Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

International Business Machines Corporation

Lexmark International, Inc.

Intellectual Property Company

Gordon D Henson

Nicholas A Lee

Michael Alan Meis

Scott Anthony Igl

Terry Lee Smith

Barbara A DeBaun

John C Schultz

Jack P Blomgren

Ronald D Davis

Peter T Benson

Michele A Craton

Robert Travis Smith

Richard A Patterson

Donald Kent Larson

Bruce R Broyles

Junkang Jacob Liu

John J Simbal

Jack Wing Lai

David L Phillips

Francis M Aguirre

Dewain Robert Goff

Anthony J Piekarczyk

Luke Carlson

Mitchell S Cohen

Glen Walden Johnson

Richard L Simmons

Barry S Carpenter

Victor Julian Borer

James B Carpenter

Donald G Doss

Michael E Griffin

Robert S Reylek

David L Hofeldt

Grieg A Olson

Bonnie Weiskopf Albrecht

Rebecca A Shipman

Daniel V Attanasio

Stephen Louis Spanoudis

Robert G Frey

Mark R Wollner

Nuran H Cubukciyan

Barbara L Birrell

Barbara A De Baun

Monte L Otts

Mark T Stender

Richard Hagan

Nicolas A Lee

Jacquelyn A Wedell

An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.

Illumination system using a plurality of light sources

A photon emitting device comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. A support structure is provided to stabilize the plurality of optical waveguides between the first and second ends. The photon emitting device can provide a replacement for a discharge lamp device in various applications including road illumination, spot lighting, back lighting, image projection and radiation activated curing.

Solid state light device

A radiation curing apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that cures a first material. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The curing apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

LED curing apparatus and method

A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

LED modifying apparatus and method

A multi-layer optical circuit has a plurality of optical circuit layers. Each optical circuit layer is positioned on a corresponding one of a plurality of substrates. An optical fiber extends between at least two of the optical circuit layers and forms a portion of the at least two of the plurality of optical circuit layers.

Multi-layer optical circuit and method for making

An apparatus for routing optical fibers to create a fiber optic circuit includes a substrate and a plurality of retaining structures on the substrate. The retaining structures removably retain an optical fiber adjacent the substrate.

Apparatus and method for creating a fiber optic circuit

A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D and protrudes from the mating surface a protrusion distance p , wherein p &lE;2D . In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D &lE;p &lE;2D .

Optical connector assembly using partial large diameter alignment features

A preformed fiber optic applique having a backing layer is provided. The backing layer or film has an adhesive coating applied thereon. At least one optical fiber is routed and bonded to the adhesive layer providing a continuous optical signal path from one end to another. A releasable liner is releasably attached to the adhesive layer and positioned to cover the backing layer including the at least one optical fiber. Microstructures are provided on the backing layer in one embodiment. The microstructures are crushable structures that prevent the adhesive from immediately adhering to a substrate.

Flexible optical circuit appliques

A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D and protruded from the mating surface a protrusion distance p , wherein p &lE;2D . In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D &lE;p &lE;2D .

Optical connector using large diameter alignment features

A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D,and protrudes from the mating surface a protrusion distance p,, wherein p,&lE;2D,. In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D,&lE;p,&lE;2D,.

A cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization is provided. The cable assembly of the present invention includes at least one conductor that may be an optical fiber or standard electrical wire conductor or any other type of conductor. The cable assembly also includes at least one layer of protective coating over the conductor. At least one prescored area is formed in the protective coating during the manufacturing process to provide for ease of connectorization in the field. Preferably, cable stripping is accomplished without the need for any tooling as a result of the prescored area formed in the protective coating.

Cable with predetermined discrete connectorization locations

An optical coupler. The coupler has an optical element for transferring an optical signal from an entrance region, external to the optical unit, to an exit region, also external to the optical unit. The coupling element has a first substantially planar transmitting surface lying in a first plane, a second substantially planar transmitting surface lying in a second plane not coplanar with the first plane, a first substantially planar reflecting surface substantially perpendicular to the first transmitting surface, and a second substantially planar reflecting surface substantially parallel to the first reflecting surface, and a shaped reflecting surface substantially perpendicular to and adjoining the first and second reflecting surfaces.

Optical coupler

Growing community of inventors

Lake Elmo, MN, United States of America

Gordon D Henson