Patent ID: 8276468
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to detect nip width defined between rotatable members in a printing system, the apparatus comprising: a first rotatable member having an axis of rotation and a surface; a second rotatable member having an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the first roller, the at least one second rotatable member disposed so that a surface of the second rotatable member exerts pressure on the surface of the first rotatable member at a nip having a width; and at least one sensor disposed at the end of the second rotatable member to generate an electrical signal upon the start of the nip and at upon the end of the nip, the sensor being sensitive to mechanical pressure associated with the nip, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of load cell, piezoelectric crystal and combination thereof and the electrical signal generated by the at least one sensor is passed to a circuit by at least one of a signal transmitter and a communication cable, the communication cable being a stationary contact with a spring loaded brush.