Liquid projection apparatus

US9156049B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Technology Partnership PLC

Inventors

• Paul Mark Galluzzo · Godmanchester, GB
• David Smith · Ellicott City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 13, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J2202/15
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of producing droplets from a nozzle provided on a material layer, the method comprising the steps of supplying liquid to an inner end of an array of nozzles, the nozzles being split into M groups of one or more nozzles, generating one or more firing signals, each firing signal causing sufficient movement of a group of nozzles relative to the liquid such that liquid is projected as droplets from the outer face of the respective nozzles, generating one or more sub-firing signals associated with each group of nozzles, the one or more sub-firing signals causing movement of the group of nozzles which is insufficient to project liquid from the nozzles, the sub-firing signals of adjacent groups having a non-zero phase relationship, wherein the sub-firing signal(s) of at least one group of nozzles is independent of the firing signal(s) associated with that group.