Multi-element fluid delivery apparatus and methods

• US 6,109,717 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation (SRI International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation (SRI International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ludington, David N., Kane, Michael G., McBride, Sterling Eduard, York, Pamela Kay
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stewart, Jr., Charles W.
• Application Number:
  US08/939,767
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 347/12, 347/10, 347/19, 347/23, 347/16, 347/58, 347/180, 346/140.1
• US Class Current: 347/12
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00378 Piezoelectric or ink jet dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/02 for feeding measured , i.e. prescribed quantities of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0427 Electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0241 Drop counters; Drop formers making arrays for combinatorial libraries B01J19/0046; automation of dispensing for analysis G01N35/10
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04541 Specific driving circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04543 Block driving
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04555 detecting current
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0458 controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/13 Heads having an integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries

Abstract

An apparatus and concomitant method for controlling the delivery of fluids and, in particular, to the delivery of fluids to a receptor, e.g., delivery of pigments to a printing media or delivery of fluids to a reaction cell.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a plurality of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps arranged in a matrix configuration addressable by a first set of lines and a second set of lines, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) using a first line from the first set of lines to address a set of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, where said first line is passively coupled to said set of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps; and

(b) using one or more lines from the second set of lines to activate selected electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps from said set of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, where said set of second lines is passively coupled to said set of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) using a next line from the first set of lines until the entire matrix configuration is addressed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of lines are coupled to a row enable generator and the second set of lines are coupled to a column data generator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of lines are coupled to two or more column data generators.

5. A method for controlling a plurality of electro-wetting pumps arranged in a matrix configuration addressable by a first set of lines and a second set of lines and a second set of lines, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) using a first line from the first set of lines to address a set of the electro-wetting pumps where said first line is passively coupled to said set of the electro-wetting pumps; and

(b) using one or more lines from the second set of lines to activate selected electro-wetting pumps from said set of electro-wetting pumps, where said set of second lines is passively coupled to said set of the electro-wetting pumps.

6. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps arranged in a matrix configuration, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps;

a first set of electrical lines for passively coupling to the plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps; and

a second set of electrical lines for passively coupling to the plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, where by using one of said first electrical lines and one or more of said second set of electrical lines, a selected set of said plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump is activated.

7. A method for controlling a plurality of fluid delivery elements arranged in a matrix configuration addressable by a first set of lines and a second set of lines, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) using a first line from the first set of lines and one or more lines from the second set of lines to store data to a selected set of fluid delivery elements from said plurality of fluid delivery elements;

(b) repeating step (a) using a next line from the first set of lines until the entire matrix is addressed; and

(c) activating simultaneously said selected fluid delivery elements in the entire matrix configuration.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said fluid delivery elements are electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said fluid delivery elements are electro-wetting pumps.

10. The method of claims 7, wherein said step (a) uses said first and said second lines to store said data through a driver.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver comprises a first transistor and a second transistor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said second transistor includes an offset drain structure.

13. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of fluid delivery elements arranged in a matrix configuration, said apparatus comprising:

a first set of electrical lines;

a plurality of first transistors, where each of said first transistors is coupled to one of said first set of electrical lines;

a plurality of second transistors, where each of said second transistors is coupled to one of said plurality of first transistors; and

a second set of electrical lines, where each of said second set of electrical lines is coupled to one of said plurality of first transistors, where by using one or more of said first electrical lines and one or more of said second set of electrical lines, a selected set of said plurality of the fluid delivery elements is loaded with data, where said data are used to activate said selected set of said plurality of the fluid delivery elements simultaneously.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of capacitors, where each of said capacitors is coupled to one of said second transistors to assist in a storage of said data.

15. A system for moving fluids to a receptor, said system comprising:

a controller;

a fluid delivery array having a plurality of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps arranged in a matrix configuration; and

an interface, coupled to said controller and said electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, where said interface comprises a first set of electrical lines for passively coupling to said plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps and a second set of electrical lines for passively coupling to said plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, where by using one of said first electrical lines and one or more of said second set of electrical lines, a selected set of said plurality of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps is activated.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said system is a printer.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said system is a laboratory station.

18. A system for moving fluids to a receptor, said system comprising:

a controller;

a fluid delivery array having a plurality of fluid delivery elements arranged in a matrix configuration; and

an interface, coupled to said controller and said fluid delivery array, where said interface comprises;

a first set of electrical lines,

a plurality of first transistors, where each of said first transistors is coupled to one of said first set of electrical lines;

a plurality of second transistors, where each of said second transistors is coupled to one of said plurality of first transistors; and

a second set of electrical lines, where each of said second set of electrical lines is coupled to one of said plurality of first transistors, where by using one or more of said first electrical lines and one or more of said second set of electrical lines, a selected set of said plurality of the fluid delivery elements is loaded with data, where said data are used to activate said selected set of said plurality of the fluid delivery elements simultaneously.

19. the system of claim 18, wherein said fluid delivery elements are an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said system is a printer.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said system is a laboratory station.