Abstract: Apparatus and a method for determining the position of a component held on the end of a pick up tool includes a pick up tool and positioning sensing system mounted on a movable frame with each other. The position sensing system includes an adjustable light source for producing an intense fan of light onto a collimating lens. The collimating lens produces an object field comprising a thin wide sheet of collimated light to be projected on a component held by the pick up tool. The thin wide sheet of light is projected on a component whose position is to be determined and the unblocked rays of light are projected onto an objective focusing lens which focuses the unblocked light through a very small aperture onto a relay lens which receives the refocused unblocked rays of light and produces refocused collimated light rays which are directed as an image onto a linear array sensor having a plurality of high density pixel sensors whose position is known relative to the pick up tool.

Abstract: A drilling monitor employs laser optics and an associated signal processing device to provide intelligent control capable of making the optimum decision to maintain hole quality and maximize drill life during the drilling of via holes in a circuit board. Twist angle, bending and temperature of the drill are monitored and the drill motor and/or the board is controlled accordingly in response to present data being compared to preprogrammed acceptable standardized data.

Abstract: Ink jet printers include orifices which may become clogged or otherwise inoperative. This can cause printing defects which may go undetected for a substantial period because these printers usually operate unattended. An optical detector is provided for testing the operability of each ink jet orifice prior to the beginning of printing either a print cycle or a page. Ink is deposited on a member which moves the deposit through an optical path for detection. Absence of a deposit signals a malfunction.

Abstract: An oscillating coolant pump includes a pair of opposed bellows mounted to reciprocate in a housing for moving a volume of fluid through a heat exchanger and an electronics package. The pump functions without the use of check valves.

Abstract: A beam feedback synchronization system for optical sweeping systems is disclosed. The system includes a multi-faceted rotating reflection mirror which acts on a collimated light beam such as a laser beam, to cause it to sweep periodically in parallel straight lines across a rotating photoconducting drum. A circular reflector is positioned at a critical position between the rotating reflection mirror and the rotating photoconducting drum. This circular reflector causes a portion of this light to be split off from the main beam and reflected back upon a photodetection device which is positioned in close proximity to the rotating reflection mirror. The electrical signals from the photodetection device are amplified and modified before being applied as periodic synchronizing feedback signals to the character generator from which the data information is emanating.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying machine includes a reservoir for liquid developer made up of toner particles in a dispersant. A photoconductive drum, adapted after receiving a latent electrostatic image thereon to pass through the liquid developer in the reservoir and to have an electrostatic image developed on the drum. A metering roller for removing excess dispersant is positioned between the reservoir and an air knife which projects a sharp thin jet of pressurized air at about a 45 degree angle with respect to the surface of the drum. The air pressure produced by the air knife drives any remaining spent dispersant on the surface of the drum back to the reservoir by way of the metering roller and the latent image on the drum is subsequently transferred to paper.

Abstract: The invention described is a guide for directing a moving flexible member along a prescribed path. Suction slots are provided along the lateral walls of the guide for enabling the member to be directed along the desired path.

Abstract: A multi-jet ink printer comprises a drum having rows of pointed jet formers, or prongs, mounted about its outside surface. The drum is successively rotated such that the tips of the prongs are dipped into a reservoir of ink and thereafter pointed toward a recording carrier, such as paper. When the prongs are directed toward the carrier, an electrostatic field is established between the drum and electrodes located on the opposite side of the carrier. The ink is thereby caused to leave the sharp points and form ink jets composed of very small droplets of ink. The ink is thereby deposited on the carrier. There is an electrode located opposite each prong which is selectively energized to produce dots on the carrier when the prong is in selected positions relative to the carrier. In this respect, the drum is moved axially (horizontally) to scan rows on the carrier, and the carrier is moved longitudinally (vertically) to scan vertically on the carrier.

Abstract: To develop a latent image, which exists in the form of different potential values on different areas of a substrate, an auxiliary substrate is coated with toner by charging the toner triboelectrically and applying a potential to propel the charged toner onto the auxiliary substrate. This toner-coated substrate is brought into close proximity with the image forming substrate, while being maintained at a potential which lies between the different potential values of the latent image.