General Instrument Corporation

Gerald S Stevens, Jr

Thomas P Sapitowicz

Richard C Nickels, Jr

Edward D Davis

The print head includes a stationary block of non-conductive material having a plurality of openings into which spark jet capsules are received and a plurality of openings into which electrodes with off-set parts are received. Each electrode is located proximate the end of a different one of the capsules with the off-set part thereof situated in a channel on the block surface extending therebetween. The capsules are arranged in rows transverse to the direction of paper movement. The capsules in each of the rows are slightly off-set with respect to the corresponding capsules in the preceding row. The paper is moved continuously past the block. Actuation of the individual capsules is synchronized with the movement of the paper.

High speed spark jet printer

A housing defines a reservoir containing a flowable, electrically conductive ink, which may be a liquid or powder. The housing includes a printing surface in the form of a non-conductive face plate having a plurality of spaced orifices. A plurality of electrically isolated conductive electrodes are associated with the face plate, and located adjacent the various orifices. An impeller, situated behind the face plate, is rotated to distribute the ink to the orifices. A spring-loaded piston member maintains the ink in the reservoir under pressure. An electrical source is connected between the ink and selected electrodes to cause the ink to be ejected through the orifices adjacent the selected electrodes and onto a paper strip proximate the face plate to imprint dots thereon.

Non-impact spark jet print head

Sets of radially mounted solid ink spark jet capsules are situated around the circumference of a cylindrical drum rotated at high speed. A commutation disc, mounted on one end of the drum, has a surface with spaced concentric conductive strips. Each strip corresponds to a different one of the capsules in each of the sets. The strips are divided into arcuate sections, one section for each set. The sections are aligned in groups. A line of stationary contacts, one for each of the strips, energize sections in the group aligned therewith when connected through electrical switches to a pulsed high voltage source. The mechanical commutator significantly reduces the number of electrical switches required. A single motor rotates the drum, as well as print speed and slew speed capstans.

Rotary drum non-impact printer

The stack of sheets is urged towards a rotatable removal roller located at the top of the magazine. The roller is mounted on a frame which is pivoted relative to the magazine to provide access to the stack for reloading. Pivoting of the frame automatically actuates a spring-loaded rachet-type mechanism which prevents movement of the stack towards the open top end of the magazine, without interfering with the placement of additional sheets onto the stack.

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Forest Hill, MD, United States of America

Gerald S Stevens, Jr