Abstract: A continuous inkjet system and method has a stimulation device producing a modulation in a liquid jet having a wavelength ? and causing a first liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along a path and causing a second liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along the path. The first liquid droplet has a first break off length and the second liquid droplet has a second break off length longer than the first break off length. The first break off length and the second break off length have a difference of at least one wavelength ? in response to stimulation pulses.

Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and spaced apart from the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and in contact with the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber and includes a plurality of flow through channels. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and in contact with the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber and includes a plurality of flow through channels. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and spaced apart from the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet system includes a plurality of nozzles producing a respective liquid jet through each nozzle. A stimulation device at each nozzle is responsive to different types of stimulation signals to produce a modulation in the respective liquid jet to selectively control droplet break off relative to phases of the cycle of a varying voltage source that is connected to a charge electrode. The break off phase of a droplet relative to the voltage phase of the voltage source will determine whether the droplet is charged or not charged. Droplets that become charged may be deflected from their paths and a deflection mechanism including the charge electrode determines which droplets are allowed to reach a surface for say printing and which droplets are collected and not deposited upon the surface.

Abstract: A drop generator is operated to form large-volume and small-volume droplets by providing a droplet generator having a nozzle and an adjustable stimulation device; supplying liquid to the droplet generator such that a stream of diameter D emanates from the nozzle; activating the stimulation device to produce a first set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the perturbations having a period x such as to cause the liquid stream to form into small-volume droplets; selectively adjusting the stimulation device to produce a second set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the second set of perturbations having a period Nx such as to cause a segment of the liquid stream to form into a large-volume droplet, whereby the large-volume droplet is N times the volume of the small-volume droplets; and further adjusting the stimulation device to produce a third set of perturbations on the liquid stream during the period Nx.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet system includes a plurality of nozzles producing a respective liquid jet through each nozzle. A stimulation device at each nozzle is responsive to different types of stimulation signals to produce a modulation in the respective liquid jet to selectively control droplet break off relative to phases of the cycle of a varying voltage source that is connected to a charge electrode. The break off phase of a droplet relative to the voltage phase of the voltage source will determine whether the droplet is charged or not charged. Droplets that become charged may be deflected from their paths and a deflection mechanism including the charge electrode determines which droplets are allowed to reach a surface for say printing and which droplets are collected and not deposited upon the surface.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet system and method has a stimulation device producing a modulation in a liquid jet having a wavelength ? and causing a first liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along a path and causing a second liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along the path. The first liquid droplet has a first break off length and the second liquid droplet has a second break off length longer than the first break off length. The first break off length and the second break off length have a difference of at least one wavelength ? in response to stimulation pulses.

Abstract: A drop generator is operated to form large-volume and small-volume droplets by providing a droplet generator having a nozzle and an adjustable stimulation device; supplying liquid to the droplet generator such that a stream of diameter D emanates from the nozzle; activating the stimulation device to produce a first set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the perturbations having a period x such as to cause the liquid stream to form into small-volume droplets; selectively adjusting the stimulation device to produce a second set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the second set of perturbations having a period Nx such as to cause a segment of the liquid stream to form into a large-volume droplet, whereby the large-volume droplet is N times the volume of the small-volume droplets; and further adjusting the stimulation device to produce a third set of perturbations on the liquid stream during the period Nx.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system having a plurality of inkjets, wherein the inkjets are disposed in a row and directed toward a media, wherein the printhead includes a drop generator having an orifice plate, wherein the orifice plate has nozzles with a first and second group forming an inkjet, wherein the first group is in interleaved patterns with the second group, and the geometry of the first group is different from the second group. A stimulating device provides a signal to the continuous inkjets to produce a first and second group of drops with a first and a second breakoff length, wherein the first and second breakoff lengths are different; a charge plate with drop charging electrodes positioned adjacent each inkjet opposite the drop generator. A controller in communication with each drop charging electrode adapted to supply a pulse to each electrode to isolate the first and second group of drops.

Abstract: Satellite droplets that have a lifetime selectable between an infinite lifetime and a finite lifetime are formed with a continuous fluid-jet system having a drop generator, a stimulation device, and a nozzle plate with at least one nozzle opening. A force is applied to eject a fluid jet having a diameter D from the nozzle openings and an adjustable energy drive pulse is applied to the stimulation device in a manner to create a series of perturbations on the ejected fluid jet, such that the perturbations are separated by a distance ?. The drive pulse is defined by a pulse shape, a pulse amplitude, and a pulse duty cycle. A first satellite formation state is established by adjusting the energy of the drive pulse while operating the continuous fluid-jet system in a state wherein the ?/D values are greater than ? and correspond to the measured normalized Rayleigh growth rate within or beyond the first minimum.

Abstract: Precise control of deposition or etching of thin films on a transparent substrate is particularly useful for electroformation of nozzles and formation control. A computer based measuring system is used to measure, in real time, a test feature such as one such nozzle. The rate of material deposition and removal is controlled based on the measured value of the test feature. In particular, a video camera and microscope are used to produce images of the test feature. During the electroplating process, metal is plated onto a conductive layer, and as the plated metal layer grows up from the conductive layer of the mandrel, the plated layer can also encroach on transparent openings produced by the absence of the mandrel conductive layer. The amount of encroachment on the transparent openings is directly related to the thickness of the plated layer.

Abstract: A print pulse phase control system for a continuous ink jet printer determines whether to charge ink droplets for recirculating, or not to charge ink drops for printing. The system includes a drop generator which receives a drive signal and generates a feedback signal. Print pulses are then produced at a fixed phase relative to the feedback signal for controlling drop charging.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device (1) in which a photoconductor drum (3) is charged by a charging roller (5). Insulating liquid (19, 30) is applied at their initial nip. The charging roller both charges and squeegees largely dry the photoconductor member. The liquid (19) may be produced by incomplete cleaning by a cleaning blade (21). Excess liquid is collected at the sides.This results in reduction in foreign gasses, and reduction in the operating potential between photoconductor drum and charging roller.

Abstract: An improved catcher device for a continuous ink jet printer of the kind having a linear orifice array for producing a linear curtain of parallel drop streams. The catcher device includes: (i) an elongated impact surface constructed and located to be adjacent a region of the droplet curtain; (ii) a drop discharge channel located downstream from the drop impact surface; and (iii) a screen element across the mouth of the drop discharge channel.

Abstract: A short detection system for a continuous ink jet printer includes an electrically conductive sensor element located along an ink egress passage of the printer's catcher; a dielectric surface formed along the drop impact region of the catcher, between the drop electrodes and the sensor element; and signal circuit responsive to a charge polarity reversal output by the sensor for signalling a charge electrode short condition.

Abstract: A miniature continuous ink jet print head assembly comprises coupled drop ejection and drop control units. The drop ejection unit includes an elongated stimulator body having a manifold recess in one end and an orifice plate affixed thereover. Piezoelectric actuator strips are mounted on opposing longitudinal side walls of the stimulator body. The drop control unit includes a catcher body and a charge plate mounted on the top surface of the catcher body. Dimensionally stable adhesive couples the drop control unit to the side walls of the stimulator body.

Abstract: A remote print head assembly for a continuous ink jet printing system includes an upper print head portion for generating ink droplet streams and a lower print head portion for selectively charging and catching droplets. A frame surrounds the upper and lower print head portions and has a print droplet egress opening. A closure member is selectively movable to open or close the droplet egress respectively to allow printing or to effect print head start-up operations.

Abstract: An improved system for air skiving the drop charging and drop catching surfaces of a continuous ink jet printer apparatus. The system includes a print head housing for enclosing the drop charger and catcher within a print head chamber having a printing drop egress and an air inlet opening proximate the drop charger. A door element is provided for selectively closing the printing drop egress and a vacuum is provided for creating a negative pressure region within the chamber at a location proximate the catcher. High velocity airflow is induced to flow through the air inlet opening and skive surfaces of said charger and catcher during passage to the negative pressure region.