Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Degroot

Joseph A. Degroot 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).

  • Patent number: 11604863
    Abstract: An alignment system may comprise a housing defining a channel having a first end and a second end; a light source disposed at the first end of the channel; and an alignment image disposed at the second end of the channel. The light source may be in optical communication with the alignment image. The alignment system may further comprise a baffle extending around at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the channel, the baffle defining a backlight aperture. The light source may be in selective optical communication with the alignment image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, Adam R. Heintzelman, Joseph A. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20210097276
    Abstract: An alignment system may comprise a housing defining a channel having a first end and a second end; a light source disposed at the first end of the channel; and an alignment image disposed at the second end of the channel. The light source may be in optical communication with the alignment image. The alignment system may further comprise a baffle extending around at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the channel, the baffle defining a backlight aperture. The light source may be in selective optical communication with the alignment image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, Adam R. Heintzelman, Joseph A. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 8746848
    Abstract: Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes. A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W Hays, Richard P Germain, Joseph A Degroot, Peter J Nystrom, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 8393713
    Abstract: Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes. A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Hays, Richard P. Germain, Joseph A. Degroot, Peter J. Nystrom, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 7980671
    Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Nystrom, Donald J. Drake, Peter M. Gulvin, Joseph A. DeGroot, Jun Ma, Nancy Y. Jia, Andrew W. Hays
  • Patent number: 7942508
    Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application can include an electrode layer and a mechanical member. The electrode layer can include a removed portion that is free of a landing pad. The mechanical member can be positioned in proximity to the electrode layer so as to provide a gap therebetween. The mechanical member can further include a dimple structure protruding out into the gap and aligned with the removed portion of the electrode layer. When in operation, the mechanical member can be capable of deflecting toward the electrode layer. The electrostatic actuator can be used in a fluid drop ejector for ink jet recording or printing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Degroot, Peter Michael Gulvin, Jun Ma
  • Publication number: 20100321432
    Abstract: Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew W. HAYS, Richard P. Germain, Joseph A. Degroot, Peter J. Nystrom, Jun Ma
  • Publication number: 20090322827
    Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application can include an electrode layer and a mechanical member. The electrode layer can include a removed portion that is free of a landing pad. The mechanical member can be positioned in proximity to the electrode layer so as to provide a gap therebetween. The mechanical member can further include a dimple structure protruding out into the gap and aligned with the removed portion of the electrode layer. When in operation, the mechanical member can be capable of deflecting toward the electrode layer. The electrostatic actuator can be used in a fluid drop ejector for ink jet recording or printing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. DEGROOT, Peter Michael Gulvin, Jun Ma
  • Publication number: 20070279457
    Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Peter J. Nystrom, Donald J. Drake, Peter M. Gulvin, Joseph A. DeGroot, Jun Ma, Nancy Y. Jia, Andrew W. Hays