Fluid ejection device including recirculation system

• US 9,090,084 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Govyadinov, Alexander, Torniainen, Erik D., Markel, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEGGINS, KRISTAL J
• Application Number:
  US13/643,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20130155152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 347/65, 347 84- 87, 347/89, 347/945, 347/63, 347/95
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/088 Channel loops
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/082 Active control of flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1404 Geometrical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14201 Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1753 Details of contacts on the cartridge, e.g. protection of contacts
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/18 Ink recirculation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14467 Multiple feed channels per ink chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/12 with ink circulating through the whole print head
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/20 Other positive-displacement pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/24 Pumping by heat expansion of pumped fluid

Abstract

A fluid ejection device including, at least, one recirculation system is disclosed. Such recirculation system contains, at least, one drop generator, recirculation channels that include an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel and a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channel. Also disclosed are inkjet pen containing it and method of using it.

Claims

1. A fluid ejection device comprising at least one recirculation system, such recirculation system comprises:

a. at least, one drop generator;

b. recirculation channels including an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel;

c. a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channels, wherein the drop generator is configured to create pressure waves that induce recirculating fluid flow.

2. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein each drop generator includes a firing chamber and a firing element.

3. The fluid ejection device according to claim 2 wherein each firing element is a resistor.

4. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein each drop generator includes a nozzle.

5. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of recirculation system each including recirculation channels comprising an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel.

6. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein the recirculation system further comprises particle tolerant architectures.

7. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein the recirculation system further comprises non-moving part valves.

8. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein the recirculation system comprises a plurality of drop generators, each containing a firing chamber and a firing element.

9. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1 wherein the recirculation system comprises a plurality of drop generators, at least an auxiliary resistor, non-moving part valves and particle tolerant architecture.

10. An inkjet pen comprising a pen body and a fluid ejection device such as defined in claim 1.

11. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation channels are asymmetrical with reference to the drop generator.

12. The fluid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation channels include, in series, the inlet channel, connection channel, and outlet channel.

13. Method for inducing recirculating printing fluid flow, in the recirculation system of a fluid ejection device, that comprises applying a sub-TOE energy or full energy pulse to auxiliary resistor and/or applying a sub-TOE energy pulse to firing element of the drop generator, wherein the fluid ejection device comprises at least one recirculation system, such recirculation system comprises:

a. at least, one drop generator;

b. recirculation channels including an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel; and

c. a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channels.

14. A method of jetting printing fluid drops, from a fluid ejection device, that comprises inducing a recirculating printing fluid flow in the recirculation system by applying a sub-TOE energy or full energy pulse to auxiliary resistor and/or applying a sub-TOE energy pulse to firing element of the drop generator;

and applying an energy sufficient to able printing fluid to drop by the orifice of the drop generator, wherein the fluid ejection device comprises at least one recirculation system, such recirculation system comprises;

a. at least, one drop generator;

b. recirculation channels including an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel; and

c. a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channels.

15. The method of jetting printing fluid drops according to claim 14 wherein the printing fluid is an inkjet ink.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the recirculating printing fluid flow is induced by applying a sub-TOE energy pulse to the firing element of the drop generator.

17. A method of jetting printing fluid drops, from a fluid ejection device, comprising inducing a recirculating printing fluid flow in the recirculation system by applying energy sufficient to able printing fluid to drop by the orifice of the drop generator, wherein the fluid ejection device comprises at least one recirculation system, such recirculation system comprises:

a. at least, one drop generator;

b. recirculation channels including an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel; and

c. a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channels.

18. A fluid ejection device comprising at least one recirculation system, such recirculation system comprises:

a. at least, one drop generator;

b. recirculation channels including an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel;

c. a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channels; and

d. an auxiliary resistor, wherein the auxiliary resistor is configured to create pressure waves that induce recirculating fluid flow.

19. The fluid ejection device according to claim 18 wherein each drop generator includes a firing chamber and a firing element.

20. The fluid ejection device according to claim 19 wherein each firing element is a resistor.

21. The fluid ejection device according to claim 18 wherein each drop generator includes a nozzle.

22. The fluid ejection device according to claim 18 comprising a plurality of recirculation system each including recirculation channels comprising an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel.

23. The fluid ejection device according to claim 18 wherein the recirculation system further comprises particle tolerant architectures and non-moving part valves.