Cooling and reusing the heat to preheat the fusing web in a belt fuser

摘要

A belt fusing apparatus for providing image gloss to a colorant image formed on a receiver member by a reproduction apparatus. The belt fusing apparatus includes a heated fuser roller, a pressure roller in nip relation with the fuser roller, and a steering roller. A fusing belt is entrained about the fuser roller and the steering roller for movement in a predetermined direction about a closed loop path. A cooling air flow is directed at the fusing belt over an area adjacent to the steering roller upstream of the steering roller. The cooling air flow, heated by the action of the air flow cooling the fusing belt, is captured and directed at the fusing belt downstream of the steering roller to preheat the fusing belt.