Abstract: A method for compressively forming a ferrule about a cord is provided. The method utilizes two successive compressive forming steps. In the first step, the starting ferrule is formed into a crescent-like configuration in side elevation. In the second step, the crescent-like configuration is formed into a cardioid-like configuration in side elevation. The method can be practiced using a hand-operated forceps that is equipped with shaping dies. The resulting so formed ferrule displays superior cord holding and retaining characteristics.

Abstract: A method of operating a pulsed droplet deposition apparatus for ejecting a liquid droplet from a nozzle supplied by a liquid retaining chamber comprises applying a first energy pulse to the liquid in the chamber of sufficient energy to effect expulsion of a droplet from the nozzle and thereafter applying a further energy pulse to the liquid in the chamber to insure that the meniscus of the body of liquid to which the droplet is attached is convex in the direction of motion of the droplet at the time of detachment of the droplet, so as to propel the droplet along the axis of the nozzle. The second pulse has an energy content which is insufficient to alone effect droplet ejection.

Abstract: A multiplexer circuit for effecting, in successive phases of operation, actuation of selected ones of respective groups of a plurality of capacitance actuated devices electrically represented by a plurality of series-connected capacitors, each device corresponding to an adjacent pair of the capacitors. The multiplexer includes a signal generator and a plurality of parallel electrical paths connected thereacrosss. Each path includes the common node formed by the capacitor pair corresponding to a respective one of the devices and first and second switches. A logic circuit is initially operable for respectively closing and opening the first and second switches of a selected path in one group and respectively opening and closing the first and second switches of the paths adjacent thereto for charging the two capacitors connected to the selected path.

Abstract: A pulsed droplet ink jet printer has at least one channel communicating with a nozzle. The side wall of the channel is formed as a shear mode piezo-electric actuator comprising an unpoled crystalline material. Electrodes applied to the actuator enable an electric field to be applied such that the actuator moves in transversely of the field to change the liquid pressure in the channel and thereby eject a droplet through the nozzle. The actuator can be made in two parts so as to deform, in cross section, to a chevron formation.

Abstract: A pulsed droplet ink jet printer has at least one channel communicating with a nozzle. The side wall of the channel is formed as a shear mode piezo-electric actuator. Electrodes applied to the actuator enable an electric field to be applied such that the actuator moves in the direction of the field to change the liquid pressure in the channel and thereby eject a droplet through the nozzle. The actuator can be made in two parts so as to deform, in cross section, to a chevron formation.

Abstract: A multi-channel array, pulsed droplet ink jet printer comprises a plurality of channels each communicating with a respective nozzle. A side wall of each channel is formed as a shear mode piezo-electric actuator. Electrodes applied to the actuators enable electric fields to be applied such that the actuators move laterally in the direction of the field to change the liquid pressure in the channels for effecting droplet ejection through the channel nozzles. The actuators can be made in two parts so as to deform, in cross section, to a chevron formation.

Abstract: A method for testing body components of pulsed droplet deposition apparatus comprises applying a variable frequency voltage to the electrodes of each of a number of selected channel wall elements. The resulting impedance variations are used to determine the natural frequencies of the selected wall elements which, in turn, are used to determine whether the compliance ratios of the selected wall elements and the droplet liquid to be used therewith lies within a desired range of values.

Abstract: A pulsed droplet ink jet printer has relatively long thin ink channels extending in parallel between an ink manifold 13, and a nozzle plate 5 providing a nozzle 6 for each channel. Side walls 11 may be formed substantially entirely of piezo-electric material so as to be displaceable transversely into a selected channel on the application of an electric field. This transverse displacement produces an acoustic wave in the channel which results in the ejection of an ink droplet. The side walls may deflect in shear mode to a cross-section of chevron formation. Usefully, it is arranged that both side walls adjoining the selected channel are displaced inwardly of the channel to cooperate in droplet ejection. Under this arrangement, the channels are assigned alternately to first and second groups of channels, only one group of channels being capable of actuation at any one instant.

Abstract: A pulsed droplet ink jet printer has at least one channel communicating with a nozzle. The side wall of the channel is formed as a shear mode piezo-electric actuator. Electrodes applied to the actuator enable an electric field to be applied such that the actuator moves in the direction of the field to change the liquid pressure in the channel and thereby eject a droplet through the nozzle. The actuator can be made in two parts so as to deform, in cross section, to a chevron formation.

Abstract: In an ink jet print head wherein a plurality of pumping chambers are provided for receiving ink and individually discharging the ink on demand in droplet form. The pumping chambers are formed on a substrate and defined in part by a continuous film of piezoelectric material extending over the substrate. Electrodes are electrically coupled on opposite sides of the piezoelectric film and positioned to define a plurality of distinct, electrically pulsed ink droplet drive elements operatively associated individually with the plurality of pumping chambers. An orifice for each chamber causes ink to be ejected from the chamber in response to demand electrical pulsation of the drive element for the respective chamber.

Abstract: An eyelid movement detector, includes one electrode to be placed above each eyebrow of an individual and a third electrode to serve as a ground or reference. The electrodes sense eyelid muscle activity and produce a voltage in response to eyelid movement, indicative of a state of awareness. The sensed voltage produced is amplified and compared to a threshold reference voltage by a comparator, which produces a control signal if the sensed voltage is greater than the threshold voltage. The control signal resets a timer. If the timer is not reset within a predetermined time interval, an alarm is activated to warn an individual.

Abstract: A pulsed droplet ink jet printer has relatively long thin ink channels extending in parallel between an ink manifold 13, and a nozzle plate 5 providing a nozzle 6 for each channel. Side walls 11 may be formed substantially entirely of piezo-electric material so as to be displaceable transversely into a selected channel on the application of an electric field. This transverse displacement produces an acoustic wave in the channel which results in the ejection of an ink droplet. The side walls may deflect in shear mode to a cross-section of chevron formation. Usefully, it is arranged that both side walls adjoining the selected channel are displaced inwardly of the channel to cooperate in droplet ejection. Under this arrangement, the channels are assigned alternately to first and second groups of channels, only one group of channels being capable of actuation at any one instant.