Corona discharge device

Claim 2

A corona discharge assembly of the type having electrode means, means for suspending said electrode means in spaced relation to a corona current receiving member whereby a corona current flow path is defined between said electrode means and said corona current receiving member, said suspending means comprising at least one electrically insulative member supportively connected to said electrode means and including an external surface having a region that is generally exposed to the path of corona current flow, and electrically conductive means engaging said insulative member at a location spaced from said electrode means wherein the improvement comprises: means forming an interruption in said corona exposed external surface region positioned between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means whereby substantially all paths on said corona exposed external surface region of said insulative member between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means cross said interruption, said interruption including a shielded surface portion that lies out of the path of corona current flow.

Claim 3

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said shielded surface portion extends in a direction making a substantial angle with the path of corona current flow and faces outwardly away from said electrode means.

Claim 4

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said shielded surface portion extends in a direction making an angle in excess of 45* with the path of corona current flow and faces outwardly away from said electrode means.

Claim 5

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said shielded surface portion extends in a direction that is substantially normal to the path of corona current flow and faces outwardly away from said electrode means.

Claim 6

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said interruption comprises a cul-de-sac configuration formed in said insulative member and having at least a restricted external opening to minimize gaseous movement therethrough.

Claim 7

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said cul-de-sac configuration is long relative to said restricted external opening.

Claim 8

A corona discharge assembly of the type having at least one elongated electrode means, means for suspending said electrode means in spaced relation to a corona current receiving member whereby a corona current flow path is defined between said electrode means and said corona current receiving member, said suspending means comprising at least a pair of electrically insulative members supportively connected to opposed ends of said elongated electrode means, and each including an external surface region that is generally exposed to the path of corona current flow and electrically conductive means engaging said insulative members at points spaced from said electrode means, wherein the improvement comprises: means forming an interruption in said corona exposed external surface region of each of said insulative members positioned between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means whereby substantially all paths on said corona exposed external surface region of said insulative members between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means cross said interruption, said interruptions each including a shielded surface portion that lies out of the path of corona current flow.

Claim 9

A corona discharge assembly of the type having at least one elongated electrode means, means for suspending said electrode means in spaced relation to a corona current receiving member whereby a corona current flow path is defined between said electrode means and said corona current receiving member, said suspending means comprising at least a pair of electrically insulative members supportively connected to opposed ends of said elongated electrode means, and each including an external surface region that is generally exposed to the path of corona current flow and electrically conductive means engaging said insulative members at points spaced from said electrode means, wherein the improvement comprises: means forming an interruption in said corona exposed external surface region of each of said insulative members positioned between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means whereby substantially all paths on said corona exposed external surface region of said insulative members between said electrode means and said electrically conductive means cross said interruption, said interruptions each including a shielded surface portion that lies out of the path of corona current flow.

Claim 10

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said electrically conductive means comprises a control grid positioned in the path of corona current flow and supportedly mounted on said insulative members.

Claim 11

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said electrically conductive means comprises a conductive shield partially surrounding said electrode means and being supportingly connected to said insulative members.

Claim 12

The corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive means comprises a conductive shield partially surrounding said electrode means and being supportingly connected to said insulative members.

Claim 13

A corona discharge assembly of the type having at least one elongated electrode wire, means for suspending said electrode wire in spaced relation to a corona current receiving member whereby a corona current flow path is defined between said electrode wire and sAid corona current receiving member, said suspending means comprising at least a pair of electrically insulative members supportively connected to opposed ends of said electrode wire and each including an external surface region that is generally exposed to the path of corona current flow, and electrically conductive control grid means supportedly connected to said electrically insulative members and positioned between said electrode wire and said corona current receiving member for limiting corona current flow, wherein the improvement comprises: means forming an interruption in said corona exposed external surface region of each of said insulative members, said interruption including a surface portion extending a substantial distance generally normal to the path of corona current flow and facing outwardly away from said electrode wire, and positioned between said electrode wire and said conductive grid whereby substantially all paths on said corona exposed external surface regions of said insulative members between said electrode wire and said conductive grid cross said interruptions.

Claim 14

A corona discharge assembly of the type having at least one elongated electrode wire, means for suspending said electrode wire in spaced relation to a corona current receiving member whereby a corona current flow path is defined between said electrode wire and sAid corona current receiving member, said suspending means comprising at least a pair of electrically insulative members supportively connected to opposed ends of said electrode wire and each including an external surface region that is generally exposed to the path of corona current flow, and electrically conductive control grid means supportedly connected to said electrically insulative members and positioned between said electrode wire and said corona current receiving member for limiting corona current flow, wherein the improvement comprises: means forming an interruption in said corona exposed external surface region of each of said insulative members, said interruption including a surface portion extending a substantial distance generally normal to the path of corona current flow and facing outwardly away from said electrode wire, and positioned between said electrode wire and said conductive grid whereby substantially all paths on said corona exposed external surface regions of said insulative members between said electrode wire and said conductive grid cross said interruptions.

Claim 15

An electrostatic copy reproducing mechanism having a copy surface, for receiving an electrostatic charge and comprising the improvement of a corona discharge assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said copy surface comprises said corona current receiving member and further comprising high voltage power supply means for delivering corona generating potential to said electrode wire, and means connected with said conductive grid for controlling the potential thereon.