Patents by Inventor James M. Nelson
James M. Nelson 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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Publication number: 20220019032Abstract: A first optical device is adapted to couple to a second optical device along a coupling direction and includes two spaced apart pairs of leading and trailing pads, such that when the first optical device lands and slides on a landing surface of the second optical device to optically couple to the second optical device, and for each pair of leading and trailing pads, the leading pad prevents any debris on the landing surface from collecting on the trailing pad. Upon full coupling of the first optical device with the second optical device, the leading pads do not make contact with the landing surface. The first optical device may be, for example, an optical ferrule or a cradle having a recess adapted to receive an optical ferrule.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith
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Publication number: 20220011522Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 11215764Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Alexander R. Mathews
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Publication number: 20210389503Abstract: Nanostructured articles, materials for the nanostructured articles, and intermediate articles for use in making the nanostructured articles. The nanostructured articles can be formed on a flexible film and are useful for optical metasurface applications and possibly other applications. The articles can include nanoreplicated layers or pattern transfer layers of engineered nanostructures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, James M. Nelson, Karl K. Stensvad, Henrik B. van Lengerich, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Nicholas C. Erickson, Caleb T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20210347135Abstract: Materials and methods useful in forming nano-scale features on substrates, and articles such as optical films incorporating such nano-scale patterned substrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Karl K. Stensvad, Edwin L. Kusilek, Mathew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Martin B. Wolk, Nicholas C. Erickson, James Zhu, James M. Nelson
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Patent number: 11163122Abstract: An optical ferrule (200) has opposing major top (10) and bottom (20) surfaces where the bottom surface includes discrete spaced apart first (90) and second (100) platforms arranged along a mating direction of the optical ferrule (200). During a mating of the ferrule (200) with a mating optical ferrule (200?), the first (90) and second (100) platforms of the ferrule (200) slide against corresponding respective first (90?) and second (100?) platforms of the mating ferrule (200?). Upon full mating of the ferrule (200) with the mating ferrule (200?), the second platforms (100, 100?) of the ferrule and the mating ferrule remain in contact with and rest on each other, and the first platform (90, 90?) of neither ferrule makes contact with the other ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 11150416Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 11086083Abstract: An optical connector (100) includes a housing (112) configured to contain one or more optical ferrules (121) disposed within the housing and accessible through an opening at a mating end of the housing. A cover (130) is disposed at the mating end, the cover configured to be rotated about a pivoting axis between a closed position an open position. An actuator (135, 136) is configured to cause the cover to rotate about the pivoting axis from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 11015040Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a resin including nanoparticles including surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying alkyl groups. The present invention provides a resin component that includes a curable resin. The resin component also includes nanoparticles dispersed in the resin. The nanoparticles each independently include surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups. At least one of the (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups is a (C1-C50)alkyl group and at least one of the surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups is a (C6-C50)aryl group.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven C. Hackett, James M. Nelson, Wendy L. Thompson, Kristin L. Thunhorst
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Publication number: 20210109298Abstract: An optical ferrule (200) has opposing major top (10) and bottom (20) surfaces where the bottom surface includes discrete spaced apart first (90) and second (100) platforms arranged along a mating direction of the optical ferrule (200). During a mating of the ferrule (200) with a mating optical ferrule (200?), the first (90) and second (100) platforms of the ferrule (200) slide against corresponding respective first (90?) and second (100?) platforms of the mating ferrule (200?). Upon full mating of the ferrule (200) with the mating ferrule (200?), the second platforms (100, 100?) of the ferrule and the mating ferrule remain in contact with and rest on each other, and the first platform (90, 90?) of neither ferrule makes contact with the other ferrule.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith
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Publication number: 20210103106Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R Mathews, James M. Nelson
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Patent number: 10890724Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200301080Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200284996Abstract: An optical connector (100) includes a housing (112) configured to contain one or more optical ferrules (121) disposed within the housing and accessible through an opening at a mating end of the housing. A cover (130) is disposed at the mating end, the cover configured to be rotated about a pivoting axis between a closed position an open position. An actuator (135, 136) is configured to cause the cover to rotate about the pivoting axis from the closed position to the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 10746942Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith, James M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20200233155Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Publication number: 20200200978Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10649153Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
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Patent number: 10620383Abstract: A modular optical connector includes a plurality of coupled optical ferrule support modules. Each optical ferrule support module comprises module connecting features configured to couple each ferrule support module with one or more neighboring ferrule support modules of the plurality of ferrule support modules. One or more optical ferrules are disposed and configured to rotate within the ferrule support module. Each optical ferrule includes a first attachment area configured to attach to one or more optical waveguides. One or more passageways are disposed within the ferrule support module. Each passageway is configured to receive the one or more optical waveguides. The passageway comprises a second attachment area configured to attach to the optical waveguides that are attached to the optical ferrule at the first attachment area. The passageway is dimensioned to constrain the optical waveguides to bend within the housing between the first attachment area and the second attachment area.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, James M. Nelson, Alexander R. Mathews
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Patent number: 10578884Abstract: An optical component array and method of making an optical component array includes a plurality of optical components useful for projection devices or other optical devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Joseph C. Carls, James M. Nelson, Charles N. DeVore, Dwight G. Baldwin