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: 8254739
    Abstract: A bladeless optical fiber cleaver is provided for cleaving an optical fiber connector in a straightforward manner. The bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a generally planar body that includes a first body portion and a second body portion pivotably coupled to each other, where the second body portion is movable with respect to the first body portion. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a strain force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion under strain 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: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
  • Patent number: 8118494
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises an outer housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the outer housing. The collar body receives and secures a ferrule in a first portion of the collar body. The ferrule includes a central bore that defines an axis. The ferrule further includes a fiber stub disposed in a portion of the central bore, the fiber stub comprising a first optical fiber having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a prepared second end terminating within the ferrule. The collar body further includes a second portion that includes a housing portion to house a gripping device that grips a second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Paul N. Winberg, James R. Bylander, Takaya Yamauchi, Tomoyasu Oike, Yukino Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20120018482
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, Martin G. Afflerbaugh, Richard L. Simmons, James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
  • Publication number: 20110312249
    Abstract: A hand-held polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector mounted on the end of an optical fiber includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a connector mount to receive and hold the optical connector to position the end face of the ferrule adjacent to a polishing media. The polishing apparatus includes a housing having an upper portion and a base portion, a drive assembly and a lubricant dispensing system. The drive assembly controls orbital movement of the optical connector and linear movement of the polishing media through the polishing device, and the lubricant dispensing system supplies a lubricant from an internal reservoir disposed with in the housing to the polishing media near the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Tomoyasu Oike, Takaya Yamauchi, Steven G Lucht, Kent E. Lageson
  • Patent number: 8069907
    Abstract: A heat pipe for cooling a heat-generating component has a generally planar, sealed flexible body having an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a flexible bellows section. The bellows section is located between the evaporator section and the condenser section along a longitudinal length of the body. A chamber extends from the evaporator section to the condenser section inside the body and contains a working fluid. The bellows section includes internal supports to keep the chamber open during repeated bending of the heat pipe at the bellows section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, Vern E. Radewald
  • Patent number: 7942589
    Abstract: A plug-type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and an aligning sleeve member. The aligning sleeve member receives a portion of the ferrule including an abutting end face inside a bore to prevent staining and damage and uses a movable shutter to prevent light emitted through the ferrule from leaking to the outside. The socket type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and a holding section. The optical connector is not provided with an aligning sleeve member and further can hold a coated optical fiber by a holding section behind the ferrule by a radius of curvature of at least a prescribed minimum radius of curvature. Optical loss in the coated optical fiber can be reduced while effectively reducing the external dimensions in the direction of extension of the ferrule at the time of use. An optical fiber connecting device that includes a combination of a pair of optical connectors is also provided to be suitably applied to an optical transmission line laid indoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110058772
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: James R. Bylander
  • Publication number: 20100316344
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    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
  • Publication number: 20100270350
    Abstract: A bladeless optical fiber cleaver is provided for cleaving an optical fiber connector in a straightforward manner. The bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a generally planar body that includes a first body portion and a second body portion pivotably coupled to each other, where the second body portion is movable with respect to the first body portion. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a strain force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion under strain 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
  • Patent number: 7775726
    Abstract: An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the housing. The collar body includes a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body. The housing portion includes an opening to receive a gripping device to grip an optical fiber. The ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device. The optical connector can be thermally balanced over a temperature range of at least 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, James R. Bylander, Paul M. Wendell, Johnny P. Bryant, Carl E. Fisher, Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Takaya Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20100098381
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises an outer housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the outer housing. The collar body receives and secures a ferrule in a first portion of the collar body. The ferrule includes a central bore that defines an axis. The ferrule further includes a fiber stub disposed in a portion of the central bore, the fiber stub comprising a first optical fiber having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a prepared second end terminating within the ferrule. The collar body further includes a second portion that includes a housing portion to house a gripping device that grips a second optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Paul N. Winberg, James R. Bylander, Takaya Yamauchi, Tomoyasu Oike, Yukino Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20100029180
    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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Edward B. Lurie
  • Publication number: 20090080839
    Abstract: A plug-type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and an aligning sleeve member. The aligning sleeve member receives a portion of the ferrule including an abutting end face inside a bore to prevent staining and damage and uses a movable shutter to prevent light emitted through the ferrule from leaking to the outside. The socket type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and a holding section. The optical connector is not provided with an aligning sleeve member and further can hold a coated optical fiber by a holding section behind the ferrule by a radius of curvature of at least a prescribed minimum radius of curvature. Optical loss in the coated optical fiber can be reduced while effectively reducing the external dimensions in the direction of extension of the ferrule at the time of use. An optical fiber connecting device that includes a combination of a pair of optical connectors is also provided to be suitably applied to an optical transmission line laid indoors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090071632
    Abstract: A heat pipe for cooling a heat-generating component has a generally planar, sealed flexible body having an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a flexible bellows section. The bellows section is located between the evaporator section and the condenser section along a longitudinal length of the body. A chamber extends from the evaporator section to the condenser section inside the body and contains a working fluid. The bellows section includes internal supports to keep the chamber open during repeated bending of the heat pipe at the bellows section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, Vern E. Radewald
  • Publication number: 20080292246
    Abstract: A plug-type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and an aligning sleeve member. The aligning sleeve member receives a portion of the ferrule including an abutting end face inside a bore to prevent staining and damage and uses a movable shutter to prevent light emitted through the ferrule from leaking to the outside. The socket type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and a holding section. The optical connector is not provided with an aligning sleeve member and further can hold a coated optical fiber by a holding section behind the ferrule by a radius of curvature of at least a prescribed minimum radius of curvature. Optical loss in the coated optical fiber can be reduced while effectively reducing the external dimensions in the direction of extension of the ferrule at the time of use. An optical fiber connecting device that includes a combination of a pair of optical connectors is also provided to be suitably applied to an optical transmission line laid indoors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080226236
    Abstract: An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the housing. The collar body includes a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body. The housing portion includes an opening to receive a gripping device to grip an optical fiber. The ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device. The optical connector can be thermally balanced over a temperature range of at least 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, James R. Bylander, Paul M. Wendell
  • Patent number: 7331718
    Abstract: A plug-type optical connector 10 is provided with a ferrule 22 and an aligning sleeve member 24. The aligning sleeve member 24 receives a portion of the ferrule 22 including an abutting end face 48 inside a bore 58 to prevent staining and damage and uses a movable shutter 54 to prevent light emitted through the ferrule 22 from leaking to the outside. The socket type optical connector 14 is provided with a ferrule 92 and a holding section 94. The optical connector 14 is not provided with an aligning sleeve member and further can hold a coated optical fiber by a holding section 94 behind the ferrule 92 by a radius of curvature of at least a prescribed minimum radius of curvature. Optical loss in the coated optical fiber can be reduced while effectively reducing the external dimensions in the direction of extension of the ferrule 92 at the time of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7194179
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base having a connector mounting region to receive and secure the optical connector on the base, the connector including a housing and a ferrule. The assembly tool further includes a protrusion setting mechanism to set a protrusion of the terminal end of the optical fiber, the protrusion corresponding to a distance the terminal end of the fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, James B. Carpenter, Steven L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7140950
    Abstract: A method of polishing a remote grip optical connector comprises providing an optical fiber having a stripped terminal end. The fiber is inserted through a connector body and ferrule, where the connector body has a gripping region. The optical fiber is secured in the gripping region of the connector body. The connector is heated to heat the optical fiber and the ferrule to an elevated temperature and the heated terminal end of the optical fiber is polished flush with the heated end face of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Johnny P. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7006731
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the spectral response of an optical waveguide grating. A controlled extension is imparted to a surface of a support member and an optical waveguide grating is attached to the extended surface. The controlled extension is removed from the support member to create a compressive axial strain on the grating, and the spectral response of the grating is subsequently adjusted by altering the axial strain in the grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James R. Bylander