Abstract: A printing system includes a print head to deliver ink to an image receptor and at least one ink reservoir to deliver ink to the print head. Driving circuitry provides signals to the print head to control delivery of the ink and a flexible circuit interposed between the print head and the ink reservoirs connects the driving circuitry to the print head. The flexible circuit may include a heater to provide heat to the ink reservoirs. Alternatively, the flexible circuit may be replaced with a rigid substrate having a heater within its layers.

Abstract: A print head has an array of jets formed in a jet stack to deliver ink to an image receptor and at least one ink reservoir to deliver ink to the jet stack. Control circuitry is arranged on the jet stack with an actuator array arranged on the control circuitry to cause the reservoir to deliver ink in response to signals from the control circuitry. A ground plane is arranged between the actuators and the ink reservoir. A print head has an array of jets formed into a jet stack to deliver ink to a printing medium and an actuator array formed on the jet stack, each actuator separated from other actuators by gaps. A spacer is arranged on the jet stack so as to fill the gaps between the actuators.

Abstract: Plural film layers are disposed on a substrate. Each film layer has regions devoid of film material, thus forming film layer cavity openings. Each film layer has its cavities arranged to provide fluid coupling with its adjacent film layer or layers. The film layer cavities form a traverse channel coupling the top and bottom film layers and also one or more lateral channels coupling cavity openings in the top film layer. The film layer traverse channel couples with a substrate channel that extends from the substrate top surface to one or more of its other surfaces. A device such as a fluid dispenser, fluid ejector, sensor or bioprocessing device is disposed on the top film layer and fluidly coupled to the plural film layers traverse and lateral channels. The traverse channel and the one or more lateral channels are arranged to transport or flow one or more fluids.

Abstract: A drop emitting apparatus including a manifold, a viscoelastic structure acoustically coupled to the manifold, and a plurality of drop generators fluidically coupled to the manifold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing addressable fusing and/or heating of a substrate undergoing xerographic processing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuser having an array of addressable heating elements in radiative communication with a substrate through a fuser roll or fuser belt. The array of addressable heating elements is operated to selectively heat portions of the substrate to achieve a desired effect on the substrate, such as changing its surface finish, or fusing unfused toner to the substrate. In the case of toner fusing, the array is operated such that substantially only an area covered by the unfused toner is heated. This eliminates the need for blanket fusing, and generally provides for greater flexibility in xerographically processing substrates. Apparatus and methods for performing two-sided selective fusing and/or heating are also disclosed.

Abstract: A print head has an array of jets to dispense ink onto a printing surface, an array of actuators to cause the jets to dispense ink and an ink manifold to route ink to the array of jets, the ink manifold being formed of at least one polymer layers. A print manifold has an array of jets formed on a metal plate, at least one polymer layer mounted on the metal plate, the polymer layer including an array of manifolds corresponding to the array of jets and an electronic circuit board mounted on the polymer layer, the electronic circuit board having an array of holes corresponding to the array of manifolds. A print system includes at least one ink reservoir at least one umbilical to transport ink out of the ink reservoir and a print head as described above.

Abstract: A drop emitting apparatus including a manifold, a viscoelastic structure acoustically coupled to the manifold, and a plurality of drop generators fluidically coupled to the manifold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing addressable fusing and/or heating of a substrate undergoing xerographic processing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuser having an array of addressable heating elements in radiative communication with a substrate through a fuser roll or fuser belt. The array of addressable heating elements is operated to selectively heat portions of the substrate to achieve a desired effect on the substrate, such as changing its surface finish, or fusing unfused toner to the substrate. In the case of toner fusing, the array is operated such that substantially only an area covered by the unfused toner is heated. This eliminates the need for blanket fusing, and generally provides for greater flexibility in xerographically processing substrates. Apparatus and methods for performing two-sided selective fusing and/or heating are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making an electromechanical device including forming an electromechanical transducer that includes a deposited metallic diaphragm, and attaching the electromechanical transducer to a fluid channel substructure.

Abstract: Plural film layers are disposed on a substrate. Each film layer has regions devoid of film material, thus forming film layer cavity openings. Each film layer has its cavities arranged to provide fluid coupling with its adjacent film layer or layers. The film layer cavities form a traverse channel coupling the top and bottom film layers and also one or more lateral channels coupling cavity openings in the top film layer. The film layer traverse channel couples with a substrate channel that extends from the substrate top surface to one or more of its other surfaces. A device such as a fluid dispenser, fluid ejector, sensor or bioprocessing device is disposed on the top film layer and fluidly coupled to the plural film layers traverse and lateral channels. The traverse channel and the one or more lateral channels are arranged to transport or flow one or more fluids.

Abstract: A drop emitting apparatus including a diaphragm layer disposed on a fluid channel layer, a roughened bonding region formed on a surface of the diaphragm layer, a thin film circuit having conformal raised contact regions disposed on the bonding region, and a plurality of electromechanical transducers adhesively attached to the raised contact regions and electrically connected to the conformal raised contact regions by asperity contacts formed between the conformal raised contact regions and the electromechanical transducers.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for forming bichromal balls or multicolored balls by laser-based methods. In one method, a laser and a template are used to form small discrete precursors that are subsequently spherodized. In another method a laser is used to cut or otherwise form small discrete precursors that are also subsequently spherodized. These methods are particularly well suited for forming balls or other sphere-like bodies having diameters less than 100 microns.

Abstract: A multi-layer standoff/mask structure including a standoff having a plurality of standoff openings and a mask having a plurality of mask openings aligned with the standoff openings.

Abstract: A system and method of operation for a piezoelectric transducer is described which utilizes a mesa structure interposed between a piezoelectric material element and a chamber diaphragm. The system can be used as a sensor where a net motion to the diaphragm causes a net charge equal to the sum of the charges on each piezoelectric diaphragm. Alternatively, the system can be used as an actuator wherein an applied voltage causes movement of the piezoelectric transducer and the chamber diaphragm.

Abstract: A drop emitting apparatus including a diaphragm layer disposed on a fluid channel layer, a thin film circuit having raised contact regions disposed on the diaphragm layer, and a plurality of electromechanical transducers conductively attached to the raised contact regions.

Abstract: A multi-layer standoff/mask structure including a standoff having a plurality of standoff openings and a mask having a plurality of mask openings aligned with the standoff openings.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a pleated filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. The pleated filter can be either an open loop or a closed loop pleated structure. The pore structure of the pleated filter is formed by laser ablation. The pleated filter is formed over an opening to an internal reservoir located on a rectangular plate and the microfluidic filter is used to filter fluids.

Abstract: A printhead for use in an ink jet printing device includes a heater substrate having a plurality of heating elements and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent the heater substrate. The intermediate layer defines a plurality of ink flow paths. A channel plate is disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and includes an integral filter having a plurality of filter teeth extending toward the intermediate layer. The channel plate defines an ink reservoir on one side of the integral filter and a cross-flow channel on a second side of the integral filter. Preferably, the channel plate, including the integral filter, comprises a single piece of plastic.

Abstract: A system and method of operation for a piezoelectric transducer is described which utilizes a mesa structure interposed between a piezoelectric material element and a chamber diaphragm. The system can be used as a sensor where a net motion to the diaphragm causes a net charge equal to the sum of the charges on each piezoelectric diaphragm. Alternatively, the system can be used as an actuator wherein an applied voltage causes movement of the piezoelectric transducer and the chamber diaphragm.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a pleated filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. The pleated filter can be either an open loop or a closed loop pleated structure. The pore structure of the pleated filter is formed by laser ablation.