Brian S Gates

US Patent:

6532327, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804767

Inventors:

Anthony William Gatica - Cedar Park TX
Bryon James Cronk - Round Rock TX
William Vogel Dower - Austin TX
John Thomas Cowher - Leander TX
Stephen Paul LeBlanc - Austin TX
Dwayne L. LaBrake - Cedar Park TX
Brian Kenneth Nelson - Shoreview MN
Ronald Phillip Pepin - Georgetown TX
Brian John Gates - Eagan MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 634

US Classification:

385 37, 385135, 385136, 385137, 385147, 430290

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. After removing a buffer coating from the central portion of an optical fiber and applying a controlled tension to the central portion of the optical fiber, changes are made to the refractive index characteristics of the central portion during exposure to an interference pattern of high intensity actinic radiation, to produce the refractive index grating.

US Patent:

6783597, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/805473

Inventors:

Bryon James Cronk - Round Rock TX
David L. Kordecki - Austin TX
Brian John Gates - Eagan MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05C 500

US Classification:

118620, 118642, 118304, 118503, 118DIG 22, 4273722, 427424

Abstract:

A filament coating apparatus comprising a frame for releasably securing a filament, and a carriage mounted on the frame to oscillate between a first position and a second position. There is a first filament holding fixture mounted on the carriage and a second filament holding fixture also mounted on the carriage in axial alignment with the first filament holding fixture to secure a measured filament portion, preferably of an optical fiber, including a bare portion thereof, located inside a first boundary and a second boundary, between the first filament holding fixture and the second filament holding fixture. At least one spray head is attached to the frame at the first position with at least one radiation source attached to the frame at the second position. The measured filament portion moves between the spray head and the radiation source, during oscillation of the carriage between the first position and the second position to place the bare portion to receive a curable coating composition from the spray head, for application from the first boundary to the second boundary, and thereafter to cure the curable coating by exposure to radiation from the radiation source.

US Patent:

6795636, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Mar 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519447

Inventors:

Bryon James Cronk - Round Rock TX
Trevor Wayne MacDougall - Simsbury CT
Moses Mekala David - Woodbury MN
Brian John Gates - Eagan MN
Brian Kenneth Nelson - Shoreview MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385141, 385144, 385145, 385129, 359885

Abstract:

A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation. through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.

US Patent:

7106939, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245231

Inventors:

Dwayne L. LaBrake - Cedar Park TX, US
Brian J. Gates - Eagan MN, US
Bryon J. Cronk - Round Rock TX, US
Moses M. David - Woodbury MN, US
Brian K. Nelson - Shoreview MN, US
Michael N. Miller - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385141, 385128

Abstract:

Optical and optoelectronic articles incorporating an amorphous diamond-like film are disclosed. Specifically, the invention includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film overlying two or more proximate substrates, and to methods of making optical and optoelectronic articles. In certain implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. Another embodiment includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film that is further coated with a metallic or polymeric material for attachment to a device package.

US Patent:

7466892, Dec 16, 2008

Filed:

Aug 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/461572

Inventors:

Dwayne L LaBrake - Cedar Park TX, US
Brian J. Gates - Eagan MN, US
Bryon J. Cronk - Round Rock TX, US
Moses M. David - Woodbury MN, US
Brian K. Nelson - Shoreview MN, US
Michael N. Miller - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385141, 385144

Abstract:

Optical and optoelectronic articles incorporating an amorphous diamond-like film are disclosed. Specifically, the invention includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film overlying two or more proximate substrates, and to methods of making optical and optoelectronic articles. In certain implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. Another embodiment includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film that is further coated with a metallic or polymeric material for attachment to a device package.

US Patent:

7496255, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/873662

Inventors:

Bryon James Cronk - Round Rock TX, US
Trevor Wayne MacDougall - Simsbury CT, US
Moses Mekala David - Woodbury MN, US
Brian John Gates - Eagan MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/34

US Classification:

385 37

Abstract:

A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.