The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 20, 1995
Filed:
May. 10, 1993
Ralph K Williamson, Spring, TX (US);
James L Stortz, Spring, TX (US);
Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A digital driver for an ink jet printhead and an associated method for selectively applying voltage to a piezoelectric sidewall actuator of the printhead. The digital driver includes positive, negative and neutral voltage sources, a first switching element having a first control input, a first voltage supply input connected to the positive voltage source and a first output, a second switching element having a second control input, a second voltage supply input connected to the negative voltage source and a second output, and a third switching element having a third control input, a third voltage supply input connected to the neutral voltage source and a third output. The first, second and third outputs are connected together to provide a common output for connection to the piezoelectric sidewall actuator. By asserting the first control input for a first time period, the first switching element generates a positive voltage pulse at the common output to displace the sidewall actuator from a rest position to a first position. Next, by simultaneously deasserting the first control input and asserting the second control input, the second switching element generates a negative voltage pulse at the common output to displace the sidewall actuator from the first position, past the rest position, to a second position. Finally, by deasserting the second control input and asserting the third control input, a path to ground potential is provided at the common output, thereby driving the return of the sidewall actuator to the rest position.