Abstract: Systems and methods for replacing a spool cover attached to a spool casing of a laser toner cartridge. When installed on the laser toner cartridge, the spool cover covers a spool and seal sensing contacts located above an electrical trace. A method of replacing the spool cover includes separating the spool cover from the spool casing, replacing the electrical trace with a new electrical trace, attaching a pad to a bottom surface of the spool cover, and replacing the spool cover on the spool casing such that the pad forces the seal sensing contacts to come in contact with the electrical trace.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator system for positioning a piston within a cylinder and comprising a compressed air source, a positioner, and first and second pneumatic valving modules. The first and second pneumatic valving modules respectively comprise first and second volume boosters to amplify the flow of compressed air, first and second derivative boosters to alternately supply and exhaust compressed air into and out of the first and second ends at high flow rates, and first and second commutators to selectively allow the compressed air to flow respectively between the volume boosters and the derivative boosters. A safety valve opens at a predetermined pressurization level such that the first and second commutators may be energized. A volume tank provides compressed air to each one of the first and second pneumatic valving modules upon energization of the first and second commutators.

Abstract: A method for converting a process cartridge includes providing the process cartridge comprising a waste bin having physical characteristics. The process cartridge is suitable for use in a first type of printing device and not suitable for use in a second type of printing device. The method further includes altering the physical characteristics of the waste bin to form an altered process cartridge suitable for use in the second type of printing device.

Abstract: In the toner cartridge recycling and remanufacturing industry, used xerographic toner cartridges are reconditioned and refilled with toner. There are various types and models of toner cartridges, each having unique physical properties. The present invention is directed to the reassembling of toner cartridges that may not have sufficient securing surfaces to allow the cartridge to be physically held together using an external securing device. The present invention will also enable the toner cartridges to be more efficiently remanufactured by allowing a quick connect or disconnect during the assembly or disassembly process.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of fluid passageways which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also partially defined by the impedance assembly is a flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end. The fluid passageways and the flow opening are oriented relative to each other such that a portion of a flow through the valve assembly is directed into the fluid passageways and a portion of the flow is directed through the flow opening when the closure element is in the fully open position.

Abstract: Provided is a servovalve system having a fail safe apparatus adapted for switching the servovalve system between an operating position and a fail safe position. The servovalve system comprises a housing having a housing bore and a housing chamber, a spool moveably disposed within the housing, and a stepper motor connected to the spool and configured to vary the spool position for manipulating the fluid flowing within a fluid circuit when the servovalve system is placed in the operating position. A rotary-linear converter converts rotational motion of the stepper motor into axial motion of the spool. The fail safe apparatus includes a piston slidably sealed within the housing chamber and mechanically coupled to the rotary-linear converter. The piston is operative to move the spool from the operating position to the fail safe position upon a loss of fluid pressure in the housing chamber.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of fluid passageways of varying noise attenuating capability which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also partially defined by the impedance assembly is a flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end. A retainer bracket is disposed within the flow opening and is cooperatively engaged to both the closure element and the impedance assembly.

Abstract: An indentation in a waste bin assembly of a xerographic process cartridge allows the cartridge to physically fit into various types of printing machines. The location and size of this indentation will vary depending on the type of printing machine. An apparatus and method is provided to allow modification of various types of printer cartridges, that after modification, the altered cartridges may be used in additional printing machines that were limited initially by the original shape of the waste bin assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of fluid passageways of varying noise attenuating capability which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also partially defined by the impedance assembly is a flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end.

Abstract: In the toner cartridge recycling and remanufacturing industry, used xerographic products are reconditioned, repaired, and some are refilled with toner. Part of the refurbishment process is the replacing of used and worn components, including an electronic circuit, which has been spent. The electronic circuit is a critical component of the replaceable consumable unit and is used by the printer to store information used in the operation of the printer. Information stored in this electronic circuit relates to how much toner is remaining, the cartridge type, operating characteristics, and so forth. Some of these circuits have been designed for a one-time use application. For example, once the printer has determined that all of the usable toner has been consumed, the printer will essentially turn off the circuit in a replaceable consumable unit and the replaceable consumable unit will no longer function.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of fluid passageways of varying noise attenuating capability which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also partially defined by the impedance assembly is a flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end.

Abstract: In the toner cartridge recycling and remanufacturing industry, used xerographic toner cartridges are reconditioned and refilled with toner. There are various types and models of toner cartridges, each having unique physical properties. The present invention is directed to the reassembling of toner cartridges that may not have sufficient securing surfaces to allow the cartridge to be physically held together using an external securing device. The present invention will also enable the toner cartridges to be more efficiently remanufactured by allowing a quick connect or disconnect during the assembly or disassembly process.

Abstract: A multi-level seal may include a first sealing portion adapted to form a first seal between interfacing surfaces of a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The multi-level seal may include at least one other sealing portion attached to the first sealing portion and partially detached from the first sealing portion to form at least a second seal between at least two other respective interfacing surfaces of the first and second subassemblies at a level different from the first seal.

Abstract: A valve arrangement comprises a valve housing, a valve seat and a valve plug. The valve housing defines an interior chamber and a flow opening for respectively receiving and discharging fluid. The seat ring is engaged to the valve housing and defines an angled seating surface and a spaced pair of channels positioned between the seating surface and the valve housing. The valve plug is axially slidable within the interior chamber and defines a valve plug seating surface configured at an angle complementary to that of the seat ring seating surface for creating a fluid-tight surface-to-surface seal. The valve plug further defines a spaced pair of projections configured to cooperate with respective ones of the channels such that disengagement of the valve plug seating surface from the seat ring seating surface defines a tortuous fluid path for reducing the velocity of the fluid flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system is provided for positioning a piston within a cylinder and comprises a positioner for regulating the flow of compressed air into and out of first and second ends of the cylinder. First and second large boosters force compressed air into the respective first and second ends. First and second small boosters and first and second quick exhaust valves collectively exhaust compressed air out of the respective first and second ends. First and second small and large booster check valves interposed between the directional valve and the respective first and second small and large boosters are oriented such that the flow of compressed air through the signal lines and into the first and second small and large boosters may be blocked for increasing the sensitivity of the positioning of the piston.

Abstract: A printer cartridge and method of making or refurbishing a printer cartridge are disclosed. The printer cartridge may include a first cartridge subassembly attached to a second cartridge subassembly. The first cartridge subassembly may include a first conductive terminal and the second cartridge subassembly may include a second conductive terminal that is normally in electrical contact with the first conductive terminal when the first and second subassemblies are assembled. A compressible toner seal may be disposed between the first and second cartridge subassemblies. A compressible, electrically conductive extension may be attached to the first conductive terminal to compensate for variations in thickness of the compressible toner seal or relative movement of the first cartridge subassembly relative to the second cartridge subassembly when the first and second subassemblies are attached to one another to form the printer cartridge.

Abstract: In the toner cartridge recycling and remanufacturing industry, used xerographic toner cartridges are reconditioned and refilled with toner. There are various types and models of toner cartridges, each having unique physical properties. The present invention is directed to the reassembling of toner cartridges that may not have sufficient securing surfaces to allow the cartridge to be physically held together using an external securing device. The present invention will also enable the toner cartridges to be more efficiently remanufactured by allowing a quick connect or disconnect during the assembly or disassembly process.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying a toner cartridge intended to operate with a first type of imaging device to operate in a second type of imaging device. The toner cartridge includes a drum shutter connected to a waste bin, with the drum shutter including first and second shutter arms. A method of modifying the toner cartridge intended for operation in the first type of imaging device to operate in a second type of imaging device includes removing a portion of the first shutter arm. In another aspect, the method includes removing a portion of the waste bin adjacent to the first shutter arm. In another aspect, the method includes removing a second portion of the waste bin to form a hole in the waste bin and attaching a chip mounting patch to the waste bin to fill the hole. A computer chip may be attached to the chip mounting patch.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device (10) has a stack of annular discs (15) defining a central passageway (14) and a plug (16) reciprocable in the passageway for controlling fluid flow. Adjacent discs (15) in the stack have at least one fluid passageway (21A) formed in a major face (22A) of one disc closed by the abutting major face of the adjacent disc. The fluid passageway (21A) extends in a clockwise direction and has a linear inlet portion (23A) and a curved outlet portion (24A). The inlet portion (23A) is of constant cross-sectional area and the outlet portion (24A) is of increasing cross-sectional are in the direction of fluid flow. Other configurations of discs and/or fluid passageways are disclosed.