Patents by Inventor Ahren Michael Hoy
Ahren Michael Hoy 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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Publication number: 20230364681Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Turner Ashby Cathey, Alexander J Geyling
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Patent number: 11794254Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: 3D SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Turner Ashby Cathey, Alexander J Geyling
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Patent number: 11597016Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: 3D SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Turner Ashby Cathey, Alexander J Geyling
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Publication number: 20220111443Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Turner Ashby Cathey, Alexander J. Geyling
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Patent number: 10025267Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a cleaner blade having a pair of longitudinal ends and a cleaning edge that extends between the pair of longitudinal ends for contacting a surface of a photoconductive drum to remove toner from the surface of the photoconductive drum. An end seal is positioned at one of the pair of longitudinal ends of the cleaner blade. The end seal includes a front side positioned to contact the surface of the photoconductive drum and a rear side opposite the front side. A tab extends from the end seal across the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade for preventing a longitudinal end section of the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade from contacting the surface of the photoconductive drum. The tab does not obstruct the front side of the end seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Trey Dustin Gilliam, Christopher Strack, Ahren Michael Hoy, Jose Paul Sacoto Aguilar
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Patent number: 9891578Abstract: A cleaner assembly according to one embodiment includes a cleaner blade that extends upward in a cantilevered manner and that includes a cleaning edge for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A waste toner sump is positioned adjacent to a rear side of the cleaner blade for storing toner removed from the surface by the cleaner blade. A film seal extends in a cantilevered manner toward the rear side of the cleaner blade and contacts the rear side of the cleaner blade along a longitudinal length of the cleaner blade. A foam seal is positioned between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the wall below the contact between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the film seal. The foam seal extends along the longitudinal length of the cleaner blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Trey Dustin Gilliam, Brian Hawes, Ahren Michael Hoy, Michael David Maul, Joshua Carl Poterjoy
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Publication number: 20170185028Abstract: A cleaner assembly according to one embodiment includes a cleaner blade that extends upward in a cantilevered manner and that includes a cleaning edge for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A waste toner sump is positioned adjacent to a rear side of the cleaner blade for storing toner removed from the surface by the cleaner blade. A film seal extends in a cantilevered manner toward the rear side of the cleaner blade and contacts the rear side of the cleaner blade along a longitudinal length of the cleaner blade. A foam seal is positioned between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the wall below the contact between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the film seal. The foam seal extends along the longitudinal length of the cleaner blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: TREY DUSTIN GILLIAM, BRIAN HAWES, AHREN MICHAEL HOY, MICHAEL DAVID MAUL, JOSHUA CARL POTERJOY
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Publication number: 20170176921Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a cleaner blade having a pair of longitudinal ends and a cleaning edge that extends between the pair of longitudinal ends for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A strip is attached to the cleaner blade at one of the pair of longitudinal ends of the cleaner blade. The strip is wrapped over the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade for preventing a longitudinal end section of the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade from contacting the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, TREY DUSTIN GILLIAM, CHRISTOPHER STRACK, AHREN MICHAEL HOY, JOSE PAUL SACOTO AGUILAR
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Publication number: 20170176926Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a cleaner blade having a pair of longitudinal ends and a cleaning edge that extends between the pair of longitudinal ends for contacting a surface of a photoconductive drum to remove toner from the surface of the photoconductive drum. An end seal is positioned at one of the pair of longitudinal ends of the cleaner blade. The end seal includes a front side positioned to contact the surface of the photoconductive drum and a rear side opposite the front side. A tab extends from the end seal across the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade for preventing a longitudinal end section of the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade from contacting the surface of the photoconductive drum. The tab does not obstruct the front side of the end seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, TREY DUSTIN GILLIAM, CHRISTOPHER STRACK, AHREN MICHAEL HOY, JOSE PAUL SACOTO AGUILAR
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Patent number: 9207555Abstract: An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a charge roll and a bracket that extends along an axial length of the charge roll. First and second bearing retainers are positioned on a first axial end and a second axial end of the bracket, respectively. First and second bearings are pivotally mounted to the first and second bearing retainers, respectively. Each of the first and second bearings has a charge roll opening that supports a respective axial end of a shaft of the charge roll. First and second biasing members act on the first and second bearings, respectively. The first and second biasing members bias the charge roll toward an operative position for charging a photoconductive drum. A direction of force from the first biasing member on the first bearing and from the second biasing member on the second bearing is toward the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Michael David Maul
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Publication number: 20150346624Abstract: An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a charge roll and a bracket that extends along an axial length of the charge roll. First and second bearing retainers are positioned on a first axial end and a second axial end of the bracket, respectively. First and second bearings are pivotally mounted to the first and second bearing retainers, respectively. Each of the first and second bearings has a charge roll opening that supports a respective axial end of a shaft of the charge roll. First and second biasing members act on the first and second bearings, respectively. The first and second biasing members bias the charge roll toward an operative position for charging a photoconductive drum. A direction of force from the first biasing member on the first bearing and from the second biasing member on the second bearing is toward the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ahren Michael Hoy, Michael David Maul