Patents by Inventor Steven R. Vanhoose

Steven R. Vanhoose 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: 9523919
    Abstract: Methods for making differentially pattern cured microstructured articles are disclosed, using a molding tool having a microstructured surface, a patterned irradiation to generate irradiate and non-irradiated regions in a radiation curable resin. Different combinations of molding tools and patterned irradiation provide numerous variants of differentially pattern cured microstructured articles without requiring costly modification of the molding tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Olester Benson, Jr., Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Steven R. Vanhoose, Tadesse G. Nigatu
  • Publication number: 20160168702
    Abstract: A system for processing vapor. The system includes a vapor source for producing a vapor and an outlet conduit coupled to the vapor source for carrying the vapor from the vapor source. Downstream of the vapor source the outlet conduit separates into a vapor bypass conduit and a vapor feed conduit. The system further includes a first vapor control valve disposed in the bypass conduit, a second vapor control valve disposed in the feed conduit, a first vacuum chamber connected to the bypass conduit, and a second vacuum chamber connected to the feed conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher S. Lyons, Kent T. Engle, Steven R. Vanhoose, Terence D. Spawn, Joseph M. Pieper, Edward J. Anderson, Walter Stoss
  • Patent number: 9302291
    Abstract: A system for processing vapor. The system includes a vapor source for producing a vapor and an outlet conduit coupled to the vapor source for carrying the vapor from the vapor source. Downstream of the vapor source the outlet conduit separates into a vapor bypass conduit and a vapor feed conduit. The system further includes a first vapor control valve disposed in the bypass conduit, a second vapor control valve disposed in the feed conduit, a first vacuum chamber connected to the bypass conduit, and a second vacuum chamber connected to the feed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. Lyons, Kent T. Engle, Steven R. Vanhoose, Terence D. Spawn, Joseph M. Pieper, Edward J. Anderson, Walter Stoss
  • Publication number: 20150079521
    Abstract: Methods for making differentially pattern cured microstructured articles are disclosed, using a molding tool having a microstructured surface, a patterned irradiation to generate irradiate and non-irradiated regions in a radiation curable resin. Different combinations of molding tools and patterned irradiation provide numerous variants of differentially pattern cured microstructured articles without requiring costly modification of the molding tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Olester Benson, JR., Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Steven R. Vanhoose, Tadesse G. Nigatu
  • Publication number: 20140178567
    Abstract: A system for processing vapor. The system includes a vapor source for producing a vapor and an outlet conduit coupled to the vapor source for carrying the vapor from the vapor source. Downstream of the vapor source the outlet conduit separates into a vapor bypass conduit and a vapor feed conduit. The system further includes a first vapor control valve disposed in the bypass conduit, a second vapor control valve disposed in the feed conduit, a first vacuum chamber connected fluidically coupled to the bypass conduit, and a second vacuum chamber connected fluidically coupled to the feed conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher S. Lyons, Kent T. Engle, Steven R. Vanhoose, Terence D. Spawn, Joseph M. Pieper, Edward J. Anderson, Walter Stoss
  • Patent number: 6952264
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for collecting radiation. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in a roll to collect radiation directed at the roll. The invention is also an apparatus comprising a roll having an outer surface. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, Thomas M. Clausen, Olester Benson, Jr., Steven R. Vanhoose
  • Publication number: 20040240829
    Abstract: A support channel for a light fiber includes a fiber support member designed to partially circumscribe a light fiber, first and second legs, and first and second feet at the ends of the first and second legs. The fiber support member includes first and second sides and a flexure region between the first and second sides. The first and second sides join the fiber support member at the intersections of the flexure region with the first and second sides, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jennifer J. Sahlin, Steven R. Vanhoose, Kenneth D. Wanned, Stephen M. Randall
  • Publication number: 20030112438
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for collecting radiation. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in a roll to collect radiation directed at the roll. The invention is also an apparatus comprising a roll having an outer surface. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, Thomas M. Clausen, Olester Benson, Steven R. Vanhoose
  • Patent number: 6555823
    Abstract: The invention is a pneumatically actuated energy collection device. The device includes a support which has an energy collector thereon. A shutter is slidably attached to the support and can be moved between a first “closed” position and a second “open” position. In its first position, the shutter covers the collector and in its second position, the shutter uncovers the collector. The shutter is biased into one of the positions. A chamber is disposed adjacent to the shutter so that when the chamber is pressurized, the shutter bias is overcome and the shutter is moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, Thomas M. Clausen, Shawn W. Lee, Steven R. Vanhoose
  • Publication number: 20030063888
    Abstract: A support channel for a light fiber includes a fiber support member designed to partially circumscribe a light fiber, first and second legs, and first and second feet at the ends of the first and second legs. The fiber support member includes first and second sides and a flexure region between the first and second sides. The first and second sides join the fiber support member at the intersections of the flexure region with the first and second sides, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jennifer J. Sahlin, Steven R. Vanhoose, Kenneth D. Wanned, Stephen M. Randall
  • Publication number: 20020079431
    Abstract: The invention is a pneumatically actuated energy collection device. The device includes a support which has an energy collector thereon. A shutter is slidably attached to the support and can be moved between a first “closed” position and a second “open” position. In its first position, the shutter covers the collector and in its second position, the shutter uncovers the collector. The shutter is biased into one of the positions. A chamber is disposed adjacent to the shutter so that when the chamber is pressurized, the shutter bias is overcome and the shutter is moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, Thomas M. Clausen, Shawn W. Lee, Steven R. Vanhoose