Patents by Inventor Rodney Ray Bucks

Rodney Ray Bucks 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: 9211728
    Abstract: A method for heating a substrate in a printing device, the method comprises positioning at least one radiant heater along a printing path of a printing device, the at least one radiant heater includes at least two emitters; measuring a voltage and current supplied to each of the at least two emitters; determining an electrical power supplied to each of the at least two emitters; and adjusting the electrical power supplied to at least one of the at least two emitters if a difference in power supplied to each of the at least two emitters exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, W. Charles Kasiske, Jr., John Leonard Hryhorenko, David Francis Cahill, James Alan Katerberg
  • Patent number: 9207582
    Abstract: A method for reducing toning spacing sensitivity in an electrophotographic process is disclosed. The method includes providing a rotating magnetic member within a conductive non-magnetic development sleeve; providing a developer to the non-magnetic development sleeve for use with the rotating magnetic member including: (i) composite magnetic particles comprising strontium ferrite and lithium ferrite phases and (ii) toner particles. The method further includes moving a charged receiving medium into a toner transfer relationship with the developer on the non-magnetic development sleeve so as to provide a developed image on the receiving medium with reduced toning spacing sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Steven Alexandrovich, Patrick Maddock Lambert, Rodney Ray Bucks, Michael Thomas Dobbertin
  • Publication number: 20150336399
    Abstract: A printing device includes a radiant heater having at least one radiant heater includes at least two emitters; a controller that receives a voltage and current supplied to each of the at least two emitters and calculates an electrical power supplied to each of the at least two emitters; wherein the controller adjusts the electrical power supplied to at least one of the at least two emitters if a difference in power supplied to each of the at least two emitters exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: RODNEY RAY BUCKS, W. Charles Kasiske, JR., John Leonard Hryhorenko, David Francis Cahill
  • Publication number: 20150336398
    Abstract: A method for heating a substrate in a printing device, the method comprises positioning at least one radiant heater along a printing path of a printing device, the at least one radiant heater includes at least two emitters; measuring a voltage and current supplied to each of the at least two emitters; determining an electrical power supplied to each of the at least two emitters; and adjusting the electrical power supplied to at least one of the at least two emitters if a difference in power supplied to each of the at least two emitters exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: RODNEY RAY BUCKS, W. Charles Kasiske, JR., John Leonard Hryhorenko, David Francis Cahill, James Alan Katerberg
  • Patent number: 9193182
    Abstract: A printing device includes a radiant heater having at least one radiant heater includes at least two emitters; a controller that receives a voltage and current supplied to each of the at least two emitters and calculates an electrical power supplied to each of the at least two emitters; wherein the controller adjusts the electrical power supplied to at least one of the at least two emitters if a difference in power supplied to each of the at least two emitters exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, W. Charles Kasiske, Jr., John Leonard Hryhorenko, David Francis Cahill
  • Patent number: 9182690
    Abstract: A method for reducing toning spacing sensitivity in an electrophotographic process is disclosed. The method includes providing a rotating magnetic member within a conductive non-magnetic development sleeve; providing a developer to the non-magnetic development sleeve for use with the rotating magnetic member including: i) hard magnetic particles with a coercivity of greater than 300 oersted and an induced moment of less than 20 emu per gram at an applied field of 1000 oersted; and ii) soft magnetic particles with a coercivity of less than 300 oersted and an induced moment of greater than 20 emu per gram an applied field of 1000 oersted; and iii) toner particles. The method further includes moving a charged receiving medium into a toner transfer relationship with the developer on the non-magnetic development sleeve so as to provide a developed image on the receiving medium with reduced toning spacing sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Steven Alexandrovich, Rodney Ray Bucks
  • Patent number: 9163875
    Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng, Andrew Ciaschi
  • Patent number: 9152095
    Abstract: A method for determining transfer bias settings in an electrophotographic printing system having a plurality of printing modules, each printing module including a respective transfer subsystem operated at an associated transfer bias setting. The method includes defining a plurality of test transfer bias sets, each test transfer bias set including a transfer bias setting for the transfer subsystem in each of the printing modules. For each of the defined test transfer bias sets, a plurality of process control patches are transferred onto a measurement surface, wherein the process control patches include a monochrome patch printed using a particular printing module and at least one multi-color patch. A monochrome transfer function and a multi-color transfer function are determined characterizing the amount of the transferred toner as a function of the transfer bias, and are used to determine a transfer bias setting for the particular printing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Cameron Zaretsky, Rodney Ray Bucks, Kevin Edward Spaulding
  • Patent number: 9140494
    Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Andrew Ciaschi, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng
  • Patent number: 9127884
    Abstract: An acoustic air impingement drying system is provided for drying a material. An inlet chamber receives air from an airflow source provides air at a supply flow rate. A plurality of acoustic resonant chambers are provided, each having an inlet slot that receives air from the inlet chamber and an outlet slot that directs air onto the material, wherein the acoustic resonant chambers impart acoustic energy to the transiting air, the outlet slots being oriented at an oblique angle relative to the width dimension of the pneumatic transducer unit. A plurality of exhaust air channels interspersed between the outlet slots remove the air directed onto the material by the acoustic resonant chambers. A blower pulls air through the exhaust air channels at an exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Ciaschi, James Douglas Shifley, Rodney Ray Bucks, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 8943706
    Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Andrew Ciaschi, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng
  • Patent number: 8931891
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system, comprising: one or more inkjet printheads for printing drops of ink onto a receiver medium, and an acoustic air impingement drying system positioned in proximity to at least one of the inkjet printheads. The acoustic air impingement drying system includes: an airflow source providing a supply flow rate; an acoustic resonant chamber having an inlet slot that receives air from the airflow source and an outlet slot that directs air onto the receiver medium; an exhaust air channel for removing the air directed onto the receiver medium by the acoustic resonant chamber; a blower for pulling air through the exhaust air channel at an exhaust flow rate; and a blower controller that controls the supply flow rate and the exhaust flow rate, wherein the exhaust flow rate is controlled to match the supply flow rate to within 1%, or to exceed the supply flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James Douglas Shifley, Rodney Ray Bucks, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Andrew Ciaschi
  • Patent number: 8811864
    Abstract: Printers are provided in which a charge pattern is formed with a second area having a surface potential that is at least 30 percent less than a surface potential of an adjacent first area that creates an inter-area field between the first area and second area that extends into a portion of the first area that is proximate to the second area. A development station applies a first development field and a first toner is partially developed in the first area based upon the influence of the inter-area and first development fields. The charge pattern and first toner are further developed with a different second toner. The surface charge, the first toner and second toner have the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney Ray Bucks
  • Patent number: 8805251
    Abstract: Methods are provided in which a charge pattern is formed with a second area having a surface potential that is at least 30 percent lower than a surface potential of an adjacent first area that creates an inter-area field between the first area and second area that extends into a portion of the first area. A development station applies a first development field and a first toner is partially developed in the first area based upon the influence of the inter-area and first development fields. The charge pattern and first toner are further developed with a different second toner. The surface charge has a different polarity than a polarity of the first toner and second toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney Ray Bucks
  • Patent number: 8805220
    Abstract: Printers are provided in which a charge pattern is formed with a first area having a surface potential that is at least 30 percent less than a surface potential of an adjacent second area that creates an inter-area field between the first area and second area that extends into a portion of the first area that is proximate to the second area. A development station applies a first development field and a first toner is partially developed in the first area based upon the influence of the inter-area and first development fields. The charge pattern and first toner are further developed with a different second toner. The surface charge, the first toner and second toner have the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney Ray Bucks
  • Publication number: 20140202021
    Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Andrew Ciaschi, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng
  • Publication number: 20140202023
    Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng, Andrew Ciaschi
  • Publication number: 20140202024
    Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Andrew Ciaschi, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng
  • Publication number: 20140202022
    Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Bucks, Michael Alan Marcus, Kam Chuen Ng, Andrew Ciaschi
  • Patent number: 8774659
    Abstract: Printing methods are provided. A surface charge is provided on the primary imaging member and the surface charge is partially discharged in areas in which a first toner is to develop. The charge pattern is formed with a first area having a surface potential that is at least 30 percent less than a surface potential of an adjacent second area that creates an inter-area field between the first area and second area that extends into a portion of the first area that is proximate to the second area. A first development field is applied and a first toner is partially developed in the first area based upon the influence of the inter-area and first development fields. The charge pattern and the first toner are further developed with a different second toner. The surface charge on the primary imaging member, first toner and second toner have the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney Ray Bucks