US4544932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet apparatus and method of making the apparatus
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
•
Filing: 1984-04-26
•
Granted: 1985-10-01
•
Expires: 2004-04-26
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet apparatus with a laminated structure includes a chamber plate, a diaphram and a transducer body. A compliant material preloads the diaphram at the chambers. The thickness of the compliant material is controlled by a spacer element located between the diaphram and the transducer body.
Inventors
- 👤 Don C. Barnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/14; B41J2/14201; B41J2002/14387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: means for forming an ink jet chamber having an orifice; transducer means including a transducer and supporting structure juxtaposed to said chamber; a diaphram between said means for forming a chamber and said transducer means; compliant material located between said transducer means and said diaphram; and spacer means also located between said diaphram and said transducer means, the overall thickness of said compliant material being controlled by the thickness of said spacer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: means for forming an ink jet chamber having an orifice; transducer means including a transducer and supporting structure juxtaposed to said chamber; a diaphram between said means for forming a chamber and said transducer means; compliant material located between said transducer means and said diaphram; and spacer means also located between said diaphram and said transducer means, the overall thickness of said compliant material being controlled by the thickness of said spacer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises a plate having an opening aligned with said chamber and said transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for forming an ink jet chamber includes a reservoir coupled to said chamber, said opening and said spacer means being aligned with said reservoir and said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 2 including a plurality of chambers wherein said means for forming said ink jet chamber forms a plurality of chambers coupled to said reservoir, said plurality of transducers being juxtaposed to said plurality of chambers, said opening being aligned with all of said chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 4 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially uniform over a substantial portion of said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 5 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially greater at said chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 2 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially uniform over a substantial portion of said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially greater at said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises a plurality of washers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for forming an ink jet chamber includes a reservoir coupled to said chamber, said washers being located outwardly from said reservoir and said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 9 including a plurality of chambers and a reservoir coupled to said chambers, said washers being located outwardly from said chambers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 11 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially uniform over a substantial portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 12 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially greater at said chambers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 10 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially uniform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 14 wherein the thickness of said compliant material is substantially greater at said chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of assembling an ink jet apparatus comprising means for forming an ink jet chamber having an orifice, transducer means including a transducer and supporting structure juxtaposed to said means for forming an ink jet chamber and a diaphram between said means for forming a chamber and said transducer means, said method comprising the following steps: inserting a compliant material between said diaphram and said transducer means; inserting spacer means between said diaphram and said transducer means adjacent said compliant material; clamping said compliant material and said spacer means between said means for forming an ink jet chamber and said transducer means; and controlling the thickness of the compliant material by the thickness of said spacer means during clamping.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of assembling an ink jet apparatus comprising means for forming an ink jet chamber having an orifice, transducer means including a transducer and supporting structure juxtaposed to said means for forming an ink jet chamber and a diaphram between said means for forming a chamber and said transducer means, said method comprising the following steps: inserting a compliant material between said diaphram and said transducer means; inserting spacer means between said diaphram and said transducer means adjacent said compliant material; clamping said compliant material and said spacer means between said means for forming an ink jet chamber and said transducer means; and controlling the thickness of the compliant material by the thickness of said spacer means during clamping.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said spacer means comprises a plurality of spacer elements controlling the thickness of said compliant material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said spacer elements are located around said compliant material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said spacer means includes an opening receiving said compliant material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4459601A
Cited
US4418355A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |