US 11,141,989 B2 · Dual channel jetting apparatus for 2D/3D electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing

Abstract

An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing apparatus or system may include circulation of printing fluid to minimize or eliminate clogging in a nozzle. An exemplary nozzle comprises at least two ink channels—one allowing flow to a droplet emitting opening and one allowing flow away from the droplet emitting opening—configured for circulating ink. The nozzle may transfer ink to a substrate with an EHD technique involving voltage or current modulation. For example, an electric field may be applied between the nozzle and printing substrate such that the ink meniscus changes shape and releases ink from the tip of the liquid cone. A multi-channel nozzle may take a variety of configurations, including two co-axially aligned capillaries, side-by-side parallel capillaries, or capillaries arranged at an angle with respect to one another but converging at a single point where the conical meniscus is formed.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A jetting apparatus for printing, comprising

at least one droplet emitting opening for ejecting a printing fluid;
and
at least two channels configured to permit contemporaneous delivery of the printing fluid to the droplet emitting opening and withdrawal of printing fluid from the droplet emitting opening, wherein each of the at least two channels has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axes of the at least two channels are oriented at a 0-90 degree angle relative to one another;
and
a flow controller configured to control printing fluid flow in the at least two channels and to continuously circulate or recirculate the printing fluid past the at least one droplet emitting opening, and wherein the printing fluid ejected from the at least one droplet emitting opening has a conical meniscus.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual channel jetting apparatus for 2D/3D electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing

Life of this patent

Dual channel jetting apparatus for 2D/3D electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23