Abstract: This disclosure provides a printer pen having a pressure regulation system and a mechanism for purging air from the pen using the pressure regulation system. More specifically, a pressure sensor and a permanent magnet actuator open and close an internal valve to selectively pressurize a local ink container with ink to achieve a precise pen back pressure, which may be specific for each pen in order to maximize print quality. The pen also has a blow-off vent and internal conduits which channel trapped air upward, toward the vent. When too much air is detected within the ink container (based on transient response as sensed by the pressure sensor), the pen is moved near an external tab at or near a service station, such that the tab physically opens the blow-off vent. The internal valve is also opened to permit the pen to pressurize (ink is normally at below-atmospheric pressure) and thereby expel air through the blow-off vent.

Abstract: Methods for dicing wafer stacks are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a wafer stack having a first wafer and a second wafer; (2) exposing a portion of the first wafer by removing a portion of the second wafer; and (3) dicing the exposed portion of the first wafer such that a first die assembly is at least partially separated from the wafer stack. Wafer stacks and die assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A position sensor for use in connection with a movable system having a pair of objects that are configured to move relative to one another along an axis through an operative range of motion. The position sensor includes a first plate secured to one of the objects and a pair of second plates secured to the other of the objects. The second plates are adjacent each other and coplanar. The first plate and second plates are configured so that the second plates are spaced from and parallel to the first plate as the objects move relative to one another along the axis. The first plate and second plates are configured so that they form two variable, spaced-plate capacitors having capacitances that vary as the objects move relative to one another within the operative range along the axis. The position sensor is configured to use the capacitances to generate output usable to determine relative position of the objects along the axis.

Abstract: Several improvements have been made in inkjet print cartridges to realize 5 ng drop weights at ejection frequencies of 18 KHz. These improvements include small nozzle openings, improved heater resistor efficiency, and better ink supply reliability.

Abstract: The flexural device-based suspension suspends a movable element with high compliance in a direction of travel and low compliance in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. The suspension comprises two flexural devices and a constraining element. The two flexural devices are connected to the movable element. Each of the flexural devices includes an elongate floating beam disposed substantially parallel to the direction of travel. The constraining element is for constraining relative motion of the floating beams in the direction of travel and for allowing the floating beams to move freely relative to one another in the orthogonal direction.

Abstract: The pivot-less Watt linkage supports a first rigid element relative to a second rigid element and permits relative motion between the rigid elements. The pivot-less Watt linkage comprises an elongate, rigid, floating beam, an elongate first flexible beam, an elongate second flexible beam and a flexible member. The first flexible beam extends in a first direction from a first point on the floating beam to the first rigid element. The second flexible beam extends in a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, from a second point on the floating beam to the first rigid element. The second point is spatially separated from the first point along the length of the floating beam. The flexible member extends in the first direction from a third point on the floating beam to the second rigid element. The third point is intermediate between the first point and the second point.

Abstract: An actuator is formed by using at least one flexure that is continuously flexible between a rigid connection to a stator and a rigid connection to a translator. The one or more continuously flexible flexures provide a long range of translator motion when combined with an electrostatic levitation arrangement. In selected embodiments, the flexures that are continuously flexible are straight beam flexures, so as to provide a high degree of stiffness. In other embodiments, the flexures are pre-bent to provide a longer switching throw from a relaxed state. Where the translator is required to be displaced in a generally straight-line direction, some off-axis displacement will occur, but is preferably accompanied by a stepping of a levitation voltage pattern. In another embodiment one and only one straight beam flexure is used and the levitator is caused to rotate about a rotational axis that is intersected by the one straight beam flexure.

Abstract: The optical switch comprises an input collimator, an output collimator, an input mirror, an output mirror and a converging optical element. The input collimator receives, collimates and outputs an input light beam. The input mirror is arranged to receive the light beam from the input collimator. The output mirror is arranged to receive the light beam reflected by the input mirror and reflects the light beam into the output collimator. The converging optical element is located to receive the light beam reflected by the input mirror and reflects the light beam onto the output mirror. An imaging element may be located between either or both of the input collimator and the output collimator and a respective one of the input mirror and the output mirror.

Abstract: An optical switch uses composite mirrors having individually addressable pivotable micromirrors on one side and a fixed mirror arrangement on another side. Preferably, separate composite mirrors are used in each reflection of an optical beam from an input to an output, with at least one fixed mirror and at least two pivotable mirrors defining the optical path. The function of the first pivotable mirror along the path is to select a target output, while the purpose of the second pivotable mirror is to achieve a low loss coupling to the target output. By combining the fixed mirrors with the micromirror arrays into a single structure, the spacing between adjacent arrays of inputs and the spacing between adjacent arrays of outputs can be reduced. Thus, using the composite mirrors increases the maximum number of optical inputs and outputs for beams having fixed waists.

Abstract: A high quality inkjet printhead includes a substrate having a multiplicity of heater resistors formed thereon at a density of at least six heater resistors per square millimeter. Each of the heater resistors also has a total resistance of at least 70 &OHgr; and an overlaying passivation thermal barrier characteristic adjusted to enable ejection of an ink drop of less than 6.5 ng with an energy impulse equal to or less than 1.4 &mgr;joules.

Abstract: An optical switch uses composite mirrors having individually addressable pivotable micromirrors on one side and a fixed mirror arrangement on another side. Preferably, separate composite mirrors are used in each reflection of an optical beam from an input to an output, with at least one fixed mirror and at least two pivotable mirrors defining the optical path. The function of the first pivotable mirror along the path is to select a target output, while the purpose of the second pivotable mirror is to achieve a low loss coupling to the target output. By combining the fixed mirrors with the micromirror arrays into a single structure, the spacing between adjacent arrays of inputs and the spacing between adjacent arrays of outputs can be reduced. Thus, using the composite mirrors increases the maximum number of optical inputs and outputs for beams having fixed waists.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a printer pen having a pressure regulation system and a mechanism for purging air from the pen using the pressure regulation system. More specifically, a pressure sensor and a permanent magnet actuator open and close an internal valve to selectively pressurize a local ink container with ink to achieve a precise pen back pressure, which may be specific for each pen in order to maximize print quality. The pen also has a blow-off vent and internal conduits which channel trapped air upward, toward the vent. When too much air is detected within the ink container (based on transient response as sensed by the pressure sensor), the pen is moved near an external tab at or near a service station, such that the tab physically opens the blow-off vent. The internal valve is also opened to permit the pen to pressurize (ink is normally at below-atmospheric pressure) and thereby expel air through the blow-off vent.

Abstract: An actuator is formed by using at least one flexure that is continuously flexible between a rigid connection to a stator and a rigid connection to a translator. The one or more continuously flexible flexures provide a long range of translator motion when combined with an electrostatic levitation arrangement. In selected embodiments, the flexures that are continuously flexible are straight beam flexures, so as to provide a high degree of stiffness. In other embodiments, the flexures are pre-bent to provide a longer switching throw from a relaxed state. Where the translator is required to be displaced in a generally straight-line direction, some off-axis displacement will occur, but is preferably accompanied by a stepping of a levitation voltage pattern. In another embodiment one and only one straight beam flexure is used and the levitator is caused to rotate about a rotational axis that is intersected by the one straight beam flexure.

Abstract: A thermally-activated gas extraction device that comprises a bubble capture chamber, an exhaust manifold, a tapered extraction chamber and an extraction heater associated with the tapered extraction chamber. The tapered extraction chamber extends from the bubble capture chamber towards the exhaust manifold and has a cross-sectional area that increases towards the exhaust manifold. A gas removal method in which the gas extraction device is provided, a bubble of gas is accumulated in the bubble capture chamber, a portion of the liquid in the tapered extraction chamber heated to nucleate a bubble of vapor, and the bubble of vapor is heated to explosively expand the bubble of vapor into contact with the walls of the tapered extraction chamber and into contact with the bubble of gas to form a composite bubble. Contact with the walls of the tapered extraction moves the composite bubble towards the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A thermally-activated gas extraction device that comprises a bubble capture chamber, an exhaust manifold, a tapered extraction chamber and an extraction heater associated with the tapered extraction chamber. The tapered extraction chamber extends from the bubble capture chamber towards the exhaust manifold and has a cross-sectional area that increases towards the exhaust manifold. A gas removal method in which the gas extraction device is provided, a bubble of gas is accumulated in the bubble capture chamber, a portion of the liquid in the tapered extraction chamber heated to nucleate a bubble of vapor, and the bubble of vapor is heated to explosively expand the bubble of vapor into contact with the walls of the tapered extraction chamber and into contact with the bubble of gas to form a composite bubble. Contact with the walls of the tapered extraction moves the composite bubble towards the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: An optical switch uses a surface electrostatic actuator to mechanically pivot a reflector to selectively redirect a received optical beam. In one application, the optical switch selectively couples a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The electrostatic actuator includes first and second members that are separated by a short distance. The opposing surfaces of the two members include a number of drive electrodes. These electrodes generate electrostatic forces which induce lateral displacement when the electrostatic forces are modified. The modification of the electrostatic forces is accomplished by reconfiguring a voltage pattern of the drive electrodes. The lateral displacement pivots the reflector, which is mechanically attached to the first member. The pivoting occurs along a pivot region that is generally parallel to the surfaces of the first and second members. The first member may be a stator, while the second member may be a translator that controls pivoting of an internal micromirror.

Abstract: An optical switch uses a surface electrostatic actuator to mechanically pivot a reflector to selectively redirect a received optical beam. In one application, the optical switch selectively couples a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The electrostatic actuator includes first and second members that are separated by a short distance. The opposing surfaces of the two members include a number of drive electrodes. These electrodes generate electrostatic forces which induce lateral displacement when the electrostatic forces are modified. The modification of the electrostatic forces is accomplished by reconfiguring a voltage pattern of the drive electrodes. The lateral displacement pivots the reflector, which is mechanically attached to the first member. The pivoting occurs along a pivot region that is generally parallel to the surfaces of the first and second members. The first member may be a stator, while the second member may be a translator that controls pivoting of an internal micromirror.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a printer pen having a pressure regulation system and a mechanism for purging air from the pen using the pressure regulation system. More specifically, a pressure sensor and a permanent magnet actuator open and close an internal valve to selectively pressurize a local ink container with ink to achieve a precise pen back pressure, which may be specific for each pen in order to maximize print quality. The pen also has a blow-off vent and internal conduits which channel trapped air upward, toward the vent. When too much air is detected within the ink container (based on transient response as sensed by the pressure sensor), the pen is moved near an external tab at or near a service station, such that the tab physically opens the blow-off vent. The internal valve is also opened to permit the pen to pressurize (ink is normally at below-atmospheric pressure) and thereby expel air through the blow-off vent.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a valve which is controlled by a magnetic actuator. More specifically, the actuator is a polarized, magnetic actuator, that is, a magnetic actuator containing both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The actuator can be an inexpensive commercial relay having a pivoting armature that pushes a compliant diaphragm against a valve seat to close the valve. Preferably, the armature is configured as a “see-saw,” such that as the valve is opened, an opposing end of the see-saw also displaces the diaphragm. In this manner, fluid pressure in a valve chamber is relatively constant, and there are no significant pressures which prevent the valve from opening and closing. The preferred application of the valve is to actively drive printer ink supply, such that ink can be selectively drawn using the valve from a remote ink supply into a local ink reservoir, mounted near a print head.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a valve which is controlled by a magnetic actuator. More specifically, the actuator is a polarized, magnetic actuator, that is, a magnetic actuator containing both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The actuator can be an inexpensive commercial relay having a pivoting armature that pushes a compliant diaphragm against a valve seat to close the valve. Preferably, the armature is configured as a “see-saw,” such that as the valve is opened, an opposing end of the see-saw also displaces the diaphragm. In this manner, fluid pressure in a valve chamber is relatively constant, and there are no significant pressures which prevent the valve from opening and closing. The preferred application of the valve is to actively drive printer ink supply, such that ink can be selectively drawn using the valve from a remote ink supply into a local ink reservoir, mounted near a print head.