Patents by Inventor Paul Hannington
Paul Hannington 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: 9678401Abstract: In a method of operating a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal composition with smectic-A properties, a first waveform is applied to optically clear the device so that it is substantially transparent to visible light and a second waveform is applied to disorder the material of the liquid crystal composition to afford a strongly light-scattering state. The first waveform has a higher frequency than the second, waveform, and the method comprises applying a modified waveform to partially clear at least a portion of the device from the light-scattering state.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: DOW CORNING CORPORATION, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITEDInventors: William Alden Crossland, Anthony Bernard Davey, John Richard Moore, Daping Chu, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Clapp
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Publication number: 20150298421Abstract: The invention provides composite components, structures and method for producing composite components. A composite component has a negative effect Poisson's ratio and comprises a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component extend longitudinally relative to an axis, the first component being provided around the second component through one or more turns which are spaced longitudinally relative to the axis. A variation in the tensile load on the first component causes the radial position of the second component relative to the axis to vary.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Patrick Barry Hook, Kenneth E. Evans, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Timothy Rex Bunce
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Publication number: 20150049267Abstract: In a method of operating a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal composition with smectic-A properties, a first waveform is applied to optically clear the device so that it is substantially transparent to visible light and a second waveform is applied to disorder the material of the liquid crystal composition to afford a strongly light-scattering state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: William Alden Crossland, Anthony Bernard Davey, John Richard Moore, Daping Chu, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Clapp
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Patent number: 8956548Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Cambridge Enterprise LimitedInventors: Terry Victor Clapp, William Alden Crossland, Anthony Bernard Davey, Martin Grasmann, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Russell Keith King, Mikhael Pivnenko, Steven Robson, Huan Xu
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Patent number: 8916262Abstract: The invention provides composite components, structures and method for producing composite components. A composite component has a negative effect Poisson's ratio and comprises a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component extend longitudinally relative to an axis, the first component being provided around the second component through one or more turns which are spaced longitudinally relative to the axis. A variation in the tensile load on the first component causes the radial position of the second component relative to the axis to vary.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Dow Corning CorporationInventors: Patrick Barry Hook, Kenneth E. Evans, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Timothy Rex Bunce
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Patent number: 8821992Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I?SmA*?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Cambridge Enterprise Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Russel Keith King, Omar Farooq, Martin Grasmann, William Alden Crossland, Harry James Coles, Anthony Bernard Davey, Huan Xu, Oliver Hadeler, Mykhaylo Pivnenko
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Publication number: 20130155340Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventors: Terry Victor Clapp, William Alden Crossland, Anthony Bernard Davey, Martin Grasmann, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Russell Keith King, Mikhael Pivnenko, Steven Robson, Huan Xu
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Patent number: 8368831Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Cambridge Enterprise Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Russell Keith King, Omar Farooq, Martin Grasmann, William Alden Crossland, Harry James Coles, Anthony Bernard Davey, Huan Xu, Oliver Hadeler, Mykhaylo Pivnenko
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Patent number: 8025937Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Cambridge Enterprise Ltd.Inventors: Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Russell Keith King, Omar Farooq, William Alden Crossland, Joo-Nyung Jang, Huan Xu, Anthony Bernard Davey
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Publication number: 20100283925Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I?SmA*?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicants: DOW CORNING CORPORATION, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LTD.Inventors: Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Russell Keith King, Omar Farooq, Martin Grasmann, William Alden Crossland, Harry James Coles, Anthony Bernard Davey, Huan Xu, Oliver Hadeler, Mykhaylo Pivnenko
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Publication number: 20100283927Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicants: DOW CORNING CORPORATION, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LTD.Inventors: Jonathan Paul Hannington, Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Russell Keith King, Omar Farooq, Martin Grasmann, William Alden Crossland, Harry James Coles, Anthony Bernard Davey, Huan Xu, Oliver Hadeler, Mykhaylo Pivnenko
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Publication number: 20090239049Abstract: The invention provides composite components, structures and method for producing composite components. A composite component has a negative effect Poisson's ratio and comprises a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component extend longitudinally relative to an axis, the first component being provided around the second component through one or more turns which are spaced longitudinally relative to the axis. A variation in the tensile load on the first component causes the radial position of the second component relative to the axis to vary.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: DOW CORNING LIMITEDInventors: Patrick Barry Hook, Kenneth E. Evans, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Timothy Rex Bunce
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Publication number: 20090185129Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicants: DOW CORNING CORPORATION, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LTDInventors: Terry Victor Clapp, Fumito Nishida, Jonathan Paul Hannington, Russell Keith King, Omar Farooq, William Alden Crossland, Joo-Nyung Jang, Huan Xu, Anthony Bernard Davey
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Publication number: 20040094635Abstract: An air freshener having a fragrance releasing gel 40 having a fragrance component which is released from the composition over a sustained period of time, the gel being substantially self-supporting. The gel comprises from about 40 to about 90% by weight of the total composition of fragrance component, does not exhibit syneresis and, in use, shrinks unidirectionally away from an exposed major surface 46 when supported in a container 30′.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Michael Harris, Paul Hannington, Clare Ewin
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Publication number: 20010031438Abstract: A thermochromic colourant is used to indicate a temperature change in a candle. During manufacture, the colour change of the colourant will indicate when the temperature has fallen to a level suitable for packing of the candle. The candle formulation may include the thermochromic colourant to visually indicate when in use parts of the candle above a predetermined temperature, or the colourant may be provided in a coating on the candle body, or in a wrapper for the candle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Paul Hannington, Michael Harris, Clare Ewin