The author has studied toner transport utilizing electrostatic traveling wave with high-speed photography, measurements of toner charge distributions, and numerical simulations. In this study, the author has concentrated on the toner cloud above the main transport stream. The mechanism of the toner cloud formation has been identified, and a method to separate the correct sign toner from the wrong sign toner particles utilizing the mechanism has been developed. For the fewer toner particles and a lower speed toner transport, we used high-speed photography to observe an arch-shaped toner cloud above the transport. Using a simplified model, we have found that such an arch-shaped toner cloud is formed by the effect of air-drag. On the other hand, in the development system conditions such as a higher toner concentration and a faster speed toner transport, the arch-like cloud becomes dense because of the effect of the electrostatic attraction force. The author has proposed that the cloud comprises the same number of toner particles of both signs, and has designed toner separation and re-charging system using vertical toner transporting.
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