Microfluidic printing array valve
US6055004A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/005
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A microfluidic printing apparatus comprising at least one ink reservoir; a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber; and a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber. The apparatus provides relative movement between the microchannels and the structure so that the arrays can be effective in two positions; a blocking position for preventing the flow of ink from the microchannel to the chamber, and a printing position for aligning the chambers with the microchannels for permitting the flow of ink from microchannels into associated chambers to regulate the ink flow into the chambers. The apparatus further controls the microfluidic pumps and causes arrays to be in printing position when the microfluidic pumps supply ink through the microchannels to the chambers so that the correct amount of ink is delivered into each chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.