Abstract:
A thermal bend actuator includes a wafer substrate. An elongate actuator arm is fixed to the substrate at a fixed end. The elongate actuator arm includes a heater layer of a conductive material and a dielectric, resiliently flexible layer. The heater layer defines a heater circuit which is connected to an electrical potential. A working member is fixed to an opposite free end of the actuator arm. Control logic circuitry is positioned on the substrate, between, and generally aligned with, the heater layer and the substrate. The control logic circuitry is interconnected between a data input means and the heater circuit and includes register circuitry connected to the data input means to generate an enabling signal. Firing circuitry is connected between the register circuitry and the heater circuit to close the heater circuit on receipt of the enabling signal so that said electrical potential generates a current in the heater circuit, resistively to heat the heater layer. At least the heater layer is of a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is such that the heater layer can expand on heating and contract on cooling to do work. The heater layer is positioned so that the elongate actuator arm experiences differential thermal expansion and contraction and thus reciprocally displaces the working member.
Abstract:
A process for modifying the surface of a substrate containing a polymeric material by contacting the surface with the modifying agent to bond the modifying agent to the surface the process comprising providing a solution of the modifying agent in a solvent and subjecting the solution of the modifying agent to a zone of elevated temperature to vaporize the solvent and provide diffuse contact between the modifying agent and the surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
An inkjet printhead is formed on a silicon wafer and includes a number of nozzle devices, each having a nozzle chamber and an aperture through which ink from the nozzle chamber is ejected. Each nozzle device also has an actuator for applying pressure to ink within the nozzle chamber to cause ejection of an ink drop through the aperture and drive circuitry for controlling the actuator. The drive circuitry and the actuator share area of the silicon wafer to increase manufacturing yield.
Abstract:
Polymeric substrate are coated by a process comprising pretreating the polymeric substrate by at least one physical method selected from the group consisting of corona discharge, flaming, glow discharge, irradiation with electromagnetic waves, and a plasma pretreatment, then coating the pretreated polymeric substrate with a composition comprising a fluoroalkyl-containing silicon compound. The resulting coated is very thin, highly hydrophobic and oleophobic. The coatings prepared by the process of the present invention are stable in boiling water and are resistant to abrasion.
Abstract:
Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.
Abstract:
An inkjet printhead constructed by MEMS processes has a number of nozzle chambers incorporating ink ejection paddles moved within the chambers by external thermal bend actuators. The actuators are covered by protective covering shells formed by deposition and etching simultaneously with the formation of the nozzle chamber walls.
Abstract:
The present invention is a process for continuous extrusion coating the surfaces of a metal strip which includes the steps of moving said metal strip by means of a plurality of rolls. The strip then has impinged on its first and second surfaces to be coated an oxidizing flame. The first surface passes through a corona discharge and extruded on to the first surface is a melted polymeric extrudiate. Thereafter, the surface is passed over a chill roll having a temperature less than said extrudiate to provide a first coated surface. The second surface is then subjected to a oxidizing flame and corona discharge and a melted polymeric extrudiate is extruded on to the second surface. Thereafter, the second surface is passed over a chill roll having a temperature less than said extrudiate to provide a second coated surface. The coated strip is then reheated to about the melt temperature of said extrudiates and quenched to provide an extrusion coated strip of the present invention.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for the permanent application of indicia to the surface of the polyolefin object by applying pigmented material to the surface in an indica pattern, preferably from a transfer sheet. Preferably the pigmented material is a mixture of finely divided pigment, hydrocarbon wax and finely divided polyolefin. The polyolefin surface bearing the indicia is coated with a coating mixture comprising a mixture of polyolefin and a binder such as a rosin or wax. Thereafter, the coated, indicia-bearing polyolefin surface is surface-heated to a temperature sufficient to fuse the coating and incorporate the coating and indicia permanently into the polyolefin object. The heating can be performed by passing a heat source across the surface.
Abstract:
Atomized metal particles distributed within a resin matrix form a composite that can be selectively heated by exposure to microwave radiations. The composites can also be formed into non-electrically conductive but thermally conductive dielectric and magnetic structures by appropriate selection of metal particles and matrix materials. In other applications, metal particles are gradually distributed within a layer of resin matrix to create an electro magnetic radiation-absorbing medium used in the fabrication of anechoic and shielding structures.
Abstract:
A method for printing the cylindrical side surfaces of synthetic resinous corks used for wine bottles which are normally not receptive to printing inks. The method includes the steps of gas flame heating of the corks to slightly soften the surface and deposit unburned carbon particles thereat. The application of a printed image using an offset roller, the drying of the ink in a heated conduit, and the subsequent application of a high viscosity lubricant in dot pattern using an offset printing roller. The application of the lubricant in a pattern covering less than the entire surface permits the cork to release sulphur dioxide gas for oxygen scavenging of any air passing into the bottle, as well as air disposed in the head space within the bottle.