Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator and an electronics module. The thermoelectric generator may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator and generate power when coupled to a load. The system may include a housing mounted on top of the thermoelectric generator. The housing may include a cavity containing the electronics module. The electronics module may condition the power generated by the thermoelectric generator. The cavity may be enclosed by an inner surface of the housing. A radiation shield may cover at least a portion of the inner surface and may block radiative heating of the cavity from the housing.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator and an electronics module. The thermoelectric generator may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator and generate power when coupled to a load. The system may include a housing mounted on top of the thermoelectric generator. The housing may include a cavity containing the electronics module. The electronics module may condition the power generated by the thermoelectric generator. The cavity may be enclosed by an inner surface of the housing. A radiation shield may cover at least a portion of the inner surface and may block radiative heating of the cavity from the housing.

Abstract: A check valve includes two opposing sheets surfaces that are coupled together to form a flow channel there between. The flow channel has a first end, a second end and at least one direction-changing portion in between the first and second ends. A first opening is provided at the first end of the flow channel and a second opening is provided at the second end of the flow channel.

Abstract: A check valve includes two opposing sheets surfaces that are coupled together to form a flow channel there between. The flow channel has a first end, a second end and at least one curved portion in between the first and second ends. A first opening is provided at the first end of the flow channel and a second opening is provided at the second end of the flow channel.

Abstract: A print cartridge is used in a printing system in which there is a requirement to provide two distinct rates of ink usage corresponding to two different types of printing done with the printing system. The print cartridge includes an ink replenishment path which selectively provides two flow rates into the print cartridge. The print cartridge also includes a controller which selects one of the two flow rates into the print cartridge based on which type of printing is being performed by the printing system.

Abstract: An inkjet ink supply system is disclosed. The supply system has a foam-based fluid supply and a fluidic interconnect. The fluidic interconnect has a tower portion having a chamber therein. The chamber has an opening for interfacing with the foam-based fluid supply and for receiving a fluid, such as ink, from the foam-based fluid supply. The fluidic interconnect also has a fluid outlet portion in communication with the chamber of the tower portion. A tube may be connected to the fluid outlet portion for directing the fluid to a scanning carriage with at least one printhead. In this manner, a foam-based fluid supply may be used in either an on-axis or an off-axis configuration.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead. An ink delivery apparatus is described that fluidically couples to the fluid input and provides ink to the printhead. This ink delivery apparatus is adapted to control air introduction to the printhead such that the accumulator portion can accommodate all air introduced during the life the printhead.

Abstract: A print cartridge is used in a printing system in which there is a requirement to provide two distinct rates of ink usage corresponding to two different types of printing done with the printing system. The print cartridge includes an ink replenishment path which selectively provides two flow rates into the print cartridge. The print cartridge also includes a controller which selects one of the two flow rates into the print cartridge based on which type of printing is being performed by the printing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead.

Abstract: A print cartridge is used in a printing system in which there is a requirement to provide two distinct rates of ink usage corresponding to two different types of printing done with the printing system. The print cartridge includes an ink replenishment path which selectively provides two flow rates into the print cartridge. The print cartridge also includes a controller which selects one of the two flow rates into the print cartridge based on which type of printing is being performed by the printing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead. Also disclosed is an ink delivery apparatus that fluidically couples to the fluid input and provides ink to the printhead. This ink delivery apparatus is adapted to control air introduction to the printhead such that the accumulator portion can accommodate all air introduced during the life the printhead.

Abstract: The accumulator system includes minute pump and transducer mechanisms carried on the pen for regulating changes in the back pressure of the pen reservoir. One pump inflates a bag that is carried inside the reservoir. Another pump deflates the bag. The pumps are selectively controlled, in response to pressure changes detected by the transducer mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an inkjet pen having a fluid inlet configured for connection to a corresponding fluid outlet associated with a supply of ink. The ink-jet pen includes a printhead responsive to control signals for selectively depositing ink. Also included is a printhead housing supporting the printhead. The printhead housing has a configurable fluid inlet portion that is configured for receiving a fluid configuration portion for configuring the configurable fluid inlet portion for connection to the supply of ink. The fluid inlet portion and the fluid configuration portion each configured to have complementary interconnect portions that when press fit together mate to configure the printhead for connection to the ink supply.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator internal to the print cartridge regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator, which may be internal or external to the print cartridge, regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.

Abstract: A free-ink inkjet pen is adapted to be fluidically coupled to a positive pressure, off-axis ink reservoir. The pen includes a pressure regulator mechanism in an ink accumulation chamber fluidically coupled to a print head mechanism maintained at a predetermined back pressure by the pressure regulator. A flexible bag is maintained at atmospheric pressure within the accumulator and acts as an actuator against a pressure regulator bias. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure regulator mechanism includes an actuation lever and a pressure regulation lever biased toward each other. The flexible bag is mounted between the levers where by expanding and contracting both levers are actuated appropriately. A variety of bag fabrication configurations, bag materials, and valve seat materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing ink to an ink-jet print head in a print cartridge at substantially constant pressure and for compensating for air within the print cartridge. A flexible bag is maintained at atmospheric pressure within the print cartridge and actuates a pressure regulator also within the print cartridge. By expanding and contracting, the bag compensates for changes in pressure and temperature that occur while the pressure regulator is shut and that affect air entrapped within the print cartridge.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator internal to the print cartridge regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.

Abstract: A fail-safe, stop valve for an ink-jet print head in a pressurized ink delivery system. The stop valve is actuated by a back pressure regulator if the operating pressure of the print head approaches atmospheric pressure during operation.