Abstract: Marking of a generally planar object at a first surface thereof with one or more indentation-defined pixels. For generating the marking, an anvil member is provided as having an impact surface. A marking head is positioned at a fixed relationship with respect to the anvil member. The head includes a confronting portion opposing the impact surface, and a marker pin having a distal impacting tip issuing from the confronting portion which is reciprocatably actuable along a marking axis from a retracted position to an extended position. With the object disposed intermediate the marking head and the anvil member, and with at least a portion of the second surface of the object being supported on the impact surface of the anvil member, the object may be positioned at a predefined pixel location within a marking locus.

Abstract: Marking apparatus for moving a marking head to coordinate positions utilizing two fixed stepper motors performing in conjunction with a cable and pulley drive system. The dynamics of pneumatically driven marrker pins within marker heads are accommodated for by a topology which includes a marker support base which, in turn, is supported in force transfer relationship with an air bearing which rides over a fiat platen surface. Improved marker head structure is developed utilizing a polyetherimide material and a design providing the introduction of return air into a two-component piston chamber at a location above a seating surface.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable control fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer module hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The module includes a snap acting pressure responsive diaphragm, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragm outer periphery, and a support member hermetically joined to and supporting the control plate and hermetically joined to the housing assembly. The control plate has a supporting region rigidly supporting the diaphragm and the diaphragm control regions are yielded and deformed relative to the supporting region to position the control regions for stressing the diaphragm to determine the chamber pressure levels at which the diaphragm moves.