Patent ID: 8639169
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fuser for an electrophotographic imaging device, said fuser comprising: a lamp heater assembly; a fusing belt being endless having a flexible tubular configuration and being positioned about said lamp heater assembly and spaced outwardly therefrom; a pressure tube having a tubular body and a pair of opposite ends, said tubular body being elongated and substantially transparent to the passage of radiant heat therethrough; a pressure tube support assembly having a frame supporting said pressure tube at said opposite ends of said tubular body thereof such that said tubular body of said pressure tube is positioned around said lamp heater assembly and inside said fusing belt and enables transmission of heat radiation from said lamp heater assembly to heat said fusing belt, said pressure tube support assembly adapted to apply a force such that said pressure tube applies pressure contact to said fusing belt along a length-wise segment of said fusing belt; and a backup roll positioned in opposition to said length-wise segment of said fusing belt and to said pressure tube contained within said fusing belt in counter relation to the pressure applied by said pressure tube on said length-wise segment of said fusing belt such that said fusing belt and said backup roll form a fuser nip, wherein said pressure tube is supported in a stationary manner by said pressure tube support assembly.