Abstract: An ink jet cartridge for use in an ink jet printer. In one embodiment, the ink jet cartridge has an ink tank configured to hold a first capacity of ink. The ink tank comprises a negative pressure producing material containing chamber and a free ink chamber. A lid configured to seal the negative pressure producing material containing chamber and free ink chamber of the ink tank is adapted to reduce the volume of the ink tank from a first capacity to a second capacity of ink. A method of manufacturing the same is provided.

Abstract: A hose tracking system having a hose assembly with an attached RF ID tag imbedded therein during manufacture, molded thereon or permanently attached. The RF ID tag is coded with an identification specific to the particular hose assembly. An RF ID tag reader is provided, which is usable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the hose, preferably after it is installed at the user facility. The RF ID tag reader includes a user input for at least one trackable event and is at least one of connectable to a computer network or compatible for uploading the identification and any user input to a network accessible device. A network accessible hose database is provided, having hose-related information. The network accessible hose database provides access to a user to obtain the hose-related information based on the identification from the RF ID tag and receives and stores data related to the at least one trackable event.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems for an ink jet printer and methods for manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the system comprises a separable ink tank, a printhead body having an opening, ink ejectors associated with the printhead body, and a retainer engaged with the tower portion of the printhead body and with an exit port of the ink tank. A filter is attached to least one of the printhead opening and the retainer, such as by insert molding or heat staking for example. A filter cover member, such as a wick or a septum for instance, is disposed adjacent the filter.

Abstract: An ink tank for an ink jet printer having one or more ink reservoir chambers, and a priming piston or pistons incorporated into the tank. The piston can be activated by a linkage in the printer such that when the tank is installed in the printer, the piston is depressed to the end of its travel. This forces a volume of ink out of the ink exit orifice, through the ink channels in the printhead, and into the ink ejector chip, thereby priming the printhead. The priming piston contains a sealing section with annular rings and a venting section with a circuitous venting path such as helical rings. The interaction of these two sections of the piston with orifices on the walls of the priming cylinder allows the ink reservoir chambers to be vented during shipping and storage, pressurized during priming, and vented after priming.

Abstract: A printhead comprising a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle and downstream from a first ink filter, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the first ink reservoir and operative to withdraw gas from the first ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the first ink reservoir. The present invention also includes method of removing gas in fluid communication with an ink reservoir, the method comprising purging gas from a gas accumulation area of an ink reservoir, where purging act includes manipulating a valve assembly downstream from an ink filter, the valve assembly operative to separate the gas accumulation area of the ink reservoir from an external environment, the valve assembly operative to facilitate unidirectional volumetric flow of the gas between the gas accumulation area and the external environment.

Abstract: A method of assembling a print head that includes the steps of: (a) providing a print head base including a nozzle and at least one ink channel; (b) mounting in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base an ink regulator that includes: (i) a pressurized chamber including an ink inlet in fluid communication with an ink source, an ink outlet in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base, and an exterior flexible wall having an inner surface facing an interior of the pressurized chamber, (ii) a valve biased to restrict fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the exterior flexible wall actuates the valve to overcome the bias in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall to provide fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the fluid communication between the pressurized chamber and the ink source decreases the pressure differential ac

Abstract: An ink cartridge having ink reservoirs and foam located in a pocketed lid that fits into a cartridge body. Each pocket has an orifice located such as to deliver ink to as ejection device. The ink reservoirs are filled with ink when the pocketed lid is apart from the cartridge body by injecting the ink into the foam through the orifices in the pockets.

Abstract: A multi-fluid body and an ejection head substrate connected in fluid flow communication with the multi-fluid body for ejecting multiple fluids therefrom. The multi-fluid body includes at least two segregated fluid chambers. Independent fluid supply paths lead from each of the fluid chambers providing fluid to multiple fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate. The ejection head substrate is attached adjacent an ejection head area of the body. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate have a flow path density of greater than about one flow paths per millimeter.

Abstract: A process equipment tracking system utilizing an attached RF ID tag attached to the process equipment during manufacture or thereafter. The RF ID tag is coded with an identification specific to the particular process equipment. An RF ID tag reader is provided, which is usable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the process equipment, preferably after the equipment is installed at the user facility. The RF ID tag reader includes a user input for at least one trackable event and can write data based on the at least one trackable event back onto the RF ID tag. The RF ID tag reader is at least one of connectable to a PC or the internet, or is compatible for uploading the identification and any user input to an internet accessible device. A process equipment database is provided, having process equipment-related information.

Abstract: A hose tracking system having a hose assembly with an attached RF ID tag imbedded therein during manufacture, molded thereon or permanently attached. The RF ID tag is coded with an identification specific to the particular hose assembly. An RF ID tag reader is provided, which is usable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the hose, preferably after it is installed at the user facility. The RF ID tag reader includes a user input for at least one trackable event and is at least one of connectable to a computer network or compatible for uploading the identification and any user input to a network accessible device. A network accessible hose database is provided, having hose-related information. The network accessible hose database provides access to a user to obtain the hose-related information based on the identification from the RF ID tag and receives and stores data related to the at least one trackable event.

Abstract: Multi-compartmentalized ink cartridges for ink jet printers and improved methods for making the ink cartridges. The multi-compartmentalized ink cartridge includes a molded, open-topped body having an interior cavity and a printhead surface area opposite the interior cavity. A divider wall is integrally molded with the molded body structure and disposed in the interior cavity to provide at least three segregated ink chambers. The divider wall includes a first wall section and a second wall section attached substantially perpendicular to the first wall section. At least first, second, third molded ink flow paths connect each of the at least three segregated ink chambers with the printhead surface area. The second and third ink flow paths are oriented relative to their corresponding ink chambers for molding with a mold insert tool so that the cartridge body does not require a separately attached member to close mold insert tool insertion areas in the body.

Abstract: The invention teaches placing labels over air diffusion vents on inkjet printheads depending upon a content of the inkjet printhead. In one embodiment, the inkjet printhead contains one or three inks in its interior and has three air diffusion vents in a lid that fluidly communicate with the interior. If the interior has one ink, a label covers the entirety of two of the three air diffusion vents to substantially prevent the two air diffusion vents from communicating with atmosphere. If the interior has three inks, a label only covers a portion of each of the three air diffusion vents and allows each to fluidly communicate with atmosphere. In this manner, single or tri-color inkjet printhead manufacturing can occur with a single lid having a multiplicity of label placement positions. The labels can have similar dimensions, dissimilar length dimensions or other.

Abstract: An event data recorder and method for recording data relating to a distinct event which pertains to operation of a mechanism. The recorder comprises a device for collecting data pertaining to such operation and formatting such data into a sequence of data elements. A circular buffer is linked to the collecting and formatting device for temporarily storing a number of data elements. The elements are stored on the buffer as a newest element continuously writes over an oldest element as a storage limit of the buffer is reached. The recorder also includes a timer of predetermined duration which activates upon each occurrence of such event. The recorder has a memory device for retaining the data elements. The elements can be accessed therefrom for analysis of such operation of such mechanism surrounding such event.

Abstract: This invention of a proportional force modulation wheel slide protection process for steel wheel/steel rail vehicles. It applies particularly to self-propelled transit type railway vehicles. It uses a slide detection logic which predicts the force reduction needed to control slippage and correct the slide condition. The force modulation is made on the basis of the initial prediction and the time that a slide has been in effect to determine if greater force reduction is needed to effect a slide correction. Sensing of positive to negative axle rate polarity shift is used to determine when a slide has been corrected and normal braking force can be restored. This process is used to control slides by modulating both the dynamic and friction braking in like manner. The normal braking control devices are used to reduce braking force during slide correction. Although this process could be implemented through the use of discrete circuits, it lends itself to microprocessor applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing relative spin speed traction control on a railway vehicle. Such apparatus includes a wheel spin detection device connected to receive a plurality of input signals; one of such input signals being an externally generated axle rate signal which represents an acceleration/deceleration rate of a particular wheel/axle set being monitored with respect to wheel slippage. This device generates a spin speed selection output signal and a respective axle's wheel spin detection signal. A wheel spin correction device connected to receive as input signals; a power/brake signal which represents when such vehicle is either in a braking mode or not, a spin speed selection output signal and the respective axle's wheel spin detection signal. This device determines the appropriate output force command signal selected from remove, hold and apply and also generates an output signal indicating a spin correction being in progress or not in progress for a respective axle.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a door comprising a first microprocessor and a second microprocessor each having a plurality of inputs for sensing the status of a vehicle. The plurality of inputs include a no motion trainline input, an open trainline input, an unlock trainline input and a close trainline input. The first microprocessor also has a close grant input for receiving a close grant signal from the second microprocessor while the second microprocessor also has a close request input for receiving a close request signal from the first microprocessor. The system also includes a motor for opening and closing the door and a motor relay circuit device, controlled by the microprocessors, for controlling the direction of power flow through the motor. When the motor relay circuit device activates, the motor is enabled to open the door and when it deactivates the motor is enabled to close the door. The system further includes a motor chopper control for controlling the delivery of power to the motor.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for an improved pattern recognition wheel slide protection system for passenger transit type railway vehicles. It receives as inputs the rotational velocities of all the axles on the vehicle, and the acceleration rates for the axles. It also receives signals for brake cylinder pressure. The system uses the velocity and acceleration data to determine whether the wheels on an axle are slipping, and determines the severity of the slip. It calculates a timeout value based on the severity of the slip, and times a slip correction until the timeout value is reached, whereupon the slip correction is terminated. The system uses a simplified logic for providing brake control signals. A cascade logic method is used in which the brake control signal starts out indicating full application, then, based on signals indicating change in sign of acceleration rate, and acceleration rate in excess of a predetermined value, changes the brake control signal to pulsed brake application.

Abstract: Method of providing brake retardation capability safety check. Method includes generating a signal representing vehicle mass, and combining it with an electric brake feedback signal and a brake cylinder pressure signal to generate a signal representing vehicle deceleration rate. Integrating the signal representing vehicle acceleration rate to generate an output signal representative of a process cycle speed reduction value. Inputting and storing values of process cycle speed reduction output signals to and in, respectively, a summation unit. Adding such values inputted to summation unit to a predetermined number of seconds worth of process cycle speed reduction values and generating output signal representative of braking effort available in terms of speed reduction over such predetermined number of seconds. Inputting brake command signal to brake command jerk limiting unit.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling wheel slip in a railway vehicle brake system which includes: determining whether the axle rate is in the slippage range, and generating a first output logical signal indicative thereof; comparing the axle rate and the first output logical signal to determining an energy summation value indicative of the wheel/axle set's loss of energy due to braking wheel slippage, and generating an energy summation signal indicative thereof; determining an energy loss limit and generating an energy loss limit signal at which wheel slippage has little potential for self correction; comparing the energy summation signal and the energy loss limit signal to generate a second logical output signal indicative of whether the wheel/axis set is in a slip condition that needs correction; comparing the axle rate signal, the energy summation signal and the second logical output signal to generate a wheel slip intensity signal; converting the wheel slip intensity signal to a command signal; an

Abstract: A clip composed of a resilient material such as steel wine or a plastic that is formed for attachment to the fabric surface of a modular wall unit, and which will hold papers thereto.