Piezoelectric sensors for automatic measurement of NIP width for fuser member control
US8276468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L5/0085
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
According to aspects of the embodiments, an apparatus and method is proposed to detect nip width by use of at least one piezoelectric (PZT) crystal embedded into a roll at both the inboard and outboard ends. A piezoelectric (PZT) crystal generates a charge when subjected to a load and when the load is released. The PZT generate signal is channeled to the ends of the roller such as with a brush contact to be processed and used within machine control. The duration measure from application and released of the load is indicative of the dwell time and the amplitude PZT generate signal is a function of the pressure. The time and amplitude of the PZT signal can be calibrated to correlate directly to nip width or pressure and tracked in machine control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.