Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Howe
Patrick J. Howe 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: 11652931Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include receiving an email, determining that a user wants to establish a connection based on the email, generating a reply email to the user, wherein the reply email includes an executable file that automatically configures an endpoint device of the user to establish the connection, transmitting the reply email to the user, and establishing the connection to the endpoint device of the user in response to execution of the executable file by the endpoint device of the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Timothy P. Foley, Patrick J. Howe, Richard A. Kalb, Glenn Batchelor, Ali R. Dergham
-
Publication number: 20230079365Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include receiving an email, determining that a user wants to establish a connection based on the email, generating a reply email to the user, wherein the reply email includes an executable file that automatically configures an endpoint device of the user to establish the connection, transmitting the reply email to the user, and establishing the connection to the endpoint device of the user in response to execution of the executable file by the endpoint device of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Timothy P. Foley, Patrick J. Howe, Richard A. Kalb, Glenn Batchelor, Ali R. Dergham
-
Patent number: 11318666Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
-
Publication number: 20200369033Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing a printhead during printer inactivity to restore and preserve the operational status of the nozzles in the printhead. Each capping station has a receptacle having at least one wall and a floor configured to enclose a volume partially, and a sealing member mounted to an upper surface of the at least one wall of the receptacle so the sealing member extends away from the upper surface of the at least one wall. The sealing member has a surface that slopes toward the volume within the receptacle to direct fluid on the sloping surface of the sealing member into the volume within the receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Douglas A. Gutberlet, Richard A. Kalb, Patrick J. Howe
-
Patent number: 10828901Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing a printhead during printer inactivity to restore and preserve the operational status of the nozzles in the printhead. Each capping station has a receptacle having at least one wall and a floor configured to enclose a volume partially, and a sealing member mounted to an upper surface of the at least one wall of the receptacle so the sealing member extends away from the upper surface of the at least one wall. The sealing member has a surface that slopes toward the volume within the receptacle to direct fluid on the sloping surface of the sealing member into the volume within the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Gutberlet, Richard A. Kalb, Patrick J. Howe
-
Publication number: 20200316851Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
-
Patent number: 10710298Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
-
Patent number: 10710371Abstract: Exemplary printing apparatuses include, among other components, a printhead structure that includes nozzles adapted to eject liquid ink, a carriage assembly having positioning structures, and one or more printhead caps or cups within the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is shaped to latch to the printhead structure. The printhead includes corresponding structures and the positioning structures engage with the corresponding structures when the carriage assembly is latched to the printhead structure. Also, the printhead caps are positioned within the carriage assembly so as to cover the nozzles when the carriage assembly is connected to the printhead structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Richard A. Kalb, Douglas A. Gutberlet, Patrick J. Howe
-
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
-
Patent number: 10391712Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning system removes support material from parts made by a three-dimensional printer. The method operates the cleaning system to correlate data for features on a part located within a receptacle with structural data in a file used by the three-dimensional printer to fabricate the part. The method then operates one or more actuators to locate a fluid directing nozzle pneumatically connected to a pressurized fluid source opposite areas containing support material and operates the pressurized fluid source to enable pressurized fluid to be directed by the fluid directing nozzle at the support material. The method includes generating image data of the cleaned areas with an image sensor so the removal of the support material can be confirmed, and if an area is not sufficiently cleaned, the cleaning operation can be repeated.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Ron E. Dufort, Patrick J. Howe
-
Patent number: 10350873Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The method includes forming at least a portion of a support for the object with support material containing nanoparticles of a material that readily converts microwave energy into heat. The object and support are moved to a position opposite a microwave radiator and the microwave radiator is operated to begin a change of the phase of the portion of the support material containing the nanoparticles before beginning a change of the phase of a portion of the support made from the support material alone. 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays
-
Publication number: 20190054684Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
-
Patent number: 10137632Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method includes operating a first ejector of a three-dimensional object printer to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object. The method further includes operating a second ejector of the three-dimensional object printer to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, the support being configured to provide support for portions of the object during the operation of the first ejector to form the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body. The method further includes connecting a fluid source to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion the support from the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 9956801Abstract: An imaging member surface contains a swellable elastomer doped with a release oil. This aids in complete transfer of ink to a receiving substrate when a thin film of release oil forms upon the surface during application of pressure at the nip.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignees: Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Bing Hsieh, Timothy D. Stowe, Santokh S. Badesha, Chu-heng Liu, Mandakini Kanungo, Jorge A. Alvarez, Patrick J. Howe, Matthew M. Kelly, David J. Gervasi, Palghat Srinivas Ramesh
-
Publication number: 20180001545Abstract: A three-dimensionally printed object includes build portions formed with a build material, first support portions formed with a first support material, and second portions formed with a second support material that is different than the first support material. The first and second support portions are arranged with the build portions such that the build portions are supported and protected during fabrication of the object. The arrangement is optimized to minimize a time period for removing the first and second support materials from the object and releasing the build portions. A method of producing the object includes operating ejectors of a three-dimensional object printer to form the build portion, first support portions, and the second support portions. The portions are formed with reference to the arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Mandakini Kanungo, Patrick J. Howe
-
Publication number: 20170239893Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning system removes support material from parts made by a three-dimensional printer. The method operates the cleaning system to correlate data for features on a part located within a receptacle with structural data in a file used by the three-dimensional printer to fabricate the part. The method then operates one or more actuators to locate a fluid directing nozzle pneumatically connected to a pressurized fluid source opposite areas containing support material and operates the pressurized fluid source to enable pressurized fluid to be directed by the fluid directing nozzle at the support material. The method includes generating image data of the cleaned areas with an image sensor so the removal of the support material can be confirmed, and if an area is not sufficiently cleaned, the cleaning operation can be repeated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Ron E. Dufort, Patrick J. Howe
-
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