Nicholas Robert Lee

US Patent:

6367985, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Nov 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/201798

Inventors:

Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN
Scott A. Igl - St. Paul MN
Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN

Assignee:

Intellectual Property Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 59, 385 64, 385 65, 385 71, 385 83

Abstract:

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 2D. In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0. 5D p 2D.

US Patent:

6742937, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Dec 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022474

Inventors:

Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN
Harry A. Loder - Austin TX
Larry R. Cox - Austin TX

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 78, 385137

Abstract:

A connector assembly for securing and optically aligning one or more optical fiber arrays, each optical fiber array having a plurality of optical fibers having an outer surface. The connector assembly includes a base having fiber receiving features configured to receive and align the plurality of optical fibers; and a retaining element that covers at least a portion of the alignment features and secures the plurality of optical fibers against the alignment features. The retaining element has a first contact surface that contacts the plurality of optical fibers, where the contact surface is able to conform to the outer surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers.

US Patent:

6749813, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Mar 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519448

Inventors:

Moses M. David - Woodbury MN
Louis C. Haddad - Mendota Heights MN
Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN
Brian J. Gates - Eagan MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422102, 422 99, 428216

Abstract:

Fluid handling devices including a substrate with a diamond-like film. The devices include capillaries and microfluidic articles.

US Patent:

7189361, Mar 13, 2007

Filed:

Dec 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/028257

Inventors:

Larry J. Carson - Maplewood MN, US
Joel R. Dufresne - St. Paul MN, US
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN, US
Michael C. Lea - Bracknell, GB
Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN, US
John Shigeura - Portola Valley CA, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN
Applera Corporation - Forster City CA

International Classification:

B32B 5/02
B32B 27/04
B32B 27/12
G01N 21/29
G01N 21/41

US Classification:

422 8205, 422 50, 422 52, 422 55, 422 58, 422 681, 422 81, 422 8206, 422 8207, 422 8208, 422 8209, 422 8211, 356300, 436 43, 436164, 436165, 436171, 436172, 73 101, 73 102, 73 156

Abstract:

An analytical cell including a lightguide with a plurality of conduits filled with a migration medium. The medium, the lightguide and a surrounding medium have refractive indices selected such that light entering the lightguide is internally reflected within the lightguide to provide substantially uniform illumination of the conduits.

US Patent:

8056874, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/760086

Inventors:

Dianne M. Goodwin - St. Paul MN, US
Nicholas K. Lee - Minneapolis MN, US
Lisa E. Petersson - Minneapolis MN, US
Sherry M. Rovig - Duluth MN, US
Andrew L. VonDuyke - Minnetonka MN, US

Assignee:

Blue Sky Designs, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E04G 3/00

US Classification:

2482761, 2482841, 403 52, 403112

Abstract:

Positioning apparatuses mountable to a wheelchair or other such device are disclosed. An illustrative positioning apparatus can include a base unit, a number of armatures each defining an extension of the apparatus, a number of rotatable joints adapted to permit movement of the armatures, and a platform adapted to support one or more objects. A number of actuation levers connected to the rotatable joints can be used to simultaneously unlock each of the joints in a single step, allowing the apparatus to be easily repositioned. A locking mechanism within each joint may permit one or more user-defined locking positions to be set on the joint. A temporary lock-out mechanism within each joint results in the unlocking of each joint until the armatures are rotated away from the locked position, allowing operation of the device with one hand.

US Patent:

8268249, Sep 18, 2012

Filed:

Nov 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/601326

Inventors:

Larry J. Carson - Maplewood MN, US
Joel R. Dufresne - St. Paul MN, US
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN, US
Michael C. Lea - Bracknell, GB
Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN, US
John Shigeura - Portola Valley CA, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN
Life Technologies Corporation - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/03
G01N 21/76
G01N 21/00
G01N 27/00
G01J 3/00

US Classification:

422 8205, 422 52, 422 681, 422 81, 422 8206, 422 8207, 422 8208, 422 8209, 422 8211, 436164, 436171, 436172, 204452, 204603, 385 38, 385 44, 385 83, 385115, 356300, 356344, 73 101, 73 102, 73 156

Abstract:

An analytical cell including a lightguide with a plurality of conduits filled with a migration medium. The medium, the lightguide and a surrounding medium have refractive indices selected such that light entering the lightguide is internally reflected within the lightguide to provide substantially uniform illumination of the conduits.

US Patent:

20030113090, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022960

Inventors:

Nicholas Lee - Woodbury MN, US
Harry Loder - Austin TX, US
Larry Cox - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G02B006/36
G02B006/00

US Classification:

385/137000, 385/083000

Abstract:

A method for aligning a plurality of optical fibers in a parallel array. The method includes the step of providing a base having a plurality of fiber receiving features. A plurality of optical fibers are placed onto the base in gross alignment with respective fiber receiving features. A retaining element is provided having a compliant contact surface configured to mate to at least a portion of each of the optical fibers. The contact surface is pressed onto the optical fibers, wherein the compliant contact surface deforms about the optical fibers and applies pressure on all the optical fibers. Each fiber is then seated into the fiber receiving features in a desired alignment.

US Patent:

20040105618, Jun 3, 2004

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751883

Inventors:

Nicholas Lee - Woodbury MN, US
Gordon Wiegand - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G02B006/34

US Classification:

385/037000

Abstract:

An apparatus for temperature compensation of a region of an optical fiber includes a first member having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein at least a portion of the first member lies in a first plane, and a second member on the first member, wherein the second member has a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first member. A mount for the optical fiber is substantially normal to the first plane and extends a predetermined distance from the first plane.