Patents by Inventor Ted F. Hutchinson

Ted F. Hutchinson 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: 5645622
    Abstract: Silica tubes and sleeves are used to protect fusion splices between the ends of the fiber coil and polarizing fibers. Use of silica for most of the subassembly components matches the coefficients of thermal expansion of the subassembly to that of the fiber coil, and also allows the coil to be annealed at extremely high temperatures. Annealing yields fiber coils of lowered birefringence, particularly when used with spun fibers. Ferrules are used to adjust the angular orientation of the fibers with respect to their planes of polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bryon J. Cronk, Ted F. Hutchinson, Dale R. Lutz, Trevor W. MacDougall, James R. Onstott
  • Patent number: 5570449
    Abstract: A holder for annealing a fiber optic coil uses a silica ring on a silica substrate, or silica tubular coil, either of which may be directly incorporated into a coil subassembly for a Faraday-effect current sensor. The ring may be formed in a silica plate by sandblasting or grinding, or formed separately and adhered to the plate. In the tubular holder embodiment, silica tubes and sleeves are used to protect fusion splices between the ends of the fiber coil and polarizing fibers. Use of silica for most of the subassembly components matches the coefficients of thermal expansion of the subassembly to that of the fiber coil, and also allows the coil to be annealed at extremely high temperatures. Annealing yields fiber coils of lowered birefringence, particularly when used with spun fibers. Ferrules are used to adjust the angular orientation of the fibers with respect to their planes of polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ted F. Hutchinson, Dale R. Lutz, Trevor W. MacDougall, James R. Onstott
  • Patent number: 5341271
    Abstract: A fault indicator for a surge arrester includes an explosive cartridge which is detonated by a fault condition of an attached surge arrester to remove a covering which exposes colored, reflective tape to provide a visual indication of the faulted condition of the surge arrester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ted F. Hutchinson