Maintenance module for fluid jet device

A maintenance module for a fluid jet device, comprising:

• a first plate defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the plate having a plurality of orifices formed therein in at least one row, the orifices extending parallel to the longitudinal axis inwardly of longitudinal edges of the first plate centrally thereof, the first plate including a vacuum opening formed therein at about a transverse edge of the first plate, the vacuum opening formed along the longitudinal axis and formed perpendicular to a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes, the vacuum opening having inwardly tapered walls, the first plate including a plurality of mounting openings extending along opposing longitudinal edges of the plate inwardly of the edges, the mounting openings formed parallel to the longitudinal axis and spaced outwardly of the orifices, the first plate including a flange extending about a periphery thereof;
• and
• a second plate bonded to the first plate, the second plate defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second plate having an elongated channel therein extending over the first plate orifices so that the orifices are exposed through the elongated channel, the channel defined by opposing longitudinal edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis, the channel having tapered edges at about an end thereof converging to an arcuate funneling region, the second plate overlying the first plate such that the funneling region extends along an edge of the vacuum opening, the second plate including a plurality of fastener openings corresponding to and aligning over the first plate mounting openings.

A fluid jet device of the type having a fluid chamber, at least one actuator in fluid communication fluid chamber for providing a motive force for jetting the fluid therefrom, and at least one orifice for jetting fluid from the actuator, the fluid jetting device including a maintenance module mounted thereto to overlie the at least one orifice, comprising:

• a first plate defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the plate having a plurality of plate orifices formed therein in at least one row, the plate orifices extending parallel to the longitudinal axis inwardly of longitudinal edges of the first plate centrally thereof, the first plate including a vacuum opening formed therein at about a transverse edge of the first plate, the vacuum opening formed along the longitudinal axis and formed perpendicular to a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes, the vacuum opening having inwardly tapered walls, the first plate including a plurality of mounting openings extending along opposing longitudinal edges of the plate inwardly of the edges, the mounting openings formed parallel to the longitudinal axis and spaced outwardly of the plate orifices, the first plate including a flange extending about a periphery thereof;
• and
• a second plate bonded to the first plate, the second plate defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second plate having an elongated channel therein extending over the plate orifices so that the plate orifices are exposed through the elongated channel, the channel defined by opposing longitudinal edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis, the channel having tapered edges at about an end thereof converging to an arcuate funneling region, the second plate overlying the first plate such that the funneling region extends along an edge of the vacuum opening, the second plate including a plurality of fastener openings corresponding to and aligning over the first plate mounting openings.