On-die actuator failure detection
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Comany, L.P.
InventorsJames Michael Gardner, Daryl E Anderson, Eric Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid ejection die is described. The die includes a number of actuator sensors disposed on the fluid ejection die to sense a characteristic of a corresponding actuator and to alter an evaluation voltage based on a performance of the corresponding actuator. The die also includes an actuator evaluation device per primitive to detect a failed actuator based at least in part on a comparison of the altered evaluation voltage and at least one threshold voltage. The die also includes a number of disable device coupled to respective actuators and to disable failed actuators.
Claims15
A fluid ejection die comprising:
- a number of actuator sensors disposed on the fluid ejection die to:
- sense a characteristic of a corresponding actuator;
- and
- alter an evaluation voltage based on a performance of the corresponding actuator,
- an actuator evaluation device per primitive to detect a failed actuator based at least in part on a comparison of the altered evaluation voltage and at least one threshold voltage;
- and
- a number of disable devices, wherein each disable device:
- is coupled to a respective actuator;
- and
- is to disable a failed actuator.
A fluid ejection system comprising:
- multiple fluid ejection dies, wherein a fluid ejection die comprises:
- a number of actuator sensors to:
- sense a characteristic of a corresponding actuator;
- and
- alter an evaluation voltage based on a detected short between the actuator sensor and the corresponding actuator, wherein:
- each actuator sensor is coupled to a respective actuator;
- and
- multiple coupled actuator sensors and actuators are grouped as primitives on the fluid ejection die;
- an actuator evaluation device per primitive to indicate a short between the actuator sensor and an actuator based at least in part on a comparison of the altered evaluation voltage and at least one threshold voltage;
- and
- a number of disable devices, wherein each disable device:
- is coupled to a respective actuator;
- and
- is to disable a corresponding actuator when a short between the actuator sensor and the actuator is detected.
A method comprising:
- receiving an activation pulse for activating an actuator of a primitive on a fluid ejection die;
- activating the actuator based on the activation pulse;
- altering an evaluation voltage via an actuator sensor, based on a performance of a corresponding actuator, which evaluation voltage is altered responsive to the activation of the corresponding actuator;
- detecting a failure of the corresponding actuator based at least in part on a comparison of the altered evaluation voltage against at least one threshold;
- and
- disabling the corresponding actuator when a comparison indicates the corresponding actuator has failed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.