Patents by Inventor Erik A. Aho

Erik A. Aho 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: 20230256704
    Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 11618237
    Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20220063991
    Abstract: A substantially planar self-folding film assembly to generate a folded three-dimensional assembly. The assembly includes a flexible support substrate, adhesive elements, and folding members. The folding members include a base, a folding region, and a hinge adjacent each folding region attached at the base to the flexible support substrate by at least one of the adhesive elements. An array of polymer actuators is co-extensive, or shaped to be not co-extensive, with each of the flexible folding members. Upon activation by a patterned light to heat conversion layer, each polymer actuator is designed and configured to provide a displacement of the corresponding flexible folding member about each hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jia Hu, Martin B. Wolk, Thomas R. Corrigan, Mitchell T. Nommensen, Michael Benton Free, Kurt J. Halverson, Erik A. Aho
  • Publication number: 20220019000
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles and methods of sealing light redirecting film constructions comprising a microstructured optical film, such as a daylight redirecting film, bonded to another film. This type of assembly may serve various purposes. For example, the assembly may protect the structured film, provide additional functionality, such as diffusion or infrared reflection, and/or facilitate attachment of the microstructured optical film to a mounting surface, such as a glazing or window pane. The methods for sealing the edge of a light redirecting construction inhibit ingress of water and other contaminants during the film installation and afterwards during its regular use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Raghunath Padiyath, Eric L. Askeland, John F. Reed, Shannon S. Le Blanc, Erik A. Aho, Ronald K. Thery, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20210281021
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for providing an indication of the presence of an electrical voltage potential at one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received in an electrical coupler. Examples of electrical couplers include an illumination coupling comprising a front flange, a rear flange, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange and configured to encircle a portion of the electrical coupler. A plurality of illumination devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel are configured to provide visible light emissions when illuminated that are indicative of the presence of an electrical voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received within the electrical coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Claudio A. Castro, Martin J. Vos, Javier J. Castro, Jaylon D. Loyd, Erik A. Aho
  • Patent number: 10877191
    Abstract: The disclosed light directing article comprises a structured layer, an adhesive sealing layer, and barrier elements. The structured layer comprises multiple microstructured elements that are opposite a major surface. The adhesive sealing layer has a first region and a second region. The second region is in contact with the structured layer. The barrier element are at the first region. The first region with the barrier element and second region have sufficiently different properties to form a low refractive index layer between the adhesive sealing layer and the structured layer. The barrier element comprises a crosslinked polymeric matrix having a modulus of elasticity less than 4.4 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Suman K. Patel, John P. Baetzold, Erik A. Aho, Manoj Nirmal, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Scott M. Tapio, Denis Terzic
  • Patent number: 10823717
    Abstract: A system for use in wirelessly monitoring a pipeline such as a natural gas pipe. The system includes a locator configured to wirelessly transmit power and a subsoil sensor marker located adjacent the pipe and configured to wirelessly communicate with the locator. The sensor marker includes a microcontroller, a memory module, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a gas, and a power module. The power module is configured to harvest a sufficient amount of the power wirelessly transmitted from the locator in order to operate the microcontroller to take a measurement via the sensor, save the measurement in the memory module, and wirelessly transmit the measurement to the locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Willett, Ronald D. Jesme, Mohsen Salehi, Andrew P. Bonifas, Erik A. Aho, Craig R. Schardt, Amy J. Hite, Patrick M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10795061
    Abstract: Light redirecting film articles include a microstructured optical film, such as a daylight redirecting film, bonded to another film. This type of assembly may serve various purposes. For example, the assembly may protect the structured film, provide additional functionality, such as diffusion or infrared reflection, and/or facilitate attachment of the microstructured optical film to a mounting surface, such as a glazing or window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Scott M. Tapio, Erik A. Aho, Bing Hao, John F. Reed
  • Publication number: 20200282691
    Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20190146126
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles and methods of making light redirecting film constructions comprising a microstructured optical film, such as a daylight redirecting film, bonded to another film. This type of assembly may serve various purposes. For example, the assembly may protect the structured film, provide additional functionality, such as diffusion or infrared reflection, and/or facilitate attachment of the microstructured optical film to a mounting surface, such as a glazing or window pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Scott M. Tapio, Erik A. Aho, Bing Hao, John F. Reed
  • Publication number: 20190137450
    Abstract: Resonant acoustic gas sensors and methods for operating acoustic gas sensors that improve detection and reduce power consumption through the use of dynamic thresholds for identifying resonance peaks and optimizing searching for subsequent resonance peaks. The resonant acoustic gas sensors may use one or two separate transducers to produce the electronic signal that is filtered and used to identify the resonance peaks, using either voltage or impedance values to identify resonance peaks and use the resonance peaks to determine the composition of the gas mixture being measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen J. Willett, Erik A. Aho, Eric J. Alfuth, Benjamin P. Heppner, Richard L. Rylander, Benjamin K. Stein, Daniel A. Temple
  • Publication number: 20190072532
    Abstract: A system for use in wirelessly monitoring a pipeline such as a natural gas pipe. The system includes a locator configured to wirelessly transmit power and a subsoil sensor marker located adjacent the pipe and configured to wirelessly communicate with the locator. The sensor marker includes a microcontroller, a memory module, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a gas, and a power module. The power module is configured to harvest a sufficient amount of the power wirelessly transmitted from the locator in order to operate the microcontroller to take a measurement via the sensor, save the measurement in the memory module, and wirelessly transmit the measurement to the locator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen J. Willett, Ronald D. Jesme, Mohsen Salehi, Andrew P. Bonifas, Erik A. Aho, Craig R. Schardt, Amy J. Hite, Patrick M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10151860
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: 3m Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bing Hao, Manoj Nirmal, Charles A. Marttila, Owen M. Anderson, Scott M. Tapio, Erik A. Aho, Raghunath Padiyath, Jonathan F. Mansheim, John F. Reed
  • Publication number: 20180291637
    Abstract: Light transmissive non-slip treads coupled to a light directing film having a structured surface for redirecting light oriented on a first axis. The non-slip treads may appear to be specifically illuminated, as if by dedicated light fixtures, but may instead be illuminated by ordinary ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Erik A. Aho, John E. Gozum, Michael J. Sykora
  • Publication number: 20180188424
    Abstract: The disclosed light directing article comprises a structured layer, an adhesive sealing layer, and barrier elements. The structured layer comprises multiple microstructured elements that are opposite a major surface. The adhesive sealing layer has a first region and a second region. The second region is in contact with the structured layer. The barrier element are at the first region. The first region with the barrier element and second region have sufficiently different properties to form a low refractive index layer between the adhesive sealing layer and the structured layer. The barrier element comprises a crosslinked polymeric matrix having a modulus of elasticity less than 4.4 GPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Suman K. Patel, John P. Baetzold, Erik A. Aho, Manoj Nirmal, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Scott M. Tapio, Denis Terzic
  • Publication number: 20180095196
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: BING HAO, MANOJ NIRMAL, CHARLES A. MARTTILA, OWEN M. ANDERSON, SCOTT M. TAPIO, ERIK A. AHO, RAGHUNATH PADIYATH, JONATHAN F. MANSHEIM, JOHN F. REED
  • Patent number: 9910192
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of room-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bing Hao, Manoj Nirmal, Charles A. Marttila, Raghunath Padiyath, Jonathan F. Mansheim, Erik A. Aho, Scott M. Tapio, Owen M. Anderson, Eileen M. F. Haus, John F. Reed
  • Patent number: 9817161
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bing Hao, Manoj Nirmal, Charles A. Marttila, Owen M. Anderson, Scott M. Tapio, Erik A. Aho, Raghunath Padiyath, Jonathan F. Mansheim, John F. Reed
  • Publication number: 20170307789
    Abstract: Articles and methods of making light redirecting film constructions including a micro structured optical film bonded in selected areas to another film, and including a diffuser are described. The diffuser has an optical haze in the range of (20) to (85) percent and an optical clarity of no greater than (50) percent. The diffuser may be a surface diffuser and may be an asymmetric surface diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Bing Hao, Erik A. Aho, John F. Reed, Charles A. Marttila, Michael Benton Free, John P. Baetzold
  • Publication number: 20170248742
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles and methods of making light redirecting film constructions comprising a microstructured optical film bonded in selected areas to another film. This type of assembly may serve various purposes. For example, the assembly may protect the structured film, provide additional functionality, such as diffusion, and/or facilitate attachment of the microstructured optical film to a mounting surface, such as a window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: MANOJ NIRMAL, JOHN P. BAETZOLD, ERIK A. AHO, SUMAN K. PATEL, SCOTT M. TAPIO, MIKHAIL L. PEKUROVSKY, JOHN J. STRADINGER, BING HAO