US4060812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nozzle for an ink jet printer
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1976-11-15
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Granted: 1977-11-29
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Expires: 1996-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Damper element which absorbs soundwave energy produced in the liquid mass of an ink jet nozzle by a magnetostrictive drop generator is submersed in the liquid mass with or without attachment to the nozzle chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 John Mako
- 👤 Walter Thornton Pimbley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16; G01D15/18; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an ink jet printer system wherein ink under pressure flows through a nozzle device and an electromechanical transducer is operated at a predetermined frequency for vibrating said nozzle device for applying perturbations to said ink as it flows through said nozzle and is emitted as a continuous stream to break into discrete drops as a result of said perturbations, said vibration of said nozzle device by said transducer operation resulting in the production of soundwaves within the body of said ink in said nozzle, the improvement comprising damper means within said nozzle device in contact with said body of ink contained within said nozzle device for absorbing energy from said soundwaves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an ink jet printer system wherein ink under pressure flows through a nozzle device and an electromechanical transducer is operated at a predetermined frequency for vibrating said nozzle device for applying perturbations to said ink as it flows through said nozzle and is emitted as a continuous stream to break into discrete drops as a result of said perturbations, said vibration of said nozzle device by said transducer operation resulting in the production of soundwaves within the body of said ink in said nozzle, the improvement comprising damper means within said nozzle device in contact with said body of ink contained within said nozzle device for absorbing energy from said soundwaves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 1 in which said damper means is a resilient member submerged in said ink body within said nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 2 in which said nozzle comprises a vibratory element having a chamber and said body of ink is within said chamber, and said damper means is submerged within said body of ink within said chamber and is attached to the interior wall of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 2 in which said damper means is an elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 4 in which said damper means is butyl rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 2 in which said nozzle comprises a vibratory element having a chamber and said body of ink is within said chamber, and said damper means is submerged in said ink body within said chamber without attachment to said vibratory element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 6 in which said damper is an elongate member extending substantially the full length of said chamber in the direction of propagation of said soundwaves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 7 in which said damper has a cross-section area approximately equal to one-half the cross-sectional area of the body of said ink in said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 6 in which said vibratory element is magnetostrictive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
In an ink jet printer system in accordance with claim 9 in which said vibratory element is nickel.
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) | 1980-11-28 | 1981-05-30 | 1981-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-28 | 1985-05-30 | 1985-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-28 | 1989-05-30 | 1989-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |