Liquid toner developing module for electrographic recording

摘要

A developing module for depositing liquid toner on an imaging surface of a photoconductive member includes a development electrode. The development electrode is supported by a shroud which includes a toner supply passageway. The supply passageway is coupled to a pump mechanism that delivers liquid toner to the development electrode from a supply sump. Liquid toner flowing across the development electrode is deposited on the imaging surface of the photoconductive member. The shroud further includes a toner return passageway coupled to a vacuum source. The vacuum source removes from the development electrode liquid toner that has not been deposited on the imaging surface of the photoconductive member. In addition, the vacuum source removes air from around the development electrode. A vacuum chamber is mounted to the shroud adjacent the toner return passageway and is further coupled to the vacuum source. The vacuum chamber separates the air drawn off of the development electrode from the undeposited liquid toner.