Direct charging device using nano-structures within a metal coated pore matrix
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsMichael F. Zona, Joseph A. Swift, Dan A. Hays
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Abstract
In accordance with the invention, there is an electrophotographic charging device including a first electrode, a second electrode adjacent the first electrode, a plurality of nanostructures adhering to the first electrode, and voltage supplies electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode creates a high electric field at the nanostructures to cause charge species generation that is deposited on a receptor.
Claims22
An electrophotographic charging device comprising:
- a first conductive layer;
- a porous layer disposed on the first conductive layer, wherein the porous layer comprises a plurality of pores;
- a second conductive layer disposed on the first layer;
- at least one nanostructure disposed within each of the plurality of pores of the first layer, wherein the at least one nanostructure is electrically connected to the first conductive layer;
- a receptor disposed opposing the second conductive layer;
- and
- a first power supply electrically connected to the first conductive layer to apply a first bias voltage to the first conductive layer.
A method of charging a receptor in an electrophotographic charging device, the method comprising:
- providing a porous layer comprising a plurality of pores, wherein the porous layer is disposed on a first conductive layer;
- providing at least one nanostructure disposed within each of the pores of the first layer, wherein the nanostructures are electrically connected to the conductive substrate;
- providing a second conductive layer disposed on the first layer;
- applying a first voltage to the first conductive layer and a second voltage to the second conductive layer to enable generation of a plurality of charged species;
- and
- charging the receptor by depositing the plurality of charged species on the receptor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.