Patents by Inventor Michael C. Harper

Michael C. Harper 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).

  • Publication number: 20230219195
    Abstract: Methods of making polymer bond abrasive articles and their precursors using powder bed jetting are disclosed. Polymer bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, unitary structured abrasive discs, abrasive segments, shaped abrasive particles, and abrasive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper
  • Patent number: 11623324
    Abstract: Methods of making polymer bond abrasive articles and their precursors using powder bed jetting are disclosed. Polymer bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, unitary structured abrasive discs, abrasive segments, shaped abrasive particles, and abrasive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper
  • Patent number: 11607841
    Abstract: A method of forming a vitreous bond abrasive article is presented that includes receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying a plurality of layers of a vitreous bond abrasive article precursor. The vitreous bond abrasive article precursor includes abrasive particles bonded together by a vitreous bond precursor material and an organic compound. The vitreous bond abrasive article precursor further comprises at least one of: at least one tortuous cooling channel extending at least partially through the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor or at least one arcuate cooling channel extending at least partially through the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor. The method also includes generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor based on the digital object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L. W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 11597058
    Abstract: Methods of making metal bond abrasive articles via powder bed jetting are disclosed. Metal bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, abrasive segments, abrasive wheels, and rotary dental tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Brian D. Goers, Robert L. W. Smithson, Negus B. Adefris, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 11577458
    Abstract: An additive layer manufacturing method, preferably using selective laser sintering, for manufacturing a solid article, the method including applying a layer of a powder, the powder including at least one powdered (co)polymer, onto a solid substrate in a processing chamber; fusing the powder layer onto the solid substrate; subsequently depositing successive layers of the powder, wherein each successive layer is selectively fused prior to deposition of the subsequent layer of powder so as to form the article. In some embodiments, the powder further includes abrasive particles having a hardness greater than or equal to that of aluminum oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Rifaut, Jens Eichler, Tilo Remhof, Brian D. Goers, Brian A. Shukla, Alexander J. Kugel, Maiken Givot, Michael C. Harper
  • Publication number: 20210362297
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. The methods include sequential steps. Step a) includes a subprocess including sequentially: i) depositing a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region; and ii) selectively applying heat via conduction or irradiation, to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The layer of loose powder particles has substantially uniform thickness. Step b) includes independently carrying out step a) a number of times to generate an abrasive article preform comprising the bonded powder particles and remaining loose powder particles. Step c) includes separating remaining loose powder particles from the abrasive article preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20210316503
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. The methods include sequential steps. Step a) includes a subprocess including sequentially: i) depositing a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region; and ii) selectively applying heat via conduction or irradiation, to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The layer of loose powder particles has substantially uniform thickness. Step b) includes independently carrying out step a) a number of times to generate an abrasive article preform comprising the bonded powder particles and remaining loose powder particles. Step c) includes separating remaining loose powder particles from the abrasive article preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20210245433
    Abstract: An additive layer manufacturing method, preferably using selective laser sintering, for manufacturing a solid article, the method including applying a layer of a powder, the powder including at least one powdered (co)polymer, onto a solid substrate in a processing chamber; fusing the powder layer onto the solid substrate; subsequently depositing successive layers of the powder, wherein each successive layer is selectively fused prior to deposition of the subsequent layer of powder so as to form the article. In some embodiments, the powder further includes abrasive particles having a hardness greater than or equal to that of aluminum oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Rifaut, Jens Eichler, Tilo Remhof, Brian D. Goers, Brian A. Shukla, Alexander J. Kugel, Maiken Givot, Michael C. Harper
  • Patent number: 11072053
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. The methods include sequential steps. Step a) includes a subprocess including sequentially: i) depositing a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region; and ii) selectively applying heat via conduction or irradiation, to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The layer of loose powder particles has substantially uniform thickness. Step b) includes independently carrying out step a) a number of times to generate an abrasive article preform comprising the bonded powder particles and remaining loose powder particles. Step c) includes separating remaining loose powder particles from the abrasive article preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L. W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 11072115
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. An abrasive article preform is produced by an additive manufacturing sub-process comprising the deposition of a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region and selective heating via conduction or irradiation to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The abrasive article preform produced by additive manufacturing is subsequently heated to provide the vitreous bond abrasive article comprising the abrasive particles retained in a vitreous bond material, or to provide the metal bond abrasive article. Also, the methods include receiving, by an additive manufacturing device having a processor, a digital object specifying data for an abrasive article, and generating the abrasive article with the manufacturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L. W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20210094149
    Abstract: Methods of making metal bond abrasive articles via powder bed jetting are disclosed. Metal bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, abrasive segments, abrasive wheels, and rotary dental tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Brian D. Goers, Robert L.W. Smithson, Negus B. Adefris, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 10888973
    Abstract: Methods of making metal bond abrasive articles via powder bed jetting are disclosed. Metal bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, abrasive segments, abrasive wheels, and rotary dental tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Brian D. Goers, Robert L. W. Smithson, Negus B. Adefris, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20200070311
    Abstract: Methods of making polymer bond abrasive articles and their precursors using powder bed jetting are disclosed. Polymer bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, unitary structured abrasive discs, abrasive segments, shaped abrasive particles, and abrasive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190047214
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. An abrasive article preform is produced by an additive manufacturing sub-process comprising the deposition of a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region and selective heating via conduction or irradiation to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The abrasive article preform produced by additive manufacturing is subsequently heated to provide the vitreous bond abrasive article comprising the abrasive particles retained in a vitreous bond material, or to provide the metal bond abrasive article. Also, the methods include receiving, by an additive manufacturing device having a processor, a digital object specifying data for an abrasive article, and generating the abrasive article with the manufacturing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20190022826
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making a vitreous bond abrasive article and a metal bond abrasive article. The methods include sequential steps. Step a) includes a subprocess including sequentially: i) depositing a layer of loose powder particles in a confined region; and ii) selectively applying heat via conduction or irradiation, to heat treat an area of the layer of loose powder particles. The loose powder particles include abrasive particles and organic compound particles, as well as vitreous bond precursor particles or metal particles. The layer of loose powder particles has substantially uniform thickness. Step b) includes independently carrying out step a) a number of times to generate an abrasive article preform comprising the bonded powder particles and remaining loose powder particles. Step c) includes separating remaining loose powder particles from the abrasive article preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L.W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20180126515
    Abstract: Methods of making metal bond abrasive articles via powder bed jetting are disclosed. Metal bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, abrasive segments, abrasive wheels, and rotary dental tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Brian D. Goers, Robert L.W. Smithson, Negus B. Adefris, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 4414131
    Abstract: A novel nematic liquid crystalline composition is provided. A novel liquid crystalline chiral compound, (+)5-(2-methyl) butyl-2(4-cyanophenyl)-1, 3-dioxane, is also provided. When admixed together, these novel components form a phase-change cholesteric liquid crystalline composition which is highly useful as the host medium in a guest-host electrooptical display as a result of its low electrical threshold and optical saturation voltages, steep saturation curve, relatively low optical birefringence, low viscosity and broad liquid crystalline mesomorphic range.The host medium in conjunction with a suitable pleochroic dye provides an improved guest-host composition which exhibits a contrast of greater than 3:1 in certain displays, especially those having liquid crystal alignment layer means providing a moderate tilt angle of 10.degree.-40.degree. at the substrate/guest-host composition interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Sethofer, Michael C. Harper