Abstract: A technique for sealing a printhead of an ink jet printer system on startup, opening the seal to print, and opening further on an arbitrary path for service, is provided for by the present invention. The ink jet printhead has an ink drop generator, a catcher located adjacent to the ink drop generator, and a catcher pan located below the catcher. An eyelid seals ink within the printhead on startup of the printer system. An actuator mechanism transmits movement to the eyelid along a predetermined path, having multiple positions for the eyelid. The eyelid is moved between open and closed positions by means of a dc motor. The open position is defined by the actuator means contacting a print position stop. Shifting the position of the print position stop allows the eyelid to open to a service position.

Abstract: An inkjet printer has a catcher and eyelid seal for sealing against the catcher during startup and shutdown. A wicking means is provided for removing excess ink from a fluid channel of the catcher having an associated catcher plate, in an area of the eyelid seal. The wicking means is positioned in an area at a bottom surface of the fluid channel, without bridging a height of the fluid channel, above the catcher plate, and in close proximity to the eyelid seal, while maintaining a consistent pressure at an entrance to the fluid channel.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a housing, an input shaft, and a pinion shaft. A torsion bar interconnects and allows rotation of the shafts relative to one another. The shafts are supported to allow axial movement within the housing. A plurality of magnets are spaced radially about the input shaft, and a stator assembly mounted to the pinion shaft extend axially over the magnets. A pair of flux rings is supported by the housing and extend annularly around the stator assembly at a radial distance from the stator assembly. Each one of a pair of flux brushes is magnetically proximal to one of the flux rings. The flux brushes are spaced apart from one another by a gap. A pair of sensors within the gap measures the direction and magnitude of a magnetic flux passing between the flux brushes.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a housing, an input shaft, and a pinion shaft. A torsion bar interconnects and allows rotation of the shafts relative to one another. The shafts are supported to allow axial movement within the housing. A plurality of magnets are spaced radially about the input shaft, and a stator assembly mounted to the pinion shaft extend axially over the magnets. A pair of flux rings is supported by the housing and extend annularly around the stator assembly at a radial distance from the stator assembly. Each one of a pair of flux brushes is magnetically proximal to one of the flux rings. The flux brushes are spaced apart from one another by a gap. A pair of sensors within the gap measures the direction and magnitude of a magnetic flux passing between the flux brushes.

Abstract: A laminated structure utilizes differential adhesive to achieve high adhesion to a wicking material and low adhesion where removal is desired. The low profile wicking pad is useful in any technology where it is desirable to control excess moisture with a passive device. The wicking device is particularly useful in the field of continuous ink jet printing systems, where the low profile of the device is desirable and the cost reduction makes disposability of the device a reality. In ink jet printing systems, the wicking device improves ink jet printhead performance via ink mist and ink drip elimination.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having a printhead and a printhead docking station, an improvement is provided in installation and retention of the printhead in the printhead docking station. Straight line travel of the printhead relative to the printhead docking station is ensured using guide posts or other guiding mechanisms. Non-abrupt actuation, such as a screw drive actuator is used to translate the printhead relative to the docking station. The screw drive actuator is oriented at near right angles to the direction of translation of the printhead relative to the printhead docking station. The printhead and the printhead docking station are then aligned so that electrical and fluid connections can be made concurrently. During the installation, a consistent insertion force, such as a spring loaded toggle mechanism, is applied to the printhead, regardless of part tolerances.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method is provided for attaching and aligning components of an ink jet printhead of a continuous ink jet printer. First and second bonding surfaces are provided on first and second components, respectively, of the ink jet printhead. The first and second components are then aligned and attached. The attaching can be accomplished by applying an adhesive, which may also incorporate a chemical accelerator, or by distributing an adhesive from a central region of the bonding surfaces to create an adhesive bond between the first and second bonding surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improvement in the removal of fluid from an ink jet printhead. A branched structure having multiple groups of branches creates a flow geometry, with each group of branches having a connecting trunk. The fluid flow is then able to be directed from each plurality of branches down the connecting trunk. Pressure drops at the branching nodes are minimized by directing the flow from the combined branches down the connected trunk. Expansion losses at the branching nodes are minimized by funneling down the flow at the branching nodes, with the trunk having a narrower channel than the combination of the joined branches.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locking an ink jet resonator assembly into a printhead of a continuous ink jet printer. The locking apparatus comprises a resonator holder for holding the resonator prior to alignment of the resonator assembly; a frame for supporting the resonator holder and the resonator assembly after alignment; and a methyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive applied between the resonator holder and the frame to lock into position the properly aligned resonator assembly.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus holds in position a droplet generator assembly to be mounted in a continuous ink jet printing system. The droplet generator assembly comprises a pair of conical slots and a pair of conical apertures, located on opposing sides of the droplet generator. A resonator clamping plate includes a plurality of mating protrusions. A resonator support includes a plurality of spherical protrusions. A holding force, such as a screw, securely holds the assembled structure. The clamp and support interact with the conical slots and apertures to locate and exactly constrain the droplet generator. With the mounting structure of the present invention, the six degrees of freedom of adjustment are controlled.

Abstract: Connections to a charge plate in an ink jet print head are made using anisotropic conductive material. Reliable, high yield connections approaching 200 connections per inch are achieved.

Abstract: An exact constraint mounting is provided between the print head and the carriage of an ink jet printer. The mounting scheme includes three generally spherical alignment features on the carriage, a conical depression on the print head for cooperating with a first alignment feature to define a point, a trough on the print head for cooperating with a second alignment feature to define a line through the point, and a flat on the print head for cooperating with the third alignment feature to define a rotation about the line. The improved mounting system results in a highly precise, repeatable, stress-free mounting for the print head.

Abstract: A modular print head system for continuous ink jet printer apparatus includes a droplet stream generator, a droplet charger and a droplet catcher constructed as a module that includes ink supply and return line coupling devices, each having engagement openable valves, resonator and charge plate connectors, and index surfaces for accurately positioning of the module. A nest assembly of the system includes ink supply and return ports, droplet generator and charging power terminals, structure for supporting and accurately positioning a print head module. The nest assembly further includes a camming device which is movable to engage a supported module into an operative relation with the ink lines coupled to the ports, the valves open, the droplet generator and charger connected and to nest power terminals and the module index surfaces in contact with the positioning structure of the nest assembly.