Droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head
AssigneeVideojet Technologies Inc.
InventorSukbir Pannu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head includes an elongate cavity for containing the ink and nozzle orifices in a wall of the cavity for passing ink from the cavity to form jets. The nozzle orifices extend along the length of the cavity. An actuator is disposed on the opposite side of the cavity to the wall for vibrating the ink in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets. In operation of the generator, a standing wave is present in the ink in the cavity. The cross-sectional area of the cavity varies along its length in a manner so as to tailor the form of the standing wave in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into the ink droplets at a respective predetermined distance from the wall of the cavity.
Claims9
A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head, comprising:
- a) an elongate cavity for containing ink;
- b) nozzle orifices in a wall of the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form jets, said nozzle orifices extending along a length of the cavity;
- c) actuator means disposed on an opposite side of the cavity to said wall for vibrating the ink in the cavity such that each said jet breaks up into ink droplets, a standing wave being present in the ink in the cavity during operation of the generator;
- and
- d) said cavity having a cross-sectional area which varies along said length in a manner so as to tailor a form of said standing wave in the cavity such that each said jet breaks up into the ink droplets at a respective predetermined distance from said wall of the cavity.
A method of operating a droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head, comprising the steps of:
- a) containing ink in an elongate cavity having a length and a cross-sectional area;
- b) passing the ink from the cavity through nozzle orifices in a wall of the cavity to form jets, the orifices extending along the length of the cavity;
- c) vibrating the ink in the cavity such that each said jet breaks up into ink droplets, a standing wave being present in the ink in the cavity during operation of the generator;
- d) varying the cross-sectional area of the cavity along said length to tailor a form of the standing wave in the cavity such that each said jet breaks up into the ink droplets at a respective predetermined distance from said wall of the cavity;
- and
- e) permitting parameters of the operation of the generator to stray such that the cavity operates over a range extending substantially all the way between two successive resonances along the length of the cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.