Patent ID: 8643686

Claim:
An apparatus for variable rate fuser release fluid application, the apparatus comprising: a release agent metering roller supported for contact with a supply of release agent material; a variable speed drive arranged to effect movement of the release agent metering roller in an endless path at different surface velocities; and a donor roller supported in contact with the release agent metering roller and a fuser roller of a contact fuser, the donor roller defining a first nip with the metering roller, the donor roller defining a second nip with the fuser roller, the donor roller arranged to convey release agent material from the release agent metering roller to the fuser roller at various rates depending on a surface velocity of the release agent metering roller, an amount of release agent material left on the donor roller, a film thickness of release agent material on the release agent metering roller, and a speed ratio between the release agent metering roller and the donor roller, wherein the variable speed drive is operative independently of the fuser roller.