Shuttering of aerosol streams
US10850510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB05B12/18
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for controlling aerosol streams being deposited onto a substrate via pneumatic shuttering. The aerosol stream is surrounded and focused by an annular co-flowing sheath gas in the print head of the apparatus. A boost gas flows to a vacuum pump during printing of the aerosol. A valve adds the boost gas to the sheath gas at the appropriate time, and a portion of the two gases is deflected in a direction opposite to the aerosol flow direction to at least partially prevent the aerosol from passing through the deposition nozzle. Some or all of the aerosol is combined with that portion of the boost gas and sheath gas and is exhausted from the print head. By precisely balancing the flows into and out of the print head, maintaining the flow rates of the aerosol and sheath gas approximately constant, and keeping the boost gas flowing during both printing and shuttering, the transition time between printing and partial or full shuttering of the aerosol stream is minimized. The pneumatic shuttering can be combined with a mechanical shutter for faster operation. A pre-sheath gas can be used to minimize the delay between the flow of gas in the center and the flow of gas n…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.