Pressure modulation cleaning of jetting module nozzles

Abstract

A continuous inkjet printhead includes a jetting module, a fluid system, and a controller. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles. The fluid system includes a liquid source and a pressure control device. The liquid source includes a liquid and is connected in fluid communication with the jetting module. The controller is in electrical communication with the pressure control device of the fluid system and is configured to provide a first signal to the pressure control device to cause the liquid to be ejected as liquid streams through the nozzles of the array at a first pressure sufficient to create a stream of print-selectable drops. The controller is configured to provide a second signal to the pressure control device to cause the liquid to be ejected as liquid streams through the nozzles of the array at a second pressure with the second pressure being less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to provide the first signal to the pressure control device after a period of time.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.