Abstract: A drop ejection device for continuous ink jet printing includes a rectangular solid divided by parallel, elongated through-slots between its major surfaces, into a plurality of approximately identical dilatational regions. Each such region has a longitudinal mechanical resonance mode approximately the same as the desired drop ejection frequency. The body has an ink supply manifold adjacent a drop ejection face, which is normal to the longitudinal axis of the through-slots. An orifice plate having a linear orifice array, substantially longer than the through-slots, is attached to the ejection face. A plurality of elongated piezoelectric strips pairs are attached in opposing positions on major surfaces of each dilatational region. Upon actuation, said strips expand and contract to effect synchronous stimulation at the desired drop frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus for gauging the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas under flow or zero gravity net conditions includes an accumulator and appropriate connector apparatus for communicating gas between the accumulator and the container. In one form of the invention, gas is removed from the container and compressed into the accumulator. The pressure and temperature of the fluid in the container is measured before and after removal of the gas; the pressure and temperature of gas in the accumulator is measured before and after compression of the gas into the accumulator from the container. These pressure and temperature measurements are used in determining the volume of gas in the container, whereby the volume of liquid in the container can be determined from the difference between the known volume of the container and the volume of gas in the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for gauging the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas under low or zero gravity net conditions includes an accumulator and appropriate connector apparatus for communicating gas between the accumulator and the container. In one form of the invention, gas is removed from the container and compressed into the accumulator. The pressure and temperature of the fluid in the container is measured before and after removal of the gas; the pressure and temperature of gas in the accumulator is measured before and after compression of the gas into the accumulator from the container. These pressure and temperature measurements are used in determining the volume of gas in the container, whereby the volume of liquid in the container can be determined from the difference between the known volume of the container and the volume of gas in the container.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for drop-on-demand ink jet printing utilize the steps of: selectively ejecting ink drops from drop ejection regions through related orifices; feeding ink through capillary feed passages to the drop ejection regions to replace ejected ink drops; and supplying ink to said capillary passages from an innately reticulate foam structure comprising a network of fine, mutually-connected, three-dimensionally branched filaments.