US4418355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet apparatus with preloaded diaphragm and method of making same
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
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Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet apparatus comprises a chamber having a diaphragm preloaded to a deformed position when the transducer is in the de-energized state. Upon energization of the transducer, the diaphragm returns to a substantially planar condition so as to permit filling of the chamber from an inlet prior to firing a droplet from a chamber orifice when the transducer is de-energized and the diaphragm again assumes it preloaded, deformed condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. DeYoung
- 👤 Hector Miranda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/14; B41J2002/14387; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/01; B41J2202/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice; transducer means; and a deformable wall portion coupled to said transducer means and located between said transducer means and said chamber and forming a portion of said chamber, said wall portion mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a position of lesser extension nto the chamber when the transducer is in an energized state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice; transducer means; and a deformable wall portion coupled to said transducer means and located between said transducer means and said chamber and forming a portion of said chamber, said wall portion mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a position of lesser extension nto the chamber when the transducer is in an energized state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 further comprising viscoelastic means coupling said transducer to said wall portion and preloading said wall portion to a deformed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a foot coupled to said transducer, having a raised portion deforming said wall portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wall portion includes a raised portion coupled to said transducer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deformable wall portion is characterized by a memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 3 wherein said deformable wall portion is under tension when the transducer means is de-energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a deformable wall; transducer means coupled to said deformable wall, said transducer moving away from said chamber when energized and towards said chamber when de-energized; said deformable wall being mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a non-deformed position of substantially lesser extension into said chamber when said transducer means is in an energized state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a deformable wall; transducer means coupled to said deformable wall, said transducer moving away from said chamber when energized and towards said chamber when de-energized; said deformable wall being mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a non-deformed position of substantially lesser extension into said chamber when said transducer means is in an energized state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 further comprising viscoelastic means coupling said transducer to said wall portion and preloading said wall portion to a deformed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a foot coupled to said transducer, having a raised portion deforming said wall portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said wall portion includes a raised portion juxtaposed to said transducer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said deformable wall portion is characterized by a memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said deformable wall portion is under tension when said transducer means is in a de-energized state.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of fabricating an ink jet apparatus comprising: forming a substantial portion of an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a substantial opening; placing a diaphragm over said substantial opening; and preloading said diaphragm by coupling a transducer means to said diaphragm so as to deform said diaphragm into said chamber through said substantial opening when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and to retract said diaphragm from said chamber when said transducer means is in the de-energized state.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of fabricating an ink jet apparatus comprising: forming a substantial portion of an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a substantial opening; placing a diaphragm over said substantial opening; and preloading said diaphragm by coupling a transducer means to said diaphragm so as to deform said diaphragm into said chamber through said substantial opening when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and to retract said diaphragm from said chamber when said transducer means is in the de-energized state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein deformation results from the squeezing of viscoelastic means between said transducer means and said diaphragm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 wherein deformation results from contact between a raised foot member contacting said raised portion on the diaphragm and transducer coupling means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein deformation results from contact between a raised portion on transducer coupling means and said diaphragm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ink jet array comprising a plurality of ink jets, each of said jets comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a deformable wall; transducer means coupled to said deformable wall, said transducer moving away from said chamber when energized and towards said chamber when de-energized; said deformable wall being mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a non-deformed position of substantially lesser extension into said chamber when said transducer means is in an energized state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ink jet array comprising a plurality of ink jets, each of said jets comprising: an ink jet chamber including an ink droplet ejection orifice and a deformable wall; transducer means coupled to said deformable wall, said transducer moving away from said chamber when energized and towards said chamber when de-energized; said deformable wall being mechanically preloaded to a deformed position extending into said chamber when said transducer means is in a de-energized state and returning to a non-deformed position of substantially lesser extension into said chamber when said transducer means is in an energized state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 17 further comprising viscoelastic means coupling said transducer to said wall portion and preloading said wall portion to a deformed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a foot coupled to said transducer, having a raised portion deforming said wall portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wall portion includes a raised portion juxtaposed to said transducer means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 17 wherein said deformable wall portion is characterized by a memory.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 17 wherein said deformable wall portion is under tension when said transducer means is in a de-energized state.
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) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |