US4043293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developability regulating apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-03
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1996-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which regulates the developability characteristics of a development system employing a developer mixture comprising at least carrier granules and toner particles. A transparent electrode attracts toner particles from the carrier granules. Light rays are transmitted through the electrode with the particles thereon. Sensors having peak transmittances corresponding to the peak transmittance and absorbence of the toner particles, detect the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the electrode and generate electrical output signals indicative thereof. These signals are processed and a control signal is developed which regulates the dispensing of additional toner particles into the developer mixture. In this manner, the concentration of toner particles within the developer mix is adjusted.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick R. Ruckdeschel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a development system employing particles, including: transparent electrode means electrically biased to attract particles thereto, means for illuminating said electrode means having particles deposited thereon with light rays; first means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a first electrical signal indicative thereof; and second means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a second electrical signal indicative thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a development system employing particles, including: transparent electrode means electrically biased to attract particles thereto, means for illuminating said electrode means having particles deposited thereon with light rays; first means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a first electrical signal indicative thereof; and second means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a second electrical signal indicative thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes first circuit means for dividing the first electrical signal by the second electrical signal to produce an electrical output signal indicative of the ratio therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensing means includes second circuit means for processing the electrical output signal to determine the anti-logarithm thereof to form a substantially linear electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3, further including: means for comparing the linear electrical signal with a reference to produce a control signal; and means, actuated by the control signal, for dispensing particles into the development system to achieve the requisite system developability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrode means includes: a pair of spaced-apart conductive plates defining a passageway through which the particles flow; and means for electrically biasing at least one of said pair of plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said biasing means produces cyclically an electrical charge on first one then the other of said pair of plates capable of attracting particles thereto so that the particles are attracted to one of said pair of plates and, substantially simultaneously therewith, released from the other of said pair of plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first detecting means includes: a first photosensor positioned in a light receiving relationship with the light rays transmitted through said electrode means; and a first optical filter interposed in the path of the light rays transmitted to said first photosensor, said first optical filter having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said second detecting means includes: a second photosensor positioned in a light receiving relationship with the light rays transmitted through said electrode means; and a second optical filter interposed in the path of the light rays transmitted to said second photosensor, said second optical filter having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a development system employing a developer mix comprising at least toner particles and carrier granules with the concentration of toner particles therein being regulated, including: transparent electrode means electrically biased to attract thereto toner particles from the carrier granules; means for illuminating said electrode means having toner particles deposited thereon with light rays; first means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a first electrical signal indicative thereof; and second means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a second electrical signal indicative thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a development system employing a developer mix comprising at least toner particles and carrier granules with the concentration of toner particles therein being regulated, including: transparent electrode means electrically biased to attract thereto toner particles from the carrier granules; means for illuminating said electrode means having toner particles deposited thereon with light rays; first means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a first electrical signal indicative thereof; and second means, having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the particles, for detecting the intensity of the light rays transmitted through the particles adhering to said electrode means and generating a second electrical signal indicative thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said sensing means includes first circuit means for dividing the first electrical signal by the second electrical signal to produce an electrical output signal indicative of the ratio therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said sensing means includes second circuit means for processing the electrical output signal to determine the antilogarithm thereof to form a substantially linear electrical signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 11, further including: means for comparing the linear electrical signal with a reference to produce a control signal; and means, actuated by the control signal, for dispensing toner particles into the development system to achieve the requisite concentration thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said electrode means includes: a pair of spaced-apart conductive plates defining a passageway through which the developer mix flows; and means for electrically biasing at least one of said pair of plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said biasing means produces cyclically an electrical charge on first one then the other of said pair of plates capable of attracting toner particles thereto so that the toner particles are attracted to one of said pair of plates and, substantially simultaneously therewith, released from the other of said pair of plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said first detecting means includes: a first photosensor positioned in a light receiving relationship with the light rays transmitted through said electrode means; and a first optical filter interposed in the path of the light rays transmitted to said first photosensor, said first optical filter having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak transmittance of the toner particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing machine as recited in claim 15, wherein said second detecting means includes: a second photosensor positioned in a light receiving relationship with the light rays transmitted through said electrode means; and a second optical filter interposed in the path of the light rays transmitted to said second photosensor, said second optical filter having a peak transmittance corresponding to the peak absorbence of the toner particles.
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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) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |