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 method of manufacturing a printhead includes providing a substrate and a filter membrane structure. A first portion of the substrate defines a plurality of nozzles and a second portion of the substrate defines a plurality of liquid chambers. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. The filter membrane structure is adhered, for example, laminated, to the second portion of the substrate. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a distinct portion of the filter membrane structure. Pores are formed in the filter membrane structure using a photo-lithography process.

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 first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the membrane includes a heater. The second portion of the membrane includes a plurality of pores. 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 printhead includes a substrate, a filter membrane structure, and a liquid source. A first portion of the substrate defines a plurality of nozzles. A second portion of the substrate defines a plurality of liquid chambers. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. The filter membrane structure is in contact with the second portion of the substrate. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a distinct portion of the filter membrane structure. The filter membrane structure includes a polymeric material layer. The liquid source provides liquid under pressure through the filter membrane structure. The pressure is sufficient to jet an individual stream of the liquid through each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles after the liquid flows through the filter membrane structure.

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 printhead includes a substrate and a filter membrane structure in contact with the substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a plurality of nozzles. A second portion of the substrate defines a plurality of liquid chambers. Each liquid chamber is in fluid communication with a nozzle. The filter membrane structure includes a polymeric material layer and a plurality of pores. The plurality of pores are positioned to filter liquid provided to the plurality of liquid chambers.

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 paired drop ejector includes a chamber having a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall and a dividing wall disposed between the first and second wall; wherein the first and second wall include a first length and the dividing wall includes a second length less than the first length in which the dividing wall forms first and second portions of the chamber; a first heater disposed in the first portion of the chamber in fluid relation with a first nozzle in which the first heater provides thermal energy to eject a droplet of ink through the first nozzle; and a second heater disposed in the second portion of the chamber in fluid relation with a second nozzle in which the second heater provides thermal energy to eject a droplet of ink through the second nozzle.

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 device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, the fluid control surface including a pattern that guides the fluid; causing the fluid to contact the fluid control surface of the fluid control device; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device by guiding the fluid using the pattern of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the pattern of the fluid control device such that the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device.

Abstract: A device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, a portion of the fluid control surface being moveable; causing the fluid to contact the fluid control surface of the fluid control device; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device by moving the moveable portion of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the fluid control surface such that the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device depending on the position of the moveable portion of the fluid control surface.

Abstract: A device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow velocity characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, the fluid control surface including a pattern that changes the velocity of the fluid; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device using the pattern of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the pattern of the fluid control device such that the fluid flow velocity characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow velocity characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device.

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 ejector is provided that includes a structure defining a plurality of chambers with one of the plurality of chambers including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a nozzle orifice. A drop forming mechanism is located on the second surface of the chamber opposite the nozzle orifice. A first liquid feed channel and a second liquid feed channel are in fluid communication with the chamber. A first segment of a segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the first liquid feed channel and a second segment of the segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the second liquid feed channel. The first segment of the segmented liquid inlet is also in fluid communication with another one of the plurality of chambers and the second segment of the liquid inlet is also in fluid communication with another one of the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: A device and method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, the fluid control surface including a pattern; causing the fluid to contact the fluid control surface of the fluid control device; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device using the pattern of the fluid control surface that, when activated, causes adjacent fluid drops to merge or coalesce while the fluid is in contact with the pattern of the fluid control device such that the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device.

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 method of printing and an apparatus for controlling the directionality of liquid emitted from nozzles of a printhead are provided. Example embodiments of the apparatus include directionality control of liquid jets or liquid drops using a liquid jet directionality control mechanism. Example embodiments of the liquid jet directionality control mechanism include asymmetric energy application device configurations, nozzle geometry configurations, liquid delivery channel geometry configurations, or combinations of these configurations.

Abstract: A printhead includes a catcher and a negative pressure source. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The plurality of pores have a critical pressure point above which air can displace liquid from the plurality of pores. The negative pressure source is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the liquid contact structure. The negative pressure source includes a pressure regulator to control the negative pressure such that the negative pressure remains below the critical pressure point of the plurality of pores of the liquid drop contact structure.