Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more tapered nozzles each with an associated taper angle and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the tapered nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The tapered nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the taper angle can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more stepped nozzles each with an associated entrance diameter and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the stepped nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The stepped nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the entrance diameter can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: A heater panel is configured to heat a print medium in a printer. The heater panel includes electrical conductors that form a plurality of heating zones to emit radiant energy toward the print medium. Heating zones that correspond to edges of the print medium emit radiant energy with a greater power density than heating zones that correspond to central portions of the print medium. The heater panel has a plurality of angled positions to vary the view factor for high gain control.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an induction heating member including a substrate and a heating layer disposed on the substrate. The heating layer includes carbon nanotubes and metal. An outer layer is disposed on the heating layer and includes a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of fixing marking materials onto media are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; a second member comprising at least one ferromagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, a susceptor over the at least one ferromagnetic material, the susceptor comprising at least one electrically resistive metal, and a second surface over the at least one ferromagnetic material and the susceptor, the second surface forming a nip with the first surface at which media are received; and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to inductively heat the second member.

Abstract: A heater panel is configured to heat a print medium in a printer. The heater panel includes electrical conductors that form a plurality of heating zones to emit radiant energy toward the print medium. Heating zones that correspond to edges of the print medium emit radiant energy with a greater power density than heating zones that correspond to central portions of the print medium. The heater panel has a plurality of angled positions to vary the view factor for high gain control.

Abstract: Systems and methods of inductively heating a fuser member in an electrophotographic device are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a heating component with a susceptor layer comprising carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An excitation unit with an electrical coil can be positioned a proximate distance from the heating component. Current through the electrical coil can inductively heat the susceptor layer and the heating component. The heat from the susceptor layer and the heating component can be used to fuse toner onto an image-receiving substrate. The CNTs can reduce electronic hardware costs in the electrophotographic device in relation to the costs associated with conventional materials.

Abstract: A print head for a printer includes a jet stack for passage of ink to media to form an image on the media. The jet stack includes a substrate having a micro actuator. The substrate has an opening through the substrate that is proximate to the micro actuator and a diaphragm bonded to the substrate. The diaphragm has an opening through the diaphragm that is configured for fluid communication with the opening through the substrate. The diaphragm opening has a width that is larger than a width of the opening in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of leveling ink on substrates and apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes irradiating ink disposed on a first surface of a porous substrate with radiation emitted by at least one flash lamp. The radiation flash heats the ink to at least a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink to allow the ink to flow laterally on the first surface to produce leveling of the ink. The ink is heated sufficiently rapidly that heat transfer from the ink to the substrate is sufficiently small during the leveling that ink at the substrate interface is cooled to a temperature below the viscosity threshold temperature thereby preventing any significant ink permeation into the substrate from the first surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for controlling the temperature of media in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatuses includes a heated first roll including a first outer surface; a heated second roll including a second outer surface; a third roll including a third outer surface; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the third outer surface; a belt supported on the first roll and the second roll and disposed between the first outer surface and the third outer surface, the belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a nip between the third outer surface and the outer surface of the belt at which the belt heats media which include a surface, marking material on the surface and an interface between the surface and marking material; and a positioning device coupled to the second roll.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an induction heating member including a substrate and a heating layer disposed on the substrate. The heating layer includes carbon nanotubes and metal. An outer layer is disposed on the heating layer and includes a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (700) that can control fuser temperature is disclosed. The apparatus can include an image fuser member (110) rotatably supported in the apparatus, where the image fuser member can be configured to fuse an image on media (170). The apparatus can include a heater (120) coupled to the image fuser member, where the heater can be configured to heat the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a pressure assembly (130) rotatably supported in the apparatus and coupled to the image fuser member, where the pressure assembly can be configured to exert pressure against the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a temperature sensor (140) coupled to the pressure assembly, where the temperature sensor can be configured to sense a temperature of the pressure assembly.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an induction heating member including a substrate and a heating layer disposed on the substrate. The heating layer includes carbon nanotubes and metal. An outer layer is disposed on the heating layer and includes a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Methods of leveling ink on substrates and apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes irradiating ink disposed on a first surface of a porous substrate with radiation emitted by at least one flash lamp. The radiation flash heats the ink to at least a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink to allow the ink to flow laterally on the first surface to produce leveling of the ink. The ink is heated sufficiently rapidly that heat transfer from the ink to the substrate is sufficiently small during the leveling that ink at the substrate interface is cooled to a temperature below the viscosity threshold temperature thereby preventing any significant ink permeation into the substrate from the first surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of controlling the temperature of surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a belt including a first surface; at least one heat source for heating the first surface; a roll including a second surface; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the second surface; and a roll positioning device coupled to the roll for positioning the second surface of the roll in contact with the first surface of the belt to form a nip and increase the temperature of the second surface, and for positioning the second surface out of contact with the first surface to decrease the temperature of the second surface, in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An iso-thermalizing printer structure can be used to provide temperature uniformity across a width of a printer fuser roll or fuser belt. Various embodiments are contemplated, including a solid natural graphite shaft, a solid natural graphite core having a sleeve of metal such as aluminum, and other flexible and rigid structures which can comprise natural or synthetic graphite.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more stepped nozzles each with an associated entrance diameter and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the stepped nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The stepped nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the entrance diameter can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of fixing marking materials onto media are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; a second member comprising at least one ferromagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, a susceptor over the at least one ferromagnetic material, the susceptor comprising at least one electrically resistive metal, and a second surface over the at least one ferromagnetic material and the susceptor, the second surface forming a nip with the first surface at which media are received; and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to inductively heat the second member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an induction heating member including a substrate and a heating layer disposed on the substrate. The heating layer includes carbon nanotubes and metal. An outer layer is disposed on the heating layer and includes a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of controlling the temperature of surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a belt including a first surface; at least one heat source for heating the first surface; a roll including a second surface; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the second surface; and a roll positioning device coupled to the roll for positioning the second surface of the roll in contact with the first surface of the belt to form a nip and increase the temperature of the second surface, and for positioning the second surface out of contact with the first surface to decrease the temperature of the second surface, in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.