Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Schafer

Kenneth R. Schafer 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).

  • Optical monitor for measuring thermal expansion of a rotating roller
    Patent number: 5581351
    Abstract: A gap measurement device includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller and the second roller define a gap which varies due to thermal expansion and contraction of the rollers. A first optical probe measures a first distance to the first roller and generates a first-distance signal indicative of the first distance. A second optical probe measures a second distance to the second roller and generates a second-distance signal indicative of the second distance. An electronics module generates a gap-width signal indicative of the gap based on the first-distance signal and the second-distance signal. The invention can also measure roller velocity, roller runout, roller registration, and the thickness of liquid on a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Marcus, Kenneth R. Schafer, Diane E. Kestner
  • Optical monitor for measuring a gap between two rollers
    Patent number: 5392123
    Abstract: A gap measurement device includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller and the second roller define a gap which varies due to thermal expansion and contraction of the rollers. A first optical probe measures a first distance to the first roller and generates a first-distance signal indicative of the first distance. A second optical probe measures a second distance to the second roller and generates a second-distance signal indicative of the second distance. An electronics module generates a gap-width signal indicative of the gap based on the first-distance signal and the second-distance signal. The invention can also measure roller velocity, roller runout, roller registration, and the thickness of liquid on a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Marcus, Kenneth R. Schafer, Diane E. Kestner
  • Optical monitor for measuring a gap between two rollers
    Patent number: 5317386
    Abstract: A gap measurement device includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller and the second roller define a gap which varies due to thermal expansion and contraction of the rollers. A first optical probe measures a first distance to the first roller and generates a first-distance signal indicative of the first distance. A second optical probe measures a second distance to the second roller and generates a second-distance signal indicative of the second distance. An electronics module generates a gap-width signal indicative of the gap based on the first-distance signal and the second-distance signal. The invention can also measure roller velocity, roller runout, roller registration, and the thickness of liquid on a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Marcus, Kenneth R. Schafer, Diane E. Kestner