Abstract: A method for aligning a substantially co-linear array of lasers with a substantially co-linear array of optical fibers, comprising the steps of activating a laser in proximity to a first end of said laser array, positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array to maximize energy coupled from the activated laser to its corresponding fiber, activating a laser in proximity to a second end of said laser array; and positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array to maximize energy coupled from the activated laser to its corresponding fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a substantially co-linear array of optical devices with a substantially co-linear array of optical fibers comprising; a carrier having a slot for receiving the array of devices and the array of optical fibers; a first support plate having a first holder for holding the array of devices in place with respect to the first support plate, and electrical connections for electrically connecting to selected ones of the devices in the array of devices; a second support plate having a second holder for holding the array of fibers in rough alignment with the array of devices; and a positioner for positioning the carrier with respect to the first holder and the second holder so that when the holders are activated, the array of devices and the array of fibers are held in approximate alignment without the presence of the carrier.

Abstract: A printhead of a resistive ribbon printer has a column of electrodes formed on each of at least two edge surfaces. When the column of electrodes at one edge surface is worn out after being used for printing, the printhead is rotated so that the column of electrodes at the other edge surface is used for printing. Instead of the column of electrodes at each edge surface being the same size, the column of electrodes at one edge surface could be smaller than at the other edge surface so as to have a higher resolution for graphics whereby the position of the printhead is changed each time that higher resolution is desired and then returned to its initial position when alphanumeric printing is to occur. The printhead could have more than two edge surfaces with each having a column of electrodes for printing when at the printing position.

Abstract: This printing apparatus and technique incorporates a color transfer station to impart a desired color to a fusible ink layer on a ribbon. The color transfer station is located between a supply reel providing the ribbon for printing, and the location where actual printing occurs. This color transfer technique is particularly suitable for use in resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing, where economical use of the ribbon is mandatory. The structure for transferring color to the ink layer of the ribbon utilizes wicks, felt-coated rollers, nozzles, etc., to bring a selected colorant solution into contact with the ink layer of the ribbon, in accordance with the color desired for printing.

Abstract: An ink jet printing head comprising a head body made from a material having high specific stiffness and the head body includes an ink passage which is kept small to retain the high body stiffness. The ink passage comprises a narrow slot connected with internal holes in the body which lead to ink inlet and exit ports. A nozzle plate having a plurality of orifices is fixed to the front of the head body and a piezoelectric crystal is fixed to the back of the head body. The piezoelectric crystal is kept thin compared to the head thickness, typically on the order of 1/20 to 1/30 of the body thickness, so that the effect of the crystal on the resonant characteristics of the assembly is kept small. The ink jet head provides a plurality of columns or jets of ink which are excited in such a way as to break up into uniformly and equally spaced drops at a fixed distance from the nozzle plate containing the orifices which produce the jets.

Abstract: An ink jet synchronization scheme, wherein the drop formation of respective streams in an ink jet array are synchronized acoustically by individual acoustic fiber inputs to each of the streams. The acoustic fibers are attached to grooves adjacent each of the nozzles, with acoustic isolation being provided between the fiber and the nozzle substrate to prevent direct excitation of the substrate. This prevents the occurrence of resonance within the nozzle plate. Alternatively, acoustic isolation is achieved by mounting the synchronization structure separate from the nozzle plate. For example, the acoustic fibers are attached to the charge electrode structure, or are attached to a support structure intermediate the nozzle plate and the charge electrode structure. The acoustic energy inputs to the fibers are independently controlled as is required for certain printing schemes or are made identical as is normally the case.

Abstract: A jet printer includes a nozzle plate having at least two rows of nozzles, with the nozzles in one row being laterally staggered with respect to the nozzles in another row. The jets emanating from the respective rows of nozzles are directed in non-parallel trajectories to form at least a portion of a single line of dots at a time on a printing medium, with the jets from a given row forming non-adjacent dots on the printing medium. In practice, the nozzle plate is comprised of a semiconductor substrate, for example silicon, with the exit aperture of each of the nozzles in at least one row being axially misaligned with respect to the longitudinal center axis of their respective entrance apertures, resulting in a non-normal jet trajectory with respect to the plane of the nozzle plate.