Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Foster
Thomas J. Foster 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).
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Patent number: 11541861Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission housing and a countershaft having no less than two gears, with the gears defining a plurality of gear ratios. The transmission system also includes a module housing, a first output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft, and a second output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes a first clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the first output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system also includes a second clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the second output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes an electric machine configured to deliver rotational power to at least one of the first and second output shafts to deliver rotational power to the countershaft. The countershaft is rotatably coupled to either of the first and second output shafts for all of the gear ratios.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Joel Maguire, R. Keith Martin, Christopher Spangler, Keith Van Maanen, Thomas J. Foster, Mark Buchanan
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Publication number: 20210172519Abstract: A shifting system for a vehicle transmission includes an input member and a clutch rotatably coupled to the input member. The shifting system also includes a disconnect coupled to the input member and movable between first and second disconnect positions, and an output member selectively rotatable with the input member. The shifting system further includes a shifting assembly for selectively rotatably coupling the input and output members. The shifting assembly includes an input hub coupled to the input member, with the input hub having a disconnectable component engageable with the disconnect and having a clutch engagement component. The shifting assembly also includes clutch plates coupled to the clutch engagement component and are movable between engaged and disengaged positions. The shifting assembly further includes a clutch plate carrier coupled to the clutch plates and output member to transmit torque from the clutch engagement component to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: R. Keith Martin, Thomas J. Foster
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Publication number: 20200346631Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission housing and a countershaft having no less than two gears, with the gears defining a plurality of gear ratios. The transmission system also includes a module housing, a first output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft, and a second output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes a first clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the first output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system also includes a second clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the second output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes an electric machine configured to deliver rotational power to at least one of the first and second output shafts to deliver rotational power to the countershaft. The countershaft is rotatably coupled to either of the first and second output shafts for all of the gear ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Joel MAGUIRE, Keith MARTIN, Christopher SPANGLER, Keith VAN MAANEN, Thomas J. FOSTER, Mark BUCHANAN
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Patent number: 10443719Abstract: A product may include a rotating sheave that may have a first sheave half and a second sheave half. A distance between the first and second sheave halves may be variable. A screw actuator may have a screw that may engage the first sheave half. A motor may be connected with the screw and may be operable to move the first sheave half to vary the distance through the screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas J. Foster
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Publication number: 20170261102Abstract: A product may include a rotating sheave that may have a first sheave half and a second sheave half. A distance between the first and second sheave halves may be variable. A screw actuator may have a screw that may engage the first sheave half. A motor may be connected with the screw and may be operable to move the first sheave half to vary the distance through the screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thomas J. FOSTER
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Patent number: 8223393Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of microprint contained within a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising identifying one or two pixel lines or both and reassigning their digital value.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Foster, John F. Crichton
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Publication number: 20100080626Abstract: A method and system for printing documents using a variety of gear arrangements and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for printing image elements within a document to minimize print artifacts by reducing sensitivity to gear train drive non-uniformity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventor: Thomas J. Foster
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Patent number: 7602510Abstract: A method of printing an image utilizing a printer having print nonuniformities, the method comprising the steps of converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information comprises defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of one or more edge pixels or interior pixels to lower values independently in order to reduce toner consumption. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Foster
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Patent number: 7602529Abstract: A method of altering the appearance of an input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, and wherein the pixels comprise Text/Line pixels and halftone pixels, the method comprising the steps of changing the value of halftone pixels using a custom tone transfer function that anticipates the effect of the reassigned pixel values on halftone appearance; rasterizing the digital image; reassigning the digital values of all pixels; and, printing the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
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Patent number: 7602530Abstract: A method of controlling a printer to print of an image, the printer having a predetermined marking material printed dot size, the method comprising the steps of rasterizing the image and defining halftone super pixels within the image, calculating the average density of the marking material within the super pixels, selecting a pattern for marking the pixels within the super pixels as a function of the printed dot size so as to expand the distribution of printed densities printable by the printer.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
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Patent number: 7330288Abstract: A method of printing an image with a printer having magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) toning capability, the method comprising the steps of: converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of one or more edge pixels or interior pixels independently, thereby altering the concentration of magnetizable substances within the image when printed in order to improve the readability of printed characters by reading instrumentation.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
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Patent number: 7215915Abstract: The invention relates to application of a surface treatment to a fuser, typically in a print process. According to various aspects of the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for applying surface treatment to a fuser comprising varying a width of surface treatment application to the fuser.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael K. Baskin, Richard C. Baughman, Thomas J. Foster, Borden H. Mills, III, Terry N. Morganti
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Patent number: 7209244Abstract: A method of printing multiple images with differing line screen frequencies with a printer is print sensitive to differing line screen frequencies, the method comprising the steps of: converting the images into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; reassigning the digital value of the interior pixels to a fixed interior pixel value; and reassigning the edge pixel values so as to minimize print sensitivity to differing line screen frequencies between images.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Thomas J. Foster
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Patent number: 7172528Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle that includes a planetary gear assembly, a clutch pack assembly, and a band and drum assembly that provide an overdrive or underdrive and direct drive in combination with a vehicle transmission. In one embodiment, an input shaft drives an outer ring gear of the planetary gear assembly and is coupled to one set of discs of the clutch assembly. A carrier of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to a rear output shaft, where the carrier supports a plurality of pinion gears. A sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to another set of discs of the clutch assembly that are coupled to the drum. When the clutch assembly is engaged, the ring gear is coupled to the sun gear for direct drive and when the band is engaged, the pinion gears and the ring gear provide underdrive.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Andy Yu, Fredric H. Tubbs, Thomas J. Foster
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Patent number: 7054014Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
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Patent number: 6975411Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method for printing an image on a receiver comprising the steps of: operating a primary charger to establish a uniform primary voltage level on an image recording member; developing a control patch on the image recording member, measuring density of the control patch to thereby provide a density measurement signal; converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; rendering the digital bitmap by defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel and reassigning the digital value of one or more of edge pixels or interior pixels independently and as a function of the density measurement signal; modulating electrostatic charge on the image recording member as a function of the digital bitmap after rendering.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Jeffrey C. Blood
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Patent number: 6837819Abstract: A common carrier assembly that is particularly adapted for use in supporting planetary gear sets used in a four-wheel drive vehicle transfer case. The common carrier includes a drive plate, a differential plate, and a reduction plate. The drive plate positioned between the reduction planetary gear set and the differential planetary gear set. The drive plate selectively engages a clutch that operates to position the reduction gear set in various operation modes.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Foster
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Publication number: 20040252344Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of the edge pixels or interior pixels independently of one another. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Philip A. Stern, George R. Walgrove, Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Wetzel, Jeffrey C. Blood
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Publication number: 20040220009Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle that includes a planetary gear assembly, a clutch pack assembly, and a band and drum assembly that provide an overdrive or underdrive and direct drive in combination with a vehicle transmission. In one embodiment, an input shaft drives an outer ring gear of the planetary gear assembly and is coupled to one set of discs of the clutch assembly. A carrier of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to a rear output shaft, where the carrier supports a plurality of pinion gears. A sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to another set of discs of the clutch assembly that are coupled to the drum. When the clutch assembly is engaged, the ring gear is coupled to the sun gear for direct drive and when the band is engaged, the pinion gears and the ring gear provide underdrive.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Andy Yu, Frederic H. Tubbs, Thomas J. Foster
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Publication number: 20040196480Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method for printing an image on a receiver comprising the steps of: operating a primary charger to establish a uniform primary voltage level on an image recording member; developing a control patch on the image recording member, measuring density of the control patch to thereby provide a density measurement signal; converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; rendering the digital bitmap by defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel and reassigning the digital value of one or more of edge pixels or interior pixels independently and as a function of the density measurement signal; modulating electrostatic charge on the image recording member as a function of the digital bitmap after rendering.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Jeffrey C. Blood