Abstract: Various configurations and applications of traveling wave grids are disclosed. Systems for transporting particles to feed apertures, and/or for transporting particles from storage reservoirs are described. The systems are particularly useful for transporting toner particles in printing systems.

Abstract: A system for transporting and selectively sorting particles includes a first wall and a traveling wave grid extending along the first wall. The system includes a second wall having a passage extending therethrough and a gate operatively associated with the passage. A controller is adapted to output a multi-phase electrical signal. The controller is in communication with the traveling wave grid and the gate. A method of using the system is also provided.

Abstract: Various particle reservoir systems such as used in printing systems are described which utilize one or more traveling wave grids within a reservoir to selectively transport particles to a reservoir exit. The traveling wave grids serve to transport the particles by use of moving electrostatic fields that travel across the grids. The reservoir systems are adapted for use with a variety of print head configurations.

Abstract: A system for transporting and selectively sorting particles includes a first wall and a traveling wave grid extending along the first wall. The system includes a second wall having a passage extending therethrough and a gate operatively associated with the passage. A controller is adapted to output a multi-phase electrical signal. The controller is in communication with the traveling wave grid and the gate. A method of using the system is also provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic gating assembly utilizing at least three electrodes is disclosed. The assembly is particularly well suited for controlled administration of small particles.

Abstract: A transfer belt apparatus, system and method are provided to prevent image blooming. For example, an ink jet printing apparatus may include a grounded print head, a counter-electrode opposite the ground print head, and a bi-layer transfer belt provided between a print head and a counter-electrode and at least partially supported by two or more transfer bias rollers. A method may include applying a voltage between a print head and a counter-electrode to accelerate ink drops coming out of the print head toward a transfer belt, and evacuating charge accumulated on the transfer belt with a time constant smaller than a drop ejection frequency of the print head.

Abstract: Various systems and techniques are disclosed for stopping, selectively controlling, and optimizing a flow of particles in a flowing stream. The systems and techniques utilize a multi-electrode assembly and various voltage waveforms applied to those electrodes. The particles flow past or near the electrode assembly and their flow is controlled by the configuration and arrangement of the electrodes and the voltage waveforms applied thereto. An additional strategy for countering particle leakage flow is also described.

Abstract: A toner gating apparatus for supplying toner through an aperture to a gas channel having a propellant stream. The toner gating apparatus has a traveling wave grid having electrodes. A first gating electrode is located proximate a first side of the aperture. A second gating electrode is located proximate a second side of the aperture. A third gating electrode is located in the gas channel. A first voltage source having a first phase is connected to both the first gating electrode and a first electrode of the travelling wave grid. A second voltage source having a second phase is connected to both the second gating electrode and a second electrode of the travelling wave grid. A third voltage source having a third phase is connected to both the third gating electrode and a third electrode of the travelling wave grid.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass-movement system for both sheet deskewing and transverse registration repositioning of the sheets in the same integral system, especially for higher speed printing. Only one main drive motor can drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a lower power, lower mass, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet. Also disclosed are extensive further reductions in the component mass of the lateral translation movement for lateral sheet registration.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass-movement system for both sheet deskewing and transverse registration repositioning of the sheets in the same integral system, especially for higher speed printing. Only one main drive motor can drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a lower power, lower mass, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet. Also disclosed are extensive further reductions in the component mass of the lateral translation movement for lateral sheet registration.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass system for sheets deskewing, and optionally also compatibly providing transverse registration repositioning of the sheets. Mechanisms are disclosed which need only one main drive motor to drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a much lower power, and lower cost, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass-movement system for both sheet deskewing and transverse registration repositioning of the sheets in the same integral system, especially for higher speed printing. Only one main drive motor can drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a much lower power, and lower cost, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet. Also disclosed are extensive further reductions in the component mass of the lateral translation movement for lateral sheet registration.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass system for sheets deskewing, and optionally also compatibly providing transverse registration repositioning of the sheets. Mechanisms are disclosed which need only one main drive motor to drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a much lower power, and lower cost, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass-movement system for both sheet deskewing and transverse registration repositioning of the sheets in the same integral system, especially for higher speed printing. Only one main drive motor can drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a much lower power, and lower cost, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet. Also disclosed are extensive further reductions in the component mass of the lateral translation movement for lateral sheet registration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for registering and deskewing a sheet along a sheet path. A pair of drive spheres are located in the sheet path. When a sheet enters the nips formed by the spheres the sheet is driven until it is sensed by a sensor. The drive spheres are driven by a pair of wheels which allow the spheres to rotate about any axis through their center and parallel to the plane of the sheet. The spheres are driven such that the sheet is side registered and deskewed as it is moved along the sheet path. Constant feedback from the sensors to the drive controller allows the sheet to be registered in a very short distance and has the added benefit of self compensation for wear of the drive components. The wide registration and deskewing latitude of the device allows for the use of relatively inexpensive and low accuracy sheet drives preceding the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in the housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a detaching toner device for detaching toner from the donor member and producing a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with the housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from the housing, the air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size.