Michael R Weber

US Patent:

6449092, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

May 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/566181

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Brian D. Cull - Maplewood MN
Kevin M. Hoffman - St. Paul MN
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative PropertiesCompany - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 530

US Classification:

359487, 359495, 359502, 349 97

Abstract:

Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

US Patent:

6486997, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

May 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/312917

Inventors:

Charles L. Bruzzone - Woodbury MN
David J. W. Aastuen - Farmington MN
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN
Stephen K. Eckhardt - Austin TX
Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Gary T. Boyd - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 103

US Classification:

359247, 359250, 359253, 359256, 359495, 359497, 359500, 349 9, 353 20, 353 81

Abstract:

An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an f/#2. 5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at f/#s equal to or below f/2. 5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.

US Patent:

6565982, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Jun 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/672691

Inventors:

Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN
Laurence R. Gilbert - Marine on the St. Croix MN
Richard R. Dahlen - Shoreview MN
Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 1508

US Classification:

428457, 428458, 428480, 428689, 428426, 428430, 359584, 359838

Abstract:

A transparent multilayer device which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum. The device comprises a multilayered polymer film and a transparent conductor. The multilayered polymer film preferably comprises layers of a semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester having an average thickness of not more than 0. 5 microns and layers of a second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0. 5 microns. The layers of semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester preferably have a positive stress optical coefficient. The transparent conductor comprises at least one layer containing a metal or a metal compound in which the metal compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal alloys, and combinations thereof. Silver and indium tin oxide are particularly preferred transparent conductors. The transparent multilayer devices may be applied to the surface of a glass or plastic substrate, such as an exterior window in a building, or to a windshield or window in an automobile, truck, or aircraft.

US Patent:

6531230, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/006591

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN
William W. Merrill - White Bear Lake MN
Kelly M. Roscoe - Orono MN
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN
John A. Wheatley - Lake Elmo MN
Gary B. Hanson - Hudosn WI
James M. Jonza - Woodbury MN
Jeffrey A. Boettcher - Falcon Heights MN
Yaoqi J. Liu - Maplewood MN
Terence D. Neavin - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 2706

US Classification:

428480, 357577, 357580, 357584, 357589

Abstract:

Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a highly uniform change in color as a function of viewing angle.

US Patent:

6543153, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451346

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Olester Benson, Jr. - Woodbury MN
Sanford Cobb, Jr. - St. Marys Point MN
James M. Jonza - Round Rock TX
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN
David L. Wortman - St. Paul MN
Carl A. Stover - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 11335

US Classification:

34 96, 359499

Abstract:

A multiple layer reflective polarizer is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity and an LCD module to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.

US Patent:

6590705, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Feb 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/801329

Inventors:

Richard C. Allen - Mendota Heights MN
Arthur L. Kotz - White Bear Lake MN
Lockwood W. Carlson - Stillwater MN
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN
Carl A. Stover - St. Paul MN
Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Biswaroop Majumdar - Delmar NY

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 530

US Classification:

359490, 359491, 359494, 359500, 252585, 349 96

Abstract:

An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

US Patent:

6590707, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Mar 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/541463

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 530

US Classification:

359498, 359359, 359494, 359500, 359577, 359580, 359587, 359589, 428212

Abstract:

Multilayer thin film reflectors, such as mirrors and reflective polarizers, are described in which form birefringent optical layers are incorporated into a plurality of optical repeat units in the film. The form birefringent layers exhibit birefringence as a result of microscopic structures that have a dimension that is small compared to the wavelength of light but large compared to molecular distances. The optical layers within the optical repeat units have out-of-plane indices of refraction that are tailored to produce desired effects as a function of incidence angle for p-polarized light. The multilayer reflectors can be made by conventional vacuum deposition techniques using known inorganic optical materials, but can also be made entirely with polymeric materials by co-extrusion or other processes.

US Patent:

6609795, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Jun 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878575

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Charles L. Bruzzone - Woodbury MN
Peter D. Condo - Lake Elmo MN
Kevin M. Hamer - St. Paul MN
Timothy J. Hebrink - Oakdale MN
William W. Merrill - White Bear Lake MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 2100

US Classification:

353 20, 353 31, 353 33, 359494, 359495, 359496, 359500, 359580, 359586, 428212

Abstract:

The present invention provides a unique polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that is suitable for use in projection systems and displays. The PBS contains at least one prism having at least one major surface and having a refractive index of at least about 1. 6 and a birefringent film disposed on the major surface of the prism. The birefringent film is a multi-layer film having layers of at least a first material and a second material. After uniaxial stretching, the film exhibits a refractive index difference of less than about 0. 15 units in the stretched direction.