Abstract The device described herein relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the dark decay rate of a photoreceptor surface. Disclosed is a method of reducing the dark decay rate of a photoreceptor surface by a set of steps reducing the internal field intensity causing reduction in a recombination of trapped diffused hole-electron pairs, including the steps of placing a charge of a first polarity on a surface of the photoreceptor thereby creating an internal field in the photoreceptor, and applying to the photoreceptor an opposite polarity field for maintaining the surface charge but reducing the internal field intensity and thereby reducing the dark decay. Apparatus for effecting reduction of dark decay as disclosed includes a means for inductively creating an oppositely charged field in conjunction with a critical segment of the photoreceptor surface or, alternatively, for placing a negatively charged electrode adjacent the critical segment of the photoreceptor surface.
A device for reducing the dark decay of a photoreceptor material employed in an electrostatographic reproduction process wherein first means are provided for charging the photoreceptor and forming a first electrostatic field in said photoreceptor, second means for selectively discharging the charged photoreceptor to form a light and dark image area, and third means for developing the light and dark image area, the combination comprising a dark decay retardation electrode positioned between said first means and said third means, said dark decay electrode responsive to the charged condition of said photoreceptor for forming a second electrostatic field, said second electrostatic field thereby reducing the intensity of saId first electrostatic field and inhibiting said dark decay rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for reducing the dark decay of a photoreceptor material employed in an electrostatographic reproduction process wherein first means are provided for charging the photoreceptor and forming a first electrostatic field in said photoreceptor, second means for selectively discharging the charged photoreceptor to form a light and dark image area, and third means for developing the light and dark image area, the combination comprising a dark decay retardation electrode positioned between said first means and said third means, said dark decay electrode responsive to the charged condition of said photoreceptor for forming a second electrostatic field, said second electrostatic field thereby reducing the intensity of saId first electrostatic field and inhibiting said dark decay rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said dark decay electrode comprises an insulating layer and a conductive backing, said insulating layer contacting said photoreceptor surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said dark decay electrode includes a metallic electrode, and further including a source of potential, said source of potential applying a potential to said dark decay electrode of an opposite polarity to the charge on the surface of said photoreceptor, said opposite charge thereby forming said second electrostatic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said dark decay electrode is positioned between said first and second means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said dark decay electrode is positioned between said second and third means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said insulating material is the same composition as said photoreceptor, with a higher degree of purity.