Abstract: A method for controlling the magnesium content of molten aluminum includes the steps of injecting a halogen gas into the molten aluminum, sampling a portion of the resulting gases evolved from the molten aluminum, detecting the presence of constituents in the sampled gases and/or characteristics of the sampled gases indicative of the imminent evolution of unreacted halogen gas, and adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection to approach the point where unreacted halogen gas is about to be evolved. In the preferred embodiment, the halogen gas is chlorine; the detected constituents are gaseous hydrogen chloride (CHl) and aluminum chlorhydrate compounds (Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.6-x); and the detected characteristic is the opacity of the sampled gases. The invention includes a technique for adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection so as to approach the optimal rate. The invention also includes (1) a sensor for detecting the content of HCl and Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell incorporating a preformed, thin-film front contact current collector grid (14). The cell incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (11), a semiconductor body (12) deposited on the substrate layer (11) and a transparent electrically conductive layer (13) deposited on the semiconductor body (12). A collector grid (14) is preformed of a thin-film electrically conductive material which is thereafter electrically communicated with the transparent electrically conductive layer (13) using an electrically conductive adhesive (20).

Abstract: A photovoltaic array module incorporating a plurality of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (21), a semiconductor body (22) deposited on the substrate layer (21), and a transparent electrically conductive layer (23) deposited on the semiconductor body (22). Each cell strip (11) further incorporates a preformed thin-film unitary grid and interconnect structure (20) electrically associated with the transparent electrically conductive layer (23) thereof so as to collect and remove electrical current therefrom and electrically to interconnect the cell strips (11). A first busbar (12) and a second busbar (13) are connected to the end cell strips (11) of the array to collect the electrical energy generated thereby.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an ink jet droplet generator. According to the disclosed technique, a metallic body is first machined to define one or more ink receiving cavities and to further define an intended nozzle surface. Resist material is applied to the nozzle surface at the intended ink nozzle positions and a thin metallic plating formed on the surface. The resist and body are then etched to form one or more passageways from the ink cavities past the regions formerly occupied by the resist. These passageways form the generator nozzles.

Abstract: Sheet stripping mechanism for effecting removal of copy sheets, having toner images substantially fused thereto, from a heated fuser member forming a part of a xerographic or the like, reproducing apparatus. The sheet stripping mechanism is characterized by the provision of a stripping blade which is substantially coextensive with the dimension of the copy sheet to be stripped from the fuser member. The blade is attached to a pivotal support structure by means of a heat insulating block interposed between the blade and the pivotal support. A pair of springs serve to bias the blade into contact with the heated fuser member, the pivot point of support members being in line with the plane of the blade whereby the blade during stripping is substantially tangential to the surface of the heated fuser member.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus in which particles are substantially permanently affixed to a sheet. The fusing apparatus includes a fusing member operatively associated with a back-up member to define a nip through which a sheet passes. In the operating mode, the fuser member is heated to the operating temperature with liquid release material being applied thereto. The fuser member is heated to a temperature lower than the operating temperature in the standby mode. To prevent the formation of a bead release material on the fuser member in the standby mode of operation, relative movement is generated between the fuser member and backup member.

Abstract: Apparatus where stripping copy sheets from a heated fuser member utilized in a xerographic copier. The apparatus is characterized by the provision of a plurality of stripper fingers and combination support and bias means therefor wherein the support and bias means comprises a unitary member and each stripper finger in conjunction with its associated unitary member constitutes an integral assembly. The assemblies are fixedly supported adjacent the fuser member whereby the leading edges of the stripper fingers engage the fuser member to strip the copy sheets therefrom. The position of the assemblies can be varied in order to vary the pressure exerted by the stripper finger on the fuser assembly.

Abstract: Release material applicator structure for utilization in a heat and pressure fuser including a fuser roll structure for fixing toner images to support sheets. The release material employed is solid at room temperature and liquid at the operating temperature of the heated fuser roll structure. It is disposed in a sump and contacts the fuser roll structure. A collector bar is supported by the sump such that it is disposed adjacent to the fuser roll structure and coextensive therewith. When the liquefied release material reverts back to its solid form it accumulates on the collector bar and the bar maintains contact of the release material with the fuser roll structure.

Abstract: An apparatus in which heat settable particles are substantially permanently affixed to a sheet. The apparatus includes a fuser member having a supply of release material applied thereto from a chamber in a housing. The release material is a liquid when the fuser member is at its operating temperature. However, when the fuser member is de-energized, the release material solidifies. Baffles are provided in the chamber of the housing to facilitate solidification of the release material adjacent to the fuser member.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus in which particles are affixed substantially permanently to a moving sheet of support material. Each portion of the leading marginal region of the sheet of support material is advanced substantially simultaneously between a fuser roll and a backup roll. As the sheet a support material passes between the fuser roll and backup roll, the side marginal regions thereof advance at a greater velocity than the central region. In this manner, a force component substantially normal to the path of movement of the sheet of support material in the plane thereof, is applied thereto preventing wrinkling.

Abstract: A document handling system for use in a document reproducing machine includes an endless belt conveyor for conveying original documents to the platen of the machine. A magnetic sensor magnetically senses the speed of the photoreceptor drum of the machine and maintains the speed of a servomotor which drives the conveyor belt through a servo amplifier at a speed which is synchronized with the drum, whereby, in a first mode of operation the optics of the machine may be fixed and the original document may be driven across the platen at a speed synchronized to the speed of the drum. A second larger motor may also drive the conveyor belt, in the alternative, at a higher speed through the servomotor in a second mode of operation in which the original document is fed at high speed to the platen and there is held stationary and is scanned by moving optics.

Abstract: An apparatus in which heat settable particles are affixed substantially permanently to a sheet. The apparatus includes a heated fuser member cooperating with a backup member to define a nip through which the sheet passes. A detector is in contact with the heated fuser member to measure the temperature thereof. The detector is supported so as to be universally pivotable.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sheet of support material having particles substantially permanently affixed thereto is separated from a heated fuser member. The heated fuser member is operatively associated with a back up member such that the sheet of support material passes therebetween. As the sheet of support material passes therebetween, the particles thereon contact the fuser member. In this manner, the particles are thermally fused to the sheet of support material. Thereafter the sheet of support material with the particles affixed thereto is separated from the fuser member.

Abstract: Contact fusing system for affixing powder images to copy sheets which images are electrostatically or otherwise formed on the copy sheets. The fusing system is characterized by a pair of fuser roll members one of which is heated and mounted relative to the other roll member to form a nip therewith, the rolls being mounted so that they are permanently in nip. Rotational movement of the roll members is effected by the main drive of the copier apparatus in which the fuser system is employed and they are operatively coupled to the main drive via a one-way clutch which enables the copy sheet to be manually moved through the fuser system in the event of a paper jam which automatically stops the fuser system along with the rest of the machine. Since the two rolls are always maintained in nip such manual movement will effect complete fusing of the toner images to the copy sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus in which release material is applied to a heated fuser member. A back up member is in communication with the fuser member and a sheet of support material having particles thereon passes therebetween. The particles on the sheet of support material contact the fuser member. The apparatus reciprocates a bar of release material into and out of contact with the fuser member.The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Contact fusing system for utilization in the process of forming toner images on support sheets. The system is characterized by the provision of structure for cleaning toner material from an elastomeric backup member cooperating with a heated fuser member to move support sheets bearing the toner images therebetween with the toner images contacting the heated member. The cleaning structure comprises a sleeve of tetrafluoroethylene which is heat shrunk onto an angular-shaped support member whereby approximately one-third of the sleeve forms a cleaning surface which is contacted intermediate the ends thereof by the elastomeric backup member.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the quantity of release material metered to a heated fuser member is regulated. The apparatus includes a blade positioned in contact with the fuser member to remove excessive release material therefrom.

Abstract: Fuser apparatus and support structure therefor characterized by the provision of pairs of support brackets which independently support a heated fuser roll structure and a resilient backup roll structure to form a nip therebetween through which copy sheets carrying toner images pass for fusing of the toner images to the copy sheets. The brackets supporting the backup roll are rigidly affixed to the planar portion of a channel-shaped member while the brackets supporting the fuser roll structure are pivotably attached to the backup roll brackets by means of flexure hinges. A pair of adjustable fasteners utilized for applying contact pressure between the two roll structures couples the fuser roll brackets to the backup roll brackets at the sides thereof opposite to the flexure hinges.