Silonics, Inc.

Richard G Stevenson, Jr

An electronic circuit for driving an ink jet print head of the type wherein a droplet of ink is ejected from an ink chamber through an orifice upon demand by pulsing a piezoelectric element in a manner to suddenly reduce the volume of the chamber. Switching circuits responsive to a low level control signal cooperatively energize the piezoelectric element for the duration of a control pulse and discharge the inherent capacitance of the crystal at the end of the control pulse. A storage capacitor is connected in a way to reduce the current drain on the power supply. Critical semi-conductor switching elements are provided with variable biases to maximize their switching speed.

Ink jet printer driving circuit

An electronic circuit for sensing and controlling the pressure and temperature of ink within an ink jet print head. Ink pressure is monitored by a pair of strain gauges electrically connected into a bridge whose output controls an ink supply valve. Part of that bridge is utilized with additional elements to form a second bridge for monitoring through one of the strain gauges the temperature of the ink jet head, accompanied with a heater of the head that is driven from the temperature signal to maintain the head temperature above a preset temperature.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Richard G Stevenson, Jr