Abstract: A dual-zone steam fuser for a xerographic system includes a ultra-heated first zone maintained at 200-500° C. that quickly heats a paper substrate to an optimal toner fusing temperature (e.g., 120-150° C.), and a second, relatively cool second zone for maintaining the substrate at the optimal temperature during completion of the fusing process. A conveying system conveys the substrate so that it exits the first zone and enters the second zone immediately after the substrate temperature reaches the optimal toner fusing temperature, and is maintained in the second zone for a predetermined fusing operation time period. The gas (e.g., steam) temperatures and timing are selected such that surface condensation is minimized during initial heating, and such that moisture content is normalized at the end of the fusing process.

Abstract: A fusing system and a method of operating the fusing system, including a first heating zone to heat marking material and a substrate using a non-condensing heat source to less than a target temperature; and a second heating zone to heat the marking material and the substrate to about the target temperature to fuse the marking material to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning substrates that include microstructures. The microstructures may be electronic or micromechanical components. The system includes a first substrate having a first alignment structure and a second substrate having a second alignment structure. The substrates are positioned so that the first alignment structure contacts the second alignment structure without the substrates directly contacting each other, and one of the substrates is adjusted in relation to the other substrate until the first and second alignment structures lock into place. After alignment, the microstructures on the first substrate and the second substrate may establish a connection with or be positioned in near proximity to each other.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a universal interface is provided for operatively connecting and feeding sequential copy sheet output of various selectable first sheet processing machines to various selectable second sheet processing machines spaced apart horizontally or horizontally and vertically from the first sheet processing machines by widely varying ranges of horizontal distances. The universal interface includes a frame and a universal interface module providing a sheet feeding path repositionable relative to the frame therethrough, from one side to the other of the module, for transporting the copy sheet output of the first sheet processing machine to the copy sheet input of the second sheet processing machine. Further, the universal interface module includes an integral horizontally or horizontally and vertically repositionable sheet receiving and sheet discharging sheet path ends opening at opposite sides of the universal interface module.

Abstract: A system enables ink on an image receiving member to be re-distributed to reduce banding effects in the image. The system includes an ink applicator for applying ink to form an ink image on an image receiving member as it passes by the ink applicator; a plenum chamber for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid from a fluid source, and at least one opening in the plenum chamber to direct the flow of pressurized fluid from the plenum towards the ink image on the image receiving member to re-distribute the ink on the image receiving member.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A non-atmospheric pressure vapor oven system that utilizes a controllable pressure zone to facilitate fast phase change heat transfer at any desired temperature to heat or cool flat substrates, and to level temperatures across different locations of the substrates. The system enables the use of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, without being limited to a particular temperature, such as the fluid's natural boiling point at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a vapor oven (hermetic enclosure) defining a pressure chamber having sealed entry and exit ports for transferring an object (e.g., a sheet of paper) with added material (e.g., toner) through the pressure chamber, and a pressure regulation apparatus for setting the saturation temperature (boiling point) of heat transfer fluid inside the vapor oven to an optimal heating/cooling temperature by selectively controlling the pressure inside the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: A dual-zone steam fuser for a xerographic system includes a ultra-heated first zone maintained at 200-500° C. that quickly heats a paper substrate to an optimal toner fusing temperature (e.g., 120-150° C.), and a second, relatively cool second zone for maintaining the substrate at the optimal temperature during completion of the fusing process. A conveying system conveys the substrate so that it exits the first zone and enters the second zone immediately after the substrate temperature reaches the optimal toner fusing temperature, and is maintained in the second zone for a predetermined fusing operation time period. The gas (e.g., steam) temperatures and timing are selected such that surface condensation is minimized during initial heating, and such that moisture content is normalized at the end of the fusing process.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a universal interface is provided for operatively connecting and feeding sequential copy sheet output of various selectable first sheet processing machines to various selectable second sheet processing machines spaced apart horizontally or horizontally and vertically from the first sheet processing machines by widely varying ranges of horizontal distances. The universal interface includes a frame and a universal interface module providing a sheet feeding path repositionable relative to the frame therethrough, from one side to the other of the module, for transporting the copy sheet output of the first sheet processing machine to the copy sheet input of the second sheet processing machine. Further, the universal interface module includes an integral horizontally or horizontally and vertically repositionable sheet receiving and sheet discharging sheet path ends opening at opposite sides of the universal interface module.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor that allows movement of an arbitrary object in an arbitrary direction is described. The piezoelectric motor includes at least two piezoelectric drives positioned to direct energy at an angle to each other. A contact element translates the energy from the piezoelectric drives to an object, thereby moving the object in the desired direction.

Abstract: A flexible media transport system includes a director element having articulating tips that provide access to selected media paths. The director element(s) can be incorporated into a director module. Multiple director modules can then be combined into a highly flexible and reconfigurable media transport system. By implementing the joints between the articulating tips and the body of the director element such that a continuous surface is provided in the path of the flexible media, stubbing of the moving media can be avoided. The continuous-surface joint interface can be provided via flexible skins, monolithic articulating tip-director element structures, and preconfigured resilient plate structures, among others.

Abstract: A media transport array for forming sequential media streams feeding a media processing system in which serial flows, parallel flows, or both are desired are structured from standard, batch fabricatable media path modules. Each media path module includes a frame unit, intermodule latching means, media control electronics, and media state sensing electronics. Within each media path module, at least one media transport nip receives media and passes it to an independently actuated media director. Media guides support media as it moves into and out of the media director.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning substrates that include microstructures. The microstructures may be electronic or micromechanical components. The system includes a first substrate having a first alignment structure and a second substrate having a second alignment structure. The substrates are positioned so that the first alignment structure contacts the second alignment structure without the substrates directly contacting each other, and one of the substrates is adjusted in relation to the other substrate until the first and second alignment structures lock into place. After alignment, the microstructures on the first substrate and the second substrate may establish a connection with or be positioned in near proximity to each other.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A flexible media transport system includes a director element having articulating tips that provide access to selected media paths. The director element(s) can be incorporated into a director module. Multiple director modules can then be combined into a highly flexible and reconfigurable media transport system. By implementing the joints between the articulating tips and the body of the director element such that a continuous surface is provided in the path of the flexible media, stubbing of the moving media can be avoided. The continuous-surface joint interface can be provided via flexible skins, monolithic articulating tip-director element structures, and preconfigured resilient plate structures, among others.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor that allows movement of an arbitrary object in an arbitrary direction is described. The piezoelectric motor includes at least two piezoelectric drives positioned to direct energy at an angle to each other. A contact element translates the energy from the piezoelectric drives to an object, thereby moving the object in the desired direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing the position, size, shape and location orientation of one or more objects in two dimensions. The position sensor uses arrays of light sensors mounted on a substrate. When an object passes in proximity to the light sensors light energy from a plurality of light sources is either reflected from the object to the light sensors, or is emitted directly to the light sensors. The light energy is then converted to individual signals and transmitted through circuit traces in a printed circuit board to a local controller. The information may then be processed to determine the size, position, shape and location orientation of an object.