Patents by Inventor Patrick Y. Maeda

Patrick Y. Maeda 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: 12366815
    Abstract: Focusing optics can include optical elements disposed and bonded in a linear arrangement (linear array) in at least two rows. A transparent bonding agent can secure alignment of the at least two rows of the optical elements. Scattering elements can also be disposed in the transparent polymer to cause light diffusion. Diffused or un-diffused light from a semiconductor laser array can then be caused to pass through the optical element and illuminate a target substrate such as an imaging member in a printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Zhihong Yang, Patrick Y. Maeda, Yu Wang
  • Publication number: 20250058376
    Abstract: A system and method of three-dimensional printing that includes heating a portion of a build surface by impinging multiple laser pulses onto the build surface in a time controlled pattern to provide a desired heated build surface prior to depositing a molten material onto the build surface. The time controlled pattern of laser pulses includes at least one heating period and at least one cooling period, and the time for the cooling period is determined by the cooling time of the build surface material, and the temperature differences between the original temperature of the build surface and the desired temperature of the build surface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Adrian Lew, Dogan Timucin
  • Publication number: 20240424568
    Abstract: Techniques for laser-assisted additive manufacturing are disclosed. An example three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a platen having a surface to support a part during fabrication of the part. The 3D printer also includes an ejector head arranged above the surface of the platen. The ejector head is to eject build material toward the surface of the platen to fabricate the part. The 3D printer also includes a laser heating system to heat a target portion of the part during the fabrication of the part to improve a bond between the build material and the target portion of the part. The laser heating system includes a laser to output a laser beam that exhibits a non-gaussian beam profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Dogan Timucin, Patrick Y. Maeda, Adrian Lew
  • Publication number: 20240189895
    Abstract: A 3D printing system includes an ejector configured to receive a build material. The ejector includes a nozzle. The ejector is configured to eject a plurality of drops of the build material through the nozzle. The 3D printing system also includes a substrate positioned below the nozzle. The drops fall toward the substrate after being ejected from the nozzle. The drops form a 3D object on the substrate. The 3D printing system also includes a power source configured to generate an alternating electrical current. The 3D printing system also includes an electrode configured to generate a plasma in response to receiving the alternating electrical current. The drops, the 3D object, the substrate, or a combination thereof are positioned at least partially within the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bullard, Patrick Y. Maeda, Warren Jackson, David K. Biegelsen
  • Publication number: 20240190071
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes a stage configured to support a substrate. The device also includes a printhead disposed above the stage. The printhead is configured to heat a build material to a molten build material and to deposit the molten build material on the substrate in the form of droplets to fabricate an article. The device also includes a controlled heating and ablation system disposed proximal the printhead. The controlled heating and ablation system is configured to heat the substrate and ablate oxides on a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Daniel Bullard, Dogan Timucin
  • Patent number: 11827037
    Abstract: A laser imager for a printing system, comprising a plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers arranged in a linear array on a common substrate chip and including a common cathode and a dedicated control channel associated with an address trace line for each laser of the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers, and optical elements arranged in a linear lens array configured to capture and focus light from the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers onto a imaging member, wherein the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers arranged in a linear array and the optical elements arranged in a linear lens array operate together to image the imaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Christopher Chua, Zhihong Yang, Mark Teepe, Patrick Y. Maeda, Sourobh Raychaudhuri, Elif Karatay, Noble M. Johnson, David K. Biegelsen, Joseph Lee
  • Publication number: 20230339024
    Abstract: A 3D object printer is disclosed. The 3D object printer advantageously incorporates one or more optical systems and optical devices that improve the operation and output of the 3D object printer including, for example, a laser heating system or an optical monitoring system. A variety of arrangements of optical structures and systems are provided to guide light beam(s), such as laser beams, illumination beams, reflected light beams, etc., into or out of the fabrication environment of the 3D object printer. These optical structures and systems overcome structural and spatial constraints of the 3D object printer, which might otherwise prevent effective operation of the laser heating system or the optical monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Y. Maeda
  • Patent number: 11774774
    Abstract: A structure can be provided for collimating light from a light source (e.g., vertical cavity surface emitting diodes). The structure can include at least one light source, a pit formed at an output of the at least one light source and a microbead formed in the pit. Microbeads can function as a lens to collimate light emitting from the at least one light source. The structure can provide by forming an array of VCSELs on a substrate, forming a pit in front of each VCSEL of the array of VCSELs, and assembling a microbead in each pit formed in front of each VCSEL. The microbeads can thereby function as lenses to collimate light emitted from the VCSELs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Chamoun, Patrick Y. Maeda, Joerg Martini, Christopher L. Chua
  • Patent number: 11679556
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing devices and methods for the same are provided. The additive manufacturing device may include a stage configured to support a substrate, a printhead disposed above the stage, and a targeted heating system disposed proximal the printhead. The printhead may be configured to heat a build material to a molten build material and deposit the molten build material on the substrate in the form of droplets to fabricate the article. The targeted heating system may be configured to control a temperature or temperature gradient of the droplets deposited on the substrate, an area proximal the substrate, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Joanne L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20230057298
    Abstract: A structure can be provided for collimating light from a light source (e.g., vertical cavity surface emitting diodes). The structure can include at least one light source, a pit formed at an output of the at least one light source and a microbead formed in the pit. Microbeads can function as a lens to collimate light emitting from the at least one light source. The structure can provide by forming an array of VCSELs on a substrate, forming a pit in front of each VCSEL of the array of VCSELs, and assembling a microbead in each pit formed in front of each VCSEL. The microbeads can thereby function as lenses to collimate light emitted from the VCSELs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob Chamoun, Patrick Y. Maeda, Joerg Martini, Christopher L. Chua
  • Publication number: 20230055986
    Abstract: Focusing optics can include optical elements disposed and bonded in a linear arrangement (linear array) in at least two rows. A transparent bonding agent can secure alignment of the at least two rows of the optical elements. Scattering elements can also be disposed in the transparent polymer to cause light diffusion. Diffused or un-diffused light from a semiconductor laser array can then be caused to pass through the optical element and illuminate a target substrate such as an imaging member in a printing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Zhihong Yang, Patrick Y. Maeda, Yu Wang
  • Publication number: 20230055149
    Abstract: A laser imager for a printing system, comprising a plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers arranged in a linear array on a common substrate chip and including a common cathode and a dedicated control channel associated with an address trace line for each laser of the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers, and optical elements arranged in a linear lens array configured to capture and focus light from the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers onto a imaging member, wherein the plurality of independently addressable surface emitting lasers arranged in a linear array and the optical elements arranged in a linear lens array operate together to image the imaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Christopher Chua, Zhihong Yang, Mark Teepe, Patrick Y. Maeda, Sourobh Raychaudhuri, Elif Karatay, Noble M. Johnson, David K. Biegelsen, Joseph Lee
  • Publication number: 20230056905
    Abstract: A semiconductor surface-emitting laser array can be provided with a group of independently addressable light-emitting pixels arranged in at least two rows and in a linear array on a common substrate chip and including a common cathode and a dedicated channel associated with an address trace line for each pixel. An aggregate linear pitch can be achieved between pixels of the at least two rows along the linear array in a cross process direction that is less than the size of a pixel. The semiconductor laser array can include more than one common substrate chip tiled and stitched together in a staggered arrangement to provide an at least 11-inch wide, 1200pdi imager with timing delays associated with each of the more than one common substrate chip in the staggered arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Chua, Joerg Martini, Zhihong Yang, Noble M. Johnson, Patrick Y. Maeda, Peter Kiesel
  • Patent number: 11586031
    Abstract: An optical imager system and method of operating the optical imager system, can include one or more imager modules including a laser light source, a collimator, an illumination optical system, a grating light valve, a spatial light modulator and a projection optical system. A group of imager modules can include the one or more imager modules. The group of imager modules is operable in a stacked arrangement to produce an image from in-line stitching of individual images generated by the one or more imager modules. The illumination optical system can homogenize, shape, and direct a beam from the laser light source onto the grating light valve, and homogenization can occur in a cross-process direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Patrick Y. Maeda
  • Patent number: 11518086
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing devices and methods for the same are provided. The additive manufacturing device may include a stage configured to support a substrate, a printhead disposed above the stage, and a targeted heating system disposed proximal the printhead. The printhead may be configured to heat a build material to a molten build material and deposit the molten build material on the substrate in the form of droplets to fabricate the article. The targeted heating system may be configured to control a temperature or temperature gradient of the droplets in a flight path interposed between the printhead and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Joanne L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20220176618
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing devices and methods for the same are provided. The additive manufacturing device may include a stage configured to support a substrate, a printhead disposed above the stage, and a targeted heating system disposed proximal the printhead. The printhead may be configured to heat a build material to a molten build material and deposit the molten build material on the substrate in the form of droplets to fabricate the article. The targeted heating system may be configured to control a temperature or temperature gradient of the droplets in a flight path interposed between the printhead and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Joanne L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20220176630
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing devices and methods for the same are provided. The additive manufacturing device may include a stage configured to support a substrate, a printhead disposed above the stage, and a targeted heating system disposed proximal the printhead. The printhead may be configured to heat a build material to a molten build material and deposit the molten build material on the substrate in the form of droplets to fabricate the article. The targeted heating system may be configured to control a temperature or temperature gradient of the droplets deposited on the substrate, an area proximal the substrate, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, Joanne L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20220152233
    Abstract: Methods and systems for disinfecting a surface, can include a light source, and a transparent window located above the light source. The light source can be integrated into an object, and an outer surface of the object can be located above the transparent window. Light from the light source can irradiate the outer surface through the transparent window and from within the object to disinfect the outer surface of the object. The light can comprise violet and ultraviolet (UV) light. A photocatalytic layer comprising a photocatalytic material may also be located above the transparent window and below the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Wunderer, Joerg Martini, Patrick Y. Maeda, Barbara Cromarty, Paloma Fautley
  • Publication number: 20220011566
    Abstract: An optical imager system and method of operating the optical imager system, can include one or more imager modules including a laser light source, a collimator, an illumination optical system, a grating light valve, a spatial light modulator and a projection optical system. A group of imager modules can include the one or more imager modules. The group of imager modules is operable in a stacked arrangement to produce an image from in-line stitching of individual images generated by the one or more imager modules. The illumination optical system can homogenize, shape, and direct a beam from the laser light source onto the grating light valve, and homogenization can occur in a cross-process direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick Y. Maeda
  • Patent number: 10795169
    Abstract: An illuminator optical system combines, homogenizes, and shapes light spatially and angularly from one or more high power fiber coupled lasers. It may include a multichannel fiber cable, collimation and beam shaping optics, a multiple lens array (e.g., fly's eye lens array), and an objective lens. The multichannel fiber collects the light from the high power fiber coupled lasers and produces an aligned array of one or more optical fibers at the output of the cable. The light output from the cable is collimated and relayed to a multiple lens array that spatially divides and shapes the light into an array of beams. The objective lens homogenizes the light by collimating and overlapping the beams into a uniform top hat irradiance distribution in at least one dimension, resulting in the illumination pattern having the required spatial size and desired angular distribution at the illumination plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Maeda, David K. Biegelsen