Patents Assigned to Alden Research Foundation
  • Patent number: 4821111
    Abstract: A method of recording the varying gray shades of a facsimile signal line by line with a thermal print head having a linear arrary of heating elements sorts out the individual pixels of a facsimile signal line according to their gray shade in a scale of 1 to 16, and to their line position, into a number of separate series of pixels, each series representing a different gray shade. The 16 different series are stored and read out of a memory in their separate series, and as the separate series are applied to a thermal print head the marking energy is varied 16 times from series to series corresponding to the gray scale of the original signal. Thus 16 successive series of pixels are marked on the same line of a thermosensitive paper to reproduce all the gray shades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Scott Nowell
  • Patent number: 4773871
    Abstract: According to the invention a high voltage electrical coupling for attachment through a wall comprises a coupling body around a high voltage conductor and having a flange abutting one side of the wall and an external thread extending from the flange through the wall; and a nut with internal threads screwing onto the external thread and a face abutting the other side of the wall; wherein at least one of said body and nut is of dielectric material and the nut has air channels in its abutting face extending outwardly from its internal threads to its exterior for releasing air from the threads and face when the nut is screwed into abutment with the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Christian D. Behning
  • Patent number: 4720764
    Abstract: Apparatus for draining the static charge from an operator handling discharge-sensitive electronic components has an electrode module applied to the operator's wrist connected to a grounding module by a two conductor loop which includes a lamp, a battery and a switch which, when closed, lights the lamp if one of the conductors is continuous between the electrode and grounding terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Derek A. Lucas
  • Patent number: 4719517
    Abstract: A system for recording facsimile or teletype signals includes a switch connecting either signal to a graphic printer recording in raster format and means converting the teletype signals into raster format for recording on the same printer as are the facsimile signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Vano
  • Patent number: 4684189
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical coupling has two parts, each with spaced mating conductors, one part forming a socket shaped to receive the body of the second part. The second coupling part has an elastic, insulative support forming sleeves around its conductors and a slot between the sleeves. The first part has an insulative barrier wall extending between its conductors and fitting in the slot of the second part. Either the socket of the first coupling part or the elastic body of the second part are tapered into the socket so that the elastic body is compressed against the barrier wall as the parts are mated, thereby squeezing closed any possible air path along the surfaces of the barrier wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: John D. Swaffield
  • Patent number: 4684961
    Abstract: In a facsimile recorder a traversing print head is detachably coupled to a cable by a ball on the cable which is seated on the print head by a spring detent with camming ramps which allow automatic disengagement and reengagement of the ball and head and also rotation of the ball in the seat of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Kestutis E. Bliudnikas
  • Patent number: 4582388
    Abstract: A high voltage CRT anode electrical coupling has a connector with several spring contact fingers extending from a base and an insulating ring around the connector between the base and fingers. An insulative shroud is molded around ring and base leaving the fingers unconfined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: John D. Swaffield
  • Patent number: 4568139
    Abstract: Electrical paper processing apparatus includes an electrical connector device arranged to make a sliding connection with an electrical contact on a paper magazine which is moved laterally toward the electrical contact or other than forwardly as with a push-in type of plug connector. The electrical connector device is on a housing having an insulative base wall and cover. Extending from the base wall is a post adapted to position a conductive terminal at its foot. A conductive cap with a rounded end and a flanged end telescopes over the post, the rounded end passing through an opening in the cover. A spring compressed between the terminal and the cap yieldingly urges the flange against the inside of the cover so that the cap can retract as the magazine is inserted in paper processing apparatus laterally of the direction in which the cap moves, the spring pressing the cap laterally of the magazine against a corresponding electrical contact when the magazine is fully inserted in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Theodore H. Wood
  • Patent number: 4568795
    Abstract: An insulated conductor such as an encapsulated electrical circuit is made by locating the circuit components in a preformed carrier with opposed flexible walls with an external, outwardly facing abutment in the shape of a conical opening through each wall. The internal volume between the walls of the carrier is then filled with a hot fluid insulating plastic which also fills the conical opening forming a bridge between the openings. The bridge is caused to cool and set first so that it contracts developing a lengthwise tension which draws the walls toward each other providing the formation of air space between the walls and remainder of the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Theodore H. Wood
  • Patent number: 4481380
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical component can be insulated by placing such component into a first sleeve of preformed insulative material dimensioned to receive and telescope over the component. An internal abutment in the first sleeve positions the component for reception of both the first sleeve and component by a second sleeve of preformed insulative material dimensioned to receive and telescope over the first sleeve and component within. An internal abutment in the second sleeve further secures and centers the component and the first sleeve for subsequent encapsulation by insulative materials used with injection molding to form an outer insulative jacket. Once encapsulated within the insulative jacket the telescoping sleeves form a convoluted path outwardly from the component to the exterior of the jacket thereby minimizing high volt leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventors: Theodore H. Wood, John D. Swaffield
  • Patent number: 4358778
    Abstract: The facsimile recording machine having a loop electrode which moves along its own locus, a portion of which includes a linear track. The linear track is opposed by a scanning electrode, between which, a printout is produced on a web.The linear track in which the loop electrode moves is transversely adjustable towards and away from the scanning electrode and also includes a lubricious member therein which holds the electrode moving therepast, in a linear path, free of vagaries and against one side of the linear track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventors: John M. Alden, George C. Williams
  • Patent number: 4339407
    Abstract: Encapsulation of electrical circuitry by high pressure injection molding of an insulative thermoplastic material about electrical components supported in a pre-formed carrier which is itself supported in an outer mold. The carrier has an internal configuration of lands and grooves which facilitates circuit insertion, the walls of which carrier are yieldable to flex inwardly to permit registration of the carrier walls with the outer mold and to securely hold the circuit during the injection process during which both the mold and the carrier are filled. The carrier is vented to insure complete encapsulation throughout the circuitry therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert D. Leighton
  • Patent number: 4318134
    Abstract: Facsimile apparatus for line by line recording of different kinds of weather map, satellite and other graphic data distinguishes the different characteristics of the transmitted electrical data signals and records them in suitable aspect ratio, despite the fact that the various signals are transmitted at different line rates and are intended for recording at different line densities. The apparatus also enhances the contrast of the recording and can enlarge the original graphic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventors: Malcolm F. Partridge, Frederick W. Simpkins, Lawrence A. Farrington
  • Patent number: 4262310
    Abstract: A facsimile recorder has a motor driving a scanning element and also generating recorder pulses occurring proportionally to the recorder scanning speed. A circuit for synchronizing the scanning motor with incoming framing pulses of a facsimile signal comprises a first dual data type flip flop with a first output, a first input receiving the framing pulses and a second input receiving the recorder pulses. The flip flop produces a gating pulse of duration corresponding to the interval between asynchronous occurrence of framing and recorder pulses which causes transmission of power to the recorder motor during the asynchronous interval. Consequently the motor speed and hence the period of the recorder pulses are varied in proportion to asynchronism until the framing and recorder pulses are coincident when the motor is synchronous with the framing pulses.Power is transmitted to the recorder motor at a particular frequency derived from a frequency standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Vano
  • Patent number: 4243291
    Abstract: A polarized electrical outlet of minimum size adapted to be fitted into a panel including a cap and a base, welded together and formed of thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert D. Leighton
  • Patent number: 4235832
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical connector utilizing an electrical conducting wire sheathed in a highly elastic, stretchy, squeezable insulating material and embedding it within a thermoplastic material through the use of high pressure injection molding. In the method, the sheathed wire is fitted with a heat shrinkable sleeve of plastic material that is subsequently drawn about the sheathed wire to form a rigid pressure barrier. The assembly is then disposed in a mold with the sleeve disposed in an egress of the mold and the thermoplastic material is injected. The sleeve will form the rigid plug-like cover which prevents the plastic from oozing by the squeezable insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert D. Leighton
  • Patent number: 4234886
    Abstract: A graphic recorder including a viewable well for holding a recording web in a moist condition. The recorder includes a demountable, transparent well cover and a transparent top. Walls are arranged on the sides of the top and they carry a linear electrode and a roller and simultaneously urge the well cover towards the well to seal the compartment and prevent the escape of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventors: John M. Alden, George C. Williams
  • Patent number: 4228443
    Abstract: A facsimile recorder for marking electro-sensitive paper including a housing with a base and a cover and a platform disposed within the housing for receiving a cassette which contains a web of paper stored as a roll. A scanning electrode is disposed within the housing in front of the platform and a linear electrode is operatively disposed relative to the scanning electrode. The linear electrode is arranged substantially normal to the path of the paper and parallel to the axis of the paper roll. The cassette is held parallel to the linear electrode by means of a plate which extends from the cover and engages the face of the cassette. Through this arrangement, the paper is withdrawn from the cassette precisely normal to the linear electrode and high quality graphic images are produced on the paper without jamming or misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: George C. Williams
  • Patent number: 4223357
    Abstract: A facsimile recorder having the capacity to record signals at different sweep rates and a circuit to distinguish noise from synchronization pulses so that the correct sweep rate will be utilized. The circuit includes a grounded timer switch which receives a start signal and opens to the voltage of the circuit and another switch which is opened to ground during the period between each of the phasing pulses. Two capacitors are arranged in parallel to receive a charge simultaneously while the switch is opened but a diode between them allows discharge of only the first of them when there is an interruption due to either noise or the next synchronization pulse. Since the rate of charge on the capacitors is substantially linear with respect to time, the charge on the second capacitor will remain at the highest level seen between the end of one pulse and a burst of noise or the next pulse if there is no noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Vano
  • Patent number: 4205323
    Abstract: The resolution of an image that is produced by a graphic recorder is related to the rate that recording paper passes through a recording zone and the sweep rate is related to the rate at which a scanning electrode contacts the recording paper. According to the present invention, both the sweep rate and the resolution are simultaneously coordinated through the use of a ratchet wheel and pawl that are interconnected between the scanning electrode and feed rolls. The ratchet wheel is indexed through the movement of the scanning electrode and as the scanning electrode makes a sweep, the feed rolls are indexed by successive or multiply successive teeth in the ratchet wheel. An anti-backlash device is associated with the ratchet wheel to prevent the ratchet wheel and the feed rolls from reversing themselves during operation of the recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Alden Research Foundation
    Inventors: George C. Williams, Edward W. Fay