Patents by Inventor Robert L. Brott

Robert L. Brott 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: 8967837
    Abstract: A solid state light having a shell forming an interior volume and with surface texture for redirecting light. A light section is coupled to the shell, and a light source board in the light section includes at least one solid state light source such as an LED. The shell, light section, and light source board have apertures for providing an air cooling channel through the light. The solid state light source transmits light into the interior volume, and the light exits from the shell and is redirected by the surface texture, providing for various light distribution curves of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander C. Tsuei, James F. Poch, Paul E. Humpal, Hamid R. Mortazavi, Robert L. Brott, Raymond P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20150036333
    Abstract: A solid state light having a shell forming an interior volume and with surface texture for redirecting light. A light section is coupled to the shell, and a light source board in the light section includes at least one solid state light source such as an LED. The shell, light section, and light source board have apertures for providing an air cooling channel through the light. The solid state light source transmits light into the interior volume, and the light exits from the shell and is redirected by the surface texture, providing for various light distribution curves of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ALEXANDER C. TSUEI, JAMES F. POCH, PAUL E. HUMPAL, HAMID R. MORTAZAVI, ROBERT L. BROTT, RAYMOND P. JOHNSTON
  • Publication number: 20150008023
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 8926131
    Abstract: A light with integrated light and thermal guides, and having solid state light sources such as LEDs. The light guide includes a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and forming an interior volume. The light guide is coupled to the LEDs for receiving and distributing light from them through the first surface, and the light is transported through the light guide until the light is extracted from the first or second surface. The light guide can include alignment features such as fiducials that mate with a base. The thermal guide is contained within the interior volume and integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the LEDs for cooling the light. The thermal guide can be vented to provide for internal cross flow of air for the cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Robert L. Brott, Paul E. Humpal, Kayla A. Hagens, Charles N. DeVore, Karl J. L. Geisler, Hamid R. Mortazavi, Wesley A. Raider, Gary W. Schukar
  • Patent number: 8917447
    Abstract: Microreplicated light redirecting films suitable for use in autostereoscopic displays and backlights are made to incorporate at least one nanovoided layer whose interface with another layer forms an embedded structured surface of the light redirecting film. The nanovoided layer includes a polymer binder and optional nanoparticles, and may have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. The light redirecting films may be adapted for attachment to one or more other components of an autostereoscopic display, such as a display panel and/or a light guide of a backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, William Blake Kolb, Encai Hao, John C. Schultz, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Scott M. Tapio, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20140340927
    Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: RAYMOND P. JOHNSTON, ROBERT L. BROTT, PATRICK R. FLEMING, KARL J.L. GEISLER, KAYLA A. HAGENS, STEVEN G. LUCHT, CHARLES N. DEVORE, JOSEPH W. WOODY, V, DAVID SCOTT THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8854589
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20140248458
    Abstract: Transfer tapes include an optically transparent adhesive layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, with at least one of the major surfaces including a microstructured pattern that is a permanent feature of the adhesive surface. The microstructured surface alters the direction of light. The optically transparent composition may include a low Tg polymeric component with a Tg of less than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, and a high Tg polymeric component with a Tg of greater than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, such that the functionality of the low Tg polymeric component and the functionality of the high Tg polymeric component form an acid-base interaction when mixed. The transfer tapes can be adhered to substrates to provide a microstructured surface to the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Kevin R. Schaffer, Robert L. Brott, Rolf W. Biernath, Joseph W. Woody, V, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 8798421
    Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Joan M. Frankel, David C. Kramlich, Robert L. Brott, Shandon D. Hart, Lynn E. Lorimor, Patrick R. Fleming, William J. Kopecky, Bruce B. Wilson, James M. Jonza
  • Patent number: 8659830
    Abstract: Optical films used for 3D autostereoscopic displays include lenses on one surface of the optical film that are registered to prisms on the opposing surface of the optical film. The lenses may be a-cylindrical lenses or cylindrical, and the rotation of the lenses can vary with position on the surface of the optical film. The prisms may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The prisms of the optical film can have a pitch that is different from a pitch of the lenses, or the prism pitch can be substantially the same as the pitch of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael J. Sykora
  • Publication number: 20140021858
    Abstract: An electroluminescent device and a method of making an electroluminescent device that includes one or more optical spacers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an electroluminescent element on a substrate. The method further includes selectively thermally transferring an optical spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Robert L. Brott, Thomas R. Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20130301268
    Abstract: A light with integrated light and thermal guides, and having solid state light sources such as LEDs. The light guide includes a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and forming an interior volume. The light guide is coupled to the LEDs for receiving and distributing light from them through the first surface, and the light is transported through the light guide until the light is extracted from the first or second surface. The light guide can include alignment features such as fiducials that mate with a base. The thermal guide is contained within the interior volume and integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the LEDs for cooling the light. The thermal guide can be vented to provide for internal cross flow of air for the cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Robert L. Brott, Paul E. Humpal, Kayla A. Hagens, Charles N. DeVore, Karl J. L. Geisler, Hamid R. Mortazavi, Wesley A. Raider, Gary W. Schukar
  • Patent number: 8569948
    Abstract: An electroluminescent device and a method of making an electroluminescent device that includes one or more optical spacers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an electroluminescent element on a substrate. The method further includes selectively thermally transferring an optical spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin B Wolk, Robert L. Brott, Thomas R. Hoffend
  • Publication number: 20130235614
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 8487518
    Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, an optical guide, and a thermal guide. The optical guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, and the thermal guide is integrated with the optical guide for providing thermal conduction from the solid state light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light. The optical guide can be tapered to enhance the efficiency of light distribution. The thermal guide can have an external shell connected with internal fins, and the external shell can have a reflective coating to provide for a back reflector behind the optical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Michael A. Meis, Robert L. Brott, Martin Kristoffersen, Charles N. DeVore, Paul E. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20130170218
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Publication number: 20130155719
    Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light. The shape can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael A. Meis, Karl J.L. Geisler, Raymond P. Johnston, Charles N. DeVore, Kayla A. Hagens, Jon A. Kirschhoffer
  • Publication number: 20130009329
    Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a sensing system that provides high-resolution feedback for web guiding and tension control. The system may be especially useful for web material that is manufactured to include micro-replicated structures with micron size scale. A micro-replication station forms a pattern of micro-replicated lenses on a web material. The sensing system illuminates a measurement area on the web material and detects an angular distribution of light exiting a set of the micro-replicated lenses within the first measurement area. A control system that adjusts at least one process control parameter of the transport system based on the detected angular distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: David L. Hofeldt, Robert L. Brott, Daniel H. Carlson, James N. Dobbs, Andrzej P. Jaworski, Glen A. Jerry, John T. Strand, Michael J. Sykora, Karl K. Stensvad
  • Patent number: D689647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Karl J. Geisler, Raymond P. Johnston, Thomas A Kaczkowski, Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Phillip D. Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: D693045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Robert L. Brott, Kayla A. Hagens, Karl J. L. Geisler, Raymond P. Johnston, Steven G. Lucht, Phillip D. Ziolkowski, Thomas A. Kaczkowski