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).
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Patent number: 8254739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
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Patent number: 8118494Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Paul N. Winberg, James R. Bylander, Takaya Yamauchi, Tomoyasu Oike, Yukino Miyoshi
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Publication number: 20120018482Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, Martin G. Afflerbaugh, Richard L. Simmons, James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
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Publication number: 20110312249Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James R. Bylander, Tomoyasu Oike, Takaya Yamauchi, Steven G Lucht, Kent E. Lageson
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Patent number: 8069907Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, Vern E. Radewald
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Patent number: 7942589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20110058772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventor: James R. Bylander
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Publication number: 20100316344Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20100270350Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: James R. Bylander, Donald K. Larson, Mark R. Richmond
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Patent number: 7775726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ronald P. Pepin, James R. Bylander, Paul M. Wendell, Johnny P. Bryant, Carl E. Fisher, Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Takaya Yamauchi
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Publication number: 20100098381Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Sidney J. Berglund, Paul N. Winberg, James R. Bylander, Takaya Yamauchi, Tomoyasu Oike, Yukino Miyoshi
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Publication number: 20100029180Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Edward B. Lurie
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Publication number: 20090080839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20090071632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, Vern E. Radewald
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Publication number: 20080292246Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20080226236Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, James R. Bylander, Paul M. Wendell
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Patent number: 7331718Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Akihiko Yazaki, Takaya Yamauchi, James R. Bylander, Eric M. Morgan, Wesley A. Raider, Kirk L. Taylor
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Patent number: 7194179Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, James B. Carpenter, Steven L. Johnson
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Patent number: 7140950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James R. Bylander, Johnny P. Bryant
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Patent number: 7006731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: James R. Bylander