Property of air determination within image-forming device
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- determining a property of air within an image-forming device based on a measured change in air temperature within the image-forming device, power supplied to a heating element of the image-forming device other than an image-forming mechanism of the image-forming device, and an air flow generated by an air-moving device, the air flow heated by the heating element;
adjusting one or more parameters of the image-forming device based on the property of air determined, including maintaining a consistent air mass flow by the air-moving device for heating functionality thereof; and
,using the air flow heated by the heating element to dry colorant on media applied within the image-forming device.
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Abstract
A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that determines a property of air within an image-forming device based on a measured change in air temperature within the device, the power supplied to a heating element of the device, and an air flow generated by an air-moving device. One or more parameters of the image-forming device are adjusted, based on the air density determined.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a property of air within an image-forming device based on a measured change in air temperature within the image-forming device, power supplied to a heating element of the image-forming device other than an image-forming mechanism of the image-forming device, and an air flow generated by an air-moving device, the air flow heated by the heating element; adjusting one or more parameters of the image-forming device based on the property of air determined, including maintaining a consistent air mass flow by the air-moving device for heating functionality thereof; and
,using the air flow heated by the heating element to dry colorant on media applied within the image-forming device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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determining a measured change in air temperature within an image-forming device adjusting at least one of power supplied to a heating other than an image-forming mechanism of the image-forming device, and an air flow generated by an air-moving device, the air flow heated by the heating element, to control air density within the image-forming device, including maintaining a consistent air flow mass by the air-moving device for heating functionality thereof; and
,using the air flow heated by the heating element to dry colorant on media applied within the image-forming device, wherein the air density within the image-forming device is based on the measured change in air temperature, the power supplied to the heating element, and the air flow generated by the air-moving device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An assembly for an image-forming device comprising:
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an air-moving device to generate air flow to dry colorant on media applied within the image-forming device; a heating element to heat the air flow, the heating element other than an image-forming mechanism of the image-forming device; a temperature sensor to measure a change in air temperature; a power source to supply power to the heating element; and
,a controller to determine air density based on the air flow generated by the air-moving device, the change in air temperature, and the power supplied to the heating element by the power source, wherein the controller is to adjust one or more operating characteristics of the air-moving device based on the air density determined to affect one or more image-forming parameters of the image-forming device, including maintaining a consistent air mass flow by the air-moving device for heating functionality thereof. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A fan assembly for an image-forming device comprising:
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a fan to generate air flow to dry colorant on media applied within the image-forming device; a heating element to heat the air flow resulting in a change in air temperature, the heating element other than an image-forming mechanism of the image-forming device; a temperature sensor to measure the change in air temperature; a power input to couple the heating element to a power source to supply power to the heating element; and
,means for determining air density based on the air flow generated by the fan, the change in air temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and the power supplied to the heating element by the power source through the power input, and for adjusting one or more operating characteristics of the fan based on the air density determined to affect one or more image-forming parameters of the image-forming device, including maintaining a consistent air mass flow by the fan for heating functionality thereof. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. An image-forming device comprising:
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an image-forming mechanism to form images onto media advancing through the image-forming device; and
,a fan assembly having one or more operating characteristics adjusted based on an air density determined based on air flow generated by the fan assembly, a change in air temperature, and power supplied to a heating element of the fan assembly other than the image-forming mechanism, to affect one or more image-forming parameters of the image-forming mechanism, including maintaining a consistent air mass flow by the fan assembly for heating functionality thereof, wherein the air flow is heated by the heating element and dries colorant on the media applied within the image-forming device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification