Allen Kay Taylor

US Patent:

40513971, Sep 27, 1977

Filed:

Aug 8, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/603156

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01L 4104

US Classification:

310351

Abstract:

A two sensitivity level detector for sensing motion of an object on which the detector is placed. The detector includes a sensing unit that responds to movement of the object by supplying electrical current to sensing circuitry adapted to provide an indication of movement upon receipt of such current. The housing of the detector is formed with at least one exterior planar surface and at least one spherical surface so that detector movement in response to movement of the object is dependent upon whether the detector has its planar or spherical surface in contact with the object.

US Patent:

39990699, Dec 21, 1976

Filed:

Aug 8, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/603176

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN
Francis J. McFadden - Lake Elmo MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01J 100

US Classification:

250338

Abstract:

A temperature compensated sensing device for sensing a particular condition includes first and second conductive layers in surface-to-surface contact with and separated by a layer of poled, pyroelectric material. In a preferred embodiment, the second conductive layer is electrically grounded and the first conductive layer is etched to define two interdigitated, electrically unconnected sets of conductive portions. The sets of conductive portions are heated when exposed to the condition desired to be detected and, in turn, heat areas of the pyroelectric layer. As a result, electrostatic charges are developed on the heated pyroelectric areas and appear as voltage potentials on the heated conductive portions. Electronic circuitry having a differential amplifier is electrically connected to the conductive portions for sensing the voltage potentials thereon and for triggering an alarm when certain voltage potentials exist. In a first modified embodiment, the first conductive layer is electrically grounded and the second conductive layer contains the interdigitated conductive portions, and in a second modified embodiment neither of the conductive layers is grounded.

US Patent:

40890341, May 9, 1978

Filed:

Apr 30, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/681891

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN
William F. Sheffield - Oakdale MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H05F 102
H05F 302

US Classification:

361233

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for rapidly and continuously poling a film of polymeric material exhibiting at least one of pyroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics to yield a poled film having a high coefficient of at least one of pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties, and a high degree of uniformity of polarization throughout its thickness. The method of the present invention includes applying a plurality of time-spaced electric field pulses across a portion of the film. The apparatus of the present invention includes a drive for advancing the film and a pair of electrodes that establish an electric field across the film. A hot poling roller serves as a high voltage electrode and a grounded roller contacts a conductive layer coated on the other side of the film. A voltage source and a switch coact to apply a plurality of time-spaced electric field pulses between the two electrodes. The width of each pulse is less than the time a portion of the film is under the influence of the electric field established by the two electrodes.

US Patent:

40351645, Jul 12, 1977

Filed:

Nov 29, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/527950

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B03C 364

US Classification:

55 11

Abstract:

Processes for attracting charged and non-charged particles from a fluid by means of a pyroelectric filtering medium.

US Patent:

39420094, Mar 2, 1976

Filed:

Aug 23, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/500147

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01T 116

US Classification:

250338

Abstract:

A directional radiation detector having a pyroelectric sensing medium for responding to radiation and a directional screen formed of a panel with a plurality of axial passages that restrict the radiation viewing angle of the detector.

US Patent:

40928624, Jun 6, 1978

Filed:

May 24, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/689133

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01B 716

US Classification:

73362CP

Abstract:

A temperature sensor and method for producing a remanent electrostatic image of a thermal gradient existing on the surface of an object are disclosed. The sensor includes a layer of poled, pyroelectric material that is employed as a medium on which the thermal gradient image is electrostatically formed, with such pyroelectric layer coated on one side with a thermally and electrically conductive layer. The sensor is positioned for a time with its conductive layer in surface-to-surface contact with the object to permit the temperature of the pyroelectric layer to conform to the thermal gradient of the surface of the object contacted by the sensor. Subsequently, both planar surfaces of the pyroelectric layer are electrically neutralized and the sensor is then removed from the object. As the pyroelectric layer returns to the ambient temperature, an electrostatic image representative of the thermal gradient of the object is formed on the uncoated surface of the pyroelectric layer.

US Patent:

40442519, Aug 23, 1977

Filed:

May 18, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/687543

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN
Thomas C. Ensign - Hudson Township, St. Croix County WI

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01J 100

US Classification:

250342

Abstract:

A sensing device is provided for the detection of electromagnetic radiation through the use of a large area pyroelectric/piezoelectric sensing medium. The detection operation of the sensing device is constructed to ignore spurious detection indications due to bending or compression of the sensing medium. In a preferred embodiment the sensing device is formed from a two housing construction that includes outer and inner housings. The outer housing of the device includes an infrared transmissive window at one end. To substantially physically isolate the two housings from one another, the inner housing of the device is supported inside the outer housing by means of support members protruding through the opposite end of the outer housing. The sensing medium is disposed in one end of the inner housing and is protected by the outer housing from bending or compressive stress. Also, a rigid low thermal conductive material may be adhered to one side of the sensing medium to reduce low frequency mechanical and acoustical vibration of the medium without substantially reducing the sensitivity of the device and thereby gain signal to noise ratio improvement.

US Patent:

39712508, Jul 27, 1976

Filed:

Feb 18, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/550536

Inventors:

Allen L. Taylor - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01B 716
G01K 700
H01G 702

US Classification:

73 885R

Abstract:

A sensing medium having two sensing units each formed of a layer of poled electret material that is coated on each planar surface with an electrically conductive plate, such sensing units being separated from one another by a thermal insulating layer.