Patents by Inventor Douglas McKeown

Douglas McKeown has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8170440
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for corotron cleaning management in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving an input from the corotron cleaning counter, determining if the corotron cleaning counter exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein if it is determined that the corotron cleaning counter exceeds the predetermined threshold, notifying a maintainer that the corotron requires cleaning, determining if corotron cleaning has been performed, wherein if it is determined that corotron cleaning has been performed, resetting the corotron cleaning counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Evan Kastner, Robert Arnold Gross, David Kenneth Ahl, Alfred Claflin, Douglas McKeown, John Chinnici
  • Publication number: 20100086316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for corotron cleaning management in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving an input from the corotron cleaning counter, determining if the corotron cleaning counter exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein if it is determined that the corotron cleaning counter exceeds the predetermined threshold, notifying a maintainer that the corotron requires cleaning, determining if corotron cleaning has been performed, wherein if it is determined that corotron cleaning has been performed, resetting the corotron cleaning counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David SEKOVSKI, Evan Kastner, Robert Arnold Gross, David Kenneth AHL, Alfred Claflin, Douglas McKeown, John Chinnici
  • Patent number: 7567770
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing apparatus includes a housing, a photoreceptor module located inside the housing that includes a photoreceptor, a raster output system located inside the housing for projecting an electrostatic image onto the photoreceptor, a charging station, a developer station, a transfer station, a pre-fuser transport, and a fusing station. The module may be removed from an operating position inside the housing. The transfer station is connected to the pre-fuser transport so that they are constrained to move as one unit when the photoreceptor module is in its operating position inside the housing but are disconnected when the photoreceptor module is removed from its operating position inside the housing. The transfer module may be mounted so as to be constrained by a pre-fuser transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 7493060
    Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The charge device includes a wire. A shuttle moves along the charge device, and includes a brush wherein the sides of the bristles contact the wire. When the brush moves along the wire, an accumulation of stray particles on the wire is made relatively smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
  • Patent number: 7418224
    Abstract: An improved coronode assembly includes pin guards that are positioned closely spaced from and extending above a coronode in order to provide protection for a user reaching past the coronode to remove a sheet jam, and prevent coronode damage when the coronode is handled during servicing by a field service technician. The closeness of the pin guards to the coronode also serves to produce a more uniform field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Gross, David Sekovski, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Michael N. Soures
  • Patent number: 7418222
    Abstract: A photoreceptor module located within a housing. The photoreceptor module includes a photoreceptor belt, a belt support to maintain the belt in a desired configuration, and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly is operably positioned in close proximity to the belt, and may be moved away from the belt while both are within the housing to ease clearance of paper jams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 7412186
    Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
  • Publication number: 20070217835
    Abstract: An improved detack corotron reduces the likelihood of a paper jam arising from a curled paper edge getting caught in the corotron. The detack corotron includes an electrically conductive coronode having a plurality of field emitters, each field emitter having a terminating end, the terminating ends of the field emitters being spatially separated from one another, and a paper edge guide having a plurality of generally planar members, the generally planar members being perpendicular to the conductive coronode and the generally planar members having a height that extends above the terminating ends of the field emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Gross, David Sekovski, Douglas McKeown, David Ahl, Michael Soures
  • Patent number: 7242894
    Abstract: An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprises a charge receptor, and a transfer station for transferring a toner image from the charge receptor to a sheet. The sheet passes through a nip formed between the charge receptor and a moving transfer belt. Upstream of the nip, the belt forms a shallow angle relative to the charge receptor; downstream of the nip, the belt forms a steep angle relative to the charge receptor. This configuration enables self-stripping of the sheet from the transfer belt at the exit of the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Youti Kuo, Robert A. Gross, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Mark Stevens, Gerald M. Fletcher, Christopher A. DiRubio
  • Publication number: 20070098446
    Abstract: An improved coronode assembly includes pin guards that are positioned closely spaced from and extending above a coronode in order to provide protection for a user reaching past the coronode to remove a sheet jam, and prevent coronode damage when the coronode is handled during servicing by a field service technician. The closeness of the pin guards to the coronode also serves to produce a more uniform field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Gross, David Sekovski, Douglas McKeown, David Ahl, Michael Soures
  • Publication number: 20070065173
    Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Robert Gross, John McCaffrey, Michael Soures, David Ahl, Douglas McKeown, Michael Petranto
  • Publication number: 20070065172
    Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The charge device includes a wire. A shuttle moves along the charge device, and includes a brush wherein the sides of the bristles contact the wire. When the brush moves along the wire, an accumulation of stray particles on the wire is made relatively smooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Robert Gross, John McCaffrey, Michael Soures, David Ahl, Douglas McKeown, Michael Petranto
  • Publication number: 20060285881
    Abstract: A photoreceptor module located within a housing. The photoreceptor module includes a photoreceptor belt, a belt support to maintain the belt in a desired configuration, and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly is operably positioned in close proximity to the belt, and may be moved away from the belt while both are within the housing to ease clearance of paper jams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: David Ahl, Douglas McKeown, Robert Gross, Michael Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
  • Publication number: 20060104678
    Abstract: An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprises a charge receptor, and a transfer station for transferring a toner image from the charge receptor to a sheet. The sheet passes through a nip formed between the charge receptor and a moving transfer belt. Upstream of the nip, the belt forms a shallow angle relative to the charge receptor; downstream of the nip, the belt forms a steep angle relative to the charge receptor. This configuration enables self-stripping of the sheet from the transfer belt at the exit of the nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Youti Kuo, Robert Gross, David Ahl, Douglas McKeown, Mark Stevens, Gerald Fletcher, Christopher DiRubio
  • Publication number: 20060024087
    Abstract: A photoreceptor module located within a housing. The photoreceptor module includes a photoreceptor belt, a belt support to maintain the belt in a desired configuration, and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly is operably positioned in close proximity to the belt, and may be moved away from the belt while both are within the housing to ease clearance of paper jams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: David Ahl, Douglas McKeown, Robert Gross, Michael Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 6650866
    Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive member to a sheet. A sheet baffle guides an advancing sheet to the photoconductive member at the transfer station. A sheet guide having an elongated axis extending in a transverse direction to the planar surface of the imaging member; said sheet guide including a roller assembly on a sheet exit portion of said sheet guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030108369
    Abstract: A sequential transfer-assist blade assembly includes (a) a first cam and blade assembly including a first blade segment having a first length (A1) and being movable for first contacting a first size image receiving sheet having a first center location and a first width (A2); (b) a second cam and blade assembly including a second blade segment and a third blade segment each having a second length (B1), and each being located adjacent a first end and a second end respectively of the first blade segment, the first, the second and the third blade segments being moveable for contacting a second size image receiving sheet such that the second and the third blade segments contact the second size image receiving sheet after the first blade segment, the second image receiving sheet having a center location coincident with the first center location, and having a second width (A2+2×B2); and (c) a third cam and blade assembly including a fourth blade segment and a fifth blade segment each having a third length
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Youti Kuo, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Robert A. Gross
  • Patent number: 6556805
    Abstract: A dual cam set transfer assist blade system comprising (a) a first set of cam and blade assemblies mounted on a rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a single lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a first set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a first set of sheet widths, and (b) a second set of cam and blade also assemblies mounted on the rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a first lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to said first set of sheet widths, and a second lobe for rotation in a second direction to cause engagement of said second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a second set of sheet widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Youti Kuo, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Robert A. Gross
  • Patent number: 6330418
    Abstract: A device and method of enhancing contact between a photoconductive member of a electrophotographic printing machine and the paper to which an electrostatic latent image is to be transferred uses an array of wiper blade segments mounted on a common shaft. Each segment is attached to the shaft for limited rotational movement on the shaft in opposition to a torsion spring. The torsion spring biases the blade segment towards the paper. Some of the blade segments are operatively associated with a stop mechanism to control the length of the wiper blade array in accordance with the size of the paper being processed. The stop mechanism prevents movement of the blade segment into engagement with the paper by restraining movement of the segment against its torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas Mckeown, Robert A. Gross, Youti Kuo
  • Patent number: 6183681
    Abstract: A multi-stage method of insert molding is described including the steps of: providing a vertically movable first mold member with a cavity formed therein; providing a second mold member having a substantially flat upper molding surface; providing a third mold member having an upper end with a cavity formed therein; positioning an insert directly on the flat upper molding surface of the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the second mold member so that the cavity of the first mold member receives the insert; injecting a first flowable plastic material into the cavity in the first mold member to partially encapsulate the insert; allowing the first flowable plastic material to cool and solidify, thereby creating a first stage molding; removing the first mold member and the second stage molding from the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the third mold member so that the first stage molding registers with the cavity of the third mold member; inj
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Sullivan, Douglas McKeown