Yichuan Y Pan

US Patent:

6513905, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728719

Inventors:

Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA
John C. Love - San Diego CA
David A. Neese - Escondido CA
James Haflinger - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Encad, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B41J 215

US Classification:

347 40, 347 12

Abstract:

A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

US Patent:

6692116, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/163540

Inventors:

Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA
David A. Neese - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 85, 347 17

Abstract:

Inkjet cartridge assemblies are provided for shipping with the internal pressure of their ink containers set during assembly at a reduced level at least 2 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level to avoid leaking during shipping. Preferably, the ink containers have an internal pressure set at least 9 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level.

US Patent:

6866359, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Jan 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/042946

Inventors:

Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Mark Broschart - San Diego CA, US
Peter J. Fellingham - San Diego CA, US
Timothy T. Grady - Poway CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J029/393
B41J002/045
B41J002/175

US Classification:

347 19, 347 71, 347 87

Abstract:

A printhead cartridge for use with an ink jet printer is disclosed. The printhead cartridge includes a memory element for storing jet characteristics of the cartridge. These characteristics can be measured during fabrication, upon installation into the printer, or during the operation of the printer. The printer adjusts printing parameters to compensate for the out of specification characteristics for optimized image quality. The compensation is done through adjusting drop ejection energy, thermal control, or replacing failed jets with substitute jets in the printhead. Alternatively, the printer accesses the measured characteristics to determine if they are within specification. If the printhead cartridge does not meet specifications, the user is instructed to remove the printhead cartridge since its use may adversely affect the quality of the resulting image. The printer accesses the measured characteristics throughout the life of the cartridge to ensure the quality of the resulting image does not degrade.

US Patent:

6877846, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

May 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/138883

Inventors:

Peter J. Fellingham - San Diego CA, US
Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Mark M. Broschart - San Diego CA, US
Dennis J. Astroth - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J002/175

US Classification:

347 85

Abstract:

A replaceable ink supply tank that can be mounted to a pen body of a printhead system for use with an ink jet printer. The ink supply tank provides the necessary back pressure for successful operation of the printhead and includes a siphon break in the conduit that supplies ink from the supply tank to the pen body. A conduit connects the ink supply tank to the pen body. The conduit contains a raised portion that is at a level higher than the ink level in the supply tank. The conduit contains a siphon break chamber between the raised portion and the pen body. The conduit further contains an accumulator in the raised portion of the supply tank. The accumulator maintains back pressure in the preferred range to discourage drooling from the nozzle plate during ambient temperature swings.

US Patent:

6908179, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Apr 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/113700

Inventors:

Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Richard A. Murray - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J002/175

US Classification:

347 85, 347 86

Abstract:

An inkjet printer having an expandable ink container biased to expand and configured to receive refill ink and an ink reservoir to provide refill ink to the expandable ink container. The printer also has an electronic volume detector to detect a refill value and a full value of the volume of the expandable ink container. The flow of refill ink begins when the volume of the expandable ink container decreases to the refill value and ceases when the volume of the expandable ink container increases to the full value.

US Patent:

6935731, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Sep 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/659576

Inventors:

Steven J. Wirth - Escondido CA, US
Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Dennis J. Astroth - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J002/175

US Classification:

347 86

Abstract:

An ink jet printer apparatus is adapted to secure a print cartridge which includes an open container having a top opening; a porous ink-absorbent in the container; a print head in ink communication with the porous ink-absorbent; a top cover lid adapted to be placed on the container, over the top opening, to close the container; and an ink conduit needle mounted on the top cover lid to longitudinally extend in a horizontal orientation above the porous ink-absorbent when the cover lid is placed on the container, so that a print ink can descend freely by the force of gravity from the ink conduit needle onto the porous ink-absorbent and from the porous ink-absorbent down to the print head. The ink jet printer apparatus has a resilient septum; an ink delivery connection to the septum; a stall for receiving the print cartridge in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the ink conduit needle mounted on the top cover lid is horizontally inserted through the septum; and a cover door movable closed to cover the print cartridge when the print cartridge is received in the stall, and adapted to secure the print cartridge in place within the stall to ensure that the ink conduit needle cannot be dislodged from the septum.

US Patent:

7004574, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jan 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/028920

Inventors:

David A. Neese - Escondido CA, US
Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Dennis J. Astroth - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/175

US Classification:

347 85

Abstract:

An ink delivery system in an inkjet printer includes a printhead mounted on a carriage in the inkjet printer. The printhead has nozzles to eject ink droplets for image printing. The system includes an ink reservoir for delivering ink to the printhead. The ink reservoir is positioned so that the ink level is from 0 to 8 inches below the printhead. A pulsation dampener is connected between the ink reservoir and the printhead. The pulsation dampener includes two chambers within a body, wherein a weir separates the chambers. A resilient member is located in one of the chambers and a membrane covers the chambers and the resilient member. The resilient member provides a recovering force against the membrane. Embodied herein is a method of delivering ink to a printhead mounted on a movable carriage using the embodied ink delivery system.

US Patent:

7210771, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Sep 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/939757

Inventors:

David A. Neese - Escondido CA, US
Yichuan Pan - San Diego CA, US
Dennis J. Astroth - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/175

US Classification:

347 85, 347 86

Abstract:

An ink delivery system delivers ink from a stationary ink supply to a print cartridge on a movable carriage. The system comprises an ink container, a reservoir, and a flexible tubing connecting the reservoir to the print cartridge. The ink container has an internal cavity not open to atmosphere holding a supply of ink, and an air inlet channel and an ink exit channel. The ink reservoir has fluid channels to mate with the air inlet channel and ink exit channel on the ink container, and an air opening on the upper portion to connect the internal space of the reservoir to atmosphere and an ink exit port. The ink level in the ink reservoir is controlled by allowing the ink to rise to a level where the ink blocks the air channel into the ink container thereby preventing air to flow there through.