公开(公告)号：US07029101B2

公开(公告)日：2006-04-18

申请号：US10953398

申请日：2004-09-29

申请人： Christopher N. Delametter ,  Edward P. Furlani ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David S. Ross ,  Stephen F. Pond

发明人： Christopher N. Delametter ,  Edward P. Furlani ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David S. Ross ,  Stephen F. Pond

IPC分类号： B41J2/05 ,  B41J2/04

CPC分类号： B41J2/14427 ,  B41J2/1628 ,  B41J2/1631 ,  B41J2/1648

摘要： An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter for use in an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator includes a base element and a cantilevered element including a thermo-mechanical bender portion extending from the base element to a free end tip. The thermo-mechanical bender portion includes a barrier layer constructed of a dielectric material having low thermal conductivity, a first deflector layer constructed of a first electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second deflector layer constructed of a second electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the baffler layer is bonded between the first and second deflector layers.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种操作用于微机械装置的热致动器的装置和方法，特别是用于喷墨打印头的液滴发射器。 所公开的热致动器包括基部元件和悬臂元件，其包括从基部元件延伸到自由端尖端的热机械弯曲部分。 热机械弯曲部分包括由具有低热导率的介电材料构成的阻挡层，由具有大的热膨胀系数的第一电阻材料构成的第一偏转器层和由第二电阻构成的第二偏转器层 具有大的热膨胀系数的材料，其中挡板层结合在第一和第二偏转器层之间。

公开(公告)号：US07011394B2

公开(公告)日：2006-03-14

申请号：US10650873

申请日：2003-08-28

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  Stephen F. Pond

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  Stephen F. Pond

IPC分类号： B41J2/04

CPC分类号： B41J2/14427 ,  B41J2/1628 ,  B41J2/1639 ,  B41J2/1645 ,  B41J2/1646 ,  B41J2/1648

摘要： An apparatus for a liquid drop emitter, especially for use in an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. A chamber filled with a liquid, a nozzle and a thermo-mechanical actuator, extending into the chamber from at least one wall of the chamber is disclosed. A movable element of the thermo-mechanical actuator is configured with a bending portion which bends when heated. The bending portion comprises a first layer having first and second sides, constructed of a first material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion, a second layer, attached to the second side of the first layer, and a third layer, attached to the first side of the first layer, constructed of a third material having a low thermal conductivity and a low Young's modulus. Apparatus is adapted to apply heat pulses to the bending portion resulting in rapid deflection of the movable element, ejection of a liquid drop, without degradation or vaporization of the liquid. The third material may be an organic polymer having a Young's modulus less than 10 GPa and thermal conductivity less than 1 W/(m ° K), for example PTFE, teflon.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于液滴发射器的装置，特别用于喷墨打印头。 公开了一种充满液体，喷嘴和热机械致动器的室，其从室的至少一个壁延伸到室中。 热机械致动器的可移动元件构造有弯曲部分，其在加热时弯曲。 弯曲部分包括具有第一和第二侧面的第一层，由具有高热膨胀系数的第一材料构成，附接到第一层的第二侧的第二层和附着到第一层的第三层 的第一层由具有低热导率和低杨氏模量的第三材料构成。 设备适于将热脉冲施加到弯曲部分，导致可移动元件的快速偏转，液滴的喷射，而不会降低或蒸发液体。 第三种材料可以是具有小于10GPa的杨氏模量和小于1W /（m°K）的热导率的有机聚合物，例如PTFE，特氟隆。

公开(公告)号：US06572220B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-03

申请号：US10152194

申请日：2002-05-21

申请人： David S. Ross ,  Antonio Cabal ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht

发明人： David S. Ross ,  Antonio Cabal ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht

IPC分类号： B41J206

CPC分类号： B41J2/09 ,  B41J2/02 ,  B41J2/105 ,  B41J2002/032 ,  B41J2202/16

摘要： An ink jet printing apparatus and method for generating droplets of a printing liquid from a nozzle of an inkjet printhead features a temperature responsive vibrating beam constrained at both ends of the beam within or near a nozzle having an exit opening, the beam being continuously vibrated within the printing liquid in response to electrical pulsing applied to the beam so that the beam vibrates at a predetermined frequency and the beam is at a temperature that is characterized by frequency of vibration that is substantially at a local minimum point whereby minor excursions in temperature of the beam from the local minimum point temperature provides substantially minimal changes in frequency and amplitude of vibration of the beam. A heating element located at or near the exit outlet of the nozzle is selectively heated to provide a heat pulse to a meniscus of the printing liquid at the nozzle exit outlet to selectively control droplet formation and/or droplet direction leaving the printhead.

摘要翻译： 用于从喷墨打印头的喷嘴产生印刷液体的液滴的喷墨打印设备和方法具有限定在具有出口的喷嘴内或附近的梁的两端处的温度响应性振动束，所述梁在其内部连续振动 打印液体响应于施加到光束的电脉冲，使得光束以预定频率振动，并且光束处于以基本上处于局部最小点的振动频率为特征的温度，其中温度的微小偏移 来自局部最小点温度的光束提供了波束的振动的频率和振幅的基本上最小的变化。 选择性地加热位于喷嘴出口处或附近的加热元件，以在喷嘴出口处向印刷液体的弯液面提供加热脉冲，以选择性地控制离开打印头的液滴形成和/或液滴方向。

公开(公告)号：US07283030B2

公开(公告)日：2007-10-16

申请号：US10999645

申请日：2004-11-22

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

IPC分类号： H01H59/00 ,  H01P1/10

CPC分类号： H01H61/02 ,  H01H37/00 ,  H01H2061/006

摘要： A doubly-anchored thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The thermal actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element has anchor portions adjacent the anchor edges and a central portion between the anchor portions wherein the flexural rigidity of the anchor portions is substantially less than the flexural rigidity of the central portion. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element that causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element. The deformable element bows outward in a direction toward the second layer, and then relaxes to a residual shape as the temperature decreases. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator is configured with a liquid chamber having a nozzle or a fluid flow port to form a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve, or to activate an electrical microswitch. Heat pulses are applied to the deformable element by resistive heating or by light energy pulses.

公开(公告)号：US07175258B2

公开(公告)日：2007-02-13

申请号：US10994952

申请日：2004-11-22

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

IPC分类号： B41J2/04

CPC分类号： B41J2/14 ,  B41J2/16 ,  B41J2/1628 ,  B41J2/1629 ,  B41J2/1639 ,  B41J2/1646 ,  B41J2002/14346

摘要： A doubly-anchored thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The thermal actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element has anchor portions adjacent the anchor edges and a central portion between the anchor portions wherein the flexural rigidity of the anchor portions is substantially less than the flexural rigidity of the central portion. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element that causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element. The deformable element bows outward in a direction toward the second layer, and then relaxes to a residual shape as the temperature decreases. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator is configured with a liquid chamber having a nozzle or a fluid flow port to form a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve, or to activate an electrical microswitch. Heat pulses are applied to the deformable element by resistive heating or by light energy pulses.

公开(公告)号：US06953240B2

公开(公告)日：2005-10-11

申请号：US11015999

申请日：2004-12-18

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  David S. Ross

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  David S. Ross

IPC分类号： B41J2/14 ,  B41J2/04 ,  B41J2/05

CPC分类号： B41J2/14 ,  B41J2002/14346

摘要： A snap-through thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device, for example, a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve, is disclosed. The snap-through actuator includes a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor edges which define a central plane. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element is formed to have a residual shape bowing outward from the central plane in a first direction away from the second layer. The snap-through thermal actuator further includes apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element which causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于微机电装置的卡通式热致动器，例如液滴发射器或流体控制微型阀。 卡通贯通致动器包括形成有凹部的基部元件，该凹陷具有限定中心平面的相对的锚定边缘。 在相对的锚边缘处附接到基体元件的可变形元件被构造为平面层压，其包括具有低热膨胀系数的第一材料的第一层和具有高热系数的第二材料的第二层 扩张。 可变形元件形成为具有从远离第二层的第一方向从中心平面向外弯曲的残留形状。 卡通式热致动器还包括适于向可变形元件施加热脉冲的装置，其引起可变形元件的温度的突然升高。

公开(公告)号：US06948800B2

公开(公告)日：2005-09-27

申请号：US11016000

申请日：2004-12-18

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  David S. Ross

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  John A. Lebens ,  David P. Trauernicht ,  David S. Ross

IPC分类号： B41J2/14 ,  B41J2/04 ,  B41J2/05

CPC分类号： B41J2/14 ,  B41J2002/14346

摘要： A snap-through thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The snap-through actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor edges which define a central plane. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element is formed to have a residual shape bowing outward from the central plane in a first direction away from the second layer. The snap-through thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element which causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element. The deformable element initially bows farther outward in the first direction, then, due to thermomechanical torque's acting at the opposing anchor edges, reverses and snaps through the central plane to bow outward in a second direction toward the second layer, and then relaxes to the residual shape as the temperature decreases. The snap-through thermal actuator is configured with a liquid chamber having a nozzle, a fluid flow port to form a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve, or to activate an electrical microswitch. Heat pulses are applied to the deformable element by resistive heating or by light energy pulses.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于诸如液滴发射器或流体控制微型阀的微机电装置的卡通式热致动器。 卡通贯通致动器包括形成有凹部的基座元件，该凹陷部具有限定中心平面的相对的锚定边缘。 在相对的锚边缘处附接到基体元件的可变形元件被构造为平面层压，其包括具有低热膨胀系数的第一材料的第一层和具有高热系数的第二材料的第二层 扩张。 可变形元件形成为具有从远离第二层的第一方向从中心平面向外弯曲的残留形状。 卡通式热致动器还包括适于向可变形元件施加热脉冲的装置，其引起可变形元件的温度的突然上升。 可变形元件最初在第一方向向外弯曲，然后，由于热机械扭矩作用在相对的锚定边缘处，反转并咬合通过中心平面，朝向第二层向第二方向向外弯曲，然后松弛到残余物 随着温度的降低形状。 卡通式热致动器配置有具有喷嘴的液体室，用于形成液滴发射器的流体流动端口或流体控制微型阀，或者激活电微型开关。 加热脉冲通过电阻加热或光能脉冲施加到可变形元件。

公开(公告)号：US06631979B2

公开(公告)日：2003-10-14

申请号：US10050993

申请日：2002-01-17

申请人： John A. Lebens ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David S. Ross

发明人： John A. Lebens ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David S. Ross

IPC分类号： B41J214

CPC分类号： B41J2/14427

摘要： An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator includes a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element a length L and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a layer constructed of an electrically resistive material, patterned to have a uniform resistor portion extending a length L, from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH≦0.7L. The cantilevered element includes a second layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion attached to the first layer. A pair of electrodes connected to the uniform resistor portion to apply an electrical pulse to cause resistive heating, resulting in a thermal expansion of the uniform resistor portion of the first layer relative to the second layer and deflection of the cantilevered element.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于微机械装置，特别是液滴发射器的热致动器的装置。 所公开的热致动器包括基座元件和从基座元件延伸的长度为L并且在激活之前通常位于第一位置处的悬臂元件。 悬臂元件包括由电阻材料构成的层，其被图案化以具有从基底元件延伸长度L的均匀电阻器部分，其中0.3L≤L≤S≤PAT> L. 悬臂元件包括由具有低热膨胀系数的介电材料构成的第二层，第二层附着在第一层上。 连接到均匀电阻器部分的一对电极以施加电脉冲以引起电阻加热，导致第一层的均匀电阻器部分相对于第二层的热膨胀和悬臂元件的偏转。

公开(公告)号：US06561616B1

公开(公告)日：2003-05-13

申请号：US09696536

申请日：2000-10-25

申请人： Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David L. Jeanmaire ,  Christopher N. Delametter

发明人： Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Antonio Cabal ,  David L. Jeanmaire ,  Christopher N. Delametter

IPC分类号： B41J2015

CPC分类号： B41J2/04505 ,  B41J2/03 ,  B41J2/04506 ,  B41J2/04526 ,  B41J2002/022 ,  B41J2002/032 ,  B41J2202/16

摘要： For an inkjet printhead (10) with integral compensation for misdirection of ink drops (37) ejected through at least one nozzle (24) of the printhead (10), a system and method of modifying the nozzle cavity space (32a) so as to compensate for the effects of defects in the printhead (10) by altering the direction the ejected ink drops (37). The inkjet printhead (10) comprises at least one reservoir (28) integrated within the membrane (30). The inkjet printhead (10) also comprises a channel (38) extending from the reservoir (28) and terminating in the nozzle cavity (32). A hardening substance (40) within the reservoir (28) and channel (38) is a plastic material having a high thermal expansion coefficient. An internal heater (48) within the reservoir (28) and adjacent the hardening substance (40) is adapted to cause the plastic material (40) to flow in order to form a protrusion (44) of plastic material (40) within the nozzle cavity space (32a). Alternatively, the plastic material (40) can be recessed within the channel (38). Thus, the hardening substance (40) is adapted to internally alter the nozzle cavity space (32a) and cause ink (34) ejected from the nozzle opening (26) to be deflected with regard to a desired amount of compensation.

摘要翻译： 对于对通过打印头（10）的至少一个喷嘴（24）喷射的墨滴（37）的错误定向的整体补偿的喷墨打印头（10），一种改变喷嘴腔空间（32a）的系统和方法， 通过改变喷射的墨滴（37）的方向来补偿打印头（10）中的缺陷的影响。 喷墨打印头（10）包括集成在膜（30）内的至少一个贮存器（28）。 喷墨打印头（10）还包括从储存器（28）延伸并终止于喷嘴腔（32）中的通道（38）。 储存器（28）和通道（38）内的硬化物质（40）是具有高热膨胀系数的塑料材料。 在储存器（28）内并与硬化物质（40）相邻的内部加热器（48）适于使塑料材料（40）流动，以在喷嘴内形成塑料材料（40）的突起（44） 空腔（32a）。 或者，塑料材料（40）可以凹入通道（38）内。 因此，硬化物质（40）适于在内部改变喷嘴腔空间（32a）并使得从喷嘴开口（26）喷出的油墨（34）相对于期望的补偿量而偏转。

公开(公告)号：US07188931B2

公开(公告)日：2007-03-13

申请号：US10994686

申请日：2004-11-22

申请人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

发明人： Antonio Cabal ,  Stephen F. Pond

IPC分类号： B41J2/04

CPC分类号： B41J2/14427 ,  B41J2/1628 ,  B41J2/1629 ,  B41J2/1639 ,  B41J2/1646 ,  B41J2/1648 ,  B41J2/17596

摘要： A doubly-anchored thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The thermal actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element has anchor portions adjacent the anchor edges and a central portion between the anchor portions wherein the flexural rigidity of the anchor portions is substantially less than the flexural rigidity of the central portion. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element that causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element. The deformable element bows outward in a direction toward the second layer, and then relaxes to a residual shape as the temperature decreases. The doubly-anchored thermal actuator is configured with a liquid chamber having a nozzle or a fluid flow port to form a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve, or to activate an electrical microswitch. Heat pulses are applied to the deformable element by resistive heating or by light energy pulses.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于诸如液滴发射器或流体控制微型阀的微机电装置的双重锚定的热致动器。 热致动器包括形成有具有相对的锚的凹陷的基座元件。 在相对的锚边缘处附接到基体元件的可变形元件被构造为平面层压，其包括具有低热膨胀系数的第一材料的第一层和具有高热系数的第二材料的第二层 扩张。 可变形元件具有邻近锚定边缘的锚定部分和锚固部分之间的中心部分，其中锚固部分的抗弯刚度基本上小于中心部分的弯曲刚度。 双重锚固的热致动器还包括适于将热脉冲施加到可变形元件上的装置，其引起可变形元件的温度的突然上升。 可变形元件在朝向第二层的方向上向外弯曲，然后随着温度降低而松弛至残留形状。 双重锚固的热致动器配置有具有喷嘴或流体流动端口的液体室，以形成液滴发射器或流体控制微型阀，或者激活电微型开关。 加热脉冲通过电阻加热或光能脉冲施加到可变形元件。