Abstract: Methods for manufacturing thermally actuated liquid control devices such as ink jet printheads and fluid microvalves are disclosed. Thermal actuators for a micro-electromechanical devices are manufactured by process steps of forming a bottom layer of a bottom material on a substrate having a flat surface and composed of a substrate material; and removing the bottom material in a bottom layer pattern wherein a moveable area located between opposing free edges remains on the substrate. A deflector layer of a deflector material is formed over the bottom layer and patterned so that the deflector material does not overlap the free edges of the bottom layer material. A top layer of a top material is formed over the deflector layer, the bottom layer, and the substrate and patterned so that the top material overlaps the deflector layer material but does not completely overlap the substrate material in the free edge area.

Abstract: A display system for providing a user viewable visible color image includes a display for receiving color laser light so that the display, in response to color laser light, produces a viewable visible colored image; a plurality of different color laser light sources arranged in an array with each such laser light source including: a first dielectric stack for receiving and transmitting pump-beam light and being reflective to laser light over a predetermined range of wavelengths; an organic active region for receiving transmitted pump-beam light from the first dielectric stack; and a second dielectric stack for reflecting transmitted pump-beam light and laser light from the organic active region back into the organic active region. The display system projects color laser light from the array onto the display in a pattern to cause a visual image to be produced by the display.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator includes a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element a length L and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a layer constructed of an electrically resistive material, patterned to have a uniform resistor portion extending a length L, from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH≦0.7L. The cantilevered element includes a second layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion attached to the first layer. A pair of electrodes connected to the uniform resistor portion to apply an electrical pulse to cause resistive heating, resulting in a thermal expansion of the uniform resistor portion of the first layer relative to the second layer and deflection of the cantilevered element.

Abstract: A recoil device (100) having a mounting member (101), a recoiling member (108), and a stopping member (117) is mounted onto an attachment surface (131) of an existing decoy (130) without compromising the structural integrity of the decoy (130). An anchor line (126) is operatively connected to the recoiling member (108) proximate the center (132) of the decoy (130) and is locked in place by the stopping member (117) proximate the front (133) of the decoy (130). The line (126) is locked in place when the stopping member (117) is in a first position, and the line (126) may be either drawn from the recoiling member (108) or automatically retracted by the recoiling member (108) when the stopping member (117) is in a second position (121b).

Abstract: An organic vertical cavity laser light producing device includes a bottom dielectric stack reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths; an organic active region for producing laser light; and a top dielectric stack spaced from the bottom dielectric stack and reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. The device also includes the active region in which is contained one or more periodic gain region(s) and organic spacer layers disposed on either side of the periodic gain region(s) and arranged so that the periodic gain region(s) is aligned with the antinodes of the device's standing wave electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending a length L from a base element and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a barrier layer constructed of a dielectric material having low thermal conductivity, a first deflector layer constructed of a first electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion and patterned to have a first uniform resistor portion extending a length LH1 from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH1≦0.7L, and a second deflector layer constructed of a second electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion and patterned to have a second uniform resistor portion extending a length LH2 from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH2≦0.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element a length L and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a layer constructed of an electrically resistive material, such as titanium aluminide, patterned to have a uniform resistor portion extending a length LH from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH≦0.7L. The cantilevered element includes a second layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion attached to the first layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle bore, including a reservoir containing pressurized ink; a rigid nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and defining a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery structure intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; and heat responsive bimorph flexible elements disposed in the first and second spaced ink delivery channels to control the flow of ink to the nozzle and thereby change the direction of ink from the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a barrier layer constructed of a low thermal conductivity material, bonded between a deflector layer and a restorer layer, both of which are constructed of materials having substantially equal coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle bore, including a reservoir containing pressurized ink; a rigid nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and defining a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery structure intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; and heat responsive bimorph flexible elements disposed in the first and second spaced ink delivery channels to control the flow of ink to the nozzle and thereby change the direction of ink from the nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer. A nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and having a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery means intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; a first actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the first ink delivery channel and a second actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the second ink delivery channel; and the valves are controlled to control the path along which ink is delivered through the nozzle.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus and method for generating droplets of a printing liquid from a nozzle of an inkjet printhead features a temperature responsive vibrating beam constrained at both ends of the beam within or near a nozzle having an exit opening, the beam being continuously vibrated within the printing liquid in response to electrical pulsing applied to the beam so that the beam vibrates at a predetermined frequency and the beam is at a temperature that is characterized by frequency of vibration that is substantially at a local minimum point whereby minor excursions in temperature of the beam from the local minimum point temperature provides substantially minimal changes in frequency and amplitude of vibration of the beam. A heating element located at or near the exit outlet of the nozzle is selectively heated to provide a heat pulse to a meniscus of the printing liquid at the nozzle exit outlet to selectively control droplet formation and/or droplet direction leaving the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal actuator is taught for a micro-electromechanical device. The thermal actuator includes a base element, a cantilevered element extending from the base element and normally residing in a first position. The cantilevered element includes a first layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low thermal coefficient of expansion and a second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer comprising intermetallic titanium aluminide. A pair of electrodes are connected to the second layer to allow an electrical current to be passed through the second layer to thereby cause the temperature of the second layer to rise, the cantilevered element deflecting to a second position as a result of the temperature rise of the second layer and returning to the first position when the electrical current through the second layer is ceased and the temperature thereof decreases. The thermal actuator has particular application in an inkjet device wherein a series of such inkjet devices form an inkjet printhead.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer. A nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and having a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery means intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; a first actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the first ink delivery channel and a second actuable flow delivery valve positioned in operative relationship with the second ink delivery channel; and the valves are controlled to control the path along which ink is delivered through the nozzle.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous ink stream is deflected at the printhead nozzle bore without the need for charged deflection plates or tunnels. The printhead includes a primary ink delivery channel which delivers a primary flow of pressurized ink through an ink staging chamber to the nozzle bore to create an undeflected ink stream from the printhead. A secondary ink delivery channel adjacent to the primary channel is controlled by a thermally actuated valve to selectively create a lateral flow of pressurized ink into the primary flow thereby causing the emitted ink stream to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction from which the secondary ink stream impinges the primary ink stream in the ink staging chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead for printing an image on a printing medium is provided that includes a substrate having an interior and a nozzle face, a plurality of nozzles having outlets in the nozzle face, an electronically-operated droplet deflector disposed adjacent to each of the nozzle outlets, and feedthroughs for connecting the droplet deflector to power and image data circuits through the substrate interior. The feedthroughs include bores disposed through the substrate for accommodating conductors connected between the droplet deflectors and power and image data control circuits of the printer. The feedthroughs may take the form of bores either coated or filled with electrically-conductive material. The use of feedthroughs through the printhead substrate avoids the manufacture of an undesirably high density of connectors and conductors on the nozzle face and facilitates the manufacture of smooth and flat nozzle faces which are easily cleaned during the printing operation by wiping mechanisms.

Abstract: Drop-on-demand ink jet printer capable of directional control of ink drop ejection and method of assembling the method. The method comprises a print head body having an ink ejection orifice adapted to poise an ink meniscus thereat about a center axis passing through the orifice. A deflector is coupled to the print head body and is adapted to be in communication with the poised meniscus for lowering surface tension of a region of the poised meniscus. The poised meniscus deflects away from the region of lower surface tension and away from the center axis to define a deflected meniscus, whereby an ink drop separated from the deflected meniscus travels at an angle with respect to the center axis, so that the ink drop can strike a receiver at any one of a plurality of predetermined locations on a print line.

Abstract: A droplet generator is provided that is particularly adapted for generating micro droplets of ink on demand in an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles. The droplet generator includes a droplet separator formed from the combination of a droplet assistor and a droplet initiator. The droplet assistor is coupled to ink in each of the nozzles and functions to lower the amount of energy necessary for an ink droplet to form and separate from an ink meniscus extending across the nozzle outlet. The droplet assistor may be, for example, a heater or surfactant supply mechanism for lowering the surface tension of the ink meniscus. Alternatively, the droplet assistor may be a mechanical oscillator such as a piezoelectric transducer that generates oscillations in the ink sufficient to periodically form convex ink meniscus across the nozzle outlets, but insufficient to cause ink droplets to separate from the outlets.

Abstract: An asymmetric heat-type inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having at least one nozzle for continuously ejecting a stream of ink that forms a train of ink droplets, a heater disposed adjacent to the nozzle for selectively thermally deflecting the droplet forming stream of ink either toward a printing medium, or an ink gutter that captures and recirculates the ink. To increase the angle of deflection that the intermittently operated heater imposes on the droplet-forming stream of ink, a steering fluid assembly is provided in communication with the inkjet nozzle for co-extruding a thin film of fluid around the ink which has a higher volatility and a lower thermal diffusivity than the liquid forming the ink. When the ink is water based, the steering fluid may be, for example, polyethylene oxide based surfactant, or isopropanol.

Abstract: A method for singulating a semiconductor silicon wafer (10) comprising a plurality of semiconductor dice (20) arranged along a multiplicity of intersecting streets (30). Initially, a layer of photoresist (15)is patterned on the backside of the wafer (10). The semiconductor silicon wafer (10) is then etched using dry etching methods. As such, slots (22) are etched through the silicon of the wafer (10) aligned to the streets (30) forming a perforation. Simultaneously, tethers (40) are formed between the slots (22) interconnecting the adjacent dice (20) in order to maintain the wafer (10) mechanically intact. Furthermore, a membrane comprising integrated circuitry on the silicon wafer (10) is formed. The dice (20) of the wafer (10) are then separated for various purposes along the perforations. This is accomplished by applying pressure, such as manual pressure, to the wafer (10) so as to sever the tethers (40) which interconnect the dice (20) at their region (50) of reduced dimension.