Abstract: Circuit connectors comprising liquid metal and methods of manufacturing such circuit connectors are provided. An example circuit connector includes a stretchable housing including liquid metal having a first viscosity, where the stretchable housing includes a first opening associated with a first end of the stretchable housing. The circuit connector may further include a first gas permeable plug inserted in the first opening, where the first gas permeable plug is not liquid permeable with respect to any liquids having at least the first viscosity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method print onto a portion of a medium with one or more print units in a printing orientation and pivot the one or more print units about one or more axes non-parallel to the portion from the printing orientation to a servicing orientation.

Abstract: A device is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the device includes a fluid ejection mechanism, a reservoir, and a pump configured to pump fluid between the fluid ejection mechanism and the reservoir. A vent chamber is fluidly coupled to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus and method print onto a portion of a medium with one or more print units in a printing orientation and pivot the one or more print units about one or more axes non-parallel to the portion from the printing orientation to a servicing orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided. A fluid-ejection device connector has a body having a plurality of internal channels, a plurality of flexible first couplers protruding from an exterior portion of the body, and a plurality of second couplers protruding from another exterior portion of the body. The internal channels respectively fluidly couple the flexible first couplers and the second couplers.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A waste ink removal system for cleaning ink residue from an ink drop sensing belt in a printing mechanism is provided. The waste ink removal system has a base, an actuator coupled to the sensing belt, and an ink removal member, supported by the base, which removes ink residue from the sensing belt when the sensing belt is moved by the actuator. A method for drop detection, and a printing mechanism having such a waste ink removal system are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A waste ink removal system cleans ink residue from an ink drop sensor in a printing mechanism when a scraper, supported by a base, is actuated between a retracted position and an engaged position. The system also includes a reservoir defining a plurality of capillary drains onto which the scraper deposits ink residue while moving to the engaged position. A method of cleaning ink residue from an electrostatic sensing element of an ink drop detector, and a printing mechanism having such a waste ink removal system are also provided.

Abstract: A waste ink removal system for cleaning ink residue from an ink drop sensing belt in a printing mechanism is provided. The waste ink removal system has a base, an actuator coupled to the sensing belt, and an ink removal member, supported by the base, which removes ink residue from the sensing belt when the sensing belt is moved by the actuator. A method for drop detection, and a printing mechanism having such a waste ink removal system are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.

Abstract: An ink drop detector includes a sensing target which is imparted with an electrical stimulus when struck by at least one ink drop burst which has been ejected from an ink drop generator. The detector also includes electronics coupled to the sensing target which characterize the electrical stimulus in terms of a mathematical phase. Methods for analyzing ink ejected from an ink drop generator, and a method for optimizing ink drop generator firing frequency are also provided.

Abstract: A tapered screw spittoon system is provided for an inkjet printing mechanism to handle waste inkjet ink residue that has been spit from an inkjet printhead during a nozzle clearing or “spitting” routine. The spittoon system has a cylindrical reservoir with a tapered screw rotatably mounted therein. The reservoir defines an entranceway opening to receive the ink residue, which then lands on a spit region of the screw. The screw has a tapered shaft which increases in diameter from the entranceway opening toward an exit opening defined by the reservoir wall at a remote location. When rotated, the tapered screw transports the ink residue from the spit region toward the exit opening. During transport, the ink residue is compacted between the screw shaft and the reservoir, and is squeezed out of the reservoir through the exit opening for permanent storage in a container surrounding the reservoir.

Abstract: An ink drop detector includes a sensing target which is imparted with an electrical stimulus when struck by at least one ink drop burst which has been ejected from an ink drop generator. The detector also includes electronics coupled to the sensing target which characterize the electrical stimulus in terms of a mathematical phase. Methods for analyzing ink ejected from an ink drop generator, and a method for optimizing ink drop generator firing frequency are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting ink droplets ejected from ink drop generators has a target holder and a conductive absorbent target supported by the target holder. The apparatus for detecting ink droplets also has standoffs extending from the target holder. The apparatus for detecting ink droplets further has an actuator for moving the target holder towards the ink drop generators such that the standoffs space the target from the ink drop generators.

Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A waste ink removal system cleans ink residue from an ink drop sensor in a printing mechanism when a scraper, supported by a base, is actuated between a retracted position and an engaged position. The system also includes a reservoir defining a plurality of capillary drains onto which the scraper deposits ink residue while moving to the engaged position. A method of cleaning ink residue from an electrostatic sensing element of an ink drop detector, and a printing mechanism having such a waste ink removal system are also provided.