Xerox Corporation

George A Schutt

Kamran U Zaman

Timothy J Leenhouts

Richard J Manzolati

Warren F Brydges

A noise-free silencer assembly is provided that is suitable for reducing self-vibration noises and screeching noises between a cleaning blade and the imaging member of an electrostatographic reproduction machine. The noise-free silencer assembly comprises a C-shaped cross-section elongate member having (a) a longitudinal axis, a wall defining an interior cavity for containing at least a partially compressed high density polymeric open cell foam, (b) a slot formed in the wall extending generally longitudinally and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the C-shaped cross-section member, and (c) a hinge recess also formed in the wall extending generally longitudinally, for reducing self-vibration noises and screeching noises between a cleaning blade and an imaging member of an electrostatographic reproduction machine.

Noise-free silencer assembly

An assembling device insures that the proper interference fit is obtained between a flange device and a hollow cylindrical member into which the flange device is inserted. During the insertion of the flange, the hollow cylindrical member is held in place so that it does not move. A displacement sensor monitors the assembly stroke or the distance the flange is inserted and a force sensor is used to measure the assembly force. Threshold values of the displacement and assembly force are set for each flange device and hollow cylindrical member. The flange device displacement and assembly force are communicated to an assembly indicator. A force and/or displacement value above or below the predetermined threshold value will trigger a signal which alerts an operator to improper assembly of the flange device to the hollow cylindrical member.

Apparatus and method for forming an interference fit

A silencer including a hollow tube having, in the free state a predetermined inside diameter, the tube including a tube wall having a substantially uniform thickness, an interior surface, a hard exterior surface at least one groove extending axially of the tube, the groove having a depth that is less than the thickness of the tube wall and a slot in the wall extending axially of the tube, and at least one partially compressed high density polymeric open cell foam plug in the interior of the hollow tube, the plug having in the uncompressed state a substantially circular cross section in at least one plane, the circular cross section of the plug having an outside diameter sufficient to increase the inside diameter of the hollow tube to a diameter at least about 5 percent greater than the predetermined inside diameter of the hollow tube in the free state. The hollow tube portion of the silencer may be recovered from a used hollow photoreceptor drum, combined with a high density polymeric open cell foam plug and installed in a fresh hollow photoreceptor drum.

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Pittsford, NY, United States of America

George A Schutt