James R Chase

US Patent:

20010035509, Nov 1, 2001

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894492

Inventors:

James Chase - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark Yim - Palo Alto CA, US
Warren Jackson - San Francisco CA, US
Rachel Lau - San Jose CA, US
David Biegelsen - Portola Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation

International Classification:

F16K031/02

US Classification:

251/129010, 251/129060

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for high-speed fluid flow control. More particularly, the invention is directed to a valve formed, at least in part, of an actuating material, such as piezoelectric or anti-ferro-electric material. The valve is used for controlling fluid flow (including air flow) in a variety of devices including imaging devices (e.g. printers, copiers, etc.) for which air flow is used to handle paper. In one embodiment, the subject valve takes advantage of the phenomenon of buckling, resultant bistability and other structural mechanics to efficiently, and in a high-speed manner, open and close to regulate fluid flow. In another embodiment, the valve includes implementation of the actuating material to bend an s-shaped blocking element within the valve. The valve is also advantageously implemented in matrices and formed using batch fabrication techniques.

US Patent:

20020100889, Aug 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/449040

Inventors:

JAMES CHASE - PALO ALTO CA, US
MARK YIM - PALO ALTO CA, US
WARREN JACKSON - SAN FRANCISCO CA, US
RACHEL LAU - SAN JOSE CA, US
DAVID BIEGELSEN - PORTOLA VALLEY CA, US

International Classification:

F16K001/00

US Classification:

251/129010, 251/331000

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for high-speed fluid flow control. More particularly, the invention is directed to a valve formed, at least in part, of an actuating material, such as piezoelectric or anti-ferro-electric material. The valve is used for controlling fluid flow (including air flow) in a variety of devices including imaging devices (e.g. printers, copiers, etc.) for which air flow is used to handle paper. In one embodiment, the subject valve takes advantage of the phenomenon of buckling, resultant bistability and other structural mechanics to efficiently, and in a high-speed manner, open and close to regulate fluid flow. In another embodiment, the valve includes implementation of the actuating material to bend an s-shaped blocking element within the valve. The valve is also advantageously implemented in matrices and formed using batch fabrication techniques.

US Patent:

42913543, Sep 22, 1981

Filed:

Jun 4, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/045558

Inventors:

James P. Chase - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Ampex Corporation - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

G11B 511
G11B 522
G11B 527
G11B 542

US Classification:

360129

Abstract:

The transducer has a pole tip plate containing magnetic pole tips defining transducing gaps and a core housing providing electric shielding and containing magnetic cores engaging the poles. The tip plate has a first part of a wear-resistant, nonmagnetic, machinable material in the transducer-to-medium interface area, providing long wear, and an integrally joined contiguous second part of a conductive, nonmagnetic, machinable material, providing electric shielding. In accordance with the method, corresponding surfaces of a first block portion made of nonmagnetic, wear-resistant, machinable material and of a second block portion made of a nonmagnetic, conductive, machinable material are integrally joined together. Pole tips are secured into parallel grooves machined transversely to the joined surfaces to form a half-tip plate. Two matched half-tip plates are assembled and joined to a core holder containing transducer cores and windings, with the first block portions abutting and with corresponding pole tips in registration, defining transducing gaps between them and with the pole tips engaging the cores.

US Patent:

60043954, Dec 21, 1999

Filed:

Dec 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/994138

Inventors:

Mark H. Yim - Palo Alto CA
Warren B. Jackson - San Francisco CA
James G. Chase - Palo Alto CA
David K. Biegelsen - Portola Valley CA
Patrick C. P. Cheung - Castro Valley CA
Andrew A. Berlin - San Jose CA
Kenneth N. Horne - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Xerox Coporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B05C 1100

US Classification:

118684

Abstract:

A valve array for supporting objects such as paper with controlled fluid flow is disclosed. Optional valve arrays can be used to controllably eject marking agents for marking or coating a paper or other suitable substrate. Each valve in the valve array has one or more flap elements positioned in a valve chamber. These flap elements are movable to alternatively block the fluid flow through valve chamber outlets with the aid of various catch mechanisms for controllably latching the flap elements. The catch mechanisms have a disabled state and an activated state for holding and allowing release of the flap elements. Once the catch mechanism are disabled, the flap elements are free to move to another position, provided they can overcome the mechanical fluid flow forces that tend to hold it in position. To counter and utilize such forces for moving the flap elements, an impulse mechanism kicks the flap element into the valve chamber, away from the catch mechanisms. Since the position of the flap elements is unstable, oscillations of the flap elements in the fluid flow will eventually bring the flap element into catchment range of another catch mechanism in an activated state.

US Patent:

43453678, Aug 24, 1982

Filed:

Mar 26, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/247805

Inventors:

James P. Chase - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Ampex Corporation - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

G11B 542

US Classification:

29603

Abstract:

The transducer has a pole tip plate containing magnetic pole tips defining transducing gaps and a core housing providing electric shielding and containing magnetic cores engaging the poles. The tip plate has a first part of a wear-resistant, nonmagnetic, machinable material in the transducer-to-medium interface area, providing long wear, and an integrally joined contiguous second part of a conductive, nonmagnetic, machinable material, providing electric shielding. In accordance with the method, corresponding surfaces of a first block portion made of nonmagnetic, wear-resistant, machinable material and of a second block portion made of a nonmagnetic, conductive, machinable material are integrally joined together. Pole tips are secured into parallel grooves machined transversely to the joined surfaces to form a half-tip plate. Two matched half-tip plates are assembled and joined to a core holder containing transducer cores and windings, with the first block portions abutting and with corresponding pole tips in registration, defining transducing gaps between them and with the pole tips engaging the cores.

US Patent:

60986611, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Dec 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/995107

Inventors:

Mark H. Yim - Palo Alto CA
Warren B. Jackson - San Francisco CA
James G. Chase - Palo Alto CA
David K. Biegelsen - Portola Valley CA
Patrick C. P. Cheung - Castro Valley CA
Andrew A. Berlin - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

F16K 11052

US Classification:

137875

Abstract:

A valve for redirecting fluid flow has a valve chamber supporting fluid flow, with the valve chamber having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The valve chamber can be closed or partially open. The flap element is movable to alternatively block the first outlet and the second outlet. In or immediately adjacent to the valve chamber are opposing first and a second catch mechanisms for controllably latching the flap element to block respectively the first outlet and the second outlet. The first and second catch mechanisms have a disabled state and an activated state for holding and allowing release of the flap element. Once the first or second catch mechanism is disabled, the flap element is free to move to another position, provided it can overcome the mechanical fluid flow forces that tend to hold it in position. To counter and utilize such forces for moving the flap element, an impulse mechanism kicks the flap element into the valve chamber, away from one of the first and second catch mechanisms, after one of the first and second catch mechanisms is controllably brought into the disabled state. Since the flap element is unstable, oscillations of the flap element in the fluid flow will eventually bring the flap element into catchment range of one of the first and second catch mechanisms in an activated state.