Method and apparatus for charged particle generation
US4918468A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/323
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for charged particle generation, particularly for use in electrographic imaging, in which charged particles are generated in a discharge region and extracted to form an electrostatic image, wherein a controlled gas is introduced into the discharge region for improved operation and service life. The controlled gas may consist of nitrogen, an elemental noble gas (or mixture of such gasses, or a mixture of nitrogen with one or more noble gasses. In the preferred charged particle generator designs, a high voltage alternating potential (drive voltage) is applied between driver and control electrodes separated by a solid dielectric member to induce glow discharges within apertures in the control electrodes. The charged particle generator may include only the driver and control electrodes, or may further include screen electrodes to regulate the extraction of charged particles. Injection controlled gas into the various discharge sites dramatically reduces the threshold voltages for charged particle generation as well as the corrosion and fouling of electrodes and dielectrics, providing a more durable device and improved electrographic print quality. Nitrogen and nitro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.