Lexmark International, Inc.

Benjamin Kyle Shepherd

Kevin Dean Schoedinger

Douglas Anthony Able

Mark Stephen Underwood

Danny Keith Chapman

Michael Todd Phillips

Marshall White

David Herman Alverson

David Ross Cutts

Matthew David Miles

Phil Wright

Brian Michael Jacobs

A control system for a cooling fan of a laser printer enables selection of fan speed based on the actual degree of usage of the printer. The system provides first and second sets of fan speeds where each set contains information corresponding to a plurality of fan speeds. Information regarding the current operational condition of the fuser of the printer is periodically obtained, preferably during a preset interval. The fan is then operated at one of the fan speeds of the first or second set of fan speeds, with the selection of the first or second set and the selection of one of the fan speeds based on the current operational condition of the fuser. In this manner, the speed of the fan is substantially continuously controlled based on the operational condition of the printer.

System for controlling printer cooling fan

An improved variable speed fan controller for use in devices such as laser printers. The controller automatically adjusts its output signal to fans such that a fan quickly settles into an appropriate operating speed, even if the fan has been newly installed into the equipment. The controller can store values in non-volatile memory, if desired, to keep track of recent changes in the fan's operating parameters and corresponding control signal values. The controller is able to control relatively inexpensive fans that don't necessarily operate at a predictable fan rotating speed under repeatable conditions and control signals, by controlling the fan to an initial or predetermined rotating speed; if the fan isn't running within a suitable range of rotational speeds, then determining whether a fine or coarse adjustment should be made to the fan's rotational speed. The controller makes appropriate adjustments until the fan's rotational speed is within acceptable operating tolerances.

Method and apparatus for controlling a variable speed fan in an image forming device

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Versailles, KY, United States of America

Benjamin Kyle Shepherd