Liquid delivery system
First Claim
1. A liquid delivery system fabricated on a substrate for delivery of a metered amount of liquid on demand comprising:
- at least one liquid source;
a chamber including a nozzle having an outlet through which liquid is expelled from the system;
a microchannel for connecting the liquid source to the chamber;
a pump for transporting liquid from the liquid source to the chamber;
a moveable member for applying positive pressure to the liquid in the chamber so as to force a metered amount of liquid through the outlet of the nozzle; and
a reciprocating mass operatively connected to the moveable member to move the member back and forth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid delivery system that is fabricated on a substrate that comprises at least one liquid source and a chamber including a nozzle with an outlet through which liquid is expelled from the system. A micro channel connects the liquid source to the chamber, and a pump transports liquid from a liquid source to the chamber. A moveable member is provided for applying positive pressure to the liquid in the chamber, so as to force a metered amount of liquid through the outlet of the nozzle. A reciprocating mass is operatively connected to the moveable member to move it back and forth. In one embodiment, the moveable member is a generally 3-sided, U-shaped structure having spaced-apart sides, each of which is sized and shaped to fit through the outlet of the nozzle. A third side connects the spaced-apart sides to each other, and the entire structure is reciprocable between a first position inside the chamber and a second position outside the nozzle. As the structure moves from the inside of the nozzle through the outlet, a liquid film forms on the open area defined by the structure, and liquid in excess of that needed to form the film forms a drop.
33 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A liquid delivery system fabricated on a substrate for delivery of a metered amount of liquid on demand comprising:
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at least one liquid source;
a chamber including a nozzle having an outlet through which liquid is expelled from the system;
a microchannel for connecting the liquid source to the chamber;
a pump for transporting liquid from the liquid source to the chamber;
a moveable member for applying positive pressure to the liquid in the chamber so as to force a metered amount of liquid through the outlet of the nozzle; and
a reciprocating mass operatively connected to the moveable member to move the member back and forth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification