Patent · US Expired

Imaging apparatus capable of suppressing inadvertent ejection of a satellite ink droplet therefrom and method of assembling same

US6186610A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
4References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 1998
Grant dateFeb 13, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2202/10
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An imaging apparatus capable of suppressing inadvertent ejection of a satellite ink droplet and method of assembling the apparatus. The imaging apparatus comprises a print head transducer including a pair of sidewalls defining a chamber therebetween, the channel having an ink body disposed therein. The transducer is capable of inducing a first pressure wave in the ink body in order to eject an intended ink droplet. A waveform generator is connected to the transducer for supplying a voltage waveform to the transducer, so that the transducer induces pressure waves in the ink body to eject the ink droplet. However, the first pressure wave has a reflected portion formed by the first pressure wave reflecting from the sidewalls. The reflected portion is sufficient to inadvertently eject unintended satellite ink droplets following ejection of the intended ink droplet. To avoid formation of satellite ink droplets, a sensor is in fluid communication with the ink body for sensing the reflected portion. A feedback circuit interconnects the transducer and the sensor for inducing a second pressure wave in the ink body in response to the reflected portion sensed by the sensor. The second pressur…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.