Patent ID: 8764175

Claim:
A heater for use in melting solid ink comprising: a first resistive heater element configured for electrical connection to an electrical power source; a second resistive heater element configured for electrical connection to an electrical return for the electrical power source; a variable resistive heater element electrically connected at a first end to the first resistive heater element and electrically connected at a second end to the second resistive heater element, the variable resistive heater element being configured to enable electrical current to flow through the first resistive heater element, and to restrict electrical current flow through the second resistive heater element in response to the variable resistive heater element being less than a predetermined temperature and to enable electrical current to flow through the first and the second resistive heater elements in response to the variable resistive heater element being at or greater than a predetermined temperature; an electrical power source electrically connected to the first resistive heater element to supply electrical power to the first resistive heater element; and a controller operatively connected to the electrical power source, the controller being configured to operate the electrical power source at a first voltage level while the variable resistive heater element is below the predetermined temperature and to operate the electrical power at a second voltage level while the variable resistive heater element is at or above the predetermined temperature, the second voltage level being less than the first voltage level.