Viscous non-contact jetting method and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for rapidly dispensing minute quantities of a highly viscous material from a jetting needle when an expelling mechanism is activated, comprising:
- a nozzle plate having opposing first and second surfaces with a jetting chamber formed in the first surface, the jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an opening that is in fluid communication with an outlet on the second surface that is adapted to connect to the needle, the nozzle plate having an inlet channel formed in the first surface and in fluid communication with the jetting chamber, the inlet channel entering a side of the jetting chamber and not extending to the opening in the bottom of the jetting chamber;
a flexible, elastomeric diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient to block the inlet channel and to provide a fluid seal over the top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a rigid central protrusion extending toward the opening in the bottom of the chamber;
a support structure located to cooperate with the nozzle plate to compress the diaphragm between the support structure and nozzle plate, the support structure having an opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber which opening is in sufficient communication with the expelling mechanism to allow the diaphragm over the top of the jetting chamber to deform when the expelling mechanism is activated; and
a clamping mechanism holding the diaphragm and nozzle plate together with sufficient force to provide a fluid seal at the top of the jetting chamber.
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Abstract
This invention concerns a method and apparatus for dispensing minute quantities of highly viscous material from a jetting needle when an expelling mechanism is activated using a nozzle plate with a jetting chamber having a top formed by a diaphragm and a bottom in fluid communication with a jetting needle. Fluid enters the chamber from an inlet channel and is jetted from the chamber by deforming the diaphragm to block the channel and expel a drop of fluid from the needle. A diaphragm driven metering chamber and/or reservoir chamber can optionally be used provide fluid to the jetting chamber.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for rapidly dispensing minute quantities of a highly viscous material from a jetting needle when an expelling mechanism is activated, comprising:
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a nozzle plate having opposing first and second surfaces with a jetting chamber formed in the first surface, the jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an opening that is in fluid communication with an outlet on the second surface that is adapted to connect to the needle, the nozzle plate having an inlet channel formed in the first surface and in fluid communication with the jetting chamber, the inlet channel entering a side of the jetting chamber and not extending to the opening in the bottom of the jetting chamber; a flexible, elastomeric diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient to block the inlet channel and to provide a fluid seal over the top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a rigid central protrusion extending toward the opening in the bottom of the chamber; a support structure located to cooperate with the nozzle plate to compress the diaphragm between the support structure and nozzle plate, the support structure having an opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber which opening is in sufficient communication with the expelling mechanism to allow the diaphragm over the top of the jetting chamber to deform when the expelling mechanism is activated; and a clamping mechanism holding the diaphragm and nozzle plate together with sufficient force to provide a fluid seal at the top of the jetting chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for rapidly dispensing minute quantities of a highly viscous material from a jetting needle when an expelling mechanism is activated, comprising:
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a nozzle plate having opposing first and second surfaces with a jetting chamber formed in the first surface, the jetting chamber having sides, an open top, and a bottom having an opening that is in fluid communication with an outlet that is in fluid communication with the needle, the chamber being in fluid communication with an external fluid reservoir containing said material during use; a flexible, elastomeric diaphragm over the open top of the jetting chamber, the diaphragm having a rigid central protrusion extending toward the opening in the bottom of the chamber, the diaphragm being sufficiently flexible to deform into the jetting chamber a distance sufficient so that the central protrusion blocks the opening in the bottom of the chamber during use; a support structure having an opening aligned with the top of the jetting chamber to allow the diaphragm to deform into the jetting chamber when the expelling mechanism is activated; and a clamping mechanism cooperating with the support structure and providing sufficient force to compress and seal the diaphragm around the top of the jetting chamber. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification