Abstract: Electrophotographic marking machines having imageable seam intermediate transfer belts. A toner image is produced on a charged photoreceptor. That image is then transferred onto a seamed intermediate transfer belt without regard as to the relative position of the seam. The seam region has good electrical property correspondence with a far region away from the seam and a lateral resistivity greater than 108 ohms/square. That transferred toner image is subsequently transferred to a fusing member for fusing.

Abstract: A method of use of real time machine control software integrating both event based mode and task based components. In particular, a collection of constructs have been created that allow machine control applications to be expressed in event based terms and the event based constructs to be seamlessly integrated with task based constructs. The method includes the use of response time specifications, in particular in conjunction with ReactiveTask and Task constructs. The method also includes the use of Register, ReferenceClock, and SchedulerLock constructs.

Abstract: A sliding bushing for providing rotational support of a rotating member and axial biasing of that rotating member. The sliding bushing includes a body portion and a biasing portion. The body portion defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery while the biasing portion extends from the body. The sliding bushing is an integral unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible belts from fibers. Fibers that form the flexible belt are soaked with a liquid elastomer. The liquid elastomer soaked fibers are formed into the shape of a belt, beneficially by wrapping the fibers around a mandrel. The belt-shaped and soaked fibers are then cured. Multiple layer flexible belts can be formed by soaking fibers with a first liquid elastomer, wrapping those fibers around a mandrel, and then curing the mandrel to form a belt layer. Then, fibers are soaked with a second liquid elastomers. Those soaked fibers are then wrapped around the mandrel/belt layer. The fibers soaked with the second elastomer are then cured, forming a belt having two layers. The formed belt is then removed from the mandrel. The fibers and liquid elastomer(s) are beneficially chosen to introduce desirable belt properties.

Abstract: A raster output scanner in which both the start-of-scan and the beam intensity of a laser beam are determined using a single photodetector. The raster output scanner has a laser source for generating a laser beam; a rotating polygon for sweeping the laser beam along a scan line plane, an optical fiber with a light receiving end positioned at a known position in the scan line plane and which intercepts at least a portion of the sweeping laser beam, and a photodetector for converting the intercepted laser beam into a beam current. The raster output scanner further includes both a scan detection circuit for producing a star-of-scan signal from the beam current and a beam intensity circuit for producing an electrical output which depends upon the magnitude of the beam current.

Abstract: An improved raster scanner, and electrostatographic printing machines which use such scanners, in which facet tracking is achieved by incorporating a semiconductor laser having an electronically tunable wavelength and a wavelength dispersive element which directs the laser beam onto the facets of a rotating polygon. The wavelength dispersive element is positioned, and the wavelength output from the laser is adjusted, such that as the polygon rotates the laser beam produces a spot on a facet which tracks the facet.

Abstract: A door hinge assembly suitable for attaching a door to a structural member such that the relative position of the door to the structural member can be adjusted. A door hinge assembly includes a mounting plate for attaching the door hinge assembly to a frame, a pin holder for holding a hinge pin, and an arm that connects the pin holder to the mounting plate. The hinge pin includes both a mating body for mating with a receptacle mounted to a door and a flattened body that fits into an elongated opening that passes through the pin holder. The flattened body includes a threaded aperture that aligns with an opening through the pin holder. A captured screw threads through the threaded aperture and across the elongated opening. The captured screw includes an adjustment that is accessible through the pin holder opening.

Abstract: A fault detection system for performing analog current analysis and diagnosis of power devices on digitally controlled buses. The fault detection system includes a field-installable bus interface having a current sensor on a ground return line. A bus controller connected to the bus interface then applies digital control signals and power to a system assembly via the bus interface such that individual power devices are selectively energized. A real time current profile of the selected power device over a selected period of time is determined. A fault determination network compares the real time current against a set of predetermined criteria and determines whether the selected power device is acceptable. The predetermined criteria beneficially includes information useful for determining degradation of the selected power device so that fault correction before failure is feasible.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt with a mechanically and electrically invisible seam formed by joining two ends of the belt at a seam. Two regions of the belt are thus formed, a seam region at and around the seam and a far region away from the seam. The seam region has good electrical property correspondence (as explained in the patent) with the far region and a lateral resistivity greater than 108 ohms/square. The joining of the belt can occur along a kerf.

Abstract: Multiple layer fuser belts having a woven fabric layer and a high conformability, low surface energy elastic layer. The fabric layer is formed from high modulus, high temperature fibers that are woven together at acute angles to the circumference of the belt fibers. The fabric layer forms a substrate with preferential stretching along the circumference of the fuser belt. The elastic layer is bonded to the fabric layer and is made from a highly conformable, low durometer material having a low surface tension. When the fuser belt is partially wrapped around a driven roller so as to form a nip with a pressure roller the fuser belt stretches in the direction of belt motion. As the fuser belt passes through the nip the fuser belt contracts, releasing surface tension and thus reduces sticking between the fuser belt and fused toner.

Abstract: Motor polygon assemblies having a housing, a cantilevered stationary shaft within the housing, a rotating sleeve, a multifaceted polygon mounted on the rotating sleeve, and a cover over the housing. The cover includes a protrusion that contacts the free end of the cantilevered stationary shaft. The protrusion stabilizes the free end.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt with a mechanically and electrically invisible seam formed by joining two ends of the belt at a seam. Two regions of the belt are thus formed, a seam region at and around the seam and a far region away from the seam. An overcoat is then placed over the seamed substrate such that an outer surface of the overcoat forms a toner-bearing surface. The seam region has good electrical property correspondence (as explained in the patent) with the far region and a lateral resistivity greater than 108 ohms/square. The joining of the belt can occur along a kerf.

Abstract: A torsion spring for connecting a first member and a second member that are aligned along a longitudinal axis and that rotate about that axis together. The torsion spring includes a first molded plastic end that mates with the first member, a second molded plastic end that mate with the second member, and an elastic member that connects the first and second molded plastic ends together. The elastic member is for providing a force that biases the second member relative to the first member. The elastic member can be made of molded plastic arms or an elastic compound such as rubber.

Abstract: A device for mounting tubular members to structural members. The device is a unitary structure formed into two gripping arms, two flex arms and a retainer plate. Each gripping arm includes a bend and two pointed straight protrusions. Each flex arm includes two pointed bent protrusions and a stop having a bent lip. The retainer plate includes an opening for engaging a threaded member.

Abstract: Scan line bow correction for raster output scanners, and systems that use raster output scanners. Scan line bow correction is performed in raster output scanners having a post-polygon optical system that includes an f-&thgr; lens system that has at least two multiple scan lenses by controllably tilting a second scan lens along the fast-scan axis. Beneficially, the tiltable scan lens is mounted on a mounting pad that includes a threaded hole. A threaded set screw screws into the threaded hole to provide an adjustable support. In practice the threaded hole-set screw should have a high number of threads per millimeter to provide fine bow correction adjustment.

Abstract: Set-up and/or diagnostic routines for the cleaning stations of electrophotographic printing machines. The routines include the steps of charging a photoreceptor, exposing the charged photoreceptor to produce a test patch latent image, developing the test patch latent image to form a toner image, and then transferring the developed image onto a receiving surface. The test patch area is then subjected to the operation of a cleaning-related element, such as a pre-clean erase lamp or a pre-clean corotron. The potentials of the test patch are then measured without being disturbed or modified by subsequent processing steps. Based upon the measured potential, the cleaning-related element is adjusted to improve the cleaning process or diagnosed to determine whether it is operating.

Abstract: A light emitting diode based exposure station (and electrophotographic marking machines that use such exposure stations) that requires only a small amount of photoreceptor waterfront (space). The small waterfront requirement is achieved using a gradient index lens array that transmits focused light onto the photoreceptor with a total conjugate that is sufficient to permit the widest part of the light emitting diode based exposure station to be displaced sufficiently far from the photoreceptor that other printing machine devices can be disposed between the widest part of the exposure station and the photoreceptor. The increased total conjugate is achieved using a gradient index lens array having longer rods and/or wider rods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the properties of roughness and thickness of a substrate to be processed through a machine, and correspondingly adjusting those machine parameters that are affected and which can be optimized based on varying levels of these substrate properties.

Abstract: A raster input scanner, and a reproduction system that uses that input scanner, having multiple depths of focus. The raster input scanner includes a light source for emitting light toward an image bearing member and at least two lens arrays, with the ability to selectably position any one lens array in optical conjugate relationship between the image bearing member on a transparent platen and a photosensor array. One of the lens arrays has a first depth of focus, while the other lens array has a second depth of focus that is different than the first depth of focus. Beneficially, the input scanner responds to an operator selection of which depth of focus is to be used to image a given image bearing member.

Abstract: Multiple layer fuser belts having a rigid or semi-rigid substrate layer and a high conformability, low surface energy elastic layer. The substrate layer is formed from long-life material such as polyimide. Apertures, beneficially elongated diamonds, are cut into the substrate layer such that the substrate layer can stretch slightly along the circumference of the fuser belt. The elastic layer is bonded to the substrate layer and is made from a highly conformable, low durometer material having a low surface energy. When the fuser belt is partially wrapped around a driven roller so as to form a nip with a pressure roller the fuser belt stretches in the direction of belt motion. As the fuser belt passes through the nip the fuser belt contracts, releasing surface strain, and thus reduces sticking between the fuser belt and fused toner.