US 6,273,555 B1 · High efficiency ink delivery printhead having improved thermal characteristics

Abstract

A high efficiency thermal inkjet printhead. The printhead includes a substrate, a base layer on the substrate, and at least one ink expulsion resistor on the base layer. The base layer is made from a special material that experiences a substantial increase in thermal conductivity at the elevated temperatures associated with resistor operation. As a result, the base layer functions as an effective thermal insulator when the resistors are initially energized, yet allows heat to dissipate from the resistors immediately after the deactivation thereof. Numerous benefits are achieved by this development including (1) rapid resistor cool-down between successive ink ejection cycles (which improves the speed/operational frequency of the system); and (2) the prevention of undesired heat dissipation through the base layer when the resistors are initially energized, with the generated heat instead flowing into the ink.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A high efficiency ink delivery printhead having improved thermal characteristics comprising:

a substrate;
a base layer positioned on said substrate;
and
at least one resistor element positioned on said base layer for expelling ink on-demand from said printhead, said printhead generating a printed image from said ink in response to a plurality of electrical impulses delivered to said resistor element, said resistor element being in an inactive state between each of said electrical impulses and in an active state upon receipt of each of said electrical impulses, said base layer being comprised of a material having a thermal conductivity that increases by a multiplication factor which is greater than that provided by silicon dioxide when said resistor element on said base layer goes from said inactive state to said active state.

1 more element

An ink delivery system for use in generating printed images comprising:

a printhead comprising:
a substrate;
a base layer positioned on said substrate;
and
at least one resistor element positioned on said base layer for expelling ink on-demand from said printhead, said printhead generating a printed image from said ink in response to a plurality of electrical impulses delivered to said resistor element, said resistor element being in an inactive state between each of said electrical impulses and in an active state upon receipt of each of said electrical impulses, said base layer being comprised of a material having a thermal conductivity that increases by a multiplication factor which is greater than that provided by silicon dioxide when said resistor element goes from said inactive state to said active state;
and
an ink containment vessel operatively connected to and in fluid communication with said printhead.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High efficiency ink delivery printhead having improved thermal characteristics

Life of this patent

High efficiency ink delivery printhead having improved thermal characteristics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19