Patents by Inventor John Russell Mlinar
John Russell Mlinar 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: 7569081Abstract: A method is provided for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar, Mark Hyland Smith, Steven Mark Spicer
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Patent number: 7018500Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for singulating thin and substantially porous material layers arranged in a stack. A pick head is positioned above the stack of material layers. An adhesive tape is stabilized against the pick head through use of a vacuum between the adhesive tape and the pick head. Contact is effected between the stabilized adhesive tape and the top material layer. The pick head is moved to move the top material layer from the stack to a predetermined location. While at the predetermined location, the adhesive tape is detached from the top material layer. The singulation apparatus and method are particularly well suited for destacking individual porous fluid transport layers (FTLs) from a magazine of FTLs during automated fuel cell assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Warren David Eaton, Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar
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Apparatus and method for converting a fuel cell membrane web to precisely positioned membrane sheets
Publication number: 20040168305Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar, Mark Hyland Smith, Steven Mark Spicer -
Patent number: 6756146Abstract: Stacking porous and non-porous material layers involves applying vacuum to a first porous layer to stabilize same relative to a support structure. The support structure and/or a non-porous layer are moved to establish contact between the non-porous layer and the first porous layer. The first porous and non-porous layers define a sub-assembly. While applying vacuum to the sub-assembly, one or both of the support structure and a second layer are moved to establish contact between the second layer and the non-porous layer. Vacuum applied to the sub-assembly maintains positional stability of the sub-assembly layers relative to the support structure while the second layer is moved into contact with the non-porous layer. Vacuum is subsequently removed to facilitate transporting of the material layer stack. Material layers of a fuel cell, including first and second fluid transport layers and a membrane, are well suited for automated stacking.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John Russell Mlinar, Gary William Schukar
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Patent number: 6749713Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) from a fixture assembly subsequent to MEA bonding within the fixture assembly involves stabilizing the first fixture of the fixture assembly. The second fixture of the fixture assembly is stabilized. While the second fixture is stabilized, the first fixture is pressurized to cause the first surface of the MEA to separate from the first fixture. While the first fixture is stabilized, the second fixture is pressurized to cause the second surface of the MEA to separate from the second fixture. The second fixture is then moved out of proximity with the first fixture to permit removal of the MEA from the first fixture.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: John Russell Mlinar
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Patent number: 6740131Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar, Mark Hyland Smith, Steven Mark Spicer
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Patent number: 6733912Abstract: A first fixture of a transportable fixture apparatus incorporates a substantially porous first region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous first material layers, such as fuel cell layers, and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the first fixture and the first material layers. A second fixture incorporates a substantially porous second region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous second material layers and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the second fixture and the second material layers. A stop arrangement protrudes from one or both of the first and second fixtures, and is situated peripheral to the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact. The stop arrangement defines a cavity adapted to effect compression of the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: John Russell Mlinar
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Publication number: 20030188413Abstract: Stacking porous and non-porous material layers involves applying vacuum to a first porous layer to stabilize same relative to a support structure. The support structure and/or a non-porous layer are moved to establish contact between the non-porous layer and the first porous layer. The first porous and non-porous layers define a sub-assembly. While applying vacuum to the sub-assembly, one or both of the support structure and a second layer are moved to establish contact between the second layer and the non-porous layer. Vacuum applied to the sub-assembly maintains positional stability of the sub-assembly layers relative to the support structure while the second layer is moved into contact with the non-porous layer. Vacuum is subsequently removed to facilitate transporting of the material layer stack. Material layers of a fuel cell, including first and second fluid transport layers and a membrane, are well suited for automated stacking.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John Russell Mlinar, Gary William Schukar
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Apparatus and method for converting a fuel cell membrane web to precisely positioned membrane sheets
Publication number: 20030190521Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar, Mark Hyland Smith, Steven Mark Spicer -
Publication number: 20030188409Abstract: A first fixture of a transportable fixture apparatus incorporates a substantially porous first region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous first material layers, such as fuel cell layers, and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the first fixture and the first material layers. A second fixture incorporates a substantially porous second region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous second material layers and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the second fixture and the second material layers. A stop arrangement protrudes from one or both of the first and second fixtures, and is situated peripheral to the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact. The stop arrangement defines a cavity adapted to effect compression of the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: John Russell Mlinar
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Publication number: 20030190226Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for singulating thin and substantially porous material layers arranged in a stack. A pick head is positioned above the stack of material layers. An adhesive tape is stabilized against the pick head through use of a vacuum between the adhesive tape and the pick head. Contact is effected between the stabilized adhesive tape and the top material layer. The pick head is moved to move the top material layer from the stack to a predetermined location. While at the predetermined location, the adhesive tape is detached from the top material layer. The singulation apparatus and method are particularly well suited for destacking individual porous fluid transport layers (FTLs) from a magazine of FTLs during automated fuel cell assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Warren David Eaton, Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar
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Publication number: 20030188418Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) from a fixture assembly subsequent to MEA bonding within the fixture assembly involves stabilizing the first fixture of the fixture assembly. The second fixture of the fixture assembly is stabilized. While the second fixture is stabilized, the first fixture is pressurized to cause the first surface of the MEA to separate from the first fixture. While the first fixture is stabilized, the second fixture is pressurized to cause the second surface of the MEA to separate from the second fixture. The second fixture is then moved out of proximity with the first fixture to permit removal of the MEA from the first fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: John Russell Mlinar
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Patent number: 5849646Abstract: The present invention provides a backing for a coated abrasive article, wherein the backing includes a tough, heat resistant, thermoplastic binder material, and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material distributed throughout the thermoplastic binder material. The tough, heat resistant, thermoplastic binder material and the fibrous reinforcing material together form a hardened composition that will not substantially deform or disintegrate during use.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: George Matthew Stout, James Gerard Homan, John Russell Mlinar, Larry Ray Wright