Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying ink to an array of ink jets is provided by two fluidically independent reservoirs, each reservoir supplying ink to a respective end of a manifold which communicates with the array of ink jets via their inlet restrictors. During normal operations involving an acceleration of the array along a scanning path, the ink levels in the two reservoirs will remain the same since any difference in their levels will create a pressure differential that drives a flow of ink through the manifold from the higher level reservoir until such time that their levels equalize.

Abstract: A method for both reducing the ligament length and satellite droplet problems associated with producing high velocity ink droplets from an ink jet head printing at relatively high ink jet head transport speeds, comprises driving the ink jet head with a composite waveform including independent and successive first, second, and third electrical pulses, each having an exponential leading edge and a step-like trailing edge, the pulses being constructed to have amplitudes, pulse widths, and dead times between pulses, for causing the ink jet head to eject three successive ink droplets, each of increased velocity relative to the preceding droplet, for causing the droplets to merge in flight fo form a single or ultimate droplet having a predetermined velocity.