公开(公告)号：US06286929B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-11

申请号：US09222409

申请日：1998-12-29

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Klaus-Dieter Bier ,  Walter S. Stevens

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Klaus-Dieter Bier ,  Walter S. Stevens

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/16585 ,  B41J2/185

摘要： A self-cleaning ink jet printer with oscillating septum and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer has a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an oscillatable septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to “sweep” the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. Also included is an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the fluid for generating a plurality of pressure waves in the fluid for dislodging the contaminant. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid.

摘要翻译： 具有振动隔膜和超声波的自清洁喷墨打印机以及组装打印机的方法。 打印机具有在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的可摆动隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 隔垫的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口“扫”污染物。 还包括与流体连通的超声波换能器，用于在流体中产生多个压力波，用于移除污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。

公开(公告)号：US06183058B2

公开(公告)日：2001-02-06

申请号：US09407451

申请日：1999-09-28

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Omid A. Moghadam ,  Walter S. Stevens

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Omid A. Moghadam ,  Walter S. Stevens

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/16585 ,  B41J2/185

摘要： Self-cleaning printer system with reverse fluid flow and method of assembling the printer system. The printer system comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid. In addition, a valve system in fluid communication with the gap is operable to direct flow of the fluid through the gap in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction to enhance cleaning effectiveness. Moreover, the print head itself has integral passageways formed therein for conducting the flow of fluid to the surface of the print head.

摘要翻译： 具有反向流体流动的自清洁打印机系统和组装打印机系统的方法。 打印机系统包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 隔垫的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。 此外，与间隙流体连通的阀系统可操作以引导流体在第一方向上流过间隙，然后在与第一方向相反的第二方向上引导流体，以提高清洁效果。 此外，打印头本身具有形成在其中的整体通道，用于将流体流动导向打印头的表面。

公开(公告)号：US06290323B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-18

申请号：US09407448

申请日：1999-09-28

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Walter S. Stevens

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Walter S. Stevens

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/185

摘要： Self-cleaning printer system with reverse fluid flow and rotating roller and method of assembling the printer system. The printer system comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a rotatable roller disposed opposite the surface or orifice and defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the rotating roller accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid. In addition, a valve system in fluid communication with the gap is operable to direct flow of the fluid through the gap in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction to enhance cleaning effectiveness. Moreover, the print head itself has integral passageways formed therein for conducting the flow of fluid to the surface of the print head.

摘要翻译： 具有反流体流动和旋转辊的自清洁打印机系统以及组装打印机系统的方法。 打印机系统包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔口相对设置的可旋转辊，并且在其间限定间隙。 旋转辊的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。 此外，与间隙流体连通的阀系统可操作以引导流体在第一方向上流过间隙，然后在与第一方向相反的第二方向上引导流体，以提高清洁效果。 此外，打印头本身具有形成在其中的整体通道，用于将流体流动导向打印头的表面。

公开(公告)号：US06168256A

公开(公告)日：2001-01-02

申请号：US09222752

申请日：1998-12-29

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Klaus-Dieter Bier ,  Walter S. Stevens

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Klaus-Dieter Bier ,  Walter S. Stevens

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/185

摘要： Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an oscillatable septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the oscillatable septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid.

摘要翻译： 具有反向流体流动的自清洁打印机和组装打印机的方法。 打印机包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的可摆动隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 可摆动隔膜的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。

公开(公告)号：US06497472B2

公开(公告)日：2002-12-24

申请号：US09751236

申请日：2000-12-29

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Omid Moghadam ,  John A. Quenin

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Omid Moghadam ,  John A. Quenin

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16544 ,  B41J2/16552

摘要： According to one embodiment of the present invention, a print head comprises a print head body defining an interior chamber and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an outer surface and further defines a cleaning fluid orifice through the orifice plate for conducting a flow of a cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid orifice and onto an outer surface of said orifice plate. The orifice plate also defines a drain orifice for conducting a flow of cleaning fluid from the surface to the interior chamber. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is disposed in said cavity and connected to the cleaning fluid passageway. During cleaning operations, the fluid flow system defines a flow of a cleaning fluid from the passageway and onto said outer surface. The drain orifice receives cleaning fluid from the outer surface and channels the cleaning fluid into the fluid return.

摘要翻译： 根据本发明的一个实施例，打印头包括限定内部腔室和孔板的打印头本体。 孔板具有外表面并且进一步限定通过孔板的清洁流体孔口，用于使清洁流体流过清洁流体孔口并进入所述孔板的外表面。 孔板还限定了用于将清洁流体从表面传导到内部室的排水孔。 供应的加压清洗流体设置在所述空腔中并连接到清洁流体通道。 在清洁操作期间，流体流动系统限定清洁流体从通道到所述外表面的流动。 排水孔从外表面接收清洁流体并将清洁流体引导到流体回流中。

公开(公告)号：US06183057B2

公开(公告)日：2001-02-06

申请号：US09206272

申请日：1998-12-04

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16585 ,  B41J2/16552

摘要： Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid. In addition, a valve system in fluid communication with the gap is operable to direct flow of the fluid through the gap in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction to enhance cleaning effectiveness. Moreover, an ultrasonic transducer induces pressure waves in the fluid to dislodge the contaminant and thus clean the surface and/or orifice.

摘要翻译： 具有反向流体和超声波的自清洁打印机以及组装打印机的方法。 打印机包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 隔垫的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。 此外，与间隙流体连通的阀系统可操作以引导流体在第一方向上流过间隙，然后在与第一方向相反的第二方向上引导流体，以提高清洁效果。 此外，超声换能器在流体中引起压力波，以排除污染物并因此清洁表面和/或孔。

公开(公告)号：US06350007B1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-26

申请号：US09174796

申请日：1998-10-19

申请人： Michael Meichle ,  John A. Quenin ,  Ravi Sharma ,  Christopher N. Delametter

发明人： Michael Meichle ,  John A. Quenin ,  Ravi Sharma ,  Christopher N. Delametter

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J29/17 ,  B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/16585 ,  B41J2/185 ,  B41J2002/16567

摘要： Self-cleaning printer having ultrasonics and method of assembling same for cleaning a print head surface and ink ejection orifices. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Particulate matter may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the fluid for generating ultrasonic vibrations causing pressure waves within the fluid. Presence of the pressure waves induces a hydrodynamic force in the fluid. This force acts against the particulate matter to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. A pump is also provided for pumping the fluid from the surface and/or orifice as the surface and/or orifice is cleaned. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the particulate matter is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the particulate matter from the fluid.

摘要翻译： 具有超声波的自清洁打印机以及用于清洁打印头表面和喷墨孔的组装方法。 打印机包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 颗粒物质可能驻留在表面上，并且也可以完全或部分地阻塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁颗粒物质。 清洁组件包括与流体连通的超声换能器，用于产生引起流体内的压力波的超声波振动。 压力波的存在引起流体中的流体动力。 该力作用于颗粒物质以从表面和/或孔口清洁颗粒物质。 还提供泵，用于当清洁表面和/或孔口时从表面和/或孔口泵送流体。 当清洁表面和/或孔时，颗粒物质被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将颗粒物质与流体分离。

公开(公告)号：US6142601A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-07

申请号：US205946

申请日：1998-12-04

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  John A. Quenin ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  Michael E. Meichle

IPC分类号： B08B3/04 ,  B41J2/165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/16585

摘要： Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid. In addition, a valve system in fluid communication with the gap is operable to direct flow of the fluid through the gap in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction to enhance cleaning effectiveness.

摘要翻译： 具有反向流体流动的自清洁打印机和组装打印机的方法。 打印机包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 污染物可能驻留在表面上，也可能完全或部分地堵塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 隔垫的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力作用在污染物上以从表面和/或孔口清洁污染物。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当表面和/或孔被清洁时，污染物被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将污染物与流体分离。 此外，与间隙流体连通的阀系统可操作以引导流体在第一方向上流过间隙，然后在与第一方向相反的第二方向上引导流体，以提高清洁效果。

公开(公告)号：US06595617B2

公开(公告)日：2003-07-22

申请号：US09751620

申请日：2000-12-29

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Omid Moghadam ,  John A. Quenin

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael E. Meichle ,  Gilbert A. Hawkins ,  Omid Moghadam ,  John A. Quenin

IPC分类号： B41J2165

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552

摘要： The present invention comprises a self-cleaning print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, cleaning orifice and drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. The print head has a source of pressurized cleaning fluid connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. During cleaning operations, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid causes cleaning fluid to flow from the cleaning orifice, and the cleaning orifice directs the flow of cleaning fluid across the outer surface and the ink jet orifice and into the drain orifice.

公开(公告)号：US6145952A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-14

申请号：US174794

申请日：1998-10-19

申请人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael Meichle ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  John A. Quenin

发明人： Ravi Sharma ,  Michael Meichle ,  Christopher N. Delametter ,  John A. Quenin

IPC分类号： B41J2/165 ,  B41J2/18 ,  B41J2/185

CPC分类号： B41J2/16552 ,  B41J2/16585

摘要： Self-cleaning printer and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Particulate matter may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the particulate matter to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the particulate matter is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the particulate matter from the fluid.

摘要翻译： 自清洁打印机及其组装方法。 打印机包括在其中限定多个墨水通道的打印头，每个墨水通道终止于墨水喷射口。 打印头还具有围绕所有孔的表面。 颗粒物质可能驻留在表面上，并且也可以完全或部分地阻塞孔口。 因此，相对于表面和/或孔设置清洁组件，用于沿着表面和/或穿过孔引导流体流，以从表面和/或孔口清洁颗粒物质。 清洁组件包括与表面或孔相对设置的隔膜，用于在其间限定间隙。 隔垫的存在加速流体通过间隙的流动，以在流体中引起流体动力剪切力。 该剪切力抵抗颗粒物质从表面和/或孔口清洁颗粒物质。 还提供与间隙流体连通的泵，用于泵送流体通过间隙。 当清洁表面和/或孔时，颗粒物质被夹带在流体中。 提供过滤器以将颗粒物质与流体分离。