Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of optimizing an electro-photographic reproduction machine having a fusing subsystem and an air knife. The methods acquire at least one electro-photographic reproduction machine objective and media characteristic; and the acquired objective and characteristic are used to determine values for the pressurized air emitted from the air knife, the position of the air knife, and the rotation of the air knife relative to a fuse roll in the fusing subsystem. The methods further disclose acquiring the leading edge of the media being stripped and then using the beam strength of the media to assist in stripping the body of the sheet. The air knife can be controlled by a controller or a processor based on determined optimization parameter values that relate to objectives and media characteristics.

Abstract: A pre-heater system and adapted to be used on an electrostatic marking apparatus for improving gloss on media having marking thereon at a location in the apparatus prior to a conventional fuser roll assembly or station, the system including a primary heater adapted to blow pressurized hot air into a surface of an image receiving media in order to substantially dispense hot air throughout an entire paper or media surface; and a preheat media transport for transporting media from the location in the apparatus prior to the conventional fuser roll assembly or station through the primary heater, the preheat media transport includes means for maintaining the preheat media transport at a substantially uniform predefined temperature.

Abstract: In a sheet transport system for a reproduction machine, the transport system defining a transport channel through which the sheet travels in a transport direction, an improvement comprises one or more plenums associated with the transport channel, each plenum connectable to an air flow supply, and one or more openings between each plenum and the transport channel. At least one of the one or more openings is arranged to direct air flowing through the plenum into the transport channel in the transport direction.

Abstract: A method for reducing gloss variation in prints, in an electrostatic printing system having a fuser for fusing sheets having marking particles thereon, the method including transporting a first sheet to the fuser; transporting a second sheet to the fuser; and abutting a trailing edge of the first sheet to a leading edge of the second sheet prior to the trailing edge of the first sheet entering the fuser.

Abstract: An improved fuser includes a fuser member, a pressure member that forms a nip with the fuser member through which copy sheets pass to have images fused thereon and an air knife to assist in peeling copy sheets from the fuser member. The air knife has a device connected to it that blocks entrained airflow between the fuser and air knife to reduce fuser cooling and power loss.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of optimizing an electro-photographic reproduction machine having a fusing subsystem and an air knife. The methods acquire at least one electro-photographic reproduction machine objective and media characteristic; and the acquired objective and characteristic are used to determine values for the pressurized air emitted from the air knife, the position of the air knife, and the rotation of the air knife relative to a fuse roll in the fusing subsystem. The methods further disclose acquiring the leading edge of the media being stripped and then using the beam strength of the media to assist in stripping the body of the sheet. The air knife can be controlled by a controller or a processor based on determined optimization parameter values that relate to objectives and media characteristics.

Abstract: A pre-heater system and adapted to be used on an electrostatic marking apparatus for improving gloss on media having marking thereon at a location in the apparatus prior to a conventional fuser roll assembly or station, the system including a primary heater adapted to blow pressurized hot air into a surface of an image receiving media in order to substantially dispense hot air throughout an entire paper or media surface; and a preheat media transport for transporting media from the location in the apparatus prior to the conventional fuser roll assembly or station through the primary heater, the preheat media transport includes means for maintaining the preheat media transport at a substantially uniform predefined temperature.

Abstract: A method for reducing gloss variation in prints, in an electrostatic printing system having a fuser for fusing sheets having marking particles thereon, the method including transporting a first sheet to the fuser; transporting a second sheet to the fuser; and abutting a trailing edge of the first sheet to a leading edge of the second sheet prior to the trailing edge of the first sheet entering the fuser.

Abstract: An improved fuser includes a fuser member, a pressure member that forms a nip with the fuser member through which copy sheets pass to have images fused thereon and an air knife to assist in peeling copy sheets from the fuser member. The air knife has a device connected to it that blocks entrained airflow between the fuser and air knife to reduce fuser cooling and power loss.

Abstract: A fusing station (100) for fusing toner to an image receiving medium (102) includes: a fuser roller (120) configured as a heat pipe including a sealed hollow cavity (124) containing a working fluid; a pressure roller (140) that forms a nip with the fuser roller (120) through which the image receiving medium (102) passes; and, an electrical coil (128) inductively coupled to the fuser roller (120) to inductively heat the fuser roller (120) upon energizing the electrical coil (128) with electrical power.

Abstract: A fusing system for use in a printing system is provided. In practice, a print media sheet having a size parameter value is transmitted to the fusing system along a first direction. Additionally, the print media sheet is provided with developer material prior to being delivered to the fusing system. The fusing system includes a fusing member positioned along a second direction for receiving the developed print media sheet. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the fusing member is operated in accordance with a thermal profile that relates fusing temperature to the fusing member. The fusing system further includes a print media shifting control system for changing the position of the print media sheet relative to the fusing member in the second direction by a selected increment. The position changing of the print media sheet varies as a function of the size parameter value, and promotes uniformity in the thermal profile.

Abstract: A fusing assembly includes (a) a first member having a first edge, a second edge and an end-to-end axis; (b) a second member having a fusing surface forming a fusing nip with the first member, and the fusing nip being located between the first edge and the second edge of each of the first member and the second member; (c) a heating member extending along the end-to-end axis for heating at least one of the first member and the second member to an image marking material fusing temperature; and (d) a temperature equalizing device for equalizing a temperature of the at least one of the first member and the second member, the temperature equalizing device including plural heat conductors, each heat conductor of the plural heat conductors including a first end and a second end, a body portion between the first end and the second end, the body portion being spaced from and out of contact with the fusing surface of the second member with only the first end and the second end discretely contacting the fusing surface,

Abstract: Embodiments use an apparatus comprising a media path that is adapted to transport media sheets within the printing apparatus. Fuser rolls are positioned along the media path, and the fuser rolls are adapted to fuse marking material on the media sheets as the media sheets pass the fuser rolls. A heating belt is positioned to pass a first location between the fuser rolls and to pass a second location separate from the fuser rolls. A heater is positioned in the second location, and the heater is adapted to heat the heating belt. In addition, an iso-thermalizing roller is in contact with the heating belt. In some embodiments, the elements can be positioned in any order. In other embodiments, the elements are positioned such that the heating belt passes the elements in the following order: the heater, the fuser rolls, and then the iso-thermalizing roller.

Abstract: A fusing member is formed from an evacuable inner tube with a cylindrical wall. The evacuable inner tube is inserted into an outer tube and the inner tube is pressurized to expand the inner tube such that the wall is in contact with the outer tube. An amount of a working fluid is then sealed within the inner tube at a below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An energy transfer device may include a fuser roll, a pressure roll, the pressure roller and the fuser roll being part of a marking system, and a heat pipe, the heat pipe being in contact with at least one of the fuser roll and the pressure roll. A method of using an energy transfer device that includes a fuser roll, a pressure roll, the pressure roll and the fuser roll being part of a marking system, and a heat pipe may include contacting the heat pipe with at least one of the fuser roll and the pressure roll, absorbing heat from a relatively hot region of the at least one of the fuser roll and the pressure roll using a working fluid, and dissipating the absorbed heat by evaporating the working fluid.

Abstract: A coated member includes a substrate and a coating layer over the substrate where the coating layer includes at least one of ferromagnetic and magnetic particles dispersed in a binder. The member, which is suitable for use in an electrostatographic printing process, can be in the form of a fuser member, a fixing member, a pressure roller, or a release agent donor member.

Abstract: In a sheet transport system for a reproduction machine, the transport system defining a transport channel through which the sheet travels in a transport direction, an improvement comprises one or more plenums associated with the transport channel, each plenum connectable to an air flow supply, and one or more openings between each plenum and the transport channel. At least one of the one or more openings is arranged to direct air flowing through the plenum into the transport channel in the transport direction.

Abstract: An energy transfer device and system includes a heat pipe and an interior coating to at least a portion of an interior surface of the heat pipe, the interior coating comprises at least one of the properties selected from chemically inert, liquid phobic, stable at high temperature, of low porosity and of low surface energy. Moreover, a manufacturing method of an energy transfer device that includes providing a heat pipe and providing an interior coating to an interior surface of at least a portion of the heat pipe, the interior coating comprising at least one of the properties selected from chemically inert, liquid phobic, stable at high temperature, of low porosity and of low surface energy.

Abstract: An energy transfer device includes a heat pipe and at least one spiral feature on an interior surface along a portion of the heat pipe, wherein a pitch of the spiral feature may be such that a liquid is pumped in the heat pipe, and a thermal mass of the heat pipe is reduced by about 50%. The interiro spiral feature may be one of a spiral groove and a spiral fin. A method of manufacturing an energy transfer device may include providing a heat pipe, and providing at least one spiral feature via rotating extrusion on an interior surface along at least a portion of the heat pipe, wherein a pitch of the at least one spiral feature is such that a liquid is pumped in the heat pipe, and a thermal mass of the heat pipe is reduced by about 50%.

Abstract: A fast acting fusing method and apparatus are provided for (a.) first moving a certain quantity of working liquid within a fusing heat pipe device from a heat transferring region of the fusing heat pipe device to an induction heating region of the fusing heat pipe device for maximizing liquid-to-device wall contact area within the induction heating region; (b.) using inductor heating coils to apply heat to the induction heating region of the fusing heat pipe device for heating the working liquid within the induction heating region; (c.) allowing heated vapors from the working liquid being heated within the induction heating region to move into the heat transferring region of the fusing heat pipe device for heating the heat transferring region; (d.) using a controller to compare heating of the heat transferring region of the fusing heat pipe device to a given heating value; and (e.