Micromist jet printer
US4019188A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1975 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/215
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A micromist printing arrangement wherein a micromist of ink particles, provided by an ultrasonic nebulizer, is forced through a small nozzle to form an aerosol jet. The micromist ink particles are entrained in the jet and focused to print a narrow width region which is substantially smaller in size than the overall jet diameter and the nozzle opening. Particle size, jet stream velocity and air or other carrier gas viscosity are considered in establishing focusing characteristics of the aerosol jet, which is directed against the paper to wet the same, thereby obtaining dense, well defined print lines. According to a first embodiment, modulation of the aerosol jet is achieved by fluid logic control whereby a vacuum is introduced into the path of the aerosol jet to shunt it from its printing path. In another embodiment, control may be achieved through the use of sonic excitation of turbulence into the aerosol jet. The sonic excitation changes the aerosol jet from laminar flow to turbulent flow, resulting in a reduction of the velocity of the aerosol jet such that the aerosol ink particles do not wet the paper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.