Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing a corona generating electrode assembly in a housing, wherein a plurality of replacement electrodes are removably mounted in a configuration substantially equivalent to the operational configuration thereof on a rigid support frame. The procedure for replacing a malfunctioning or otherwise spent corona generating electrode is substantially facilitated through a relatively simple "snap-fit" process, wherein replacement is accomplished by pressing the housing against the corona generating electrode assembly on the rigid support frame so as to simultaneously mount the corona generating electrode in the housing while removing the corona generating electrode from the rigid support frame. The tool provides substantial time savings while yielding incidental advantages by reducing breakage of new electrodes as often occurs during replacement using prior techniques.

Abstract: A corona charger wire tensioning mechanism, for a corona charging device for applying a charge to a selected surface within an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus or the like, which facilitates corona wire replacement. The corona charging device comprises at least one corona wire, and a housing. A mechanism, located in the housing, anchors one end of the corona wire thereto and couples an electrical potential source to the corona wire. A tensioning mechanism is removably receivable in the housing in spaced relation to the anchoring mechanism. The tensioning mechanism has an anchor for securing the opposite end of the corona wire thereto, and an arm adapted to engage the housing along a line which forms a pivot axis for the tensioning mechanism. After the corona wire is easily and readily anchored to the tensioning mechanism remotely from the housing, the tensioning mechanism can be received in the housing and pivoted about the pivot axis to a position to apply a preselected tension to the corona wire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a corona discharge device suitable for use as an ozonizer capable of producing a controlled small amount of ozone throughout a prolonged service life. A foreproduct of corona discharge device (50) is first prepared which is provided with first and second planar electrodes (54; 56) capacitively coupled with each other by a third floating electrode (64) which is coated by a protective layer (68) of chemically-resistive electrically-insulatingmaterial. A high frequency alternating voltage having a voltage level higher than an initial minimum flashover voltage level of the foreproduct is then applied until the protective layer is aged. Aging of the protective layer is effective in lowering the initial minimum flashover voltage of the final product thus obtained as well as in reducing any fluctuation of the initial minimum flashover voltage that would otherwise occur from product to product. Various other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of corona discharge processing of resin formings surface, excellent corona discharge processing is possible, even if there is a distance between the resin formings and the discharge electrode, by generating a high voltage pulse having a pulse width of 1 .mu.s or more, an average electric field strength of 4 to 20 kv/cm denoted by applied voltage (wave height) versus interelectrode distance, and a pulse frequency of 10 pps or more. This processing is performed by the apparatus which comprises arranging a transfer conveyor to transfer the resin formings, a counter-electrode placed in a down side of the transfer conveyor, a dielectric to cover a surface of the counter-electrode, and a number of discharge electrodes which are arranged in a definite distance above the resin formings along the transfer route.

Abstract: A photoreceptor charging device, already provided in an electrophotographic printing machine, is used to determine the voltage potential of a portion of the photoreceptor located adjacent to the photoreceptor charging device. In particular, an operating condition of the photoreceptor charging device, such as, for example, the total current supplied to a coronode and to a grid of the photoreceptor charging device, or the voltage potential of the grid of the photoreceptor charging device when the total current is a predetermined, relatively small value, is used to determine the voltage potential of the photoreceptor adjacent to the charging device.

Abstract: A corona discharge device includes a corona discharge electrode, and a control electrode interposed between the corona discharge electrode and a target object to be corona discharged for controlling a surface potential of the target object. The control electrode includes a film coating processed portion with a conductive dry film coating and an unprocessed portion with no film coating formed in at least one of two end portions of the control electrode in a longitudinal direction of the control electrode. The unprocessed portion of the control electrode has an opening ratio smaller than that of the film coating processed portion.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus including a photoreceptor, a charging station operative to charge the photoreceptor including an active length of corona wire operatively juxtaposed with the photoreceptor and a corona wire dispenser containing an undispensed length of corona wire contiguous with the active length and at least as long as the active length. The apparatus also includes an exposure station operative to selectively discharge portions of the photoreceptor to form a latent image thereon and a developer operative to develop the latent image. The corona wire dispenser is operative to dispense an appropriate length of the undispensed corona wire to replace the active length of corona wire.

Abstract: An adjustable support assembly for adjustably supporting a corona generating device at a selected distance from a photoreceptive surface, wherein a fixedly mounted support bracket and an adjustable support bracket are mounted in a cooperatively nested relationship such that reciprocating movement can be affected between the adjustable support bracket and the fixedly mounted support bracket. The adjustable support assembly is provided with support blocks for adjusting the gap between the corona generating device and the photoreceptive surface from a single general location.

Abstract: A corona discharge surface system for treating both conductive and non-conductive materials is disclosed. The system comprises one or more universal electrodes each of which comprises first electrode means configured for corona discharge treatment of non-conductive materials and second electrode means configured for corona discharge treatment of conductive materials. The one or more universal electrodes are arranged on a common support with the combined structure having a pivot point about which the common support is pivotable. In one embodiment, the corona discharge device is used for the treatment of continuous webs of film materials that are moved by one generally cylindrical electrode mounted for rotation about a central axis thereof. The common support is fixed but pivotable so that the first electrode means is configured for corona discharge treatment of non-conductive film materials and the second electrode means is configured for corona discharge treatment of conductive film materials.

Abstract: A tension support mounting for applying tension to the corona generating electrode of a corona generating device. Various embodiments are described wherein the corona generating electrode is fastened to a mounting block including an electrode support member, the position of which can be varied for applying variable tension to the corona generating electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for tuning or altering the charge potential limiting effect that a scorotron grid has upon an adjacent charge receiving surface. The scorotron charging apparatus utilizes corona producing means, spaced above the charge retentive surface, for emitting corona ions in response to a high voltage potential applied thereto, and a flexible grid, suspended between said corona producing means and the charge retentive surface in a nonplanar fashion, such that the spacing between said grid and the charge retentive surface is variable along at least one region of said grid.

Abstract: A power amplifier for use in medical and veterinary testing and therapy. A tunable pulse-width-modulated signal generator is connected to a gating element to provide a digital waveform suitable for comprehensive control of the waveform shape and average output power provided by the apparatus. The digital waveform controls a power driver. Through use of a high-Q resonant circuit including a capacitor and a primary winding of a coil assembly, a voltage of about 150-400 volts is increased to about 10 kilovolts at the primary winding. The coil assembly has a secondary:primary turns ratio of 10:1, resulting in a signal of about 100 kilovolts at the output of the secondary winding. This arrangement produces a corona discharge at a discharge pin connected to the secondary winding. A manual tuning embodiment and a self-tuning embodiment are disclosed.

Abstract: A bar-shaped device for generating electrical charges by corona discharges comprises a high voltage cable surrounded by an insulating casing, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and adapted to be connected to a high voltage source, a plurality of needle electrodes connected to high voltage via the high voltage cable and arranged in at least one row along the longitudinal axis of the device, an insulating member accommodating the high voltage cable and the needle electrodes and an outer sheath surrounding the insulating member and having a longitudinal slot, wherein the needle electrodes penetrate the longitudinal slot and the edges of the longitudinal slot form counterelectrodes for the needle electrodes. The outer sheath consists of plastic and has grooves at the edges of its longitudinal slot parallel to the row of needle electrodes. A metal stranded wire provided with a casing made of pliable plastic is inserted into each of these grooves as counterelectrode.

Abstract: An ionizer device for gases or liquids includes a housing that is internally subdivided by an annular tubular partition into a central ionizer chamber and a surrounding overflow chamber. An electron source electrode is located with the ionizer chamber. An annular electron collector electrode is located within the overflow chamber in surrounding relation to the tubular partition. Fluid can be recirculated from the overflow chamber back to the fluid source through an opposite charged neutralizer electrode mechanism designed to replace electrons collected from the fluid by the collector electrode.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a corona treater of the type having an electrode magazine in which at least one high voltage electrode is mounted and a support tube on which the electrode magazine is removably mounted includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from a mounting block disposed on the support tube and a plurality of projection receiving slots disposed on a pair of exterior guard plates mounted on the electrode magazine so that the electrode magazine may be releasably connected to the support tube by sliding the projections on the mounting block into the slots on the electrode magazine.

Abstract: Correction for Compton scattering is effected by analysis of the energy spectra. More particularly, a measured energy spectrum is constructed per location from detected counts that are stored according to their measured energy as well as according to the location of gamma ray infingement on a scintillating detector. The measured spectrum comprises scattered and unscattered photons. A physically correct trial function enables the separation of overlapping contributions of scattered and unscattered photons. The trial function includes multiple collision terms that are preferably constructed using the Nishina-Klein equations describing photon Compton scatter probability distributions. The count of unscattered photons per location is derived from the measured spectrum by locally fitting to the trial function. The count of the unscattered photons per location is used to produce the improved images with reduced artifacts caused by Compton scatter.

Abstract: A method for preparing a rubber-based composite material by joining a base material and a rubber composition together by heat pressure bonding can achieve strong bonding without using any adhesives, wherein a monomer is polymerized by atmospheric-pressure glow discharge plasma technique to form a polymerized film having unsaturated bonds on the surface of the base material and then the rubber composition is bonded to said polymerized film by heat pressure bonding to join the base material and the rubber together.

Abstract: A method for preparing a rubber-based composite material by joining a base material and a rubber composition together by heat pressure bonding can achieve strong bonding without using any adhesives, wherein a monomer is polymerized by low-pressure glow discharge plasma technique to form a polymerized film having unsaturated bonds on the surface of the base material and then the rubber composition is bonded to said polymerized film by heat pressure bonding to join the base material and the rubber together.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning the electrode assembly of a corona treater includes a rotatable cylinder to which the electrode assembly is attached. A counterweight is disposed on the cylinder substantially opposite the electrode assembly and the counterweight causes a torque equal and opposite to that created by the electrode assembly. A pneumatic piston is utilized to rotate the cylinder between its operative and threading positions.

Abstract: A discharge element comprises a linear electrode and a sheet electrode both of which are provided opposite to each other with an insulator sheet therebetween, in which the linear electrode is formed by plasma spray coating a high-meting point semiconductor so as not to be worn when a high-frequency high voltage is applied between both electrodes.

Abstract: A corona generating device of the type in which a control screen adjacent a corona generating electrode regulates the charge flow. The control screen is coated with a substantially continuous layer of boron electroless nickel.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a screen grid member of a corona charger in an imaging device with a predetermined positional relation to the surface of a photoconductive member. The corona charger and the photoconductive member are mounted on a support base member. The support base member is provided with a mount opening where a substantially inverted U-shaped screen grid member carrying the screen grid is inserted. First locking lugs project from the inner wall surfaces of the mount opening, each of the first locking lugs having a surface opposite to a surface facing toward the photoconductive member formed as a locking surface substantially normal to the inner wall surface. Second locking lugs project from the inner wall surfaces of the mount opening, each of the second locking lugs having a surface facing the photoconductive member, formed as a locking surface substantially normal to the inner wall surface.

Abstract: A corotron assembly comprising a coronode for generating an electrostatic field and including an electrically nonconductive protective guard having a U-shaped base member forming a channel for receiving the coronode wherein a plurality of finger elements are provided, extending from the sidewalls such that the coronode is recessed between the finger elements. Each finger element is further provided with a spherical radii tip for reducing the attenuating effects of the finger elements on the electrostatic field generated by the coronode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer charger for electrostatically transferring a developing agent image formed on a photoconductive drum onto a paper sheet at a transfer position, and a separation charger for electrostatically separating the paper sheet from the drum. A convey guide is fixed to the separation charger so as to guide the paper sheet separated form the drum in a predetermined direction. The convey guide is formed of a material which is to be charged in a polarity opposite to a charge polarity of the developing agent on the paper sheet upon triboelectric charging between the convey guide and the paper sheet.

Abstract: A print cartridge for an image forming apparatus which is insertable into a body of the image forming apparatus, the print cartridge includes an image carrying body, a housing rotatably supporting the image carrying body, and a primary static charger for electrostatically charging the image carrying body, the primary static charger being removably mounted on the housing. The primary static charger has a grid disposed between the corotron wire and the image carrying body which is contacted by a leaf spring to bias the primary static charger toward the housing and also fix the grid on the housing.

Abstract: An improved discharge wire for use in an electrostatic precipitator which is used for collecting pollutant particles contained in a flow of exhaust gas. The improved discharge wire is a chain having a plurality of chain links made of conductive material. There is provided at least one needle-like member made of conductive material on at least one of the chain links. As an electric potential is applied to the chain, the needle-like member emits corona current. The corona current charges the pollutant particles such that the pollutant particles are forced by the electric field to a collecting member.

Abstract: A fiber spreader is provided which reduces fiber damage that occurs during preading. The fiber spreader includes a thin electrically grounded support sheet for supporting a layer of fibers on one surface thereof. The fibers supported on the support sheet are guided by a plurality of guide rollers past at least one corona discharge region at which the fibers are spread substantially uniformly. A motor driven spool advances the support sheet past the corona discharge region. The fibers are attached to the support sheet by an electrostatic attraction. The guide rollers are positioned so as to provide at least one region in which the sheet and the fibers are physically separated to allow for the uniform spreading of the fibers. After the fibers are spread, the fibers and the support sheet are united again and collected on a motor-driven spool.

Abstract: In a charger, a plurality of rows of air openings are provided in a shield member. The rows are elongated in the longitudinal direction of stretched corona wires and each of the rows has a plurality of air openings. The air openings are arranged in such a manner that the numbers of the air openings in opposition to the same corona wire in the nearest position are the same when counted in the direction vertical to the length of the corona wire. As a result, soiled portions in the corona wires produced by air streams passing through the air openings are uniformly distributed throughout the whole length of the charger and each part of the charger has substantially the same charging power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus applicable to electrophotographic image forming equipment or similar equipment for positioning a corona discharger relative to a photoconductive element. Two charge currents caused to flow through axially opposite end portions of the photoconductive element by a corona discharger are detected, and their difference is determined. The inclination of a discharge electrode included in the corona discharger relative to the photoconductive element is so adjusted as to reduce the difference to zero.

Abstract: An electrode for creation of a corona over an area. The electrode includes a corona driving portion and a corona emitting portion in electrical contact with the corona driving portion. The corona driving portion is much larger in size than the corona emitting portion such that corona from the electrode is emitted from the corona emitting portion in a direction away from the corona driving portion. The corona emitting portion includes a spiral wound wire extending from an edge of the corona driving portion to an inner terminus, the wire being spaced from the driving portion at an increasingly greater distance from the outer edge of the corona driving portion to the inner terminus.

Abstract: A corona wire tape assembly for a corona charger apparatus, such wire tape assembly providing for a more durable corona wire which is kept substantially clean and which can readily be replaced. The corona wire tape assembly comprises at least one conductive wire adapted to generate ions when having a high voltage from an electrical potential source applied thereto. A flexible dielectric film, separable into lengths substantially corresponding to desired corona wire lengths, encases the conductive wire. The flexible dielectric film defines a first series of openings communicating with the conductive wire to expose the wire to facilitate ion generation and a second series of openings communicating with the conductive wire to facilitate electrical connection of the wire to an electrical potential source.

Abstract: An air ionizing cell has an elongated, hollow dielectic cylindrical body member, one end of which defines a greatly restricted orifice (relative to the inside diameter of the cylindrical body member). An elongated metallic electrode having an end tapered at a constant rate and terminating at a microscopically sharp point is disposed coaxially within the cylindrical body member. The point of the electrode is positioned concentrically within the orifice and an electrical potential is applied to the electrode without defining a corresponding ground within the cylindrical body member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing. The method according to the present invention induces an optimal corona, defined as a maximum possible electric field having a strength that is near the spark over voltage, in a flowing gaseous fluid by passing the gaseous fluid past the charger grid.

Abstract: A clean non-hydrogen-containing dry gas flows through the corona points of a clean room corona air ionizer in order to suppress the generation of particles.

Abstract: A corona device in which the ion-generating element is an array of pin electrodes which are secured to and insulated from a housing open on at least one side and profiled auxiliary electrodes disposed in the vicinity of the pin electrodes in a plane perpendicular to the possibly imaginarily lengthened pin electrodes. The imaginary connecting lines between the tops of the auxiliary electrodes pass substantially through the tops of the pin electrodes or the pin electrodes imaginarily lengthened in the direction of the open side.

Abstract: Office machines, such as electrostatographic reproducing machines, laser printers, and facsimile machines, utilize corona discharge devices, which generate ozone. Some electrostatographic reproducing machines include a film belt arranged in a look having a plurality of such ozone generating corona discharge devices positioned therearound. In order to remove ozone from these machines at the locations where such ozone is generated, an ozone collection system is provided in which each corona device has a hood in proximity therewith connected by a hose to a manifold. The manifold is, in turn, connected by a hose to an ozone-removing canister which includes an air suction pump, a plenum, and an annular filter of activated carbon. The suction pump pulls airstreams into the hoods, which airstreams entrain ozone from proximate each corona device.

Abstract: A discharge electrode for a charger has a thin wire or core made of stainless steel or electrolytically polished tungsten, and a coating provided on the thin line. To form the coating, amorphous alloy containing tantalum, niobium, zirconium, titanium or similar element belonging to the same group on the periodic table is deposited on the thin wire by sputtering, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or similar technology. The content of tantalum in the amorphous alloy is selected to be 10 at % to 70 at %.

Abstract: A corona discharging device in which an engaging member engages with one of the slits of a control grid is provided on a cover of an end block. When mounting the control grid on the corona discharging device, one end of the control grid is first attached to the device, and the slit formed in the other end of the control grid engages with the engaging member on the cover. Subsequently, the cover is mounted on the end block with its one end serving as a fulcrum surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing. The method according to the present invention induces an optimal corona, defined as a maximum possible electric field having a strength that is near the spark over voltage, in a flowing gaseous fluid by passing the gaseous fluid past the charger grid.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting air with the aid of so-called electric ion wind with an air flow duct (1) in which a corona electrode (K) and a target electrode (M) are arranged in mutually axial spaced relationship, with the target electrode located downstream of the corona electrode. The corona electrode and the target electrode are each connected to a respective terminal of a d.c. voltage source (3), the voltage of which is such as to engender an air-ion generating corona discharge at the corona electrode.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is arranged accurately to keep a constant distance between the surface of the photosensitive element and a charging device. The charging device is composed as a part of an integrated unit with another device which is located around the surface of the photosensitive element. When the unit is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the charging device is in contact with a positioning means which is provided on the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A corona charging method and apparatus is disclosed for charging discrete and relatively isolated three-dimensional surfaces of various compositions having a generally exposed surface from which the three dimensional surface extends. The applied charge serves to significantly enhance the wetting and bonding properties of the respective surfaces and is conducted with a relatively concentrated corona emission from discharge electrodes connected to a high voltage source and directed toward the three dimensional surfaces overlying an air gap. The exposed and more accessible surfaces can be treated concomitantly with a field effect diffusion of corona from additional electrodes directed generally toward the exposed surfaces of the composition.

Abstract: A scorotron like charging device includes an ion generator from which ion flow is controlled by fringe fields developed along an edge of an electrode sandwich located near the ion source.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to present a corona discharge processing apparatus capable of performing uniform and excellent corona discharge processing, on work of any thickness or shape, with the constant processing effect regardless of a thickness and shape of the work.A corona discharge processing apparatus of the invention comprises an excitation electrode and a counter-electrode, and generates a corona discharge by applying a high voltage between them, thereby applying corona discharge processing on the work, wherein the excitation electrode and the counter-electrode are both disposed on the same surface of the work with an interval between them.

Abstract: A corona charging device for charging a surface of a moving member, the device including a plurality of wire electrodes for generating corona discharge at a high voltage applied thereto, and a grid electrode located between the moving member and the wire electrodes, wherein a distance between the grid electrode and the moving member is shortest immediately below the wire electrode located most downstream in the moving direction of the moving member.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for creation of a corona over an area. The arrangement includes a corona driving portion and a corona emitting portion in electrical contact with the corona driving portion. The corona driving portion is much larger in size than the corona emitting portion such that corona from the electrode arrangement is emitted from the corona emitting portion in a direction away from the corona driving portion. The corona emitting portion is comprised of a series of stepped, generally concentric, spaced corona emitting rings about a center emitting element. The locations of the rings and emitting element are such that a corona is produced over a circular area rather than an annular ring.

Abstract: There is disclosed a corona discharger comprising a discharge wire for producing a corona discharge, a voltage source for applying a predetermined voltage to the discharge wire, an electrically conductive back plate being provided on the opposite side of the discharge wire to a member to be electrified, and an electrically conductive side plate being provided close to the member to be electrified. In the corona discharger, an opening for discharging ozone produced by said corona discharge is formed between said side plate and said back plate, and respective electric potentials of the side plate and the back plate are set so that a difference between respective electric potentials of the side plate and the discharge wire becomes lower than a difference between respective electric potentials of the back plate and the discharge wire.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting air, with the aid of an ion-wind, includes a corona electrode (K) at least one target electrode (M) located at a distance from the corona electrode, and a d.c. voltage source (4) connected between the corona electrode and target electrode. The arrangement includes a housing (1, 5) with an inlet opening (2) in which the corona electrode (K) is disposed centrally, and an air-flow path extending from the inlet opening and containing the target electrode (M). The target electrode is located spaced form and symmetrical with the center line through the inlet opening. The housing is configured so that the air-flow path downstream of the inlet opening (2) and the corona electrode (K) branches outwardly towards the target electrode (M), thereby forcing air entering through the inlelt opening (2) out towards the target electrode (M) and preventing at least the major part of this air-flow from continuing straight forwards along the extension of the center line.

Abstract: A cleaning device for wire electrode of corona discharger, for example, for use in electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which automatically cleans the wire electrode by relative movement of the wire electrode and cleaning member adapted to contact the wire electrode. Driving of a motor for the relative movement is temporarily stopped at a predetermined time or in response to occurrence of trouble of the relative movement, and started again, whereby the relative movement starts certainly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged gaseous fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing.