Abstract: A current measurement device includes a shunt having sense leads, the shunt configured to be located in a current path for a current to be measured, and a Rogowski coil at least partially wrapped around the shunt, the current measuring device configured to combine signals from the shunt and the Rogowski coil. A current measurement device includes a shunt having sense leads configured to be located in a current path for a current to be measured, a Rogowski coil in series with the sense leads and at least partially wrapped around the shunt, a compensating pole connected to the Rogowski coil, and an isolation barrier connected to the compensating pole.

Abstract: An implementation of the present teachings includes a resistor structure for measuring a level of a print material such as a liquid metal print material within a reservoir of a printer such as a magnetohydrodynamic printer. The resistor structure includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are physically and electrically separated from each other. When positioned within the reservoir, the liquid metal physically contacts the first electrode and the second electrode. An electrical resistance between the first and second electrodes changes depending on the level of the print material within the reservoir. As the level of the print material decreases, the electrical resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode increases. The electrical resistance can be measured and used to determine a level of the print material within the reservoir.

Abstract: A current sensor configured to measure current in a current-carrying conductor. The current sensor includes a shunt configured to be placed in series with the current-carrying conductor, and a Rogowski coil including at least one conductor segment. The shunt and the Rogowski coil are coupled to produce an output signal representing the current in the current-carrying conductor.

Abstract: A system to direct print onto print substrates has a print head, at least one optical image sensor arranged adjacent a print substrate, wherein the print substrate will move in a process direction past the print head, at least one telecentric lens arranged between the print substrate and the at least one optical image sensor, and control circuitry electrically connected to the optical at least one image sensor and the print head, the control circuitry to generate dot clocks to cause the print head to print onto the substrate based upon data from the at least one optical image sensor identifying a position of the print substrate.

Abstract: A system to direct print onto print substrates has a print head, at least one optical image sensor arranged adjacent a print substrate, wherein the print substrate will move in a process direction past the print head, at least one telecentric lens arranged between the print substrate and the at least one optical image sensor, and control circuitry electrically connected to the optical at least one image sensor and the print head, the control circuitry to generate dot clocks to cause the print head to print onto the substrate based upon data from the at least one optical image sensor identifying a position of the print substrate.

Abstract: A print head, has a standardized computer interface to allow the print head to connect directly to a standard computer, an array of jets to deposit ink on a substrate in accordance with image data from the standard computer, a processing element to receive image data through the standardized computer interface, a buffer to store the image data received through the standardized computer interface and to transmit the image data to the array of jets when triggered by a dot clock, the buffer under control of the processing element and having a flexible depth of storage, and a driver to trigger individual ones of the array of jets in accordance with the image data.

Abstract: A method for measuring an impedance of each of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators of a print head, each piezoelectric actuator connected to electronic selection circuitry of the print head that drives the piezoelectric actuators during a print operation. The method includes generating a waveform to drive a drive rail of the print head, the drive rail connected to the electronic selection circuitry of the print head and measuring an impedance of each of the plurality of piezoelectrical actuators of the print head through the electronic selection circuitry.

Abstract: A print head, has a standardized computer interface to allow the print head to connect directly to a standard computer, an array of jets to deposit ink on a substrate in accordance with image data from the standard computer, a processing element to receive image data through the standardized computer interface, a buffer to store the image data received through the standardized computer interface and to transmit the image data to the array of jets when triggered by a dot clock, the buffer under control of the processing element and having a flexible depth of storage, and a driver to trigger individual ones of the array of jets in accordance with the image data.

Abstract: An energy recovery circuit in a print head includes at least one waveform rail, an array of piezoelectric actuators selectively electrically connectable to the waveform rail, the piezoelectric actuators creating a capacitive load, at least one pseudo jet capacitive load, selectively coupled to the waveform rail, depending upon how many piezoelectric actuators are connected to the waveform rail, and a first inductor coupled to the waveform rail, wherein the first inductor forms a resonant circuit with a waveform rail capacitance and returns energy to a power supply.

Abstract: A print head, including a plurality of piezoelectric actuators, a pseudo-actuator, a drive rail, electronic selection circuitry connected to each of the plurality of piezoelectric actuators, the pseudo-actuator, and the drive rail, the electronic selection circuitry configured to select at least one of the piezoelectric actuators or the pseudo-actuator to connect to the drive rail, and a controller coupled to the drive rail, the controller configured to generate a waveform to drive the drive rail and measure a signal on the drive rail connected to a piezoelectric actuator, a pseudo-actuator, or without any connected piezoelectric actuators or the pseudo-actuator, and using the resulting measurements to calculate an impedance of a piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A printing system has a print head shuttle containing a print head mounted on a print guide rail, a support shuttle containing support electronics for the print head mounted on a support guide rail adjacent and parallel to the print guide rail, and at least one electronic signal-carrying cable connected between the support electronics and the print head.

Abstract: A method for measuring an impedance of each of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators of a print head, each piezoelectric actuator connected to electronic selection circuitry of the print head that drives the piezoelectric actuators during a print operation. The method includes generating a waveform to drive a drive rail of the print head, the drive rail connected to the electronic selection circuitry of the print head and measuring an impedance of each of the plurality of piezoelectrical actuators of the print head through the electronic selection circuitry.

Abstract: A method, includes receiving native image data at a processor for a printing system having a jet stack including a nozzle plate with an array of jets, formatting the native image data by pixels for each jet within the array of jets to produce ordered image data, scanning the ordered image data to determine timing and frequency of any pre-fire sequences needed for each jet, replacing a portion of the ordered image data for jets that need pre-fire sequences with a predetermined trigger sequence followed by a number and pattern of pre-fire pulses to produce modified image data, and transmit the modified image data.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system, including an inlet in a print head to receive ink from an ink supply, a plurality of nozzles to eject ink in the print head, an ink pressure sensor disposed in an ink path, the ink pressure sensor configured to determine an ink pressure of the ink in the print head and output a signal indicating the ink pressure, and a controller in the print head configured to receive and process the signal indicating the ink pressure from the ink pressure sensor. The inkjet printing system may also include a memory to store an ink pressure and time profile. The controller may also output a signal to stop ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles when the ink pressure is either below a negative threshold or above a positive threshold.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system, including an inlet in a print head to receive ink from an ink supply, a plurality of nozzles to eject ink in the print head, an ink pressure sensor disposed in an ink path, the ink pressure sensor configured to determine an ink pressure of the ink in the print head and output a signal indicating the ink pressure, and a controller in the print head configured to receive and process the signal indicating the ink pressure from the ink pressure sensor. The inkjet printing system may also include a memory to store an ink pressure and time profile. The controller may also output a signal to stop ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles when the ink pressure is either below a negative threshold or above a positive threshold.

Abstract: A method, includes receiving native image data at a processor for a printing system having a jet stack including a nozzle plate with an array of jets, formatting the native image data by pixels for each jet within the array of jets to produce ordered image data, scanning the ordered image data to determine timing and frequency of any pre-fire sequences needed for each jet, replacing a portion of the ordered image data for jets that need pre-fire sequences with a predetermined trigger sequence followed by a number and pattern of pre-fire pulses to produce modified image data, and transmit the modified image data.

Abstract: A method of bonding two components includes plating a first of the components with a first silver layer, a tin layer, and a second silver layer, plating a second of the components with silver, inserting the first and second components into a pre-heated press, and applying pressure to the components causing the components to bond. A method of manufacturing a print head includes plating a piezoelectric layer with a first silver layer, a tin layer, and a second silver layer, plating a steel layer of a jet stack with silver, inserting the piezoelectric layer and the steel layer into a pre-heated press, and applying pressure to the piezoelectric layer and the steel layer causing the layers to bond.

Abstract: A method of bonding two components includes plating a first of the components with a first silver layer, a tin layer, and a second silver layer, plating a second of the components with silver, inserting the first and second components into a pre-heated press, and applying pressure to the components causing the components to bond. A stack of layers has a first component layer, a first silver layer, a tin layer, a second silver layer, a second component silver layer, and a second component layer.

Abstract: A method of filling a print head includes drawing a vapor into an empty print head to displace any air in the print head and filling the print head with ink. A method of filling a print head includes connecting a print head to a vacuum pump using a first valve, to a liquid supply using a second valve, and to an ink supply using a third valve, opening the first and second valves, applying vacuum to the print head and liquid supply using the vacuum pump, causing the liquid to generate a vapor that moves into the print head, closing the first valve and the second valve, and opening the third valve to move ink into the print head.

Abstract: A method of bonding two components includes plating a first of the components with a first silver layer, a tin layer, and a second silver layer, plating a second of the components with silver, inserting the first and second components into a pre-heated press, and applying pressure to the components causing the components to bond. A stack of layers has a first component layer, a first silver layer, a tin layer, a second silver layer, a second component silver layer, and a second component layer.