Xerox Corporation

Gentex Corporation

Joseph A DeGroot

Jun Ma

Peter Johan Nystrom

Andrew Wayne Hays

Peter M Gulvin

Richard P Germain

Donald J Drake

Nancy Y Jia

Adam R Heintzelman

Joshua D Lintz

An alignment system may comprise a housing defining a channel having a first end and a second end; a light source disposed at the first end of the channel; and an alignment image disposed at the second end of the channel. The light source may be in optical communication with the alignment image. The alignment system may further comprise a baffle extending around at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the channel, the baffle defining a backlight aperture. The light source may be in selective optical communication with the alignment image.

Alignment system

Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes. A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.

Ink jet printing systems and methods with pre-fill and dimple design

The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Electrostatic actuator and method of making the electrostatic actuator

The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application can include an electrode layer and a mechanical member. The electrode layer can include a removed portion that is free of a landing pad. The mechanical member can be positioned in proximity to the electrode layer so as to provide a gap therebetween. The mechanical member can further include a dimple structure protruding out into the gap and aligned with the removed portion of the electrode layer. When in operation, the mechanical member can be capable of deflecting toward the electrode layer. The electrostatic actuator can be used in a fluid drop ejector for ink jet recording or printing devices.

Decreased actuation voltage in MEMS devices by constraining membrane displacement without using conductive 'landing pad'

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Hamilton, MI, United States of America

Joseph A DeGroot