US4364054A
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Method and apparatus for fluid jet printing
Assignee: IMAGING SOLUTIONS Inc
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Filing: 1981-03-02
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for fluid jet printing features a triode structured charge injection system. The ink jet system is not dependent upon the conductivity of the ink fluid to form and target the ink fluid. Two electrodes are in contact with the ink liquid and they are submerged in the fluid. One electrode is an emitter and serves to field emit charge into the liquid in response to a voltage between it and the other electrode. Depending upon the electrical mobility of the ink fluid, the injected charge will be trapped in the liquid. The liquid is then forced from an orifice and can be made to undergo break-up into droplets similar to inductively charged inks. The paper or target upon which the droplets impinge functions as a third electrode, returning the charge and completing the circuit. The ink may also be propelled as a charged column, which column can be directed by an extraneous electrical field for targeting upon the printing paper.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold J. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:25
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/06; B41J2002/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fluid jet printing, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a supply of ink fluid to a fluid jetting means comprising at least one capillary-sized orifice; and (b) forceably injecting a controlled amount of electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge will be substantially trapped by said ink fluid, said charge being below a charge level necessary to cause jet atomization of said ink fluid, but of sufficient amount to permit proper formation and targeting of said ink fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fluid jet printing, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a supply of ink fluid to a fluid jetting means comprising at least one capillary-sized orifice; and (b) forceably injecting a controlled amount of electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge will be substantially trapped by said ink fluid, said charge being below a charge level necessary to cause jet atomization of said ink fluid, but of sufficient amount to permit proper formation and targeting of said ink fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is electrically non-conductive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with charge below a level of approximately 10 Coulombs/m 3 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid can be jetted from said orifice with a laminer flow rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid jet printing is a continuous fluid flow process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is projected at a grounded platen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said orifice has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.005 to 0.0005 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with charge at a voltage of approximately 1 KV.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is selected from but not limited to a group of printing fluid materials consisting of at least one of the following: oleic acid, castor oil, a hydrocarbon fluid, an aliphatic fluid, an alkyl fluid, an aromatic fluid, and a fluorocarbon oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a wave-shaped charge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with an alternating charge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a time transient charge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a pulsed charge.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of fluid jet printing, comprising the steps of: (a) continuously introducing a supply of ink fluid to a fluid jetting means comprising at least one capillary-sized orifice; (b) continuously injecting an electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge will be substantially trapped by said ink fluid; and (c) controlling the amount of electrical charge being continuously injected into said fluid, said electrical charge being below a level necessary to cause atomization of said ink fluid, but of sufficient amount to permit proper targeting of said ink fluid.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of fluid jet printing, comprising the steps of: (a) continuously introducing a supply of ink fluid to a fluid jetting means comprising at least one capillary-sized orifice; (b) continuously injecting an electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge will be substantially trapped by said ink fluid; and (c) controlling the amount of electrical charge being continuously injected into said fluid, said electrical charge being below a level necessary to cause atomization of said ink fluid, but of sufficient amount to permit proper targeting of said ink fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is electrically non-conductive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with charge below a level of approximately 10 Coulombs/m 3 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid can be jetted from said orifice with a laminar flow rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is projected at a grounded platen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said orifice has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.005 to 0.0005 inches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with charge at a voltage of approximately 1 KV.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is selected from a group of printing fluid materials consisting of at least one of the following: oleic acid, castor oil, a hydrocarbon fluid, an aliphatic fluid, an alkyl fluid, an aromatic fluid, and a fluorocarbon oil.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a wave-shaped charge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with an alternating charge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a time transient charge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said ink fluid is injected with a pulsed charge.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for jet printing an ink fluid, comprising: a fluid jetting means having at least one capillary-sized orifice for receiving and jetting a supply of ink fluid; a fluid reservoir for supplying ink fluid to said fluid jetting means; and means for injecting an electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge is substantially trapped by said ink fluid.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for jet printing an ink fluid, comprising: a fluid jetting means having at least one capillary-sized orifice for receiving and jetting a supply of ink fluid; a fluid reservoir for supplying ink fluid to said fluid jetting means; and means for injecting an electrical charge inside said ink fluid wherein said charge is substantially trapped by said ink fluid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said orifice comprises a non-wetting surface for said ink fluid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said ink fluid is electrically non-conducting.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a ground platen disposed ahead of said orifice for supporting printing paper to receive said jetted ink fluid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said orifice is coated with a non-wetting material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said orifice has a diameter in range approximately from 0.005 to 0.0005 inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid comprises an emitting electrode in contact with said ink fluid and a second electrode in contact with said ink fluid in proximity to said emitting electrode, said electrodes forming a submerged electron gun for injecting charge into said ink fluid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid comprises an electron gun.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said fluid jetting means is operated continuously.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said fluid jetting means can jet said ink fluid with a substantially laminar flow.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said fluid jetting means can jet said ink fluid with a substantially turbulent flow.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising means for establishing an electric field about said orifice comprises a substantially annular electrode disposed around said orifice for targeting and inducing break-up of said ink fluid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid is operated at approximately 1 KV.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects charge in an approximate amount below that required to atomize said ink fluid.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects charge in an approximate amount below 10 Coulombs/m 3 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects a wave-shaped charge.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects an alternating charge.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects a time transient charge.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for injecting charge into said ink fluid injects a pulsed charge.
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) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |