Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the substrate. The liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the substrate. A diverter member is associated with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid return channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A liquid return passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid manifold includes a liquid supply duct and a liquid return duct. The liquid supply duct is in fluid communication with each liquid supply passage of each liquid dispensing element.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes an upstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The upstream edge includes a radius of curvature when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a first wall. A portion of the first wall defines an outlet opening. The liquid dispensing channel includes a second wall opposite the first wall. The second wall of the liquid dispensing channel extends along a portion of the liquid supply channel and along a portion of the liquid return channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the second wall and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A plurality of liquid return passages extends through the second wall and is in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply passage through the liquid supply channel, through the liquid dispensing channel, and through the liquid return channel to the plurality of liquid return passages.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes an upstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The upstream edge includes a radius of curvature when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wall. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member that selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel; and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a first wall. A portion of the first wall defines an outlet opening. The liquid dispensing channel includes a second wall opposite the first wall. The second wall of the liquid dispensing channel extends along a portion of the liquid supply channel and along a portion of the liquid return channel. A liquid supply passage is provided that extends through the second wall and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A plurality of liquid return passages are provided that extend through the second wall and are in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply passage through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel to the plurality of liquid return passages.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. A drain is located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. Another portion of the wall defines a drain located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel including an exit having a cross sectional area, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel including a cross sectional area and an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes an end that is adjacent to the liquid return channel. The cross sectional area of a portion of the liquid dispensing channel that is located at the end of the outlet opening is greater than the cross sectional area of the exit of the liquid supply channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply adapted to feed a stream of liquid through the supply channel, a liquid return channel adapted to receive liquid from the supply channel, a liquid dispensing outlet opening, and a diverter member selectively movable into the supply channel to divert droplets to the dispensing outlet opening. The liquid flows from the liquid supply channel to the liquid return channel by Coanda effect when not diverted. The motion of the diverter member is substantially orthogonal to and opposes the direction of liquid flow, so that energy associated with moving the diverter member imparts no energy to the diverted droplets. The energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 100 nJ per pL droplet volume. In some embodiments, the energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 10 nJ per pL droplet volume.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply adapted to feed a stream of liquid through the supply channel, a liquid return channel adapted to receive liquid from the supply channel, a liquid dispensing outlet opening, and a diverter member forming at least a portion of a wall of the liquid supply channel, said diverter member being selectively movable to form a convex surface along which liquid remains attached, thereby to divert droplets from the supply channel through the dispensing outlet opening. The motion of the diverter member is substantially orthogonal to the direction of liquid flow, so that energy associated with moving the diverter member imparts no energy to the diverted droplets. The energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 100 nJ per pL droplet volume.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel including an exit having a cross sectional area, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel including a cross sectional area and an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes an end that is adjacent to the liquid return channel. The cross sectional area of a portion of the liquid dispensing channel that is located at the end of the outlet opening is greater than the cross sectional area of the exit of the liquid supply channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A selectively actuatable diverter member imparts heat energy directly to a first portion of the liquid to divert a second portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. A surface is positioned downstream relative to the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel and leads to atmosphere. A portion of the surface, when compared to another portion of the surface, includes structure that reduces viscous drag on the portion of the liquid that has been diverted by the diverter member such that drops formed from consecutive portions of the liquid that have been diverted by the diverter member travel with consistent drop characteristics.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel that includes an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel that includes a porous member located therein. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.