Patents Examined by Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 9927823
    Abstract: A power supply control circuit includes a plurality of ports, and a plurality of power supply units that each turn on and off the power supply from the power source to the load connected to the port. The power supply control circuit also includes an identification information acquisition unit, a sequence information storage unit, and a switch control unit. The identification information acquisition unit acquires identification information from the loads connected to the respective ports. The sequence information storage unit stores therein power-up sequence information and power-down sequence information specified for each of the loads. The switch control unit causes the power supply unit to turn on and off the power supply to the load corresponding to the identification information, according to the power-up sequence information and the power-down sequence information specified for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hideo Umezawa
  • Patent number: 9927761
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a cleaning member, and an executing portion configured to execute a supplying operation for forming a predetermined toner image on the image bearing member during non-image formation and then supplying toner of the predetermined toner image to the contact portion. The executing portion executes the supplying operation with a forming condition of the predetermined toner image preset on the basis of information preset on contact pressure applied by the cleaning member to the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ueno, Masahiro Makino, Ryuta Ai, Yuichi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9927737
    Abstract: There is provided a developing apparatus including a conveyance member configured to bend in contact with an inner wall of a conveyance chamber and convey developer, a portion configured to bend the conveyance member, and a first releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member, a deforming portion configured to bend the conveyance member moved and released from the first releasing portion, and a second releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member on the downstream side of the deforming portion in the rotational direction of the conveyance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Yoshida, Shuhei Kawasaki, Hideki Kakuta, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9927404
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for evaluating echo signals obtained from a phased array experiment on a billet is disclosed. The computer-implemented method may comprise collecting the echo signals from a pulser/receiver unit, correlating the echo signals with a position on a longitudinal axis and a circumferential angle of the billet, computing an amplitude for each of the echo signals, displaying the amplitudes as indications in a c-scan data plot at a computer display unit, and determining the signal-to-noise ratios of indications located in a region-of-interest box relative to noise in surrounding boxes in the c-scan data plot. The computer-implemented method may further comprise classifying each indication as rejectable, reportable, or insignificant based on its amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio. The computer-implemented method may find applications in quality control evaluations in the aircraft industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenji Peng, Jeffrey A Umbach, Kevin D Smith
  • Patent number: 9915902
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a cleaning member that cleans the image carrier, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, and a controller that controls the image forming unit based on at least one of physical property information and dimension information of the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Hamada, Shinya Makiura, Eiji Nittono
  • Patent number: 9915912
    Abstract: A discharging light quantity adjusting device includes a potential measurement controller that performs: a process of causing a first toner image forming process to charge an image holding member to a first potential and an electrometer to measure an electrostatic potential on the image holding member to obtain a first value, a process of causing a second toner image forming process to charge the image holding member to a second potential and removing a toner image formed by the second toner image forming process, and a process of causing a third toner image forming process to charge the image holding member to a third potential, and causing the electrometer to measure an electrostatic potential on the image holding member to obtain a second value; and a light quantity adjusting unit that adjusts a quantity of a discharging light based on the first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Mori, Masato Katsukawa
  • Patent number: 9915896
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a fixing unit including a fixing roller, a sheet ejection tray, a switchback roller, a re-feeding roller, a first frame, a second frame, a first motor, a first transmission mechanism, a second motor, and a second transmission mechanism. The switchback roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction to convey a sheet to the tray and in a reverse direction to convey the sheet back toward the photosensitive drum. The first motor and the first transmission mechanism are disposed to the first frame. The first transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the drive force from the first motor to the fixing roller. The second motor and the second transmission mechanism are disposed to the second frame. The second transmission mechanism is includes a clutch mechanism configured to intermittently transmit the drive force from the second motor to the re-feeding roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Oyama, Tomoya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9915905
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a rotating member; a rotation position detecting unit that detects a rotation position of the rotating member; an image density detecting unit that detects density of an image; an image information analysis unit that analyzes image information; a density profile management unit that manages a density profile; a correction data generation unit that generates correction data; a density correction unit that performs density correction; and a density correction control unit that sets a density correction level, wherein when the density correction level is set at reference accuracy, the density correction unit corrects density, and when the density correction level is set at accuracy higher than the reference accuracy, the density profile management unit forms a corrective patch image and generates a new density profile, the correction data generation unit updates the correction data, and the density correction unit corrects density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morimoto, Wataru Watanabe, Shunichi Takaya, Kei Okamura
  • Patent number: 9915917
    Abstract: A process cartridge has a drum unit having a photosensitive drum; a developing unit having a developing roller and movable relative to the drum unit; a first electrically conductive member provided at the drum unit and configured to contact a terminal of an image forming apparatus; a second electrically conductive member provided at the developing unit; and a third electrically conductive member electrically connected to the first electrically conductive member and to the second electrically conductive member, the third electrically conductive member being deformable in accordance with the movement of the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Sakata, Shota Shinoya
  • Patent number: 9909413
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a rheological parameter of a fluid within a wellbore. The methods comprise receiving a plurality of differential pressure measurements of a fluid within a flow region of the wellbore; storing the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generating a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determining the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve. The systems comprise a conduit arranged in a wellbore; a plurality of pressure sensors along the conduit configured to measure pressure of the fluid within the wellbore; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to: receive a plurality of differential pressure measurements of the fluid from the pressure sensors; store the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generate a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determine the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric van Oort, Ali Karimi Vajargah, Besmir B. Hoxha
  • Patent number: 9910402
    Abstract: A transmitting assembly of a toner cartridge is provided. The transmitting assembly comprises a gear member, a tubular member disposed at the gear member and having an axial hole, an axial member provided with a shaft portion inserting into the axial hole and a head portion, an elastic member applying force on the axial member away from the gear member, two engaging claws provided with body portions disposed at the head portion and claw portions located at the body portions, and a torsional member connected with the engaging claws and applying force turning the engaging claws outward. The claw portions are located at two sides of the axial member, and abutting ends of the body potions are located at a center of the head portion. Accordingly, the transmitting assembly can be engaged with and separated from a driving member of an electronic image forming apparatus with ease and smoothness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 9904235
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a toner storing container that stores a collected toner, a conveyance screw that conveys toner in the toner storing container, and a toner crushing member that crushes the toner accumulated in the toner storing container. The toner crushing member is formed so as to include: a supporting portion being attached above a rotation axis of the conveyance screw; and a plurality of elastic pieces each extending from the supporting portion toward the conveyance screw and being swung by a fin that rotates in association with the rotation of the conveyance screw. Each of the elastic pieces is formed with a raised portion rising toward the seal member, so that the elastic pieces come in contact with the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Imanaka, Takashi Morita
  • Patent number: 9897586
    Abstract: The molecular weight distribution in a polymer sample can be used as a measure for when parts need to be replaced, and can be tracked over time to allow for predicting when parts need to be replaced and/or identifying the type of aging taking place in the polymer part. Molecular weight distribution determination has particular application in determining the replacement time and or aging parameters in polyamide (e.g., formed from 11-aminoundecanoic acid or formed from 12 aminododecanoic acid) polyvinyldiflouride, and polyethyelene pipe liners used in, for example, offshore oil and gas production and fuel transport operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: David Kranbuehl
  • Patent number: 9897960
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a toner container, a toner amount detection unit, a driving unit, a toner accommodating unit, a remaining toner amount detection unit, and a control unit is provided. The toner container supplies the toner to the toner accommodating unit by being rotated in a first direction. The toner amount detection unit detects a value related to an amount of the toner in the toner container. The control unit controls the driving unit so as to rotate the toner container in a second direction in a case where the remaining-toner amount detection unit has detected that the amount of the toner accommodated by the toner accommodating unit is smaller than a first set amount and the amount of the toner contained in the toner container detected by the toner amount detection unit reaches a second set amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Ootsuka, Ichiro Katsuie, Shoji Naruge, Ryohei Terada
  • Patent number: 9897523
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test on a substrate includes a stylus, a core configured to engage the stylus against the substrate, a stylus engagement mechanism configured to induce a contact load or a penetration depth to the stylus, a core engagement mechanism configured to maintain contact of the core and to move the core along the substrate surface, a frame configured to be fixed with respect to the apparatus or to be moved together with the core engagement mechanism as an assembly, a frame engagement mechanism configured to engage the frame with the substrate surface; and a substrate monitoring device configured to measure characteristics of substrate contact response and/or collect material machined from the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Materials Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Simon C. Bellemare, Steven D. Palkovic, Phillip A. Soucy, Michael J. Tarkanian, Brendon M. Willey
  • Patent number: 9885978
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Masaaki Matsushita, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Masaki Furutani, Tetsuo Uesugi, Kojiro Yasui, Tomonori Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9879598
    Abstract: A diagnosis device diagnoses a cooler adapted to cool a fluid flowing through intake and exhaust systems of an engine, and includes: a downstream temperature sensor for detecting a fluid temperature downstream of the cooler; a fluid temperature calculation unit for calculating a fluid temperature upstream of the cooler based on a fluid state quantity; a sensor output value calculation unit for assuming an upstream temperature sensor configured to detect a fluid temperature upstream of the cooler, reflecting a sensor response delay in the calculated fluid temperature, and calculating an estimated sensor output value of the upstream temperature sensor; and a cooler diagnosis unit for diagnosing the cooling efficiency of the cooler based on an actual sensor input value entered from the downstream temperature sensor and the calculated estimated sensor output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Hanawa, Tadashi Uchiyama, Hidekazu Fujie, Naoto Murasawa
  • Patent number: 9869968
    Abstract: There is provided blowing tube. A plurality of flow control members are provided in portions of a passage space of a passage portion which are positioned at different positions in an airflow direction, and control a flow of air. One of the flow control members is provided as a downstream-most flow control member such that the outlet port is blocked by a multi-hole member having a plurality of air holes. Each of the air holes of the downstream-most flow control member is configured as a through hole such that the opening area of the through hole decreases continuously or in a stepwisely toward the downstream side in an air passing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Nagamori, Yasunori Momomura, Masafumi Kudo, Yu Tsuda, Yasunori Unagida, Mihoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9869962
    Abstract: A housing structure includes a housing, a cover, and a plurality of paths of gas. The cover spatially partitions an inside and an outside of the housing. The plurality of paths of gas connect the inside and the outside of the housing and include a plurality of bypass portions. Two or more paths of gas of the plurality of paths of gas communicate with an outside of the cover via a single housing opening that communicates an inside and the outside of the cover with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ishida, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9864336
    Abstract: A cooling unit has a cooling fan, a duct configured to guide air supplied from the cooling fan and having a shape extending along an axial direction of a photosensitive member, and a plurality of air outlet portions provided in the duct so as to be apart from each other in the axial direction. Air discharged from the plurality of air outlet portions is supplied to the inside of an image forming unit by utilizing a space as an air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoji Oya