Abstract: A continuous stream ink jet printer is provided having an ink droplet forming mechanism for ejecting a stream of ink droplets having a selected one of at least two different volumes toward a print medium and a droplet deflector and ink conduit which are integrally formed to the printhead for producing a flow of gas that interacts with the ink droplet stream to separate droplets having different volumes and collects all droplets not used for printing. The provision of integrally forming the gutter system with the droplet forming mechanism eliminates the requirement to align an external gutter system upon full print engine assembly.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a permanent magnetic structure in a substrate, the method comprises the steps of providing a substrate with at least one cavity; providing magnetic particles dispersed with a bonding material for forming a bonding compound; filling the cavities with the bonding compound; and curing the compound to form the permanent magnetic structure in the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a permanent magnetic structure in a substrate, the method comprises the steps of providing a substrate with at least one cavity; providing magnetic particles dispersed with a bonding material for forming a bonding compound; filling the cavities with the bonding compound; and curing the compound to form the permanent magnetic structure in the substrate.

Abstract: An image head assembly comprising: a substrate with at least a pair of apertures formed in the substrate; an optical assembly having at least a pair of pins that mate with the apertures within the substrate, the pins to the optical assembly being fixedly secured to the apertures within the substrate; an image sensor located between the apertures covered by a cover glass above the image sensor on the optical assembly; interface means for providing an electrical connection between the substrate and the image sensor; a lens system mounted on top the cover glass; and a single element blur filter contained within the lens system. The assembly contains a single element blur filter such as a cross-pleated blur filter. The lens system is prevented from being a reverse telephoto lens system with use of a blur filter that does not require a large back focus and is instead a telephoto lens system.

Abstract: A non-impact printhead is formed of modules. Each module comprises a tile support that has mounted thereon a plurality of LED chip arrays and driver chip arrays for driving the LEDs. A spreader board is also mounted on the tile for distributing signals to the driver chips. A ground connection between the LEDs and the spreader board is made without relying upon electrical conductivity through the tile and a mother board which supports several tiles. Rather, a ground path is provided by a conductive layer upon the tile. In one embodiment, a via in the spreader board connects this ground path with the top surface of the spreader board. In a second embodiment, the ground path continues along a bottom surface of the spreader board to a ground strip of a bus bar.

Abstract: LED dice and driver chips for generating current for driving LED's are to be mounted on tile modules. Z-axis dimensional control of the LED dice and driver chips is provided by placement of the dice and driver chips face down in a first fixture member to locate the dice against a first datum on the fixture. A front face of the tile is accurately positioned in the x, y plane relative to the dice and driver chips and supported in a second fixture member. The front face of the tile contains adhesive for attachment of the tile to the LED dice and driver chips. The rear face of the tile is located against a second datum in the fixture that is located a fixed distance from the first datum. Thus, the adhesive between the dice and the front face of the tile compensates for the thickness variations of both the dice and the tile.

Abstract: A printhead, particularly a light emitting diode (LED) printhead, which has improved apparatus for distributing signals to individual printing elements, i.e. LEDs, that are used in the printhead. Specifically, this printhead contains a number of print element arrays, typically arrays of light emitting diodes, and a corresponding number of drive circuits all of which are mounted to a common member, this member illustratively being a metallic stiffener plate. Each of the drive circuits is connected to a corresponding one of the print element arrays. All the print element arrays are typically situated in a co-linear orientation transversely along the member with the drive circuits co-linearly arranged along a side of the arrays.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) printhead has associated therewith a gradient index fiber lens array for collecting light from the LED's and focussing same onto a photosensitive surface for recording. The fiber lens array includes a segment that is spaced in overlying relationship to the printhead and has a series of optical fibers for conveying light generally parallel with the plane of the LED's. Various configurations of inputs to said array are described for collecting light from the LED's. The relationship between the array and the printhead provides for a narrow construction allowing space for other recording components to fit more readily about the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: A non-impact printhead such as an LED printhead includes a plurality of modular circuit assemblies, each including a plurality of recording elements and associated integrated circuit drivers. Each modular circuit assembly is mounted upon a tile. Rails are attached to the underside of the tiles to join the tiles together. A heatsink supports the tiles. The tiles are urged into engagement with the heatsink by cantilevered leaf springs.

Abstract: An LED array printhead comprises an elongate support bar of generally rectangular cross section with a row of LED array chips mounted end-to-end along one of the narrow elongate edge faces of the bar. The bar is sandwiched between heat sink members confronting its wide faces. The heat sink members dissipate heat from the bar and also support circuit board means electrically connected to the LED chips.