A method and system for detecting an ink stick jam in a solid liquid ink
phasing delivery system for supplying ink to a printer. The phasing
system includes a heater plate disposed to engage a solid ink stick and
heat an engaging portion of the ink stick to a liquid phase. A
temperature sensing device associated with the heater plate detects the
temperature thereof. A control system selectively supplies power to the
heater plate. The method comprises supplying a predetermined amount of
power through the control system to the heater plate intended to achieve
the desired melt rate of the ink stick during a phase change from solid
to liquid. The desired melt rate is associated with the predetermined
desired temperature of the heater plate. The temperature of the heater
plate is sensed with the sensing device during the supply of power
thereto. When a sensed temperature of the heater plate varies from the
predetermined desired temperature by a selected amount, the supply power
is interrupted, whereby heater damage and printer ink starvation can be
avoided.