Apparatus and method for maintaining constant drop volumes in a continuous stream ink jet printer
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsDavid L. Jeanmaire, James M. Chwalek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method an apparatus for maintaining a predetermined ejected ink drop volume in a continuous inkjet printer is provided. An ink parameter, for example, temperature, velocity, flow rate, viscosity, is monitored. A time period between activation control signals provided to an ink drop forming mechanism is varied in response to a change in the ink parameter. The apparatus includes an ink parameter monitoring device which provides an input signal to a controller. The controller varies the time period between activation control signals provided to the ink drop forming mechanism.
Claims33
A method of maintaining an ejected ink drop volume in a continuous inkjet printer comprising:
- determining a change in an ink parameter of an ink;
- varying a time period between activation control signals provided to an ink drop forming mechanism in response to the change in the ink parameter;
- and
- forming an ink drop from the ink using heat provided by the ink drop forming mechanism, wherein forming the ink drop from the ink using heat provided by the ink drop forming mechanism includes applying the heat asymmetrically to the ink to form the ink drop.
An apparatus for continuously ejecting ink comprising:
- a printhead, portions of which define a delivery channel and a nozzle bore, the delivery channel and nozzle bore defining an ink flow path;
- a drop forming mechanism positioned proximate to the ink flow path that forms drops from ink moving along the ink flow path;
- an ink parameter sensing device positioned proximate to the ink flow path;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the drop forming mechanism and the ink parameter sensing device configured to vary a time period between activation control signals provided to the drop forming mechanism in response to a change in an output signal received from the ink parameter sensing device, wherein the drop forming mechanism includes an asymmetric heater.
A method of maintaining an ejected ink drop volume in a continuous inkjet printer comprising:
- determining a change in an ink parameter of an ink;
- varying a time period between activation control signals provided to an ink drop forming mechanism in response to the change in the ink parameter;
- and
- forming an ink drop from the ink using heat provided by the ink drop forming mechanism, wherein forming the ink drop from the ink using heat provided by the ink drop forming mechanism includes forming ink drops having a plurality of volumes by applying the heat asymmetrically to the ink.
An apparatus for continuously ejecting ink comprising:
- a printhead, portions of which define a delivery channel and a nozzle bore, the delivery channel and nozzle bore defining an ink flow path;
- a drop forming mechanism positioned proximate to the ink flow path that forms drops from ink moving along the ink flow path;
- a drop deflector system, the drop deflector system including a gas flow;
- an ink parameter sensing device positioned proximate to the ink flow path;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the drop forming mechanism and the ink parameter sensing device configured to vary a time period between activation control signals provided to the drop forming mechanism in response to a change in an output signal received from the ink parameter sensing device, wherein the drop forming mechanism includes an asymmetric heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.