Patent ID: 6497510
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous ink jet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle, said apparatus comprising:an ink delivery channel having a long dimension, the ink delivery channel having disposed therein a geometric obstruction to cause lateral flow of the ink at a predetermined magnitude in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long dimension of tile ink delivery channel; a source of pressurized ink; the source of pressurized ink communicating with the ink delivery channel; a nozzle bore that opens into the ink delivery channel and through an orifice membrane wall to establish a continuous flow of ink in a stream, the nozzle bore defining a nozzle bore perimeter; and a nozzle heater having a selectively actuated section associated with only a portion of the nozzle bore perimeter, whereby actuation of the heater section produces an asymmetric application of heat to the stream which controls the stream direction there by enabling the stream to deflect in a direction away from the applied heat, an d which deflection is in a magnitude proportional to the lateral flow magnitude.