Method and apparatus for tuning ink jets
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorsWilliam J. DeBonte, Karen Lynch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Portions of ink jet transducers are deactivated so as to tune the transducer to the transducer drive rather than vice versa. Deactivation may be accomplished by creating a discontinuity in a conductive coating on the transducer or by partially depoling the transducer.
Claims18
An ink jet apparatus comprising:
- transducer means of predetermined length;
- an ink chamber of fixed dimensions including a drop-emitting orifice in communication with said transducer;
- energizing means coupled to said transducer means for energizing said transducer means by applying an operating signal thereto, whereby said chamber expands and contracts in response to the state of energization of said transducer means, for causing an ink drop to be emitted from said orifice;
- and
- said transducer means including means for deactivating a portion of said transducer means, for effectively changing the length thereof, thereby permitting said transducer means to be matched to said operating signal for tuning said ink jet.
A method of tuning an ink jet apparatus comprising transducer means, a chamber for containing ink including a drop orifice, said chamber being in communication with said transducer means, and energizing means for applying an operating signal to said transducer means, whereby said chamber expands and contracts in response to the state of energization of said transducer means, for causing emission of an ink drop from said orifice, said method comprising the step of deactivating a portion of said transducer means for changing the active length of said transducer means, thereby permitting matching of said transducer means to said operating signal for optimizing the operation of said ink jet apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.