Nicholas A 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:

6390690, May 21, 2002

Filed:

May 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/573056

Inventors:

Michael Alan Meis - Stillwater MN
Scott Anthony Igl - St. Paul MN
Nicholas Anthony Lee - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 88, 385147, 385 89

Abstract:

A connector assembly for optically coupling a first optical waveguide array mounted to a first substrate to an optical device on an intersecting second substrate. The first waveguide array includes a plurality of parallel optical waveguides having a minimum desired bend radius. The first and the second substrate define a first and a second plane respectively and the longitudinal direction of the first waveguide array defines a first axis. The intersection of the two planes defines an intersection axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The first waveguide array has a substrate portion mounted to the first substrate, a midspan portion, and an end portion. The connector assembly includes a first connector adapted to be detachably connected to the second substrate and aligned along a second axis generally perpendicular to the intersection axis. The first connector has a first retaining mechanism that receives and retains the end portion of the first optical waveguide array, where the end portion is suspended over the first plane at a distance along the second axis that is at least equal to the minimum desired bend radius. The midspan portion of the second optical waveguide array describes a suspended bend curve between the first and the second plane, the suspended bend curve having a bend radius that is equal to or greater than the desired minimum bend radius.

US Patent:

6459843, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/704993

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385136

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 protrudes 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:

6805493, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Apr 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124907

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 88

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 protrudes 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:

6917746, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/322098

Inventors:

Richard L. Simmons - Leander TX, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN, US
Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Monte L. Otts - Georgetown TX, US
Luke Carlson - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B006/00
G02B006/46

US Classification:

385137, 385 14

Abstract:

An apparatus for routing optical fibers to create a fiber optic circuit includes a substrate and a plurality of retaining structures on the substrate. The retaining structures removably retain an optical fiber adjacent the substrate.

US Patent:

7130498, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Oct 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/687442

Inventors:

Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Nicholas A. Lee - Woodbury MN, US
Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Luke Carlson - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/12

US Classification:

385 14, 398 43, 385 50, 385147

Abstract:

A multi-layer optical circuit has a plurality of optical circuit layers. Each optical circuit layer is positioned on a corresponding one of a plurality of substrates. An optical fiber extends between at least two of the optical circuit layers and forms a portion of the at least two of the plurality of optical circuit layers.