Patents Examined by Michael Harrison
  • Patent number: 10539643
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a portable, verified voltage source that allows safe testing of separate contact and non-contact voltage measurement devices. A proving unit of the present disclosure selectively provides a known or specified direct current (DC) voltage, a contact alternating current (AC) voltage, and a non-contact AC voltage, which voltages may be fixed or may be user-selectable. The proving unit may include a visual indicator and/or an audible indicator that provides the user with an indication confirming that the proving unit is supplying the selected output voltage within the specifications of the proving unit, so the user will know that the proving unit is operating normally and is ready for testing the operation of a contact or non-contact voltage measurement device. If the proving unit cannot provide the specified voltage output, the indicator(s) provides a signal to the user that the proving unit is currently non-functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Clark N. Huber
  • Patent number: 10533878
    Abstract: An angle sensor includes a plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units and an angle computing unit. The plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units detect, at a plurality of detection positions, a composite magnetic field of a magnetic field to be detected and a noise magnetic field other than the magnetic field to be detected, and thereby generate a plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information including information on the direction of the composite magnetic field. The angle computing unit generates a detected angle value by performing an operation using the plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information so that an error of the detected angle value caused by the noise magnetic field is made smaller than in the case where the detected angle value is generated on the basis of any and only one of the plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenkichi Anagawa, Shinichirou Mochizuki, Hiraku Hirabayashi, Kazuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10534041
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring arrangement for identifying a malfunction in an energy accumulator arrangement, including a measuring device configured to measure an electrical measurement variable of the first energy accumulator and an electrical measurement variable of the further energy accumulator: a circuit arrangement having a first controllable switch configured to electrically connect the first energy accumulator to the measuring device and a further controllable switch for electrically connecting the further energy accumulator to the measuring device; and a processor device for controlling the controllable switches to capture the electrical measurement variable of the further energy accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Neumann, Eugen Mantler
  • Patent number: 10520334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining the position of the armature of a solenoid using a controller to determine the temperature of the solenoid and to indirectly determine the position of the armature without the need of an additional sensor using current sensing pulses and a solenoid capable of staying engaged due to residual magnetism after the coil has been de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Z. Creech, Justin S. Davis
  • Patent number: 10520858
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10520855
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 10508969
    Abstract: A method for testing air tightness includes connecting a testing chamber and a storage chamber, supplying negative pressure to the storage chamber, measuring the pressure in the storage or testing chamber to obtain a first pressure value, determining air tightness of the testing chamber according to the negative pressure and the first pressure value, stopping the negative pressure to the storage chamber, measuring the pressure in the storage chamber to obtain a second pressure value, measuring the pressure in the storage chamber after stopping the negative pressure to the storage chamber to obtain a third pressure value, and determining air tightness of the testing chamber according to the second and third pressure values. The device includes testing and storage chambers, a negative pressure generator, and a pressure gauge connected to the storage chamber, which is connected to the testing chamber. The negative pressure generator is connected to the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Po-Kai Cheng, Chang-Chi Yang, Chi-Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 10496022
    Abstract: A natural frequency measuring device includes a receiving unit and a measuring unit. The receiving unit receives information of an image formed on a recording medium with vibrations of different frequencies provided to a member used to form the image. The measuring unit measures a natural frequency of the member from a frequency response characteristic using a misregistration amount of the image represented by the information of the image received by the receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuichi Nishide
  • Patent number: 10496011
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 10488788
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transfer member for an image forming device for which the transfer properties for recording media having recesses and protrusions on the surface, such as embossed paper, are superior. The transfer member for an image forming device is characterized by including a base material layer and a coating layer formed from an inorganic/organic hybrid material provided on the surface of the base material layer, the thickness of the coating layer being 10 ?m or less, and the micro hardness of the coating layer surface being 140 mN/mm2 or greater when measured by a method complying with ISO 14577-1 using a Berkovich indenter with a pressing depth of 0.05 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Gunze Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Mitsui, Yuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10474067
    Abstract: An example developer unit includes a developer roller. The developer unit also includes a set of electrodes proximate to the developer roller. The set of electrodes form a cavity. The developer unit includes an inlet to the cavity. The inlet is to receive printing fluid. The developer unit includes an insert in the inlet. The insert is to distribute the printing fluid evenly in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Sabo, Eric G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10473680
    Abstract: A wheel unit includes a rotating wheel, a wheel axle, and a location sensor. The rotating wheel rotates with respect to the wheel axle. The location sensor is disposed in a fixed position with respect to the wheel axle. The location sensor determines coordinates for a location of the wheel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Noa Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Lobnitz, Seth Spiel, Jason Van der Schyff, Adam Fewtrell, Martin Schuster, Nelson Pina, Pedro Silva, Roman Laabs
  • Patent number: 10466646
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a particular direction. A frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum. A developing roller is rotatable according to driving force about a second axis extending in the particular direction. A surface of the developing roller contacts a surface of the photosensitive drum through toner. A resistance generating member generates a resistance torque TQ1 serving as resistance between the frame and photosensitive drum in a case where the photosensitive drum rotates relative to the frame. In a case where the developing roller rotates according to the driving force in a state where the surface of the developing roller contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum through toner, the resistance torque TQ1 is smaller than a torque TQ2 that causes the photosensitive drum to rotate due to friction between the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Ichikawa, Takashi Shimizu, Masaaki Furukawa, Naoya Kamimura, Takashi Yasuda, Masanari Yoshikawa, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 10466612
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a holding member that holds a lens array and a circuit board. In the holding member, a portion where a light emission portion is attached, a portion where the lens array is attached, a portion where the circuit board is attached, and a portion where a first link member and a second link member are connected, are integrally molded as a molded resin article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuta Okada, Yasuaki Otoguro, Daisuke Aruga, Hitoshi Iwai, Shinichiro Hosoi, Yuichiro Imai, Toshiki Momoka, Yoshitaka Otsubo, Saimon Gokyu, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 10466380
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing diverse excitation sources in single well electromagnetic ranging. A method may include disposing an electromagnetic ranging tool in a wellbore, wherein the electromagnetic ranging tool may comprise one or more receivers, a coil source and an electrode source; performing a measurement with the one or more receivers of at least one component of a coil-induced magnetic field from the target wellbore to provide a coil measurement, wherein the coil-induced magnetic field may be induced by the coil source; performing a measurement with the one or more receivers of at least component of an electrode-induced electromagnetic field to provide an electrode measurement, wherein the electrode-induced electromagnetic field may be induced by the electrode source; and calculating at least one ranging parameter using, at least in part, the coil measurement and the electrode measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilker R. Capoglu, Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner
  • Patent number: 10459398
    Abstract: A developing cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a housing, and a storage medium. The developing roller may be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction. The housing may be pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the image forming apparatus in a state where the developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the housing and the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus. The storage medium may include an electric contact surface. The electric contact surface may be out of contact with an electric connector of the image forming apparatus in a state where the housing is at the first position, the electric contact surface being in contact with the electric connector of the image forming apparatus in a state where the housing is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10459395
    Abstract: A third contact portion contacts a first contact portion when a drum cartridge moves from first to second guide position. A fourth contact portion contacts a second contact portion when the drum cartridge moves from second to third guide position. When the drum cartridge moves from the first guide position to the second guide position, due to contact of the first contact portion with the third contact portion, the first cover located at the first position rotationally moves in a same rotational direction as the particular rotational direction to be located at the second position. When the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position, due to contact of the second contact portion with the fourth contact portion, the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position in a state where the first cover is kept at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Yasuo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 10451515
    Abstract: Extensions exited from electrodes of an electroscan probe, allowing for operation in a wide range of pipe sizes, particularly large diameter pipes, by extending the maximum effective distance of the electric fields generated by the probe. The extensions preferably extend radially from each of the electrodes, and are sized to bring tips of the extensions close to the pipe wall. The extensions can be joined by lanyards to assist in keeping them spaced apart. At least some extensions preferably have bulbous tips, preferably at least partially formed of non-conductive material to keep adjacent extensions from touching each other, especially extensions coupled to different electrodes. The extensions, in one embodiment, are threaded into collars adjacent to each electrode and selected to have a length appropriate for the pipe diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Electro Scan, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Hansen, Mark Grabowski, Cory Peters
  • Patent number: 10452007
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a roller; a heating member heating a sheet conveyed by the roller; a temperature sensor outputting a signal depending on a temperature of an end region of the heating member; and a controller. The controller selectively executes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the roller conveys the first sheet, and then conveys the second sheet at a first interval. In the second mode, the roller conveys the first sheet, and then conveys the second sheet at a second interval longer than the first interval. When the controller has determined that a first time has elapsed after starting continuous printing in the first mode, and when the controller has determined that the temperature of the end region of the heating member is higher than a first temperature, the controller changes the mode from the first mode to the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Iesaki
  • Patent number: 10437184
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, a transfer section, and a fixing section. The developing section attaches a metal-containing toner to a latent image, and attaches a non-metal-containing toner to the latent image. The transfer section transfers, onto an intermediate transfer medium, the metal-containing toner and transfers, onto a print medium, the metal-containing toner. The transfer section transfers, onto the intermediate transfer medium, the non-metal-containing toner and transfers, onto the print medium, the non-metal-containing toner. The fixing section fixes, to the print medium, the metal-containing toner, and fixes, to the print medium, the non-metal-containing toner. The fixing section causes a temperature at which the metal-containing toner is fixed to the print medium to be lower than a temperature at which the non-metal-containing toner is fixed to the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Koido