Patents by Inventor Michael L. Claeys

Michael L. Claeys 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: 8516962
    Abstract: A printing cylinder cleaning cylinder in one embodiment includes a base and a module reversibly attaching to the module. The module includes a housing, a module engagement-disengagement assembly, a reciprocating wiper and brush assembly, a spray discharge assembly and a discharge assembly. The reciprocating brush and wiper assemblies produce a advantageous multi-dimensional scrubbing action. The module engagement-disengagement assembly may displace the module in to an operational position. The spray assembly may deliver cleaning fluid toward the cylinder being cleaned. The discharge assembly may convey cleaning fluid away from the module after the cleaning fluid. A control system allows for automatic or semiautomatic operation is some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Patent number: 8281717
    Abstract: A printing cylinder cleaning cylinder in one embodiment includes a base and a module reversibly attaching to the module. The module includes a housing, a module engagement-disengagement assembly, a reciprocating wiper and brush assembly, a spray discharge assembly and a discharge assembly. The reciprocating brush and wiper assemblies produce a advantageous multi-dimensional scrubbing action. The module engagement-disengagement assembly may displace the module in to an operational position. The spray assembly may deliver cleaning fluid toward the cylinder being cleaned. The discharge assembly may convey cleaning fluid away from the module after the cleaning fluid. A control system allows for automatic or semiautomatic operation is some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20120162976
    Abstract: A UV module of this invention has connection block (optional), connection end cap, shutter, and exhaust end cap assemblies. The connection block has doweled or tapered bayonets for facilitated installation and removal of the UV module. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. ยง1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Patent number: 8038282
    Abstract: A UV module of this invention has connection block (optional), connection end cap, shutter, and exhaust end cap assemblies. The connection block has doweled or tapered bayonets for facilitated installation and removal of the UV module. The connection end cap has a drive train with sleeve bearings and/or torque limiting clutches. Each of the sleeve bearing cooperates with a poppet valve in the connection block assembly to assure fluid-tight integrity during assembly and disassembly. Each of the clutches allows for facilitated shutter synchronization and helps prevent drive train breakdown. The shutter assembly may include a novel coolant flow path cross over and/or improved positive and negative positive and negative retainers to eliminate or greatly reduce shutter binding. The shutter end caps may include coolant flow paths and mate with the shutters to achieve a fluid-tight integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Patent number: 7922591
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a UV module shutter, comprises a shutter shaft, a shutter drive arm, a clutch plate, at least one ball, a clutch thrust washer, and a spring assembly. The shutter shaft has a flange, the flange having a plurality of radially positioned flange detents. The shutter drive arm includes a drive pin, a drive arm cavity, and a receiver slot opening into the drive arm cavity, the drive pin disposable in a drive slot of a shutter end cap. The clutch plate may be disposed in the clutch plate cavity, may have a tab disposed in the receiver slot and a plurality of clutch plate detents. Each of the ball(s) may extend from one of the flange detents and may be partially disposable in one of the clutch plate detents. The spring assembly may exert a bias against the clutch plate and the thrust washer. The shutter shaft may extend through the shutter drive arm, the clutch plate, and the clutch thrust washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20100018825
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a UV module shutter, comprises a shutter shaft, a shutter drive arm, a clutch plate, at least one ball, a clutch thrust washer, and a spring assembly. The shutter shaft has a flange, the flange having a plurality of radially positioned flange detents. The shutter drive arm includes a drive pin, a drive arm cavity, and a receiver slot opening into the drive arm cavity, the drive pin disposable in a drive slot of a shutter end cap. The clutch plate may be disposed in the clutch plate cavity, may have a tab disposed in the receiver slot and a plurality of clutch plate detents. Each of the ball(s) may extend from one of the flange detents and may be partially disposable in one of the clutch plate detents. The spring assembly may exert a bias against the clutch plate and the thrust washer. The shutter shaft may extend through the shutter drive arm, the clutch plate, and the clutch thrust washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20090071358
    Abstract: A printing cylinder cleaning cylinder in one embodiment includes a base and a module reversibly attaching to the module. The module includes a housing, a module engagement-disengagement assembly, a reciprocating wiper and brush assembly, a spray discharge assembly and a discharge assembly. The reciprocating brush and wiper assemblies produce a advantageous multi-dimensional scrubbing action. The module engagement-disengagement assembly may displace the module in to an operational position. The spray assembly may deliver cleaning fluid toward the cylinder being cleaned. The discharge assembly may convey cleaning fluid away from the module after the cleaning fluid. A control system allows for automatic or semiautomatic operation is some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20090045714
    Abstract: A shutter having at least one coolant passageway, a plurality of ribs extending internally into the coolant passageway. The shutter may be a component of a shutter assembly in a UV module for curing UV-sensitive ink. These ribs may improve heat removal from a UV module in which the shutter is installed. Another advantage is that the shutter of this invention may have a lower weight with consequent advantages of lighter weight, reduced manufacturing costs, and reduced drive train wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20080143806
    Abstract: A UV module of this invention has connection block (optional), connection end cap, shutter, and exhaust end cap assemblies. The connection block has doweled or tapered bayonets for facilitated installation and removal of the UV module. The connection end cap has a drive train with sleeve bearings and/or torque limiting clutches. Each of the sleeve bearing cooperates with a poppet valve in the connection block assembly to assure fluid-tight integrity during assembly and disassembly. Each of the clutches allows for facilitated shutter synchronization and helps prevent drive train breakdown. The shutter assembly may include a novel coolant flow path cross over and/or improved positive and negative positive and negative retainers to eliminate or greatly reduce shutter binding. The shutter end caps may include coolant flow paths and mate with the shutters to achieve a fluid-tight integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Michael L. Claeys