Patents by Inventor Robert L. Walton
Robert L. Walton 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).
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Publication number: 20170015580Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
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Publication number: 20150232372Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 9038414Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L Walton
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Publication number: 20140083137Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
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Publication number: 20100043659Abstract: A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Randolph C. Brost, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 7650839Abstract: A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Randolph C. Brost, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 7530721Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, Richard D. Bomba, Robert P. Bourdelais, Michael L. Ferranti, Jehuda Greener, Louis P. Harasta, Jr., Herong Lei, Stephen C. Meissner, Steven J. Neerbasch, Robert L. Walton, John M. Palmeri, Tomohiro Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20080259634Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, Richard D. Bomba, Robert P. Bourdelais, Michael L. Ferranti, Jehuda Greener, Louis P. Harasta, Herong Lei, Stephen C. Meissner, Steven J. Neerbasch, Robert L. Walton, John M. Palmeri, Tomohiro Ishikawa
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Patent number: 7100510Abstract: A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Randolph C. Brost, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 5312033Abstract: A web conveyor drive system, for example of the suction box type, employs independent motor drives for each of the plurality of drive rollers in the suction drive. Web tension drive loads are equalized across the drive rollers by controlling the individual motor drive current to a value substantially equal to the average of all the motor drive currents in the conveyor drive.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1991Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Robert L. Walton, Alfred Gooray
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Patent number: 5040978Abstract: A prophy angle having a single snap-in retention mechanism that is integral with the housing for retaining the prophy cup rotating member in permanent field position and providing good smooth rotation performance and a detent drive shaft snap-in retention mechanism that locks in position when the dental handpiece is connected.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1989Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.Inventors: Charles J. Falcon, William C. Foster, Robert L. Walton
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Patent number: 4928111Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an electromagnetic valve means comprising a valve plunger journalled within a valve body for movement under the influence of an electric current on a drive stroke from a valve closed position to a valve open position, which valve means controls the flow of fluid to a nozzle orifice in a non-contact fluid droplet applicator apparatus, notably an ink jet printer, which method comprises intermittently applying a transient drive current to the valve means which is insufficient to move the plunger sufficiently on its drive stroke towards the valve open position to permit the flow of fluid through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Willett International LimitedInventor: Robert L. Walton