Abstract: The operation of UU type drop-on-demand ink jet printheads are enhanced by selectively incorporating therein volume modifying tapers in the ink carrying channels, means for electrically isolating portions of the actuators thereof, and/or forming a variable layer of conductive material between the upper and lower sidewall portions therefore.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a sidewall actuatable, high density channel array for an ink jet printhead. A first surface of a main body portion formed from an inactive material is conductively bonded to a first surface of a first intermediate body portion formed from an active material. A plurality of parallel grooves are then machined through the first intermediate body portion and part of the main body portion to form a plurality of channels separated by a corresponding plurality of sidewall actuators comprised of a first sidewall section formed from an inactive material and a second sidewall section formed from an active material. A top body portion is then conductively mounted to the intermediate body portion.

Abstract: A method for film coated passivation of individual grooves or channels in an array of closely spaced grooves or channels of a workpiece, for example, ink channels in a printhead employed in an ink jet printer device; includes the steps of placing the workpiece on a rotation plate having a rotational center, securing the workpiece to the rotation plate with the grooves directed radially outward from the rotational center of the rotation plate, placing resin upon the workpiece in the vicinity of the grooves, and spinning the rotation plate to cause the resin to migrate along the surfaces of the grooves and thereby coating them.

Abstract: A method for film coated passivation of individual grooves or channels in an array of closely spaced grooves or channels of a workpiece, for example, ink channels in a printhead employed in an ink jet printer device; includes the steps of placing the workpiece on a rotation plate having a rotational center, securing the workpiece to the rotation plate with the grooves directed radially outward from the rotational center of the rotation plate, placing resin upon the workpiece in the vicinity of the grooves, and spinning the rotation plate to cause the resin to migrate along the surfaces of the grooves and thereby coating them.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in coating the surfaces of closely spaced channels in a workpiece is provided. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus is provided which facilitates coating the microchannels in an ink jet printhead with insulative coating material.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a sidewall actuatable, high density channel array for an ink jet printhead. A first surface of a main body portion formed from an active material is conductively bonded to a first surface of a first intermediate body portion formed from an active material. A plurality of parallel grooves are then machined through the first intermediate body portion and part of the main body portion to form a plurality of channels separated by a corresponding plurality of sidewall actuators comprised of a first sidewall section formed from an active material and a second sidewall section formed from an active material. A top body portion is then conductively mounted to the intermediate body portion.

Abstract: The operation of U type drop-on-demand ink jet printheads are enhanced by selectively incorporating therein volume modifying tapers in the ink carrying channels, means for electrically isolating portions of the actuators thereof, and/or forming a variable layer of conductive material between the upper and lower sidewall portions therefore.

Abstract: An integrated multi-color drop-on-demand type ink jet printhead. The printhead includes a main body portion and a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally extending ink-carrying channels arranged into at least two channel arrays. A manifold corresponding to each of the at least two channel arrays and in communication with each of the ink-carrying channels of the corresponding array is formed in the main body portion. Ink is supplied to each of the at least two channel arrays from a corresponding ink source, each of which is filled with a different color of ink.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes of a lower body part having a base section and a plurality of generally parallel spaced projections extending upwardly therefrom and an upper body part having a top section and a corresponding plurality of generally parallel spaced projections extending downwardly therefrom. The top sides of the lower body projections are conductively mounted to the bottom sides of the upper body projections to form sidewalls which define a plurality of ink-carrying channels. Strips of a conductive adhesive mount the lower and upper body projections together and a controller is electrically connected to the strips to selectively impart either a positive, zero, or negative voltage to each strip. The lower body part is formed using a piezoelectric material poled in a first direction generally perpendicular to the channels and the upper body part is formed using a piezoelectric material also poled in the first direction.

Abstract: A method for film coated passivation of individual grooves or channels in an array of closely spaced grooves or channels of a workpiece, for example, ink channels in a printhead employed in an ink jet printer device; includes the steps of placing the workpiece on a rotation plate having a rotational center, securing the workpiece to the rotation plate with the grooves directed radially outward from the rotational center of the rotation plate, placing resin upon the workpiece in the vicinity of the grooves, and spinning the rotation plate to cause the resin to migrate along the surfaces of the grooves and thereby coating them.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead for a drop-on-demand type ink jet printing system. The printhead includes a base section having a series of generally parallel spaced projections extending longitudinally therealong, a series of intermediate sections conductively mounted on a top side of a corresponding one of the series of base section projections and a top section conductively mounted to a top side of each of the series of intermediate sections.

Abstract: A sidewall actuated channel array for a high density ink jet printhead. The sidewall actuator includes a top wall, a bottom wall and at least one elongated liquid confining channel defined by the top wall, the bottom wall and sidewalls. The actuator sidewall is comprised of a first actuator sidewall section formed of a piezoelectric material poled in a first direction perpendicular to a first channel and attached to the top wall, a second actuator sidewall section attached to the first sidewall section and the bottom wall, and means for applying an electric field across the first actuator sidewall section and perpendicular to the direction of polarization. When the electric field is applied across the first sidewall section, the actuator sidewall engages in a motion which produces an ink ejecting pressure pulse in the channel.

Abstract: A method of making apparatus for dispensing very small and precise amounts of fluids is disclosed which includes forming a main body with a bore formed coaxially therethrough, attaching a first housing to the main body such that the bores thereof are coaxial, attaching a driver device to the first housing, attaching a second housing to the main body such that the driver device is enclosed by the second housing, attaching a weight to the end of the first housing and applying heat to the first housing at a predetermined location between the weight and the second housing, whereby the end of the first housing is pulled away from the main body to form a tapered end portion on the first housing.