Patents by Inventor Eric C. Stelter
Eric C. Stelter 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: 8740131Abstract: Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8699922Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers and containing a development roller (11) and a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13) and developer (14), where the magnetic strength of the feed pole of the development roller increases in the direction of developer flow (18) in the first channel. This increase in magnetic field strength of the feed pole (50) ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Matthias H. Regelsberger
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Patent number: 8693922Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Eric C. Stelter
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Patent number: 8682224Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel; wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8666289Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Eric C. Stelter
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Patent number: 8660467Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8594541Abstract: A method for transferring developer (14) to a development roller (11) in an electrophotographic printing process includes feeding developer from a first channel (12) to the development roller; releasing developer from the development roller to a second channel (15); and wherein a strength of a pickup field of a feed magnet (50) in the development roller increases in a direction of developer flow in the first channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Matthias H. Regelsberger
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Patent number: 8478170Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a development station. A method comprises the steps of applying a first force at a first end of an auger and applying a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by a developer and a replenishment toner being moved by rotation of the auger; and, tensioning the auger along a length of the auger by urging the first end of the auger away from the second end and by urging the second end of the auger away from the first end.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Patent number: 8478169Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A drive transmission has a first output mechanically linked for movement with a first end of the auger and a second output mechanically linked for movement with a second end of the auger and distributes a force at an input end between a first force provided at the first output and at a second force provided at the second output to rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are each less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Publication number: 20130101316Abstract: A method for transferring developer (14) to a development roller (11) in an electrophotographic printing process includes feeding developer from a first channel (12) to the development roller; releasing developer from the development roller to a second channel (15); and wherein a strength of a pickup field of a feed magnet (50) in the development roller increases in a direction of developer flow in the first channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Matthias H. Regelsberger
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Publication number: 20130101315Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers and containing a development roller (11) and a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13) and developer (14), where the magnetic strength of the feed pole of the development roller increases in the direction of developer flow (18) in the first channel. This increase in magnetic field strength of the feed pole (50) ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Matthias H. Regelsberger
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Publication number: 20130078002Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Publication number: 20130078003Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller (11) across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel (19); wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8401433Abstract: Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Arun Chowdry, Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter
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Patent number: 8385784Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A first actuator drives a first end of the auger and a second actuator drives a second end. A first sensor senses a rotational position of the first end while a second sensor senses a rotational position of the second end of the auger. An auger controller causes the actuators to act so that a first force and a second force rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter
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Patent number: 8385785Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along part of the recirculation path. A first output is at a first end of the auger through which a first urging force urging the first end of the auger away from the second end can be applied and a second output at a second end of the auger through which a second urging force urging the second end away from the first end can be applied. At least one actuator generates an input force from which at least one of the first force and the second force can be provided; and a separator provides the first urging force and the second urging force to create a tension in the auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Publication number: 20130034372Abstract: A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a photoconductor is disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted, relative to a rotating speed of the rotating magnetic core such that from the point of view of a spot on a dielectric support member (DSM) in a nip region of the DSM, a similar point on the rotating shell is substantially in alignment with the DSM spot in the nip region when a pole flip occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventor: Eric C. Stelter
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Publication number: 20130022373Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Eric C. Stelter
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Publication number: 20130022372Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Eric C. Stelter
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Patent number: 8311463Abstract: A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a photoconductor is disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a photoconductor such that a banding reduction ratio is not a ratio of differing low whole numbers. Another method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a rotating magnetic core is also disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a rotating speed of the rotating magnetic core such that from the point of view of a spot on a dielectric support member (DSM) in a nip region of the DSM, a similar point on the rotating shell is substantially in alignment with the DSM spot in the nip region when a pole flip occurs.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Eric C. Stelter