Method and system for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid at the point of dispensing comprising:
- a dispenser wherein the dispenser is a microvalve;
a first heat sink thermally connected to the dispenser;
a dispensing structure downstream of the dispenser; and
a temperature-alter device thermally coupled to the dispensing structure wherein the temperature-altering device controls a temperature of the dispensing structure at the point of dispensing of the liquid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for controlling or altering the temperature of a liquid at the point of dispensing. A temperature-altering device is thermally coupled to a dispensing device to compensate for heat dissipated into the liquid as it passes through the dispensing device during dispensing. The dispensing device may be for example, a miniature solenoid valve (microvalve), a piezoelectric printhead, or the like. According to aspects of the invention, a temperature-altering device provides or reduces heat at the point of dispensing in order to alter, control or maintain a constant temperature of the dispensed liquid. As a result, improvement is obtained in the consistency of the fluid regime of the dispensed droplet stream. The temperature-altering device may be a thermoelectric device capable of moving heat either from or to the dispensing structure, or may be a heater. This device may be used beneficially even when the dispensing is performed near room temperature and the liquid does not require heating to maintain its liquid state.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid at the point of dispensing comprising:
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a dispenser wherein the dispenser is a microvalve;
a first heat sink thermally connected to the dispenser;
a dispensing structure downstream of the dispenser; and
a temperature-alter device thermally coupled to the dispensing structure wherein the temperature-altering device controls a temperature of the dispensing structure at the point of dispensing of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid at the point of dispensing comprising:
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a dispenser;
a first heat sink thermally connected to the dispenser;
a dispensing structure downstream of the dispenser; and
a temperature-alter device thermally coupled to the dispensing structure wherein the temperature-altering device is a resistive heater and controls a temperature of the dispensing structure at the point of dispensing of the liquid.
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9. A system for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid at the point of dispensing comprising:
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a dispenser;
a first heat sink thermally connected to the dispenser;
a dispensing structure downstream of the dispenser;
a temperature-altering device thermally coupled to the dispensing structure wherein the temperature-altering device controls a temperature of the dispensing structure at the point of dispensing of the liquid; and
a sensor for measuring the temperature of the dispensing structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid,
a dispenser: -
a dispensing structure positioned downstream of the dispenser;
a temperature-altering device in thermal contact with the dispensing structure, wherein the temperature-altering device adjusts a temperature of the dispensing structure and maintains the dispensing structure temperature at a constant value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid, comprising
a dispenser; -
a dispensing structure positioned downstream of the dispenser;
a temperature-altering device in thermal contact with the dispensing structure, wherein the temperature-altering device adjusts a temperature of the dispensing structure and a sensor which senses the dispensing structure temperature. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid, comprising
a dispenser; -
a dispensing structure positioned downstream of the dispenser;
a temperature-altering device in thermal contact with the dispensing structure, wherein the temperature-altering device is an electrical resistive heater and adjusts a temperature of the dispensing structure. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid, comprising
a dispenser wherein the dispenser is a microvalve; -
a dispensing structure positioned downstream of the dispenser; and
a temperature-altering device in thermal contact with the dispensing structure, wherein the temperature-altering device adjusts a temperature of the dispensing structure. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A printhead comprising:
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an orifice suitable for issuing a continuous stream of liquid wherein the orifice has an orifice temperature;
a temperature-altering device in thermal contact with the orifice;
an electrostatic charging cell;
deflection plates; and
a sensor for measuring the orifice temperature.
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50. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid, comprising
a dispenser; - and
a dispensing structure positioned downstream of the dispenser, the dispensing structure further including an electrical resistance of the dispensing structure that generates heat upon passage of a current through the dispensing structure wherein the electrical resistance of the dispensing structure is measured to indicate a temperature of the dispensing structure, and wherein heat is generated during dispensing so as to maintain a predetermined liquid temperature.
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51. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid, comprising
a dispenser; -
a nozzle positioned downstream of the dispenser; and
a heat sink in thermal contact with the nozzle wherein the heat sink includes a flowing liquid having a liquid temperature, wherein the liquid temperature is maintained at a desired value.
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52. A method of dispensing liquid, comprising:
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dispensing liquid from an apparatus having a dispenser and a dispensing structure downstream of the dispenser; and
altering a temperature of the dispensing structure wherein altering the dispensing structure temperature comprises removing heat from the dispensing structure. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification