A piezoelectric film stack is created by forming a lower electrode stack on a structured substrate. A pyrochlore lead zirconium titanate (PZT) buffer substrate layer is then formed on the lower electrode stack. A rapid thermal anneal of the PZT buffer substrate layer is then performed. Epitaxial perovskite (100) PZT film on the PZT buffer substrate layer is grown. An upper electrode stack is formed on the perovskite (100) PZT film.
H10N 30/072 - Forming of piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts or bodies on an electrical element or another base by laminating or bonding of piezoelectric or electrostrictive bodies
H10N 30/079 - Forming of piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts or bodies on an electrical element or another base by depositing piezoelectric or electrostrictive layers, e.g. aerosol or screen printing using intermediate layers, e.g. for growth control
A method for ejecting fluid from a fluid ejector includes actuating a piezoelectric actuator to cause deformation of a membrane defining a wall at a first end of an elongated channel of the fluid ejector, the deformation of the membrane causing ejection of a droplet of fluid from a nozzle disposed at a second end of the channel. The elongated channel fluidically connects a first channel to the nozzle, the first channel disposed at the first end of the elongated channel, and wherein an impedance of the first channel is at least ten times greater than an impedance of the elongated channel. Deformation of the membrane induces fluid flow along the elongated channel, and wherein at least 60% of the fluid flow induced by the deformation of the membrane is in a direction extending from the first end of the elongated channel to the second end of the elongated channel.
A system and apparatus includes a nozzle formed on a first surface of a substrate, and a fluid passage in the substrate and fluidically connected to the nozzle, the fluid passage being nonlinear along at least a portion of its length and having a cross section that varies along its length, wherein the fluid passage has a width near a second surface of the substrate that is different from a width near a bottom of the fluid passage. A system and apparatus includes a nozzle formed on a surface of a substrate, and a fluid passage defined in the substrate and fluidically connected to the nozzle, the fluid passage having a first portion that substantially lies on a first plane, a second portion that substantially lies on a second plane different from the first plane, and a connecting passage fluidically connecting the first portion to the second portion.
A piezoelectric device and method of manufacturing the same and an inkjet head are described. In one embodiment, the inkjet print head comprises a plurality of jets, wherein each of the plurality of jets comprises a nozzle, a pressure chamber connected with the nozzle, a piezoelectric body coupled to the pressure chamber, and an electrode coupled to the piezoelectric body to cause displacement of the piezoelectric body to apply pressure to the pressure chamber in response to a voltage applied to the electrode; and wherein electrodes of two or more of the plurality of jets have different sizes to cause their associated piezoelectric bodies to have a uniform displacement amount when the voltage is applied to the electrodes.
A fluid ejection apparatus includes a fluid ejector comprising a pumping chamber, an ejection nozzle coupled to the pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber through the ejection nozzle. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a first compliant assembly formed in a surface of an inlet feed channel, the inlet feed channel fluidically connected to a fluid inlet of the pumping chamber; and a second compliant assembly formed in a surface of an outlet feed channel, the outlet feed channel fluidically connected to a fluid outlet of the pumping chamber. A compliance of the first compliant assembly is different from a compliance of the second compliant assembly.
Techniques are provided for making a funnel-shaped nozzle in a substrate. The process can include forming a first opening having a first width in a top layer of a substrate, forming a patterned layer of photoresist on the top surface of the substrate, the patterned layer of photoresist including a second opening, the second opening having a second width larger than the first width, reflowing the patterned layer of photoresist to form curved side surfaces terminating on the top surface of the substrate, etching a second layer of the substrate through the first opening in the top layer of the substrate to form a straight-walled recess, the straight-walled recess having the first width and a side surface substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.
An apparatus includes a pumping chamber and a descender having a first end and a second end. The first end of the descender is centered relative to the pumping chamber and defines a first fluid flow pathway between the pumping chamber and a nozzle disposed at the second end of the descender. One or more second fluid flow pathways are defined at the second end of the descender.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B05B 1/28 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with integral means for catching drips or collecting surplus liquid or other fluent material
An apparatus includes a reservoir and a printhead. The printhead includes a support structure including a deformable portion defining at least a top surface of a pumping chamber, a flow path extending from the reservoir to the pumping chamber to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the pumping chamber, and an actuator disposed on the deformable portion of the support structure. A trench is defined in a top surface of the actuator. Application of a voltage to the actuator causes the actuator to deform along the trench, thereby causing deformation of the deformable portion of the support structure to eject a drop of fluid from the pumping chamber.
B41J 2/04 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A fluid ejector includes a nozzle layer, a body, an actuator and a membrane. The body includes a pumping chamber, a return channel, and a first passage fluidically connecting the pumping chamber to an entrance of the nozzle. A second passage fluidically connects the entrance of the nozzle to the return channel. The actuator is configured to cause fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber such that actuation of the actuator causes fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. The membrane is formed across and partially blocks at least one of the first passage, the second passage or the entrance of the nozzle. The membrane has at least one hole therethrough such that in operation of the fluid ejector fluid flows through the at least one hole in the membrane.
A fluid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of fluid ejectors. Each fluid ejector includes a pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a feed channel fluidically connected to each pumping chamber; and at least one compliant structure formed in a surface of the feed channel. The at least one compliant structure has a lower compliance than the surface of the feed channel.
B41J 2/20 - Ink jet characterised by ink handling for preventing or detecting contamination of compounds
B41J 2/22 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of impact or pressure on a printing material or impression- transfer material
F16L 33/16 - Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose-connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses with sealing or securing means using fluid pressure
A system includes a print head including multiple nozzles formed in a bottom surface of the print head. The nozzles are configured to eject a liquid onto a substrate. The system includes a gas flow module configured to provide a flow of gas through a gap between the bottom surface of the print head and the substrate. The gas flow module can include one or more gas nozzles configured to inject gas into the gap. The gas flow module can be configured to apply a suction to the gap.
In an embodiment, a tile device includes a plurality of piezoelectric transducers elements and a base adjoining and supporting the plurality of piezoelectric transducers elements. The base includes integrated circuitry programmed to successively configure operational modes of the tile, according to a pre-programmed sequence, to successively select respective subsets of the piezoelectric transducers elements for activation. The integrated circuitry includes pulser logic to selectively activate such subsets, and demultiplexer logic to communicate from the tile sense signals resulting from such activation. In another embodiment, the demultiplexer logic is part of a first voltage domain of the tile, and the pulser logic is part of a second voltage domain of the tile. The base may include circuitry to protect the demultiplexer logic from a relatively high voltage level of the second voltage domain.
In an embodiment, a transducer device comprises a flexible substrate and a plurality of tiles coupled to the substrate. The tiles each include a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements and a base adjoining and supporting the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements. The substrate has disposed therein or thereon signal lines to serve as a backplane for communication to, from and/or among integrated circuitry of the tiles. In another embodiment, the integrated circuitry of the tiles are each pre-programmed to implement any of a respective plurality of operational modes. Signals exchanged with the tiles via the flexible substrate facilitate operation of the transducer device to provide a phased array of transducer elements.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
14.
PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE WITH LENS STRUCTURES
In an embodiment, a probe device includes a portion having a curved surface and a plurality of tiles variously coupled to the curved surface. The tiles each include a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements and a base adjoining and supporting the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements. The probe device further comprises curved lens portions each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of tiles, wherein for each of the tiles, the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements of the tile are to propagate a wave toward the respective curved lens portion. In another embodiment, the probe device further comprises a sheath material surrounding the curved lens portions.
B06B 1/00 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
15.
METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR A TRANSFERABLE MICROMACHINED PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER ARRAY
Techniques and mechanisms to provide mechanical support for a micromachined piezoelectric transducer array. In an embodiment, a transducer array includes transducer elements each comprising a respective membrane portion and a respective supporting structure disposed on or around a periphery of that membrane portion. The transducer elements are initially formed on a sacrificial wafer, wherein supporting structures of the transducer elements facilitate subsequent removal of the sacrificial wafer and/or subsequent handling of the transducer elements. In another embodiment, a polymer layer is disposed on the transducer elements to provide for flexible support during such subsequent handling.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
16.
IMPROVING DROP VELOCITY, MASS, AND FORMATION UNIFORMITY
Methods and systems are described herein for driving droplet ejection devices with multi-level waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving droplet ejection devices includes applying a multi-level waveform to the droplet ejection devices. The multi-level waveform includes a first section having at least one compensating edge and a second section having at least one drive pulse. The compensating edge has a compensating effect on systematic variation in droplet velocity or droplet mass across the droplet ejection devices. In another embodiment, the compensating edge has a compensating effect on cross-talk between the droplet ejection devices.
Techniques and structures for providing flexibility of a micromachined transducer array. In an embodiment, a transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements each comprising a piezoelectric element and one or more electrodes disposed in or on a support layer. The support layer is bonded to a flexible layer including a polymer material, wherein flexibility of the transducer array results in part from a total thickness of a flexible layer. In another embodiment, flexibility of the transducer array results in part from one or more flexural structures formed therein.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
18.
PIEZOELECTRIC ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ARRAY WITH SWITCHED OPERATIONAL MODES
Switchable micromachined transducer arrays are described where one or more switches, or relays, are monolithically integrated with transducer elements in a piezoelectric micromachined transducer array (pMUT). In embodiments, a MEMS switch is implemented on the same substrate as the transducer array for switching operational modes of the transducer array. In embodiments, a plurality of transducers are interconnected in parallel through MEMS switch(es) in a first operational mode (e.g., a drive mode) during a first time period, and are then interconnected through the MEMS switch(es) with at least some of the transducers in series in a second operational mode (e.g., a sense mode) during a second time period.
H01L 41/107 - Piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements with electrical input and electrical output
H01L 41/22 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the assembly, manufacture or treatment of piezo-electric or electrostrictive devices or of parts thereof
A method for regenerative driving of one or more transducers includes, for each of a plurality of driving cycles, enabling a number of transducers for driving, configuring a configurable capacitive energy storage element based on the number of enabled transducers and a desired overall capacitance, transferring a predetermined quantity of energy from a power supply to a first inductive energy transfer element, distributing the predetermined quantity of energy from the first inductive energy transfer element to the configurable capacitive energy storage element and to one or more other capacitive energy storage elements, each of the other capacitive energy storage elements coupled to an associated transducer, transferring energy from the one or more capacitive energy storage elements and from the configurable capacitive energy storage element to a second inductive energy transfer element, and transferring energy from the second inductive energy transfer element to the power supply.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
20.
MULTI-LAYERED THIN FILM PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICES & METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
Multi-layered thin film piezoelectric material stacks and devices incorporating such stacks. In embodiments, an intervening material layer is disposed between two successive piezoelectric material layers in at least a portion of the area of a substrate over which the multi-layered piezoelectric material stack is disposed. The intervening material may serve one or more function within the stack including, but not limited to, inducing an electric field across one or both of the successive piezoelectric material layers, inducing a discontinuity in the microstructure between the two successive piezoelectric materials, modulating a cumulative stress of the piezoelectric material stack, and serving as a basis for varying the strength of an electric field as a function of location over the substrate.
A method, apparatus, and system are described herein for driving a droplet ejection device with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a multi-pulse waveform with a drop-firing portion having at least one drive pulse and a non-drop-firing portion to an actuator of the droplet ejection device. The non-drop-firing portion includes a jet straightening edge having a droplet straightening function and at least one cancellation edge having an energy canceling function. The at least drive pulse causes the droplet ejection device to eject a droplet of a fluid.
A fluid ejection module mounting apparatus, including a module mount having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, a fluid ejection module mounted to the module mount, and a clamp assembly including a recessed portion, a clamp along a wall of the recessed portion, and a lever coupled to the clamp and configured to move the clamp from an open position to a closed position. The horizontal portion has an opening configured to receive a fluid ejection module and the vertical portion has a protruding portion. The protruding portion of the module mount is configured to mate with the recessed portion of the clamp assembly.
Described herein is a method, apparatus, and system for driving a droplet ejection device with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a first subset of a multi-pulse waveform to the actuator to cause the droplet ejection device to eject a first droplet of a fluid in response to the first subset. The method includes applying a second subset of the multi-pulse waveform to the actuator to cause the droplet ejection device to eject a second droplet of the fluid in response to the second subset. The first subset includes a drive pulse that is positioned in time near a beginning of a clock cycle of the first subset. The first droplet has a smaller volume than the second droplet.
Switchable micromachined transducer arrays are described where a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) switch, or relay, is monolithically integrated with a transducer element. In embodiments, the MEMS switch is implemented in the same substrate as the transducer array to implement one or more logic, addressing, or transducer control function. In embodiments, each transducer element of an array is a piezoelectric element coupled to at least one MEMS switch to provide element-level addressing within the array. In certain embodiments the same piezoelectric material employed in the transducer is utilized in the MEMS switch.
Embodiments reduce capacitive cross-talk between micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) arrays through grounding of the substrate over which the arrays are fabricated. In embodiments, a metal-semiconductor contact is formed to a semiconductor device layer of a substrate and coupled to a ground plane common to a first electrode of the transducer elements to suppress capacitive coupling of signal lines connected to a second electrode of the transducer elements.
Among other things, an inkjet print head module includes inkjets from which ink drops are to be jetted during a series of jetting cycles. There is circuitry on the inkjet print head module to (a) form, from trimming information or other information that characterizes jetting waveforms to be applied to respective inkjets in respective jetting cycles, corresponding jetting waveforms and (b) apply the formed jetting waveforms to the respective inkjets in the respective jetting cycles.
Micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) arrays capable of multiple resonant modes and techniques for operating them are described, for example to achieve both high frequency and low frequency operation in a same device. In embodiments, various sizes of piezoelectric membranes are fabricated for tuning resonance frequency across the membranes. The variously sized piezoelectric membranes are gradually transitioned across a length of the substrate to mitigate destructive interference between membranes oscillating in different modes and frequencies.
Wide bandwidth piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), pMUT arrays and systems having wide bandwidth pMUT arrays are described herein. For example, a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) includes a piezoelectric membrane disposed on a substrate. A reference electrode is coupled to the membrane. First and second drive/sense electrodes are coupled to the membrane to drive or sense a first and second mode of vibration in the membrane.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
H01L 41/08 - Piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements
Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) arrays and techniques for frequency shaping in pMUT arrays are described, for example to achieve both high frequency and low frequency operation in a same device. The ability to operate at both high and low frequencies may be tuned during use of the device to adaptively adjust for optimal resolution at a particular penetration depth of interest. Various sizes of piezoelectric membranes are fabricated for tuning resonance frequency across the membranes. Signal processing of the drive and/or response signals generated and/or received from each of the two or more electrode rails may achieve a variety of operative modes, such as a near field mode, a far field mode, or ultra wide bandwidth mode.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) arrays and systems comprising pMUT arrays are described. Coupling strength within a population of transducer elements provides degenerate mode shapes that split for wide bandwidth total response while less coupling strength between adjacent element populations provides adequately low crosstalk between the element populations. In an embodiment, differing membrane sizes within a population of transducer elements provides differing frequency response for wide bandwidth total response while layout of the differing membrane sizes between adjacent element populations provides adequately low crosstalk between the element populations. In an embodiment, elliptical piezoelectric membranes provide multiple resonant modes for wide bandwidth total response and high efficiency.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
An apparatus includes an inkjet assembly having inkjet nozzles through each of which ink flows at a nominal flow rate as it is ejected from the nozzle onto a substrate. Ink is held under a nominal negative pressure associated with a characteristic of a meniscus of the ink in the nozzle when ejection of ink from the nozzle is not occurring. The apparatus includes recirculation flow paths, each flow path having a nozzle end at which it opens into one of the nozzles and another location spaced from the nozzle end that is to be subjected to a recirculation pressure lower than the nominal negative pressure so that ink is recirculated from the nozzle through the flow path at a recirculation flow rate. Each recirculation flow path has a fluidic resistance between the nozzle end and the other location such that a recirculation pressure at the nozzle end of the flow path that results from the recirculation pressure applied at the other location of the flow path is small enough so that any reduction in flow rate below the nominal flow rate when ink is being ejected is less than a threshold, or a change in the nominal negative pressure when ink is not being ejected is less than a threshold, or both.
In general, in an aspect, an apparatus includes a body having a hollow ink refill chamber, a plate on a side of the body, the plate having a series of posts separating a series of hollow channels adjacent to the hollow ink refill chamber in the body.
Among other things, a pattern of dry particles of a pigment is provided on a transfer layer. The pattern of dry particles is transferred onto a surface of a ceramic substrate in preparation for firing of the dry particles to form a permanent pattern on the ceramic substrate.
B05D 5/04 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain a surface receptive to ink or other liquid
Among other things, the disclosure features a system for use in fluid jetting. The system comprises a first print module comprising a first row of nozzles, a second print module comprising a second row of nozzles, and a controller to receive a first data packet from a remote device at a first moment and a second data packet from the remote device at a second moment after the first moment. Upon receipt of the first data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the first row, at a third moment, to eject fluid droplets onto a line on a substrate. Upon receipt of the second data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the second row, at a fourth moment separated from the third moment by a time delay, to eject fluid droplets onto the line on the substrate.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
In general, in an aspect, a laser produces a coherent beam to illuminate ink jetted from an orifice of an inkjet, for use in imaging the jetted ink, and a device is used to reduce an effect of speckle caused by the coherent beam in the imaging of the jetted ink.
Among other things, ink is jetted onto a substrate, the ink includes (a) a pigment and (b) a wax, and the jetted ink on the substrate is heated to fire the pigment on the substrate.
An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer device includes a transducer array consisting of an array of vibrating elements, and a base to which the array of vibrating elements in the transducer array are attached. The base include integrated electrical interconnects for carrying driving signals and sensed signals between the vibrating elements and an external control circuit. The base can be an ASIC wafer that includes integrated circuitry for controlling the driving and processing the sensed signals. The interconnects and control circuits in the base fit substantially within an area below the array of multiple vibrating elements.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
Among other things, an apparatus for use in fluid jetting is described. The apparatus comprises a printhead including a flow path and a nozzle in communication with the flow path that has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first container fluidically coupled to the first end of the flow path, a second container fluidically coupled to the second end of the flow path, and a controller. The first container has a first controllable internal pressure and the second container has a second controllable internal pressure. The controller controls the first internal pressure and the second internal pressure to have a fluid flow between the first container and the second container through the flow path in the printhead according to a first mode and a second mode. In either mode, at least a portion of the fluid flowing along the flow path is delivered to the nozzle when the nozzle is jetting. The first mode has the first internal pressure higher than the second internal pressure and the second mode has the second internal pressure higher than the first internal pressure. The fluid flows from the first container to the second container according to the first mode and flows from the second container to the first container according to the second mode.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An electronic architecture for an imaging data path allows for printing on objects that are unevenly spaced. The architecture uses a rolling image buffer into which images are copied. A hardware trigger can optionally be used in conjunction with the rolling image buffer to prevent any printing mismatches that could otherwise be caused by a software delay. The trigger relates the physical location of the object to a virtual location in the image buffer.
A method of determining whether a flow path is ready for ejection includes supplying liquid to the flow path, which includes a pumping chamber and a nozzle, after supplying fluid to the flow path, applying energy to an actuator adjacent to the pumping chamber, measuring an electrical characteristic of the actuator to obtain a measured value, and comparing the measured value to a threshold value to determine if the flow path is ready for ejection.
Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce drops having straight trajectories. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes building a drop of a fluid with at least one drive pulse by applying a multi- pulse waveform having the at least one drive pulse and a straightening pulse to the actuator. Next, the method includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop with a straight trajectory in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The straightening pulse is designed to ensure that the drop is ejected without a drop trajectory error.
A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection module having a substrate and a layer separate from the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid ejection elements arranged in a matrix, each fluid ejection element configured to cause a fluid to be ejected from a nozzle. The layer separate from the substrate includes a plurality of electrical connections, each electrical connection adjacent to a corresponding fluid ejection element.
Among other things, in one aspect, an apparatus comprises features to enable mounting first and second jetting assemblies on a frame. The features comprise first and second alignment datums pre-fixed with respect to the frame for establishing respective positions of the first and second jetting assemblies, when mounted, so that at least some of the nozzles along a length of one of the jetting assemblies have predetermined offsets relative to at least some of the nozzles along a length of the other of the jetting assemblies, and an opening exposing all of the nozzles along the lengths of the first and second jetting assemblies are exposed to permit jetting of a fluid onto a substrate.
A device for depositing drops includes a head configured to eject drops on a region of a substrate; a stage configured to hold the substrate while the head ejects drops on the region of the substrate; a first transporting device configured to transport the substrate in a transporting direction onto the stage; and a second transporting device configured to transport the substrate in the transporting direction off the stage. The stage and at least one of the first transporting device or the second transporting device are movable together in the transporting direction.
A MEMS device is described that has a body with a component bonded to the body. The body has a main surface and a side surface adjacent to the main surface and smaller than the main surface. The body is formed of a material and the side surface is formed of the material and the body is in a crystalline structure different from the side surface. The body includes an outlet in the side surface and the component includes an aperture in fluid connection with the outlet.
B81C 1/00 - Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
B81B 7/02 - Microstructural systems containing distinct electrical or optical devices of particular relevance for their function, e.g. microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
H01L 21/60 - Attaching leads or other conductive members, to be used for carrying current to or from the device in operation
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A method for applying tape to a substrate can include positioning a tape proximate and substantially parallel to a surface of a substrate. A pressure source can be configured to apply pressure to a region of tape smaller than the surface in both an x direction and y direction, the x and y directions being parallel to the surface and perpendicular to one another. For example, the pressure source can be a stream of fluid such as air. Pressure can be applied to a side of the tape opposite the surface in a region smaller than the surface to cause the tape to adhere to the substrate opposite the region. The region can be moved relative to the substrate in an outward radial direction while applying the pressure. The region can be moved such that no unadhered region of tape is enclosed by any adhered region of tape.
A nozzle layer is described that has a semiconductor body having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a nozzle formed through the body connecting the first and second surfaces, wherein the nozzle is configured to eject fluid through a nozzle outlet on the second surface, and the outlet having straight sides connected by curved corners.
B05B 1/00 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
B05B 5/08 - Plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects
B05C 5/02 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work from an outlet device in contact, or almost in contact, with the work
A method is described wherein one or more parameters are measured that affect the nozzle velocity at which a printing fluid is ejected from a pumping chamber through a nozzle. The printing fluid is contained in the pumping chamber actuated by deflection of a piezoelectric layer. A surface area of an electrode actuating the piezoelectric layer is reduced based at least in part on the measured one or more parameters. Reducing the surface area of the electrode reduces the actuated area of the piezoelectric layer.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
A method and apparatus for bonding on a silicon substrate are disclosed. An apparatus includes a membrane having a membrane surface, a groove in the membrane surface, a transducer having a transducer surface substantially parallel to the membrane surface, and an adhesive connecting the membrane surface to the transducer surface. The groove can be configured to permit flow of adhesive into and through the groove while minimizing voids or air gaps that could result from incomplete filling of the groove. Multiple grooves can be formed in the membrane surface and can be of uniform depth.
Among other things, for ink jetting, a system includes a printhead including at least 25 jets and an imaging device to capture image information for all of the jets simultaneously, the captured image information being useful in analyzing a performance of each of the jets.
Among other things, an apparatus for use in ink jetting includes a reservoir system including a reservoir to contain a volume of ink to be delivered to and jetted from at least two jetting assemblies onto a substrate in an ink jetting direction. The reservoir system is located adjacent to at least two of the jetting assemblies along the ink jetting direction.
Among other things, for jetting ink, a first set of orifices of an apparatus are arranged to print at a first maximum resolution along a direction different from a process direction. A second set of orifices is coupled to the first set of orifices. The second set of orifices is arranged to print at a second maximum resolution lower than the first maximum resolution along a direction different from the process direction.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
Among other things, for use in ink jetting, a method includes reducing an anticipated variation in a characteristic of ink drops being jetted from an ink jet assembly, the reducing comprising causing a voltage that is applied on a jetting assembly to respond to the anticipated variation.
Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a droplet ejection device with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a multi-pulse waveform having two or more drive pulses and a cancellation pulse to the actuator. The method further includes generating a pressure response wave in a pumping chamber in response to each pulse. The method further includes causing the droplet ejection device to eject a droplet of a fluid in response to the drive pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The method further includes canceling the pressure response waves associated with the drive pulses with the pressure response wave associated with the cancellation pulse.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 2/11 - Ink jet characterised by jet control for ink spray
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
A printing apparatus including a conveyor capable of moving an object in a process direction, a drop ejection device, a sensor array that substantially spans the conveyor in a cross-process direction that is perpendicular to the process direction, the sensor array being configured to detect a position of the object in the process direction and cross-process direction, and a controller configured to receive position data about the object from the sensor array and to cause the drop ejection device to deposit fluid droplets on the object based on the position of the object on the conveyor.
Among other things, for jetting fluid droplets on a substrate during relative motion of an apparatus and the substrate along a process direction, a first and second jetting assemblies at least partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the process direction so that some jets in the first jetting assembly align with some jets in the second jetting assembly along the process direction to form one or more pairs of aligned jets. A mechanism enables, in at least one pair of the aligned jets, one jet to jet a first fluid drop that has a size smaller than a size of a fluid drop the jet would otherwise be required to jet to form a desired pixel and the other jet to jet a second fluid drop that has a size sufficient to form the desired pixel in combination with the first fluid drop.
Among other things, a cavity plate for use in fluid jetting includes an outlet end. Elongated lands extend from the outlet end toward an inlet end of the cavity plate. The elongated lands have side walls between top and bottom surfaces of the cavity plate to form elongated cavities. There are structural supports upstream of the fluid outlets and between the elongated lands, to support the elongated lands.
Described herein is a process and apparatus for driving a droplet ejection device with embedded multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, the process includes generating a multi-pulse waveform that includes drive pulses in predetermined positions. Next, the process includes applying the drive pulses to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a first droplet of a fluid. The process also includes applying a second multi-pulse waveform having at least one embedded pulse to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a second droplet of the fluid. Each embedded pulse is embedded between predetermined positions of two drive pulses. In some embodiments, the first and second droplets have different droplet sizes and these droplets are ejected at substantially the same effective drop velocity.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 2/055 - Devices for absorbing or preventing back-pressure
B41J 2/205 - Ink jet for printing a discrete number of tones
59.
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE VARIABLE DROP SIZE EJECTION WITH A LOW POWER WAVEFORM
In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a low power multi-pulse waveform having at least two drive pulses and at least one intermediate portion to the actuator. The method further includes alternately expanding and contracting a pumping chamber coupled to the actuator in response to the at least two drive pulses and the at least one intermediate portion. The method further includes causing the droplet ejection device to eject one or more droplets of a fluid in response to the pulses of the low power multi- pulse waveform. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate portion has a voltage level greater than zero and less than or equal to a threshold voltage level in order to reduce the power needed to operate the droplet ejection device.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce variable sized drops with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes applying a multi-pulse waveform having at least one drive pulse and at least one break off pulse to the actuator. The method further includes building a drop of a fluid with the at least one drive pulse. The method further includes accelerating the break off of the drop with the at least one break off pulse. The method further includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop of a fluid in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The break off pulse causes the break off of the drop formed by the at least one drive pulse in order to reduce the tail mass of the drop.
A method of printing an image on a substrate in a printing machine comprising at least a first printing unit and an inkjet printing unit is described. The substrate is moved through the printing machine. A raster image consisting of image dots is printed on the substrate at a first moment using at least the first printing unit (34). At least one contiguous area of inkjet dots in the raster image is printed at a second moment after the first moment using the inkjet printing unit (38), whereby substantially all inkjet dots forming the contiguous area are printed at dot locations having similar surface wetting properties.
A printer is described that has a configurable memory to which waveform definitions are uploaded just prior to a printing process. The printer manufacturer can program a printer controller with waveforms that have been created by the printer manufacturer, instead of waveforms pre-programmed by the printhead manufacturer.
H01L 41/22 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the assembly, manufacture or treatment of piezo-electric or electrostrictive devices or of parts thereof
A method for causing ink to be ejected from an ink chamber of an ink jet printer includes causing a first bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber; and following lapse of a selected interval, causing a second bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber. The interval is selected to be greater than the reciprocal of the fundamental resonant frequency of the chamber, and such that the first bolus remains in contact with ink in the ink chamber at the time that the second bolus is extruded.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
The accumulated charges on a substrate through handling or transport can affect the accuracy of the droplet deposition and hinder print precision and quality. To improve the accuracy of the droplet deposition and the print precision and quality, it is necessary to reduce the electrical field present between a printhead nozzle and a substrate surface. To achieve this purpose, a printing system including a fluid emitter and a conductive plate is developed, wherein the conductive plate supports a substrate onto which droplets are emitted, and is uniformly conductive within a printing region and/or grounded.
H05K 3/12 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using printing techniques to apply the conductive material
66.
PATTERN OF A NON-WETTING COATING ON A FLUID EJECTOR AND APPARATUS
A fluid ejector is provided, having an internal surface, an external surface, an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the internal surface to be ejected, a first non-wetting region of the external surface, and one or more second regions of the external surface that are more wetting than the first non-wetting region. A process for cleaning the fluid ejectors is provided that includes detachably securing a faceplate to the fluid ejector and moving a wiper laterally across the faceplate.
In the field of an ink jet printer with multiple printheads, it can be necessary to precisely position nozzles relative to a substrate, where the nozzles are included in the printheads. It can be difficult to achieve a precision printing, unless the nozzles are precisely aligned relative to one another, if multiple printheads are used to print contemporaneously. A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly includes one or more active direction mounts, which can control the position of the printhead in one or more directions. It can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
A fluid ejector having a first surface, a second surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the second surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting layer exposed on at least a first surface of the fluid ejector, and a overcoat layer exposed on a second surface, the overcoat layer being more wetting than the non-wetting layer. Fabrication of this apparatus can include depositing a non-wetting layer on the first and second surfaces, masking the first surface, optionally removing the non-wetting layer from the second surface, and depositing an overcoat layer on the second surface.
Printing, depositing, or coating on a flowable substrate can include extruding a flowable non-food substrate on a support, and jetting fluid to form an image on the flowable substrate.
A printing system (10) including a rotating platen (16) having an axis of rotation and configured to support a substrate (14), and a printhead (12) configured to eject drops in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation onto the substrate supported by the rotating platen.
In general an ink jet system (10) including an ink jet p꧀nthead (12) for printing solvent ink (13) onto a substrate (16), and a heater (15) positioned relative to the substrate sufficient for heating a substrate (16) to a predetermined temperature to slow drop spread of the solvent ink (13).
A drop ejection device includes three or more orifices disposed in a two-dimensional pattern in a nozzle plate, a fluid conduit coupled to the three or more orifice, and an actuator configured to actuate the fluid in the fluid conduit to eject separate fluid drops out of the three or more orifices, the fluid drops remaining separate in flight.
A printhead body and method for forming a printhead body are described. The printhead body includes a body portion and a nozzle portion. The body portion includes an ink chamber. The nozzle portion includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink chamber in the body portion and further includes a first silicon layer, a second silicon layer, and a heater formed between the first and the second silicon layers. The nozzle extends through the first and the second silicon layers and is in fluid communication with the ink chamber.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
Devices having an actuator with polished piezoelectric material are described. Methods of forming a polished piezoelectric material include bonding a block of fired piezoelectric material onto a substrate and chemical mechanically polishing the block of fired piezoelectric material. The polished surface of the block of fired piezoelectric material can then be bonded to a device layer to form an actuator.
Techniques are described for forming actuators having piezoelectric material. A block of piezoelectric material is bonded to a transfer substrate. The block is then polished. The polished surface is bonded to a MEMS body.
A printhead including a body; an actuator attached to the body, and an enclosed space between the actuator and the body forms a chamber; an opening defined by the body for releasing pressure in the chamber; and a seal attached to the opening to seal the chamber while permitting pressure to be released.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An ink jet printing system including an ink jet print head configured to eject ink drops, a perforated substrate support having a plurality of holes, configured to carry a substrate over a first surface of the perforated substrate support, wherein the ink jet print head and the holes in the perforated substrate support are configured to allow at least a portion of ejected ink drops not received by the substrate to pass through the holes, and a collector disposed beneath the perforated substrate support, configured to collect at least a portion of the ejected ink drops not received by the substrate.
A method for driving a droplet ejection device (10) having an actuator (38), including applying a primary drive pulse (1701) to the actuator to case the droplet ejection device to eject a droplet of fluid in a jetting direction, and applying one or more secondary drive pulses (1702-1705) to the actuator which reduce a length of the droplet in the jetting direction without substantially changing a volume of the droplet.
An ink jet printing system includes an ink jet print head configured to deliver ink drops to a substrate, a support member having a plurality of protrusions configured to carry the substrate by being in contact with the lower surface of the substrate, and a substrate conveying mechanism configured to cause relative movement between the ink jet print head and the support member.
In general, a fluid delivery system includes a plurality of fluid delivery printheads, a first reservoir for holding an ink, the first reservoir coupled to a first one of the plurality of fluid delivery printheads, and a second reservoir for holding a flavored liquid, the second reservoir coupled to a second one of the plurality of fluid delivery printheads.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A fluid delivery system includes a first conveyor adapted to transport a substrate and a second conveyor disposed adjacent to the first conveyor. The second conveyor is configured to receive the substrate across a gap from the first conveyor. A fluid delivery head is disposed above the gap between the first conveyor and the second conveyor.
Printing systems and methods of printing on substrates are provided. A method of printing one or more images using a printhead, the method including moving a substrate on a transporter, providing a printhead configured to print a plurality of print lines in a direction, rotating an image to an image angle relative to the direction of the print lines, and printing the image rotated to an image angle onto the substrate.
B41J 2/015 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
B41J 2/45 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using arrays of radiation sources using light-emitting diode arrays
A method and system of facilitating development of fluids having a variety of elemental compositions are disclosed. A graphical user interface allows user interaction with a lab deposition system to control fluid drop ejection of fluids through multiple nozzles. Fluid drop ejection and drop formation can vary from fluid to fluid, and require adjustments to waveform parameters of a drive pulse applied to the multiple nozzles. The system implements a drop watcher camera system to capture real-time still and video images of fluid drops as they exit the multiple nozzles. The captured drop formation of the fluid drops are displayed to the user, and based on the images the waveform parameters are adjusted and customized specific for individual fluid. In addition to adjusting the drive pulse that effects fluid drop ejection, a tickle pulse can also be adjusted and customize to prevent clogging of the nozzles.
A fluid deposition device (100) including a platen (102) and a cartridge mount assembly (104) is described. The platen (102) is configured to support a substrate upon which a fluid will be deposited. The cartridge mount assembly (104) includes a receptacle (122) configured to receive a print cartridge (114) and multiple electrical contacts (124) configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the print cartridge (114). In one implementation, the cartridge mount assembly (104) further includes a vacuum connector (131) configured to mate with a vacuum inlet included on the print cartridge (114). When the print cartridge is received in the receptacle, the print cartridge can form connections with the electrical contacts and with the vacuum connector (113) of the receptacle at substantially the same time.
A method includes ejecting liquid having a first composition from a first droplet ejection deposition system that includes a first printhead and a first fluid source, collecting information on the behavior of the liquid under a variety of ejection conditions for the first droplet ejection deposition system, and ejecting liquid having the first material composition from a second droplet ejection deposition system that includes a second printhead and a second fluid source under the selected ejection conditions. The first printhead has a small number of flow paths, and the first fluid source is configured to hold a small volume of liquid. The second printhead has a plurality of substantially identical flow paths, each of the flow paths being substantially identical to at least one of the small number of flow paths, and there being a significantly larger number of flow paths in the second printhead than in the first printhead.
B41J 2/05 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers produced by the application of heat
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 2/505 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements
A cluster tool (100) is described including a main chamber (102), a load chamber (106), a fluid deposition chamber (108) and an environmental controller (110). The load chamber (106) is coupled to the main chamber (102) and configured to receive one or more substrates. The fluid deposition chamber (108) is coupled to the main chamber (102) and includes a fluid deposition device (307) configured to deposit fluid onto the one or more substrates. A robot (104) is included in the main chamber (102), the robot (104) configured to transfer the one or more substrates between the load chamber (106) and the fluid deposition chamber (108). The environmental controller (110) is configured to maintain a substantially autonomous environment within the cluster tool (100).
A fluid ejector (105) having an inner surface (150), an outer surface (160), and an orifice (140) that allows fluid in contact with the inner surface (150) to be ejected. The fluid ejector (105) has a non-wetting monolayer (170) covering at least a portion of the outer surface (160) of the fluid ejector (105) and surrounding the orifice (140) in the fluid ejector (105). Fabrication of the non-wetting monolayer can include removing a non-wetting monolayer from a second region of a fluid ejector while leaving the non-wetting monolayer on a first region surrounding an orifice in the fluid ejector, or protecting a second region of a fluid ejector from having a non-wetting monolayer formed thereon, wherein the second region does not include a first region surrounding the orifice in the fluid ejector.
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
A system for printing on an edible substrate includes an inkjet printer and a jetting fluid. The fluid is suitable for use on an edible substrate, and has a desirable viscosity and surface tension.
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.
B41J 2/45 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using arrays of radiation sources using light-emitting diode arrays
In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a production system for producing items having an image printed thereon. The production system includes a conveyor configured to carry articles along a path relative to one or more stations of the production line, wherein each article is positioned at a site on the conveyor. The production system also includes a printing station configured to print an image on the articles as the conveyor moves the items past the printing station and an electronic controller configured to provide instructions to the printing station, wherein the electronic controller modifies the printing operation based on the operation of another station in the production system.
An ink jet printing system comprises an ink jet print head including one or more nozzles for ejecting ink drops. A substrate is adjacent to the nozzles. The substrate is adapted to be wetted by a solvent and to produce a solvent vapor in the vicinity of the nozzles.
A fluid ejection system includes a receiver transport system configured to transport a receiver in a first direction, a first fluid ejection head comprising a first set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a first surface of the receiver, and a second fluid ejection head including a second set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a second surface of the receiver. The first set of fluid ejection nozzles are distributed in a first region that extends at least up to an edge of the first surface that is substantially parallel to the first direction.
A fluid ejection system includes a first fluid ejection head comprising a first nozzle plate that includes a first set of fluid ejection nozzles capable of ejecting first fluid drops and a second fluid ejection head comprising a second nozzle plate that includes a second set of fluid ejection nozzles capable of ejecting second fluid drops. The second nozzle plate is substantially opposing to the first nozzle plate. The first set of fluid ejection nozzles are offset from the second set of fluid ejection nozzles.
A drop ejection system includes a flow regulator that can regulate the fluid flow to enhance fluid purging from the fluid ejection head and other system operations. The drop ejection system can include a drop ejection head with a plurality of nozzles, a pumping chamber, and a fluid purge unit capable of purging the fluid from the nozzles by generating a negative pressure outside of nozzles. The flow regulator can increases the flow resistance of the fluid flow to the drop ejection head when the fluid is purged out of the nozzles.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method of driving an inkjet module having a plurality of ink jets. The method includes applying a voltage waveform to the inkjet module, the voltage waveform including a first pulse and a second pulse, activating one or more of the ink jets contemporaneously to applying the first pulse, wherein each activated ink jet ejects a fluid droplet in response to the first pulse, and activating all of the ink jets contemporaneously to applying the second pulse without ejecting a droplet.
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A printhead module includes a printhead body (102), a nozzle plate (110) and one or more piezoelectric actuators (120). The printhead body includes one or more pumping chambers (104), where each pumping chamber includes a receiving end to receive a printing liquid from a printing liquid supply and an ejecting end for ejecting the printing liquid from the pumping chamber. The nozzle plate includes one or more nozzles (112) formed through the nozzle plate. Each nozzle can be in fluid communication with a pumping chamber and receive printing liquid from the ejecting from the nozzle. The one or more piezoelectric actuators are connected to the nozzle plate. A piezoelectric actuator is positioned over each pumping chamber and includes a piezoelectric material configured to deflect and pressurize the pumping chamber, so as to eject printing liquid from a corresponding nozzle in fluid communicaiton with the ejecting end of the pumping chamber.
A printhead assembly including one or more nozzles (412) is described that can include a droplet ejection module. In one embodiment, the droplet ejection module includes a liquid supply assembly (102), a housing (104) and a droplet ejection body (106). The liquid supply assembly includes a self-contained liquid reservoir (108) and a liquid outlet. The housing is configured to permanently connect to the liquid supply assembly and includes a liquid channel (126) configured to receive a liquid from the liquid outlet of the liquid supply assembly and to deliver the liquid to a droplet ejection body. The droplet ejection body is permanently connected to the housing and includes one or more liquid inlets configured to receive liquid from the housing and one or more nozzles configured to selectively eject droplets.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus, including a jetting assembly that has a plurality of nozzles (136) cap of ejecting droplets (201), and a first reservoir (120) and a second reservoir (122), the first and second reservoirs (120, 122) being fluid communication with the jetting assembly and with each other.
A method for ink jet printing includes moving one or more receivers along a printing pass, ejecting ink drops from a first ink jet print head on a first receiver region of the one or more receivers in the printing pass, ejecting ink drops from a second ink jet print head on a second receiver region of the one or more receivers in the printing pass, and providing maintenance to the first ink jet print head while the second ink jet print head ejects ink drops on the first receiver region or the second receiver region.
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
B41J 3/54 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed with two or more sets of type or printing elements
patents
