Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Swift

Joseph A. Swift 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).

  • Publication number: 20080197853
    Abstract: This is an electronic scanning probe, preferably made up of at least two sensing elements, each sensing element substantially surrounded by reference electrodes. These sensing elements are separated at a distance that causes little or no cross-interference to take place between these sensing elements when positioned in concert with a surface of interest. Ideally, this probe is used in electrostatic marking systems where an electrostatic charge is placed onto a receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph A. Swift, Tyco Skinner, Michael F. Zona
  • Publication number: 20080199195
    Abstract: This is a charging assembly that is useful in marking processes with an electrostatically charged surface. The assembly includes, besides the charger, a controller and an electric field probe. Charge and current flows can be detected by the probe and corrected immediately after detection of flaws by the probe and conveyed to the controller. If flaws in the charger are determined by the probe, corrections are made to the output by a controller; this is done before a final copy or print is made. The term flaws as used means any non-uniform appearing region in the printed image or any void region within the printed image including any otherwise unacceptable defect such as a jagged line that is visible to an end user. The probe is enabled to detect and indicate flaws and the controller which is in communication with the probe takes corrective action on the flaws. The probe used is a novel probe having two sensing elements surrounded by one or more reference electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph A. Swift, Tyco Skinner, Michael F. Zona, R. Enrique Viturro
  • Patent number: 7397032
    Abstract: Electrophotographic charging devices that can be used to charge or discharge, for example, a receptor in the electrophotographic process are provided. According to various embodiments, the exemplary charging devices can include a coronode disposed opposing and spaced apart from a receptor, and a plurality of nanostructures, wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures has an end, edge, or side in electrical contact with the coronode. The exemplary charging devices including the nanostructures can use less power, i.e. voltage and/or current than conventional charging devices and produce a reduced amount of oxidizing agents, such as, ozone and NOx. The nanostructures can serve to increase the intensity of the local electric fields for more efficient charge generation at reduced voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Xeorox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Zona, Joseph A. Swift, Dan A. Hays
  • Patent number: 7398035
    Abstract: Electrophotographic charging devices and methods for charging a receptor with a solid state charging device are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the solid state charging device can include a dielectric layer, a first electrode disposed adjacent to a first surface of the dielectric layer, and a second electrode having a first surface disposed adjacent to a second surface of the dielectric layer. The solid state charging device can further include a plurality of nanostructures each having an end in electrical contact with a second surface of the second electrode. The exemplary solid state charging devices including the nanostructures can use less voltage than conventional charging devices, produce a reduced amount of oxidizing agents, such as, ozone and NOx, and/or operate at a lower temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Zona, Joseph A. Swift, Dan A. Hays, John S. Facci
  • Patent number: 7307112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical component, which has an electrically conductive composition that is stable at high temperatures, and includes a partially pyrolized carbon based powder filler and a host matrix. The present invention also relates to an electrophotographic system which further is stable at conventional ambient environmental use conditions, such as different humidity levels and/or ambient temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Swift, Ihor W. Tarnawskyj, T. Edwin Freeman, Edward B. Caruthers, Jr., Constance J. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20070237546
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is an electrophotographic charging device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode adjacent the first electrode, a plurality of nanostructures adhering to the first electrode, and voltage supplies electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode creates a high electric field at the nanostructures to cause charge species generation that is deposited on a receptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Zona, Joseph Swift, Dan Hays
  • Publication number: 20070237547
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings include electrophotographic charging devices and methods for charging a receptor with a solid state charging device. In an exemplary embodiment, the solid state charging device can include a dielectric layer, a first electrode disposed adjacent to a first surface of the dielectric layer, and a second electrode, wherein the second electrode has a first surface disposed adjacent to a second surface of the dielectric layer. The solid state charging device can further include a plurality of nanostructures, wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures has an end in electrical contact with a second surface of the second electrode. The exemplary solid state charging devices including the nanostructures can use less voltage than conventional charging devices, produce a reduced amount of oxidizing agents, such as, ozone and NOx, and/or operate at a lower temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Zona, Joseph Swift, Dan Hays, John Facci
  • Publication number: 20070235647
    Abstract: Electrophotographic charging devices that can be used to charge or discharge, for example, a receptor in the electrophotographic process are provided. According to various embodiments, the exemplary charging devices can include a coronode disposed opposing and spaced apart from a receptor, and a plurality of nanostructures, wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures has an end, edge, or side in electrical contact with the coronode. The exemplary charging devices including the nanostructures can use less power, i.e. voltage and/or current than conventional charging devices and produce a reduced amount of oxidizing agents, such as, ozone and NOx. The nanostructures can serve to increase the intensity of the local electric fields for more efficient charge generation at reduced voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Zona, Joseph Swift, Dan Hays
  • Patent number: 7266322
    Abstract: An interconnect includes a first contact portion including carbon fibers, a second portion including carbon fibers, and a member. The first contact portion is capable of electrically biasing the member and the second portion is capable of sensing an electrical bias of the member. Both portions may provide other electrical functions. Both portions may structurally support the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Swift, Stanley John Wallace, Richard Seyfried
  • Patent number: 7245838
    Abstract: Described herein is a printing platform having one or more marking modules for reproducing an image on a substrate; a print media source processing unit that supplies the substrate; a finisher that provides finishing capabilities for the substrate; and a platform manager that automatically removes electrical power from at least one component of the printing platform while other components continue to process print jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Swift
  • Patent number: 7220131
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, exemplary interconnects and methods for interconnection are provided that can include contacts formed by fiber bundles. The exemplary interconnects can be used to form separable or non-separable electro-mechanical connections between one or more of the generally accepted six levels of interconnection. In various embodiments, the exemplary interconnects can allow management of the thermal properties of the electronic devices. Exemplary interconnects can also provided reduced thickness allowing redundancy and additional compliance as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Pecht, Joseph A. Swift, Stanley J. Wallace, Yuliang Deng
  • Publication number: 20070037903
    Abstract: A nanocomposite composition includes aerogel components and polymeric components and is capable of absorbing water in an amount that is less than an amount that can be absorbed by the polymeric resin components. The nanocomposite has decreased hydrophilicity and improved mechanical and electrical characteristics. Charging members, such as bias transfer rolls and bias transfer belts, include the nanocomposite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph Swift
  • Patent number: 7158746
    Abstract: An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprises a charge receptor, and a brush forming a nip against a portion of the charge receptor. The nip is suitable for passing a sheet therethrough. The brush comprises fibers, each fiber being semi-resistive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Swift
  • Publication number: 20060285857
    Abstract: Described herein is a printing platform having one or more marking modules for reproducing an image on a substrate; a print media source processing unit that supplies the substrate; a finisher that provides finishing capabilities for the substrate; and a platform manager that automatically removes electrical power from at least one component of the printing platform while other components continue to process print jobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Swift
  • Publication number: 20060269864
    Abstract: An electrical component including an electrically conductive composition including a pyrrolized carbon-based material coated with a conductive polymer is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Ihor Tarnawskyj, Joseph Swift
  • Patent number: 7123866
    Abstract: An apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image is developed with toner. A donor belt is adapted to provide toner to develop the image. The donor belt includes a lower layer and a thermoplastic layer. The lower layer can include materials to regulate conductive properties. The thermoplastic layer joins the ends of the donor belt together using an overlapping butt seam. A layer of electrodes is spaced across the width of the donor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Swift
  • Publication number: 20060228923
    Abstract: An interconnect includes a first contact portion including carbon fibers, a second portion including carbon fibers, and a member. The first contact portion is capable of electrically biasing the member and the second portion is capable of sensing an electrical bias of the member. Both portions may provide other electrical functions. Both portions may structurally support the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Swift, Stanley Wallace, Richard Seyfried
  • Publication number: 20060228140
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect includes an electrical pathway having a first member a second member, the first member being disposed at an oblique or perpendicular angle to the second member at a location adjacent to the second member, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member have a cross-sectional dimension of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Swift, Stanley Wallace
  • Patent number: 7105594
    Abstract: An adhesive having a resin selected from polyvinyl butyral resins, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, and mixtures thereof, and at least one type of filler such as a carbon filler, for use in seaming components useful in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ihor W. Tarnawskyj, Joseph A. Swift, Christopher P. Manos, Theodore Lovallo
  • Patent number: 7067027
    Abstract: Method of making an electro-mechanical roll such as a bias transfer roll for use in an electrostatographic apparatus such as a printing or copying apparatus comprising a conductive core having a segmented layer of compressible material positioned in a tandem relation to another thereon to form a generally cylindrical roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Swift