Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising an energy harvester device and a signal processing device coupled to the energy harvester device. The energy harvester device includes an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the elongate resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The signal processing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including obtaining a signal from the energy harvesting device. The obtained signal is tracked over a period of time. An environmental impact on the energy harvester device is determined based on the tracked signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser array structure includes a liquid dispensing channel. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a liquid supply channel and a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a liquid dispenser array structure. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of a liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through a liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form discrete drops of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. A receiver conveyance mechanism and the liquid dispenser array structure are positioned relative to each other such that the discrete drops of the functional liquid are applied to a receiver.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a linear array of nozzles having a pitch and extending along a length of the jetting module. The jetting module is configured to form drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism is configured to cause selected drops to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. The catcher, positioned to intercept drops travelling along one of the first and second paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface having an array of grooves extending in the same direction as that of the nozzle array. For a given groove, the groove is positioned at an angle relative to the drop contact surface.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a linear array of nozzles having a pitch and extending along a length of the jetting module. The jetting module is configured to form drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism is configured to cause selected drops to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. The catcher, positioned to intercept drops travelling along one of the first and second paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface having an array of grooves extending in the same direction as that of the nozzle array. For a given groove, the groove is positioned at an angle relative to the drop contact surface.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a nozzle array extending along a length of the jetting module and forms drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism causes selected drops to deviate from the first path to a second path. The catcher intercepts drops travelling along one of the paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface having an array of grooves. The array of grooves extends in the same direction as that of the nozzle array. For a given groove, the groove includes a depth that varies along the radial surface as viewed relative to the drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit surface adjacent to the Coanda surface.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a linear array of nozzles having a pitch and extending along a length of the jetting module. The jetting module is configured to form drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism is configured to cause selected drops to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. The catcher, positioned to intercept drops travelling along one of the first and second paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface having an array of grooves extending in the same direction as that of the nozzles. The array of grooves has a pitch that is greater than the pitch of the nozzle array.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a nozzle array extending along a length of the jetting module. The jetting module forms drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path to a second path. The catcher, positioned to intercept liquid drops travelling along one of the paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface including an array of grooves. The liquid removal conduit includes a surface that is positioned opposite and spaced apart from the radial surface such that the opposite surface of the liquid removal conduit does not contact the radial surface that includes the array of grooves.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle membrane and a plurality of liquid chambers. Portions of the nozzle membrane define an array of nozzles. The nozzle array includes a length and each nozzle of the nozzle array includes an axis. Each of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the nozzles of the nozzle array. Each of the plurality of liquid chambers includes a height dimension and a width dimension. The height dimension extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the respective nozzle. The width dimension extends in a direction along the length of the nozzle array. The height dimension and the width dimension have an aspect ratio of less than or equal to 9:1.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.

Abstract: A printhead and a method of manufacturing a printhead are provided. The printhead includes a polymeric substrate including a surface. Portions of the polymeric substrate define a liquid chamber. A material layer is disposed on the surface of the polymeric substrate. Portions of the material layer define a nozzle bore. The nozzle bore is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber.

Abstract: Fabricating a printhead includes providing a silicon wafer including first and second surfaces and a nozzle membrane layer on the first surface of the silicon wafer. The silicon wafer is sized to a thickness ranging from 10 to 250 microns. A plurality of chambers is defined on the second surface of the silicon wafer by depositing and patterning a mask on the second surface of the silicon wafer. The plurality of chambers is formed in the silicon wafer by etching portions of the silicon wafer that are exposed by the mask. A second wafer, permanently bonded to the second surface of the silicon wafer, includes a material property that is compatible with a material property of the silicon wafer. A preformed fluid channel of the second wafer is in fluid communication with the plurality of chambers of the silicon wafer after permanent bonding of the wafers.