Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cover plates for printheads. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a cover plate for a printhead. The cover plate includes multiple layers of electrically conductive material, a layer of nonconductive ferrite that is sandwiched between the multiple layers, and at least one connector that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite to form a conductive pathway for electric current between the multiple layers through the layer of nonconductive ferrite. The cover plate also includes at least one opening that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite, and that is configured to align with nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cover plates for printheads. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a cover plate for a printhead. The cover plate includes multiple layers of electrically conductive material, a layer of nonconductive ferrite that is sandwiched between the multiple layers, and at least one connector that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite to form a conductive pathway for electric current between the multiple layers through the layer of nonconductive ferrite. The cover plate also includes at least one opening that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite, and that is configured to align with nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cover plates for printheads. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a cover plate for a printhead. The cover plate includes multiple layers of electrically conductive material, a layer of nonconductive ferrite that is sandwiched between the multiple layers, and at least one connector that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite to form a conductive pathway for electric current between the multiple layers through the layer of nonconductive ferrite. The cover plate also includes at least one opening that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite, and that is configured to align with nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a microwave coupler that utilizes a microwave shield within an interior of the microwave coupler to mitigate Radio Frequency (RF) leakage from an end of the microwave coupler. The microwave coupler includes a ramp section that is configured to mate to a microwave source, with the ramp section extending from an opening in a top wall of an enclosure. One end of the enclosure is configured to mate to a microwave waveguide, while an opposing end may be open or partially open. The microwave shield is located between the opposing end of the enclosure and the opening in the top wall, and extends from the top wall of the enclosure towards a bottom wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cover plates for printheads. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a cover plate for a printhead. The cover plate includes multiple layers of electrically conductive material, a layer of nonconductive ferrite that is sandwiched between the multiple layers, and at least one connector that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite to form a conductive pathway for electric current between the multiple layers through the layer of nonconductive ferrite. The cover plate also includes at least one opening that penetrates through the multiple layers and the layer of nonconductive ferrite, and that is configured to align with nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a microwave coupler that utilizes a microwave shield within an interior of the microwave coupler to mitigate Radio Frequency (RF) leakage from an end of the microwave coupler. The microwave coupler includes a ramp section that is configured to mate to a microwave source, with the ramp section extending from an opening in a top wall of an enclosure. One end of the enclosure is configured to mate to a microwave waveguide, while an opposing end may be open or partially open. The microwave shield is located between the opposing end of the enclosure and the opening in the top wall, and extends from the top wall of the enclosure towards a bottom wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for chokes for microwave radiation. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a choke assembly. The assembly includes a first choke plate, and a second choke plate. The assembly also includes a first layer disposed at a surface of the first choke plate. The first layer includes a material that attenuates microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and a substance, disposed between the material of the first layer and the gap, that is transparent to the microwave radiation. The assembly further includes a second layer disposed at a surface of the second choke plate that faces the first layer. The second layer comprises the material that attenuates the microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and the substance, disposed between the material of the second layer and the gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for chokes for microwave radiation. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a choke assembly. The assembly includes a first choke plate, and a second choke plate. The assembly also includes a first layer disposed at a surface of the first choke plate. The first layer includes a material that attenuates microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and a substance, disposed between the material of the first layer and the gap, that is transparent to the microwave radiation. The assembly further includes a second layer disposed at a surface of the second choke plate that faces the first layer. The second layer comprises the material that attenuates the microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and the substance, disposed between the material of the second layer and the gap.

Abstract: Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Abstract: Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively powering multiple microwave energy sources in a dryer of a printing system. One embodiment is a microwave dryer that includes microwave energy sources configured to generate electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print media by a printer. The microwave dryer also includes waveguides configured to transport the electromagnetic energy. The waveguides include a passageway to pass the print media through the waveguides as the print media travels along a media path. A long axis of each the waveguides are positioned in a direction along the media path, and each waveguide is coupled to a different microwave source to section the electromagnetic energy into regions that are distinct from one another in a direction across the media path. The microwave dryer further includes a controller configured to regulate a power output for each of the microwave energy sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively powering multiple microwave energy sources in a dryer of a printing system. One embodiment is a microwave dryer that includes microwave energy sources configured to generate electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print media by a printer. The microwave dryer also includes waveguides configured to transport the electromagnetic energy. The waveguides include a passageway to pass the print media through the waveguides as the print media travels along a media path. A long axis of each the waveguides are positioned in a direction along the media path, and each waveguide is coupled to a different microwave source to section the electromagnetic energy into regions that are distinct from one another in a direction across the media path. The microwave dryer further includes a controller configured to regulate a power output for each of the microwave energy sources.

Abstract: Serpentine microwave dryers and a method of fabricating same are disclosed. The serpentine microwave dryers utilize microwave waveguides that includes passages through a short axis of the microwave waveguides that are sized to pass a continuous-form print medium. A long axis of the microwave waveguides are positioned across a width of a media path of the continuous-from print medium. Electromagnetic energy transported along the microwave waveguides is used to dry wet colorants applied to the continuous-form print medium. At least one of the microwave waveguides has an offset from other microwave waveguides that is perpendicular to the media path of the continuous-form print medium. The offset reduces an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy in microwave waveguide(s) that are offset.

Abstract: Microwave dryers that utilize multi-path and/or space saving configurations are disclosed. In a multi-path configuration, a print medium makes two or more passes through the passage(s) of microwave waveguide(s) in a microwave dryer, thereby increasing the exposure time of the print medium to electromagnetic energy within the waveguide(s). In a space saving configuration, the print medium takes a non-linear path through the microwave dryer, thereby reducing a footprint of the microwave dryer.

Abstract: Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Abstract: Serpentine microwave dryers and a method of fabricating same are disclosed. The serpentine microwave dryers utilize microwave waveguides that includes passages through a short axis of the microwave waveguides that are sized to pass a continuous-form print medium. A long axis of the microwave waveguides are positioned across a width of a media path of the continuous-from print medium. Electromagnetic energy transported along the microwave waveguides is used to dry wet colorants applied to the continuous-form print medium. At least one of the microwave waveguides has an offset from other microwave waveguides that is perpendicular to the media path of the continuous-form print medium. The offset reduces an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy in microwave waveguide(s) that are offset.

Abstract: Microwave dryers that utilize multi-path and/or space saving configurations are disclosed. In a multi-path configuration, a print medium makes two or more passes through the passage(s) of microwave waveguide(s) in a microwave dryer, thereby increasing the exposure time of the print medium to electromagnetic energy within the waveguide(s). In a space saving configuration, the print medium takes a non-linear path through the microwave dryer, thereby reducing a footprint of the microwave dryer.

Abstract: Microwave dryer of a print system with modulation of the microwave source using FSK. In one embodiment, a microwave dryer includes a microwave source coupled with a waveguide. The waveguide transports electromagnetic energy to dry wet colorant applied by a printer to print media. The microwave source provides the electromagnetic energy at an operating frequency. The microwave dryer also includes a processor coupled with an FSK modulator that modulates the operating frequency of the microwave source. The processor determines a modulating signal with a modulating frequency based on a period of time for the print media to traverse the waveguide, and applies binary values that represent the number of frequencies to an input of the FSK modulator to cause the FSK modulator to output the series of discrete frequencies over the period of time to vary intensity positions of the electromagnetic energy across the width of the print media.

Abstract: An apparatus is described having a fixture that includes a magnetic core. The fixture is to support winding of a cable around the magnetic core. The fixture has regions where the cable is to be passed through. The regions are arranged to support the winding of the cable around the magnetic core at a substantially fixed distance from the magnetic core's outer surface.