Patent ID: 8050595
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A replenishment carrier injection system for adding fresh carrier particles to two-component developer housings, the replenishment carrier injection system including: (a) a carrier-only hopper for receiving and containing a first quantity, of fresh carrier particles; (b) metering valves connected to a discharge end of said carrier-only hopper for stopping and allowing flow of fresh carrier particles from said carrier-only hopper; (c) a pneumatic plenum connected to said metering valves; (d) an air pump connected to said pneumatic plenum for pneumatically conveying fresh carrier particles away from said pneumatic plenum; and (e) carrier injection assemblies each being connected to said pneumatic plenum and including a conduit for carrier flow, a direct injector elbow connecting said conduit to a developer housing for directly injecting fresh carrier from the pneumatic plenum into the developer housing; and a fresh carrier current collector for detecting any fault in fresh carrier flow through said direct injector elbow into said developer housing.