Abstract: The Pivotal Nozzle Body disclosed comprises an upper housing 50, and lower housing 30 which are pivotally connected to each other and can swivel with respect to each other about a pivot axis 40. Upper housing 50 and lower housing 30 have a first tool end 55 and a second tool end 34, respectfully. Both first and second tool ends are designed for mounting vacuum tools. Both first and second tool ends are designed to accept a hose wand for communicating suction air to the opposite side of the pivotal nozzle body. Whereby, both the vacuum tools may remain attached to the Pivotal Nozzle Body while hose wand 20 is alternated between the hose ports on the upper and lower housings.

Abstract: A tee for mounting an instrument in a pipe system, the tee comprising a body member having at least one inlet and one outlet for providing a flow path through the body, and a concave surface that forms a cup in fluid communication with the flow path for providing fluid access to the instrument, wherein (a) at least one of the inlet or the outlet is positioned offset relative to a central axis of the cup, (b) the inlet is vertically offset from the outlet, or (c) a combination of (a) and (b). Piping systems having such tees, particularly with at least one tee mounted in a rolled position such that the central axis of the cup is aligned at an angle in a range of 0 to 90 degrees from vertical, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor which has a pipe coupling structure capable of fluid-tightly connecting a refrigerant pipe to a pipe coupling port, without needing any welding process to connect the pipe to the pipe coupling port, and a method of connecting the refrigerant pipe to the pipe coupling port of the compressor. The compressor includes a pipe to form a refrigerant path through which a refrigerant flows, a pipe coupling port connected to the pipe, and a hollow bushing having an inner surface to define a hole to receive an end of the pipe, and an outer surface to come into contact with the pipe coupling port, when the hollow bushing is thrust at an end thereof, at which the end of the refrigerant pipe is placed, so as to be compression-fitted into the pipe coupling port.

Abstract: A device for gripping the external wall surface of a pipe or bar. The device includes a tubular body having at least one end open for insertion of a pipe or bar, and a cage with balls or rollers cooperating with a first tapered internal wall part of the body. A resilient mechanism pushes the cage in an axial direction to cause the balls or rollers to grip the external wall of an inserted pipe or bar. The device also has a compressible member located within the body and cooperating with a second tapered inner wall part of the body and movable relative thereto when increased fluid pressure is present within the body. Under increased pressure it also grips the external wall of the inserted pipe or bar.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe joint made of resin in which a predetermined pressing force in the axial direction corresponding to a fastening torque of a union nut can be obtained, and the strength of threads can be enhanced. Each of the threads of an external thread portion of a joint body and an internal thread portion of a union nut is formed asd an asymmetrical trapezoid, an inclined angle ?1 of first flanks of the asymmetrical trapezoidal threads which contact with each other by fastening the union nut is set to 70 to 90°, and an included angle ?2 of the flanks opposite to the first flanks is set to 40 to 80°, and wherein the joint body defines a sealing portion the angle and direction of taper of which is defined by an angle ?0, said external thread is defined by an angle ?1, where ?1=?1 and wherein ?0<?1 and |cos ?0|>|cos ?1|.

Abstract: An elongated drive string assembly includes a plurality of hollow sucker rods and connecting elements between a drive head located at the surface of an oil well and a rotary pump located deep down in an oil well, with a series of holes at each end to substantially increase the flow of extracted fluid. Each hollow sucker rod has a first end with a torque shoulder, which engages a torque shoulder formed on a connecting element. The threads are frusto-conical, non-symmetrical threads with a differential diametral taper. The torque shoulders have a maximized mean diameter and cross-sectional area to resist storing reactive torque in the drive string.

Abstract: A pipe fitting has a body with an internally threaded bore and at least one female starter thread. The at least one female starter thread is disposed either within the bore or immediately outside of the bore. The starter thread is axially aligned with the bore threads. The starter thread is made from a material which is stronger than the material from which the bore threads are made. The starter thread most proximate to the threads of the internally threaded bore has a pitch diameter which is at least two percent greater than the pitch diameter of the most proximate thread within the internally threaded bore.

Abstract: Elements for connecting a first end selection (3) of pipe elements to a second end selection (4) of pipe elements, the connecting elements including a sealing joint (20) interposed between the end faces (7, 8) of the first and second end sections and fixing elements (32, 44) which are mounted on the first and second end sections and are coupled to first and second axial abutting elements along the first and second end sections in order to hold the above together and compress the sealing joint between them. The first axial abutting elements include an external shoulder (9) formed on the first section near the end face and the second axial abutting elements include a fixed dowel (50) provided with elements (51)for axial fixing thereof along the second end section.

Abstract: A hose coupling assembly wherein a hose 20 having a corrugated portion 22 is coupled to a fitting block 24 by a socket 50. The fitting block 24 has a block engagement catch 25c projecting from the outside rim of the block body 25. The socket 50 comprises a socket body 51 elastically expandable and contractible by being divided by a slit 51a, and a socket engagement catch 51b engages the block engagement catch 25c. To detach the socket 50 from the fitting block 24, force is applied in a rotation direction to a push operation portion 51c to cause the socket body 51 to undergo diametrical expansion, releasing the socket engagement catch 51b from the block engagement catch 25c.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a lock case, two assembling plates, a latch bolt, a connecting plate, a first cam, and a second cam. The lock case and the assembling plates are connected together for receiving the latch bolt, the connecting plate, and the cams. Each assembling plate includes a first hole and a second hole, with the first holes being aligned with each other and with the second holes being aligned with each other. The connecting plate is connected to the latch bolt and the cams to move therewith. Each cam has a spindle hole. At least one cam has a stop wall that closes the respective spindle hole to form a closed non-circular hole. The spindle holes of the cams are separated by the stop wall, thereby preventing a spindle extending through one of the spindle holes from entering the other spindle hole.

Abstract: A vehicle latch assembly includes a release lever and a pawl, the release lever having a locked, an unlocked and a release position where the unlocked position is on the path of movement of the release lever from the release position to the locked position. The release lever is biased by a biasing means toward the unlocked position when it is in the release position. The latch assembly is arranged so that the release lever moves toward the locked position due to the biasing force of the biasing means when the release lever is released. The kinetic energy of the release lever is transferred to the pawl in the latch assembly, and the pawl uses the transferred kinetic energy to prevent the release lever from reaching the locked position. When the release lever is stationary in the unlocked position, the pawl does not prevent movement of the release lever from the unlocked to the locked position.

Abstract: A tailgate handle apparatus is hidden in a tailgate having an upper panel and a lower panel both mounted in a vertical manner to give the tailgate a refined appearance. The tailgate handle apparatus is structured in a simple manner to give reliability in its operation and reduce the manufacturing cost of a vehicle.

Abstract: The multipurpose spreader attachment includes in a first preferred embodiment projections on an underside that define sockets to be engaged with complimentary bosses located on the upper surface of a cargo cage. A latching mechanism is provided to effect a locked arrangement between the spreader and the cargo cage to couple to the cargo cage reliably and securely. The cargo cage is adapted to accommodate both the heavy lifting equipment as well as the pallets of goods to be unloaded, such that the need to change riggings for moving the fork lift and moving the cargo is eliminated. Moreover, the multipurpose spreader is equipped with cables that preferably include actuable hooks that suspend from the spreader and can be opened and closed via an actuator on the spreader. The hooks are adapted to cooperate with connectors such as rings on the preslung pallets, allowing the crane and multipurpose spreader to lift the preslung pallets in addition to the cargo cages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom hook block system for a given maximum load, for providing differently portative bottom hook blocks for a crane, especially for a heavy lift crane. The bottom hook block system comprises four individual roller blocks (1a–d) with a plurality of pulley blocks, two load hooks (2a, b) and two intermediate links (3a, b) by means of which two individual roller blocks (1a, b or 1c, d) can be combined to a double roller block (4). An equalizing link unit (5) consists of two equalizing links (6, 7) that are interlinked via a joint support (8) with a vertical and at least one horizontal rotational axis. One of the equalizing links (6) is linked via a first horizontal hinge (10a, b) with the two intermediate links (3a, b). The other equalizing link (7) is linked via at least one bearing block (11a, b) with a second horizontal hinge (12a, b) with the two load hooks (2a, b). The load hooks (2a, b) can be swiveled about a vertical rotational axis in the respective bearing block (11a, b).

Abstract: A luggage loft assembly for supporting articles for overhead storage in a mass transit vehicle includes an inner shell having a shelf panel and a back wall that extends upward from an outboard edge of the shelf panel and connects at an upper edge to the ceiling of a vehicle passenger compartment. An outer shell has an inboard edge connected to an inboard edge of the inner shell and an outboard edge connectable to a supporting structure such as a vehicle passenger compartment wall. The outer shell partially defines a longitudinal cavity between the outer shell, the wall, and the ceiling of the vehicle passenger compartment. Stanchions connect at respective lower ends to the inboard edge of one of the inner and outer shells. The stanchions have upper ends connectable to a supporting structure such as the ceiling of a vehicle passenger compartment. The outer shell comprises inboard and outboard channels that interconnect with each other and with the inner shell.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate extension apparatus comprises a tailgate extender, having a stowed position in which the tailgate extender is located within a space within the tailgate, and a deployed position in which an exposed portion of the tailgate extender protrudes out of the tailgate space, a motor, and a gear drive assembly coupling the motor to the tailgate extender. The motor and gear drive assembly can be located within the tailgate space.

Abstract: A combined trim panel and water shield includes a water shield having opposite first and second surfaces, and is of a size and shape to generally conform to a door panel and a trim panel to be protected. The trim panel is configured to cover a vehicle door panel and has a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first sealing layer, applied in a predetermined pattern, engages the first surface of the water shield and the second surface of the trim panel. A second sealing layer, applied in a predetermined pattern, engages the second surface of the water shield. In a further aspect, a sealing system is provided for application to a vehicle interior trim panel to prevent the entry of water or dust into an interior compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reinforced trim panel assembly secured to a body panel for a vehicle includes a first trim panel member adjacent to a second trim panel member along a first seam. A reinforcement bracket is disposed between the trim panel members and the vehicle body panels, and is positioned over the first seam and secured to each of the first trim panel member and the second trim panel member using a fastening means. The reinforcement bracket absorbs a force from an impact to the trim panel assembly to prevent separation of the first seam.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: An adjustable roof extension for a vehicle that has a cab portion and a trailer portion includes a roof extension adapted for disposition at a rear of a roof of the cab portion and an adjustment mechanism that attaches the roof extension to the cab portion such that the roof extension is pivotable and that an end of the roof extension that is nearer the trailer portion is controllably movable to pull an air flow over the cab portion toward the trailer portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling rigidity of a vehicle body includes a wall to which a collision load is imposed from its front end side, a base member disposed at a rear end side of the wall, a slide member having opposite top and bottom plates and one vertical plate contiguously extending between edges of the top and bottom plates, and actuators for establishing and releasing connection between the wall and the slide member. The top plate is disposed over a top end (upper end portion) of the wall, the bottom plate is disposed underneath a bottom end (lower end portion) of the wall, and the vertical plate is disposed at the front end of the wall. The slide member is slidable with respect to the base member in a collision. The actuators serve to establish the connection between the top end and the top plate and between the bottom end and the bottom plate.

Abstract: A shutter type guard apparatus composed of a movable guard member which can be opened and closed for covering the window portion of the cab of a piece of machinery. The guard member is structured so that it can be closed to an intermediately opened position where it is easily operated. An auxiliary closing device includes a cable winding device for winding the first cable, a travelling unit coupled between the first cable and a second cable, an auxiliary guide rail in which the travelling unit and the first and second cables are guided for movement, and a pull handle coupled to the second cable. The auxiliary guide member is at one of a pair of left and right guide rails, for guiding the movable guard member. The pull handle is disposed at an intermediate position, in the vertical direction of the guide rail, and by pulling the pull handle downward, the guard member is forcibly closed to an intermediately opened/closed position where it can be easily reached and further closed by hand by an operator.

Abstract: A sub-frame mounting structure for a vehicle includes a front side member forming a first closed section therein and having a depressed portion at a bottom side thereof. A separating plate covers the upper side of the depressed portion in the front side member and forms a second closed section with the depressed portion in the first closed section. A mounting bolt, with a head portion disposed, by welding, between the separating plate and the bottom side of the front side member, and a shank portion protruding out from the bottom side of the front side member.

Abstract: A reversible seat system for a vehicle is provided. A seatback includes at least one post-like element extending below a lower side of the seatback. At least one receiving slot is located on each of the anterior and posterior sides of the seat cushion. The receiving slots are configured to receive the post-like element. The seatback is removable and replaceable between a first position and a second position, where the first position is forward-facing and the second position is rearward-facing.

Abstract: The invention involves shifting the location of the seat belt retractor in order to reduce the thickness of the seat especially in the lower regions for a mobile vehicle seat. The seat may be used for a mobile vehicle as a school bus as well as for automotive applications. The seat belt retractors are attached to a portion of the seat structure that allows the webbing to exit the retractor on the front surface of the seat back. The webbing is then allowed to cross over to the rear surface of the seat back as it rises to the turning-loop. The retractor may be located forward of the seat back pivot point on the seat frame in order to allow for the webbing to exit on the front surface of the seat back.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat system equipped with an active headrest mechanism (30) and a lumbar support (21), a load-receiving part (32) of the active headrest mechanism (30) is positioned behind the lumbar support (21) as viewed from front of the seat. The vehicle seat system is arranged so that when a specified amount or more of load is applied from front of the seat to a lumbar support plate (22) of the lumbar support (21), one end part of a plate support member (23) supporting the lumbar support plate (22) exits from an insertion hole (17) provided at a side frame (4) to disengage from a seatback frame (2), and the disengaged end part of the plate support member (23) then abuts on the load-receiving part (32).

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a seatback frame and a lumbar support system operatively mounted to the seatback frame. The lumbar support system includes a lower suspension mechanism that is generally aligned with the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of the seat assembly. The lower suspension mechanism includes a band of flexible material that is stretched about a pair of upstanding support members so as to have a predetermined tension for providing support for the occupant of the seat assembly at the pelvic and lumbar regions.

Abstract: A seatback audio system having one or more speakers mounted in a surface of a seatback or a headrest. The speakers may be separated by a sound barrier to reduce cross-talk between the speakers. The surface may have a concave area where the speakers and the sound barrier are mounted. Alternatively, the surface may have two concave areas, and one speaker may be mounted in each concave area. The system may include a manual or an automated positioning system for one or both of the speakers. The system may also include a soft-cell waveguide having a plurality of tubes to direct the sound from one or both of the speakers. The seatback may include a backrest and a removable headrest, each including an electrical connector, where the one or more speakers are mounted to the headrest and the electrical connectors form a circuit when the headrest is mounted to the backrest.

Abstract: A motorcycle backrest system for providing a removable backrest for a motorcycle. The motorcycle backrest system includes a backrest, a pair of front legs extending downwardly from the backrest, a pair of receiver members attachable to a motorcycle for receiving the lower ends of the front legs and a pair of rear legs extending from the front legs at an angle. Each of the rear legs includes an engaging end formed to catchably receive a corresponding pair of spacer members attached to the motorcycle.

Abstract: A back construction includes a back shell having stiff thoracic and pelvic regions connected by a flexible lumbar region in a manner adapted to ergonomically support a seated user. The back shell includes springs that press on a rear surface of the back shell to bias the flexible lumbar region forwardly so as to support a seated user, thus biasing the lumbar region of the back shell forwardly in a manner distributing stress applied to the lumbar region by the seated user.

Abstract: A seat is pivotally connected to a frame of a wheelchair and is connected by one or more resilient supports. Each support includes a housing attached to either the seat or the frame and a bracket arrangement attached to the other of those wheelchair components. A spring biases the bracket arrangement with respect to the housing and an adjuster enables the force of the spring to be varied to alter resiliency of the support.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support frame assembly (14) has a seat cushion base member (16) with opposite ends (20) and (22) pivotally connected to first and second legs (28, 40). The first legs (28) are also pivotally connected to the associated vehicle and the second legs (40) have first and second latches (50) and (52). Each first latch (50) provides securement of the associated second leg to the associated vehicle in the seating position, and each second latch (52) prevents pivoting between the second leg and the seat cushion base member end (22) to provide rigidity in the seating position.

Abstract: A high-rigidity recliner according to the present invention comprises an upper actuating member attached to a seat base, and a lower actuating member attached to a seat back and is characterized by the upper actuating member supporting a pair of symmetrical lock gears fixedly interposed between a cam and a lower actuating member. Outer gear parts of the lock gears engage inner gear parts of the lower actuating member, whereby any clearances between the outer gear parts and inner gear parts are eliminated and any irreular engagement of the outer and inner gear parts is prevented. The lock gears lock or release the lower actuating member by rotation of the actuating cam. The simple structure of the present invention reduces the number of parts, the time for assembly, and the cost of manufacturing. Additionally, forming the outer and inner gears by blanking improves strength and durability of the recliner.

Abstract: A fitting for a vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), and a second fitting part (12) which is rotatable and lockable relative to the first fitting part (11). At least one locking element (19) is arranged for movement in a radial direction, with its opposite longitudinal sides (22) being guided along guide surfaces (17) on the first fitting part (11), and the locking element includes at least one tooth (21) which cooperates, on its radially outer side, with toothing (14) on the second fitting part (12) for the purposes of locking. Each of the longitudinal sides (22) has at least one step (41) dividing the respective longitudinal side (22) into a first section (43) and an adjacent second section (45) which extends between the step (41) and the tooth (21), and the second section (45) is set back relative to the first section (43) with respect to the associated guide surface (17) to permit the locking member to tilt when the second fitting part is impacted.

Abstract: A skate wheel for skates or skateboards is provided which includes decorative spacers therein. The skate wheel includes a cylindrical outer hub bonded to an outer layer, a cylindrical inner hub, and first and second decorative spacers positioned between the inner surface of the outer hub and the outer surface of the inner hub. The spacers provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the wheel as well as provide support for the inner hub within the wheel.

Abstract: A two-piece-wise built-up light-alloy wheel with a rather big diameter for automobiles and two-wheeled vehicles, being aimed to be made as lightweight and have an improved ornamental appearance, comprising: a rim (2) having outer and inner rim portions integrally formed with each other; a center disk (1) built-up with the integral rim (2); fastener bolts fastening the rim with the center disk; and a plurality of thick-wall portions (9) bulging from and integrally formed with the outer rim portion as bulging toward center of the wheel, as to form screw holes for the fastener bolts. Thickness of the rim (2) is substantially same except for the thick-wall portions, throughout from a bead seat (6) on the outer rim portion through a well part (8).

Abstract: A fiber resin plastic (FRP) based bicycle rim includes an FRP body and a metal tire receiving ring. The FRP body has first and second side surfaces, an annular outer edge surface, and an annular inner edge surface. The annular inner edge surface includes at least two spoke receiving ports for receiving and supportively coupling at least two spokes to the FRP body. The metal tire receiving ring is coupled to the FRP body and is disposed radially outwardly of the FRP body. The tire receiving ring includes first and second, generally parallel continuous braking surfaces.

Abstract: A wheel cladding assembly includes a wheel having a disk and a rim complementary to the disk, wherein the disk and the rim include and outer surface, and wherein the rim includes an outer edge extending circumferentially about the rim. The wheel assembly also includes a ring-shaped flange member, and a wheel cladding member having a central portion and an outer periphery complementary to the central portion, wherein the outer periphery includes a circumferentially-extending channel that receives the flange member therein. The channel member is operably coupled to the wheel such that the central portion of the cladding member is aligned with at least a portion of the disk of the wheel, the periphery of the cladding member is aligned with at least a portion of the rim of the wheel, and the channel of the wheel cladding is located substantially proximate the outer edge of the rim.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic bicycle wheel rim having an aerodynamic section is formed of two mating halves, without additional structural reinforcing members, using laminations of layers of unidirectional fibers crossing one another and having semicircular layers of non-crossing fibers orientated parallel to a point of tangency, the non-crossing layers being proximate tire well apexes and the spoke bed, including, in a preferred embodiment, a lamination of machinable materials at the braking surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a railway vehicle. Said brake system comprises a main air reservoir line which is fed by an air compressor unit. Every bogie truck is provided with at least one compressed-air line which is connected to the main air reservoir line either directly or via a stop valve, a non-return valve and a compressed-air reservoir. The compressed-air line feeds, for example, the service brake valves for impinging the brakes of the bogie truck or a control unit for the spring-loaded brake and/or other control units for other auxiliary components. The service brake valves and/or the spring-loaded brake and/or other auxiliary components are controlled via at least one local, electronic brake control unit.

Abstract: An electronically controlled braking system includes at least one central control unit operable to assign identifiers during an identifier assignment routine, a first distributed electronic control unit, a second distributed electronic control unit and a control network electrically connecting the at least one control unit, the first distributed electronic control unit and the second distributed electronic control unit. The identifiers include a first identifier and a second identifier, with one of the first identifier or the second identifier being assigned to the first distributed electronic control unit and the other of the first identifier or the second identifier being assigned to the second distributed electronic control unit at least in part based upon the timing of a signal reaching, via the control network, the first distributed electronic control unit and the second distributed electronic control unit.

Abstract: In a hydraulic braking system operated by an external force, for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, having a primary pressure source which is operated by external energy and provide brake pressure to the wheel brakes during normal operation, and which also has a foot-actuated auxiliary pressure source which supplies the wheel brakes with brake pressure during emergency operation, to increase the degree of safety, a special hydraulic circuit is provided wherein, during emergency operation, only comparatively few valves between the wheel brakes and a hydraulic reservoir have to be closed so as to be free of leakage, while operational safety is increased by the valves being connected in series.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system to control the deceleration of an aircraft during the taxiing phase on a landing strip, the system has a detector of the current position of the aircraft on the strip, and of the current speed of the aircraft on the strip, a calculator receiving position and speed values from the detector, to define, as a function of the desired final speed of the aircraft at the so-called final position on the strip, a deceleration set-point modification time, after the current time, and a new deceleration set-point to apply from the modification time, to reach the final position at the desired speed.

Abstract: The storage cabinet including a housing structure, a center column assembly having a center column in which the center column assembly is mounted in the housing structure, and a reconfigurable shelf assembly having at least two partial shelves. The partial shelves may be mounted to the center column to form a coplanar shelf surface.

Abstract: A file cabinet providing access to files from substantially all sides, and having at least one rotatable tier. Each tier includes a carrousel file support having a plurality of radially extending arms. Mounted to the outer terminus of each arm is a pivot arm assembly, each configured to rotate about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position. Each pivot arm assembly is adapted to suspend a file container thereon to provide detachable storage.

Abstract: A drawer organizer for partitioning the interior space of a drawer having at least two opposed walls includes a male member, a female member, and a biasing member. The male member has a base including at least one substantially flat end wall and a body extending from the base. The female member has a base including at least one substantially flat end wall and a body extending from the base and defining a housing having an open end. The biasing member is supported within the housing. The male member is received through the open end and operatively retained relative to the housing. The biasing member generates a biasing force acting between the male and female members to bias the male and female members in opposite directions relative to one another such that the end walls are braced against two opposed side walls of the drawer.

Abstract: When a new process cartridge is detected, that new process cartridge is initialized. A flag that indicates initialization status of the new process cartridge is set and stored. When a new process cartridge is detected, the flag is set to indicate non-initialization, the flag is maintained in that status during the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and the flag is set to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the process cartridge is completed normally.

Abstract: Liquid jet recording apparatuses and liquid jet recording methods are provided. Ink droplets are jetted from ink jetting orifices. A cross sectional area of each of the ink jetting orifices is equal to or less than 500 ?m2. A frequency with which the ink droplets are jetted is controlled to fall within a range from 8 KHz to 40 KHz. A flying velocity of each ink droplet is equal to or greater than 5.2 m/sec. A number of ink droplets which are jetted to form each pixel of the image formed on the recording medium is controlled based on the image data. Each of the ink jetting orifices has a size such that when an amount of ink is jetted, adjacent pixels are separated from each other on the recording medium when each pixel is formed of a single ink droplet, thereby forming a gray image. The image becomes darker based on a number of ink droplets jetted to form each pixel.

Abstract: A printing assembly that comprises a printing unit including at least one thermally actuated ink jet printhead comprising a thermal bend actuator; and an inert gas supply that is connected to the printing unit to provide the at least one thermal bend actuator with an inert gas during a printing operation to prevent oxidation of the thermal bend actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing micro-volume liquid. The method includes the following steps. A multi-channel inkjet print head is provided. The multi-channel inkjet print head includes a nozzle plate and a cartridge. The nozzle plate includes a plurality of nozzles. The cartridge includes a plurality of channels, communicating with the nozzles on the nozzle plate, and a plurality of openings located at the channels. The nozzle plate contacts with a buffer. The buffer is introduced into the channels via the nozzles on the nozzle plate by pressure. Reagents are introduced into the channels through the openings.