# US 5,706,162 A · Corona generating device

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- Number: US 5,706,162 A
- Document ID: US5706162A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/355,577
- Filed: 1994-12-14
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1994-12-14
- Assignees: Xerox Corporation
- Inventors: Richard F. Bergen; Robert W. Gundlach
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706162A

## CPC

- H01T 19/00: Devices providing for corona discharge (for charging electrographic elements G03G15/02)
- G03G 15/0291: {corona discharge devices, e.g. wires, pointed electrodes, means for cleaning the corona discharge device}
- H01T: SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES (overvoltage protection circuits H02H)
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A single piece, planar, integral corona generating device that applies a uniform charge to a charge retentive surface, including a dielectric layer, corona producing element formed on one side of the dielectric layer, reference electrode positioned on the other side of the dielectric layer, for controlling the charge level placed on the charge retentive surface by the corona producing element, for applying a low DC voltage to the reference electrode; and AC high voltage connected to the corona producing element for applying sufficient voltage to the corona producing elements so that ions are emitted from the reference electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A corona generating device, comprising:
a dielectric layer;
a corona producing element formed on a surface of said dielectric layer;
a reference electrode, positioned on a surface of said dielectric layer, opposed from the surface having said corona producing element formed thereon for controlling charging by said corona producing element;
a resistive layer interposed between said reference electrode and said dielectric layer;
a voltage source coupled to said reference electrode; and
an AC voltage source coupled to said corona producing element for energizing said reference electrode to emit ions therefrom.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, wherein said dielectric layer comprises a dielectric support substrate for supporting said corona producing element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The corona generating device of claim 2, wherein said corona producing element comprises a conductive layer deposited on said dielectric support substrate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The corona generating device of claim 3, wherein said resistive layer comprises a layer of ruthenium oxide in a glass or ceramic binder.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The corona generating device of claim 2, wherein said support substrate is made of alumina.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, wherein said corona producing element comprises a conductive substrate for supporting said dielectric layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The corona generating device of claim 6, wherein said dielectric layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.005 to about 0.100 inches with the thickness preferably being about 0.020 inches.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer formed on said corona producing element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, wherein said reference electrode comprises a pattern defining a slit therein.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, wherein said reference electrode comprises a pattern defining a plurality of apertures therein.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, further comprising said insulative spacer disposed on a surface of said reference electrode.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The corona generating device of claim 1, wherein said resistive layer has a resistance between 10.sup.-12 ohms to 10.sup.5 ohms.

### Claim 13

A printing apparatus using a generating device, comprising:
a dielectric layer;
a corona producing element formed on a surface of said dielectric layer;
a reference electrode, positioned on a surface of said dielectric layer, opposed from the surface having said corona producing element formed thereon for controlling charging by said corona producing element;
a resistive layer interposed between said reference electrode and said dielectric layer;
a voltage source coupled to said reference electrode; and
an AC voltage source coupled to said corona producing element for energizing said reference electrode to emit ions therefrom.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The corona generating device of claim 13, wherein said dielectric layer comprises a dielectric support substrate for supporting said corona producing element.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The corona generating device of claim 14, wherein said corona producing element comprises a conductive layer deposited on said dielectric support substrate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The corona generating device of claim 15, wherein said resistive layer comprises a layer of ruthenium oxide in a glass or ceramic binder.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The corona generating device of claim 14, wherein said support substrate comprises alumina.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The corona generating device of claim 13, wherein said corona producing element comprises a conductive substrate for supporting said dielectric layer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The corona generating device of claim 18, wherein said dielectric layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.005 to about 0.100 inches with the thickness preferably being about 0.020 inches.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The corona generating device of claim 13, wherein said reference electrode comprises a pattern defining a slit therein.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The corona generating device of claim 13, wherein said reference electrode comprises a pattern defining a plurality of apertures therein.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The corona generating device of claim 13, further comprising said insulative spacer disposed on a surface of said reference electrode.

### Claim 23 (depends on 14)

The corona generating device of claim 14, wherein said resistive layer has a resistance between 10.sup.-12 ohms to 10.sup.5 ohms.