Patents by Inventor Elliott A. Eklund
Elliott A. Eklund 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).
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Patent number: 8366237Abstract: A maintenance assembly for cleaning a plurality of printheads in a printing machine comprises two or more cleaning members, each of the cleaning members sized and positioned to clean at least one but less than all of the plurality of printheads when in a cleaning position. A drive mechanism associated with each of the two or more cleaning members is configured to selectively move an associated cleaning member to and from the cleaning position and a retracted position. The cleaning members are supported on a frame with a mechanism provided for translating the frame into position juxtaposed with the plurality of printheads and a further mechanism to swipe the cleaning members across the printheads. The maintenance assembly is operable to clean only selected printheads in a single operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Scott Phillips, Mark Cellura, Elliott Eklund, Igor Podzorov, Richard Germain
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Patent number: 8262187Abstract: A method and apparatus for printhead inspection and recovery in an ink jet printing system includes a modular printhead assembly disposed within the printing system for on-line printing operation. An off-line printhead inspection and recovery unit including a printhead dock for receiving the printhead assembly is locally disposed for ready diagnostic inspection of printhead operation and includes a user interface for reporting diagnostic results. A modular printhead assembly is disposed within the off-line printhead inspection and recovery unit for identifying the head failure to an operator. The inspection and recovery unit may execute a printhead purge and maintenance cycle to repair the failing on-line printing assembly. The inspection and recovery unit maintains a spare head assembly in a heated print-ready state for minimal downtime in production operation upon the replacement of the failing printhead with the spare head from the inspection and recovery unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Kristine A. German, Elliott A. Eklund
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Patent number: 8029124Abstract: System and method for encapsulating edges of a paper in digital printing systems. A spray applicator can include a set of stationary sprayers with spray nozzles, a set of transfer rollers and an inkjet print head. The stationary sprayers can be positioned at both marginal ends of the paper. The stationary sprayers apply the fluid through the spray nozzles at edges of the moving paper to encapsulate the edges of the paper such that loose paper fibers and debris are bound to the paper. The fluid can be applied when the transfer rollers can pass the moving paper through a printer or printing press. Thus, the system can protect various subsystems of the printer or printing press against contamination due to the loose paper fibers and debris.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Cellura, Elliott A. Eklund, Jim Casella, Michael J. Levy, Scott Phillips, Roger Leighton, Michael Leo
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Publication number: 20100245467Abstract: A maintenance assembly for cleaning a plurality of printheads in a printing machine comprises two or more cleaning members, each of the cleaning members sized and positioned to clean at least one but less than all of the plurality of printheads when in a cleaning position. A drive mechanism associated with each of the two or more cleaning members is configured to selectively move an associated cleaning member to and from the cleaning position and a retracted position. The cleaning members are supported on a frame with a mechanism provided for translating the frame into position juxtaposed with the plurality of printheads and a further mechanism to swipe the cleaning members across the printheads. The maintenance assembly is operable to clean only selected printheads in a single operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Scott Phillips, Mark Cellura, Elliott Eklund, Igor Podzorov, Richard Germain
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Publication number: 20090303305Abstract: System and method for encapsulating edges of a paper in digital printing systems. A spray applicator can include a set of stationary sprayers with spray nozzles, a set of transfer rollers and an inkjet print head. The stationary sprayers can be positioned at both marginal ends of the paper. The stationary sprayers apply the fluid through the spray nozzles at edges of the moving paper to encapsulate the edges of the paper such that loose paper fibers and debris are bound to the paper. The fluid can be applied when the transfer rollers can pass the moving paper through a printer or printing press. Thus, the system can protect various subsystems of the printer or printing press against contamination due to the loose paper fibers and debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Mark A. Cellura, Elliott A. Eklund, Jim Casella, Michael J. Levy, Scott Phillips, Roger Leighton, Michael Leo
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Patent number: 7628466Abstract: A maintenance method for an ink jet imaging device comprises ejecting drops from a plurality of ink jets to successively form a plurality of images on the image receiver. Inter-image intervals between the ejection of drops to form one image in the plurality of images and the ejection of drops to form a successive image in the plurality of images are detected. A plurality of drops is ejected from at least a portion of the ink jets in the plurality of ink jets during at least one detected inter-image interval. The plurality of ejected drops having at least one drop ejecting characteristic selected from: a drop mass for the plurality of drops being greater than a standard drop mass; a drop ejecting frequency for the plurality of drops being lower than a standard drop ejecting frequency; and a substantially sequential drop ejecting pattern for the plurality of drops.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Cellura, Elliott A. Eklund
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Patent number: 7623254Abstract: A method for testing inkjets for defects in an inkjet device includes determining, based on the likelihood that one or more inkjets are defective, whether to perform an inkjet defect test, The method may also include, identifying, if it is determined to perform an inkjet defect test, which inkjets to test based on properties of the inkjets, the number of identified inkjets being less than a total number of inkjets in the inkjet device; and testing the identified inkjets for defects using an image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Elliott A. Eklund, Jeffrey J. Folkins, David L. Knierim
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Publication number: 20090135220Abstract: A method and apparatus for printhead inspection and recovery in an ink jet printing system includes a modular printhead assembly disposed within the printing system for on-line printing operation. An off-line printhead inspection and recovery unit including a printhead dock for receiving the printhead assembly is locally disposed for ready diagnostic inspection of printhead operation and includes a user interface for reporting diagnostic results. A modular printhead assembly is disposed within the off-line printhead inspection and recovery unit for identifying the head failure to an operator. The inspection and recovery unit may execute a printhead purge and maintenance cycle to repair the failing on-line printing assembly. The inspection and recovery unit maintains a spare head assembly in a heated print-ready state for minimal downtime in production operation upon the replacement of the failing printhead with the spare head from the inspection and recovery unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Kristine A. German, Elliott A. Eklund
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Patent number: 7520588Abstract: An apparatus is used with an ink jet print head in an ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a print head protector that surrounds a print head. A substantially continuous slot is provided along a perimeter of the bracket and a filter is located in the substantially continuous slot. An inlet in fluid communication with the substantially continuous slot enables a positive pressure air supply to be coupled to the inlet. The air entering the inlet flows through the filter in the slot and the filtered air flows outwardly away from the print head.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Inventors: Gerald A. Domoto, Elias Panides, Mark A. Cellura, Elliott A. Eklund, Scott J. Phillips
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Patent number: 7512357Abstract: An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Cellura, Donald J. Drake, Elliott A. Eklund, Richard P. Germain, Scott J. Phillips, Robert M. Rottman, Elias Panides, Barry D. Reeves
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Publication number: 20080316247Abstract: A maintenance method for an ink jet imaging device comprises ejecting drops from a plurality of ink jets to successively form a plurality of images on the image receiver. Inter-image intervals between the ejection of drops to form one image in the plurality of images and the ejection of drops to form a successive image in the plurality of images are detected. A plurality of drops is ejected from at least a portion of the ink jets in the plurality of ink jets during at least one detected inter-image interval. The plurality of ejected drops having at least one drop ejecting characteristic selected from: a drop mass for the plurality of drops being greater than a standard drop mass; a drop ejecting frequency for the plurality of drops being lower than a standard drop ejecting frequency; and a substantially sequential drop ejecting pattern for the plurality of drops.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Cellura, Elliott A. Eklund
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Publication number: 20070146450Abstract: An apparatus is used with an ink jet print head in an ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a print head protector that surrounds a print head. A substantially continuous slot is provided along a perimeter of the bracket and a filter is located in the substantially continuous slot. An inlet in fluid communication with the substantially continuous slot enables a positive pressure air supply to be coupled to the inlet. The air entering the inlet flows through the filter in the slot and the filtered air flows outwardly away from the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Gerald Domoto, Elias Panides, Mark Cellura, Elliott Eklund, Scott Phillips
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Publication number: 20070040886Abstract: An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2005Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Mark A. Cellura, Donald J. Drake, Elliott Eklund, Richard P. Germain, Scott Phillips, Robert M. Rottman, Elias Panides, Barry Reeves
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Patent number: 7123854Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise a compact dust abatement apparatus that includes at least one manifold shaped to fit next to a belt or drum of a printing engine, at least one blower/fan positioned within the manifold, and at least one air duct connected to the manifold. The manifold has a vacuum opening adjacent the belt or drum and an exit opening where the air duct connects to the manifold. The blower is positioned inside the manifold, between the vacuum opening and the exit opening, such that the blower draws air and particles from the vacuum opening toward the exit opening. Thus, the blower creates a vacuum at the vacuum opening. The air duct directs air and particles from the manifold to a location away from the sensitive components. The inclusion of the blower inside the vacuum manifold provides for compactness without sacrificing performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Cellura, Elliott Eklund, Scott J. Phillips
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Patent number: 7060522Abstract: A structure for a micro-device is fabricated by forming: a first layer of sacrificial material, a layer of structural material over the first sacrificial material layer, a second layer of sacrificial material over the structural material layer and a protective layer over the second sacrificial material layer. A release etch is used to remove the first and second sacrificial material layers at approximately the same rate. A structural feature may also be fabricated by forming: a first layer of a first material; a layer of structural material over the first layer of the first material; at least one cut in the structural material layer; and, a first layer of a sacrificial material, different from the first material, over the structural material layer such that an interface is created between the first layer of the sacrificial material and the first layer of the first material at the at least one cut.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Gulvin, Elliott A. Eklund, Joel A. Kubby
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Publication number: 20060098251Abstract: A method for testing inkjets for defects in an inkjet device includes determining, based on the likelihood that one or more inkjets are defective, whether to perform an inkjet defect test, The method may also include, identifying, if it is determined to perform an inkjet defect test, which inkjets to test based on properties of the inkjets, the number of identified inkjets being less than a total number of inkjets in the inkjet device; and testing the identified inkjets for defects using an image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2004Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Elliott Eklund, Jeffrey Folkins, David Knierim
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Patent number: 6764160Abstract: A printhead interposing maintenance method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a printhead assembly within a relatively tight space in an image producing machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Scott J. Phillips, Elliott A. Eklund, Roger Leighton, John Murphy, Ronald L. Nichols, Donald J. Drake, Antonio L. Williams
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Patent number: 6695435Abstract: Selective replacement methods and systems based on a stochastic process use a redundancy inherent, for example, in a four-plus color printing system that has full-width colors. Since the absorption spectra of the four or more colors usually overlap to some extent, there is a redundancy that can be used to reduce artifacts, such as streaks. Since the human visual system is much less sensitive to chrominance changes, than to luminance changes, matching the luminance of a pixel where a color is missing, to the luminance of the original color or to the luminance of the pixels that neighbor that pixel can adequately to reduce the severity of the artifact caused by the missing color while reducing the chance that the replacing process itself introduces any additional artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Hui Cheng, Beilei Xu, Elliott A. Eklund
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Patent number: 6572218Abstract: A micro-electromechanical fluid ejector including a substrate having an insulating layer thereon; a conductor formed on said insulating layer; a membrane adjacent to said conductor, said membrane having a corrugated, multi-layer structure for added rigidity; and an actuator chamber formed between said membrane and said conductor, said membrane flexing toward said conductor when a voltage bias is applied thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Gulvin, Elliott A. Eklund
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Publication number: 20030087468Abstract: A structure for a micro-device is fabricated by forming: a first layer of sacrificial material, a layer of structural material over the first sacrificial material layer, a second layer of sacrificial material over the structural material layer and a protective layer over the second sacrificial material layer. A release etch is used to remove the first and second sacrificial material layers at approximately the same rate. A structural feature may also be fabricated by forming: a first layer of a first material; a layer of structural material over the first layer of the first material; at least one cut in the structural material layer; and, a first layer of a sacrificial material, different from the first material, over the structural material layer such that an interface is created between the first layer of the sacrificial material and the first layer of the first material at the at least one cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Peter M. Gulvin, Elliott A. Eklund, Joel A. Kubby