Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an array of nozzles fed by a corresponding ink inlet. An ink chamber corresponding to the array of nozzles is fluidly connected to the ink inlet. An air extraction chamber includes an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having an open position that allows venting of the air chamber to ambient, and a closed position that does not allow venting of the air chamber to ambient. A piston in the form of a disk forces air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve in its open position. It also applies a reduced air pressure to a membrane while the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.

Abstract: A method of extracting air from an inkjet printhead includes using an air extraction chamber connected to the printhead. The air extraction chamber comprises an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having open and closed positions used in venting of the air chamber. A piston in the form of a disk is provided to vent a quantity of air from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve when it's pushed through a cylinder. The piston is moved in an opposite direction through the cylinder so that a reduced air pressure is applied to the printhead when the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.

Abstract: A carriage printer includes a printhead; a print region; a carriage configured to move the printhead back and forth in a carriage scan direction across the print region, the carriage including: a first outer wall; a second outer wall that is separated from the first outer wall by a carriage width along the carriage scan direction; and an optical sensor assembly disposed on the carriage at a first distance from the first outer wall and at a second distance from the second outer wall, wherein the first distance and the second distance are both less than the carriage width.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical sensor assembly for a carriage of a carriage printer, the method includes providing a flexible circuit subassembly including a photosensor and a light source; providing a mounting member including a first cavity and a second cavity having an orientation that is different than an orientation of the first cavity; mounting the flexible circuit subassembly on the mounting member such that the photosensor is disposed in the first cavity and the light source is disposed in the second cavity; and affixing the mounting member to an outer housing, wherein a connector end of the flexible circuit subassembly extends outwardly from the mounting member and the outer housing

Abstract: An ink chamber for an inkjet printer is fluidically connected to the ejector die and includes an air accumulation chamber with an air vent opening and a mass movable along the air accumulation chamber toward and away from the air vent opening. A one-way valve covers the air vent opening, is outside the air accumulation chamber, and includes a flapper valve having a free end.

Abstract: A method of making an ink cartridge by forming the ink cartridge with an ink chamber and an air accumulation chamber, forming a vent hole at a first end of the air accumulation chamber, and disposing a one way valve at the vent hole for preventing gas from entering the air accumulation chamber through the vent hole. A mass is placed within the air accumulation chamber, the mass having a dimension smaller than an interior dimension of the air accumulation chamber such that the mass is movable between the first end and a second end of the air accumulation chamber.

Abstract: A method of printing using a carriage with an ink container and an ejector die mounted thereon, the ink container includes a vent hole for removing air from the ink container. Air is extracted from the ink container by moving a mass within the ink container toward the vent hole, wherein said movement of the mass toward the vent hole is generated by momentum forces arising in the mass from the back and forth movement of the carriage.

Abstract: An ink chamber for an inkjet printer is fluidically connected to the ejector die and includes an air accumulation chamber with an air vent opening and a mass movable along the air accumulation chamber toward and away from the air vent opening. A one-way valve covers the air vent opening, is outside the air accumulation chamber, and includes a flapper valve having a free end.

Abstract: A method of printing using a carriage with an ink container and an ejector die mounted thereon, the ink container includes a vent hole for removing air from the ink container. Air is extracted from the ink container by moving a mass within the ink container toward the vent hole, wherein said movement of the mass toward the vent hole is generated by momentum forces arising in the mass from the back and forth movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly includes an illuminating unit including a first length; a photosensor array including a second length; and a first spacer member and a second spacer member, each of the first and second spacer members including: an inner side that is proximate the photosensor array; and an outer side that is distal to the photosensor array, wherein a distance between the inner side of the first spacer member and the inner side of the second spacer member is greater than the second length and less than the first length.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly having a scan element including a length direction; a drive gear; a follower gear; and a housing having a mounting region for mounting the scan element onto the housing; a first mounting member for the drive gear; and a second mounting member for the follower gear, wherein the first and second mounting members and the housing are integrally formed as a single part.

Abstract: A method of detecting an edge of a piece of media in a printer, the method includes providing a carriage for moving a printhead and a photosensor along a carriage scan path; providing a light source; providing a light guiding element having a first end that is aimed at a first predetermined position along a media advance path between a media input region and a printing region and a second end that is aimed at a second predetermined position along the carriage scan path, moving the carriage to an edge-detection position such that the second end of the light guiding element is aimed at the field of view of the photosensor; directing light from the light source toward the first predetermined position; obtaining a signal generated in response to light received in the photosensor; and analyzing the signal to detect the edge of the piece of media.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printhead having a printing voltage input and a printhead logic voltage input; a DC power supply including a first DC voltage level; and a power management integrated circuit including a controllably on/off voltage output connected to the printing voltage input of the printhead; a DC to DC voltage conversion circuit to internally generate a second DC voltage level that is different from the first DC voltage level; and a controllably on/off voltage output connected to the printhead logic voltage input.

Abstract: A method of operating an inkjet printer including an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, the inkjet printhead mounted on a motor-driven carriage having an encoder sensor, the method including sending a signal from the encoder sensor to a controller to indicate a position of the motor-driven carriage; determining a velocity of the motor-driven carriage; implementing a first motion control mode during a period when the inkjet printhead is printing, wherein the first motion control mode includes a first signal for damping vibrations in order to provide a substantially constant velocity of the carriage; selectively implementing a second motion control mode when the inkjet printhead is not printing, wherein the second motion control mode includes a second signal for enhancing vibrations of the carriage in order to dislodge air bubbles in the printhead; and removing air corresponding to the air bubbles from the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet carriage printer includes a carriage for transporting an inkjet printhead in a carriage scan direction across the print region in reciprocating fashion, the carriage including an encoder sensor; a linear encoder disposed along the carriage scan direction; and a controller for controlling the motor on the basis of signals provided by the encoder sensor, the controller includes: a first motion control mode for damping carriage vibrations during a period when the carriage is in the print region; and a selectable second motion control mode for dislodging air bubbles for removal from the inkjet printhead, wherein the selectable second motion control mode is configured to decrease damping in order to set the carriage into oscillation.

Abstract: A printer includes a carriage configured to move a printhead along a carriage scan path; a photosensor that is mounted on the carriage, the photosensor including a field of view; a light source; and a light guiding element having a first end that is aimed at a first predetermined position along a media advance path, and a second end that is aimed at a second predetermined position along the carriage scan path, wherein the carriage is movable to an edge-detection position such that the second end of the light guiding element is aimed at the field of view of the photosensor.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising an ink chamber supplying ink. An air extraction chamber is included that comprises an air chamber, a one-way relief valve for venting of the air chamber to ambient. A compressible member is used for forcing air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve and for applying a reduced air pressure to an air permeable membrane while the one-way relief valve is closed. A carriage propels the array of nozzles, the ink chamber, the membrane and the air extraction chamber along a carriage scan path.

Abstract: A system comprises a tubular releasably coupled to a launcher. An expansion assembly is sealingly engaged with the tubular so that the expansion assembly is moved longitudinally through the tubular by applying a pressurized fluid to the launcher. The expansion assembly radially expands the tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A valve is coupled to the expansion assembly and opens when fluid pressure within an unexpanded portion of the tubular exceeds fluid pressure within the launcher. An extending member is coupled to the expansion assembly and to the launcher. The extending member restricts longitudinal movement of the expansion assembly relative to the launcher once the tubular is radially expanded.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a pivotable cleanout member attached to the housing a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch holds the pivotable cleanout member in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. On an opposite end of the cleanout member is a hinge mechanism that includes a pin member. The other part of the hinge is in the printer housing and includes a support member portion of the hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A method of making and using a multifunction printer comprising forming a vertical hinge mechanism in a first end of a printer's cleanout member. A second portion of the hinge mechanism is formed as a hole in a housing of the printer for coupling with the first portion. A third portion of the hinge mechanism is formed as a hole in a scanner portion of the printer also for coupling with the first portion. The cleanout member pivots about the vertical rotational axis formed by the hinge mechanism.