Nozzle assembly and methods related thereto

A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition of a charged fluid, the method comprising:

• forming a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex, the apex including a precision ground flat, cut perpendicular to a centerline of the apex for controlling meniscus size and reducing firing voltage;
• forming a nozzle body, including a first through bore, a large second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore;
• forming a cylindrical metal electrode, the electrode including a bore mating and a fluid passageway;
• contacting the cylindrical electrode with the nozzle body;
• and
• contacting the cylindrical electrode and nozzle body with the single point nozzle;
• wherein the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, the bore mating of the electrode, the electrode fluid passageway, and the passage of the single point nozzle create a fluid channel for a charged fluid to pass to the apex of the single point nozzle and the nozzle is configured to electrostatically deposit a fluid at a rate less than about 4 milliliters per hour.

A method of using a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition of a charged fluid, the method comprising:

• introducing a fluid into a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly comprising:
• a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex, the apex including a precision ground flat, cut perpendicular to a centerline of the apex for controlling meniscus size and reducing firing voltage;
• a nozzle body, in contact with the single point nozzle and including a first through bore, a larger second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore;
• and
• a metal electrode sealed at least partially inserted within the first through bore of the nozzle body and in contact with the counter bore of the single point nozzle, the electrode including a bore mating aligned with the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, and a fluid passageway;
• wherein the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, the bore mating of the electrode, the electrode fluid passageway, and the passage of the single point nozzle create a fluid channel to the apex of the single point nozzle;
• electrically contacting the fluid with the electrode;
• and dispensing the fluid from the nozzle assembly to a target at a rate less than about 4 milliliters per hour.