US3900162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for generation of multiple uniform fluid filaments
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-10
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-01-10
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for generating a plurality of parallel droplet streams in a coating apparatus, such as an ink jet printing device, in which the streams break into droplets from fluid filaments at a uniform distance from issuing orifices. The streams issue from a pressurized chamber in which an elastic bending member is repetitively flexed by a plurality of parallel bending elements operated simultaneously to produce uniform bending throughout the effective length of said member to produce successive pressure disturbances within the supply chamber and induce varicosities of the same size and frequency in the issuing streams. This arrangement is able to enhance printing quality in an ink jet recorder by permitting maintenance of proper phase relationship between droplet formation and charging voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E Titus
- 👤 Sherman H M Tsao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/02; B41J2/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for producing a plurality of parallel streams of fluid droplets comprising: means providing a cavity for receiving pressurized fluid; nozzle means along a wall of said cavity means having at least one row of orifices therein; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cavity so that said fluid flows through said orifices in parallel streams; means within said cavity for generating a series of pressure distrubances therein, said generating means including a flexible member and a plurality of independently movable elements cooperably bending said member to produce a said pressure disturbance when moved; and means for simultaneously and repetitively moving said elements to create a said pressure disturbance along said nozzle row, thereby creating pressure perturbations within said issuing streams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for producing a plurality of parallel streams of fluid droplets comprising: means providing a cavity for receiving pressurized fluid; nozzle means along a wall of said cavity means having at least one row of orifices therein; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cavity so that said fluid flows through said orifices in parallel streams; means within said cavity for generating a series of pressure distrubances therein, said generating means including a flexible member and a plurality of independently movable elements cooperably bending said member to produce a said pressure disturbance when moved; and means for simultaneously and repetitively moving said elements to create a said pressure disturbance along said nozzle row, thereby creating pressure perturbations within said issuing streams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said elements are aligned on said flexible member in a row parallel to said orifices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said member is a planar member secured along an edge thereof in said cavity forming means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said elements are parallel piezoelectric strips commonly secured on said planar member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said planar member is fixed along its periphery in said cavity forming means with a major surface thereof parallel to said nozzle row, and said elements are piezoelectric strips commonly secured to the opposite major surface of said member in a row extending parallel with said nozzle row.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said member is fixed at its periphery in said cavity forming means so as to divide said cavity into first and second compartments, and said member includes at least two openings therein to interconnect said two compartments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said opposite walls of each compartment converge as a function of the distance from said flexible member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said nozzle means is secured along a surface of one of said compartments opposite said planar member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said planar member includes at least one stiffening component secured thereto on the surface opposite said elements and is oriented in a direction transverSe to the longitudinal axis of said elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said compartment walls converge at a point approximately equal to one quarter of the wave length of the operating frequency of said elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for producing a plurality of parallel streams of fluid droplets comprising: means for providing a cavity for receiving pressurized fluid therein; nozzle means along a wall of said cavity means having a row of orifices therein for issuing parallel streams of fluid; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said cavity to produce said streams; means within said cavity for generating a series of pressure disturbances therein, said generating means including a flexible member bendable about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of said orifice row; and bending means energizable to bend said member about said axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for producing a plurality of parallel streams of fluid droplets comprising: means for providing a cavity for receiving pressurized fluid therein; nozzle means along a wall of said cavity means having a row of orifices therein for issuing parallel streams of fluid; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said cavity to produce said streams; means within said cavity for generating a series of pressure disturbances therein, said generating means including a flexible member bendable about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of said orifice row; and bending means energizable to bend said member about said axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said bending means comprises piezoelectric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said flexible member is secured along its periphery and has a pair of slits therein normal to said bending axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 further including means for energizing said bending means to create a pressure disturbance along said row.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |