Abstract: A liquid jet head is provided with an actuator substrate having grooves spaced apart from one another through an intermediation of partition walls. Drive electrodes are formed on confronting side surfaces of the partition walls so as not to be electrically connected to one another and are configured to be driven independently from one another to independently deform the partition walls. Each of the partition walls has a first portion made of a first material and extending from a base surface of the corresponding groove, and has a second portion extending from the first portion and being made of a second material having a higher permittivity than that of the first material. A cover plate is mounted on the actuator substrate so as to cover the grooves, and a nozzle plate has nozzles communicating with respective ones of the grooves.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head, the method including forming a piezoelectric element having a width in a reference direction longer than a width in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction on a first substrate, and adhering a second substrate to a surface of the first substrate opposed to the piezoelectric element at a temperature higher than a normal temperature, wherein, in the adhering of the second substrate, the second substrate is adhered such that the first direction of the second substrate is adjusted to the reference direction, using a first thermal expansion coefficient in a first direction on an adhesion surface with the first substrate greater than a second thermal expansion coefficient in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the first thermal expansion coefficient greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet print head is fabricated by forming an electrode and two protection film layers composed of an inorganic insulating film and an organic insulating film over the electrode within a groove of a piezoelectric member, adhering a top board to the piezoelectric member covering the groove to form a pressure chamber, adhering a polyimide plate to cover the groove, and then forming a nozzle in the polyimide plate by the excimer laser processing aligning to the pressure chamber. The excimer laser light penetrates the polyimide plate to form a nozzle is then emitted on the organic insulating film. Consequently, part of the organic insulating film is damaged by the laser light. To prevent this damage, the thickness of the inorganic insulating film in the part to which the excimer laser light is emitted is prepared to be 0.5 ?m or more.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitive microphone comprises providing a substrate having at least one cavity. The method further comprises forming a backplate on the substrate, wherein the backplate has a plurality of holes, and forming a diaphragm on the backplate, wherein there are a first distance and a second distance between the diaphragm and the backplate. The method still further comprises forming an air gap between the backplate and the diaphragm through the first distance, and fastening the diaphragm to the backplate through the second distance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a main body which is adhered onto a substrate with an adhesive layer. The substrate includes inflow parts that are opened to a mounting surface. Side surfaces of the main body, internal surfaces of the grooves, an end part of the adhesive layer, and the mounting surface are covered with a conductive layer. The conductive layer is provided with insulating patterns. The insulating patterns run between the grooves and extending to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A flow path regulating member for regulating an ink flow path leading into the channels is formed on the rear side of the head chip by exposure and development through lamination of the photo masks having an opening of a predetermined pattern, after a photosensitive resin film has been bonded on the rear side of the head chip by heat and pressure without using an adhesive; this head chip being characterized in that the channels, and drive walls made up of piezoelectric elements are arranged alternately, the apertures of the channels are arranged on the front side and rear side, respectively, and drive electrodes are formed in channels.

Abstract: A piezoelectric inkjet head structure includes an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, a piezoelectric actuating module, a nozzle plate and a seal layer. The piezoelectric actuating module includes an upper piezoelectric chip, a lower piezoelectric chip, a first electrode, a second electrode, a conductive layer and a plurality of flow channels. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the lower piezoelectric chip are separated from each other by the same spacing interval. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the entrances of the flow channels of the lower piezoelectric chip are arranged in a staggered form. During operation of the piezoelectric actuating module, ink liquid is introduced into the flow channels of the piezoelectric actuating module from the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate, and then ejected out of the nozzles.

Abstract: When ink is ejected from any one of a plurality of pressure chambers, an electric field pulse, which corresponds to an electric field pulse to be applied to a partition wall of the pressure chamber which is to eject the ink, and has at least one square wave, which is in a direction opposite to that of the electric field pulse and has a pulse width corresponding to the electric field pulse, is applied to a partition wall adjacent to the partition wall of the pressure chamber which is to eject the ink.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member.

Abstract: An ink-jet head is disclosed. The ink-jet head can include: a chamber for holding ink, an actuator coupled to one side of the chamber to provide pressure to the chamber, a damper portion connected with the other side of the chamber, an accelerator portion extending from a lateral surface of the damper portion, and a nozzle formed at an end of the accelerator portion. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the speed at which ink is ejected and improve the straightness of the ejection path.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a plurality of functional plates bonded together in a stack by polymeric adhesive(s). The surfaces of the functional plates that contact the polymeric adhesives are subjected to a coating process that includes providing a coating of an adhesion promoter, namely polydopamine, prior to application of the adhesive. The adhesive may be a crosslinkable acrylic adhesive or a thermoplastic polyimide. The polydopamine coating is applied by immersing the functional plate in a buffered dopamine solution for a period sufficient to produce a coating having a pre-determined thickness. The thickness of the coating is controlled by submerging the functional plate in the buffered dopamine solution while the pH value of the dopamine solution is maintained at a value sufficient for polymerization of the dopamine during that time period, and then transferring the plates to a solution having a pH value that is insufficient to sustain the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink jet head exhibiting good assemblability while protecting an electrode portion. An ink jet head (10) comprising a head chip (2) including drive walls (22) and channels (23) juxtaposed alternately with a drive electrode (25) being formed on the drive wall (22), and a nozzle plate (24) wherein a connection electrode is formed on the rear surface of the head chip (2), a wiring board (3) on which an electrode portion (32) is formed is bonded to project from the head chip (2), and ink in the channel (23) is ejected by causing shear deformation of the drive wall (22) is further provided with a holding member (5) disposed at a position covering the electrode portion (32) and holding a portion (31) of the wiring board (3) projecting from the head chip (2), and an electrode portion protection member (4) bonded between the holding member (5) and the electrode portion (32) using adhesive and having a thickness in the range of 0.01-0.5 mm at a part covering the electrode portion (32).

Abstract: A liquid-jet head chip includes an actuator substrate having liquid discharge flow paths for discharging a liquid and disposed parallel to and at a distance from each other. Each of the liquid discharge flow paths is open on a surface of the actuator substrate. A cover plate substrate is bonded onto the surface of the actuator substrate and has an opening portion that opens on a surface of the cover plate substrate on a side opposite to the actuator substrate. The opening portion includes a concave portion and through-holes extending from the concave portion and communicating with the liquid discharge flow paths. A filter structure is disposed at an approximately constant distance from the surface of the cover plate substrate to which the actuator substrate is bonded. The filter structure is located at a position so as to substantially close the opening portion of the cover plate substrate.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a single microcircuit into an integrated cochlear electrode array includes securing and supporting a nonconductive film substrate; attaching a metallic ribbon to a surface of the substrate; machining a flat multiconductor microcircuit from the ribbon to produce a flat elongated multiconductor tail portion with spaced outwardly exposed electrode receiving pads, and a flat multiconductor head portion connected to the tail portion and having spaced outwardly exposed attachment pads; laminating the flat microcircuit between the film substrate and an insulating cover; excising the laminated microcircuit from the film substrate with the electrode receiving pads exposed; wrapping the tail portion of the excised laminated microcircuit into a helix with the exposed electrode receiving pads wrapped around the insulating cover; mounting and electrically connecting the ring electrodes on and to the exposed electrode pads; and overmolding the helix tail portion with a polymeric material to read

Abstract: An ink jet head includes a piezoelectric element including pressure chambers and partition walls, a nozzle plate including nozzles which are laser-machined, an adhesive which adheres the nozzle plate to the partition walls, a first protection film covering an electrode, and a second protection film which is stacked on the first protection film. The adhesive includes an excess portion which protrudes into the pressure chamber. A cut portion along a direction of radiation of a laser beam is formed at the excess portion. The second protection film includes a damage hole at an area on which the laser beam is made incident. The first protection film is exposed from the damage hole. A part of the first protection film, which corresponds to the damage hole, has a film thickness of 0.1 ?m to 0.5 ?m, and the first protection film has a refractive index of 1.1 to 2.0.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head has a piezoelectric element with a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode. The liquid ejecting head causes pressure changes in a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening. The piezoelectric layer has a perovskite structure and is preferentially orientated in a (100) plane. A method for producing the liquid ejecting head includes polarizing the piezoelectric layer by applying an electric field having energy higher than energy required for converting the polarization direction in the <111> direction to the <110> direction and lower than energy required for converting the polarization direction in the <111> direction to the <001> direction when the electric field to be applied to the piezoelectric layer is in the <001> direction vertical to a plane on which the second electrode is provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer stacked on the first piezoelectric layer, a first electrode arranged on the first piezoelectric layer, a second electrode arranged between the first and second piezoelectric layers, and a third electrode arranged on the second piezoelectric layer. A portion of the third electrode faces the second electrode, and another portion of the third electrode faces the first electrode. The first electrode does not face at least a portion of the second electrode. A portion, of the second piezoelectric layer, sandwiched between the second electrode and the third electrode is polarized in a first direction in a thickness direction thereof, and portions, of the first and the second piezoelectric layers, which are sandwiched between the first electrode and the third electrode and between which the second electrode is not arranged, are polarized in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which use a print head having a plurality of ejection port rows to enable high-quality printing without causing uneven density in a conveying direction by varying the printing distribution ratio of the ejection port rows in the print head depending on gray level.

Abstract: A droplet deposition apparatus having an array of fluid chambers defined by a pair of opposing chamber walls, and in fluid communication with a nozzle for droplet ejection therefrom; a cover member is joined to the edges of the chamber walls and thus seals one side of the chambers. The cover member has a ratio of cover thickness to chamber wall separation less than or equal to 1:1.

Abstract: A flow path regulating member 3 is formed on the rear surface of the head chip 1A, wherein the channels 12 and 13, and drive walls 11 made up of piezoelectric elements are arranged alternately, the apertures of the channels 12 and 13 are arranged on the front side and rear side, and drive electrodes 14 are formed in channels 12 and 13, by the step of providing a lamination film according to the process wherein a mask layer without having been etched at the time of dry etching of an organic film is patterned on the surface of the organic film so as to conform to the channel 13 for regulating an ink flow path and performing dry etching from the side of the mask layer and removing the organic film at other than the site coated with the mask layer.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes a nozzle to discharge liquid droplets, a pressure chamber which is configured to communicate with the nozzle and filled with liquid, a supply section which is configured to communicate with the pressure chamber and supplies the liquid to the pressure chamber, a recovery section which is configured to communicate with the pressure chamber and recovers the liquid from the pressure chamber, a bypass channel which is independent of the pressure chamber and connects the supply section with the recovery section, a pressure-control liquid chamber which is connected at one end to the bypass channel and connected at the other end to the atmosphere, and a porous member which is contained inside the pressure-control liquid chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with a plurality of nozzle arrangements that each have a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port that is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The nozzle arrangements also have an actuator configured for rectilinear movement, and an ink-ejecting mechanism configured for angular displacement to eject ink from the ink ejection port. A translation to rotation conversion mechanism is interposed between the actuator and the ink-ejecting mechanism to convert rectilinear movement of the actuator into angular displacement of the ink-ejecting mechanism.

Abstract: An inkjet head may comprise an ejection port which ejects ink and an ink flow path which supplies the ink to the ejection port. The inkjet head may also comprise an ejection actuator which supplies ejection energy to the ink in the ink flow path. The ejection energy may cause the ink to be ejected from the ejection port. The inkjet head may also comprise a wall portion. The wall portion may be located at a position farther from the ejection port along the ink flow path with respect to a position at which the ejection energy is supplied. The wall portion may define an inner wall surface of the ink flow path. The wall portion may deform to decrease a cross section of the ink flow path in a direction orthogonal to an ink-flow direction as a temperature of the ink in the ink flow path increases. The wall portion may deform to increase a cross section of the ink flow path in a direction orthogonal to an ink-flow direction as the temperature of the ink in the ink flow path decreases.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a low power multi-pulse waveform having at least two drive pulses and at least one intermediate portion to the actuator. The method further includes alternately expanding and contracting a pumping chamber coupled to the actuator in response to the at least two drive pulses and the at least one intermediate portion. The method further includes causing the droplet ejection device to eject one or more droplets of a fluid in response to the pulses of the low power multi-pulse waveform. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate portion has a voltage level greater than zero and less than or equal to a threshold voltage level in order to reduce the power needed to operate the droplet ejection device.

Abstract: A component for a printhead is created by forming a PZT wafer forming a region of SU8 photoresist material on one side of the PZT wafer; sawing in a second side of said planar body, opposite said first side, actuator channels to a depth sufficient to expose an area of the photoresist material; forming a nozzle through the layer of photo-resist material in the exposed area such that then nozzle is in communication with the actuator channels. The region of photoresist material may be used to form a nozzle plate using photolithography.

Abstract: A flow path regulating member for regulating an ink flow path leading into the channels is formed on the rear side of the head chip by exposure and development through lamination of the photo masks having an opening of a predetermined pattern, after a photosensitive resin film has been bonded on the rear side of the head chip by heat and pressure without using an adhesive; this head chip being characterized in that the channels, and drive walls made up of piezoelectric elements are arranged alternately, the apertures of the channels are arranged on the front side and rear side, respectively, and drive electrodes are formed in channels.

Abstract: An ink jet head includes a head chip having driving walls made up of piezoelectric device, ink channels that eject ink, air channels that do not eject ink, driving electrodes formed inside of the of the channels, at least one common electrode that conducts with the driving electrodes of the air channels, and connection electrodes that conduct with the driving electrodes of the ink channels separately, wherein the ink channels and the air channels are alternatingly arranged in parallel and form channel rows arranged in parallels, and a nozzle plate joined to a front surface of the head chip and has a plurality of nozzles, wherein individual connection electrodes of any adjacent two channel rows formed at a side of an edge of the head chip are lead out and aligned at the edge of the head chip.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a cavity unit having a plurality of nozzles and pressure chambers; and an actuator unit applying jetting pressures to the pressure chambers. The actuator unit has a plurality of stacked ceramics layers, individual electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers, a common electrode common to all the pressure chambers, and a barrier layer preventing the liquid from being penetrated therethrough. The barrier layer is stacked on a position which is between a contact surface, of the actuator unit, making contact with the cavity unit and the individual electrodes closest to the contact surface, except a position on the contact surface. It is possible to prevent the individual electrodes and the common electrode from being electrically short-circuited due to the liquid even when the ceramics layer in contact with the cavity unit has a crack.

Abstract: A droplet discharge head including a nozzle substrate having nozzle openings, a cavity substrate having discharge chambers that communicate with the nozzle openings and discharge droplets from the nozzle openings, a reservoir substrate having a reservoir concave portion that serves as a reservoir which communicates commonly with the discharge chambers. The reservoir substrate is provided between the nozzle substrate and the cavity substrate and a resin thin film is formed on a whole inner face of the reservoir concave portion and on a bottom face of a second concave portion. The second concave portion is provided in a peripheral of the reservoir concave portion and has a depth which is smaller than the depth of the reservoir concave portion. The resin thin film is cut circularly so as to surround the reservoir concave portion, and a part of the resin thin film serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation. serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation.

Abstract: A liquid jet head includes: a plurality of unit heads, wherein each of the unit heads has a nozzle forming region and a plurality of nozzle apertures arranged in a first direction in the nozzle forming region, the plurality of unit heads being laminated in a manner that the nozzle forming regions are shifted from one another in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the unit heads are laminated in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and liquid is ejected in a fourth direction between the second direction and the third direction.

Abstract: A plurality of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips with different functions is provided. Each of the ASICs performs one or more functions along an ultrasound data path. The chips include communications protocols or processes for allowing scaling. For example, ASICs for backend processing include data exchange ports for communicating between other ASICs of the same type. As another example, receive beamformer ASICs cascade for beamformation. By providing ASICs implementing many or most of the ultrasound data path functions, with scalability, the same ASICs may be used for different system designs. A family of systems from high end to low-end using the same types of ASICs, but in different configurations, is provided.

Abstract: A nozzle plate includes a first thermoplastic resin film; a reinforcing plate which is formed of a material having a rigidity higher than that of the first thermoplastic resin film and which has one surface joined to the first thermoplastic resin film; and a second thermoplastic resin film which is joined to the other surface of the reinforcing plate; wherein a nozzle is formed for the first thermoplastic resin film; and through-holes, which are communicated with the nozzle, are formed through the reinforcing plate and the second thermoplastic resin film. Therefore, the nozzle plate can be produced without using any adhesive. Further, the thermoplastic resin films are joined to the both surfaces of the reinforcing plate. Therefore, any warpage is hardly caused in the reinforcing plate and the first and second thermoplastic resin films, which would be otherwise caused by the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a channel unit in which a channel is formed, a piezoelectric unit, and a wiring unit stacked on the piezoelectric unit. The wiring unit has a substrate, an individual supply-terminal group which includes a plurality of individual supply-terminals, a common supply-terminal, and an isolative covering layer, which is stacked on a surface of the substrate facing the piezoelectric unit. In the covering layer, a trap groove which runs between the individual supply-terminals and the common supply-terminal, and surrounds the individual supply-terminal group is formed. Accordingly, there is provided a liquid droplet jetting head which is capable of preventing a shorting between the individual drive electrodes of the piezoelectric unit, and between the individual supply-terminals of the wiring unit, due to the liquid entered from outside.

Abstract: This invention provides a shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric ceramic composition free from lead having a high coercive electric field and a liquid ejection head having the shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator. The shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator is characterized by using a piezoelectric ceramic composition having a solid solution including a main component of general formula (1) and an auxiliary component of general formula (2) added in an amount of less than 1% by mole based on the total amount of the solid solution: {LiX(K1-YNaY)1-X}(Nb1-Z-WTaZSbW)O3??General formula (1) (Wherein 0?x?0.2, 0?y?1, 0<z?0.4, 0<w?0.2) ABO3??General formula (2) (Wherein A denotes Bi and B denotes at least one of Fe, In and Sc).

Abstract: Making a transducer having a plastic matching layer which includes providing a transducer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and bonding a plastic to the distal end of the transducer housing (the plastic fluidly sealing and occluding the distal end). The bonding further includes inserting a cylinder comprising a mold-release chemical into the transducer housing, bonding plastic onto the distal end of the transducer housing, and removing the cylinder when the plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head has a plate-shaped member including a first layer with a partition wall formed by a first etching process and defining a pressure chamber, an ink inlet passage and a common ink storage chamber, a second layer with a land formed by a second etching process so as to correspond to the pressure chamber, and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the first and the second layers. The recording head also has a pressure producing device disposed with its extremity in contact with the land, and a nozzle plate with a nozzle hole bonded to the front surface of the plate-shaped member. An ink particle is jetted through the nozzle hole when the pressure in the pressure chamber is changed by the pressure producing device.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of small sensors with reproducible surfaces, including electrochemical sensors. One process includes forming channels in the surface of a substrate and disposing a conductive material in the channels to form an electrode. The conductive material can also be formed on the substrate by other impact and non-impact methods. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes cutting the substrate to form a sensor having a connector portion and a transcutaneous portion, the two portions having edges that define one continuous straight line.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a fluid chamber having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a flexible membrane extended over the fluid chamber and supported at an end of the first sidewall and an end of the second sidewall, an actuator provided on the flexible membrane, a first gap provided between the flexible membrane and the end of the first sidewall, and a second gap provided between the flexible membrane and the end of the second sidewall, and compliant material provided within the first gap and within the second gap. As such, the actuator is adapted to deflect the flexible membrane relative to the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method for discharging droplets includes: discharging droplets of a plurality of variations of functional liquids by a plurality of discharge heads, on a coated area from a plurality of nozzles installed in each of the discharge heads, while scanning relatively over the coated area provided on a substrate; wherein a location of the nozzles is shifted in an orthogonal direction for each of the discharge heads, the nozzles being installed in an orthogonal direction on both edges whose direction is approximately orthogonal to a scanning direction, and, at the same time, the plurality of nozzles being arranged in each of the discharge heads, so that an overlapped discharge area, where discharge areas of all variations of the functional liquid overlap upon scanning, is formed; and wherein the discharge heads perform scanning so that the overlapped discharge area includes at least part of the coated area that is provided along a side that extends in the scanning direction, when discharging droplets of the functio

Abstract: Disclose is a liquid droplet ejection head comprising; a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric porcelain composition containing no lead and having low temperature dependence of piezoelectric constant, Specifically disclosed is a droplet ejection head characterized by comprising a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric porcelain composition containing a solid solution of a main component represent by the Formula (1) below and a sub-component represented by the Formula (2) below which is added in an amount of less than 1 mol % relative to the total amount of the solid solution. {LiX(K1-YNaY)1-X}(Nb1-Z-WTaZSbW)O3,??Formula (1) wherein x, y, z and W are within the ranges of 0?x?0.2, 0?y?1, 0<z?0.4, and 0<w?0.2, respectively. ABO3,??Formula (2) wherein A represents Bi, and B represents at least any one of Fe, In, and Sc.

Abstract: A method of forming a MEMS device provides a wafer having a base with a conductive portion. The wafer also has an intermediate conductive layer. After it provides the wafer, the method adds a diaphragm layer to the wafer. The method removes at least a portion of the intermediate conductive layer to form a cavity between the diaphragm layer and the base. At least a portion of the diaphragm layer is movable relative to the base. After it forms the cavity, the method seals the cavity.

Abstract: An inkjet recording system includes an inkjet recording head in which a part of wall face of a pressure chamber in which a nozzle is provided is formed of a piezoelectric element. Centerline average roughness Ra of the piezoelectric element is 0.05 to 2 ?m, viscosity of the ink is 2.0 to 10.0 mPa·s, and the following expression (1) is satisfied; r ? ? ? ? ? cos ? ? ? 2 ? ? ? ? 0.07 ( 1 ) wherein r represents centerline average roughness (?m) of surface of piezoelectric element forming wall face of the pressure chamber, ? represents surface tension (mN/m) of ink, ? represents viscosity of ink (mPa·s), and ? represents contact angle (degree) of ink with respect to piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A restrictor with a structure to prevent a back flow of ink and an inkjet head including the restrictor. In the inkjet head, an ink channel is formed in a channel plate, and the ink channel includes an ink inlet, a plurality of pressure chambers, a manifold, a plurality of restrictors respectively connecting the pressure chambers to the manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. Piezoelectric actuators are formed on the channel plate. Each of the restrictors includes a plurality of protrusions formed on an inner surface thereof in a structure suitable to increase a flow resistance of the restrictor when ink flows from the pressure chamber to the manifold through the restrictor. Each of the protrusions includes a first surface facing a flow of ink moving through the restrictor in a direction from the manifold to the pressure chamber, and a second surface facing a flow of ink moving through the restrictor in a direction from the pressure chamber to the manifold.

Abstract: An actuator taking the form of a piezoelectric wall separating two chambers, which utilizes two actuation modes. Both actuation modes cause volume displacements in both chambers, but act to reinforce one another in one chamber and cancel one another in the other chamber. A fluid pump for droplet deposition having an array of channels separated by such actuators can be operated with each channel acting substantially independently of its neighbors.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet head printing device, which includes an inkjet head that has an ink flow channel unit including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink and a plurality of pressure chambers respectively provided for the plurality of nozzles, and has a piezoelectric actuator unit including a plurality of electrodes. The inkjet head further includes a pulse controller that generates a plurality of types of ejection pulse patterns having different phases and drives the plurality of electrodes corresponding to the plurality of nozzles which are to eject the ink using the plurality of types of ejection pulse patterns.

Abstract: A capacitive ultrasonic transducer includes a flexible layer, a first conductive layer on the flexible layer, a support frame on the first conductive layer, the support frame including a flexible material, a membrane over the support frame being spaced apart from the first conductive layer by the support frame, the membrane including the flexible material, a cavity defined by the first conductive layer, the support frame and the membrane, and a second conductive layer on the membrane.

Abstract: A liquid jetting head using a piezoelectric element that is capable of obtaining sufficient displacement through the application of a driving voltage is provided. In the liquid jetting head, which comprises a substrate formed with a pressure chamber, a diaphragm formed on the substrate, and a piezoelectric thin film element formed on the diaphragm, the diaphragm bends in convex form toward the pressure chamber side, and the amount by which the diaphragm bends is no more than 0.4% of the width of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymer-based capacitive ultrasonic transducer, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a first conductor on the substrate; (c) coating a sacrificial layer on the substrate while covering the first conductor by the same; (d) etching the sacrificial layer for forming an island while maintaining the island to contact with the first conductor; (e) coating a first polymer-based material on the substrate while covering the island by the same; (f) forming a second conductor on the first polymer-based material; (g) forming a via hole on the first polymer-based material while enabling the via hole to be channeled to the island; and (h) utilizing the via hole to etch and remove the island for forming a cavity.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head having actuators that are caused to deflect so as to vary a volume of a pressure chamber according to a drive signal applied between an electrode associated with a pressure chamber from which ink is ejected and ones associated with two pressure chambers sandwiching the former, and a drive signal generator that generates a drive signal for driving the pressure chambers in the five time-divisional drive method. The drive signal generator simultaneously supplies drive signals for alleviating deflection of an actuator or actuators at the outmost position among six actuators disposed close around a pressure chamber from which ink is to be ejected to electrodes associated with the five pressure chambers close around one from which ink is not to be ejected at a timing when the ink ejection therefrom is enabled. Thus, variations in velocity and volume between ink droplets ejected that are caused due to cross-talk between chambers can be reduced.