Continuous ink jet print head having power-adjustable segmented heaters

摘要

Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous ink jet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle includes a nozzle bore to establish a continuous stream of ink; a heater having a plurality of selectively independently actuated sections which are positioned along respectively different portions of the nozzle bore; a variable power source for the heater sections; and an actuator adapted to selectively activate none, one, or a plurality of said heater sections with an adjustable amount of power such that actuation of heater sections associated with only a portion of the entire nozzle bore perimeter produces an asymmetric application of heat to the stream to control the direction and the amount of deflection of the stream as a function of the amount of power of the activated heater sections.