High efficiency ink delivery printhead having improved thermal characteristics
US6273555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/1646
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A high efficiency thermal inkjet printhead. The printhead includes a substrate, a base layer on the substrate, and at least one ink expulsion resistor on the base layer. The base layer is made from a special material that experiences a substantial increase in thermal conductivity at the elevated temperatures associated with resistor operation. As a result, the base layer functions as an effective thermal insulator when the resistors are initially energized, yet allows heat to dissipate from the resistors immediately after the deactivation thereof. Numerous benefits are achieved by this development including (1) rapid resistor cool-down between successive ink ejection cycles (which improves the speed/operational frequency of the system); and (2) the prevention of undesired heat dissipation through the base layer when the resistors are initially energized, with the generated heat instead flowing into the ink.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.