Abstract: A solidification system is provided and includes a crucible, heater, insulation, movable insulation, and radiation regulator. The crucible is configured to retain a volume of silicon. The heater is to heat the crucible. The heater being configured to provide sufficient heat to melt the volume of silicon. The insulation is to reduce heat loss from a first portion of the crucible. The movable insulation to regulate heat loss from a second portion of the crucible. The radiation regulator is to regulate radiant heat loss over the second portion of the crucible. The radiation regulator is configured to modulate a size of an opening in the radiation regular through which radiant heat dissipates from.

Abstract: A shroud is provided. The shroud may include: a body defining a hollow space within the body, wherein the body is open at a bottom portion of the body to permit fluid communication between the hollow space and the outside of the body; an inlet and an outlet providing fluid communication through the body to the hollow space; a top portion of the body configured to provide a barrier between the hollow space and the outside of the body; and a baffle plate attached to the bottom portion of the body. A method for adding silicon to a silicon melt may be provided.

Abstract: A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.

Abstract: A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more profiled metal blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more profiled metal blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a plurality of walls forming an internal cavity which is substantially filled with ink, and an ink supply flow path provided in one of the walls of the ink cartridge. An ink supply port is provided in another of the walls of the cartridge, wherein the ink supply flow path connects to the ink supply port. The ink supply flow path includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment houses a wicking member, and the second compartment is configured to trap air bubbles formed in ink as it travels through the ink supply flow path.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a body having a plurality of side walls forming an internal cavity therein, the internal cavity is substantially filled with ink. An ink supply flow path formed in one of the side walls. An ink supply port is formed in another of the side walls, wherein the ink supply flow path extends to the ink supply port. The side wall having the ink supply port further has one or more angled surfaces for guiding the ink cartridge into a printer. A tab is provided for aligning the cartridge during installation into the printer. A pad is provided to overcome the friction force of installing the cartridge into the printer.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a body having a plurality of side walls forming an internal cavity therein. An ink supply flow path is formed in one of the side walls. An ink supply port is formed in another of the side walls. The port is fluidically connected to the ink supply flow path. A memory device for storing information for the ink. A housing is provided for the memory device. The housing has first and second walls extending from a surface into which said memory device is installed for aligning the memory device and maintaining electrical contact between the memory device and an electrical contact assembly of a printer.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a first wall and a plurality of side walls extending from the first wall to form an internal cavity between the side walls and the first wall. The internal cavity is substantially filled with ink. A cover is attached to the plurality of the walls. An ink supply port is formed in one of the plurality of side walls. An ink supply flow path is formed in the first wall and extends to the ink supply port. A porous member is interposed between the ink supply flow path and the ink supply port or a wall of the cartridge for minimizing formation of bubbles in ink in the ink supply flow path and the ink supply port. Grooves are also provided in the ink supply flow path to further reduce formation of bubbles.

Abstract: A variable torque device for maintaining constant tension in a web of material as the web is unwound from a supply roll. The variable torque device includes a lead screw attached to the shaft of the supply roll via an appropriate gear ratio. A coil spring is located between a hub on the lead screw and a set of rings and friction pads. As the lead screw rotates, the hub translates, thus changing the displacement of the coil spring, which in turn changes the loading of the rings and friction pads. With a full supply roll the coil spring is compressed so as to create an amount of torque to create the desired web tension. As the supply roll unwinds, the rotation of the lead screw translates the hub to expand the coil spring, reducing the torque and maintaining the web tension constant.

Abstract: A waste fluid collection container, which includes a tray having a floor defined by a periphery, where the floor has a plurality of raised flow enhancing areas and a fluid absorbing member that sits inside the tray. In embodiments, the raised areas are elongated ridges extending outwardly from a central area. In other embodiments, the raised areas are a plurality of studs.

Abstract: A waste fluid collection container, which includes a tray having a floor defined by a periphery, where the floor has a plurality of raised flow enhancing areas and a fluid absorbing member that sits inside the tray. In embodiments, the raised areas are elongated ridges extending outwardly from a central area. In other embodiments, the raised areas are a plurality of studs.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for wiping print heads is provided in the form of a plate with respect to which one or more wiping blades are mounted. The plate and blades are rotated past the print heads to wipe and clean the print heads. The mechanism fits in a relatively small amount of space.

Abstract: A method and system for a cam-actuated lever capping arm for use in a maintenance station of an ink jet printer, the printer including a bi-directional translatable carriage supporting a print cartridge having a print head with nozzles in a nozzle face for printing ink droplets ejecting from said nozzles onto a recording medium at a printing zone in the printer, the translatable carriage being controlled by drive members under the control of a printer controller, the maintenance station being positioned at one side of the printing zone for translation of a print cartridge thereto on the translatable carriage for capping by the cap carriage, the cap carriage including, a pair of movable caps for sealing the nozzles in the printhead nozzle face, and a cam-actuated lever for moving the cap into a position in which the cap seals against the printhead nozzle face.

Abstract: An improved ink blotter method system usable in a maintenance station of an ink jet printer including wiper blades positioned to clean the printheads and an assembly of absorbent materials to clean the wiper blades.

Abstract: A firmware sensoring system and method includes a driving and control portion for rotating a cam shaft to actuate various maintenance operations of a maintenance station. In various exemplary embodiments, the driving and control portion includes a sensor wheel that rotates with the cam shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor wheel has an optical window formed therein. The optical window may be aligned with an optical relay in both an extreme clockwise position of the cam shaft and an extreme counterclockwise position of the cam shaft. Depending on whether the optical window is aligned with the optical relay or not, the optical relay is in either a closed-circuit condition or an open-circuit condition. The condition of the optical relay is communicated to or sensed by a controller that rotates the cam shaft.

Abstract: A method and system for a cap gimbal for a maintenance station of an ink jet printer with a first and second printhead each with a nozzle face that ejects ink. The cap gimbaling system allows a movable base which supports the maintenance caps to move in unison with the printheads and effectively seal the nozzle face.

Abstract: A method and system for a wiper blade mechanism usable in a maintenance station of an ink jet printer, including at least one printhead cap, a scraper, a cam shaft, a drive gear mechanism, at least one wiper blade, and a spittoon.

Abstract: A hardware solution functional including a shaft, an operational range of a full rotation in both directions, translatable force to a plurality of functions, and a translatable sequencing to the plurality of functions by the shaft.