Patents by Inventor David K. Ahl
David K. Ahl 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: 10562211Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The system includes a controller configured to move a platen to position the object at a position opposite a microwave radiator and then operate the microwave radiator to change the phase of the support material from solid to liquid. The controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated. The microwave radiation does not damage the object because the support material has a dielectric loss factor that is greater than the dielectric loss factor of the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, David K. Ahl, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays
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Patent number: 10118205Abstract: A system uses microwave energy to remove support material from a three-dimensional printed object with reduced risk of damage to the object. The system includes a microwave source, a three port device, a susceptor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller operates the microwave source to direct microwave energy into a first port of the three port device, which emits the microwave at a second port of the three port device to irradiate the three-dimensional object and melt the support material. Reflected microwave increases as the amount of support material contacting the object is reduced and enters the second port of the three port device, which directs the reflected energy to the susceptor coupled to a third port of the three port device. The controller monitors the signal generated by the temperature sensor and deactivates the microwave source in response to a predetermined condition being reached.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, Andrew W. Hays, Patrick J. Howe, David K. Ahl
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Publication number: 20180229405Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The system includes a controller configured to move a platen to position the object at a position opposite a microwave radiator and then operate the microwave radiator to change the phase of the support material from solid to liquid. The controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated. The microwave radiation does not damage the object because the support material has a dielectric loss factor that is greater than the dielectric loss factor of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, David K. Ahl, Patrick J. Howe
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Patent number: 9975276Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The method includes moving the object to a position opposite a microwave radiator and operating the microwave radiator to change the phase of the support material from solid to liquid. A controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated. The microwave radiation does not damage the object because the support material has a dielectric loss factor that is greater than the dielectric loss factor of the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, David K. Ahl, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays
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Publication number: 20170129188Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The method includes moving the object to a position opposite a microwave radiator and operating the microwave radiator to change the phase of the support material from solid to liquid. A controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated. The microwave radiation does not damage the object because the support material has a dielectric loss factor that is greater than the dielectric loss factor of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, David K. Ahl, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays
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Publication number: 20170128987Abstract: A system uses microwave energy to remove support material from a three-dimensional printed object with reduced risk of damage to the object. The system includes a microwave source, a three port device, a susceptor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller operates the microwave source to direct microwave energy into a first port of the three port device, which emits the microwave at a second port of the three port device to irradiate the three-dimensional object and melt the support material. Reflected microwave increases as the amount of support material contacting the object is reduced and enters the second port of the three port device, which directs the reflected energy to the susceptor coupled to a third port of the three port device. The controller monitors the signal generated by the temperature sensor and deactivates the microwave source in response to a predetermined condition being reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, Andrew W. Hays, Patrick J. Howe, David K. Ahl
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Patent number: 8740363Abstract: A phase change inkjet printer is equipped with an agitator to prevent settling of metal particles in melted magnetic phase change ink. The agitator operates to agitate the melted magnetic phase change ink as the ink enters the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted ink.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark A. Adiletta, Roger G. Leighton, John R. Uchal, David K. Ahl, Guido N. Dimatteo, Paul A. Hosier, Joseph H. Lang
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Patent number: 8727485Abstract: A printhead wiper assembly includes an elongated member having a first and second wiper, a linkage, and an actuator. The linkage includes a clutch that enables the elongated member to move to a plurality of positions in response to the actuator activating a plurality of times. The sequence of positions enables first wiper and then the other wiper to contact the printhead face to remove purged ink from the face.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David K. Ahl, Paul A. Hosier, James E. Williams, Roger G. Leighton, John R. Uchal, David P. Lomenzo
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Publication number: 20130307909Abstract: A phase change inkjet printer is equipped with an agitator to prevent settling of metal particles in melted magnetic phase change ink. The agitator operates to agitate the melted magnetic phase change ink as the ink enters the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted ink.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Mark A. Adiletta, Roger G. Leighton, John R. Uchal, David K. Ahl, Guido N. Dimatteo, Paul A. Hosier, Joseph H. Lang
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Publication number: 20130300800Abstract: A printhead wiper assembly includes an elongated member having a first and second wiper, a linkage, and an actuator. The linkage includes a clutch that enables the elongated member to move to a plurality of positions in response to the actuator activating a plurality of times. The sequence of positions enables first wiper and then the other wiper to contact the printhead face to remove purged ink from the face.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: David K. Ahl, Paul A. Hosier, James E. Williams, Roger G. Leighton, John R. Uchal, David P. Lomenzo
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Patent number: 7567770Abstract: An electrophotographic printing apparatus includes a housing, a photoreceptor module located inside the housing that includes a photoreceptor, a raster output system located inside the housing for projecting an electrostatic image onto the photoreceptor, a charging station, a developer station, a transfer station, a pre-fuser transport, and a fusing station. The module may be removed from an operating position inside the housing. The transfer station is connected to the pre-fuser transport so that they are constrained to move as one unit when the photoreceptor module is in its operating position inside the housing but are disconnected when the photoreceptor module is removed from its operating position inside the housing. The transfer module may be mounted so as to be constrained by a pre-fuser transport.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
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Patent number: 7493060Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The charge device includes a wire. A shuttle moves along the charge device, and includes a brush wherein the sides of the bristles contact the wire. When the brush moves along the wire, an accumulation of stray particles on the wire is made relatively smooth.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
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Patent number: 7418222Abstract: A photoreceptor module located within a housing. The photoreceptor module includes a photoreceptor belt, a belt support to maintain the belt in a desired configuration, and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly is operably positioned in close proximity to the belt, and may be moved away from the belt while both are within the housing to ease clearance of paper jams.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
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Patent number: 7418224Abstract: An improved coronode assembly includes pin guards that are positioned closely spaced from and extending above a coronode in order to provide protection for a user reaching past the coronode to remove a sheet jam, and prevent coronode damage when the coronode is handled during servicing by a field service technician. The closeness of the pin guards to the coronode also serves to produce a more uniform field.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Robert A. Gross, David Sekovski, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Michael N. Soures
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Patent number: 7412186Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
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Patent number: 7242894Abstract: An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprises a charge receptor, and a transfer station for transferring a toner image from the charge receptor to a sheet. The sheet passes through a nip formed between the charge receptor and a moving transfer belt. Upstream of the nip, the belt forms a shallow angle relative to the charge receptor; downstream of the nip, the belt forms a steep angle relative to the charge receptor. This configuration enables self-stripping of the sheet from the transfer belt at the exit of the nip.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Youti Kuo, Robert A. Gross, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Mark Stevens, Gerald M. Fletcher, Christopher A. DiRubio
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Patent number: 6845224Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the timing of a transfer assist blade in an electrostatographic imaging system. The apparatus and method operate by partially toning an area of the photoreceptor and then actuating the transfer assist blade such that it smears at least a portion of the partially toned area. Using an electronic toner area cover sensor system, the amount of smearing can be determined, From this, the timing of engagement of the transfer assist blade with the photoreceptor can be determined and, if necessary, adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Robert A. Gross, Youti Kuo, David K. Ahl
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Patent number: 6650866Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive member to a sheet. A sheet baffle guides an advancing sheet to the photoconductive member at the transfer station. A sheet guide having an elongated axis extending in a transverse direction to the planar surface of the imaging member; said sheet guide including a roller assembly on a sheet exit portion of said sheet guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Robert A. Gross, Michael G. Petranto, Youti Kuo
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Publication number: 20030108369Abstract: A sequential transfer-assist blade assembly includes (a) a first cam and blade assembly including a first blade segment having a first length (A1) and being movable for first contacting a first size image receiving sheet having a first center location and a first width (A2); (b) a second cam and blade assembly including a second blade segment and a third blade segment each having a second length (B1), and each being located adjacent a first end and a second end respectively of the first blade segment, the first, the second and the third blade segments being moveable for contacting a second size image receiving sheet such that the second and the third blade segments contact the second size image receiving sheet after the first blade segment, the second image receiving sheet having a center location coincident with the first center location, and having a second width (A2+2×B2); and (c) a third cam and blade assembly including a fourth blade segment and a fifth blade segment each having a third lengthType: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Youti Kuo, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Robert A. Gross
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Patent number: 6556805Abstract: A dual cam set transfer assist blade system comprising (a) a first set of cam and blade assemblies mounted on a rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a single lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a first set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a first set of sheet widths, and (b) a second set of cam and blade also assemblies mounted on the rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a first lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to said first set of sheet widths, and a second lobe for rotation in a second direction to cause engagement of said second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a second set of sheet widths.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Youti Kuo, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Robert A. Gross