Patent US4521789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4521789A
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US
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Ink viscosity regulation for ink jet printer
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-06-30
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Granted: 1985-06-04
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Expires: 2003-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An ink viscosity regulation apparatus for an ink jet printer is disclosed which controls the viscosity of ink to a value which lies within a range appropriate for printing. A signal commanding a supply of diluent into the ink is generated when a predetermined voltage level is exceeded by specific one of voltage levels for driving an electrostrictive vibrator of a head which causes a droplet to be separated from an ink stream at the shortest distance from the head.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichiro Jinnai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An ink viscosity regulation apparatus for an ink jet printer in which an electrostrictive vibrator is driven to eject ink from a nozzle of a head so that the ink is separated into a droplet to print out a dot on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising: means for varying a drive voltage applied to the vibrator; means for detecting a specific level of the drive voltage at which the droplet is separated from the ink at a shortest distance; and means for comparing said detected drive voltage level with a predetermined reference voltage level and, when the detected level is higher than the reference level, generating a command signal for diluting the ink and, when the detected level is lower than the reference level, generating a command signal for causing the ink to keep a viscosity thereof unchanged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An ink viscosity regulation apparatus for an ink jet printer in which an electrostrictive vibrator is driven to eject ink from a nozzle of a head so that the ink is separated into a droplet to print out a dot on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising: means for varying a drive voltage applied to the vibrator; means for detecting a specific level of the drive voltage at which the droplet is separated from the ink at a shortest distance; and means for comparing said detected drive voltage level with a predetermined reference voltage level and, when the detected level is higher than the reference level, generating a command signal for diluting the ink and, when the detected level is lower than the reference level, generating a command signal for causing the ink to keep a viscosity thereof unchanged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the voltage level detecting means comprises a search pulse generator, a charge electrode and a phase detect electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the command signal generating means comprises a reference voltage level generator and a comparator.
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) | 1988-06-03 | 1988-12-03 | 1989-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-03 | 1992-12-03 | 1993-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-03 | 1996-12-03 | 1997-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |