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:
Oct. 14, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2005
Gilbert A. Hawkins, Mendon, NY (US);
Michael J. Piatt, Dayton, OH (US);
John C. Brazas, Hilton, NY (US);
Stephen F. Pond, Williamsburg, VA (US);
Gilbert A. Hawkins, Mendon, NY (US);
Michael J. Piatt, Dayton, OH (US);
John C. Brazas, Hilton, NY (US);
Stephen F. Pond, Williamsburg, VA (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A jet break-off length measurement apparatus for a continuous liquid drop emission system is provided. The jet break-off length measurement apparatus comprises a liquid drop emitter containing a positively pressurized liquid in flow communication with at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of liquid. Heater resistor apparatus is adapted to transfer pulses of thermal energy to the liquid in flow communication with the at least one nozzle sufficient to cause the break-off of the at least one continuous stream of liquid into a stream of drops of predetermined volumes. A sensing apparatus adapted to detect the stream of drops of predetermined volumes is provided. A control apparatus is adapted to determine a characteristic of the stream of drops of predetermined volumes that is related to the break-off length. Further apparatus is adapted to inductively charge at least one drop and to cause electric field deflection of charged drops. Jet stimulation apparatus comprising a plurality of transducers corresponding to the plurality of nozzles and adapted to transfer pulses of energy to the liquid sufficient to cause the break-off of the plurality of continuous streams of liquid into a plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes is also disclosed. Methods of measuring the jet break-off length using phase sensitive amplification circuitry are disclosed.