Patents by Inventor James R. Bylander

James R. Bylander 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).

  • Patent number: 10261264
    Abstract: A multiple optical fiber connection apparatus comprises an outer housing to receive a plurality of optical fibers and a collar body disposed within the housing having a fiber comb portion disposed at a front portion of the collar body. The fiber comb portion includes an array of grooves, with each groove configured to guide an optical fiber disposed therein, and a ramp section adjacent the groove array, wherein the ramp section including a gradual rising portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Richmond, Johnny P. Bryant, Ding Wang, James R. Bylander, Nathan Stipek
  • Patent number: 9897763
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20170371108
    Abstract: A multiple optical fiber connection apparatus comprises an outer housing to receive a plurality of optical fibers and a collar body disposed within the housing having a fiber comb portion disposed at a front portion of the collar body. The fiber comb portion includes an array of grooves, with each groove configured to guide an optical fiber disposed therein, and a ramp section adjacent the groove array, wherein the ramp section including a gradual rising portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Mark R. Richmond, Johnny P. Bryant, Ding Wang, James R. Bylander, Nathan Stipek
  • Patent number: 9791635
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector for terminating a fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, comprises an outer connector housing, a ferrule essentially free of adhesive, a backbone, and a collar body disposed between the ferrule and backbone. The collar body includes a remote gripping region to remotely grip the plurality of optical fibers outside of the ferrule. In some aspects, the collar body includes a fiber comb portion that separates potentially tangled fibers, arranges the plurality of fibers in a uniform pitch, and provides for straightforward feeding of the fiber array into ferrule bores during a fiber cable insertion process. In some aspects, the connector includes a resilient element disposed between the backbone and a rear portion of the collar body, and an intermediate spring element disposed between a front portion of the collar body and a rear portion of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Richmond, Johnny P. Bryant, Ding Wang, James R. Bylander, Nathan Stipek
  • Publication number: 20170131480
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 9625661
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment and redirection of the optical beam to a connected optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 9588301
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20160238797
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment and redirection of the optical beam to a connected optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20160231510
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 9354397
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers to other optical fibers or optical devices. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact and reliable optical fiber connector (100) that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate (120) receiving the optical fibers (132) in V-grooves on a first major surface thereof with their angle cleaved ends (126) arranged in a staggered arrangement so as to redirect light to an associated microlens (128) at the opposite surface of the transparent substrate (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 9335476
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment and redirection of the optical beam to a connected optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20160033724
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment and redirection of the optical beam to a connected optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 9207413
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate comprising a plurality of staggered light redirecting features on an input surface thereof directing incoming light from optical fibers through the substrate towards optical elements to be coupled with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20150247979
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector for terminating a fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, comprises an outer connector housing, a ferrule essentially free of adhesive, a backbone, and a collar body disposed between the ferrule and backbone. The collar body includes a remote gripping region to remotely grip the plurality of optical fibers outside of the ferrule. In some aspects, the collar body includes a fiber comb portion that separates potentially tangled fibers, arranges the plurality of fibers in a uniform pitch, and provides for straightforward feeding of the fiber array into ferrule bores during a fiber cable insertion process. In some aspects, the connector includes a resilient element disposed between the backbone and a rear portion of the collar body, and an intermediate spring element disposed between a front portion of the collar body and a rear portion of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Mark R. Richmond, Johnny P. Bryant, Ding Wang, James R. Bylander, Nathan Stipek
  • Publication number: 20140193116
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate comprising a plurality of staggered light redirecting features on an input surface there of directing incoming light from optical fibres through the substrate towards optical elements to be coupled with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Publication number: 20140193124
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers to other optical fibres or optical devices. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact and reliable optical fiber connector (100) that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate (120) receiving the optical fibers (132) in V-grooves on a first major surface thereof with their angle cleaved ends (126) arranged in a staggered arrangement so as to redirect light to an associated microlens (128) at the opposite surface of the transparent substrate (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERITEIS COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Ding Wang
  • Patent number: 8746525
    Abstract: A bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a first clamp and a second clamp coupled to each other via a generally support tray, where the second clamp is movable with respect to the first clamp along an axis of the optical fiber. The first and second clamps each receive a portion of the optical fiber. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a tension force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion of the fiber under tension is exposed to receive contact from a flexible abrasive material, the flexible abrasive material introducing a flaw in the optical fiber where the cleave takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, Martin G. Afflerbaugh, Richard L. Simmons, James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
  • Patent number: 8444326
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling device, comprises a coupling assembly that includes a first ferrule and a second ferrule and an optical fiber having a first end mounted in the first ferrule and a second end mounted in the second ferrule. The first ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a first barrel and the second ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a second barrel. The coupling assembly is disposable in a coupling housing configured to receive at least two optical fiber connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James R. Bylander
  • Patent number: 8442375
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Richard L. Simmons, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Joseph M. Van Allen, Donald K. Larson, Joseph C. Sawicki, Ronald P. Pepin, Martin G. Afflerbaugh
  • Patent number: 8292699
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a base to support the mount. The base further includes a dispenser portion. The polishing apparatus further includes a polishing strip dispensable by the dispensing portion of the base. The polishing strip has a portion thereof extending through a passageway formed in the mount, where a first surface of the polishing strip is disposed proximate to an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount. In an exemplary aspect, the polishing strip comprises one or more polishing media disposed on a backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Edward B. Lurie