Abstract: An apparatus (10) for conveying abrasive web (16) of indeterminate length, such as photographic media, has first and second closely spaced rollers (12, 14) with at least one of the rollers (12, 14) having a polymeric/inorganic composite media bearing surface (70). The abrasive web or media (16) is disposed between a nip (18) defined by the close spacing between the rollers (12, 14) and is in moving contact with the polymeric/inorganic composite media bearing surface (70) while being conveyed through the nip (18).

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for receiving an ink cartridge defining an orifice structure having at least one orifice plate with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets onto a receiver to form an image. The apparatus cleans the orifice structure of debris, by using at least one actuable high frequency ultrasonic transducer in physical contact with the orifice structure and operatively associated with and spaced from the nozzles; and actuating the actuable high frequency ultrasonic transducer to cause such actuable high frequency ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic sound waves which impinge upon the orifice structure and loosens debris.

Abstract: A method of making micro-actuator devices including a silicon wafer, a magnet positioned inside an insulated actuating chamber having electrical coil wound around its circumference thereby forming an electromagnet assemblage. A plurality of etched holes in silicon wafer receives the electromagnet assemblage and is adapted to produce a magnetic field in response to an applied current that acts on the magnet to cause the axial reciprocating motion of the magnet.

Abstract: A method for injection molding fine particulate ceramic ferroelectric materials to form an article such as ink jet printhead includes the steps of spray drying fine particulate ceramic ferroelectric material to form agglomerate material; mixing the spray dried fine particulate ceramic ferroelectric agglomerate material with a binder system including materials selected from the group consisting of wax having wax components of different molecular weight, magnesium-X silicate, agaroid gel forming material, and agaroid gel forming material mixed with magnesium-X silicate to form a compounded material; injecting the compounded material at a selected pressure into a mold to form a green article; debinding or drying the green article; sintering the debinded or dried green article to form the final molded article; poling the final molded article to align the electrical dipoles within the piezoelectric material; forming a coating of conductive material over the top and bottom surfaces of the final molded article and t

Abstract: An ink jet head has body having a plurality of independent ink compartments each having an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice and a piezoelectric ink actuating element structurally associated with each of said independent ink compartments, said piezoelectric ink actuating element enabling said ink jet head to receive ink from an ink reservoir in fluid communications with said inlet orifice of each one of said plurality of independent ink compartments and then eject droplets of the ink onto a receiver to form an image. The piezoelectric actuating element includes a substantially planar piezoelectric transducer comprising a slab of piezoelectric material having a functionally gradient d-coefficient selected so that the slab changes geometry in response to an applied voltage which produces an electric field in the slab.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus (10) useful for transporting web (16), such as photosensitive strips or sheets, in a corrosive materials environment has first and second rollers (12, 14) each having a sleeve portion (26, 36) with bushings (28, 38) and intermeshing gears (30, 40) arranged thereon. The sleeve portions (26, 36), gears (30, 40) and bushings (28, 38) each comprise a ceramic material that resist wear, abrasion and corrosion when exposed to the corrosive materials.

Abstract: A method of making a printhead includes forming a channel member by providing a mold having a top portion having peaks and valleys and by tape casting a slurry of piezoelectric material into the mold and onto the peaks and valleys of the top portion of the mold to form a tape cast member having a bottom surface with peaks and valleys and a flat top surface and removing the tape cast member. After removing the tape cast member, the top surface of the tape cast member is embossed so as to provide peaks and valleys in opposite sides of the tape cast member wherein the valleys in the top surface are disposed in an offset relationship to the peaks in the bottom surface.

Abstract: An ink jet printing element (200) includes a body (110) comprising a ceramic composite material that has a closed base (120) and independent fluid containment compartments (220) formed about the closed base (120). Preferred ceramic composite materials include tetragonal zirconia alloy, zirconia-alumina composites and a mixture thereof. A substantially planar piezoelectric transducer (80) comprising a slab (60) of piezoelectric material provides a means of enclosing each of the independent fluid containment compartments (220). Each of the independent compartments has operably associated therewith one of a plurality of first surface electrodes (20) arranged on a first surface (62) of the slab (60) of piezoelectric material and a portion of a second surface electrode (22) arranged on an opposite second surface (64).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a modulator for modulating an incident beam of light includes a substrate having a cavity formed therein and a plurality of spaced-apart deformable elements formed in the cavity. The deformable elements each has a base layer, a poled magnetic layer formed in the base layer and a first light reflection layer deposited on the magnetic layer for reflecting an incident beam of light. Between adjacent deformable elements on the base of the cavity is arranged a second light reflection layer. A conductive element formed in the substrate electro-magnetically energizes the deformable elements to deflect in the cavity. Incident light passing through each one of the first light reflection layers is caused to destructively interfere with light reflected from the second light reflection layers thereby causing modulation of the incident light.

Abstract: A translational, bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording clement moving through a magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information can be selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises a housing and a first rail for enabling translational movement attached to the housing. A permanent magnet is positioned adjacent the recording element for providing the magnetic field to the recording element, and is attached to the first rail which enables translational movement of the magnet. A mechanical driver is attached to the magnet which driver imparts movement the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A method of making a modulator for modulating an incident beam of light uses a substantially planar light reflection surface formed by a light reflection layer associated with a plurality of deformable elements and a light reflection layer associated with a plurality of fixed elements. The fixed and deformable elements are arranged in a cavity of a substrate supporting the modulator. Light is modulated when a current is applied to a conductive element operably associated with the deformable elements causing the light reflective layer associated with the deformable element to deflect towards the base of the cavity from its substantial planar relations with the light reflecting layer of the fixed element.

Abstract: A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light uses a substantially planar light reflection surface formed by a light reflection layer associated with a plurality of deformable elements and a light reflection layer associated with a plurality of fixed elements. The fixed and deformable elements are arranged in a cavity of a substrate supporting the modulator. Light is modulated when a current is applied to a conductive element operably associated with the deformable elements causing the light reflective layer associated with the deformable element to deflect towards the base of the cavity from its substantial planar relations with the light reflecting layer of the fixed element.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) useful for processing photosensitive media (16), such as photosensitive strips or sheets, in a corrosive environment has a transport mechanism (50) that includes first and second rollers (12, 14) each having a sleeve portion (26, 36) with bushings (28, 38) and intermeshing gears (30, 40) arranged thereon. The sleeve portions (26, 36), gears (30, 40) and bushings (28, 38) each comprise a ceramic material that resist wear, abrasion and corrosion when exposed to the corrosive environment.

Abstract: An improved microminiature radiation reflector is formed in a silicon support body with a fabricated cantilever member extending over a cavity that has been etched in the support body. The cantilever member has a reflection surface for reflecting incident radiation to a first position when the cantilever member is not deflected. An electromagnet is formed in the silicon support body adjacent the free end of the cantilever member for deflecting the cantilever member into the cavity of the support body so as to cause incident radiation to be reflected to a second position. An array of radiation reflectors is also disclosed for forming images from electrical signals applied to the electromagnets of selected ones of the radiation reflectors as a function of the position of their reflected radiation in the to be formed image.

Abstract: A method for making ink jet print head base elements which includes the steps of making a sacrificial mold of the ink jet print head, binder coagulation casting a ferroelectric, piezoelectric ceramic slurry into the sacrificial mold to form a green ceramic base element, and sintering the green ceramic base element while in the sacrificial mold to thereby burn off the sacrificial mold and yield a sintered, net shape, molded ink jet print head. complex shapes to thereby reduce the numbers of complex manufacturing steps. A three dimensional jet printing process can be used to form the sacrificial molds. Once the sacrificial mold has been made, a ferroelectric material (and preferably a piezoelectric material) is prepared using a binder coagulation process. The slurry of the ferroelectric material, preferably lead zirconium titinate (PbZrTiO.sub.3 hereinafter referred to as PZT) is poured into the mold. Once the ferroelectric material is poured into the mold, a chemical initiator is added.

Abstract: A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light having a wavelength .lambda. including a base having a surface; an electrode formed over the surface of the base; a plurality of equally spaced apart deformable elements arranged over the electrode and being disposed parallel to each other and secured at opposite ends of each spaced apart deformable element and suspended above the base and having at least two spaced apart conductive and reflective portions and a central reflective portion electrically insulated from the two spaced apart conductive and reflective portions and disposed therebetween; a reflective layer disposed over the base between the spaced apart deformable elements; and applying a potential between the electrode and the spaced apart conductive and reflective portions so that the spaced apart conductive and reflective portions are movable between first and second positions which are substantially .lambda./4 apart.

Abstract: An electrostatographic apparatus for providing images on a receiver, including an electrostatographic element movable along a path, having a substrate, an alloyed zirconia ceramic layer formed over the substrate and having an image receiving surface; and the image receiving surface of the alloyed zirconia ceramic layer being adapted to become electrically conductive when illuminated by a light source. The image receiving surface is illuminated with light in the pattern corresponding to an image so that the image receiving surface has electrically conductive and nonconductive portions which taken together represent the image. The image receiving surface is charged such that charge remains on the nonconductive portions of the image receiving surface. Toner particles are provided which adhere to the image receiving surface in the electrically conductive portions defining a developed image.

Abstract: A bias-field apparatus for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element which includes a conductive substrate and which moves through a magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information is selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprising: a support member; a magnet mounted for rotation in the support member such that when the recording element rotates the conductive substrate creates a magnetic coupling with the magnet for causing said magnet to rotate; and a ferromagnetic element having a coil disposed thereon that releases said magnetic for rotation when the coil is energized, and prevents rotation when said coil is de-energized for permitting said magnet to be selectively rotated.

Abstract: An improved materials feeder equipment includes highly efficient, durable, and wear and abrasion resistant sliding contact elements. In particular, the equipment has a feeder box and a ware plate arranged for sliding contact, each having high precision tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic or, alternatively, zirconia-alumina composite.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the green state which are sintered together includes a reaction chamber and a first passage for providing communication with the reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber for reaction, and the unitary ceramic body defining a catalytic bed in the reaction chamber, such catalytic bed being formed of micro-porous ceramic impregnated with at least one catalyst for promoting the reaction in the reaction chamber to produce reaction products; and the unitary ceramic body defining a filtration channel connected to the reaction chamber including filters disposed in such filtration channel for separating the reaction products so as to retrieve desired reaction products.