Abstract:
Apparatus and method for sorting a spaced progression of particles by selectively applying electrical charges and then subjecting the particle progression to the influence of an electrically conductive surface. Each charged particle in progression past the conductive surface induces thereon a sheet of electrical charge and this sheet in turn causes lateral displacement of the inducing particle. There is further disclosure of jet drop recording apparatus employing sheets of self-induced electrical charge for sorting fluid marking drops into ''''print'''' and ''''no-print'''' trajectories.
Abstract:
In a noncontacting coating system in which drops of coating material are selectively charged to divert them from their normal trajectory and thereby permit a patterned coating layer to be applied to a workpiece, the drop charging element is formed as a support plate having a planar surface parallel to the initial path of the coating drops and provided with strips of conductive material connected to appropriate leads for selectively charging the drops as they pass the conductive strips. A shield bar is positioned adjacent the support plate and notches are formed in the bar opposite the conductive strips. The shield bar may be formed of a conductive material, or coated with a conductive material at least in the area of the notches, and a selectively variable potential applied thereto to adjust the trajectory of all drops simultaneously.
Abstract:
A fluid drop marking apparatus which generates a plurality of fluid marking streams from a set of orifices spaced apart along a closed contour in an orifice plate. The streams are stimulated to create a corresponding set of drop trains and the drops are selectively charged by application of an electrical signal to a conductive surface surrounding the streams at their breakup points. The conductive surface extends downstream for production of outwardly attractive images of the drop charges; thereby causing the charged drops to be deflected outwardly for selective catching by an apertured catching plate. Halftone representations are created by modulation of the applied electrical signal; the nature of the modulation depending upon the type of catching plate aperture employed.