and coupled to the inner member with a second ball-and-socket joint. The linear travel path of the actuator for the first translational adjustment apparatus is substantially orthogonal to the linear travel path of the actuator for the second translational adjustment apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, Jack W Frankovich, Keith E Hanford, Kevin J Magierski
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Publication number: 20100329775Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to connecting structures comprising heated flexures for aligning a first component with a second component. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical package includes a laser, a wavelength conversion device, a mirror and a connecting structure. The mirror reflects a laser beam such that the laser beam is incident upon the wavelength conversion device. The connecting structure includes a structure base and three bipod flexures. Each of the bipod flexures includes first and second bipod legs extending from the structure base to the mirror. A heating element is thermally coupled to the first and second bipod legs. The bipod flexures are arranged in a tripod configuration such that changes in the length of the bipod legs alter the reflection of the laser beam from the mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Garret Andrew Piech
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Publication number: 20100272134Abstract: A method for aligning an optical package including a semiconductor laser operable to emit an output beam having a first wavelength, a wavelength conversion device operable to convert the output beam to a second wavelength and adaptive optics configured to optically couple the output beam into a waveguide portion of an input facet of the wavelength conversion device includes measuring a power of light having a first wavelength emitted by or scattered from the wavelength conversion device as the output beam is scanned over the input facet of the wavelength conversion device along a first scanning axis. A power of light emitted from the wavelength conversion device is then measured as the output beam is scanned over the input facet along a second scanning axis. A position of the second scanning axis relative to an edge of the wavelength conversion device is based on the measured power of light having the first wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Jacques Gollier, Garrett Andrew Piech
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Publication number: 20100265569Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to connecting structures comprising heated flexures for aligning a first component with a second component. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical package includes a laser, a wavelength conversion device, a mirror and a connecting structure. The mirror reflects a laser beam such that the laser beam is incident upon the wavelength conversion device. The connecting structure includes a structure base and three bipod flexures. Each of the bipod flexures includes first and second bipod legs extending from the structure base to the mirror. A heating element is thermally coupled to the first and second bipod legs. The bipod flexures are arranged in a tripod configuration such that changes in the length of the bipod legs alter the reflection of the laser beam from the mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Garrett Andrew Piech
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Patent number: 7813033Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to connecting structures comprising heated flexures for aligning a first component with a second component. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical package includes a laser, a wavelength conversion device, a mirror and a connecting structure. The mirror reflects a laser beam such that the laser beam is incident upon the wavelength conversion device. The connecting structure includes a structure base and three bipod flexures. Each of the bipod flexures includes first and second bipod legs extending from the structure base to the mirror. A heating element is thermally coupled to the first and second bipod legs. The bipod flexures are arranged in a tripod configuration such that changes in the length of the bipod legs alter the reflection of the laser beam from the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, Garrett Andrew Piech
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Patent number: 7800852Abstract: A positioning apparatus for providing relative movement between a first member and a second member has a lever element pivotably coupled to the first member along a fulcrum member and has an actuator arm and a positioner arm. First and second flexure elements extend between the positioner arm of the lever element and the second member. An actuator is coupled to the actuator arm of the lever element.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, John H Bruning, Jack W Frankovich, Keith E Hanford, Kevin J Magierski
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Publication number: 20100110570Abstract: An optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member by a plurality of flexures. A first and a second translational adjustment apparatus are disposed to translate the inner member within a translation plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, wherein each translational adjustment apparatus has an actuator movable within the outer member along a linear travel path that is parallel to the translation plane and a shaft extending between the outer and inner members, the shaft coupled to the actuator with a first ball-and-socket joint and coupled to the inner member with a second ball-and-socket joint. The linear travel path of the actuator for the first translational adjustment apparatus is substantially orthogonal to the linear travel path of the actuator for the second translational adjustment apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Jack W. Frankovich, Keith E. Hanford, Kevin J. Magierski
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Patent number: 7612956Abstract: An optical element mount has an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a central axis and is suspended within the outer member by a plurality of fold flexures. Each fold flexure has a fold that lies along a line that intersects the central axis at one common point, where the common point serves as a pivot point for rotational movement of the inner member.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, John H Bruning, Jack W Frankovich, Keith E Hanford, Kevin J Magierski, Mark C Sanson
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Patent number: 7609467Abstract: A monolithic optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member and movable with respect to the outer member along an axis. A first set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the first set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a first circle lying in a first plane that is orthogonal to the axis. A second set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the second set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a second circle lying in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. With respect to a view taken along the axis, the folds for the first set do not align with the folds for the second set.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglass L Blanding, John H Bruning
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Publication number: 20090219634Abstract: A positioning apparatus for providing relative movement between a first member and a second member has a lever element pivotably coupled to the first member along a fulcrum member and has an actuator arm and a positioner arm. First and second flexure elements extend between the positioner arm of the lever element and the second member. An actuator is coupled to the actuator arm of the lever element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, John H. Bruning, Jack W. Frankovich, Keith E. Hanford, Kevin J. Magierski
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Patent number: 7522322Abstract: An apparatus for suitable for obtaining an image of a dental structure has an illuminator member placed proximate the area to be imaged. The illuminator member has a support structure (30) for retaining the illuminator member in position proximate the area to be imaged. A reference (22) is coupled to the support structure (30) of the illuminator member and disposed within the area to be imaged. At least one light source (24) is coupled to the support structure (30) of the illuminator member for directing imaging illumination toward the area to be imaged. A camera (12) records an image from within the area to be imaged using the imaging illumination from the illuminator member, wherein the image comprises the reference (22).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Rongguang Liang, Edward J. Giorgianni, Steven J. Hansen
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Patent number: 7458685Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a retinal image of an eye has a control logic processor (214) for executing a sequence of operations for obtaining the image. A visual target (162) orients the eye of a patient when viewed. An indicator element (410) provides a signal that indicates that the patient is in position. A cornea focus detection section (450) indicates cornea focus, in cooperation with the control logic processor (214). An alignment actuator aligns the optical path according to a signal obtained from the cornea focus detection section (450). A retina focus detection section (452) detects retina focus in cooperation with the control logic processor (214). A focusing actuator (406) is controlled by instructions from the control logic processor (214) according to a signal obtained from the retina focus detection section (452). An image capture light source is energized by the control logic processor (214) for illuminating the retina.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Rongguang Liang, Dale L. Tucker, Jeffery R. Hawver, Seung-Ho Baek, Vishwas G. Abhyankar, Richard Weil, Douglass L. Blanding
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Publication number: 20080204907Abstract: A monolithic optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member and movable with respect to the outer member along an axis. A first set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the first set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a first circle lying in a first plane that is orthogonal to the axis. A second set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the second set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a second circle lying in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. With respect to a view taken along the axis, the folds for the first set do not align with the folds for the second set.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, John H. Bruning
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Publication number: 20080204908Abstract: An optical element mount has an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a central axis and is suspended within the outer member by a plurality of fold flexures. Each fold flexure has a fold that lies along a line that intersects the central axis at one common point, where the common point serves as a pivot point for rotational movement of the inner member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, John H. Bruning, Jack W. Frankovich, Keith E. Hanford, Kevin J. Magierski, Mark C. Sanson
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Patent number: 7307764Abstract: An apparatus for displacing a movable platen (50) in orthogonal first and second directions within a fixed plane of a surface (62). The movable platen is suspended from a stationary housing (80). A first actuator (40) provides a first linear displacement along the first direction and a second actuator (40) provides a second linear displacement along the second direction. A lever member (70) is pivoted at a flexure element (62) and is coupled to the stationary housing (80). The position of the flexure element along the lever member defines a working arm (58) of the lever member between the flexure element and the movable platen and an effort arm (76) of the lever member between the flexure element and point of contact of the actuator. The travel distance of the movable platen relative to the first linear displacement of the first actuator is proportional to the ratio of the length of the working arm to the length of the effort arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Douglass L. Blanding
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Patent number: 7275332Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a platform (84) relative to a base (82), has first, second, and third flexible shaft couplings (80). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) is mechanically coupled between the platform (84) and the base (82). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) has a rigid intermediate member (12) and a platform coupling (104) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures (20). Each folded sheet flexure (20) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member (12) on one side of a fold (36) and coupled to the platform (84) on the opposite side of the fold (36). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) also has a base coupling (102) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures (20) wherein each folded sheet flexure (20) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member (12) on one side of a fold (36) and coupled to the base (82) on the opposite side of the fold (36).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventor: Douglass L. Blanding