US4241357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for operating an ink jet
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
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Filing: 1979-09-24
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet is supplied with ink from an ink reservoir. The impedance changes resulting from the presence or absence of the ink at the orifice of the ink jet are sensed to determine if the ink jet is primed and/or purged and ready for operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Themos C. Anestos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16; G01D15/18; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16517; B41J2/1652; B41J2/16526; B41J2/17; B41J2/18; B41J2/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink reservoir; an ink jet including an orifice issuing ink droplets therefrom; means for supplying ink from said reservoir to said ink jet; and impedance sensing means associated with said orifice for sensing changes in impedance resulting from the presence or absence of ink droplets accumulating at said orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink reservoir; an ink jet including an orifice issuing ink droplets therefrom; means for supplying ink from said reservoir to said ink jet; and impedance sensing means associated with said orifice for sensing changes in impedance resulting from the presence or absence of ink droplets accumulating at said orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supplying means comprises means for priming said ink jet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said priming means is coupled to said sensor means and controlled in response thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an element located adjacent to said orifice, said element being positioned sufficiently close to said orifice so as to permit an ink droplet to simultaneously contact said orifice and said element, said impedance sensing means being electrically coupled to said element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said element comprises a conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said element has an opening therein juxaposed to said orifice so as to permit droplets issuing from said orifice to pass through said opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the minimum cross-sectional dimension of said opening is greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of a droplet and said orifice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the distance between said conductive element and said orifice is greater than twice the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said orifice and half the maximum cross-sectional dimension of a droplet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of operating an ink jet having an orifice comprising: supplying ink to an ink jet; accumulating a quantity of ink at the orifice of said ink jet; sensing a change in the impedance at the orifice in response to the presence or absence of said accumulated quantity of ink.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of operating an ink jet having an orifice comprising: supplying ink to an ink jet; accumulating a quantity of ink at the orifice of said ink jet; sensing a change in the impedance at the orifice in response to the presence or absence of said accumulated quantity of ink.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of ejecting droplets of ink from said orifice after sensing the change in the impedance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of supplying comprises priming said ink jet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 including the step of terminating priming in response to sensing of said predetermined quantity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |