Abstract: A drop selection assemblage for use in a printhead and method of making includes a drop generator with a jet array for releasing a drop stream along a normal drop path. The drop stream includes print media drops and recycle drops. The assemblage has a charge structure disposed in a spaced apart relationship to the jet array. The charge structure is a substrate with a non-beveled and beveled portion sloped between 3 degrees and 25 degrees relative to the normal drop path. The charge structure has one or more drop charging electrodes on the non-beveled portion to charge recycle drops and one or more short detection electrodes on the beveled portion. A catcher is located adjacent to the charge structure for catching drops that have passed along the charge structure. The print media drops are selected, and the recycle drops are deflected without either contacting the charge structure.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing print quality of print media is for use on an ink jet printing system with a drop generator and an orifice plate disposed on the drop generator, wherein the orifice plate comprises nozzles forming a jet array. The drop generator is adapted to modulate ink volume per pixel by adjusting drop generator input voltage or drop generator pulse width. A corona discharge system is also used to form ionized air that contacts with a print media enhancing the wettability of the print media prior to exposing the print media to the drop generator. A controller operates the corona discharge system in tandem with the drop generator to optimize print quality by controlling drop spread and ink film thickness from the printhead onto the print media.

Abstract: An ink jet droplet generator body for an ink jet droplet generator comprising an orifice plate with a plurality of nozzles forming a jet array entails a throughbore with an entrance and exit port, the throughbore provides a path through that flows fluid from a fluid supply to the first slot. The first slot connects the throughbore to the orifice plate. One or more holes or a slot are located in the top of the generator body to direct fluid or a secondary source of fluid to the first slot and then the orifice plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink output in ink jet printing systems. A refractometer is used to control the concentration of inks used in continuous ink jet printers. A concentration detector measures the total amount of light reflected from a surface. Changes in the ink cause a definite change in sensor output. As the refractive index is changed, shifting the critical angle for internal reflection, more or less light is reflected to the sensor. The index of refraction can be determined from the sensor once corrections are made to account for temperature dependencies of the sensor and light source and baseline measurement of reflected light amplitude. These dependencies are carried out in the refractometer.

Abstract: The method for shutting down an ink jet printhead and an ink jet printing station, wherein the method includes maintaining a constant positive pressure at the drop generator by closing the cross flush valve or ensuring that the cross flush valve is closed, thereby closing off the fluid return line to create a constant positive pressure through the drop generator and the orifice into the fluid line. The shutdown continues by stopping the flow of fluid from the fluid supply line and circulating cleaning fluid through at least one filter, into the drop generator, out through the orifice structure, into the fluid line, and into a reservoir. The shutdown ends by flowing pressurized air, which is preferably clean of particulates, through the filter, drop generator, orifice structure, and fluid line to displace substantially all the cleaning fluid from the filter, drop generator, and orifice structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for an ink jet printer includes a state machine with numerous sequenced logic circuits to generate buffered control signals from the tachometer input. A counter counts one of the buffered control signals from the state machine forming a write address. A synchronous up-down counter receives a cue delay value when the up-down counter receives a buffered control signal thereby forming a delayed count. An adder receives the write address and the delayed count and generates a read address. A comparator compares the delayed count to the cue delay value and sets a comparator output depending upon whether the delayed count is greater than or less than the cue delay value. A multiplexer receives the read and write addresses and the buffered control signals and sends a single to RAM. A logic circuit receives the buffered control signals and outputs a delayed cue signal to the printing system.

Abstract: An ink jet print station with improved start-up reliability includes an ink reservoir and a printhead. The printhead has at least two drop generators, a return line connected to the generator's fluid ports, an orifice plate connected to the drop generator for forming jets, at least two filters, a controller for operating the valves to control flow, and an ink pump. The ink pump is adapted to move ink from the reservoir to the printhead. Upon startup, fluid is applied independently to the first filter and then the second filter. A method for at least partially filling filters in an ink jet uses the ink jet print station with improved start up reliability.

Abstract: The print station with a controlled fluid system includes a printhead, a reservoir for supplying fluid to the printhead, and a replaceable fluid container containing a replacement fluid. A fluid supply line is connected between the replaceable fluid container and the reservoir, and a fluid line is connected between the reservoir to the printhead. A pump supplies fluid from the reservoir to the printhead. A controllable valve in located in the fluid supply line, and is attached to a controller that provides a controlled release of fluid from the replaceable fluid container to the reservoir. The station includes a sensor for ascertaining the fluid level in the reservoir in communication with the controller, a reader/writer for communicating with the controller, and a smart card adapted to be read by the reader writer. The smart card includes information concerning the replaceable fluid container.

Abstract: A method for removing liquid in a gap of an ink jet printhead comprising a drop generator, with an outlet valve, orifice plate and charge plate, wherein a cross flush valve is additionally used to form a cross flush pressure in the drop generator, then actuators are used to vibrate the drop generator to a defined amplitude, then the outlet valve is closed to form a pressure spike in the drop generator then the pressure in the drop generator is lowered to a recommended operating pressure to establish a jet array and the system is operated until the gap is substantially free of liquid with dissolved residue.

Abstract: A drop selection assemblage for use in a printhead and method of making includes a drop generator with a jet array for releasing a drop stream along a normal drop path. The drop stream includes print media drops and recycle drops. The assemblage has a charge structure disposed in a spaced apart relationship to the jet array. The charge structure is a substrate with a non-beveled and beveled portion sloped between 3 degrees and 25 degrees relative to the normal drop path. The charge structure has one or more drop charging electrodes on the non-beveled portion to charge recycle drops and one or more short detection electrodes on the beveled portion. A catcher is located adjacent to the charge structure for catching drops that have passed along the charge structure. The print media drops are selected, and the recycle drops are deflected without either contacting the charge structure.

Abstract: The method for controlling ink migration onto a catcher of an ink jet print station from catch condition using a low surface tension ink entails bringing an ink jet print station using low surface tension ink into catch condition with the eyelid sealably engaging the catcher and the catcher flow pan, and using an eyelid actuator to unseal the eyelid forming a gap between the catcher flow pan, the catcher, and the eyelid. The method ends by operating the ink jet print station with the eyelid unsealed to suppress migration of the low surface tension ink onto the catcher during standby mode.

Abstract: A cue delay circuit for an ink jet printing system includes a state machine with sequenced logic circuits that generate buffered control signals; a counter that counts one of the buffered control signals to form a read address; and an adder that combines the read address to the cue delay value to generate a write address. A comparator compares the cue delay value to the read address to determine if the read address is greater than the cue delay value. A multiplexer receives the read and write address and one of the buffered control signals and forms a multiplexer output. The system includes a gate circuit that receives the latched comparator output and the RAM output signal forming a gated cue signal; and a logic circuit that sends a signal to the printing system.