Abstract: Systems and methods of inductively heating a fuser member in an electrophotographic device are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a heating component with a susceptor layer comprising carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An excitation unit with an electrical coil can be positioned a proximate distance from the heating component Current through the electrical coil can inductively heat the susceptor layer and the heating component. The heat from the susceptor layer and the heating component can be used to fuse toner onto an image-receiving substrate. The CNTs can reduce electronic hardware costs in the electrophotographic device in relation to the costs associated with conventional materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more tapered nozzles each with an associated taper angle and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the tapered nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The tapered nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the taper angle can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for controlling the temperature of media in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatuses includes a heated first roll including a first outer surface; a heated second roll including a second outer surface; a third roll including a third outer surface; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the third outer surface; a belt supported on the first roll and the second roll and disposed between the first outer surface and the third outer surface, the belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a nip between the third outer surface and the outer surface of the belt at which the belt heats media which include a surface, marking material on the surface and an interface between the surface and marking material; and a positioning device coupled to the second roll.

Abstract: Fuser assemblies for fusing toner on media, xerographic apparatuses, and methods of fusing toner on media in xerographic apparatuses are disclosed. An embodiment of the fuser assemblies includes a fuser belt; a first roll supporting the fuser belt, the first roll including a first heating element and a second heating element extending axially along the first roll and along a width of the fuser belt, the first heating element being longer than the second heating element; and a second roll supporting the fuser belt, the second roll including a third heating element and a fourth heating element extending axially along the second roll and along the width of the fuser belt, the third heating element being longer than the fourth heating element.

Abstract: An iso-thermalizing printer structure can be used to provide temperature uniformity across a width of a printer fuser roll or fuser belt. Various embodiments are contemplated, including a solid natural graphite shaft, a solid natural graphite core having a sleeve of metal such as aluminum, and other flexible and rigid structures which can comprise natural or synthetic graphite.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (700) that can control fuser temperature is disclosed. The apparatus can include an image fuser member (110) rotatably supported in the apparatus, where the image fuser member can be configured to fuse an image on media (170). The apparatus can include a heater (120) coupled to the image fuser member, where the heater can be configured to heat the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a pressure assembly (130) rotatably supported in the apparatus and coupled to the image fuser member, where the pressure assembly can be configured to exert pressure against the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a temperature sensor (140) coupled to the pressure assembly, where the temperature sensor can be configured to sense a temperature of the pressure assembly.

Abstract: Fuser assemblies for fusing toner on media, xerographic apparatuses, and methods of fusing toner on media in xerographic apparatuses are disclosed. An embodiment of the fuser assemblies includes a fuser belt; a first roll supporting the fuser belt, the first roll including a first heating element and a second heating element extending axially along the first roll and along a width of the fuser belt, the first heating element being longer than the second heating element; and a second roll supporting the fuser belt, the second roll including a third heating element and a fourth heating element extending axially along the second roll and along the width of the fuser belt, the third heating element being longer than the fourth heating element.

Abstract: A print head for a printer includes a jet stack for passage of ink to media to form an image on the media. The jet stack includes a substrate having a micro actuator. The substrate has an opening through the substrate that is proximate to the micro actuator and a diaphragm bonded to the substrate. The diaphragm has an opening through the diaphragm that is configured for fluid communication with the opening through the substrate.

Abstract: The present application is directed to piezoelectric actuator devices. One embodiment of a piezoelectric actuator comprises a chamber diaphragm having a major surface. A piezoelectric transducer is positioned on the major surface of the chamber diaphragm. The piezoelectric transducer has a major surface having a first dimension which is smaller than a corresponding second dimension of the major surface of the chamber diaphragm, so that the piezoelectric transducer underlaps the chamber diaphragm. The underlap ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension ranges from about 0.70 to about 0.99.

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: 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: The present application is directed to piezoelectric actuator devices. One embodiment of a piezoelectric actuator comprises a chamber diaphragm having a major surface. A piezoelectric transducer is positioned on the major surface of the chamber diaphragm. The piezoelectric transducer has a major surface having a first dimension which is smaller than a corresponding second dimension of the major surface of the chamber diaphragm, so that the piezoelectric transducer underlaps the chamber diaphragm. The underlap ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension ranges from about 0.70 to about 0.99.

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.