Method for the construction of an aperture plate for dispensing liquid droplets
AssigneeAerogen, Inc.
InventorsScott Borland, Gary Baker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming an aperture plate comprises providing a mandrel that is constructed of a mandrel body having a conductive surface and a plurality of non-conductive islands disposed on the conductive surface. The mandrel is placed within a solution containing a material that is to be deposited onto the mandrel. Electrical current is applied to the mandrel to form an aperture plate on the mandrel, with the apertures having an exit angle that is in the range from about 30° to about 60°.
Claims21
A method for forming an aperture plate, the method comprising:
- providing a mandrel comprising a plate body having a conductive surface and a plurality of non-conductive islands disposed on the conductive surface, wherein the islands extend above the conductive surface and have a slope relative to the conductive surface;
- placing the mandrel within a solution containing a material that is to be deposited onto the mandrel;
- applying electrical current to the mandrel to form an aperture plate on the mandrel, wherein the apertures have an exit angle that is in the range from about 30° to about 60°, and wherein the exit angle is at least partially dependent upon the slope.
A mandrel for forming an aperture plate, the mandrel comprising:
- a mandrel body having a conductive, generally flat top surface and a plurality of non-conductive islands disposed on the conductive surface, wherein the islands extend above the conductive surface and have a geometry approaching a general cone shape, the shape operable to at least partially define an exit angle of an aperture plate.
A method for forming an aperture plate, the method comprising:
- providing a mandrel comprising a plate body having a conductive surface;
- forming a non-conductive island on the conductive surface, wherein the island is formed using a photolithography process and an additional treatment to alter the shape of the island;
- placing the mandrel within a solution containing a material that is to be deposited onto the mandrel;
- applying electrical current to the mandrel to form an aperture plate on the mandrel, wherein the apertures have an exit angle that is in the range from about 30° to about 60°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.