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AssigneeVideojet Technologies Inc.
InventorsGraham Dagnall Martin, Nigel Edward Sherman, Sukbir Singh Pannu
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A continuous stream binary array ink jet print head comprising: an elongate cavity for containing the ink; an array of nozzle orifices (37) formed so as to extend through a wall of said cavity for passing ink from the cavity to form jets, said nozzle orifices (37) extending along the length of said cavity, said cavity being divided up along its length by at least one internal wall (33) thereby to create a plurality of sub-cavities (35) substantially acoustically isolated from one another, said dividing up of the cavity to form sub-cavities (35) correspondingly dividing up said array of nozzle orifices (37) between the sub-cavities (35) such that each sub-cavity communicates with one or more of the nozzle orifices (37) of the array; one or more actuator (39) means associated with each said sub-cavity for cyclically varying the dimensions of the sub-cavity thereby to cause the or each jet emanating from the nozzle orifice(s) of that sub-cavity to break up into ink droplets at a predetermined distance therefrom; charging means for selectively electrically charging the droplets of each jet; deflecting means for collecting the charged droplets; and a gutter for collecting droplets not used in printing, the droplets of each jet used in printing travelling along the same path to print.
A continuous stream binary array ink jet print head comprising:
A print head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each said actuator means comprises the combination of a sub-cavity wall together with a piezoelectric element secured thereto, the wall including regions of reduced stiffness around the piezoelectric element so as to facilitate spring-like oscillation of the wall and element within these regions.
A print head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each said actuator means comprises the combination of a sub-cavity wall together with a piezoelectric element secured thereto, change in dimension of the piezoelectric element distorting the sub-cavity wall vibrating the ink in the sub-cavity.
A print head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each said actuator means comprises a piezoelectrically driven transducer resiliently mounted in a sub-cavity wall.
A print head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a common drive is provided to the actuator means of the sub-cavities, the drive provided to a number of the actuator means including an adjustment to correct jet break up length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.