Patents by Inventor Lloyd A. Williams

Lloyd A. Williams 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: 9139388
    Abstract: A device is provided for curling side edges of a sheet of media to be held down by a hold down system in an image production system. The device has a first shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the first shaped element pointing in a first direction; a second shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the second shaped element pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction; a first pinching element adjacent to the first shaped element, a first pathway being formed between the first pinching element and the first shaped element; and a second pinching element adjacent to the second shaped element, a second pathway being formed between the second pinching element and the second shaped element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Williams, Ruddy Castillo, Joannes N. M. deJong
  • Patent number: 8888626
    Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there are provided methods and systems for applying continuous tension on a belt/cable system. The automatic tensioning system includes a pivot mechanism and a locking mechanism. The pivot mechanism includes a pivot arm extending between an idler pulley and a pivot point. The idler pulley is mateable with a belt/cable. The belt/cable is routed about the idler pulley. The idler pulley rotates by the movement of the belt/cable, and the pivot arm pivots in an opposing direction from the belt/cable at the pivot point to apply continuous tension to the belt/cable as the pivot arm pivots. The locking mechanism is in communication with the pivot arm to secure the pivot arm in position, and the locking mechanism is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams, Matthew Dondiego
  • Patent number: 8863939
    Abstract: Provided are vacuum transport systems, methods of making them and methods of transporting one or more objects. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum and one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate including a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side proximate to an object, wherein a surface of the second side comprises a textured surface having an average roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Panides, Ruddy Castillo, Joannes N. M. de Jong, Lloyd A. Williams, Liang-Bih Lin, Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8746692
    Abstract: Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module including a drive roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. Optionally, the moveable drive module may further include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Richards, Lloyd A. Williams, Joannes N. M. deJong, Matthew Dondiego
  • Patent number: 8695973
    Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, a printmaking device, a method, and a system for reducing process direction errors of a sheet in a registration device is provided herein. The printmaking device includes a feed path, a printing module, and a sheet registration system. The sheet registration system is along the feed path and includes at least one trail edge sensor, a registration controller, and at least one pair of registration nips. The feed path moves a first side of the sheet in a process direction. The registration controller registers the first side of the sheet by: measuring and correcting a first skew error of the sheet; measuring and correcting a first arrival time of the trail edge of the sheet to determine a first process direction position of the sheet; and delivering the first side of the adjusted sheet at a first predefined delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams, Saurabh Prabhat
  • Patent number: 8682233
    Abstract: An apparatus including a transfer belt, an edge sensor and a belt steering roll. The transfer belt having a lateral edge and the edge sensor detecting lateral positions of the lateral edge as it passes the edge sensor. The belt steering roll controlling lateral movement of the transfer belt, which is rotatably mounted maintaining rolling engagement with the transfer belt. An axis of rotation of the belt steering roll selectively tiltable defining a steering angle with respect to an axis reference orientation. Changes in the steering angle inducing a lateral shift profile to the lateral edge. The lateral shift profile defined by changes to the lateral positions of the lateral edge during a period. The steering angle being changed based on a differential between a currently detected lateral position of a segment of the lateral edge and a predetermined lateral position derived from the lateral shift profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8573733
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead is configured to reduce the likelihood of media coming into contact with a printhead face. The inkjet printhead includes a housing, an aperture plate having a plurality of apertures in an aperture area through which inkjet ejectors eject ink, and a pair of members aligned with a direction of media movement and extending along a length of the aperture area, the pair of members being configured to lift media away from the plurality of apertures in the aperture area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Paul Mandel, Jeffrey J. Folkins, Joannes N. M. DeJong, Lloyd A. Williams, Linn C. Hoover, Ruddy Castillo
  • Patent number: 8571460
    Abstract: A method and system for insuring printing accuracy in simplex imaging or duplex imaging, including a media sheet in a media path adapted to move the media sheet through the system. The media path includes sensors and a datum. The sensors include a leading edge sensor and a trailing edge sensor adapted to record the time of arrival of the edge. The edge arrival time difference is determined between the arrival time of the edge using output from the trailing edge sensor and the arrival time of the edge using output from the leading edge sensor. A correction factor is based upon the time difference. The time of arrival of the media sheet at the datum is determined using the correction factor to align items printed on both side of the media sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8496247
    Abstract: An encoder idler roll includes an integral idler roll/encoder structure that forms an enclosed housing with a portion of the surface of the idler roll becoming the inner race for the encoder, as well as, the media encoding surface. Additionally, this integral idler/encoder configuration minimizes run out, improves tolerances between parts and stabilizes clearances between the idler roll and its support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N Richards, Lloyd A Williams, Joannes N M Dejong, Matthew Dondiego, Douglas K Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8494431
    Abstract: Sheet registration method and system includes transporting a sheet including a leading edge and a trailing edge between a first and second sensor. The first and second sensors each have a linear sensing area with a longitudinal axis aligned at a non-zero angle to each other. The first and second sensors are adapted to identify positions of the leading edge and the trailing edge. An alignment of the sheet is adjusted responsive to a sheet length determined using the output from the first and second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8474818
    Abstract: Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8469476
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a substrate media registration system in a printing system. The registration system can include a deskewing system, a reflexive system, and a controller. The deskewing system is configured to deskew substrate media. The reflexive system is configured to detect the lateral position of the substrate media and at least one of a lead edge and a trail edge of the substrate media being transported in the process direction. The controller is operatively coupled to the reflexive system and is configured to control ejection of ink from a print head system in response to detecting the lateral position of the substrate media and at least one of the lead edge and the trail edge of the substrate media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Joannes N. M. de Jong, Injae Choi, Marina Tharayil, Dusan G. Lysy, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8448943
    Abstract: A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Saurabh Prabhat, Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8434847
    Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of printheads in a printing system with a moving sheet carrying device has been developed. The method includes identifying a first amount of sheet carrying device displacement and second amount of sheet carrying device displacement as the sheet carrying device carries a media sheet past first and second printheads, respectively, for imaging of a predetermined location of the media sheet. A time for operating the second printhead is adjusted based on a difference between the first sheet carrying device offset and the second sheet carrying device offset to provide color registration between ink drops of the first printhead and second printhead on the media sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N M. DeJong, Lloyd A. Williams, Ruddy Castillo, Matthew Dondiego
  • Publication number: 20130108334
    Abstract: An apparatus including a transfer belt, an edge sensor and a belt steering roll. The transfer belt having a lateral edge and the edge sensor detecting lateral positions of the lateral edge as it passes the edge sensor. The belt steering roll controlling lateral movement of the transfer belt, which is rotatably mounted maintaining rolling engagement with the transfer belt. An axis of rotation of the belt steering roll selectively tiltable defining a steering angle with respect to an axis reference orientation. Changes in the steering angle inducing a lateral shift profile to the lateral edge. The lateral shift profile defined by changes to the lateral positions of the lateral edge during a period. The steering angle being changed based on a differential between a currently detected lateral position of a segment of the lateral edge and a predetermined lateral position derived from the lateral shift profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joannes N.M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8422036
    Abstract: An edge sensing apparatus is disclosed including first and second emitters, first and second detectors and a timer. Beams radiated from the first emitter being emitted in an opposite direction from beams radiated from the second emitter. The first and second detectors being aligned to receive beams from the first and second emitters respectively, where the first detector is offset in a cross-process direction from the first emitter and/or the second detector. The timer receiving signals from both the first and second detectors, wherein a change of the signals determines a position of an edge of a substrate media sheet causing the change of signals. Also, an edge sensing method is disclosed including measuring a mean time associated with a change of signals received from the two detectors and determining a location of a sheet edge causing the change of signals based on the mean time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wyble, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8419144
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a sensor positioned proximate a media transport path in an inkjet printing system, the sensor being configured to detect a media height exceeding a predetermined height with reference to the media transport path, and a controller associated with the inkjet printing system, the controller being configured to modify operation of the inkjet printing system in response to the sensor detecting a media height exceeding the predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ruddy Castillo, Barry Paul Mandel, Lloyd A. Williams, James L. Giacobbi, Frank A. Porter, Joannes DeJong
  • Patent number: 8376501
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an imaging system comprising an image receiving surface which is moved in a downstream direction; a first marking station which applies a first image to the image receiving surface; and, a second marking station, downstream of the first marking station, which applies a second image to the image receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. DeJong, Lloyd A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8376358
    Abstract: An apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing characteristics of the sheet with respect to the transport path. The characteristics of the sheet including a skew position, process direction position or a lateral position of the sheet. The registration nip assembly changing a first sheet characteristic to a first target characteristic by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary registration datum. A delivery registration datum disposed downstream of the registration nip assembly. The registration nip assembly changing a second sheet characteristic to a second target characteristic when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary registration datum and the delivery registration datum. The apparatus including an auxiliary nip assembly disposed between the delivery registration datum and the registration nip assembly, wherein the preliminary registration datum is disposed between the delivery registration datum and the auxiliary nip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Lloyd A. Williams, Marina L. Tharayil
  • Publication number: 20130033535
    Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of printheads in a printing system with a moving sheet carrying device has been developed. The method includes identifying a first amount of sheet carrying device displacement and second amount of sheet carrying device displacement as the sheet carrying device carries a media sheet past first and second printheads, respectively, for imaging of a predetermined location of the media sheet. A time for operating the second printhead is adjusted based on a difference between the first sheet carrying device offset and the second sheet carrying device offset to provide color registration between ink drops of the first printhead and second printhead on the media sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. Dejong, Lloyd A. Williams, Ruddy Castillo, Matthew Dondiego