DEFLECTION ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ASPIRATED INK JET PRINTER

摘要

LED-80-016 IMPROVED DEFLECTION ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ASPIRATED INK JET PRINTER Disclosed is an aspirated, continuous ink stream ink jet printer wherein charged ink droplets are deflected by charge deflection electrodes to effect printing, the printer including a tunnel for passage therethrough of air and the stream of ink, the velocity of the air being approximately equal to the velocity of the stream of ink so as to reduce the aerodynamic effects of air and ink interaction. Within the tunnel are first and second longitudinally extending deflection electrodes in spaced apart confronting relation for effecting deflection of the charged drops in the ink stream passing therebetween. Electrically conductive continuations of at least one of the deflection electrodes extend towards the other electrode and along the interior of the tunnel so that during start up and shut down of the ink stream, misdirection of drops from the intended stream direction which would normally tend to impact the sidewall of the tunnel will strike the electrically conductive continuations of the deflection electrode thereby accommodating ink drop contamination of the tunnel interior.