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Method and system for remote-sensing ink temperature and melt-on-demand control for a hot melt ink jet printer

  • US 5,406,315 A
  • Filed: 07/31/1992
  • Issued: 04/11/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for regulating the temperature of a hot melt ink for a thermal ink jet printer which includes the steps of:

  • a. providing a selected material adjacent to a source of hot melt ink and having a refractive index which varies in a known manner as a function of temperature,b. projecting light onto a surface of said selected material and thereby reflecting light therefrom at an intensity level which is proportional to the temperature level within said hot melt ink,c. sensing the intensity level of said reflected light and generating a temperature control signal in response thereto, andd. processing said temperature control signal to a heater element for said hot melt ink for regulating the temperature thereof.

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