GB1403177A - Dashpots - Google Patents

Abstract

1403177 Line-by-line scanning XEROX CORP 30 March 1973 15565/73 Heading G2A [Also in Division F2 ] In a line-by-line scanning system employing a reciprocatory carriage carrying a mirror, the return stroke of the carriage is dampened by a dashpot. In one form, Fig. 3, a compression spring 52 is situated between a cup-shaped piston 45 and the dampening end of a cylinder 41, the cylinder having an adjustable bleed jet 48 at the dampening end, a plurality of apertures (of diminishing size towards the dampening end) in its side wall, and a plurality of apertures 54 in the non-dampening end wall of the cylinder (through which a piston rod 46 passes). Rod 46 is in contact with a flange member 22 a connected to a carriage 22 carrying a mirror (13), Fig. 1 (not shown) and driven by a capstan (31). A further mirror (12) is carried by a further carriage (21) having an end stop (34) and being driven by a further capstan (27). The capstans have a common drive-shaft (28) and solenoid-actuated clutch and are spring-biased to the start of scan position. In another form Fig. 4, (not shown) a hollow piston-rod is axially aligned with and is connected to carriage 22, no dampening spring being present and the non-dampening end of the cylinder being open. The piston may be withdrawn from the cylinder at the end of the scanning stroke and dampening may commence on reinsertion of the piston. In a further form, Fig. 5, rod 46 passes through the dampening end of cylinder 41 and the dashpot acts by means of a cable 61 on the buffered carriage (21). The dashpot may have an open non-dampening end and the bleed jet may be replaced by an imperfect seal around rod 46.