Abstract: A method of processing a time-varying output signal from a photosensor is provided. The time-varying output signal corresponds to a plurality of marks or indicia on a recording medium moving into and out of a field of view of the photosensor with the marks having been printed on the recording medium by a printing system. The method includes amplifying the time-varying output signal from the photosensor; converting the amplified time-varying output signal from the photosensor to digitized data points using an analog to digital converter; and averaging a plurality of the digitized data points.

Abstract: A marking assembly includes a substrate and a marking device. The substrate includes a first portion made from a first material including a plurality of alignment features, and a second portion made from a second material affixed to the first portion of the substrate. The marking device is affixed to the second portion of the substrate and aligned to the alignment features of the first portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel that includes an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel that includes a porous member located therein. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A jet break-off length measurement apparatus for a continuous liquid drop emission system is provided. The jet break-off length measurement apparatus comprises a liquid drop emitter containing a positively pressurized liquid in flow communication with at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of liquid. Heater resistor apparatus is adapted to transfer pulses of thermal energy to the liquid in flow communication with the at least one nozzle sufficient to cause the break-off of the at least one continuous stream of liquid into a stream of drops of predetermined volumes. A sensing apparatus adapted to detect the stream of drops of predetermined volumes is provided. A control apparatus is adapted to determine a characteristic of the stream of drops of predetermined volumes that is related to the break-off length. Further apparatus is adapted to inductively charge at least one drop and to cause electric field deflection of charged drops.

Abstract: A printhead includes a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory, and a gas flow deflection system including a gas flow that interacts with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the gas flow being provided by a gas flow source connected in fluid communication with a gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system including a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the gas flow source and the drop deflection zone.

Abstract: A fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method includes a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with a nozzle channel and a characterization electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the characterization electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with first portion and thereafter a second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive portion of the characterization electrode is operable to transfer a first electrical charge to a region of the first portion of the non-conductive fluid jet and transfer a second electrical charge to a region of the second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet.

Abstract: An apparatus and process of controlling ink quality are provided. The process includes providing an imprinted polymer microbalance in an inkjet printer, whereby the microbalance presents an equilibrium setpoint vibratory characteristic when in contact with a setpoint ink containing at least one target compound compatible with the imprinted polymers; placing the microbalance in contact with a supply ink printer; measuring a vibratory characteristic of the microbalance; and issuing a warning when the vibratory characteristic is different from the setpoint characteristic.

Abstract: A delivery device for thin-film material deposition has at least first, second, and third inlet ports for receiving a common supply for a first, a second and a third gaseous material, respectively. Each of the first, second, and third elongated emissive channels allow gaseous fluid communication with one of corresponding first, second, and third inlet ports. The delivery device can be formed from apertured plates, superposed to define a network of interconnecting supply chambers and directing channels for routing each of the gaseous materials from its corresponding inlet port to a corresponding plurality of elongated emissive channels. The delivery device comprises a diffusing channel formed by a relief pattern between facing plates. Also disclosed is a process for thin film deposition. Finally, more generally, a flow diffuser and a corresponding method of diffusing flow is disclosed.

Abstract: A constant flow valve mechanism for use in an inkjet printer includes a valve. A first port, a second port, and a third port are in fluid communication with each other through the valve. A portion of the valve is moveable and associated with the first, second, and third ports to produce a change in fluid impedance between the first port and the second port and the first port and the third port such that the fluid impedance between the first port and the second port changes at the same rate and in an opposite direction as that of the fluid impedance between the first port and the third port.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening including an end, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. A structure extends from the end of the outlet opening and is shaped to direct the portion of the liquid diverted from the liquid dispensing channel through a steep angle relative to the direction of travel of the liquid provided by the liquid supply channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A selectively actuatable diverter member imparts heat energy directly to a first portion of the liquid to divert a second portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A printhead includes a first nozzle bore, a liquid chamber, and a second nozzle bore. The liquid chamber is positioned between the first nozzle bore and the second nozzle bore and extends beyond the opening of the first nozzle bore. The first nozzle bore is in liquid communication with the second nozzle bore through the liquid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the alignment or positional relationship between at least two coating modules in an ALD system, the apparatus comprising a plurality of coating modules in a coating section, at least a first bar and a second bar for supporting the coating modules, and at least a first bar mounting structure and a second bar mounting structure for supporting the bars, wherein each of the coating modules are supported by the first bar and the second bar, and wherein the combination of the at least two coating modules and the first bar and the second bar define a coating section profile for the output faces of the coating modules. Also disclosed is a process for making such apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, a liquid return channel, and a liquid cooling channel positioned relative to the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable using heat energy to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel, the diverter member including a first side that faces the liquid dispensing channel and a second side that faces the liquid cooling channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. A surface is positioned downstream relative to the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel and leads to atmosphere. A portion of the surface, when compared to another portion of the surface, includes structure that reduces viscous drag on the portion of the liquid that has been diverted by the diverter member such that drops formed from consecutive portions of the liquid that have been diverted by the diverter member travel with consistent drop characteristics.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle membrane, a substrate, and a support structure. The nozzle membrane includes an external surface, a length, and a plurality of nozzles located along the length of the nozzle membrane. The nozzle membrane is affixed to the substrate. The substrate includes a liquid feed channel that provides liquid to the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle membrane. The liquid feed channel extends along the length of the nozzle membrane such that the liquid feed channel is common to each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle membrane. The support structure is affixed to the external surface of the nozzle membrane to provide structural support to the nozzle membrane.

Abstract: Methods of improving image quality by reducing grain and texture in a printed image are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of reducing grain and texture in an image includes the steps of providing a light color toner and a dark color toner, providing an aperiodic micrononuniformity map, using the aperiodic micrononuniformity map to determine an acceptable domain that includes a plurality of combinations of the light color toner and the dark color toner, and forming an image by selecting one combination of the light color toner and the dark color toner from the plurality of combinations of the light color toner and the dark color toner.

Abstract: A catcher includes a housing and a drop contact structure. The housing defines a liquid removal conduit. The drop contact structure includes a moveable surface that delivers collected liquid drops to the liquid removal conduit of the housing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that selectively couples a device to a printer carriage is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printer carriage and an intervening mechanism. The printer carriage is movable back and forth to selectively retrieve the device from and return the device to a position where the device can be parked detached from the carriage. The carriage is arranged to selectively move back and forth relative to the device while the device is detached from the carriage and in unison with the device while the device is attached to the carriage. The intervening mechanism and the carriage have respective surfaces that engage as they meet each other to allow the carriage to move past the intervening mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a jetting module including an array of nozzles; a thermal stimulation device associated with each nozzle of the array of nozzles; and a controller in electrical communication with each thermal stimulation device. The controller is configured to provide a first activation waveform to each thermal stimulation device and to provide a second activation waveform to each thermal stimulation device to clean the associated nozzle with liquid emitted from the associated nozzle. The second activation waveform has a higher activation component when compared to the first activation waveform.