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US 7,681,994 B2Granted
Drop ejection device
AssigneeFUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
InventorsPaul A. Hoisington, Melvin L. Biggs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed devices include a channel having a wall with a plurality of spaced apart projections extending therefrom. The projections substantially prevent intrusion of a liquid into the projections.
Claims30
A drop ejection device comprising:
- a pumping chamber including a pressurizing actuator;
- a liquid channel having a wall, the channel being disposed adjacent to the pumping chamber;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart projections extending from the wall into the channel, wherein the projections substantially prevent intrusion of a liquid into spaces between the projections, the projections are arranged to reduce flow resistance in the channel, and each projection includes a hydrophobic coating having a thickness between about 100 angstrom and about 750 angstrom.
1 more element
A method of liquid ejection comprising:
- providing a drop ejection device that comprises
- a pumping chamber including a pressurizing actuator;
- a liquid channel having a wall, the channel being disposed adjacent to the pumping chamber;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart projections extending from the wall into the channel, wherein the projections substantially prevent intrusion of a liquid into spaces between the projections, the projections are arranged to reduce flow resistance in the channel, and each projection includes a hydrophobic coating having a thickness between about 100 angstrom and about 750 angstrom;
- supplying the liquid to the channel;
- and
- ejecting the liquid through a nozzle in fluid communication with the channel using the pressurizing actuator.
5 more elements
A method of degassing a liquid comprising:
- providing a channel disposed adjacent to a pumping chamber, the channel having a wall from which a plurality of spaced apart projections extend into the channel, wherein the projections substantially prevent intrusion of the liquid into spaces between the projections, the projections are arranged to reduce flow resistance in the channel, and each projection includes a hydrophobic coating having a thickness between about 100 angstrom and about 750 angstrom;
- and an aperture defined in the channel being in fluid communication with a pump;
- introducing the liquid into the channel;
- and
- operating the pump such that the pressure about the aperture is less than atmospheric pressure.
2 more elements
A method of removing a bubble from a liquid comprising:
- providing a channel disposed adjacent to a pumping chamber, the channel having a wall from which a plurality of spaced apart projections extend into the channel at terminal ends,
- wherein the projections substantially prevent intrusion of the liquid into spaces between the projections, the projections are arranged to reduce flow resistance in the channel, each projection includes a hydrophobic coating having a thickness between about 100 angstrom and about 750 angstrom, and a vacuum source is in communication with a region between the wall and the terminal ends of the projections;
- and
- introducing the liquid into the channel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.