Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer includes an ink reservoir and a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink from the ink reservoir onto print media, the nozzles being formed in the ink jet printer printhead in a predetermined fashion with bores purposefully shaped and directed to determine the formation and placement of main drops and/or satellite droplets when ink is ejected from the ink reservoir when the printhead is part of an inkjet printer.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge comprising an ink chamber, at least one aperture coupling a pressure relief chamber to the ink chamber, the aperture having a small internal diameter for creating a negative pressure on any ink in the lower portion of the ink chamber and a plurality of microparticles positioned in the pressure relief chamber for forming a plurality of small interstices which form a capillary path in the pressure relief chamber, the microparticles creating a negative pressure on any ink in the lower portion of the ink chamber and the selected size of the microparticles resulting in a capillary path of selected size for controlling the magnitude of the negative pressure in the lower portion of the ink chamber. The pressure relief chamber is positioned below the ink chamber, the ink chamber including an opening to couple the ink cartridge to an ink jet head and the aperture is positioned at the lower portion of the ink chamber.

Abstract: An improved ink cartridge comprising an ink chamber, a pressure relief chamber coupled to the ink chamber, and at least one air bleed hole coupling the pressure relief chamber to the ink chamber, the air bleed hole having a capillary dimension for creating a negative pressure on any ink in the air chamber. The pressure relief chamber is positioned below the ink chamber, the ink chamber including an opening to couple the ink cartridge to an ink head, the opening including an automatic shutoff valve, and the air bleed hole is positioned at the bottom of the ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink sensing system for a vector plotter in which a pen is adapted to be raised and lowered from a drawing media surface along a system axis. An optical detection system is provided which has a focal point on the system axis and below the media surface when the pen is in its lowered position and at the media surface when the pen is in its raised position. The optical detection system includes a source of illumination and a detector system to determine the degree of reflectance from the media surface to indicate the presence or absence of ink on the media surface. In a particular embodiment the optical detection system is moveable and the movement of the optical detection system is coupled to the movement of the pen. Furthermore, the focal point of the optical detection system coincides substantially with the last point of contact of the pen with the media surface when the pen is in the raised position.

Abstract: A low loss photoplotter imaging system includes a light source having an array of light emitting diodes. A plurality of fiber optic coupling elements are coupled to the LED array and converge to produce a compact high density light source. An aperture plate defining a plurality imaging apertures is interposed between the light source and the medium and is driven by an electric motor to interchange the aperture operative upon the imaging beam. A power zoom lens is utilized to direct and focus the imaging beam upon a photosensitive having a magnification determined in part by the magnification of the zoom lens and close-up lens.

Abstract: A bistable storage target for use with a cathode ray storage tube is provided with electrode members forming an interdigitated electrode means. Electrode members connected to one bus bar are provided with collector electrode means which extend through a storage dielectric covering the electrode means for collecting secondary electrons emitted from written areas of the storage dielectric. Electrode members connected to another bus bar are isolated from the first bus bar electrode members and they are raised to a predetermined positive voltage subsequent to the flood gun means being turned off, the writing gun is turned on and the electron beam is directed to a selected area of the target thereby erasing the stored written information thereon.