US4631549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude in continuous ink jet printer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1985-08-15
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-08-15
Abstract
Abstract In a continuous ink jet printer, the stimulation amplitude is adjusted by sensing the stimulation amplitude at which infinite satellites are first produced, and adjusting the stimulation as a function of the sensed amplitude.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilarion Braun
- 👤 Linda Lush
- 👤 Scott Lehman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/07; B41J2/12; B41J2/115; B41J2/015; B41J2/02; B41J2/03; B41J2002/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for adjusting stimulation amplitude in a continuous ink jet printer to operate the ink jet printer in the satellite free region of ink drop production, characterized by the steps of: periodically sensing the stimulation amplitude at which infinite satellites are first produced, and adjusting the stimulation amplitude as a function of the sensed amplitude.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for adjusting stimulation amplitude in a continuous ink jet printer to operate the ink jet printer in the satellite free region of ink drop production, characterized by the steps of: periodically sensing the stimulation amplitude at which infinite satellites are first produced, and adjusting the stimulation amplitude as a function of the sensed amplitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 1, wherein said function of sensed amplitude comprises multiplication by a constant factor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 2, wherein the ink viscosity may vary between 1.5 to 2.8 Cp and wherein said constant multiplication factor is 2.2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensing step is further characterized by: sensing the ink jet current with an electrometer located in the path of the undeflected ink jet, and detecting the stimulation amplitude at which a sudden dip occurs in the ink jet current as the stimulation amplitude is increase, due to infinite satellite drops being deflected into a catcher.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensing step is further characterized by: sensing the stimulation amplitude at which satellites are deflected into a catcher, as the stimulation amplitude is increased from a predetermined low value, by means of an electrometer having an electrode located in the catcher.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude in a continuous ink jet printer to operate the ink jet printer in the satellite free region of ink drop production, characterized by: means for periodically sensing the stimulation amplitude at which infinite satellites are first produced; and means for adjusting the stimulation amplitude as a function of the sensed amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude in a continuous ink jet printer to operate the ink jet printer in the satellite free region of ink drop production, characterized by: means for periodically sensing the stimulation amplitude at which infinite satellites are first produced; and means for adjusting the stimulation amplitude as a function of the sensed amplitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for adjusting comprises means for multiplying the sensed amplitude by a constant factor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 7, wherein the ink viscosity may vary between 1.5 to 2.8 Cp, and wherein said constant multiplication factor is 2.2.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for sensing is further characterized by: an electrometer having a sensing electrode located in the path of the undeflected ink jet or generating a signal representative of the ink jet current; and means responsive to said current signal for detecting a dip in the current signal as the stimulation amplitude is increased.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude claimed in claim 9, wherein said sensing means is further characterized by: means for sensing the stimulation amplitude at which satellites are deflected into a catcher including an electrometer having an electrode located in the catcher.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |