Patents by Inventor Tien T. Wu

Tien T. Wu 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: 11820844
    Abstract: A charge-modified particle comprising the inorganic core and a shell surrounding the inorganic core, wherein the shell comprises a copolymer comprising monomeric units corresponding to free-radically polymerizable monomers, and wherein at least one of the monomeric units comprises a substituted benzotriazolylphenolate salt. Methods of making the charge-modified particle by admicellar polymerization are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Mikhail A. Belkin, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr., Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20220396903
    Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous web and a method of making thereof. The nonwoven fibrous web includes greater than 0% but no greater than 30 wt % of a plurality of melt-blown fibers comprised of a crystalline (co)polymer; and at least 70 wt % of a plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers, the plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers including: at least 60 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and from 0 to 40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having an outer surface comprised of a (co)polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 350° C.; wherein the plurality of melt-blown fibers and the plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers are bonded together to form a cohesive non-woven fibrous web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tien T. Wu, Pingfan Wu, Liyun Ren
  • Patent number: 11492495
    Abstract: A modified aluminum nitride particle comprises an aluminum nitride core and a shell surrounding the aluminum nitride core. The shell comprises a crosslinked organic polymer. Methods of making the modified aluminum nitride particle by admicellar polymerization are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Li Yao, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11351653
    Abstract: Abrasive articles including a nonwoven fibrous substrate having a plurality of fibers, and a multiplicity of shaped abrasive particles, each shaped abrasive particle adhered to a corresponding fiber, each shaped abrasive particle having a length (L) and a width (W) determined in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length, the ratio of the length to the width defining an aspect ratio (L/W) of at least 1.1, each abrasive particle is oriented relative to its corresponding fiber, and more than 50% of the abrasive particles are oriented with respect to their corresponding fiber such that the abrasive particle length extends generally outwardly away from a surface of the corresponding fiber as determined visually using the Orientation Test. The shaped abrasive particles may have the geometric shape of a polygonal prism having two faces and at least three sides thereon. Methods of making the abrasive articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Grayce T. Huberty, Thomas J. Nelson, Ronald D. Apple, Louis S. Moren, Robinette S. Alkhas, Nathan E. Schultz, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl
  • Patent number: 11305224
    Abstract: An air filter media (10) including a pleated fibrous filtration web (8) with a first major side (2) that includes at least one sorbent-loaded area (26) in which sorbent particles (14) are present on a first major surface (25) of the pleated fibrous filtration web (8), at least some of the sorbent particles (14) being post-pleat-deposited sorbent particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Mikhail A. Belkin, Bryan L. Gerhardt, Glen O. Gregerson, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jonathan M. Lise, Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20220042221
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric and a method of making thereof. The nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of randomly-oriented fibers, the plurality of randomly-oriented fibers including: at least 60 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and from to less than 40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having an outer surface comprised of a (co)polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 450° C.; and a fluoropolymer binder on the plurality of randomly-oriented fibers; wherein the plurality of randomly-oriented fibers is bonded together to form the nonwoven fabric, optionally wherein the nonwoven fabric has a thickness of one millimeter or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20210331444
    Abstract: A nonwoven fiber assembly. The nonwoven fiber assembly includes a nonwoven fibrous web including a plurality of discontinuous fibers; and a nonwoven fabric at least partially surrounding the nonwoven fibrous web; the nonwoven fabric including a plurality of randomly-oriented fibers, the plurality of randomly-oriented fibers comprising: at least 60 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and from 0 to less than 40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having an outer surface comprised of a (co)polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 450° C.; and a fluoropolymer binder on the plurality of randomly-oriented fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20210292947
    Abstract: Provided are non-woven fibrous webs, methods and assemblies thereof. The non-woven fibrous web comprises a plurality of melt-blown fibers. The plurality of melt-blown fibers include a thermoplastic polymer blended with a phosphinate and/or polymeric phosphonate. The provided non-woven articles can afford a fine fiber diameter for enhanced acoustic insulation properties, dimensional stability, and superior flame-retardant properties when compared with conventional non-woven articles having similar fiber diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Liyun Ren, Daniel J. Zillig, Sachin Talwar, Eumi Pyun, Jeffrey A. Chambers, Nurkan Turkdogru Gurun, Pingfan Wu, Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20210283749
    Abstract: Abrasive articles including a nonwoven fibrous substrate having a plurality of fibers, and a multiplicity of shaped abrasive particles, each shaped abrasive particle adhered to a corresponding fiber, each shaped abrasive particle having a length (L) and a width (W) determined in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length, the ratio of the length to the width defining an aspect ratio (L/W) of at least 1.1, each abrasive particle is oriented relative to its corresponding fiber, and more than 50% of the abrasive particles are oriented with respect to their corresponding fiber such that the abrasive particle length extends generally outwardly away from a surface of the corresponding fiber as determined visually using the Orientation Test. The shaped abrasive particles may have the geometric shape of a polygonal prism having two faces and at least three sides thereon. Methods of making the abrasive articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Grayce T. Huberty, Thomas J. Nelson, Ronald D. Apple, Louis S. Moren, Robinette S. Alkhas, Nathan E. Schultz, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl
  • Publication number: 20210009811
    Abstract: A modified aluminum nitride particle comprises an aluminum nitride core and a shell surrounding the aluminum nitride core. The shell comprises a crosslinked organic polymer. Methods of making the modified aluminum nitride particle by admicellar polymerization are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Li Yao, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jimmie R. Baran, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210002137
    Abstract: A charge-modified particle comprising the inorganic core and a shell surrounding the inorganic core, wherein the shell comprises a copolymer comprising monomeric units corresponding to free-radically polymerizable monomers, and wherein at least one of the monomeric units comprises a substituted benzotriazolylphenolate salt. Methods of making the charge-modified particle by admicellar polymerization are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Mikhail A. Belkin, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jimmie R. Baran, JR., Tien T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20200129907
    Abstract: An air filter media (10) including a pleated fibrous filtration web (8) with a first major side (2) that includes at least one sorbent-loaded area (26) in which sorbent particles (14) are present on a first major surface (25) of the pleated fibrous filtration web (8), at least some of the sorbent particles (14) being post-pleat-deposited sorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Mikhail A. Belkin, Bryan L. Gerhardt, Glen O. Gregerson, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jonathan M. Lise, Tien T. Wu
  • Patent number: 9802187
    Abstract: A non-woven electret fibrous web for electrostatic adsorption and odor elimination and the preparation process thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, the non-woven electret fibrous web includes a multiplicity of electret fibers, at least one of a plurality of photo-catalytic fibers or a plurality of multi-component fibers; and optionally, at least one of a plurality of chemically-active particulates, a plurality of carbon-based fibers, or a plurality of mono-component thermoplastic fibers. In other exemplary embodiments, carding and cross-lapping or air-laying processes are disclosed for making nonwoven fibrous webs including electret fibers and one or more of photocatalytic fibers, chemically-active particulates, multi-component fibers, mono-component thermoplastic fibers, or carbon-based fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoshuan Fu, Rui Chen, Qiang Xu, Jean Le normand, Hendrik Both, Tien T. Wu, Andrew R. Fox
  • Patent number: 9771675
    Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including randomly oriented discrete fibers defining a multiplicity of non-hollow projections extending from a major surface of the nonwoven fibrous web (as considered without the projections), and a plurality of substantially planar land areas formed between each adjoining projection in a plane defined by and substantially parallel with the major surface. In some exemplary embodiments, the randomly oriented discrete fibers include multi-component fibers having at least a first region having a first melting temperature and a second region having a second melting temperature, wherein the first melting temperature is less than the second melting temperature. At least a portion of the oriented discrete fibers are bonded together at a plurality of intersection points with the first region of the multi-component fibers. In certain embodiments, the patterned air-laid nonwoven fibrous webs include particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gordon L. Altshuler, James P. Endle, David L. Vall, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Randy L. Robertson, Tien T. Wu, Mario A. Perez, Jeremie Peyras-Carratte, Jean-Marie Coant, Lahoussaine Lalouch
  • Publication number: 20170232278
    Abstract: A method of making a filtering face piece respirator, which method includes: providing a cup shaped mold 20; providing a forming chamber 24 where the mold 20 is located and where loose fibers 22 are introduced into air in the forming chamber 24; causing the loose fibers 22 to be accumulated 10 on the mold 20 in the forming chamber 24; and bonding 12 the accumulated fibers to each other at points of fiber intersection, The inventive method thus is beneficial in that it eliminates steps in the manufacturing process. The fibers also are uniformly distributed throughout the mask body, and because the webs do not have to be cut during respirator manufacture, less web waste is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: John T. Tushaus, Tien T. Wu, Gerry A. Hoffdahl
  • Patent number: 9580848
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus including a fiber opening chamber having an open upper end and a lower end, at least one fiber inlet for introducing a multiplicity of fibers into the opening chamber, a first multiplicity of rollers positioned within the opening chamber wherein each roller has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, at least one gas emission nozzle positioned substantially below the first multiplicity of rollers to direct a gas stream generally towards the open upper end of the opening chamber, and a forming chamber having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of the forming chamber is in flow communication with the open upper end of the opening chamber, and the lower end of the forming chamber is substantially open and positioned above a collector having a collector surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John W. Henderson, Tien T. Wu, Gustavo H. Castro, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, David L. Vall
  • Patent number: 9475034
    Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including a multiplicity of randomly oriented discrete fibers and a multiplicity of chemically active particulates secured to the web, and methods of making and using same. In some embodiments, more than 0% and less than 10% wt. of the nonwoven fibrous web is made of multi-component fibers having at least a first region exhibiting a first melting temperature and a second region exhibiting a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In other embodiments, the discrete fibers include a first population of monocomponent thermoplastic fibers having a first melting temperature, and a second population of monocomponent fibers having a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In certain embodiments, at least some of the particulates are bonded to the fibers. In other embodiments, at least some of the particulates are secured within interstices of the fibrous web, without substantial bonding to the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bernard Vincent, Lahoussaine Lalouch, Tien T. Wu, Eric M. Moore
  • Patent number: 9422653
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus including a chamber having a substantially open lower end positioned above a collector surface, at least one fiber inlet positioned above the lower end, a first multiplicity of rollers positioned within the chamber wherein each roller has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, a second multiplicity of rollers positioned within the chamber above the first multiplicity of rollers wherein each of the second multiplicity of rollers has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, the second multiplicity of rollers positioned so at least a portion of the projections extending outwardly from the circumferential surfaces of each of the second multiplicity of rollers vertically overlaps with at least a portion of the projections extending outwardly from the circumferential surface of at least one of the first multiplicity of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tien T. Wu, John W. Henderson, Gustavo H. Castro, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, David L. Vall
  • Publication number: 20150021805
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus including a fiber opening chamber having an open upper end and a lower end, at least one fiber inlet for introducing a multiplicity of fibers into the opening chamber, a first multiplicity of rollers positioned within the opening chamber wherein each roller has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, at least one gas emission nozzle positioned substantially below the first multiplicity of rollers to direct a gas stream generally towards the open upper end of the opening chamber, and a forming chamber having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of the forming chamber is in flow communication with the open upper end of the opening chamber, and the lower end of the forming chamber is substantially open and positioned above a collector having a collector surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: John W. Henderson, Tien T. Wu, Gustavo H. Castro, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, David L. Vall
  • Publication number: 20140331456
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus including a chamber having a substantially open lower end positioned above a collector surface, at least one fiber inlet positioned above the lower end, a first multiplicity of rollers positioned within the chamber wherein each roller has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, a second multiplicity of rollers positioned within the chamber above the first multiplicity of rollers wherein each of the second multiplicity of rollers has a multiplicity of projections extending outwardly from a circumferential surface surrounding a center axis of rotation, the second multiplicity of rollers positioned so at least a portion of the projections extending outwardly from the circumferential surfaces of each of the second multiplicity of rollers vertically overlaps with at least a portion of the projections extending outwardly from the circumferential surface of at least one of the first multiplicity of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Tien T. Wu, John W. Henderson, Gustavo H. Castro, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, David L. Vall