Abstract: There is provided a compressor (10) and an associated method for controlling a recirculation flow to control surging in the compressor. The compressor includes a housing (12) and a compressor wheel (16) mounted therein. A recirculation passage (41) receives compressed air from the compressor and recirculates the compressed air to an inlet passage (20) of the housing and, in particular, to leading edges (32) of blades (18) of the compressor wheel. An adjustable flow control device (60) is configured to control the flow of the compressed air through the recirculation passage to control a surge characteristic of the compressor. For example, the flow control device can include one or more valves (V1, V2, V3), each of which can be adjusted by an actuator (64).

Abstract: There is provided a compressor (10) and an associated method for controlling a recirculation flow to control surging in the compressor. The compressor includes a housing (12) and a compressor wheel (16) mounted therein. A recirculation passage (41) receives compressed air from the compressor and recirculates the compressed air to an inlet passage (20) of the housing and, in particular, to leading edges (32) of blades (18) of the compressor wheel. An adjustable flow control device (60) is configured to control the flow of the compressed air through the recirculation passage to control a surge characteristic of the compressor. For example, the flow control device can include one or more valves (V1, V2, V3), each of which can be adjusted by an actuator (64).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet support for accommodating an image-forming sheet; an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a document reading section having a document placing table for reading image information of the document; an ADF in which a document is feedable to the document reading section and displaceable so as to allow placement of the document onto the document placing table; and a sheet discharging section on which a sheet with an image formed thereon by the image forming unit is discharged and stacked by arranging them in the image forming apparatus from the lower part thereof toward the upper part in order. The image forming apparatus further has a transferring section for transferring a sheet with an image formed thereon to the sheet discharging section which is held movably in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising an image bearing member, at least one process means acting on the image bearing member, and a detection member for detecting the presence/absence of developer supplied to the image bearing member on the basis of electrostatic capacity.

Abstract: An electrophotographic process cartridge and an image forming apparatus using such a process cartridge are provided. The process cartridge includes a casing member containing a photosensitive drum; a driven gear co-axial with the drum; a charging member, a developing member, and a cleaning member operable on the drum; and a protuberance adjacent one end of the drum and protruding outwardly of the casing member at one side thereof. An earth contact is provided by the protuberance at the one side of the casing member, and a charging bias contact and a developing bias contact are provided at an opposite side of the casing member and are disposed adjacent to and respectively forwardly and rearwardly of an axis of the drum relative to an insertion direction of the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet support for accommodating an image-forming sheet; an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a document reading section having a document placing table for reading image information of the document; an ADF in which a document is feedable to the document reading section and displaceable so as to allow placement of the document onto the document placing table; and a sheet discharging section on which a sheet with an image formed thereon by the image forming unit is discharged and stacked by arranging them in the image forming apparatus from the lower part thereof toward the upper part in order. The image forming apparatus further has a transferring section for transferring a sheet with an image formed thereon to the sheet discharging section which is held movably in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A both-face automatic original feeding apparatus wherein a plurality of originals having images on their first and second surfaces are successively supplied from an original stacking portion to a predetermined position for reading an original, and each original is reversely rotated through a switch-back path after the first surface of the original passes through the predetermined position, thereby supplying the original to the predetermined position again to direct the second surface of the original to the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising an image bearing member, at least one process means acting on the image bearing member, and a detection member for detecting the presence/absence of developer supplied to the image bearing member on the basis of electrostatic capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recycling a process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) dividing a process cartridge into a first frame including an image bearing member, and a second frame including a developing means and a developer containing means for containing developer used by the developing means and having an opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing means; (b) thereafter, removing the developing means from the second frame; (c) thereafter, replenishing developer to the developer containing means through the opening; (d) thereafter, removably attaching a seal for closing the opening to the opening; and (e) thereafter, locking the first and second frames to each other, thereby assembling the process cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprises an image bearing member, a conductive member arranged at one axial end of the image bearing member to contact with an electric contact of the image forming apparatus, thereby electrically earthing the image bearing member, and an opening member abutted against a laser light path blocking means of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, thereby opening a laser light path. The opening member is arranged at the other axial end of the image bearing member remote from the conductive member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus with a pair convey rollers arranged upstream of a registration mechanism for correcting a skew-feed of a sheet in a sheet conveying direction that can be abutted against or separated from each other, or can be shifted in accordance with a length of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction. As the result, when the skew-feed of the sheet is corrected by the registration mechanism, a trailing end of the sheet is not restrained.

Abstract: An automatic original feeding apparatus includes an original reading portion, a first feeder disposed upstream of the original reading portion, and a second feeder capable of receiving two originals simultaneously. The second feeder is disposed downstream of the original reading portion, for turning up and resupplying the two originals one after another to the original reading portion. The apparatus also includes a third feeder for directing the two originals resupplied to the original reading portion to a discharge portion. The apparatus also includes a detector for detecting delay in conveyance of a succeeding original. A controller in the apparatus delays feeding of a succeeding original when the delay in conveyance is detected and introduces the succeeding original into the second feeder, after a preceding original in the second feeder is discharged from the second feeder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet post-treatment apparatus for receiving a sheet material on which an image was formed by an image forming apparatus and for post-treating such sheet material and for sending the sheet material to a next post-treatment apparatus. A sheet receiving opening has the same height as a sheet sending opening.

Abstract: The present invention realizes to shorten the assembling process of a process cartridge, by employing a first support member supporting an image bearing member, a second support member supporting a development unit for acting on the image bearing member to thereby develope an image of the image bearing member, a defining member for defining the rotary shaft between the first and second support members, and a compression spring for generating an elastic force between the image bearing member and the development unit.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by that a first frame for containing developer used with a developing operation, a second frame for supporting a developing means for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member, and a third frame for supporting the image bearing member are made of the same material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising an image bearing member, charger device for charging the image bearing member, a first conductive member for electrically earthing the image bearing member, and a second conductive member for applying an AC voltage to the charger device. The first and second conductive members are arranged at positions near both axial ends of the image bearing member, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprises an image bearing member, a conductive member arranged at one axial end of the image bearing member to contact with an electric contact of the image forming apparatus, thereby electrically earthing the image bearing member, and an opening member abutted against a laser light path blocking means of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, thereby opening a laser light path. The opening member is arranged at the other axial end of the image bearing member remote from the conductive member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, and a plurality of frames for constituting a housing for the image bearing member and the process means. A projection is provided along an abutment portion of one of the frames to be welded.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic original feed apparatus comprising an original stacking portion on which a plurality of originals can be rested, an introduction path for directing the original supplied from the original stacking portion to a reading portion, an annular reverse rotation path for reversely rotating the original discharged from the reading position and for directing the original to the reading position again, a discharge path for discharging the original discharged from the reading position onto a discharge portion, and original feed rotary members arranged in the introduction path, reverse rotation path and discharge path, respectively, and rotated in one direction.

Abstract: An elastic regulating member for regulating thickness of a layer of developer conveyed to a developing station by a rotatable developing sleeve is abutted against the developing sleeve. At a toner return inlet of a container associated with the developing sleeve, a flexible sheet for preventing the developer in the container from leaking through the toner return inlet is abutted against the developing sleeve along a longitudinal direction thereof. Side seals are abutted against both longitudinal end portions of the developing sleeve to prevent the developer from leaking through such longitudinal end portions. Both longitudinal end portions of the flexible sheet are overlapped with sheet supporting surfaces formed on extensions of the side seals without any clearance. Further, the both longitudinal end portions of the flexible sheet are abutted against the developing sleeve at areas outwardly of both ends of the elastic regulating member.