Patents by Inventor Wayne M. Wirth

Wayne M. Wirth 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: 6077560
    Abstract: A method of selectively patterning a structured substrate without using a mask is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having a plurality of protrusions, coating the surface with a filler material thick enough so that the protrusions are covered, and planarizing the filler coating. The filler material is thereafter partially removed in a uniform fashion to expose only those portions of the protrusions to be modified. After modifying the protrusions by, for example, deposition or etching, the remaining filler material may be removed, resulting in a structured substrate selectively modified or patterned at its protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Raghunath Padiyath, Wayne M. Wirth
  • Patent number: 5773839
    Abstract: A cassette for use in an electronic radiographic imaging system having electronic components. The cassette includes a positioned photoreceptive medium, a light-tight frame, at least one power storage device, and an electronic interface structure for connection to electronic components within the radiographic imaging system. The cassette can also include an electrical interface structure for connection to a power source within the radiographic imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Joseph A. Hoffman, Anthony B. Ferguson, Daniel J. Severson, Keith K. McLaughlin, Walter S. Federation, Wayne M. Wirth, Owen L. Nelson, John E. Potts, James E. Steffen
  • Patent number: 5365333
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing tracking errors in magnetic tape holds a magnetic tape in a condition useful for examining the magnetic tape to measure the configuration of recorded tracks on the recording surface of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wirth, Peter J. Vogelgesang
  • Patent number: 5342682
    Abstract: A method for fabricating in a mold a rotatable recording drum is disclosed. Initially, the mold is rotated and a predetermined quantity of a flowable substance is poured into the mold cavity and is centrifugally flung against the mold wall to form a mold layer with a smooth inner surface. Next, a surface substance is poured into the mold cavity and is allowed to harden against the mold layer. A core outer layer substance is then poured into the mold cavity and allowed to harden against the surface substance, and rotation of the mold is stopped. The mold layer fluid is removed, and the cavity inside the outer layer is filled with a core inner layer substance which is allowed to harden before the drum core is removed from the mold cavity. Following removal of the core from the mold cavity, the hardened surface substance may be vacuum coated, and a protective overcoat applied to the core. The drum core and the surface substance can also be formed separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Vogelgesang, Wayne M. Wirth
  • Patent number: 5268950
    Abstract: A conductive coating on a thin glass strip senses the image signal on a selenium coated photoimaging plate as the plate is scanned with a laser beam. The glass strip is suspended over the surface of the plate with finger-like members. The finger-like members that support the strip are spring loaded downward toward the plate, but are suspended above the plate by a pressurized cushion of air. The strip bends to assume the surface profile of the plate, thus maintaining uniform spacing even though the plate may not be flat and may even have a varying profile along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Vogelgesang, Wayne M. Wirth
  • Patent number: 5096627
    Abstract: A method for fabricating in a mold a rotatable recording drum. Initially, the mold is rotated and a predetermined quantity of a flowable substance is poured into the mold cavity and is centrifugally flung against the mold wall to form a mold layer with a smooth inner surface. Next, a surface substance is poured into the mold cavity and is allowed to harden against the mold layer. A core outer layer substance is then poured into the mold cavity and allowed to harden against the surface substance, and rotation of the mold is stopped. The mold layer fluid is removed, and the cavity inside the outer layer is filled with a core inner layer substance which is allowed to harden before the drum core is removed from the mold cavity. Following removal of the core from the mold cavity, the hardened surface substance may be vacuum coated, and a protective overcoat applied to the core. The drum core and the surface substance can also be formed separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Vogelgesang, Wayne M. Wirth
  • Patent number: 4939715
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading and recording information on a tape record medium has the tape wound and advanced along a helical path on the outer cylindrical surface of the drum. A system for writing and reading information on the tape is positioned entirely on the outside of the drum and is stationary relative to the rotation of the drum and movement of the tape thereon. Tape is supplied to the helical path on the drum by one or more tape reels rotatably mounted within the drum and aligned coaxially with the rotational axis of the drum. The drum and tape thereon are rotated at a high rate relative to the stationary read/write system, and the tape is advanced along the helical path at a relative slow rate. The drum and tape thereon are configured in the form of a cartridge, removeable as a unit from the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Vogelgesang, Wayne M. Wirth