Methods and apparatus for preventing clogging in ink jet printers
US5329293A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16502
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for preventing ink clogging in impulse ink jet printers. In preferred embodiments, the ink jet printers include at least one nozzle for ejecting ink droplets in response to a sequence of control signals and a control means unit for generating and applying the sequence to the nozzle and for controlling the amplitude of the control signals. In preferred methods, the control unit generates a plurality of mutually asynchronous firing signals on demand, the firing signals having amplitudes which are effective to eject droplets of ink from the nozzle. The control unit also generates a plurality of mutually synchronous sub-firing signals after a predetermined interval following the firing signals, the sub-firing signals having amplitudes which are effective to prevent clogging of the nozzle yet which are ineffective to eject droplets of ink therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.