Abstract: In one example, a heating system includes a first heater having a first resistive heating element, a second heater having multiple second resistive heating elements arranged in parallel with a group of the second heating elements having a combined resistance equal to a resistance of the first heating element, and a controller to periodically switch power between the first heating element and the group of second heating elements at a zero crossing of an AC power source.

Abstract: Curing apparatus, image forming apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example curing apparatus includes a curing unit to heat an area adjacent a substrate travel path, the curing unit having a width less than a width of the substrate travel path, and a controller to reciprocate the curing unit within the substrate width.

Abstract: A convection dryer device is disclosed. The convection dryer uses a first fan speed before the leading edge of media reaches a first location in a drying area and a second fan speed, faster than the first fan speed, after the leading edge of media reaches first location.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to low-power high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADCs) circuits implemented with a delta-sigma modulators (DSMs). The DSM includes a single-bit, self-oscillating digital to analog converter (SB-DAC) and a dual-slope integrating quantizer that may replace an N-bit quantizer found in a conventional DSM. The integrating quantizer of this disclosure oscillates after quantization because the SB-DAC in the feedback path directly closes the DSM loop. The integrating quantizer circuit includes a switch at the input and two phases per sample cycle. During the first phase the switch sends an input analog signal to an integrator. During the second phase, the switch sends the feedback signal from the output of the self-oscillating SB-DAC to the integrator. The input to the SB-DAC may be output from a clocked comparator.

Abstract: A drying assembly is disclosed. An example apparatus includes fans; a temperature sensor; a print engine to access instructions to cause a printer to perform a printing operation on media; and a processor responsive to an output of the temperature sensor to control the fans to force air onto the media to cause a substantially uniform temperature to be maintained across a width of the media during the printing operation and to cause a sum of air flow output by the fans to be maintained at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A drying assembly is disclosed. An example apparatus includes fans; a temperature sensor; a print engine to access instructions to cause a printer to perform a printing operation on media; and a processor responsive to an output of the temperature sensor to control the fans to force air onto the media to cause a substantially uniform temperature to be maintained across a width of the media during the printing operation and to cause a sum of air flow output by the fans to be maintained at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: Holographic concentration solar modules (1), which concentrate the solar light into photovoltaic solar cells (2), integrated into urban and street elements (3), such as street lamps, bus stops, motorway toll booths, charging facilities, advertising sites, kiosks, amongst others, are disclosed. The holographic solar concentration modules (1) carry out passive tracking and the design thereof may be adapted to any surface. The efficient capturing of solar light in any position is guaranteed with the design versatility of the hologram included in the solar module (1). Therefore, in the present invention, in each one of the applications, a constructive element is substituted by a holographic solar concentration module (1). For example, it forms the support of a solar street lamp, the cover of a bus stop or of a toll booth, or the structure of an advertising site, amongst others. The solar module (1) constitutes in this way photovoltaic integration (BIPV) into urban and street elements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of maintaining nozzles in a print-ready condition includes determining image content to be printed in an upcoming print swath, and for each ink color present within the image content, constructing an inked portion of an associated spit bar adjacent to the upcoming print swath to include the present ink color. For each ink color not present within the image content, an empty portion of an associated spit bar is constructed adjacent to the upcoming print swath.

Abstract: A convection dryer device is disclosed. The convection dryer uses a first fan speed before the leading edge of media reaches a first location in a drying area and a second fan speed, faster than the first fan speed, after the leading edge of media reaches first location.

Abstract: A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.

Abstract: A method to select a print mode in which a first image comprising a plurality of pixels is received. Color depth for at least a subset of the plurality of pixels of the first image is determined. A print mode is selected from a plurality of print modes using at least the determined color depth.

Abstract: In one example, a heating system includes a first heater having a first resistive heating element, a second heater having multiple second resistive heating elements arranged in parallel with a group of the second heating elements having a combined resistance equal to a resistance of the first heating element, and a controller to periodically switch power between the first heating element and the group of second heating elements at a zero crossing of an AC power source.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of maintaining nozzles in a print-ready condition includes determining image content to be printed in an upcoming print swath, and for each ink color present within the image content, constructing an inked portion of an associated spit bar adjacent to the upcoming print swath to include the present ink color. For each ink color not present within the image content, an empty portion of an associated spit bar is constructed adjacent to the upcoming print swath.

Abstract: The composite material comprises nitrate and chloride anion inorganic salts which may also comprise sulphates, carbonates and/or nitrites and organic and inorganic nanoparticles, such as graphene, and cations of the alkaline, earth-alkaline, earth, carbon and/or amphigenic chemical groups. Said formulations have chemical and physical characteristics, such as the heat capacity, thermal stability and thermal conductivity thereof which make them optimum for being used as an alternative to the commercially available binary mixture in concentrating solar power plants.

Abstract: In one example, a print zone heater includes a structure defining a plenum, a heating element, a fan to move air over the heating element into the plenum, and a conduit from the plenum to carry heated air into the print zone.

Abstract: In one example, a vapor control heater for a printer includes a housing, a heating element at least partially enclosed by the housing, and a fan to move air over the heating element and into a flow of air from the printer dryer.

Abstract: Methods for curing ink printed on a print medium are disclosed. The methods comprise heating air to a temperature suitable for curing the ink, and blowing the air through a plurality of holes onto the print medium.

Abstract: In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing are described. One example is a tension module for a printer including a throughput roller including a length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1 and a material on the surface thereof having a friction coefficient value less than 1. In addition, the module includes a plurality of pinch rollers arranged parallel to the throughput roller and, the pinch rollers supporting the throughput roller and providing a pressure on a print medium when passed along the throughput roller. Further, the module includes a motor to rotate the throughput roller. Still further, the module includes a tension lever including a plurality of stops, each of the stops being associated with one of a plurality of tension settings. Manipulation of the tension lever between two of the stops adjusts the pressure between the throughput roller and the pinch rollers on the print medium.

Abstract: A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.