# US 2020/0401074 A1 · Air bearings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0401074 A1 - Document ID: US20200401074A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/965,031 - Filed: 2018-03-16 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Israel Katz; Boris Khodos; Avi Barazani; Sergio Turnowski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401074A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - F16C 32/0614: {the gas being supplied under pressure, e.g. aerostatic bearings} - F16C 32/0666: {of bearing pads} - F16C 32/067: {of bearings adjustable for aligning, positioning, wear or play} - G03G 15/10: using a liquid developer - G03G 21/1661: {means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus (G03G21/1604, G03G21/1642 take precedence)} - G03G 21/1666: {for the exposure unit} - G03G 21/1671: {for the photosensitive element} - G03G 21/206: {Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone} - F16C 32/0618: {via porous material} - F16C 32/0622: {via nozzles, restrictors} - F16C 32/0625: {via supply slits} - G03G 15/025: {by bringing a charging member in the vicinity with the member to be charged, e.g. proximity charging, forming microgap} - G03G 2221/1654: Locks and means for positioning or alignment - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A support assembly is disclosed. The support assembly may comprise a component to interact with a photoconductive imaging unit, the component being rotatable relative to the photoconductive imaging unit. The support assembly may comprise an air bearing positioned adjacent to a surface of the photoconductive imaging unit, the air bearing to generate a cushion of gas to support the component at a defined distance from the photoconductive imaging unit. A method and a print apparatus are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support assembly comprising: a component to interact with a photoconductive imaging unit, the component being rotatable relative to the photoconductive imaging unit; and an air bearing positioned adjacent to a surface of the photoconductive imaging unit, the air bearing to generate a cushion of gas to support the component at a defined distance from the photoconductive imaging unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises a charge generation component to generate an electrostatic charge on the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit as the charge generation component is rotated relative to the photoconductive imaging unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises a cleaning component for removing print agent from at least a portion of the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A support assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning component is movable relative to the photoconductive imaging unit between a first position in which the cleaning component is to interact with the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit and a second position in which the component is not to interact with the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the component is mounted to the air bearing using a ball joint. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A support assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the ball joint so as to restrict motion of the component within the ball joint. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the air bearing is to generate the cushion of gas such that the separation between the component and the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit is between around 5 micrometres and around 80 micrometres. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the air bearing is to generate the cushion of gas between the air bearing and the surface of the photoconductive imaging unit. ### Claim 9 A method comprising: providing an imaging surface on an imaging component, the imaging surface being to receive an image to be transferred to a printable medium; providing a roller to be rotated relative to the imaging surface; and mounting the roller relative to the imaging component; wherein the roller has an associated air bearing mechanism to support the roller at a defined distance from the imaging surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method according to claim 9, wherein the roller is moveable relative to the imaging component between a first position in which a component of the roller is to interact with the imaging surface and a second position in which the roller is not to interact with the imaging surface; wherein the roller is mounted to the air bearing mechanism by a ball joint; and wherein the method further comprises: temporarily locking the ball joint when the roller is in the first position. ### Claim 11 A print apparatus comprising: an imaging plate; a roller unit having a roller to be positioned proximal to the imaging plate; and an air bearer associated with the roller unit, the air bearer to generate a cushion of gas to maintain a defined separation between the imaging plate and the roller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A print apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the print apparatus comprises a liquid electrophotography print apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A print apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the roller unit comprises a charge generation component to generate a charge on the imaging plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A print apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the roller unit comprises a cleaning component for removing print agent from at least a portion of the imaging plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A print apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the roller unit is mounted to the air bearing mechanism using a spherical joint.