Patents by Inventor William Bruce Weaver
William Bruce Weaver 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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Patent number: 10328691Abstract: A print head has a jet stack, a jet stack heating and temperature measuring element thermally connected to the jet stack, the jet stack heating and temperature measuring element including: a first, etched copper layer having heat spreading characteristics and including a resistive heat source electrically connected in series to a voltage source and a switch; an electrically insulative on a back side of the first copper layer; and a second, etched copper layer on a side of the electrically insulative layer opposite the first copper layer, the second copper layer having a temperature sensing element to sense a temperature of the print head without a thermistor, the temperature sensing element connected in series with a voltage source and a transistor. A print head may use a thermistor but the heat spreading layer eliminates the need for a heat sink to attach to the print head.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Curtis Douglass Keller, Gautam Dhar, David Lylell Knierim, Chad David Freitag, Jonathan Robert Brick, Douglas Dean Darling, Nasser Alavizadeh, Bradford Stewart, William Bruce Weaver
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Publication number: 20180170041Abstract: A print head has a jet stack, a jet stack heating and temperature measuring element thermally connected to the jet stack, the jet stack heating and temperature measuring element including: a first, etched copper layer having heat spreading characteristics and including a resistive heat source electrically connected in series to a voltage source and a switch; an electrically insulative on a back side of the first copper layer; and a second, etched copper layer on a side of the electrically insulative layer opposite the first copper layer, the second copper layer having a temperature sensing element to sense a temperature of the print head without a thermistor, the temperature sensing element connected in series with a voltage source and a transistor. A print head may use a thermistor but the heat spreading layer eliminates the need for a heat sink to attach to the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: CURTIS DOUGLASS KELLER, GAUTAM DHAR, DAVID LYLELL KNIERIM, CHAD DAVID FREITAG, JONATHAN ROBERT BRICK, DOUGLAS DEAN DARLING, NASSER ALAVIZADEH, BRADFORD STEWART, WILLIAM BRUCE WEAVER
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Patent number: 9931840Abstract: Print head jet stack heating and temperature measurement systems and methods are disclosed that both heat the jet stack and determine a temperature of the jet stack. The heating and temperature determination are performed by a flex circuit that includes multiple layers. One of the layers heats the jet stack and another one of the layers provides data that determines the temperature of the jet stack. The heating layer and the temperature sensing layer are separated by an insulative material in the flex circuit. The temperature of the jet stack can be sent to a print head controller that then determines whether to increase or decrease the temperature of the jet stack.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Curtis Douglass Keller, Gautam Dhar, David Lyell Knierim, Chad David Freitag, Jonathan Robert Brick, Douglas Dean Darling, Nasser Alavizadeh, Bradford Stewart, William Bruce Weaver
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Patent number: 9278526Abstract: A printhead for a printer and methods for making the printhead. The printhead may include a driver module on a jetstack. The jetstack may include a plurality of holes formed therethrough. A first adhesive layer may be disposed on the jetstack. A diaphragm plate may be disposed on the first adhesive layer. A piezoelectric layer may be disposed on the diaphragm plate. A second adhesive layer may be disposed on the piezoelectric layer. A chip on flex may be disposed on the second adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Chad Johan Slenes, Samuel Vincent Schultz, William Bruce Weaver, Jon Garret Judge
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Publication number: 20150054878Abstract: Print head jet stack heating and temperature measurement systems and methods are disclosed that both heat the jet stack and determine a temperature of the jet stack. The heating and temperature determination are performed by a flex circuit that includes multiple layers. One of the layers heats the jet stack and another one of the layers provides data that determines the temperature of the jet stack. The heating layer and the temperature sensing layer are separated by an insulative material in the flex circuit. The temperature of the jet stack can be sent to a print head controller that then determines whether to increase or decrease the temperature of the jet stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Curtis Douglass Keller, Gautam Dhar, David Lyell Knierim, Chad David Freitag, Jonathan Robert Brick, Douglas Dean Darling, Nasser Alavizadeh, Bradford Stewart, William Bruce Weaver
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Patent number: 8529030Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Chad Johan Slenes, Tony Rogers, Shawn Michael Close, William Bruce Weaver, Chad David Freitag
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Patent number: 8454144Abstract: A reservoir is provided for a printhead in an ink jet printing machine, the printhead having at least one printhead inlet at a rear face thereof for flow of ink from the reservoir into the printhead. The reservoir comprises a perimeter wall sealably mounted to the rear face of the printhead and defining a chamber in communication with the printhead inlet. The chamber is open at one face and the reservoir includes a resilient flexible membrane attached to the perimeter wall and covering the one face. An inlet is provided in communication with the chamber for passage of ink into the chamber. The resilient flexible membrane has an initial relaxed condition in a first state in which the reservoir is substantially full of ink, and a flexed condition in which the membrane is collapsed into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David Paul Platt, Michael Edward Norkitis, William Bruce Weaver
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Patent number: 8297728Abstract: A method enables adjustment of a print speed for a phase change ink imaging device with reference to an ink level sensor in a print head reservoir indicating an open loop or a closed loop state. The adjustment may also be made with reference to a measured image density, which may be a rolling solid area coverage average.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Austin Lloyd Richards, William Bruce Weaver, Michael Kenneth Oehl
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Publication number: 20120133714Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Chad Johan Slenes, Tony Rogers, Shawn Michael Close, William Bruce Weaver, Chad David Freitag
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Patent number: 8162462Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Chad Johan Slenes, Tony Rogers, Shawn Michael Close, William Bruce Weaver, Chad David Freitag
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Patent number: 8065913Abstract: A probe assembly for use with an ink reservoir level sensing apparatus comprises an insulating support frame formed of an electrically insulating material. The insulating support frame includes a lower portion to be positioned in a lower portion of an ink reservoir and an upper portion configured to be positioned in an upper portion of the ink reservoir. The insulating support frame has a lower probe and an upper probe each partially encapsulated by the electrically insulating material of the insulating support frame such that the lower and upper probes are physically and electrically isolated from each other, and positioned with respect to each other such that at least a portion of the lower probe is positioned in the lower portion of the frame, and the upper probe is positioned above the lower probe in the support frame extending to the upper portion of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, William Bruce Weaver
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Publication number: 20110169883Abstract: A reservoir is provided for a printhead in an ink jet printing machine, the printhead having at least one printhead inlet at a rear face thereof for flow of ink from the reservoir into the printhead. The reservoir comprises a perimeter wall sealably mounted to the rear face of the printhead and defining a chamber in communication with the printhead inlet. The chamber is open at one face and the reservoir includes a resilient flexible membrane attached to the perimeter wall and covering the one face. An inlet is provided in communication with the chamber for passage of ink into the chamber. The resilient flexible membrane has an initial relaxed condition in a first state in which the reservoir is substantially full of ink, and a flexed condition in which the membrane is collapsed into the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: David Paul Platt, Michael Edward Norkitis, William Bruce Weaver
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Patent number: 7971987Abstract: A heated drum assembly enables improved thermal control of a hollow drum in the heated drum assembly by integrating thermal sensing devices in the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Amin M. Godil, Larry E. Hindman, Isaac S. Frazier, Walter Sean Harris, William Bruce Weaver
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Publication number: 20100321427Abstract: A method enables adjustment of a print speed for a phase change ink imaging device with reference to an ink level sensor in a print head reservoir indicating an open loop or a closed loop state. The adjustment may also be made with reference to a measured image density, which may be a rolling solid area coverage average.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Austin Lloyd Richards, William Bruce Weaver, Michael Kenneth Oehl
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Patent number: 7832819Abstract: A method for controlling print speed of an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes at least one reservoir for supplying liquid ink to a print head and a level sensor in the reservoir. The method comprises measuring an image density of at least a portion of a print job for the imaging device. A state of a level sensor in a print head reservoir is detected. The print speed is adjusted to a target speed in response to the level sensor indicating an open loop state. The target speed is a function of the image density. The print speed is adjusted to a default speed in response to the level sensor indicating a closed loop state.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Austin Lloyd Richards, William Bruce Weaver, Michael Kenneth Oehl
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Publication number: 20100077855Abstract: A probe assembly for use with an ink reservoir level sensing apparatus comprises an insulating support frame formed of an electrically insulating material. The insulating support frame includes a lower portion to be positioned in a lower portion of an ink reservoir and an upper portion configured to be positioned in an upper portion of the ink reservoir. The insulating support frame has a lower probe and an upper probe each partially encapsulated by the electrically insulating material of the insulating support frame such that the lower and upper probes are physically and electrically isolated from each other, and positioned with respect to each other such that at least a portion of the lower probe is positioned in the lower portion of the frame, and the upper probe is positioned above the lower probe in the support frame extending to the upper portion of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, William Bruce Weaver
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Publication number: 20100020144Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Chad Johan Slenes, Tony Rogers, Shawn Michael Close, William Bruce Weaver, Chad David Freitag
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Patent number: 7459658Abstract: An internal heating system for an image transfer drum is disclosed that can include a box having a plurality of sides, an open side facing the drum and a heater element. The box can have small gaps between it and the internal drum surface to maximize thermal efficiency of the internal heating system. The heater element can include first and second support structures that are disposed on a central support structure, the first support structure having an end connector at one side away from the second support structure. The heater system can also include at least two circuits, two channels and a relay switch, with the relay switch operating to switch the circuits into a series or parallel electrical configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Andrew W. Hays, Barry Daniel Reeves, William Bruce Weaver, Scott Phillips
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Publication number: 20080094430Abstract: A method for controlling print speed of an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes at least one reservoir for supplying liquid ink to a print head and a level sensor in the reservoir. The method comprises measuring an image density of at least a portion of a print job for the imaging device. A state of a level sensor in a print head reservoir is detected. The print speed is adjusted to a target speed in response to the level sensor indicating an open loop state. The target speed is a function of the image density. The print speed is adjusted to a default speed in response to the level sensor indicating a closed loop state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Austin Lloyd Richards, William Bruce Weaver, Michael Kenneth Oehl
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Publication number: 20020187807Abstract: A smart module for connection to a portable telephone has a module housing with a back side and a front side. The front side is adapted for removably securing the module housing to a battery attachment region of the portable telephone. The smart module has a printed circuit board that provides desired electronic functions to enhance, change or otherwise alter those of the portable telephone. The smart module has a module connector section that is electronically coupled to the module printed circuit board. The module connector section connects with a corresponding in-phone connector section within the battery attachment region when the smart module is attached to the battery attachment region of the phone. The connector sections couple the module printed circuit board to electronic circuitry of the portable telephone when the module is secured to the telephone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Richard D. La Torre, Tuan Nguyen, William Bruce Weaver, Michael J. Hughes