Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a print head comprises a print head body defining an interior chamber and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an outer surface and further defines a cleaning fluid orifice through the orifice plate for conducting a flow of a cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid orifice and onto an outer surface of said orifice plate. The orifice plate also defines a drain orifice for conducting a flow of cleaning fluid from the surface to the interior chamber. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is disposed in said cavity and connected to the cleaning fluid passageway. During cleaning operations, the fluid flow system defines a flow of a cleaning fluid from the passageway and onto said outer surface. The drain orifice receives cleaning fluid from the outer surface and channels the cleaning fluid into the fluid return.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a printhead having a two-dimensional nozzle array with the two-dimensional nozzle array having a plurality of nozzles disposed such that a redundant nozzle pair is formed. A drop forming mechanism is positioned relative to the nozzles and is operable in a first state to form drops having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form drops having a second volume travelling along the same path. A system applies force to the drops travelling along the path with the force being applied in a direction such that the drops having the first volume diverge from the path.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head is formed of a silicon substrate that includes integrated circuits formed therein for controlling operation of the print head. An insulating layer or layers overlies the silicon substrate includes conductors at various levels to provide conductive paths for transmitting control signals for controlling the print head. The insulating layer or layers also has a series or an array of nozzle openings or bores formed therein along the length of the substrate to provide a substantially planar surface to facilitate cleaning of the printhead. Each nozzle opening is formed as an elongated bore that extends through the insulating layer or layers to the silicon substrate. A heater element is formed adjacent each nozzle opening and in proximity to the planar surface to provide asymmetric heating of the ink stream as it leaves the nozzle opening.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a printhead having a two dimensional nozzle array. The two dimensional nozzle array includes a first nozzle row being disposed in a first direction and a second nozzle row being disposed displaced and offset relative to the first nozzle row. A drop forming mechanism is positioned relative to the nozzle rows and is operable in a first state to form drops having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form drops having a second volume travelling along the same path. A system applies force to the drops travelling along the path with the force being applied in a direction such that the drops having the first volume diverge from the path.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet printhead has a nozzle bore formed from a thin membrane that comprises an overhang from a relief portion of the substrate. The thin membrane of thickness t overhangs a relief portion of the substrate with a dimension OH. The nozzle bore has a respective diameter dimension D. The dimensions are characterized in that OH>=½ D; and wherein t<=0.33 D.

Abstract: An electrostrictive micro-pump is provided for controlling a fluid flow through a cannula or other narrow liquid conduit. The micro-pump includes a pump body having a passageway for conducting a flow of fluid, a pump element formed from a piece of viscoelastic material and disposed in the passageway, and a control assembly coupled to the viscoelastic material for electrostatically inducing a peristaltic wave along the longitudinal axis of the pump element to displace fluid disposed within the pump body. The control assembly includes a pair of electrodes disposed over upper and lower sides of the pump element. The lower electrode is formed from a plurality of uniformly spaced conductive panels, while the upper electrode is a single sheet of conductive material. A switching circuit is provided for actuating the conductive panels of the lower electrode in serial, multiplex fashion to induce a peristaltic pumping action.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a nozzle array with portions of the nozzle array defining a length dimension. A drop forming mechanism is positioned relative to the nozzle array and is operable in a first state to form ink drops having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form ink drops having a second volume travelling along the path. A system applies force to the ink drops travelling along the path with the force being applied in a direction such that the ink drops having the first volume diverge from the path and at least one of the ink drops having the first volume and the second volume are rotated relative to the length dimension. At least a portion of the system is configured to rotate the ink drops relative to the length dimension. The system portion has a cross section and an outlet with the cross section having a first shape and a second shape. The second shape reduces the force along at least a portion of the outlet.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet apparatus is provided. The printhead includes a nozzle array with portions of the nozzle array defining a length dimension. A drop forming mechanism is positioned relative to the nozzle array. The drop forming mechanism is operable in a first state to form ink drops having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form ink drops having a second volume travelling along the path. A system applies force to the ink drops travelling along the path. The force is applied in a direction such that the ink drops having the first volume diverge from the path and at least one of the ink drops having the first volume and the ink drops having the second volume are displaced relative to the length dimension.

Abstract: An electrostrictive micro-valve is provided for modulating a fluid flow through a cannula or other narrow liquid conduit. The micro-valve includes a valve body having a passageway for conducting a flow of fluid, a valve element formed from a piece of viscoelastic material and disposed in the passageway, and a control assembly coupled to the viscoelastic material for electrostatically controlling the shape of the material to open or close the passageway. The valve element has a flat lower side connected to an inner wall of the passage of the valve body, and an upper side which faces an opposing wall within the passageway. The control assembly includes a pair of electrodes disposed over the upper and lower sides of the valve element. The electrode facing the lower side of the element is patterned so that localized electrostatic forces are generated across the viscoelastic material when a voltage is applied across both electrodes.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet printhead is provided. The printhead includes a source of ink drops, a first nozzle row, and a second nozzle row displaced in a first direction and a second direction relative to the first nozzle row. A selection device is positioned relative to the first and second nozzle rows. The selection device is configured to direct ink drops ejected from the source through the first nozzle row along a first selected ink drop path and a first non-selected ink drop path. The selection device is also configured to direct ink drops ejected from the source through the second nozzle row along a second selected ink drop path and a second non-selected ink drop path. A gutter is positioned adjacent the first and second non-selected ink drop paths. The gutter is shaped to collect ink drops traveling along the first and second non-selected ink drop paths. The gutter includes a housing defining an ink removal channel.

Abstract: A pump(10) for pumping various primary fluids includes a body(100) having a primary fluid channel(110) defined therein, and a primary fluid supply is coupled to the primary fluid channel to supply a primary fluid to the primary fluid channel. A mechanism(130/132) is provided for introducing a secondary fluid to an interface region of the primary fluid channel to thereby define a fluid interface between the primary fluid and the secondary dry fluid in the interface region. An energy delivery(150/160) device delivers energy to the interface region to create a thermal gradient along the fluid interface. The thermal gradient results in a surface tension gradient along the interface. The primary fluid will move to compensate for the surface tension gradient.

Abstract: An ink jet print head is formed of a silicon substrate that includes integrated circuits formed therein for controlling operation of the print head. The silicon substrate has a series of ink channels formed therein along the length of the substrate. An insulating layer or layers overlying the silicon substrate has a series of nozzle openings or bores formed therein along the length of the substrate and each nozzle bore communicates with a respective ink channel. A primary heater element is associated with each nozzle bore for asymmetrically heating the ink in the nozzle bore. A secondary heater element is provided upstream of the primary heater element and formed in the insulating layer to preheat ink just prior to entry of the ink into the nozzle bores.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a self-cleaning printer with a print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, a cleaning orifice and a drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. A source of pressurized cleaning fluid is connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return is connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. A cleaning surface is disposed adjacent to and separate from the outer surface to define a capillary fluid flow path from the cleaning orifice across the ink jet orifice and to the drain orifice. During cleaning, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid discharges a flow of a cleaning fluid into the capillary fluid flow path and pressurized cleaning fluid from the capillary flow path passes through the drain orifice and into the fluid return.

Abstract: A manner of permanent alteration of an ink jet print head (10) for correction of misdirection of emitted or ejected ink drops. The ink jet print head (10) has a surface (14) defining at least one orifice or nozzle (16) therethrough for emitting or ejecting ink droplets from an ink source onto a printing or recording medium and at least one element (28,30,34,44,48,50) disposed around the orifice or nozzle (16) and selectably removable for altering a directional path of the ejected or emitted ink droplets, correction of misdirection of emitted or ejected ink droplets from the at least one orifice or nozzle (16) involving asymmetrically removing a portion of the element (28,30,34,44,48,50) disposed around the orifice or nozzle (16).

Abstract: An ink jet print head is formed of a silicon substrate that includes integrated circuits formed therein for controlling operation of the print head. The silicon substrate has a series of ink channels formed therein along the length of the substrate. An insulating layer or layers overlying the silicon substrate has a series of nozzle openings or bores formed therein along the length of the substrate and each nozzle bore communicates with a respective ink channel. A primary heater element is associated with each nozzle bore for asymmetrically heating the ink in the nozzle bore. A secondary heater element is provided upstream of the primary heater element and formed in the insulating layer to preheat ink just prior to entry of the ink into the nozzle bores.

Abstract: An electrostrictive micro-pump is provided for controlling a fluid flow through a cannula or other narrow liquid conduit. The micro-pump includes a pump body having a passageway for conducting a flow of fluid, a pump element formed from a piece of viscoelastic material and disposed in the passageway, and a control assembly coupled to the viscoelastic material for electrostatically inducing a peristaltic wave along the longitudinal axis of the pump element to displace fluid disposed within the pump body. The control assembly includes a pair of electrodes disposed over upper and lower sides of the pump element. The lower electrode is formed from a plurality of uniformly spaced conductive panels, while the upper electrode is a single sheet of conductive material. A switching circuit is provided for actuating the conductive panels of the lower electrode in serial, multiplex fashion to induce a peristaltic pumping action.

Abstract: For an inkjet printhead (10) having at least one nozzle (24) with heater elements (28a, 28b) predisposed to direct the flow of ink drops (37) through the nozzle (24), a system and method of compensating for the effects of defects in the inkjet printhead (10) to permit compensation in the direction of ink drops (37) ejected from the nozzle (24). A thickness is then added to one or more heating elements (28a, 28b) of the inkjet printhead (10), such thickness calculated to compensate for the misdirection. The heater elements (28a, 28b) are immersed in a electroplating solution (42) and a voltage differential (40) applied to cause the electroplating solution (42) to form a electroplated coating (44) which acts to compensate for a misdirection of ink stream flow (36) out through at least one of the nozzles (24).

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a unique printing system that utilizes a notch deflector in the ink delivery channel of a continuous ink jet printing system to control the angle of deflection ink droplets in a print and non-print direction. The width and depth of the notch in the ink delivery channel can be varied to produce different angles of deflection of the ink droplets for a given velocity of ink through the channel. Also, for any predetermined width and depth of the notch in the ink delivery channel, the deflection angle of the droplets will vary with varying velocities of ink flow. Control circuits are connected to the notch deflector to adjust the depth of the deflector for different angles of deflection.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a receiver from a micro-fluidic contact print head after ink image pixels have been printed by the print head on the receiver, including a print head having a plurality of ink channels for delivering ink to the receiver when the receiver is in ink transfer contact with the print head; including an air supply device and air plenum which are associated with each ink channel and defining an air channel for conducting air to the air plenum; and the apparatus is effective after the ink has been transferred from the plurality of ink channels to the receiver for causing air to be delivered from the air supply device to the air channel and into the air plenum to exert a pressure which causes the separation of the receiver from the print head.

Abstract: An ink jet printer and method capable of forming a plurality of registration marks on a receiver and sensing the marks formed thereby. The method includes a print head for printing an image of predetermined length on the receiver. The receiver has an image area for receiving the image therein and a border area adjacent to the image area. A marker forms the plurality of registration marks in the border area, so that the marks extend the length of the image. In addition, a sensor is disposed in sensing relationship to the marks for sensing the marks. The invention provides a combination marker for marking a receiver and a sensor for sensing the marks so that each image line is in registration with other lines of the image. Also, use of the invention avoids need for costly precision motors to advance the receiver during printing of image lines.