Systems and methods for two-component mixing in a jetting dispenser

A method for dispensing a mixed fluid from a jetting dispenser having a fluid chamber body defining a fluid chamber, first and second fluid inlets, and a fluid outlet from the fluid chamber, a valve seat extending at least partially across the fluid outlet, the valve seat defining an opening in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, a first metering device in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, a second metering device in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet, a valve element at least partially disposed within the fluid chamber, and a drive pin configured to move the valve element towards the valve seat, the method comprising:

• controlling flow of a first fluid to the fluid chamber via the first fluid inlet using the first metering device;
• controlling flow of a second fluid to the fluid chamber via the second fluid inlet using the second metering device, such that the first metering device meters the first fluid independent of the second metering device that meters the second fluid to supply the first and second fluids to the fluid chamber according to a predetermined ratio, the first and second fluids being combined in the fluid chamber;
• moving the valve element away from the valve seat to mix the first fluid and the second fluid within the fluid chamber into the mixed fluid, the valve element being disposed in and moved within the first and second fluids while the first and second fluids are combined in the fluid chamber;
• and
• moving, via the drive pin, the valve element towards the valve seat to:
• mix the first fluid and the second fluid within the fluid chamber into the mixed fluid;
• and
• cause jetting of a droplet of the mixed fluid from the fluid outlet when the valve element contacts the valve seat.

A dispenser for fluid materials, the dispenser comprising:

• a fluid chamber body defining a fluid chamber, a first fluid inlet providing a first fluid to the fluid chamber, a second fluid inlet providing a second fluid to the fluid chamber, and a fluid outlet;
• a valve seat extending at least partially across the fluid outlet, the valve seat defining an opening in fluid communication with the fluid outlet;
• a first metering device in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, the first metering device being configured to control flow of the first fluid to the fluid chamber;
• a second metering device in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet, the second metering device being configured to control flow of the second fluid to the fluid chamber, the jetting dispenser configured to combine the first and second fluids in the fluid chamber;
• a valve element at least partially disposed within the fluid chamber, the valve element being movable towards and away from the valve seat;
• and
• a drive pin configured to move the valve element towards the valve seat to:
• mix the first and second fluids within the fluid chamber into a mixed fluid;
• and
• cause the mixed fluid to be dispensed from the fluid outlet,
• wherein, as the valve element is moved away from the valve seat, the valve element is disposed in and moves within the first and second fluids while the first and second fluids are combined in the fluid chamber to mix the first and second fluids within the fluid chamber,
• wherein the first metering device meters the first fluid independent of the second metering device that meters the second fluid to supply the first and second fluids to the fluid chamber according a predetermined ratio.