Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

Abstract: An imaging device includes at least one printhead including an aperture plate defining a plurality of apertures, an ink plate and a controller. The at least one printhead is configured to eject liquid ink through the plurality of apertures of the aperture plate. The ink plate is positioned with reference to the aperture plate to enable an ink layer to form between the ink plate and the aperture plate by ink ejected by the printhead. The controller operatively connected to the printhead and configured to operate the printhead to eject the liquid ink to the ink plate to form the link layer.

Abstract: A Release Agent Management (RAM) system for a heat and pressure fuser apparatus utilized for fixing color toner images on substrates such as plain paper and transparency material such as Mylar.TM.. A donor/metering roll arrangement is provided with two oil metering blades, one of which is operative during two modes of operation and the other of which is operative during only one of the two modes of operation. During one mode of operation when color toner images are formed on a substrate such as plain paper, only one of the two blades is utilized. During a second mode of operation when color toner images are created on a transparent substrate such as Mylar.TM., both blades engage the surface of the metering roll so that a lesser amount of oil is ultimately conveyed to the surface of the heated fuser roll.

Abstract: A RAM system including a metering roll and a pair of metering blades, is positioned in contact with a metering roll at a location intermediate, a nip formed through pressure contact of the metering roll with a donor roll, and a supply of release agent material such that as the metering roll is rotated in the imaging process direction release agent material is metered onto the metering roll and contaminants are prevented from getting deposited on the fuser roll. A second metering blade contacts the metering roll at a location that is intermediate the aforementioned nip and the supply of release agent such that when the metering roll is rotated in the direction opposite to the process direction excess release agent material and/or contaminants are prevented from being deposited on the fuser roll.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fuser and RAM system therefor. A rotating wick is provided in one disclosed embodiment which cooperates with a metering roll to apply silicone oil release agent to the surface of a heated fuser roll. To this end the rotating wick contacts silicone oil contained in a sump and through its rotation conveys the oil to the metering roll which in turn applies a metered quantity of oil to the surface of the heated fuser roll. In another embodiment, a rotating wick together with a metering roll and a donor roll serve to convey silicone oil from a supply of oil to the surface of the fuser roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for fusing toner images to a substrate. A Release Agent Management (RAM) system for applying silicone oil to a metering roll utilizes a pair of metering blades to improve oil uniformity on the metering roll. Thus, streaks or localized areas of excess silicone oil as the result of blade defects and/or dirt accumulation associated with a first blade, ARE metered or smoothed to a more uniform thickness by the second blade. To this end, the first metering blade serves to meter silicone oil to a first predetermined thickness while the second blade serves to meter oil streaks to a second predetermined thickness which is greater than the first predetermined thickness.

Abstract: Release Agent Management system for a heat and pressure fuser for fixing black toner images in low and high volume imaging machines and also for fixing color images. An auxiliary oil supply is provided for applying extra oil to an oil impregnated web. The extra oil improves fuser roll release life in every application. Also, enables color fusing which requires higher oil application rates.

Abstract: A low melt, high gloss toner resin with low minimum fix temperature, wide fusing latitude and wide gloss latitude contains a linear portion and 1 to 10 percent by weight of a crosslinked portion containing high density, crosslinked microgel particles, but substantially free of low density, crosslinked polymer. The resin is particularly suitable for high gloss applications, such as process color and color transparencies, and for high speed fusing, shows excellent offset resistance, wide fusing latitude, wide gloss latitude and superior vinyl offset properties. The resin may be formed by reactive melt mixing.

Abstract: A heated thick walled belt fuser for an electrophotographic printing machine. The belt is rotatably supported between a pair of rolls. One of the spans of the belt is in contact with a heating roll in the form of an aluminum roll with an internal heat source such as a quartz lamp. The belt is able to wrap a relatively large portion of the heating roll to increase the efficiency of the heat transfer. The second span of the belt forms an extended fusing nip with a pressure roll. The extended nip provides a greater dwell time for a sheet in the nip while allowing the fuser to operate at a greater speed. External heating enables a thick profile of the belt, which in turn allows the belt to be reinforced so as to operate at greater fusing pressures without degradation of the image. The thick profile and external heating of the belt also provides a much more robust design than conventional thin walled belt fusing systems.

Abstract: A belt fuser which is self-stripping. The belt and a pressure roll form a nip through substrates carrying toner images pass with the toner images contacting the belt. The belt is entrained about a plurality of rollers for movement in an endless path. One of the rollers which is a drive roller for effecting belt movement is overdriven for causing a post-nip extent of the belt to stretch for effecting separation of the substrates from the belt.

Abstract: Heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing color toner images to various types of copy substrates. The apparatus includes three roll members which cooperate to form a pair of nips. All substrates pass through a first nip and a deflector plate directs certain types of substrates through the second nip. Passage of the substrates through the first nip causes the images carried thereon to contact a conformable elastomeric surface while passage through the second nip casues them to contact a relatively rigid surface. Thus, glossy and matt color copies on substrates such as plain paper and high chroma transparencies are suitably produced in a color reproduction apparatus incorporating this fuser. Matt color copies are produced by passing the substrate through only the first nip while glossy color copies and high chroma transparencies are produced by passing the substrates through both nips.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus for use in applying a uniform electrostatic charge to a charge retentive surface. Specifically, the apparatus has an array of pin or needle electrodes for negatively charging the surface. The electrodes are coupled to a pulsed d.c. power supply designed to cause them to operate at sufficiently high current densities to insure stable output therefrom yet due to the pulsing stability is achieved at relatively low current levels. Thus, operation at higher current densities for shorter intervals, for example, at half duty achieves output stability at lower current levels.