Patents by Inventor Timothy L. Quinn

Timothy L. Quinn 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: 9709771
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator. The present disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors that can be used for illuminating interior spaces of a building with sunlight, and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. J. Corrigan, Timothy L. Quinn
  • Patent number: 9335015
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to concentrating daylight collectors useful for interior lighting of a building. The concentrating daylight collectors generally include a cassegrain-type concentrator section that provides for a full-tracking solar collector with one moving part and with a high efficiency of coupling of collected solar irradiation to a stationary duct. In some cases, the disclosed concentrating daylight collectors can be used more conventionally, such as for directing sunlight onto a photovoltaic cell for generation of electrical power, or an absorbing surface for extraction of thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David G. Freier, Timothy L. Quinn, Thomas R. Corrigan, Byron E. Trotter
  • Publication number: 20150301306
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator. The present disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors that can be used for illuminating interior spaces of a building with sunlight, and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Timothy L. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20150009567
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to concentrating daylight collectors useful for interior lighting of a building. The concentrating daylight collectors generally include a cassegrain-type concentrator section that provides for a full-tracking solar collector with one moving part and with a high efficiency of coupling of collected solar irradiation to a stationary duct. In some cases, the disclosed concentrating daylight collectors can be used more conventionally, such as for directing sunlight onto a photo-voltaic cell for generation of electrical power, or an absorbing surface for extraction of thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: David G. Freier, Timothy L. Quinn, Thomas R. Corrigan, Byron E. Trotter
  • Patent number: 7399184
    Abstract: The invention is a display article having a flexible substrate which includes a writing surface capable of being used as a dry erase surface. A peripheral edge extends around the writing surface. A flexible framing strip is affixed to the writing surface at a position proximate to the peripheral edge. One embodiment of the display article can be made by forming a substrate having a writing surface. The substrate defines a periphery edge, a back surface, and a plurality of mushroom shaped hooks extending from the back surface substantially over the entire back surface. The writing surface is capable of being used as a dry erase surface. At least a portion of the periphery of the writing substrate is folded over to form a framing strip having a plurality of exposed mushroom shaped hooks. The framing strip is secured to the writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan F. Hester, Michael J. Annen, Brent R. Hansen, Timothy L. Quinn, John J. Emmel