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US 2003/0142986 A1Published application
Image-forming machine having a development station with a developer flow monitoring system
AssigneeHeidelberg Digital L.L.C.
InventorEdward M. Eck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A development station has a developer flow monitoring system for an image-forming machine. The developer flow monitoring system senses the material flow of a developer in the development station.
Claims29
An image-forming machine comprising:
- a photoconductor;
- at least one charger operatively connected to the photoconductor, the at least one charger to electrostatically charge the photoconductor;
- an exposure machine operatively connected to the photoconductor, the exposure machine to form an electrostatic image on the photoconductor;
- and
- a development station operatively connected to the photoconductor, the development station to apply toner to the photoconductor, the development station comprising a material flow sensing device mounted on a developer sump, the material flow sensing device to generate a material flow signal in response to a material flow of a developer in the developer sump.
2 more elements
A development station for an image-forming machine comprising:
- a ribbon blender, a bucket assembly, and a toning roller operatively mounted in a developer sump;
- and
- a material flow sensing device mounted on the developer sump, the material flow sensing device to generate a material flow signal in response to a material flow of a developer in the developer sump.
A method for monitoring material flow in a development station of an image-forming machine, comprising:
- generating a material flow signal in response to a material flow of a developer in the development station;
- and
- comparing the material flow signal to a reference flow signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.