Abstract: A large volume recording pen suitable for use in graphic recorders and the like includes an elongated cylindrical body defining an internal ink reservoir. A cap is secured to the upper portion of the cylindrical body while the lower portion defines a tapered portion joined to a downwardly extending reduced section tip extension. A conventional ball receptacle is formed at the lower end of the tip extension and supports a captivated recording ball. A pressure ball sized and configured to be received within and freely movable within the interior of the pen body supports a coating of nonwetting material. An ink supply is supported within the cylindrical body and is in communication with the ball receptacle and recording ball by a tip supply passage within the tip extension. The pressure ball is supported upon the upper surface of the ink supply within the cylindrical pen body by the capillary action of the ink.

Abstract: A sheet slicing mechanism includes a rigid frame member supporting a stepper motor coupled to a drive gear. A rotatably supportable rotary member includes a driven gear coupled to the drive gear and is rotatably supported upon the frame. A blade frame having a generally cylindrical configuration is received within the rotary member and is freely movable in the vertical axis. The blade frame supports a cutting blade and a cutting force weight. The rotary member defines a vertical slot which cooperates with an outwardly extending pin in the blade frame to permit the blade frame to be vertically movable with respect to the rotary member while locked thereto as to rotational motion. A solenoid activated lifting means is supported upon the frame and is operable to raise the blade frame to a noncutting position.

Abstract: A graphic recorder includes a moveable pen carriage and drive means associated with the pen carriage for causing it to travel back and forth under computer control. A media roller defines a continuous cylindrical member supported beneath the carriage path and coupled to a computer controlled media drive system. Recording pens supported on the pen carriage are selectively lowered into recording positions in which they write upon a flexible media and against the media roller directly.

Abstract: A graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a plurality of pen shuttles which support a plurality of recording pens in a linear array together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. A rotary actuation system is supported by and operative to engage selected ones of the pen shuttles to move a selected one of the recording pens into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating system is operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating system. A brake within the rotary actuator is operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a selected pen shuttle within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carraige. Each recording pen is secured to its respective pen shuttle by a bayonet mounting system such that the recording pens are secured to the pen shuttles in a twist-lock assembly.

Abstract: A low loss photoplotter imaging system includes a light source having an array of light emitting diodes. A plurality of fiber optic coupling elements are coupled to the LED array and converge to produce a compact high density light source. An aperture plate defining a plurality imaging apertures is interposed between the light source and the medium and is driven by an electric motor to interchange the aperture operative upon the imaging beam. A power zoom lens is utilized to direct and focus the imaging beam upon a photosensitive having a magnification determined in part by the magnification of the zoom lens and close-up lens.

Abstract: A rotary action graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a linear array of moveable pen shuttle assemblies each of which support recording pens together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. Rotary actuation means are supported by and operative upon the pen carriage to engage selected ones of the recording pens for movement into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating means are operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating means. Brake means within the rotary actuator are provided which are operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a selected pen within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carriage. The moveable pen shuttle assemblies are slideably captivated within pen channels formed in the pen carriage and are supported by interposed bearings. Spring returns bias the pen shuttle assemblies to their nonrecording positions.

Abstract: A rotary action graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a plurality of recording pen shuttles in a linear array together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. Each pen shuttle supports a recording pen having a downwardly extending tip. Rotary actuation means are supported by and operative upon the pen carriage to engage selected ones of the recording pen shuttles for movement of the pen tips into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating means are operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating means. Brake means within the rotary actuator are provided which are operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a slected pen within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carriage.

Abstract: An automatic pen positioning system is operative within a graphic recording system having a plurality of recording pens moveably supported by a pen carriage. The pen carriage is moveably along a first path above a media which is moveable along a second path. A motor drive system moves a selected one of the plurality of pens into contact with the media during recording. A closed loop servo system is operative upon the pen motor drive and is controlled by a position information processor. A following error processor is coupled to the servo system and compiles a periodically sampled table of absolute position, commanded position and following error for the servo system during the initialization process in which each pen is moved toward the media at a constant velocity until it impacts the media impeding further pen motion. The following error processor determines the pen to media contact position of the engaged pen on the basis of the information derived from the servo system.

Abstract: A symmetrical braking system for a graphic recorder includes a generally cylindrical brake support supported by a carriage drive and having a combination of cam surfaces. A brake rotor is rotatable supported upon the brake support and defines an arrangement of captivating notches which receive a pair of brake shoes in an overlying arrangement. Bearing means are coupled to each of the brake shoes and are driven by the cam surfaces of the brake support. A coupling arrangement is secured to the brake rotor and provides a coupling for rotational forces between the brake rotor and an actuator beam extending through the brake structure. Rotational forces applied to the actuator beam are coupled to the brake rotor and the bearing means cooperate with the cam surfaces to move the brake shoes into or out of engagement with the actuator beam as a function of rotational position.

Abstract: A moveable pen carriage for use in a graphic recording system supports a plurality of recording pens in a linear array together with means for selectively engaging any one of the plurality of pens. Means are provided for imparting the desired motion to the pen carriage as well as the media upon which the recording is made. A pen carriage suspension system comprises a pair of wheel supports, each supporting a pair of grooved wheels which engage the upper and lower tracks within the pen carriage track system. Flexible members within the wheel supports provide resilient compensation for variations in track spacing while maintaining the correct angular position of the pen carriage.

Abstract: A following error limit system is operative within a graphic recording system having a pen carriage moveable along a first path and a media moveable along a second path. A closed loop servo system is operative upon the pen carriage motor and is controlled by a position information processor. A following error processor is coupled to the servo system and compiles a periodically sampled table of absolute position, commanded position and following error for the servo system during the initialization process. The carriage is moved in a first direction at a constant velocity until it impacts a fixed limit stop which impeads further carriage motion. The following error processor determines the absolute or limit position of the pen carriage on the basis of the information derived from the servo system. The system functions without the use of external limit switches and limit detectors.

Abstract: An automatic pen positioning system is operative within a graphic recording system having a plurality of recording pens moveably supported by a pen carriage. The pen carriage is moveable along a first path above a media which is moveable along a second path. A motor drive system moves a selected one of the plurality of pens into contact with the media during recording. A closed loop servo system is operative upon the pen motor drive and is controlled by a position information processor. A following error processor is coupled to the servo system and compiles a periodically sampled table of absolute position, commanded position and following error for the servo system during the initialization process in which each pen is moved toward the media at a constant velocity until it impacts the media impeading further pen motion. The following error processor determines the pen to media contact position of the engaged pen on the basis of the information derived from the servo system.

Abstract: A rotary action graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a plurality of recording pens in a linear array together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. Rotary actuation means are supported by and operative upon the pen carriage to engage selected ones of the recording pens for movement into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating means are operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating means. Brake means within the rotary actuator are provided which are operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a selected pen within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carriage.