Gas expansion material jetting actuator
US11440321B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2202/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A jetting assembly that can be used to print a high-temperature print material such as a metal or metal alloy, an aqueous ink, or another material, includes an actuator for heating a gas such as a non-volatile gas within a gas cavity. The actuator rapidly heats the gas within the gas cavity, which rapidly increases a volume of the gas, thereby applying a pressure to the print material within an expansion channel that is in fluid communication with the gas cavity. In turn, the print material within the expansion channel applies a pressure to the print material within a nozzle bore, which forces a drop of the print material from a nozzle. The jetting assembly further includes a supply inlet that supplies the print material to the expansion chamber and the nozzle bore, for example, from a reservoir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.