Back to results
US 9,315,019 B2Granted
Systems and methods for degassing fluid
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorAlexander Govyadinov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an embodiment, a method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device includes generating a localized nucleation site within an ejection chamber of a fluid ejection device. An air bubble is formed at the nucleation site, and the air bubble is prevented from venting into an ink supply slot using a bubble-impeding structure. The air bubble is vented through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber and into the atmosphere.
Claims19
A method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device, comprising:
- generating a localized nucleation site within an ejection chamber of a fluid ejection device;
- forming an air bubble at the nucleation site;
- preventing the air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using:
- a first bubble-impeding structure at an inlet of a channel, the channel in communication with the ink supply slot;
- and
- a second bubble-impeding structure at an outlet of the channel;
- and
- venting the air bubble through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber and into the atmosphere.
5 more elements
A system for degassing ink in a fluid ejection device comprising:
- a fluidic chamber having a firing element and a nozzle;
- an ink supply slot in fluid communication with the fluidic chamber;
- a controller to control drop ejections through the nozzle by activating the firing element;
- a degassing module executable on the controller to generate a first nucleation site within the fluidic chamber through repeated, sub-turn-on-energy activations of the firing element and to generate a second nucleation site through repeated, turn-on-energy activations of a pump;
- and
- a bubble-impeding structure between the fluidic chamber and the ink supply slot to prevent an air bubble formed on the nucleation site from venting into the ink supply slot.
3 more elements
A system for degassing ink in a fluid ejection device, comprising:
- a fluidic chamber having a firing element and a nozzle;
- an ink supply slot in fluid communication with the fluidic chamber;
- a controller to control drop ejections through the nozzle by activating the firing element;
- a degassing module executable on the controller to generate a nucleation site within the fluidic chamber through repeated, sub-turn-on-energy activations of the firing element;
- a bubble-impeding structure between the fluidic chamber and the ink supply slot to prevent an air bubble formed on the nucleation site from venting into the ink supply slot;
- a recirculation channel having first and second ends in communication with the ink supply slot;
- a pump located toward the first end of the channel, the degassing module is to generate a second nucleation site through repeated, turn-on-energy activations of the pump;
- the fluidic chamber located toward the second end of the channel;
- and
- a second bubble-impeding structure between the pump and the ink supply slot to prevent a second air bubble formed on the second nucleation site from venting into the ink supply slot.
7 more elements
A method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device, comprising:
- generating a nucleation site with a pump in a fluidic micro-recirculation channel;
- forming an air bubble at the nucleation site;
- moving the air bubble through the channel to an ejection chamber;
- preventing the air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using:
- a first bubble-impeding structure at an inlet of the channel nearest the pump;
- and
- a second bubble-impeding structure at an outlet of the channel nearest an ejection element;
- and
- venting the air bubble through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber.
6 more elements
A method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device, comprising:
- generating a nucleation site with a pump in a fluidic micro-recirculation channel;
- forming an air bubble at the nucleation site by repeatedly activating the pump with a full level;
- moving the air bubble through the channel to an ejection chamber;
- preventing the air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using a bubble-impeding structure;
- venting the air bubble through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber;
- generating a second nucleation site with an ejection element in the ejection chamber including by repeatedly activating the ejection element with a sub turn-on-energy level;
- forming a second air bubble at the second nucleation site;
- preventing the second air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using the bubble-impeding structure;
- and
- venting the second air bubble through the nozzle.
7 more elements
A method of degassing ink in a fluid ejection device, comprising:
- generating a nucleation site with a pump in a fluidic micro-recirculation channel;
- forming an air bubble at the nucleation site;
- moving the air bubble through the channel to an ejection chamber;
- preventing the air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using a bubble-impeding structure, wherein preventing the air bubble from venting into ink supply slot using:
- a first bubble-impeding structure at an inlet of the channel nearest the pump;
- and
- a second bubble-impeding structure at an outlet of the channel nearest an ejection element;
- venting the air bubble through a nozzle associated with the ejection chamber;
- generating a second nucleation site with the ejection element in the ejection chamber;
- forming a second air bubble at the second nucleation site;
- preventing the second air bubble from venting into an ink supply slot using at least one of the first bubble-impeding structure or the second bubble-impeding structure;
- and
- venting the second air bubble through the nozzle.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.