US5379999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet media handling apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1993-07-23
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Granted: 1995-01-10
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Expires: 2013-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A sheet media handling apparatus includes an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet media being handled and a second opening; and a fan including a flat brushless DC motor mounted adjacent the second opening and a centrifugal impeller attached to the motor and positioned so as to move air through the second opening when rotated by the motor. A pressure sensor connected to the motor drive circuit controls the speed of the motor in an inverse relationship to atmospheric pressure so that sufficient air pressure is provided for the sheet handling apparatus while minimizing the noise generated by the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Bijan Barzideh
- 👤 Timothy Lewis
- 👤 Dean Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/24; B65H5/00; B65H5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A sheet media handling apparatus, comprising: a. an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet of media being handled, and a second opening; b. a fan including a flat brushless DC motor mounted adjacent said second opening, and a centrifugal impeller having backward curved blades attached to said motor and positioned so as to move air through said second opening when rotated by said motor; c. an instrument for sensing atmospheric pressure and generating a signal representative thereof; and d. motor drive circuit connected to said motor and responsive to said pressure signal for controlling the speed of said motor as an inverse function of atmospheric pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sheet media handling apparatus, comprising: a. an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet of media being handled, and a second opening; b. a fan including a flat brushless DC motor mounted adjacent said second opening, and a centrifugal impeller having backward curved blades attached to said motor and positioned so as to move air through said second opening when rotated by said motor; c. an instrument for sensing atmospheric pressure and generating a signal representative thereof; and d. motor drive circuit connected to said motor and responsive to said pressure signal for controlling the speed of said motor as an inverse function of atmospheric pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The sheet media handling apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein said impeller is 6-15 cm in diameter and 1-2 cm deep, with 6-12 blades; said motor is 6 cm in diameter, 7.5 mm thick with 3 phase coil windings and is operated at 24 volts to run at between 3,000-6,000 rpm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A sheet media handling apparatus, comprising: a. an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet of media being handled, and a second opening; b. a fan including a motor mounted adjacent said second opening, and an impeller having blades attached to said motor and positioned so as to move air through said second opening when rotated by said motor; c. an instrument for sensing atmospheric pressure and generating a signal representative thereof; and d. a motor drive circuit connected to said motor and responsive to said pressure signal for controlling the speed of said motor as an inverse function of atmospheric pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A sheet media handling apparatus, comprising: a. an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet of media being handled, and a second opening; b. a fan including a motor mounted adjacent said second opening, and an impeller having blades attached to said motor and positioned so as to move air through said second opening when rotated by said motor; c. an instrument for sensing atmospheric pressure and generating a signal representative thereof; and d. a motor drive circuit connected to said motor and responsive to said pressure signal for controlling the speed of said motor as an inverse function of atmospheric pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sheet media handling apparatus claimed in claim 3, wherein said motor is a flat brushless DC motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sheet media handling apparatus claimed in claim, wherein said impeller is a centrifugal impeller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |