Patents by Inventor Stuart Mark Walkington
Stuart Mark Walkington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20240051293Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (50) has an ink droplet generator (52) and a controller (58) that varies a modulating voltage applied to the ink droplet generator (52) and measures corresponding breakup times of a jet of ink into ink droplets to obtain a portion of a characteristic of breakup time against modulating voltage. The controller (58) obtains a variation range, varies the modulating voltage over the variation range to obtain the portion of the characteristic, calculates a gradient from the portion of the characteristic, compares the gradient with a predetermined gradient and, depending on whether the calculated gradient is less than or greater than the predetermined gradient, generates an adjusted variation range that is displaced in a first sense or a second, opposite sense, respectively, relative to the variation range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: DOMINO UK LIMITEDInventors: Richard Thomas Calhoun BRIDGES, Justin CHASE, Stuart Mark WALKINGTON
-
Patent number: 11479044Abstract: A print head (10) for a continuous inkjet printer has an ink drop generator (12), an ink supply tube (14) connected to the ink drop generator (12), and a solvent supply tube (16) connected at a first end to the ink drop generator (12) and for connection at a second end to a solvent reservoir. The solvent supply tube (16) is provided with ink flow restriction means (24, 26) for restricting a flow of ink from the ink drop generator (12) into the solvent supply tube (16). The flow restriction means (24, 26) comprise an arrangement (24) of the solvent supply tube (16) such that, for a flow direction reversing portion (26) of the solvent supply tube (16) at the first end of the solvent supply tube (16), a flow of solvent from the second end to the first end of the solvent supply tube (16) flows away from the ink drop generator (12). Also a printer including such a print head and a former for use with such a print head.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Inventors: Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Stuart Mark Walkington
-
Patent number: 11148434Abstract: The invention discloses various methods of controlling or monitoring the performance of a continuous inkjet printer based on monitoring vacuum levels and/or noise in the gutter line.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Inventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Colin Jon Partridge, Justin Chase
-
Publication number: 20210245517Abstract: A print head (10) for a continuous inkjet printer has an ink drop generator (12), an ink supply tube (14) connected to the ink drop generator (12), and a solvent supply tube (16) connected at a first end to the ink drop generator (12) and for connection at a second end to a solvent reservoir. The solvent supply tube (16) is provided with ink flow restriction means (24, 26) for restricting a flow of ink from the ink drop generator (12) into the solvent supply tube (16). The flow restriction means (24, 26) comprise an arrangement (24) of the solvent supply tube (16) such that, for a flow direction reversing portion (26) of the solvent supply tube (16) at the first end of the solvent supply tube (16), a flow of solvent from the second end to the first end of the solvent supply tube (16) flows away from the ink drop generator (12). Also a printer including such a print head and a former for use with such a print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Stuart Mark Walkington
-
Patent number: 10906324Abstract: The invention provides a method of adding solvent or make-up fluid into the gutter line of a continuous ink printer. During the addition of solvent, the vacuum level in the gutter line is monitored and maintained at a level sufficient to ensure that vacuum is maintained at the gutter. Vacuum level in the gutter line is preferably controlled by controlling the speed of a variable speed gutter pump. Noise in the gutter line is preferably used as a control over pump speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Inventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Colin Jon Partridge, Justin Chase
-
Publication number: 20200316958Abstract: The invention discloses various methods of controlling or monitoring the performance of a continuous inkjet printer based on monitoring vacuum levels and/or noise in the gutter line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Colin Jon Partridge, Justin Chase
-
Publication number: 20190283438Abstract: The invention provides a method of adding solvent or make-up fluid into the gutter line of a continuous ink printer. During the addition of solvent, the vacuum level in the gutter line is monitored and maintained at a level sufficient to ensure that vacuum is maintained at the gutter. Vacuum level in the gutter line is preferably controlled by controlling the speed of a variable speed gutter pump. Noise in the gutter line is preferably used as a control over pump speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Richard Thomas Calhoun Bridges, Colin Jon Partridge, Justin Chase
-
Patent number: 9016844Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Reducing Ink Foaming in a Continuous Inkjet Printer The invention provides a method of and apparatus for reducing foam formation in the returned ink in a continuous inkjet printer. The returned ink is subjected to deceleration and is reduced in pressure, preferably by being directed into a sub-chamber which reverses the direction of flow and provides an elevated edge over which the ink overflows. The de-aeration facility is preferably incorporated in an ink service module.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Jonathan Morgan, Stuart Mark Walkington, Christopher Hall
-
Patent number: 8894190Abstract: The invention describes a continuous inkjet printer having an ink distribution block and an ink module containing ink and filters which can be connected to the distribution block with a substantially horizontal linear sliding action. Spigots forming part of the connection are preferably provided with upward facing fluid transfer ports.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee
-
Patent number: 8882231Abstract: The invention describes a method of and means for reducing solvent consumption in a continuous inkjet printer that comprises cooling the ink within the printer system. Ink from the ink reservoir is preferably circulated through a heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Jonathan Morgan, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Martin Davie Greaves, Anthony Christopher Hunter Hardman
-
Publication number: 20130286115Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Reducing Ink Foaming in a Continuous Inkjet Printer The invention provides a method of and apparatus for reducing foam formation in the returned ink in a continuous inkjet printer. The returned ink is subjected to deceleration and is reduced in pressure, preferably by being directed into a sub-chamber which reverses the direction of flow and provides an elevated edge over which the ink overflows. The de-aeration facility is preferably incorporated in an ink service module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: DOMINO PRINTING SCIENCES PLCInventors: Jonathan Morgan, Stuart Mark Walkington, Christopher Hall
-
Publication number: 20130286077Abstract: The invention describes a method of and means for reducing solvent consumption in a continuous inkjet printer that comprises cooling the ink within the printer system. Ink from the ink reservoir is preferably circulated through a heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: DOMINO PRINTING SCIENCES PLCInventors: Jonathan Morgan, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Martin Davie Greaves, Anthony Christopher Hunter Hardman
-
Publication number: 20130278686Abstract: The invention describes a continuous inkjet printer having an ink distribution block and an ink module containing ink and filters which can be connected to the distribution block with a substantially horizontal linear sliding action. Spigots forming part of the connection are preferably provided with upward facing fluid transfer ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: DOMINO PRINTING SCIENCES PLCInventors: Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee
-
Patent number: 8373079Abstract: A manually operable sensor for providing control signals to an electronic device. A fabric has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conductive yarns included therein, such that the conductive yarns define three conductive tracks running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end and, at a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure. The sensor comprises first and second conductive regions to which a first and a second conductive track are connected respectively, to apply an electric potential to each conductive region. A conductive path is formed between a connected conductive track and the third conductive track of said active region when manual pressure is applied to one of the conductive regions.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Peratech LimitedInventor: Stuart Mark Walkington
-
Patent number: 8169295Abstract: A manually operable position sensor is shown, for providing control signals to an electronic device, such as an audio player. A fabric ribbon (101) has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conducting yarns included therein. The conducting yarns define three conductive tracks (103, 104, 105) running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end. At a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Peratech LimitedInventor: Stuart Mark Walkington
-
Publication number: 20100283749Abstract: A sensor having a rigid connector connectable to an interface device for interfacing with a processing device. The rigid connector is configured to convey information to the interface device, the information identifying a property of the sensor. An interface device connectable to the rigid connector of a sensor and configured to receive information conveyed by the connector, the information identifying a property of the sensor. A method of interfacing a sensor to a processing device. The information conveyed by the connector may identify the ability of the sensor to identify a position in one dimension or to identify a position in two dimensions, or the ability of the sensor to identify manually applied presses or manually applied gestures. The sensor may be a fabric position sensor or a flexible circuit sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: PERATECH LIMITEDInventor: Stuart Mark Walkington
-
Patent number: D662975Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Steven Mark Hatch, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Gareth Huw Lloyd
-
Patent number: D665018Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Steven Mark Hatch, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Gareth Huw Lloyd
-
Patent number: D665019Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Steven Mark Hatch, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Gareth Huw Lloyd
-
Patent number: D665842Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Domino Printing Sciences PLCInventors: Steven Mark Hatch, Stuart Mark Walkington, Brian Patrick Guinee, Gareth Huw Lloyd