Abstract: A system, including an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a printhead; and an autopurge unit configured to automatically clean the printhead. The autopurge unit includes a solvent supply in fluid communication with a solvent line, a solenoid housing, and a waste container. The solenoid housing includes a first solenoid assembly disposed within an ink line, wherein the ink line is in fluid communication with the ink supply and a first outlet that is configured to be in fluid communication with the printhead; and a second solenoid assembly disposed within a solvent line. The waste container is in fluid communication with a waste delivery line having a waste inlet. The waste inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a waste line that is in communication with the printhead so that fluid waste from the printhead is deposited into the waste container.

Abstract: A system, including an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a printhead; and an autopurge unit configured to automatically clean the printhead. The autopurge unit includes a solvent supply in fluid communication with a solvent line, a solenoid housing, and a waste container. The solenoid housing includes a first solenoid assembly disposed within an ink line, wherein the ink line is in fluid communication with the ink supply and a first outlet that is configured to be in fluid communication with the printhead; and a second solenoid assembly disposed within a solvent line. The waste container is in fluid communication with a waste delivery line having a waste inlet. The waste inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a waste line that is in communication with the printhead so that fluid waste from the printhead is deposited into the waste container.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a housing defining an interior compartment. The housing includes a front or print face which presents an array of nozzles that are adapted to project drops of ink on a substrate as the substrate passes in front of the array. The front face defines a front air passage that surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle array to allow air flow between the exterior of the housing and the interior compartment. The housing defines at least one additional air passage constructed to allow air flow between the exterior of the housing and the interior compartment. The air passages are constructed to create positive air flow through the front passage which reduces the accumulation of debris around the orifice array. The printhead may also include a protective structure that extends across a portion of the front air passage to protect the orifice array from being damaged by materials, such as mail, that move past the printhead at high speeds during the printing operation.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a single integrated circuit having an image sensor for outputting signals representative of input light; a programmable non-volatile memory for storing defective pixel location information; a controller unit for interfacing with the programmable non-volatile memory and accessing the defective pixel location information; and a input/output port for communicating with control and post-processing circuitry.

Abstract: A single integrated circuit having an image sensor for outputting signals representative of input light; a programmable non-volatile memory for storing security information; a controller unit for interfacing with the programmable non-volatile memory and accessing the security information; and an input/output port for communicating with a control and post-processing circuit.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method and apparatus for eliminating the oscillating effect of a light source. The method having the first step of detecting a set of light intensity levels. Then, the method continues by generating a set of pulses based on the set of light intensity levels. The method then determines an oscillating frequency of the light source based upon the set of pulses. The apparatus has a light sensitive diode for detecting a light intensity level from a light source; a level detector coupled to the light sensitive diode for comparing the detected light intensity level with a predetermined level and a pulse generator coupled to the level detector for generating a set of pulses based on an output from the level detector; and, a signal processing unit coupled to the pulse generator to determine an oscillating frequency of the light source.

Abstract: A gas turbine is provided wherein the thermal stresses in the turbine rotor are reduced. The rotor includes a central disc with a peripheral rim, and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the rim, and to reduce thermal stresses, a duct arrangement is provided which selectively directs hot gases from the turbine combustor to the rim during the turbine start-up. The hot gases from the combustor serve to heat the rim, and thus decease the start-up period necessary to bring the temperature profile of the rotor into the operating temperature range. After the start-up period, the duct arrangement is then used to direct cool gases from the turbine compressor to the rim of the rotor in order to maintain a lower rotor equilibrium temperature.