Patents by Inventor Robert J. Simon

Robert J. Simon 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: 10207505
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a charging device for an inkjet printing system includes providing a charging device body having at least one conductive trace passing through the interior of the charging device body connecting between a charging face of the charging device body and an interconnection region remote from the charging face. A portion of the at least one conductive trace is exposed on the charging face. A vapor deposition process is used to deposit a conductive base layer through a shadow mask onto the charging face, wherein the deposited conductive base layer contacts the exposed portion of at least one conductive trace. One or more conductive metallic layers are plated onto the deposited conductive base layer to form a charging electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert J. Simon, Michael Frank Baumer, James E. Harrison, Jr., Brian George Morris, Charles D. Rike
  • Publication number: 20160361928
    Abstract: A catcher (42) for collecting ink from non-printed drops and returning the ink to a fluid reservoir (40), the catcher includes a flow channel (47) having a plurality of branches (110); a structure to split a portion of each branch into two parallel sections to permit fluid to pass through either section; and wherein the flow of the two parallel sections (122) merge into a single flow downstream of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Simon, Chang-Fang Hsu, Seth C. Clark, Charles D. Rike
  • Patent number: 9505220
    Abstract: A catcher (42) for collecting ink from non-printed drops and returning the ink to a fluid reservoir (40), the catcher includes a flow channel (47) having a plurality of branches (110); a structure to split a portion of each branch into two parallel sections to permit fluid to pass through either section; and wherein the flow of the two parallel sections (122) merge into a single flow downstream of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert J. Simon, Chang-Fang Hsu, Seth C. Clark, Charles D. Rike
  • Patent number: 9248646
    Abstract: A printhead having a drop generator for creating print and non-print drops and a drop deflector for causing the trajectories of the print drops and the non-print drops to diverge includes a liquid extraction channel for removing liquid from the gas flow duct; the liquid extraction channel having an entrance which opens off from the gas flow duct; an outlet; a catcher for collecting the non-print drops wherein the catcher has an ink return channel; at least one via connecting the ink return channel to the liquid extraction channel; and wherein a portion of the liquid passing through the ink return channel of the catcher flows through the at least one via into the liquid extraction channel and from the liquid extraction channel out the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin P. Egan, Seth C. Clark, William H. Sommerville, III, Robert J. Simon, Douglas E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8963373
    Abstract: A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nextronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Gerhardinger, David R. Feltner, Richard L. Ashton, Robert J. Simons
  • Publication number: 20140327314
    Abstract: A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Peter F. Gerhardinger, David R. Feltner, Richard L. Ashton, Robert J. Simons
  • Patent number: 8779627
    Abstract: A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nextronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Gerhardinger, David R. Feltner, Richard L. Ashton, Robert J. Simons
  • Patent number: 8465113
    Abstract: A jetting module is provided for installation in a printhead including mounting features, fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, mounting features, and fluid and electrical connections. The mounting features of the jetting module are configured to engage the mounting features of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module are located relative to the mounting features of the jetting module such that a force applied to couple the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module and the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead provides force to maintain contact between the mounting features of the jetting module and the mounting features of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 8376496
    Abstract: A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lill, Terry A. Wozniak, Joseph P. Mangan, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 8317293
    Abstract: A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lill, Terry A. Wozniak, Joseph P. Mangan, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20110304667
    Abstract: A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lill, Terry A. Wozniak, Joseph P. Mangan, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20110304668
    Abstract: A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lill, Terry A. Wozniak, Joseph P. Mangan, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20100309255
    Abstract: A jetting module for installation in a printhead of a printer is provided. The printhead includes a set of mounting features, a set of fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a set of mounting features, and a set of fluid and electrical connections. The set of mounting features of the jetting module is configured to engage the set of mounting features of the printhead. The set of fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module corresponds to the set of fluid and electrical connections of the printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 7828420
    Abstract: A drop generator is operated to form large-volume and small-volume droplets by providing a droplet generator having a nozzle and an adjustable stimulation device; supplying liquid to the droplet generator such that a stream of diameter D emanates from the nozzle; activating the stimulation device to produce a first set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the perturbations having a period x such as to cause the liquid stream to form into small-volume droplets; selectively adjusting the stimulation device to produce a second set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the second set of perturbations having a period Nx such as to cause a segment of the liquid stream to form into a large-volume droplet, whereby the large-volume droplet is N times the volume of the small-volume droplets; and further adjusting the stimulation device to produce a third set of perturbations on the liquid stream during the period Nx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Randy L. Fagerquist, Ornit Hadar, Julia A. Gayhart, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 7819501
    Abstract: A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20100253151
    Abstract: A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Peter F. Gerhardinger, David R. Feltner, Richard L. Ashton, Robert J. Simons
  • Patent number: 7682002
    Abstract: A drop generator operable to selectively form a drop having a first size and a drop having a second size from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator. The drop having the first size and the drop having the second size travel along a drop trajectory with the first size being larger than the second size when compared to each other. Each of the drops has a drop velocity. A gas flow deflection system includes a gas flow that is directed at a deflection zone that comprises at least a portion of the drop trajectory. The gas flow in the deflection zone includes a velocity vector having a parallel velocity component and a perpendicular velocity component with the parallel velocity component and the perpendicular velocity component being defined relative to the drop trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Randolph C. Brost, David J. Nelson, Bradley A. Phillips, Joseph E. Yokajty, Todd R. Griffin, Michael F. Baumer, Robert J. Simon, Michael S. Hanchak, James A. Katerberg, Thomas W. Steiner, Zhanjun Gao, Jinquan Xu, John Charles Brazas, Jr., David Louis Jeanmaire
  • Patent number: 7635173
    Abstract: An inkjet printer having an array of nozzles from which ink drops are emitted further includes a mechanism adapted to detect fluid levels in an ink supply tank to the inkjet printer while the printer is in idle mode, and shut down the printer when ink usage exceeds a predetermined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dan C. Lyman, Randy D. Vandagriff, John C. Loyd, Daniel J. DeVivo, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090295878
    Abstract: A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090295863
    Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, a catcher, a drop deflection mechanism, and a capping mechanism. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles and is operable to form liquid drops from liquid emitted through the nozzles of the nozzle array. The catcher collects some of the liquid drops. The drop deflection mechanism deflects the liquid drops such that some of the liquid drops contact the catcher while other liquid drops are allowed to contact a print media. The capping mechanism includes a capping member located between the nozzle array of the jetting module and the drop deflection mechanism. The capping member has a first position covering the nozzle array and a second position removed from the nozzle array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas E. Schultz, Michael S. Hanchak, Robert J. Simon, Charles D. Rike, Timothy T. Hare