Author: claimsbot

What is climed is:

1. A printing apparatus using a print head for ejecting a print liquid onto a print medium to form an image on the print medium, the printing apparatus comprising:
a drive control means to drive one or more of a plurality of drive sources in a first drive mode or a second drive mode selectively, wherein the plurality of drive sources are adapted to cause a plurality of driven portions in the printing apparatus to perform predetermined operations and the second drive mode makes a driving of the drive sources quieter than in the first mode; and
a mode switching means to switch between the first drive mode and the second drive mode.
2. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of driven portions include, for the purpose of performing the printing, a supplying means for introducing the print medium into the printing apparatus and a scanning means for scanning the print head relative to the print medium, and the supplying means and the scanning means are each provided with one of the drive sources.
3. A printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the scanning means has, for the purpose of performing the printing, a means for main-scanning the print head relative to the print medium and a means for sub-scanning the print medium after each main scan, and the main-scanning means and the sub-scanning means are each provided with one of the drive sources.
4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of the driven portions further include a performance maintaining means for maintaining a performance of the print head in applying the print liquid and the performance maintaining means is provided with one of the drive sources.
5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when performing the driving in the first drive mode, the drive control means uses a plurality of drive control data associated with a series of drive controls.
6. A printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when performing the driving in the second drive mode, the drive control means selects drive control data that achieves a quiet driving from the plurality of drive control data used in the first drive mode and sets the selected drive control data.
7. A printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the drive control means performs the selection and setting so that drive speeds of the drive sources at each stage of a series of drive controls in the second drive mode are equal to or less than drive speeds of the drive sources at each stage of a series of drive controls in the first drive mode.
8. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of preset print modes are provided according to a plurality of ways in which the printing using the print head is performed, and the plurality of print modes are each provided with the first drive mode.
9. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving of the drive sources in the second drive mode is not varied among the plurality of different print modes.
10. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print head is an ink jet print head that ejects ink as the print liquid.
11. A printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ink jet print head has heating elements that generate a thermal energy to eject ink by causing a film boiling in the ink.
12. A method of controlling a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus uses a print head for ejecting a print liquid onto a print medium to form an image on the print medium, the method comprising:
a drive control step of driving one or more of a plurality of drive sources in a first drive mode or a second drive mode, wherein the plurality of drive sources are adapted to cause a plurality of driven portions in the printing apparatus to perform predetermined operations and the second drive mode makes a driving of the drive sources quieter than in the first mode; and
a mode switching step of switching between the first drive mode and the second drive mode.
13. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of driven portions include, for the purpose of performing the printing, a supplying means for introducing the print medium into the printing apparatus and a scanning means for scanning the print head relative to the print medium, and the supplying means and the scanning means are each provided with one of the drive sources.
14. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the scanning means has, for the purpose of performing the printing, a means for main-scanning the print head relative to the print medium and a means for sub-scanning the print medium after each main scan, and the main-scanning means and the sub-scanning means are each provided with one of the drive sources.
15. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of the driven portions further include a performance maintaining means for maintaining a performance of the print head in applying the print liquid and the performance maintaining means is provided with one of the drive sources.
16. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when performing the driving in the first drive mode, the drive control step uses a plurality of drive control data associated with a series of drive controls.
17. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when performing the driving in the second drive mode, the drive control step selects drive control data that achieves a quiet driving from the plurality of drive control data used in the first drive mode and sets the selected drive control data.
18. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the drive control step performs the selection and setting so that drive speeds of the drive sources at each stage of a series of drive controls in the second drive mode are equal to or less than drive speeds of the drive sources at each stage of a series of drive controls in the first drive mode.
19. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of preset print modes are provided according to a plurality of ways in which the printing using the print head is performed, and the plurality of print modes are each provided with the first drive mode.
20. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the driving of the drive sources in the second drive mode is not varied among the plurality of different print modes.
21. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the print head is an ink jet print head that ejects ink as the print liquid.
22. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the ink jet print head has heating elements that generate a thermal energy to eject ink by causing a film boiling in the ink.
23. A printing system comprising:
a printing apparatus using a print head for ejecting a print liquid onto a print medium to form an image on the print medium; and
an image supply device for supplying image data to the printing apparatus so that the printing apparatus can perform printing according to the image data supplied;
wherein the printing apparatus includes:
a drive control means to drive one or more of a plurality of drive sources in a first drive mode or a second drive mode, wherein the plurality of drive sources are adapted to cause a plurality of driven portions in the printing apparatus to perform predetermined operations and the second drive mode makes a driving of the drive sources quieter than in the first mode; and
a mode switching means to switch between the first drive mode and the second drive mode.
24. A control program for instructing a computer to execute the printing apparatus control method claimed in claim 12.
25. A storage medium for storing a control program, the control program instructing a computer to execute the printing apparatus control method claimed in claim 12.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A diffuser assembly for a welding torch; said diffuser assembly comprising:
a diffuser body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite said first end, said diffuser body having a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end;
an interior chamber positioned between said first end and said second end, where said interior chamber is open at said first end to permit a flow of a gas into said interior chamber from said first end and where said interior chamber is defined by a wall portion of said diffuser body;
a plurality of openings in said wall portion of said interior chamber where said plurality of openings pass through said wall portion to permit said flow of said gas to exit said interior chamber through said plurality of openings; and
a diffuser insert positioned within said interior chamber, where said diffuser insert seats within said interior chamber and where said diffuser insert is exposed to an outside of said diffuser body through said plurality of openings;
wherein said diffuser insert has an insert bore which passes through said diffuser insert and is co-axial with said longitudinal axis of said diffuser body; and
wherein said diffuser insert has at least one flow feature on a sidewall of said diffuser insert which manipulates said flow of said gas to direct said flow of said gas from said interior chamber to said plurality of said openings.
2. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser insert is removable from said diffuser body.
3. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said insert bore has a chamfered opening on an upstream end of said insert bore.
4. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of said openings are evenly distributed radially on said wall portion.
5. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser insert has a plurality of said features on said sidewall manipulate said flow of said gas.
6. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one feature is positioned along a longitudinal length of said diffuser insert to coincide with a longitudinal position of said openings.
7. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one feature is a protrusion from said sidewall.
8. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser insert has a contact tip contact surface on a downstream end of said diffuser insert, where said diffuser insert is positioned within said diffuser body such that said contact tip contact surface contacts with a contact tip when assembled into a welding torch.
9. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser insert comprises an axially extending feature which contacts an inner surface of said interior chamber, where said axially extending feature further affects a flow of said gas to direct said flow of said gas to said plurality of said openings.
10. The diffuser assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of features are arranged symmetrically around a periphery of said sidewall of said diffuser insert.
11. The diffuser assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser insert is exposed along an entire length of said openings, in a longitudinal direction of said diffuser body.
12. A diffuser assembly for a welding torch; said diffuser assembly comprising:
a diffuser body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite said first end, said diffuser body having a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end;
an interior chamber positioned between said first end and said second end, where said interior chamber is open at said first end to permit a flow of a gas into said interior chamber from said first end, where said interior chamber is open at said second end to permit insert of a contact tip, and where said diffuser body has a wall portion between said first and second ends;
a plurality of openings in said wall portion which are symmetrically distributed, where said plurality of openings pass through said wall portion to permit said flow of said gas to exit said diffuser body through said plurality of openings; and
a diffuser insert positioned within said interior chamber, where said diffuser insert seats within said interior chamber and where said diffuser insert is exposed to an outside of said diffuser body through said plurality of openings, where said diffuser insert is exposed along an entire length of said openings, in a longitudinal direction of said diffuser body;
wherein said diffuser insert has an insert bore which passes through said diffuser insert and is co-axial with said longitudinal axis of said diffuser body;
wherein said diffuser insert has a plurality of flow features on a sidewall of said diffuser insert which manipulate said flow of said gas to direct said flow of said gas from said interior chamber to said plurality of said openings, and
wherein said diffuser insert is removable and secured in a press-fit relationship with said diffuser body.
13. The diffuser assembly of claim 12, wherein said insert bore has a chamfered opening on an upstream end of said insert bore.
14. The diffuser assembly of claim 12, wherein said plurality of features are positioned along a longitudinal length of said diffuser insert to coincide with a longitudinal position of said openings.
15. The diffuser assembly of claim 12, wherein said plurality of features are protrusions from said sidewall.
16. The diffuser assembly of claim 12, wherein said diffuser insert has a contact tip contact surface on a downstream end of said diffuser insert, where said diffuser insert is positioned within said diffuser body such that said contact tip contact surface contacts with a contact tip when assembled into a welding torch.
17. The diffuser assembly of claim 12, wherein said diffuser insert comprises an axially extending feature which contacts an inner surface of said interior chamber, where said axially extending feature further affects a flow of said gas to direct said flow of said gas to said plurality of said openings.
18. A diffuser assembly for a welding torch; said diffuser assembly comprising:
a diffuser body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite said first end, said diffuser body having a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end;
an interior chamber positioned between said first end and said second end, where said interior chamber is open at said first end to permit a flow of a gas into said interior chamber from said first end, where said interior chamber is open at said second end to permit insert of a contact tip, and where said diffuser body has a wall portion between said first and second ends;
a plurality of openings in said wall portion which are symmetrically distributed, where said plurality of openings pass through said wall portion to permit said flow of said gas to exit said diffuser body through said plurality of openings; and
a diffuser insert positioned within said interior chamber, where said diffuser insert seats within said interior chamber and where said diffuser insert is exposed to an outside of said diffuser body through said plurality of openings, where said diffuser insert is exposed along an entire length of said openings, in a longitudinal direction of said diffuser body;
wherein said diffuser insert has an insert bore which passes through said diffuser insert and is co-axial with said longitudinal axis of said diffuser body;
wherein an outer surface of said diffuser insert has an axially extending feature to provide said flow of said gas to said plurality of said openings, and wherein said diffuser insert is removable and secured in a press-fit relationship with said diffuser body.
19. The diffuser assembly of claim 18, wherein said diffuser insert further comprises a plurality of flow features on said outer surface said diffuser insert which directs said flow of said gas in said interior chamber to said axially extending feature.

1. A two-step rocker arm assembly comprising:
an arm member;
a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to said arm member and defining a generally curved opening;
a shaft member;
a second roller assembly rotatably supported by said shaft member;
wherein said shaft member extends at least partially into said generally curved opening, said shaft member being selectively translatable within said generally curved opening to guide said second roller assembly with respect to said arm member; and
a coupling lever mounted with respect to said shaft member and operable to selectively retain said shaft member with respect to said arm member for unitary movement therewith.
2. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a first spring lever pivotably mounted with respect to said arm member and engaged with at least one of said shaft member and said second roller assembly; and
a first spring member disposed between said first spring lever and said arm member and operable to bias said shaft member with respect to said arm member.
3. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third roller assembly rotatably supported by said shaft member.
4. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 3, further comprising:
a second spring lever pivotably mounted with respect to said arm member and engaged with at least one of said shaft member and said third roller assembly; and
a second spring member disposed between said second spring lever and said arm member and operable to bias said shaft member with respect to said arm member.
5. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein said first roller assembly includes:
an inner race;
an outer race coaxially disposed with respect to, and spaced from said inner race;
a plurality of roller elements disposed between said inner race and said outer race; and
wherein said inner race defines said generally curved opening.
6. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a latch assembly operable to selectively engage said coupling lever to selectively retain said shaft member to said arm member for unitary movement therewith.
7. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 6, wherein said latch assembly includes a hydraulically actuated pin.
8. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein said second roller assembly is a roller bearing.
9. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 3, wherein said third roller assembly is a roller bearing.
10. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 5, wherein said inner race is fixed with respect to said arm member.
11. A valvetrain comprising:
a camshaft having a low-lift cam and a high-lift cam;
a two-step rocker arm assembly including:
an arm member;
a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to said arm member and defining a generally C-shaped opening;
a shaft member;
a second roller assembly rotatably supported by said shaft member;
wherein said shaft member extends at least partially into said generally C-shaped opening, said shaft member being selectively translatable within said generally C-shaped opening to guide said second roller assembly with respect to said arm member;
a coupling lever mounted with respect to said shaft member;
a selectively engageable latch assembly operable to selectively engage said coupling lever to selectively retain said shaft member with respect to said first arm member for unitary movement therewith;

wherein said low-lift cam is in selective engagement with said first roller assembly and said high lift cam is engaged with said second roller assembly;
wherein said hi-lift cam is configured to actuate said two-step rocker arm assembly when said latch assembly engages said coupling lever; and
wherein said low-lift cam is configured to actuate said two-step rocker arm assembly when said latch assembly disengages said coupling lever.
12. The valvetrain of claim 11, further comprising another high lift cam disposed on said camshaft and positioned such that said another high-lift cam and said high-lift cam are on opposite sides of said low-lift cam and wherein said two-step rocker arm assembly further includes a third roller assembly rotatably supported by said shaft member, wherein said another high-lift cam engages said third roller assembly.
13. The valvetrain of claim 12, wherein said two-step rocker assembly further includes:
a first spring lever pivotably mounted with respect to said first arm member and engaged with at least one of said shaft member and said second roller assembly; and
a first spring member disposed between said first spring lever and said arm member and operable to bias said shaft member with respect to said arm member;
a second spring lever pivotably mounted with respect to said arm member and engaged with at least one of said shaft member and said third roller assembly; and
a second spring member disposed between said second spring lever and said arm member and operable to bias said shaft member with respect to said arm member.
14. The valvetrain of claim 11, wherein said first roller assembly includes:
an inner race;
an outer race coaxially disposed with respect to, and spaced from said inner race;
a plurality of roller elements disposed between said inner race and said outer race; and
wherein said inner race defines said generally C-shaped opening.
15. The valvetrain of claim 11, further comprising:
a poppet valve; and
wherein said arm member includes a pad configured to engage said poppet valve.
16. The valvetrain of claim 12, wherein at least one of said second roller assembly and said third roller assembly is a roller bearing.
17. A two-step rocker arm assembly for use with an internal combustion engine, the two-step rocker arm comprising:
an arm member;
a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to said arm member and defining a generally C-shaped opening;
a shaft member;
second and third roller assemblies rotatably supported by said shaft member and disposed on opposite sides of said arm member;
wherein said shaft member extends through said generally C-shaped opening, said shaft member being selectively translatable within said generally C-shaped opening to guide said second and third roller assemblies with respect to said arm member; and
a coupling lever mounted with respect to said shaft member and operable to selectively retain said shaft member with respect to said arm member for unitary movement therewith.
18. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 17, wherein said first roller assembly includes:
an inner race;
an outer race coaxially disposed with respect to, and spaced from said inner race;
a plurality of roller elements disposed between said inner race and said outer race; and
wherein said inner race defines said generally C-shaped opening.
19. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 17, further comprising:
at least one spring lever pivotably mounted with respect to said arm member and engaged with at least one of said shaft member and said second roller assembly; and
at least one spring member disposed between said at least one spring lever and said arm member and operable to bias said shaft member with respect to said arm member.
20. The two-step rocker arm assembly of claim 17, further comprising a latch assembly operable to selectively engage said coupling lever to selectively retain said shaft member to said arm member for unitary movement therewith.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A microfluidic device comprising a plurality of channels within said microfluidic device, a means to add and control one or more of the external stimuli of temperature, current, and magnetic fields to said microfluidic device, an effective amount of a liquid crystal in an electrolyte buffer applied to said microfluidic device wherein said liquid crystal has a viscosity which can be modulated by said external stimuli to control fluid flow through said plurality of channels.
2. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystals serve as a selective media in an electrophoresis separation.
3. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein said means to control current is an array of high voltage interdigitated electrodes capable of applying a series of current pathways on said microfluidic device.
4. The microfluidic device of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystals are an effective ratio of DMPC to DPHC.
5. The microfluidic device of claim 4 further comprising an effective amount of a lanthanide ion.
6. The microfluidic device of claim 4 further comprising an effective amount of 1,2-Distearoylsn-Glycero-3-Phosphoethanolamine-N-Methoxy(Polyethylen glycol)-2000.
7. The microfluidic device of claim 4 further comprising a lipid chelator.
8. The microfluidic device of claim 1 further comprising a pump.
9. The microfluidic device of claim 8 further comprising said means to control current, temperature, and magnetic fields applied at different intensities throughout said microfluidic device.
10. The microfluidic device of claim 9 wherein an effective amount of said selective addition of external stimuli creates a viscosity gradient within said microfluidic device to allow flow through a desired course.
11. The microfluidic device of claim 1 further comprising the addition of said current and said magnetic field across said channel walls.
12. A non-mechanical valve comprising a miniaturized separation device, a means to add and control one or more of the external stimuli of current, magnetic fields, and temperature within said miniaturized separation device, an effective amount of liquid crystals within said miniaturized separation device wherein said liquid crystals are exposed to said external stimuli to increase or decrease the viscosity of said liquid crystals and create an area of higher viscosity such that hydrodynamic or electro osmotic flow throughout said miniaturized separation device is diverted to areas with lower viscosity
13. The non-mechanical valve of claim 12 wherein said liquid crystals are an effective ratio of DMPC and DHPC.
14. The non-mechanical valve of claim 13 further comprising the addition of at least one additive chosen from 1,2-Distearoylsn-Glycero-3-Phosphoethanolamine-N-Methoxy(Polyethylen glycol)-2000, a lipid chelator, or a lanthanide ion.
15. The non-mechanical valve of claim 12 wherein an effective amount of said external stimuli are used in a series to modulate viscosity changes on the miniaturized separation device such that a gradient of hydrodynamic pressure is created.
16. The non-mechanical valve of claim 12 wherein said current and said magnetic field are perpendicular to each other.
17. The non-mechanical valve of claim 12 wherein said means to add and control one or more external stimuli are placed within said miniaturized separation device.
18. The non-mechanical valve of claim 12 wherein said current is provided by a platform of addressable electrodes and said temperature and said magnetic field are supplied externally.
19. A non-mechanical plug comprising microfluidic device further comprising a plurality of channels, a means to add and control one or more of the external stimuli of current, magnetic fields, and temperature in an effective amount within said microfluidic device, a pump, and an effective amount of liquid crystals wherein said external stimuli are added to selected channels to decrease viscosity within said channel and prevent fluid flow into thereby creating a plug in non-stimulated channels.
20. The non-mechanical plug of claim 20 wherein said change in viscosity can be used to anchor an antibody or a protein in said plugged channel.