Patent ID: 8360560

Claim:
A print head assembly for an continuous ink jet printer, said printer having a control system, a power supply system and an ink supply system, the print head assembly comprising an ink droplet generator and being adapted to releasably house a first module, the first module comprising a heater, a manifold assembly defining a plurality of first fluid paths for conducting ink through the first module, a valve assembly for enabling said control system to select the first fluid paths through the manifold assembly, first fluid ports for connection of the manifold assembly to the ink supply system and to the ink droplet generator, and first control system connectors and power supply system connectors for connection of the valve assembly and the heater to said control system and power supply system respectively, wherein the valve assembly comprises a first valve for controlling fluid flow to the ink droplet generator and a second valve for controlling fluid flow returned to the ink supply system, whereby the first module comprises a plate, with the heater and the valve assembly disposed on the plate, and the first module is independently attachable to and detachable from the print head assembly.