Patents by Inventor Michael N. Soures

Michael N. Soures 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: 9789701
    Abstract: A printing system includes a first member and a second member. The second member is positioned parallel to the first member. The system further includes a first extensible member and a second extensible member. The system further includes a first gripper and a second gripper. One end of the first extensible member is mounted to the first member and the other end of the first extensible member is mounted to the first gripper. One end of the second extensible member is mounted to the second member and the other end is mounted to the second gripper. A controller operates a first actuator operatively connected to the first and second extensible members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Ireland, Donald Thresh, Michael N. Soures, James D. VanBortel, Bruce H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170095977
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with a plurality of light sources and a plurality of optical sensor arrays. A controller receives the image data and identifies measurements of the object and of the features of the object. The controller compares the measurements to expected measurements and adds material or removes material from the object in response to the identified measurements being outside a predetermined range about the expected measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Donald E. Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
  • Publication number: 20160176119
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing system improves the collection of waste materials during object printing. The printing system includes an ejector head configured to eject material, a platform configured to move in a process direction to a position opposite the ejector head to enable the ejector head to eject material onto the platform, and first and second planarizers configured to remove a first portion and a second portion, respectively, of the material ejected onto the platform. The printing system further includes a first housing defining a first chamber in which at least one of the first planarizer and the second planarizer is positioned, and a first vacuum source connected to the first housing, the first vacuum source being configured to produce a first vacuum in the first chamber to pull material removed by the at least one of the first planarizer and the second planarizer from the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Donald Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
  • Patent number: 8238769
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for calibrating, to a higher level of precision, the timing of operation of a bias transfer element in an image forming device. Specifically, the systems and methods are directed to calibrating the timing of forward and reverse biasing in a document processing apparatus to account for myriad mechanical and environmental disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael N. Soures
  • Patent number: 8036561
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provided a method to improve performance of a cleaning device to extend a usage life of the cleaning device. The method can include obtaining a performance characteristic of an electrostatic brush that degrades operations of the electrostatic brush, determining at least one parameter that compensates for the degradation, and controlling the electrostatic brush by the at least one parameter to maintain the electrostatic brush operating within a failure boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Pozniakas, Michael N. Soures, Robert A. Gross
  • Publication number: 20110135329
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for calibrating, to a higher level of precision, the timing of operation of a bias transfer element in an image forming device. Specifically, the systems and methods are directed to calibrating the timing of forward and reverse biasing in a document processing apparatus to account for myriad mechanical and environmental disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael N. SOURES
  • Patent number: 7526218
    Abstract: In a printing machine having at least one transfer device driven in response to an electrical signal and operable to transfer a medium onto a sheet, a method controls the magnitude of the electrical signal driving the transfer device. The method includes assigning a magnitude of the electrical signal for driving the transfer device to each of at least two transfer stress levels, evaluating only operating parameters of the printing machine that have a pre-determined priority value relative to a corresponding pre-determined threshold value, selecting one of the at least two transfer stress levels based on the evaluation of the at least one operating parameter, and applying the magnitude of the electrical signal corresponding to the selected stress level to the electrically-driven transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Kenneth Ahl, Michael N. Soures, Robert Arnold Gross
  • 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: 7445205
    Abstract: Sheet separation, feeding and printing with reduced image deletions of various types of print media sheets from a stack thereof, especially coated print media sheets with high humidity adhesion difficulties, is assisted by a sheet air puffer for a sheet separator/feeder having an automatically variably heated air supply. This may be accomplished by electronically obtaining information on the selected type of print media sheets to be fed from the sheet separator/feeder, and the ambient conditions, including at least the humidity, and by combining that information in an electronic look-up table additionally provided with set points to produce a control signal for variable air puffer temperature and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Soures, Robert A. Gross
  • Publication number: 20080260403
    Abstract: In a printing machine having at least one transfer device driven in response to an electrical signal and operable to transfer a medium onto a sheet, a method controls the magnitude of the electrical signal driving the transfer device. The method includes assigning a magnitude of the electrical signal for driving the transfer device to each of at least two transfer stress levels, evaluating only operating parameters of the printing machine that have a pre-determined priority value relative to a corresponding pre-determined threshold value, selecting one of the at least two transfer stress levels based on the evaluation of the at least one operating parameter, and applying the magnitude of the electrical signal corresponding to the selected stress level to the electrically-driven transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kenneth Ahl, Michael N. Soures, Robert Arnold Gross
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7391982
    Abstract: In a printing machine having at least one transfer device driven in response to an electrical signal and operable to transfer a medium onto a sheet, a method of controlling the magnitude of the electrical signal driving the transfer device comprises assigning a magnitude of the electrical signal for driving the transfer device to each of at least two transfer stress conditions, evaluating at least one operating parameter of the printing machine relative to a corresponding pre-determined threshold value, selecting one of the at least two transfer stress conditions based on the evaluation of the at least one operating parameter, and applying the magnitude of the electrical signal corresponding to the selected stress condition to the electrically-driven transfer device. The operating parameters may include environmental parameters, such as altitude and humidity, sheet properties, such as paper weight, and machine parameters, such as transfer device life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Kenneth Ahl, Michael N. Soures, Robert Arnold Gross
  • Patent number: 7257359
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the transfer of an image from an image bearing member onto a copy substrate, comprises an image bearing member carrying an image to be transferred, a feed mechanism for feeding a copy substrate to the image bearing member, and a transfer assist mechanism movable to an activated position bearing on the substrate to maintain the substrate in contact with the image bearing member to assist in transferring the image thereto, and to a de-activated position. A sensor generates a signal in response to passage of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the substrate to ascertain an actual length of the substrate as it moves to the image bearing member. A controller is operable to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the activated position and then to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the de-activated position after a de-activation dwell time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Soures, David Kenneth Ahl, Robert Arnold Gross, Michael W. Schab
  • Patent number: 7162177
    Abstract: A rotating cleaning brush positioned to clean toner and debris from the back of an imaging belt. Additionally, a plurality of cleaning brushes assembled to clean the back of the imaging belt wherein charging a first and a second brush to approximately equal potential but opposite polarity provides superior discharge of static and other electrical charges from the back of the imaging belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Fiore, Michael N. Soures, Steven R. LeRoy, Nero R. Lindblad
  • Patent number: 7151905
    Abstract: A belt photoreceptor in a xerographic printer is entrained on a roller formed from a set of discs. Each disc defines an outer circumference and a flexible main portion. The outer circumferences of a set of discs effectively form a single outer surface of the roller. The discs are flexible and can move against each other, to allow stabilization of the photoreceptor belt, but are in sufficient contact with one another to enable heat to be distributed evenly across the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Fiore, Jennifer A. Kciuk, Michael N. Soures, Richard C. Dray, Jr., Michael L. Povio, Gregory P. Mahoney