US 4,739,344 A · Chart recorded having multiple thermal print heads

Abstract

A chart recorder includes a chart drive assembly including a drive platen, first and second print heads, a slave controller for energizing the second print head, a master controller for energizing the first print head and for actuating the slave controller and a host computer for controlling the master and slave controllers and for supplying data thereto. The master controller controls the chart drive assembly to coordinate it with the energizations of the print heads, and it actuates the slave controller to synchronize the energizations of the print heads. The print heads are independently mounted in end-to-end relation and independently biased toward the chart and the platen at a printing station to enable them to compensate for deflections in the print head and/or the platen, as well as distortions in the heads due to thermal expansion.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A chart recorder comprising:

(a) advancing means for longitudinally advancing an elongated thermally responsive chart so that it passes through a printing station and for engaging one side of said chart to support it at said printing station;
(b) a first elongated thermal print head;
(c) a second elongated thermal print head;
(d) means mounting said first and second print heads in substantially aligned, substantially abutting end-to-end relation with each other so that the longitudinal dimensions of said print heads are in substantially transverse relation to said chart at said printing station and so that said print heads engage said chart on the opposite side thereof from said advancing means;
and
(e) energizing means for receiving input signals and for selectively energizing said print heads to produce markings on said chart which correspond to said input signals.

3 more elements

A chart recorder comprising:

(a) advancing means for longitudinally advancing an elongated thermally responsive chart to a printing station and for engaging one side of said chart to support it at said printing station;
(b) a first thermal print head;
(c) a second thermal print head;
(d) means mounting said first and second print heads in substantially end-to-end relation with each other and in substantially transverse relation to said chart at said printing station so that said print heads engage said chart on the opposite side thereof from said advancing means;
(e) energizing means for receiving input signals and for selectively energizing said print heads to produce markings on said chart which correspond to said input signals, said energizing means simultaneously selectively energizing said print heads in parallel relation and comprising:
(i) a slave controller actuatable for energizing said second print head;
(ii) a master controller for energizing said first print head and for actuating said slave controller to energize said second print head;
and
(iii) host computer means for controlling the operation of said master controller and said slave controller, and for receiving input signals and supplying processed signals derived therefrom to said master controller and said slave controller.

6 more elements

A chart recorder comprising:

(a) advancing means for longitudinally advancing an elongated chart so that it passes through a printing station;
(b) thermal printing means including a plurality of elongated thermal print heads, means for mounting said print heads so that the longitudinal dimensions thereof are in substantially transverse relation to said chart at said printing station and at fixed positions in the transverse extent of said chart, said print heads being disposed adjacent different longitudinally extending sections of said chart and cooperating to define a substantially continuous printing width which extends substantially across the width of said chart at said printing station and marking means thermally responsive to selective energization of said print heads for selectively producing markings on said chart;
and
(c) energizing means for receiving input signals and for selectively energizing said print heads in response thereto.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Chart recorded having multiple thermal print heads

Life of this patent

Chart recorded having multiple thermal print heads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29