Michael Charles Keyes

US Patent:

6030547, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

Dec 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/998400

Inventors:

Masakazu Hasegawa - Hachioji, JP
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN
Marc D. Radcliffe - Newport MN
Patricia M. Savu - Maplewood MN
Daniel C. Snustad - Woodbury MN
Terence D. Spawn - West Lakeland Township MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C09K 1934
C09K 1932
C07C 2513
C07D23902
C07D31912
C07D26302

US Classification:

25229961

Abstract:

Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion comprising (i) at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; (ii) a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; and (iii) an alkylene or fluoroalkylene group optionally containing at least one caternary ether oxygen atom; (b) a chiral or achiral terminal portion consisting of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether group, and, when chiral, comprising at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions; the alkylene or fluoroalkylene group of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion having at least 3 in-chain atoms and being located between the chiral center of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion and the central core. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

US Patent:

7387391, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

May 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/133764

Inventors:

Michael K. Domroese - Woodbury MN, US
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN, US
Jiaying Ma - Maplewood MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 21/28
G03B 21/26
G02F 1/1335
G02B 5/04
G02B 5/30
G02B 27/14
G02B 27/12
H04N 5/74

US Classification:

353 33, 353 20, 353 34, 353 81, 353 82, 349 9, 359496, 359638, 359640, 359833, 359837, 348750, 348757, 348758

Abstract:

An optical device that includes an optical element, an imager, and a prism bracket. The optical element includes an optical element having first and second prisms coupled together. The imager is arranged adjacent to the first prism and configured to receive light from or to transmit light to the optical element, wherein the first prism is spaced between the second prism and the first imager. The prism bracket is coupled between the second prism and the first imager to hold the first imager in a desired positional alignment relative to the optical element. The optical device may further include additional sets of an optical element, imager, and prism bracket, wherein all of the sets are coupled to a color light combiner.

US Patent:

7542194, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Dec 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/297544

Inventors:

Charles L. Bruzzone - Woodbury MN, US
David J. W. Aastuen - Shoreview MN, US
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/03

US Classification:

359249, 359301, 359513, 353 20, 349 9, 349 75

Abstract:

A projection system includes an image-forming device and a polarizing beamsplitter. Illumination light illuminates the image-forming device via the first polarizing beamsplitter. A retardation element is disposed between the image-forming device and the polarizing beamsplitter. A bias controller applies a bias to pixels of the image-forming device in the dark state so as to substantially maximize contrast in image light reflected from image-forming device. In some arrangements, the volume between the polarizing beamsplitter and the image-forming device is sealed, with the retarding element being disposed within the sealed volume and being attached to either the polarizing beamsplitter or the image-forming device.

US Patent:

20100128351, May 27, 2010

Filed:

Nov 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/275631

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Epstein - Saint Paul MN, US
Timothy J. Hebrink - Scandia MN, US
Charles D. Hoyle - Stillwater MN, US
Dale L. Ehnes - Cotati CA, US
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN, US
Thomas R. Corrigan - Saint Paul MN, US
Randy S. Bay - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 5/00
B29D 11/00

US Classification:

359613, 264 27

Abstract:

A method of making an optical film includes the steps of making a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first surface and forming a plurality of curved sided cone structures on the first surface. Each of the curved sided cone structures include a base located on the first surface, a vertex, and a curved side formed from an arc extending between the base and the vertex. The optical gain and viewing angle for the film can be controlled by adjusting angles representing a shape of each curved sided cone structure at its vertex and base.

US Patent:

60846496, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Aug 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/131585

Inventors:

Takashi Amano - Yokohama, JP
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN
Steven J. Martin - Shoreview MN
Marc D. Radcliffe - Newport MN
Patricia M. Savu - Maplewood MN
Daniel C. Snustad - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 11335
G02F 11337
C09K 1902
C09K 1952
C09K 1934

US Classification:

349 96

Abstract:

A tristable liquid crystal display device comprises (a) first and second opposed substrates, at least one bearing an alignment coating and each bearing at least one electrode so as to define one or a plurality of pixels; (b) a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates; and (c) a pair of orthogonally disposed polarizers, each having a polarization axis, one polarization axis being aligned with the zero field optical axis of a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic mesophase of the liquid crystal composition; wherein the substrates are disposed so as to provide an alignment of the liquid crystal composition, which comprises (i) at least one chiral liquid crystal compound; and (ii) at least one achiral liquid crystal compound that can be represented by the following formula: R--M--N--(P). sub. a --OCH. sub. 2 R. sub. f (I) where R, M, N, P, a and R. sub. f are describe herein; wherein the liquid crystal composition exhibits tristable switching.

US Patent:

60570075, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Aug 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/131711

Inventors:

Takashi Amano - Yokohama, JP
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN
Steven J. Martin - Shoreview MN
Marc D. Radcliffe - Newport MN
Patricia M. Savu - Maplewood MN
Daniel C. Snustad - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C09K 1902
C09K 1934
G02F 11335
G02F 11343

US Classification:

428 1

Abstract:

A tristable liquid crystal display device comprises (a) first and second opposed substrates, at least one bearing an alignment coating and each bearing at least one electrode so as to define one or a plurality of pixels; (b) a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates; and (c) a pair of orthogonally disposed polarizers, each having a polarization axis, one polarization axis being aligned with the zero field optical axis of a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic mesophase of the liquid crystal composition; wherein the substrates are disposed so as to provide an alignment of the liquid crystal composition, the composition comprising at least one chiral liquid crystal compound that can be represented by the following formula: R--M--N--(P). sub. b --OCH. sub. 2 C*HF--CH. sub. 2 O(CH. sub. 2). sub. a R. sub. f(I) where M, N, and P are independently selected from the group consisting of aromatic, heteroaromatic, alicyclic, heteroalicyclic, substituted aromatic, substituted heteroaromatic, substituted alicyclic, and substituted heteroalicyclic rings, the individual rings being fused or non-fused, and the rings being connected with each other by a covalent bond or an organic linking group; R is alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, or alkoxy alkylene; * designates a chiral center; a is an integer of 0 or 1; b is an integer of 0 or 1; and Rf is a perfluoroether group.

US Patent:

63095610, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

Dec 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/998400

Inventors:

Masakazu Hasegawa - Hachioji, JP
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN
Marc D. Radcliffe - Newport MN
Patricia M. Savu - Maplewood MN
Daniel C. Snustad - Woodbury MN
Terence D. Spawn - West Lakeland Township MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C09K 1934
C09K 1932
C07C 2513
C07D23902
C07D31912
C07D26302

US Classification:

25229961

Abstract:

Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion comprising (i) at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; (ii) a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; and (iii) an alkylene or fluoroalkylene group optionally containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom; (b) a chiral or achiral terminal portion consisting of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether group, and, when chiral, comprising at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions; the alkylene or fluoroalkylene group of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion having at least 3 in-chain atoms and being located between the chiral center of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion and the central core. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

US Patent:

54178835, May 23, 1995

Filed:

Apr 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/225882

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Epstein - St. Paul MN
Michael P. Keyes - Minneapolis MN
Marc D. Radcliffe - Woodbury MN
Daniel C. Snustad - Mendota Heights MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

C09K 1752
G02F 113

US Classification:

25229901

Abstract:

A process for controlling layer spacing in mixtures of smectic liquid crystal compounds comprises the step of combining a liquid crystal composition having a net negative thermal layer expansion in at least one tilted (or latent tilted) smectic mesophase and a liquid crystal composition having a net positive thermal layer expansion in at least one tilted (or latent tilted) smectic mesophase, each of the compositions comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound. The process enables control of layer spacing in the tilted smectic mesophase(s) and thereby control or suppression of chevron layer geometry.