Patents by Inventor Jason M. LeFevre

Jason M. LeFevre 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: 11613116
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer distributes inkjet operations from frequently used inkjets to lesser used inkjets. The redistribution of the inkjet operations helps reduce the number of inkjets exhibiting cross-process direction error so printhead maintenance operations, such as purging, occur less frequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Varun Sambhy, Seemit Praharaj
  • Publication number: 20230063103
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a movable directed energy source to melt hardened metal drops and form an oxidation layer. A metal support structure can be formed over the oxidation layer, an object feature can be formed over the oxidation layer, or both a metal support structure and an object feature can be formed over oxidation layers located at opposite sides of a metal support structure. The oxidation layers weakly attach the metal support structure to the object feature supported by the metal support structure so the support structure can be easily removed after manufacture of the object is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Publication number: 20230051340
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for removing dross from a liquid metal chamber, such as would be used in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) or metal 3D printing. The method and systems comprise inserting a dross removal tool into a liquid metal chamber. A seal is compromised, fluidically connecting an evacuated volume and the liquid metal chamber. Pressure equalizes between the fluidically coupled volumes through an inflow of gas, liquid, and solid components from the liquid metal chamber into the dross removal tool. The dross removal tool is removed from the liquid metal chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Jason M. Lefevre, Joseph C. Sheflin, Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann, David A. Vankouwenberg, Linn C. Hoover
  • Patent number: 11577503
    Abstract: A drag force sensor on a fountain solution carrier roller surface measures drag force of a fountain solution layer on the fountain solution carrier roller surface in real-time during a printing operation. The measured drag force is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during a printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jack T. Lestrange, Joseph C. Sheflin, Palghat S. Ramesh, Anthony S. Condello, Brian M. Balthasar, Seemit Praharaj, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. Mcconville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. Lefevre
  • Publication number: 20230037539
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with two solid metal moving mechanisms that are independently operated to move two different metals into the receptacle of a vessel in a melted metal drop ejecting apparatus. The ejector is operated to form object features with melted metal drops of one of the two different metals and to form support features with melted metal drops of the other of the two different metals. The thermal expansion coefficients of the two metals are sufficiently different that the support features easily separate from the object features after the object and support features cool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann, Thomas J. Wyble, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
  • Publication number: 20230034213
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vessel having a receptacle that holds melted metal. The vessel has a divider that prevents metal dross formed at a solid metal inlet of the receptacle to migrate to a portion of the receptacle where a melted metal level sensor directs light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Seemit Praharaj, David A. VanKouwenberg, Linn C. Hoover
  • Patent number: 11565516
    Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured by using phase shifted monochromic light to produce optical path differences through the fountain solution film. The intensity of the reflected light through the fountain solution film is very sensitive due to the phase shifted light so interference fringes are easier to delineate and fountain solution thickness measurement more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. McConville, Chu-heng Liu, Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20230015142
    Abstract: A dross extraction system for a printer is disclosed, which includes an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material. The dross extraction system also includes a first inlet coupled to the inner cavity of the ejector, a probe external to the ejector, which is selectably positionable to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross thereto, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when the probe is withdrawn from the liquid printing material. A method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer is also disclosed, which includes pausing an operation of the metal jetting printer, advancing a probe into a melt pool within a nozzle pump reservoir in the metal jetting printer, extracting dross from the metal printing material and onto the probe, retracting the probe from the nozzle pump reservoir, and resuming the operation of the metal jetting printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Linn C. Hoover, Joseph C. Sheflin, Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj, David Alan Vankouwenberg, Chu-Heng Liu, Douglas K. Herrmann, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230011639
    Abstract: A printer includes a heat control device configured to cause a temperature of a part that is printed by the printer to remain within a predetermined range as a height of the part increases from about 0 mm to about 30 mm. The predetermined range is from about 545° C. to about 600° C. The heat control device includes a heat plate that is configured to generate heat in a downward direction toward the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Joseph C. Sheflin, Palghat S. Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20230012088
    Abstract: A printer includes a heat control device configured to prevent a temperature of a part that is printed by the printer from decreasing by more than about 5° C. as a height of the part increases from about 0 mm to about 30 mm. The heat control device includes a gas curtain source that is configured to generate a gas curtain that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Joseph C. Sheflin, Palghat S. Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20230008592
    Abstract: A method of controlling sensing level in a liquid ejector is disclosed. The method includes filling a reservoir in communication with a liquid ejector with a printing material to a first level set point, receiving a drop out signal from a laser-based level sensor that reads from a surface of a melt pool in the reservoir, pausing an operation of the liquid ejector, adjusting the printing material level set point to a second level set point of printing material in reservoir that is higher than the first level set point, increasing a quantity of printing material in the reservoir to fill the reservoir to the second level set point, and resuming the operation of the liquid ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph C. Sheflin, Jason M. LeFevre
  • Patent number: 11547771
    Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other components, a frame adapted to be connected to the exterior surface of a device that has a touchscreen. A retractable cover is operatively connected to the frame. The size of the retractable cover is equal to at least the size of the touchscreen, and the retractable cover is positioned to extend so as to cover the touchscreen. At least one ultraviolet light is also operatively connected to the frame. The ultraviolet light is positioned to direct ultraviolet lighting toward the touchscreen when the retractable cover extends to cover the touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, Jason M. LeFevre, Linn C. Hoover, David A. VanKouwenberg
  • Publication number: 20220410560
    Abstract: A coefficient of friction (COF) sensor on a carrier roll surface wetted with fountain solution transferred from an imaging member measures COF of the wetted carrier roll surface in real-time, even between or during printing operations. The transferred fountain solution may be concentrated and/or chilled to solidify before the measurement. The measured COF is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during an imaging or other printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Seemit PRAHARAJ, Chu-heng LIU, Paul J. MCCONVILLE, Douglas K. HERRMANN, Jason M. LEFEVRE
  • Publication number: 20220410302
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vacuum system and a hold-down plate to secure a metal foil to the hold-down plate during manufacture of a metal object. The melted metal drops ejected by the apparatus to form the object bond to the metal foil to form the base layer of the object. When the vacuum system is deactivated after manufacture of the object is complete, the object and foil are removed from the apparatus intact and the foil not part of the base layer is trimmed from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Seemit Praharaj, Robert R. Reed
  • Publication number: 20220401303
    Abstract: A medicament delivery product is provided in which one or more medicaments are fixed on a sheet according to a patient-specific pre-defined pattern. The sheet is formed into a three-dimensional or non-planar shape to facilitate ingestion by the patient. The pre-defined patterns for the medicaments are configured for controlled release or absorption of the corresponding medicament after ingestion by the patient. The medicaments can be in a liquid or a powder form and applied to the surface of the sheet in an appropriate manner. The one or more medicaments can be any combination of drugs, medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Chu-heng Liu, Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20220402060
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is configured to increase the oxidation of ejected melted metal drops for the formation of metal support structures during manufacture of a metal object with the apparatus. The oxidation can be increased by either increasing a distance between the ejector head and a platform supporting the metal object or by providing an air flow transverse to the direction of movement of the melted metal drops, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj
  • Publication number: 20220402023
    Abstract: A dross abatement system for a printer is disclosed. The dross abatement system includes a print head ejector, a pump in communication with the print head ejector having an inner cavity, a first inlet coupled to the inner cavity, a supply of printing material external to the print head ejector, a heating element configured to heat the printing material in the ejector, and a supply of absorbent material external to the print head ejector. A method of abating dross in a metal jetting printer is also disclosed, which includes pausing an operation of the printer, advancing an absorbent material into a melt pool within a nozzle pump reservoir, wherein the melt pool may include a metal printing material, absorbing dross from the metal printing material, removing the absorbent material including the dross, and resuming operation of the metal jetting printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, David Alan VanKouwenberg, Linn C. Hoover
  • Patent number: 11528386
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer separates the image data content of a sheet in a print job into multiple color separations. The first color separation printed on the sheet includes at least two fiducials printed in the least perceptible color of ink in the printer. The at least two fiducials are used to identify the process direction and skew of the printed sheet before the remaining color separations are printed on the sheet with the first color separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Chu-Heng Liu, Jason M. LeFevre, Varun Sambhy
  • Patent number: 11504766
    Abstract: A method includes moving a first part along a movement path. The method also includes introducing drops of a liquid metal onto the first part using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. The drops of the liquid metal solidify to form a second part that is joined to the first part. The method also includes mechanically joining the second part to a third part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Paul J. McConville, Chu-Heng Liu, Seemit Praharaj
  • Patent number: 11493328
    Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured using a diffractive optical element (DOE) configured with grating surfaces varying in a periodic fashion to hold an amount of fountain solution. When radiated with a light source the combination of the grating surface and the fountain solution therein reduces the scattering of the surface structure (“contrast”) that gives rise to a diffraction pattern. The diffractive optical element can be placed on the printing blanket of the lithography printing system or on a separate substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, Jason M. Lefevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj