Graded capillarity structures for passive gas management, and methods
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsGilbert G. Smith, Jeffery S. Hess
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention comprise capillary fluid transport and containment structures in which a capillarity gradient is provided in a direction other than the primary direction of fluid transport to selectively capture and transport gas bubbles. The structures may be formed with single capillary members or may include a plurality of capillaries, such as sheet capillaries joined by appropriately sized through-holes.
Claims29
A configuration of capillary structures for transporting fluid and providing passive management of gas, the configuration of capillary structures having a primary axis of capillary fluid transport with substantially constant capillary strength along the primary axis of fluid transport, and having decreasing capillary strength along an axis other than the primary direction of capillary fluid transport.
A configuration of capillary structures for fluid transport and passive management of gas, the structure comprising:
- first capillary means for fluid transport along a primary axis, the first capillary means having substantially constant capillary strength along the primary axis;
- and,
- in fluidic communication with the first capillary means, second capillary means having decreasing capillary strength along an axis other than the primary axis.
A capillary action fluid transport apparatus, comprising:
- first and second primary capillary structures configured to transport fluid by capillary action along a primary axis, the first and second primary capillary structures having different capillary strengths;
- multiple secondary capillary structures fluidically coupling the first and second primary capillary structures and providing fluid flow a secondary axis, the secondary capillary structures having capillary strengths intermediate between the capillary of the first and second primary capillary structures.
A component for a fluid management system, comprising:
- A plurality of layers of fluid transport film laminated together such that capillary spaces are formed between each adjoining pair of layers, each capillary space have a capillary strength;
- for each layer of fluid transport film lying between two capillary spaces, multiple through-holes providing fluidic communication between the capillary spaces, the through-holes having a capillary strength;
- each two capillary spaces separated by a layer of fluid transport film having different capillary strengths;
- and
- the capillary strength of the through-holes intermediate between the capillary strengths of capillary spaces.
A capillary structure for fluid transport and management of immiscible fluids, the structure having a primary axis of capillary fluid transport with substantially constant capillary strength along the primary axis of fluid transport, and having decreasing capillary strength along a axis other than the primary axis of capillary fluid transport.
A method of managing gas bubbles in a capillary fluid transport mechanism, comprising:
- positioning along the capillary and in fluid communication with the capillary a second capillary leading substantially away from the first capillary, the second capillary having a lower capillary strength than the first capillary.
An arrangement of capillaries for fluid transport and passive gas management, the capillaries having differing capillary affinities, the capillaries arranged to selectively capture and transport gas bubbles over a given size.
An ink feed slot for an inkjet printhead, the slot formed between a first wall and a second wall, the ink feed slot having a center portion and two end portions, the first and second walls in the center portion spaced close together such that air bubbles may be captured by capillary action between the walls, the walls tapering apart towards the two end portions, such that air bubbles are moved from the center portion to the end portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.