摘要:
A device for moving an object, such as a sheet of paper or other substrate, includes a base element, a drive mechanism to move the base element in first and second directions, such as by vibration, and a plurality of flexible ratchets fixedly secured to the base element. As the base element vibrates, the ratchets advance the sheet of paper in a direction perpendicular to the direction of vibration of the base element. Pluralities of base elements and drive mechanisms can be provided to direct movement of the substrate in various directions.
摘要:
A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.
摘要:
Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.
摘要:
A method of ejecting a droplet of a fluid from a surface of the fluid includes the step of generating an acoustic wave to eject the droplet from the fluid surface. The acoustic wave is shaped into an optimal toneburst such that the droplet is ejected substantially in a direction of acoustic wave propagation substantially independent of an orientation of the fluid surface.
摘要:
To correct for blooming artifacts in an ionographic imaging device, a summation of the effects of previously deposited charge is made prior to depositing ions to form the image, to determine the likely amount of displacement of any ion due to a previously deposited charge. A comparison of the displaced pixel position, with the desired image is made to determine where the ions will fall. If the ions are predicted to fall within an area in which ion deposition is desired, ions are allowed to pass to the imaging surface. If the comparison of the displaced pixel position with the desired image is made and predicts that ions will fall outside of an area in which charge is desired, ions are prevented from passing to the image surface.
摘要:
A method for the situ measuring of a sample of a porous material having a gaseous fluid and fine granular material located within its pores and, in particular, for determining the concentration of the fine granular material within the sample. The method includes the steps of generating a first acoustic wave signal of known amplitude and phase velocity, directing the first acoustic wave signal through the sample, receiving a second acoustic wave signal representing the first acoustic wave having passed through the sample, and determining the concentration of the fine granular material in the sample from the changes between the first acoustic wave signal and the second acoustic wave signal.
摘要:
A heater for an ionographic marking apparatus including a housing, means for generating a supply of marking ions within the housing, means for transporting the marking ions through and out of the housing, and an array of modulation electrodes upon a substrate for controlling the transport of ions out of the housing, the modulation electrodes being spaced from one another by electrically insulating regions. The heater is associated with the array for raising the temperature of the electrically insulating regions so as to prevent the condensation of moisture thereon.
摘要:
Devices and methods are provided for ejecting a droplet from a reservoir using focused acoustic radiation having a plurality of nonsimultaneous and discrete frequency ranges. Such frequency ranges may be used to control droplet volume and/or velocity. Optionally, satellite fluid ejection from the reservoir is suppressed.
摘要:
A method of determining the volume or height of fluid in a reservoir is provided. A first burst of focused acoustic energy is used to raise temporarily a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. A second burst of acoustic energy is directed to the free surface of the fluid. Echoes from the second burst of acoustic energy are detected. The detected echoes are employed to compute the height of the fluid.
摘要:
Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.