Patents by Inventor John A. Higginson

John A. Higginson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8226208
    Abstract: A fluid ejector having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the inner surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting monolayer covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid ejector and surrounding an orifice in the fluid ejector. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Okamura, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, John A. Higginson, Gregory De Brabander, Paul A. Hoisington, Andreas Bibl
  • Patent number: 8162466
    Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components having a body that include a flow path, a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric layer fixed to the body and an impedance feature in the flow path are described. The impedance feature includes a plurality of posts arranged in a first row, at least one post in the first row of posts having a downstream surface that is concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Paul A. Hoisington, Deane A. Gardner, Robert A. Hasenbein, Melvin L. Biggs, Edward R. Moynihan
  • Patent number: 8128201
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Okamura, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, John A. Higginson
  • Patent number: 8053956
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Publication number: 20110250403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding on a silicon substrate are disclosed. An apparatus includes a membrane having a lower membrane surface and an upper membrane surface, a transducer having a transducer surface substantially parallel to the upper membrane surface, and an adhesive connecting the membrane to the transducer surface. In some implementations, the lower membrane surface is substantially contiguous and the upper membrane surface protrudes therefrom. In some other implementations, the upper membrane surface is substantially contiguous and the lower membrane surface is recessed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Higginson, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, Andreas Bibl, Paul A. Hoisington
  • Publication number: 20110234668
    Abstract: A printing device for jetting a liquid includes a flow path body having a plurality of jetting flow paths, a liquid in the plurality of jetting flow paths, a piezoelectric actuator associated with each jetting flow path, a feed substrate having a plurality of fluid inlets, and a driver configured to apply a voltage pulse to the piezoelectric actuator. The first jetting flow path is adjacent to the second jetting flow path and a fluidic travel distance from the piezoelectric actuator of the first jetting flow path to a nozzle of the second jetting flow path is greater than a speed of sound in the liquid times the break off time of a droplet of the fluid from the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Paul A. Hoisington, Christoph Menzel, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl, Kevin von Essen
  • Publication number: 20110226807
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a circuit layer having a fluid outlet on a lower surface, a chamber substrate having a fluid inlet on an upper surface, an electrical contact electrically connecting the chamber substrate to the lower surface of the circuit layer, and a seal forming a fluid connection between the fluid outlet of the circuit layer and the fluid inlet of the chamber substrate. The seal and the electrical contact are a eutectic material. The seal and the electrical contact may be the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl
  • Publication number: 20110212261
    Abstract: A fluid ejector having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the inner surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting monolayer covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid ejector and surrounding an orifice in the fluid ejector. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Okamura, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, John A. Higginson, Gregory Debrabander, Paul A. Hoisington, Andreas Bibl
  • Patent number: 7997684
    Abstract: A flexible circuit for use within a printhead assembly and to connect a printhead body to an external circuit includes a substantially planar portion having one or more layers of conductive material and having a top surface substantially parallel to a top surface of the printhead body. One or more integrated circuits can be mounted onto the planar portion. Multiple leads extend from each integrated circuit, the leads electrically connected to the printhead body. One or more arms are attached to, and substantially perpendicular to, the planar portion, each arm including one or more external connectors configured to connect to the external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin von Essen, Antai Xu, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Publication number: 20110128324
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a fluid droplet ejection module to a frame is disclosed, where the fluid ejection module includes a mounting component having a mounting surface. A connector is configured to detachably attach to the frame and is positioned between the frame and the mounting surface of the fluid ejection module. A portion of a mating surface of the connector is positioned adjacent the mounting surface of a corresponding fluid ejection module and is in direct contact with the mounting surface. One or more recesses are formed in at least one of either the mounting surface of the fluid ejection module or the mating surface of the connector. The one or more recesses have a substantially uniform thickness and are filled with an adhesive. The adhesive is cured after aligning the fluid ejection module to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin von Essen, Stephen R. Deming, John A. Higginson, Nobuo Matsumoto, Andreas Bibl
  • Publication number: 20110122587
    Abstract: A method of connecting electrical components and an electronic device formed using this method are disclosed. This method includes stretching a first substrate with a plurality of conductive traces to form a stretched substrate where at least one increased pitch (a spacing between two conductive traces plus a width of one conductive trace) is not greater than 40 microns; and electrically connecting the conductive traces on the first substrate to conductive traces on a second substrate. A device by which this method can be implemented is also disclosed, which includes a base, and platforms and stretchers mounted to the base that are configured to pull opposite ends of the first substrate to align the conductive traces thereon with the conductive traces on the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen R. Deming, Kevin von Essen, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Micheal Rocchio
  • Publication number: 20110115852
    Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection module and an integrated circuit element. The fluid ejection module includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid paths, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of conductive traces, each actuator configured to cause a fluid to be ejected from a nozzle of an associated fluid path. The integrated circuit element is mounted on the fluid ejection module and is electrically connected with the conductive traces of the fluid ejection module such that an electrical connection of the module enables a signal sent to the fluid ejection module to be transmitted to the integrated circuit element, processed on the integrated circuit element, and output to the fluid ejection module to drive the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, Deane A. Gardner, John A. Higginson, Kevin von Essen
  • Publication number: 20110092049
    Abstract: Methods for bonding a first substrate to a second substrate are described. A surface of the first substrate is coated with an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is cured to b-stage. The surface of the first substrate is positioned in contact with the second substrate. An edge of the first substrate is pressed to an edge of the second substrate to initiate Van der Waals bonding. The first and second substrates are allowed to come together by Van der Waals bonding. The bonded first and second substrates are subjected to a sufficient heat for a sufficient time period to cure completely the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Zhenfang Chen, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Publication number: 20110080449
    Abstract: Printing devices are described that have a printing die with a coplanar adjacent layer. The coplanar adjacent layer is sufficiently non-wetting to fluids that the layer can be easily wiped clean of fluid that is inadvertently deposited thereon. A non-stick surface is optionally applied to the adjacent layer which can withstand both mechanical and chemical abrasion that can be caused by corrosive ejection fluids or wiping mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl
  • Publication number: 20110006135
    Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection assembly, a housing, and an insert. The fluid ejection assembly includes one or more silicon bodies and a plurality of actuators. The one or more silicon bodies includes a silicon body having a plurality of fluid passages for fluid flow and a plurality of nozzles fluidically connected to the plurality of fluid passages. The plurality of actuators cause fluid in the plurality of fluid passages to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles. The housing assembly includes one or more plastic bodies, at least one plastic body attached to at least one silicon body to form a sealed volume on a side of the fluid ejection assembly opposite the nozzles. The insert is embedded in the at least one plastic body in proximity to the at least one silicon body, the insert having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 9 ppm/° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Steve Deming, Mats G. Ottosson
  • Publication number: 20100322712
    Abstract: A flotation structure for a buoyant flood protection barrier includes a flotation body (1) adapted to rise and fall with flood water. A flexible membrane (3) is sealed at an upper region to the flotation body and sealed at a lower region. A plurality of panels (5) are hinged by means of hinge pins about substantially parallel horizontal axes, a topmost panel being hinged to the flotation body, a lowermost panel being hinged substantially at ground level, and intervening panels being hinged to each other. A scissor arrangement (9) is pivotably mounted at an upper end to the flotation body and pivotably mounted at a lower end and provided with a pivot pin (17) at a crossing point of arms (11, 13) of the scissor arrangement, the pivot pin being secured to a member (19) provided on at least one of the hinge pins (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Simon John Higginson
  • Patent number: 7837310
    Abstract: A fluid deposition device including a platen and a cartridge mount assembly is described. The platen is configured to support a substrate upon which a fluid will be deposited. The cartridge mount assembly includes a receptacle configured to receive a print cartridge and multiple electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the print cartridge. In one implementation, the cartridge mount assembly further includes a vacuum connector configured to mate with a vacuum inlet included on the print cartridge. When the print cartridge is received in the receptacle, the print cartridge can form connections with the electrical contacts and with the vacuum connector of the receptacle at substantially the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Higginson, Michael Rocchio, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, Stephen R. Deming, Kevin Von Essen, Andreas Bibl, Deane A. Gardner, Daniel Alan West
  • Patent number: 7794079
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl, Deane A. Gardner, Micheal Rocchio, Stephen R. Deming, Daniel Alan West
  • Publication number: 20100091060
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM DIMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl, Michael Rocchio, Stephen R. Deming
  • Patent number: 7673987
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl, Deane A. Gardner, Micheal Rocchio, Stephen R. Deming, Daniel Alan West