DRUM HEATER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Drum heater systems and methods are provided to maximize thermal efficiency by minimizing leakage of hot air from an imaging drum and to sufficiently reduce a gap space between an oven style heater and an inner drum surface. A drum heater system(400) of an imaging drum(14) includes a heater box disposed in the imaging drum and having an opened side to contact a surface of an inner drum, and at least one heater device disposed in the heater box. The drum heater system is controlled to independently heat at least two different parts of the imaging drum. The heating device includes first and second supporting structures disposed on a central supporting structure. The first supporting structure is spaced apart from the second supporting structure and has an end connector formed on a side thereof. The heating device further includes a first coil formed around the first supporting structure, and a second coil formed around the second supporting structure. One end of the second coil is coupled by an electric line extending toward the end connector through the second supporting structure within the central supporting structure.