Patents by Inventor Robert W. Phelps

Robert W. Phelps 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: 10569981
    Abstract: A media handling assembly contains a transport path for driving a document sheet downstream in a process direction. A first side edge extends lengthwise along the process direction. A registration guide edge extends lengthwise along the process direction and is situated opposite the first side edge. The media handling assembly includes at least one nozzle that is arranged proximate the first side edge. The at least one nozzle selectively discharges an airstream transverse the process direction towards the registration guide edge. The airstream drives the sheet against the registration edge guide for side registering and deskewing of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Robert W. Phelps, Christopher Douglas Atwood
  • Patent number: 10493783
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a collection system for collecting vapor co-solvents that are a byproduct of liquid ink. In addition, the collection system collects dew condensation from the moist air that is generated by lamps that dry the ink on a substrate. The collection system can be located in an exhaust passage. A condenser is installed in parallel and in front of an exhaust fan in the exhaust passage. The exhaust fan directs a flow of air through the exhaust passage. The collection system also includes a removable waste bottle for collecting the dew condensation and the condensed co-solvents. The exhaust passage bifurcates into an exhaust duct that is located after the exhaust fan and which discharges dry air and a collection channel that is located in front of the exhaust fan and which carries liquid drip off to the removable waste bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Robert W. Phelps, Christopher Douglas Atwood
  • Publication number: 20190300315
    Abstract: A media handling assembly contains a transport path for driving a document sheet downstream in a process direction. A first side edge extends lengthwise along the process direction. A registration guide edge extends lengthwise along the process direction and is situated opposite the first side edge. The media handling assembly includes at least one nozzle that is arranged proximate the first side edge. The at least one nozzle selectively discharges an airstream transverse the process direction towards the registration guide edge. The airstream drives the sheet against the registration edge guide for side registering and deskewing of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Robert W. Phelps, Christopher Douglas Atwood
  • Publication number: 20190299686
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a collection system for collecting vapor co-solvents that are a byproduct of liquid ink. In addition, the collection system collects dew condensation from the moist air that is generated by lamps that dry the ink on a substrate. The collection system can be located in an exhaust passage. A condenser is installed in parallel and in front of an exhaust fan in the exhaust passage. The exhaust fan directs a flow of air through the exhaust passage. The collection system also includes a removable waste bottle for collecting the dew condensation and the condensed co-solvents. The exhaust passage bifurcates into an exhaust duct that is located after the exhaust fan and which discharges dry air and a collection channel that is located in front of the exhaust fan and which carries liquid drip off to the removable waste bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Robert W. Phelps, Christopher Douglas Atwood
  • Patent number: 10370212
    Abstract: A registration system includes nip rollers for conveying a sheet in a process direction when the nip rollers are in an engaged position, and first and second sets of omnidirectional rollers arranged perpendicularly to each other, for conveying the sheet in the process and cross-process directions, respectively. The omnidirectional rollers each allow the sheet to slide, relative to the omnidirectional roller, in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the omnidirectional roller. The nip-rollers are movable from the engaged position to a disengaged position, in which the first pair of omnidirectional rollers convey the sheet in the process direction. A feedback system includes sensors for determining registration errors of the sheet and a control system controls the omnidirectional rollers to reduce the registration errors in the sheet while the nip-rollers are in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Robert W. Phelps, Paul F. Sawicki, John R. Uchal, James Edward Williams
  • Patent number: 10279577
    Abstract: A 3-D printer includes development stations that electrostatically transfer first and second materials to an intermediate transfer surface. The development stations can each include a photoreceptor supplying the materials to the intermediate transfer surface, and a boosted developer roll supplying the materials to the photoreceptor. The boosted developer roll comprises an outer roll rotating in a first rotational direction to move with movement of the photoreceptor, and a magnetic roll within the outer roll rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The magnetic roll comprises alternating permanent magnets. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the materials to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers on the platen. A bonding station is positioned to apply light and/or heat to the freestanding stack to bond the layers to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Phelps, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Paul F. Sawicki
  • Patent number: 10195787
    Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are moved past a transfuse station and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen. The build material has a higher melting temperature than the support material. A support material removal station heats the stack to a temperature above the melting temperature of the support material, but below the melting temperature of the build material, to melt the support material, but leave a 3-D structure made of only the build material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, Robert W. Phelps, James E. Williams, John R. Uchal
  • Patent number: 10005292
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder has a back support configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object. A top and bottom arm are attached to the back support. At least one retention bit is attached to each of the top and bottom arms for collectively retaining the object to the object holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James Edward Williams, Robert W. Phelps, Paul F. Sawicki, Patrick J. Walker, John Robert Uchal
  • Publication number: 20180032003
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing contamination build-up within a fuser roll system are disclosed where there is provided the positioning of an active static eliminator over the pre-fuser transport. This device will neutralize the charge on the surface of the toner after transfer/detack thereby reducing the attraction to the surface of the fuser roll which is conductive and grounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert W. PHELPS, John T. BUZZELLI, David S. DERLETH, John R. LAMBIE
  • Publication number: 20170326796
    Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are moved past a transfuse station and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen. The build material has a higher melting temperature than the support material. A support material removal station heats the stack to a temperature above the melting temperature of the support material, but below the melting temperature of the build material, to melt the support material, but leave a 3-D structure made of only the build material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Sawicki, Robert W. Phelps, James E. Williams, John R. Uchal
  • Publication number: 20170305092
    Abstract: A 3-D printer includes development stations that electrostatically transfer first and second materials to an intermediate transfer surface. The development stations can each include a photoreceptor supplying the materials to the intermediate transfer surface, and a boosted developer roll supplying the materials to the photoreceptor. The boosted developer roll comprises an outer roll rotating in a first rotational direction to move with movement of the photoreceptor, and a magnetic roll within the outer roll rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The magnetic roll comprises alternating permanent magnets. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the materials to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers on the platen. A bonding station is positioned to apply light and/or heat to the freestanding stack to bond the layers to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Phelps, John R. Uchal, James E. Williams, Paul F. Sawicki
  • Patent number: 9378440
    Abstract: A method of printing a half tone image on an image forming apparatus using toner that is fused to a substrate is provided. The method includes generating a dot design that represents the half tone image, the dot design being made up of a plurality of dots; analyzing the dot design using an algorithm; matching the dot design to an equivalent alternate design that represents the half tone image, the matching being based on results of the analyzing, the equivalent alternate design being made up substantially entirely of a plurality of non-dot shapes; forming the half tone image on the substrate using the equivalent alternate design; and fusing the half tone image on the substrate with a fuser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, Steven M. Russel, Paul M. Fromm, Robert W. Phelps, John T. Newell, III
  • Patent number: 9128429
    Abstract: An image forming device is provided that includes a fuser section having a carbon nanotube fuser roll; a pressure roll that interacts with the fuser roll to create a nip; an external heat roll that contacts the fuser roll and transfers heat to the fuser roll; and a cleaning system for cleaning contamination deposits from the external heat roll. The cleaning system has a scraper blade configured to contact a surface of the external heat roll such that the deposits are scraped from the surface of the external heat roll; a catch tray positioned relative to the scraper blade such that the deposits scraped from the surface of the external heat roll by the scraper blade are collected by the catch tray; and a deposit transportation auger located in the catch tray, the auger being configured to transport the deposits from the catch tray to a collection box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Phelps, Erwin Ruiz, Paul M. Fromm, Steven M. Russel
  • Publication number: 20150205232
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for methods for reducing the adverse effects attributable to excess toner contamination in image forming devices through providing and implementing low surface energy surfaces on individual rolls, including external heat rolls in the image forming devices. The disclosed external heat rolls are configured of materials that introduce a more robust low surface energy component into the materials that compose at least a rough external heat roll material for the external heat rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. PHELPS, Paul M. FROMM, Steven M. RUSSEL, Erwin RUIZ
  • Patent number: 9069307
    Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser system for use in a xerographic apparatus. The fuser system includes a fuser roller and a pressure roller. The fuser roller and the pressure roller create a nip. The fuser roller has an outer layer of carbon nanotubes dispersed in a fluoropolymer wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of the outer layer. The pressure roller comprises a static dissipative outer surface having a surface resistivity of less than about 1010 ?/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, William H. Wayman, Melissa A. Monahan, Robert W. Phelps, Harry A. Hilbert, Steven M. Russel, David C. Irving
  • Publication number: 20140016974
    Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser system for use in a xerographic apparatus. The fuser system includes a fuser roller and a pressure roller. The fuser roller and the pressure roller create a nip. The fuser roller has an outer layer of carbon nanotubes dispersed in a fluoropolymer wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of the outer layer. The pressure roller comprises a static dissipative outer surface having a surface resistivity of less than about 1010 ?/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, William H. Wayman, Melissa A. Monahan, Robert W. Phelps, Harry A. Hilbert, Steven M. Russel, David C. Irving
  • Patent number: 8442407
    Abstract: Disclosed are printing methods, apparatus and systems for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, for example, a photoreceptor with developer material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the development method applies a development field voltage between a development station donor member and a development station transport member as a function of a humidity measurement associated with the developer material, the humidity measurement providing a surrogate tribo measurement of the developer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bradford Willard, Kimberly Anne Stoll, David R. Stookey, Paul L. Jacobs, Robert W. Phelps, Jyothsna Ram
  • Publication number: 20120039647
    Abstract: Fixing devices including extended-life components and methods of fixing marking material to a substrate are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing devices for fixing toner to a substrate in printing includes a first fixing member including a first surface; a thermal energy source for heating the first surface of the first fixing member to a fixing temperature; and a second fixing member including a second surface. The first surface and the second surface form a fixing nip configured to receive a substrate including a surface and marking material comprising toner disposed on the surface. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are operable to apply a pressure of at least about 300 psi to the substrate and toner and to heat the toner to a sufficiently-high temperature, at the fixing nip, to fix the toner to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grace T. BREWINGTON, Dale R. Mashtare, Anthony S. Condello, Daniel M. Bray, Santokh Badesha, James R. Beachner, Robert W. Phelps, Richard W. Seyfried, Bin Zhang, Christopher G. Lynn
  • Publication number: 20120028173
    Abstract: Disclosed are printing methods, apparatus and systems for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, for example, a photoreceptor with developer material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the development method applies a development field voltage between a development station donor member and a development station transport member as a function of a humidity measurement associated with the developer material, the humidity measurement providing a surrogate tribo measurement of the developer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: W. Bradford Willard, Kimberly Anne Stoll, David R. Stookey, Paul L. Jacobs, Robert W. Phelps, Jyothsna Ram
  • Patent number: 6775504
    Abstract: In a development system including a developer transport adapted for depositing developer material on an imaging surface having an electrostatic latent image thereon, including: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including carrier and toner; a donor member, mounted partially in the chamber and spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting developer on an outer surface thereof to a region opposed from the imaging surface the donor member having a magnetic assembly having a plurality of poles, a sleeve, enclosing the magnetic assembly, rotating about the magnetic assembly; the magnetic assembly generating a developer bed having a predefined developer bed height; a grid, interposed between the donor roll and the imaging surface within the predefined bed height, the grid having apertures for permitting carrier and toner therethrough; and means for biasing a region between the grid and the imaging surface at a voltage potential so that toner is ejecting towards the imaging surfa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Godlove, Richard F. Koehler, Jr., Christopher Snelling, Dale R. Mashtare, Robert W. Phelps