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:
Sep. 19, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 25, 1997
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An ink jet recording apparatus capable of ejecting ink droplets in which the volume is precisely and easily controlled. The gradient of the pixel to be printed, based on a digital gradient input signal, is provided for printing high resolution gradient images using a low drive voltage in this ink jet head. More specifically, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will include a diaphragm formed at one part of a wall of each independent ejection chamber, with electrodes formed opposite each diaphragm and spaced therefrom at a predetermined gap distance. Ink droplets are selectively ejected from nozzle openings in the ejection chamber by applying a voltage to generate an electrostatic force which momentarily deforms the diaphragm. Moreover, plurality of independent electrodes oppose each diaphragm and a pulse voltage is applied to a predetermined number of electrodes according to a gradient signal to eject ink droplets of a volume determined by the gradient signal.