US3769506A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corona generating methods and apparatus therefor
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-21
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Improved corona generating methods and apparatus therefor are provided in accordance with the teachings of this invention wherein a medium in relative motion with a charging station may be rapidly charged to a desired potential in a highly efficient manner. According to one embodiment of the present invention, corona charging apparatus including at least one coronode and having a shield associated therewith is provided and operated in such manner that current flow in the shield is maintained above a selected minimum level during the operation of the corona charging apparatus. The selected minimum level of current flow in the shield is of such value that the coronode will initially supply ion current with a substantially lower threshold energizing potential applied thereto than would be otherwise available and the directivity of the selected minimum level of current flow is such that the potential established at the shield will ensure that a majority of the ion charging current produced at the coronode is delivered to the medium to be charged.
Inventors
- 👤 M Silverberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In a corona generating circuit including at least one coronode means, shield means associated with said coronode means and means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and a medium to be charged, the improvement comprising: means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate to said at least one coronode means and said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged to thereby establish a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means; and means for maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode mEans to deliver a major portion of the current applied to said at least one coronode means by said potential applying means to said medium to be charged, said means for maintaining said predetermined minimum current flow being electrically disposed in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a corona generating circuit including at least one coronode means, shield means associated with said coronode means and means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and a medium to be charged, the improvement comprising: means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate to said at least one coronode means and said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged to thereby establish a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means; and means for maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode mEans to deliver a major portion of the current applied to said at least one coronode means by said potential applying means to said medium to be charged, said means for maintaining said predetermined minimum current flow being electrically disposed in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 1 wherein said established current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means takes the form of a closed current loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 1 additionally comprising insulating means positioned intermediate said coronode means and said shield means, said insulating means being disposed on a surface of said shield means proximate to said coronode means, whereupon said coronode means may be positioned in a physically close relationship to said surface of said shield means upon which said insulating means is disposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a corona generating circuit including at least one coronode means, shield means associated with said coronode means and means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and a medium to be charged, the improvement comprising: means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate to said at least one coronode means and said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged to thereby establish a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means; and means including potential source means connected to impedance means for maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means, the combination of said potential source means and impedance means being electrically disposed in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a corona generating circuit including at least one coronode means, shield means associated with said coronode means and means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and a medium to be charged, the improvement comprising: means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate to said at least one coronode means and said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged to thereby establish a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means; and means including potential source means connected to impedance means for maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means, the combination of said potential source means and impedance means being electrically disposed in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improved coronoa generating circuit according to claim 4 wherein said potential source means exhibits a polarity with respect to said at least one coronode means which is the same as that exhibited by said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 5 wherein said impedance means exhibits a value of resistance greater than the value of dynamic resistance exhibited between said at least one coronode means and said shield means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 6 wherein said potential source means and said impedance means are connected in series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 7 wherein means for maintaining said predetermined minimum current flow additionally comprises means for selectively modulating the current flow in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means, said means for selectively modulating said current flow being disposed in said means for electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means and serially connected to said potential source means and said impedance means, said means for selectively modulating said current flow acting to periodically interrupt said predetermined minimum current flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 7 wherein said established current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means takes the form of a closed current loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 7 additionally comprising a plurality of coronode means, each of said plurality of coronode means being disposed in a parallel relationship with said at least one coronode means and electrically connected in parallel therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 7 wherein said potential source Means and said impedance source means exhibit the characteristics of constant current source means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved corona generating circuit according to claim 11 wherein said means for applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and a medium to be charged exhibits the characteristics of constant current source means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of charging a medium with a corona generating apparatus including at least one coronode means and shield means associated with said at least one coronode means comprising the steps of: applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged; establishing a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means by electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate said at least one coronode means and a position at which said potential is applied between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged; and maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in the current path established between said shield means and said at least one coronode means by inserting a potential source means connected to impedance means in said current path.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of charging a medium with a corona generating apparatus including at least one coronode means and shield means associated with said at least one coronode means comprising the steps of: applying a potential between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged; establishing a current path between said shield means and said at least one coronode means by electrically connecting said shield means to said at least one coronode means at a point electrically intermediate said at least one coronode means and a position at which said potential is applied between said at least one coronode means and said medium to be charged; and maintaining a predetermined minimum current flow in the current path established between said shield means and said at least one coronode means by inserting a potential source means connected to impedance means in said current path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |