Patent ID: 7677717

Claim:
A method for maintaining an imaging member of an imaging device, the imaging member being usable to transfer an image onto a substrate, the method comprising: applying release agent to the imaging member with an applicator; using a sensing method to determine a release agent saturation level of the applicator; metering the release agent into a film on the imaging member; applying the image onto the imaging member; transferring the image onto the substrate; storing the release agent remotely from the applicator in a reservoir; transferring the stored release agent from the reservoir to the applicator; monitoring the saturation level of the applicator using a closed-loop saturation level-sensing system; monitoring the amount of release agent pumped to the applicator versus the amount of pixels imaged using the closed-loop saturation level-sensing system; and determining when the metering device is damaged or worn-out by comparison of the monitored amount of release agent pumped and the amount of pixels imaged.