Abstract: An apparatus, including a photoconductor (1) for converting X-rays into a charge pattern, and a controllable charging device (3, 9) for charging the surface of the photoconductor to a defined potential. The service life of the charging device is prolonged in that there is provided a measuring device for measuring the potential on the surface of the photoconductor and for controlling the charging device in dependence on the potential.

Abstract: A corona-discharging type charging device for charging a photoreceptor includes saw tooth-shaped electrodes facing the photoreceptor; side plates applied with a DC bias voltage Vs and provided on both sides of the saw tooth-shaped electrodes; and a control grid applied with a DC bias voltage Vg and provided between the saw tooth-shaped electrodes and the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for modulating the distribution of available charge to a charge retentive surface. The charging apparatus includes a coronode wire positioned a predetermined distance away from the charge retentive surface and a charge stream dividing rod positioned between the coronode and charge retentive surface. The charge stream dividing rod has a conductive core and an insulating sheath overcoating the conductive core. Preferably, the conductive core is AC biased in order to sweep ions from the coronode wire back and forth over the charge retentive surface.

Abstract: A charging apparatus that prevents fogging due to light generated by a corona source. The charging apparatus includes two offset reference electrodes lying in separate horizontal planes or a light eclipsing element positioned between a corona source and an electrode member.

Abstract: An improved wire corona charging apparatus and processes for treating webs and films, to improve surface wettability characteristics and other surface properties, and to create permanently charged electrets. Corona produced by wires results in more evenly distributed ion flux under a high level of control, than possible with commonly used bar chargers. Wire chargers are not used in applications that involve webs and films of large width, since at these widths wires can slacken and break, resulting in possible electric shorting that can be a safety hazard in most non-batch processes. The embodiments disclosed overcome these reliability and safety issues.

Abstract: A scorotron charging unit for charging Verde film residing on the inner surface of an imagesetter drum has a charging region that encompasses a 270.degree. sector of the drum. The scorotron is fashioned by attaching a metallic strip coronode having a sawtooth edge around a section of pipe. Each tooth of the sawtooth strip is bent to an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the surface of the pipe. This pipe is slipped inside another pipe that includes a slit for the passage of ions in the direction of the Verde film, thus forming a scorotron. The scorotron while sliding through the drum holding this film, charges the film to sensitize it for imaging.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically cleaning the corona wires and charge control grid of a corona charger. The simplified cleaning mechanism comprises a cleaning pad assembly having opposed substantially parallel surfaces for wiping substantially parallel operative surfaces of the corona charger corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is held within the corona charger in association with the corona wire and grid, and is movable along substantially the length of the corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is automatically selectively activated such that, on linear movement, the cleaning pad assembly cleans the corona wire and charge control grid at the same time. The cleaning pad includes a cleaner bar, a batting member matching a surface of the cleaner bar and a cleaning material wrapped around the cleaner bar and batting member.

Abstract: A device for humidifying and ionizing air includes a first chamber for humidifying the air, a second chamber, which is separate from the first chamber, for ionizing the air, and means for aspirating and expelling the air through the two chambers, keeping the streams of ionized air and of water vapor separate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corona discharger displacing mechanism and a grid electrode positioning mechanism which are used for a unit of an image forming section in an image forming apparatus. The displacing mechanism causes a corona discharger to advance or retreat in synchronism with the inserting or extracting operation of the unit. On the other hand, the positioning mechanism stretches a grid electrode in co-operation with the unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a corona device with a charging grid for charging a photoreceptor to voltage levels, a developer for applying toner to the photoreceptor, and a corona control responsive to the signal for charging the photoreceptor by adjusting the photoreceptor voltage levels in relation to discrete photoreceptor segments. The adjustment of voltage levels is done by providing signals from a sensor in response to developing a series of test patches on the photoreceptor, relating the signals from the sensor to a given test patch, associating each of the test patches to a given segment of the photoreceptor, and adjusting the charging grid to a given voltage for each segment of the photoreceptor in response to the signals from the test patches on the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a corona device for charging a photoreceptor to voltage levels, a developer for applying toner to the photoreceptor including a sensor for providing signals in relation to current flow between the photoreceptor and the developer as a result of the developer applying toner to the photoreceptor on predetermined patches, and a corona control responsive to the signals for adjusting the corona device for charging the photoreceptor to adjusted voltage levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for corona-charging a charge-receiving member having image frames used in recording, such as in electrostatographic recording. In the method and apparatus there is synchronizing movement of the charge-receiving member with the application of different voltages to the corona-charging apparatus. Thus, during a transition period when a region of the charge-receiving member that is adjacent a leading edge of an image frame is aligned with the charging apparatus, an element of the charging apparatus is provided with an overcharge voltage level substantially higher than a voltage level suitable for achieving on the image frame an aim point voltage level to which the image frame is to be charged to provide a relatively rapid rate of charge deposition on the charge-receiving member. The voltage on the element is thereafter adjusted to a lower voltage level suitable for achieving an aim point voltage level on the image frame. The element is preferably a grid but may be a corona-charging wire.

Abstract: A charger performs corona discharge by applying a voltage to a discharging electrode. The charger includes an electrode plate formed in the shape of a panel on the discharging electrode, a plurality of projecting portions disposed in an end portion of the electrode plate, and a plurality of projection groups formed in each of the projecting portions such that the projection groups are adjacent to each other in a thickness direction of the electrode plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charger for charging a photosensitive drum, the charger having a charging wire extending in a lengthwise direction of the photosensitive drum, an optical system for illuminating a document and introducing a reflected light to the photosensitive drum to produce a latent image of the document, a detector for detecting a target portion of the charging wire causing a white line based on a copied image on copy paper, a cleaning member movable along the charging wire and adapted for cleaning the charging wire, a driver for moving the cleaning member along the charging wire, and a controller responsive to the detector for controlling the driver to move the cleaning member to the target portion of the charging wire and clean the target portion.

Abstract: A charging member for charging a photosensitive member from above toner in an electrophotographic process in which charging, exposure, development, and transfer steps are performed repeatedly and in which a step of cleaning toner remaining on a photosensitive member is eliminated, the charging member including: an electrically conductive charging wire which is disposed in contact with the photosensitive member; the charging wire forming an angle of less than 90.degree. with a direction of a rotational axis of the photosensitive member and is arranged at an interval in the direction of the rotational axis of the photosensitive member; and a power source for applying a pulse voltage to the charging wire, the pulse voltage having a polarity identical with that of the toner so as to vibrate the toner.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a moving member to be charged includes a charging member for contact with the member to be charged to which a voltage is applied; wherein the charging member has a volume resistivity of not more than 1.times.10.sup.9 ohm.cm, and a surface resistivity at a surface contactable to the member to be charged not less than 5.times.10 ohm/.quadrature..

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 charging apparatus for applying single polar electrostatic charges to a surface of a continuously travelling long web support before coating the support with a coating composition comprises a fine wire shaped corona discharging electrode connected to a electric source and a pass roller coated by a coating, the pass roller facing said corona discharging through the support.

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 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: A xerographic printing machine with at least two rollers disposed so that their axes are arranged parallel to each other. An endless belt, supported by the rollers, has a volume resistance within the range of 10.sup.9 to 10.sup.14 .OMEGA.cm. A photoreceptor is disposed adjacent to the endless belt. An endless belt charging device is disposed opposed to the photoreceptor in such a way that the endless belt is located between the endless belt charging device and the photoreceptor. An electrostatically charged toner supported on the surface of the photoreceptor is transferred to a print media. A guide member is disposed between the photoreceptor and the roller located upstream of the endless belt as viewed in the advancing direction of the endless belt. The guide device guides the advancing print media to bring the print media into contact with the endless belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image bearing member; and a charging device extending in contact with the image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of the image bearing member, the charging device including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction.

Abstract: A method of electrophotographically manufacturing a luminescent screen on an interior concave surface of a CRT faceplate panel having a major axis with a first center of curvature and a minor axis with a second center of curvature, the method including the steps of utilizing a charging apparatus for uniformly charging a photoconductive layer disposed on the concave surface of the faceplate panel by providing a corona voltage from a corona generator to at least one corona charger which has an arcuately-shaped charging electrode, the corona charger has a center of curvature substantially concentric with a center of curvature of the concave surface of the panel, a support arm attached to the corona charger is pivotably located at the other center of curvature, the corona charger substantially conforms to, and is spaced from the photoconductive layer on the concave surface, and moving the corona charger across the concave surface.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a charging device for charging the surface of a receptor with the charging device including a ribbon coronode with field modifying electrodes parallel to the ribbon that decrease the possibility of arcing.

Abstract: A charging device includes a thin (1 mil) conductive strip edge-on used as a coronode.

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: A miniature coronode charging device comprising a plurality of coronode wires that are slanted with respect to the direction of travel of a charge receptor in order to reduce the effective distance between "hot spots" in the wires and thereby insure uniform charging of the receptor. The length of coronode wires between support points and their conducting contacts is very small, thereby eliminating sagging, singing, tensioning and capacitance problems when providing a corotron charging device of unlimited length. Individual high impedance to the plurality of coronode wires is provided in order to limit the amount of current passing to each of the wires from a high voltage source and thereby reduce the possibility of arcing and damages to the charge receptor. Spacing between coronoa wires and the charge receiving surface is small to provide low corona threshold and self-limiting charging.

Abstract: A web electricity removing roller which removes static charge appearing on the surface of a web formed of paper, a plastic sheet or the like. The roller has a rotary cylindrical body as the main body thereof for guiding contact with the web. The rotary cylindrical body can be electrically connected to a power source or grounded. A plurality of through bores are formed in the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and a discharge electrode is disposed within the rotary cylindrical body. The electrically charged particles that are radiated from the discharge electrode by corona discharge form an electrically charged layer on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cylindrical body which can remove the static charges from the surface of the web in surface contact with the roller.

Abstract: In an ionographic device projecting a modulated stream of ions in imagewise fashion towards a moving imaging surface, including an ion printing head having an ion chamber supporting a coronode held at a voltage V.sub.C to produce ions for deposit on an imaging surface and a modulation channel extending from the ion chamber towards the imaging surface through which a stream of ions is directed for imagewise modulation by a plurality of modulation electrodes, electric field distribution within the ion chamber is controlled by selectively varying voltages along the surface regions of the ion chamber to different voltage levels, in an arrangement causing focusing of ion density in the area of the ion chamber adjacent to the modulation channel. An increased ion density in the area of the ion chamber adjacent to the modulation channel assists in providing an increased corona current at the output of the device.

Abstract: A charging device having a coronode that includes a comb-like ruthenium glass electrode silk screened onto a supporting dielectric substrate. The teeth of the comb-like electrode extend to an edge of the dielectric substrate and positionable relative to a screen or slit in several ways in order to form scorotron type devices.

Abstract: A corona discharging device for an electrophotographic copier, laser printer or similar image forming equipment of the type using an electrophotographic procedure. The device has a corona wire, a rear electrode, and a dielectric plate intervening between the corona wire and the rear electrode. A pulse voltage is applied across the corona wire and rear electrode, while a DC bias voltage is applied across the corona wire and a photoconductive element which is located in close proximity to the corona discharging device. A current for charging the photoconductive element is controlled to a predetermined constant value. When the charging current is lowered below a predetermined value or when the DC bias voltage is increased above a predetermined value or decreased below a predetermined value, a high-tension power supply stops feeding a high voltage by deciding that an output is open or short-circuited.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge emitting apparatus includes a discharging member having an electrode member, an electrically conductive elastic rubber member having fine conductive particles contained therein and an insulating layer having a number of apertures therein and being formed on the conductive elastic rubber member; and the electrode member is connected to an electric power source and a surface of the insulating layer is urged against a member to be charged or de-charged: and the member to be charged or de-charged is charged or de-charged by discharge in the apertures of the insulating layer generated by emitting electrostatic charge toward the member at a lower threshold voltage and thus the generation of ozone gas can be decreased.

Abstract: A charging apparatus wherein a back plate forming a back portion of a shielding member surrounding a discharging wire has an elongate opening for guiding a cleaning member for cleaning and defining a cleaning region of the wire and a cam groove communicating the elongate opening for separating the cleaning member from the wire. The distance between the discharging wire and a side plate of the shielding member is larger than the distance between the discharging wire and the back plate.

Abstract: A corona discharge device including a shield case having a bottom wall and a pair of walls extending from both side ends of the bottom wall and a wire stretched within the shield case. A guide member for preventing entry of a sheet material into the shield case has a guide arm portion extending across an opening of the shield case, and the free end portion of the guide arm portion is kept in elastic press contact with the wall of the shield case. Furthermore, the guide member for preventing entry of the sheet material into the shield case has one end portion fixed to one wall of the shield case and its other end portion detachably anchored selectively at one wall and the other wall of the shield case.

Abstract: A wire cleaning device has a cleaner movable for cleaning a charging wire in a corona discharger, and a motor for moving the cleaner. Whether or not the cleaner is locked somewhat in its stroke of movement is determined by signals from a position detector and a movement failure detector, or signals from an overcurrent detector and a timer. Alternatively, the cleaner which is locked in its moving stroke is forcibly moved by a larger amount of energy than normal, or is vibrated, on the basis of signals from a home position sensor and a failure detector.

Abstract: To perform a corona discharge treatment, a high voltage needs to be impressed between a base electrode and a discharge electrode. One of the electrodes is linked to a high frequency and high voltage source, and the other electrode is grounded. When the electrode linked to the source is moved to be accommodated to a surface to be treated of an object, accidents of an electric shock or a short-circuit often result from an unexpected contact of the electrode on an operator or installation, or a troubles often result from spark or coming-part of contacts. In this invention, one of the electrodes is linked to the source and immovably arranged, while the other is grounded and is allowed to make the movement for accommodating the surface to be treated of the object and the discharge electrode to each other. According to the corona discharge treatment apparatus of this invention, such accidents as an electric shock or a short-circuit, etc., are foreclosed, and troubles are reduced.

Abstract: Electrophotographic apparatus incorporating a corona discharge station with corona discharge from a wire. The corona wire extends as a continuous loop between two pulleys and is advanced at a velocity in excess of the velocity of the photoconductor to be charged. The ends of the wire from which the loop is made are tied together by means of a knot, and the knot is embedded in a bead of an elastic material, preferably polyurethane.

Abstract: An apparatus to increase the adhesive properties of an electrode material embedded in a synthetic resin matrix of a conductive layer and also to improve the mechanical strength of the composite body comprising the synthetic resin matrix and the embedded electrode material, without giving rise to technical problems in the processing of the composite body into a roll electrode by a known winding process, is provided. Electrically conductive fibers are embedded in the electrically conductive layer and the roll electrode is formed of at least one electrically conductive layer of fiber-reinforced synthetic resins and at least one fiber-reinforced insulating layer of synthetic resins.Roll electrodes of this type are used as counter-electrodes in corona devices for treating the surfaces of film webs by means of an electrical corona discharge, in order to improve the printability of the film webs or to increase the bond strength of the film webs with other layer materials.

Abstract: An image forming cartridge houses a charger unit integrally with respect to a photoreceptor.Charge wire positioning members are provided on the image forming cartridge body at positions corresponding to holes provided in the charger unit aligned with the charge wire in the charger unit. The charge wire positioning members are spaced at a specified distance from the photoreceptor to ensure uniform charging of the photoreceptor by the charge wire.

Abstract: A voltage measuring device in an electrostatographic arrangement having a photoreceptor member charged to a uniform voltage level prior to imagewise discharge, and including at least a first corotron having a corona producing coronode driven with an A.C. voltage source for neutralizing charge on a surface in the electrostatographic arrangement. A thin conductive wire electrode is arranged parallel and across the photoreceptor surface and parallel to the coronode, to derive a current proportional to the voltage on the photoreceptor surface. Voltage measurements may be taken as a known function of the current derived in the electrode.

Abstract: A medium to be charged is conveyed past a corona charging device, so that charge emitted by the corona charging device is deposited on the medium surface. A measuring wire disposed between the medium and the corona charging device, but positioned near the medium, collects a part of the emitted charge. A first measuring circuit is used to determine a measure i.sub.d of the charge current collected by the measuring wire. A second measuring circuit determines a measure i.sub.f of that part of the emitted charge current that flows to the medium. In accordance with a predetermined relation, a value E of the surface potential is derived from these measures i.sub.f and i.sub.d.

Abstract: A scorotron screen for use in a negative corona scorotron charging device comprises a beryllium copper alloy which reduces the problems associated with parking deletions in elecrophotographic process. The screen is fabricated by stamping from beryllium copper sheet metal. Heating the stamped member to a stress relieving temperature induces a tension on the member which enhances flatness.

Abstract: A method of charging or discharging a member including the steps of, opposing to a member to be acted, a discharging member having a dielectric member, an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted, applying an alternative voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, moving the member to be acted relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted by the thus formed surface discharge, ceasing the production of the surface discharge by attenuating both of positive and negative, at the discharging electrode relative to the inducing electrode, components of the alternating voltage at least down to a discharge stopping voltage and then rendering the voltage zero.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for measuring, in a continuous and contact-free manner, the thickness of a layer applied to a support. The apparatus includes a measuring apparatus which comprises a corona and a first electrostatic voltmeter positioned downstream of the corona in the direction of travel of the layer being measured. The process includes the steps of passing the layer under the apparatus, charging the layer in a contact-free manner, and measuring the level of the charging voltage.

Abstract: A corona discharge treating system wherein in order that the corona discharge treatment can be performed efficiently and securely on any product of complicated shape having a large number of different faces to be treated, the system is equipped with conveying means for conveyance of the article, a plurality of discharge electrodes are disposed along the conveying direction of the article, each of these discharge electrodes performs activation of a part of the surface to be treated by sharing, the whole surface to be treated can be activated when said article has passed through all these discharge electrodes, thereby enabling the surface treatment to be continuously made, while conveying the article.Complicated shape articles may be subjected to continuous and secure corona discharge treating without stagnation.

Abstract: A corona discharge device including a throw-away subassembly which is inexpensive and can therefore be discarded when it becomes ineffective for its intended purpose. The subassembly can be readily installed into the printing machine in which it is used. It comprises a generally rectangular-shaped insulative frame and a tungsten wire. When the subassembly is inserted into the machine, it cooperates with a generally U-shaped, conductive shield which is an integral part of the machine to form the corona discharge device.

Abstract: A ventilated corona charging device for charging a charge receptor includes at least one corona wire to which a high voltage is applied, an electrically conductive shield which partly encloses the corona wire and a blower for directing a stream of air at least into a first region defined between the corona wire and the charge receptor, preferably also into a second region defined between the corona wire and the shield, in order to cause corona discharge which is uniform as well as stable.

Abstract: A corona-charging apparatus for charging successive image area segments of a charge-receiving element, which corona-charging apparatus is capable of adjusting the charging rate from one segment to the next while minimizing the transition region between successive image area segments, includes electrode means for creating a corona discharge and a composite grid between the electrode means and a moving charge-receiving element. The composite grid includes a plurality of conductive controlled grid sets with at least one grid wire per set. The grid sets are spaced in the direction of movement of the charge-receiving element, and the voltage on each grid set is adjustable independently of the voltages on the other grid sets. Regulator means are provided for synchronizing the voltage of each grid set with the movement of the charge-receiving element.

Abstract: A corona discharge device having a roll electrode and a segmented corona discharge electrode assembly mounted in a spaced relation to the roll electrode, the electrode assembly including a number of electrode segments mounted in a staggered relation with respect to said roll electrode, each segment including a hollow tubular electrically conductive electrode and a cup-shaped insulator mounted on the end of the electrode, the insulator including a base having an opening in the center, a tubular wall section surrounding the outside of the electrode and a vent tube aligned with the opening in the base and extending into the electrode to provide a vent passage for drawing air or blowing air across the face of the surface of the base of the insulator, and an electricity conductive adhesive for securing the insulator to the electrode and providing an even electrical field between the base and the surface of the base race electrode.

Abstract: A charging device for contact-charging a member to be charged. A charging device for charging a movable member to be charged includes a contacting member adapted to contacting the member to be charged, and means for forming a vibratory electric field between the member to be charged and the contacting member, the vibratory electric field forming means applying between the members a vibratory voltage having a peak-to-peak value not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage to the member to be charged. The member to be charged can be uniformly charged.