Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure extends from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores. The liquid chamber is spanned by a portion of the thermal stimulation membrane. A source provides a liquid under pressure through the thermal stimulation member with the pressure being sufficient to jet a stream of the liquid through the nozzle after the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane.

Abstract: A method of continuously ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid ejection system that includes a substrate and an orifice plate affixed to the substrate. Portions of the substrate define a liquid chamber. The orifice plate includes a MEMS transducing member that extends over at least a portion of the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. The compliant membrane includes an orifice. Liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate by a liquid supply. A drop of liquid is caused to break off from the liquid jet by selectively actuating the MEMS transducing member which causes a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber.

Abstract: A continuous liquid ejection system includes a substrate defining a liquid chamber. An orifice plate, affixed to the substrate, includes a MEMS transducing member. The MEMS transducing member includes a first portion anchored to the substrate and a second portion extending over and free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane, positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member, includes an orifice and a first portion covering the MEMS transducing member and a second portion anchored to the substrate. A liquid supply provides a liquid to the liquid chamber under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane. The MEMS transducing member is selectively actuated to cause a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber to cause a drop of liquid to break off from the liquid jet.

Abstract: A method of continuously ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid ejection system that includes a substrate and an orifice plate affixed to the substrate. Portions of the substrate define a liquid chamber. The orifice plate includes a MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the liquid chamber. The second portion of the MEMS transducing member is free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member and a second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant membrane includes an orifice. Liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate by a liquid supply.

Abstract: A continuous liquid ejection system includes a substrate and an orifice plate affixed to the substrate. Portions of the substrate define a liquid chamber. The orifice plate includes a MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the liquid chamber and is free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member and a second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant membrane includes an orifice. A liquid supply provides a liquid to the liquid chamber under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate.

Abstract: A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows throug

Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. At least one of the plurality of pores overlaps the nozzle when viewed from a direction through the nozzle. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.

Abstract: A charge plate and a method for fabricating a charge plate for an ink jet printhead includes the steps of removing portions of conductive material from a dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form at least a first and second electrode on a first face with a first space between the first and second electrodes, removing portions of conductive material from the dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form a first electrode extension which engages the first electrode on the conductive charging face, and a second electrode extension which engages the second electrode on the conductive charging face, whereby the first and second electrode extensions are electrically isolated from each other, additionally forming a first space between the electrode extensions, which connects with the first space between the electrode extensions.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle plate, a filter, and a plurality of walls. Portions of the nozzle plate define a plurality of nozzles. The filter, for example, a filter membrane, includes a plurality of pores grouped in a plurality of pore clusters. Each of the plurality of walls extends from the nozzle plate to the filter membrane to define a plurality of liquid chambers positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter membrane. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of a respective one of the plurality of pore clusters.

Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure extends from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores. The liquid chamber is spanned by a portion of the thermal stimulation membrane. A source provides a liquid under pressure through the thermal stimulation member with the pressure being sufficient to jet a stream of the liquid through the nozzle after the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane.

Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. At least one of the plurality of pores overlaps the nozzle when viewed from a direction through the nozzle. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.

Abstract: A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows throug

Abstract: A drop on demand ink jet print head has a chamber with a plurality of liquid passages into and out of said chamber, such that liquid is continuously moved into the chamber to a stagnation point adjacent to the nozzle opening, whereat the fluid comes substantially to rest, and out of the chamber from the stagnation point such that vector sum of liquid flow derived forces within the liquid channels is neutral. An actuator associated with the chamber is adapted to selectively increase the pressure of the liquid at the stagnation point to thereby eject a liquid drop from the nozzle opening. Continuous fluid flow internal to the system decreases the time to refill the fire chamber directly behind the nozzle opening after droplet ejection. This in turn dramatically increases the response time of the system.

Abstract: A liquid drop ejector is disclosed including a nozzle structure and a thermal actuator. The nozzle structure includes a nozzle and a wall. The nozzle includes an end and the wall extends from the end of the nozzle. The thermal actuator is associated with at least one of the nozzle and the wall, and is operable to add surface energy to at least one of the nozzle and the wall to cause a directional change in a liquid flowing through the nozzle structure.

Abstract: A liquid drop ejector is disclosed including a nozzle structure and a thermal actuator. The nozzle structure includes a nozzle and a wall. The nozzle includes an end and the wall extends from the end of the nozzle. The thermal actuator is associated with at least one of the nozzle and the wall, and is operable to add surface energy to at least one of the nozzle and the wall to cause a directional change in a liquid flowing through the nozzle structure.

Abstract: A drop generator operable to selectively form a drop having a first size and a drop having a second size from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator. The drop having the first size and the drop having the second size travel along a drop trajectory with the first size being larger than the second size when compared to each other. Each of the drops has a drop velocity. A gas flow deflection system includes a gas flow that is directed at a deflection zone that comprises at least a portion of the drop trajectory. The gas flow in the deflection zone includes a velocity vector having a parallel velocity component and a perpendicular velocity component with the parallel velocity component and the perpendicular velocity component being defined relative to the drop trajectory.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter device comprising a first member wherein at least a portion of the first member is foraminous, a second member wherein at least a portion of the second member is foraminous, wherein there is a fixed gap space between the members and wherein the holes of the first and second members are offset.

Abstract: An integrated orifice array plate and a charge plate is fabricated for a continuous ink jet print head by providing an electrically non-conductive orifice plate substrate having first and second opposed sides and an array of predetermined spaced-apart orifice positions. A plating seed layer is applied to the first of the opposed sides of the substrate, and an array of orifices is formed through the orifice plate substrate at the predetermined orifice positions. The orifices extend between the opposed sides. The plating seed layer is etched, leaving a portion of the plating seed layer adjacent to each of the predetermined orifice positions. A charge electrode is plated onto each of the portions of the plating seed layer.

Abstract: An integrated orifice array plate and a charge plate are fabricated for a continuous ink jet print head by producing an orifice plate and a charge plate, and by bonding the two together. The orifice plate is produced by providing an electrically non-conductive orifice plate substrate, forming a recessed-surface trench of predetermined depth into one of two opposed sides of the orifice plate substrate, and forming an array of orifices through the orifice plate substrate from the recessed surface of the trench to the other of the two opposed sides wherein the orifices are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The charge plate is produced by providing an electrically non-conductive orifice plate substrate of predetermined thickness, and forming a plurality of charging leads on one of two opposed sides of the orifice plate substrate. The charge leads are spaced apart by said predetermined distance.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid stream generator, an electrode system, and a stream deflector. The liquid stream generator includes a nozzle and is operable to produce a stream of liquid through the nozzle. The electrode system is operable to produce an electric field including a first region having a first magnitude and a second region having a second magnitude. The stream deflector is operable to selectively cause the stream to move into one of the first region and the second region.