# US 2014/0124600 A1 · Control method and apparatus for dispensing high-quality drops of high- viscosity material

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0124600 A1
- Document ID: US20140124600A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/732,221
- Filed: 2012-12-31
- Published: 2014-05-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-19
- Assignees: Advanjet
- Inventors: Robert L. Ciardella; Wai Ching Bessie Chin; Duong La
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140124600A1

## CPC

- B05B 17/04: operating with special methods
- B41J 2/04: generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B05B 1/02: designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, {or having an outlet of particular shape}(B05B1/26, B05B1/28, B05B1/34 take precedence)
- B41J 2/045: by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B05C 11/1034: {specially designed for conducting intermittent application of small quantities, e.g. drops, of coating material (B05C5/0225, B05C11/1026 take precedence)}
- B41J 2202/05: Heads having a valve
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B05C: APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (spraying apparatus, atomising apparatus, nozzles B05B; plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects by electrostatic spraying B05B5/08)

## Abstract

This invention concerns a method and apparatus for dispensing minute quantities of fluids and more particularly rapidly dispensing highly precise and repeatable, minute amounts of viscous fluids in a non-contact manner. An impacting element is impacted against a hardened insert on a flexible diaphragm to deflect the insert into a jetting chamber and against an outlet orifice in the jetting chamber. The movement of the diaphragm and insert force viscous fluid in the chamber through the outlet orifice and the impact jets that fluid from the outlet orifice, with the impact force being adjusted to jet the fluid from the orifice in a single drop.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for dispensing minute quantities of viscous material from a jetting orifice, comprising:
a jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an opening that is in fluid communication with an exit orifice, the chamber being in fluid communication with an external fluid reservoir containing said viscous material during use;
a flexible diaphragm covering the open top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a central protrusion extending toward the opening in the bottom of the chamber, the diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform between a first, non-jetting position and a second position in which the diaphragm extends into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient so that the central protrusion blocks the opening in the bottom of the chamber during use;
a support structure having an opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber and holding the diaphragm in the first position while allowing the diaphragm to deform to the second position during use;
an impact element on the side of the diaphragm opposite the jetting chamber and aligned with the central protrusion; and
an adjusting mechanism configured to change the distance the impact element travels before it deforms the diaphragm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central protrusion extends on both sides of the diaphragm and the impact element abuts one portion of the central protrusion and forces another portion of the central protrusion against the opening in the chamber bottom, with the protrusion not abutting opposing walls of the jetting chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the impact element is moving before it contacts and deforms the diaphragm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusting mechanism is configured to resiliently urge the central protrusion against the opening in the bottom of the chamber when no power is applied to the apparatus.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a programmable motion device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sensing device is configured to detect the speed of the impact element as it moves toward the diaphragm during use.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a spring provides a restorative force to the diaphragm to resiliently urge it to return to the first position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the protrusion comprises a metal insert with a portion of the spring molded into the diaphragm and the spring is attached to the metal insert.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a diaphragm spring that is connected to a top side of a metal insert of the diaphragm, the top side being located outside of the jetting chamber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a diaphragm spring that is connected to a bottom side of a metal insert of the diaphragm which metal insert forms the protrusion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a diaphragm spring attached to a top side and bottom side of a metal insert extending through the diaphragm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a diaphragm spring made of a material that is chemically inert with respect to the fluid being jetted from the jetting chamber.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a diaphragm spring made of a stainless steel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is integrally constructed as a single piece of material with the diaphragm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protrusion comprises an insert made of a harder material than the diaphragm and fastened to the diaphragm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises an insert made of a harder material than the diaphragm and is molded to the diaphragm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a flange on opposing sides of the diaphragm.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top of the outlet conduit is a replaceable, hardened seat insert.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orifice is contained in a replaceable orifice insert.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outlet conduit seat and orifice is contained in a single replaceable nozzle insert.

### Claim 21

An apparatus for rapidly dispensing minute quantities of a highly viscous material from a jetting orifice, comprising:
a jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an opening that is in fluid communication with an exit orifice, the chamber being in fluid communication with an external fluid reservoir containing said material during use;
a flexible diaphragm covering the open top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a central protrusion extending toward the opening in the bottom of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm, the diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient so that the central protrusion blocks the opening in the bottom of the chamber during use;
an impact element having an impact end spaced apart from the central protrusion on the opposite side of the diaphragm as the opening in the bottom of the chamber and aligned therewith;
a support structure having an opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber, the opening configured to allow the impact element to impact the diaphragm to deform into the jetting chamber when the impact element is activated; and
a sensing device configured to detect the distance between the impact element and the top of the diaphragm.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensing device includes a light source and a photo detector.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensing device is located at the jetting apparatus and operative during use of the jetting apparatus.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensing device is located external to and remote from the jetting apparatus and operative during testing of the jetting apparatus.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the insert is of a material harder than the diaphragm and extends through the diaphragm to the side opposite the central protrusion.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensing device is configured to detect the distance between the impact element and the diaphragm or a portion of an insert on the diaphragm.

### Claim 27

An apparatus for rapidly dispensing minute quantities of a highly viscous material from a jetting orifice, comprising:
a jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an outlet opening that is in fluid communication with an exit orifice, the chamber being in fluid communication with an external fluid reservoir containing said material during use;
a flexible diaphragm covering the top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a central protrusion extending toward the outlet opening in the bottom of the chamber, the diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient so that the central protrusion blocks the opening in the bottom of the chamber during use;
an impact element having an impact end spaced apart from the central protrusion on the opposite side of the diaphragm as the outlet opening in the bottom of the chamber and aligned therewith;
a support structure for the impact element and having a support structure opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber, the support structure opening configured to allow the impact element to pass through the opening to impact the diaphragm to deform the diaphragm into the jetting chamber when the impact element is activated; and
a sensing device configured to detect a velocity of drops ejected from an orifice downstream from the outlet.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sensing device includes a light source and a photo detector.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sensing device is located at the jetting apparatus and operative during use of the jetting apparatus.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sensing device is located external to and remote from the jetting apparatus and operative during testing of the jetting apparatus.

### Claim 31

A method of dispensing high-quality minute quantities of a viscous material from an outlet of a jetting orifice by an expelling mechanism that deforms a flexible diaphragm into a jetting chamber that is in fluid communication with the jetting orifice, with the diaphragm forming a portion of the jetting chamber, the method comprising:
forcing a predetermined amount of the viscous fluid through an inlet channel and into the jetting chamber;
moving an impact element through a predetermined distance;
impacting the flexible diaphragm with the impact element;
deforming the flexible diaphragm into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient to block the fluid flow into the orifice and expel material from the outlet;
measuring the distance the impact element travels before contacting the diaphragm; and
adjusting the predetermined distance the impact element moves to vary the force with which the impact element impacts the diaphragm.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising measuring the distance the impact element moves at multiple points in time along its motion.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising determining a preferred velocity of the impact element and adjusting the predetermined distance to achieve the preferred velocity.

### Claim 34 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising adjusting the preferred impact distance with a programmable motion element.

### Claim 35 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising determining a preferred velocity of the impact element and adjusting the acceleration of the impact element to achieve the preferred velocity.

### Claim 36 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising placing an electric motor in driving communication with the impact element to vary the impact velocity.

### Claim 37 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the moving step uses pressure and further comprising adjusting the air pressure to vary the impact velocity of the impact element.

### Claim 38 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the diaphragm further comprises an insert made of a material harder than the diaphragm and which insert is located so as to be impacted by the impacting element, and further comprising the step of impacting the jetting outlet with the insert.

### Claim 39 (depends on 31)

A method of claim 31, wherein the expelled material forms a drop of material and further comprising inspecting the quality of the expelled drop of material.

### Claim 40 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the diaphragm further comprises an insert made of a material harder than the diaphragm and which insert is located so as to be impacted by the impacting element, and further comprising resiliently urging the insert against the jetting outlet to block flow into the orifice when electrical power to the expelling mechanism is shut off.

### Claim 41

A method of dispensing high-quality minute quantities of a viscous material from an outlet of a jetting orifice by an expelling mechanism that deforms a flexible diaphragm into a jetting chamber that is in fluid communication with the jetting orifice, the method comprising:
forcing the viscous fluid into the jetting chamber through an inlet channel;
deforming the flexible diaphragm into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient to block the fluid flow out the orifice;
moving an impact element through a predetermined distance;
impacting the flexible diaphragm with the impact element in order to eject the viscous material from the outlet; and;
adjusting at least one of the predetermined distance or the velocity of the impact element to vary the force with which the impact element impacts the diaphragm.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising using a pneumatic cylinder to move the impact element and adjusting the pressure to the cylinder to vary the impact of the impacting element with the diaphragm.

### Claim 43 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising using an electric coil to move the impact element and adjusting the current to the coil to vary the impact of the impacting element with the diaphragm.

### Claim 44 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising using an electric solenoid to move the impact element and adjusting the current to the solenoid to vary the impact of the impacting element with the diaphragm.

### Claim 45 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising using an electric motor to move the impact element and adjusting the current to the motor to vary the impact of the impacting element with the diaphragm.

### Claim 46 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, wherein the diaphragm further comprises an insert made of a material harder than the diaphragm and which insert is located so as to be impacted by the impacting element, and further comprising the step of impacting the jetting outlet with the a portion of the insert.

### Claim 47 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising resiliently urging the insert against the jetting outlet to block flow into the orifice when electrical power to the expelling mechanism is shut off.

### Claim 48 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, further comprising resiliently urging the flexible diaphragm into its pre-impact position.

### Claim 49

A method of dispensing quality minute quantities of a viscous material from an outlet of a jetting orifice of a jetting chamber by an expelling mechanism, comprising:
forcing a predetermined amount of the viscous fluid through an inlet channel and into the jetting chamber;
moving an impact element through a predetermined distance;
impacting the flexible diaphragm with the impact element at an impact velocity;
deforming the flexible diaphragm into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient to block the fluid flow into the orifice and expel a drop of material from the outlet;
measuring the velocity of the expelled drop; and
adjusting the impact element to vary the momentum with which the impact element impacts the diaphragm.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, further comprising adjusting the preferred impact distance.

### Claim 51 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, further comprising adjusting the preferred impact distance with a programmable motion element.

### Claim 52 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, further comprising placing an electric motor in driving communication with the impact element to vary the impact velocity.

### Claim 53 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, further comprising driving the impact element with air pressure and adjusting the air pressure used to drive the impact element to vary the impact velocity.

### Claim 54 (depends on 49)

A method of claim 49, wherein the expelled drop forms a single drop of material on the substrate with no satellites and further comprising inspecting the quality of the expelled drop of material.

### Claim 55 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, wherein the diaphragm further comprises an insert made of a material harder than the diaphragm and which insert is located so as to be impacted by the impacting element, and further comprising resiliently urging the insert against the jetting orifice to block flow into the orifice when electrical power to the expelling mechanism is shut off.