US3709432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for aerodynamic switching
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1971-05-19
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Filaments of fluid are stimulated with transducers to cause them to break up into uniformly spaced drops. The lengths of the filaments before they break up into drops are regulated by controlling the stimulation energy supplied by the transducers, with high amplitude stimulation resulting in short filaments and low amplitude stimulation resulting in long filaments. A flow of air is generated across the paths of the fluid at a point intermediate the ends of the long and short filaments. The air flow affects the trajectories of the filaments before they break up into drops more than it affects the trajectories of the drops themselves. Therefore, by controlling the lengths of the filaments the trajectories of the drops can be controlled, or switched, from one path to another. In a non-contacting coating system this provides means for directing some drops into a catcher while allowing other drops to be applied to a receiving member.
Inventors
- 👤 J Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:17
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/02; B41J2/07; B41J2/075; B41J2/08; B41J2/09; B41J2/115; B41J2/03; B41J2002/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Apparatus of the type described comprising: a. means for projecting a filament of working fluid, b. stimulation means for breaking the working fluid filament up into a succession of discrete, substantially uniform sized and spaced drops of working fluid, c. means for generating a flow of deflecting fluid intersecting the path of said working fluid, and d. means for shifting the point of intersection of said working fluid and said deflecting fluid upstream and downstream of the point of break up of said filament into said discrete drops.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus of the type described comprising: a. means for projecting a filament of working fluid, b. stimulation means for breaking the working fluid filament up into a succession of discrete, substantially uniform sized and spaced drops of working fluid, c. means for generating a flow of deflecting fluid intersecting the path of said working fluid, and d. means for shifting the point of intersection of said working fluid and said deflecting fluid upstream and downstream of the point of break up of said filament into said discrete drops.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. said shifting means comprises means for shifting said point of break down upstream and downstream of said point of intersection of said working fluid and said switching fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: a. said means for shifting said point of break up comprises means for controlling power input to said stimulation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: a. said stimulation means comprises transducer means associated with said filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. said deflecting fluid generating means comprises means for generating a flow of gas across said path of said working fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. said working fluid projecting means comprises means for projecting a filament of coating material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a. means for catching portions of said coating material deflected by said deflecting fluid a predetermined amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a. means for transporting a receiving member past said coating material projecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a. a plurality of said coating maTerial projecting means, and b. said deflecting fluid generating means comprising means for substantially simultaneously intersecting the paths of the coating material projected by all of said coating material projecting means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of switching comprising: a. projecting a filament of working fluid, b. stimulating said working fluid to cause it to break up into a series of discrete, substantially uniformly sized and spaced drops of working fluid, c. generating a flow of deflecting fluid into intersection with said working fluid, and d. varying the point of intersection of said working and deflecting fluids relative to the point of break-up said filament into discrete drops.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of switching comprising: a. projecting a filament of working fluid, b. stimulating said working fluid to cause it to break up into a series of discrete, substantially uniformly sized and spaced drops of working fluid, c. generating a flow of deflecting fluid into intersection with said working fluid, and d. varying the point of intersection of said working and deflecting fluids relative to the point of break-up said filament into discrete drops.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 wherein: a. said step of varying the point of intersection of said working and deflecting fluids with respect to said point of break-up comprises varying the length of said filament.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein: a. said step of varying said filament length comprises controlling the degree of stimulation of said working fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |