Liquid Projection Nozzle Array Pressure Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid projection devices, such as 'face-shooter' arrays, suffer from fluidic crosstalk, where the ejection event from one nozzle is affected by the presence of ejection events from other nozzles, leading to changes in the velocity or volume of ejected drops.
Innovation Solution
A device with a plurality of transducers oriented in a planar array, featuring nozzles and pressure absorbing regions perpendicular to the transducers, which absorb pressure fluctuations to reduce fluidic crosstalk. These regions can be compliant membranes, foam, or liquid air interfaces, and are strategically placed to minimize the impact of pressure fluctuations on adjacent nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzles are arranged in a planar array to enable parallel liquid projection, then productivity is improved, but fluidic crosstalk increases causing changes in ejected drop velocity or volume
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid supply channels and the nozzles. This membrane selectively transmits pressure fluctuations from the supply channels to the nozzles while isolating adjacent nozzles from each other, thereby enabling parallel operation without fluidic crosstalk. The membrane acts as a mediator that allows pressure transmission while blocking harmful fluidic interactions between neighboring nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply system is segmented into separate channels for each nozzle, with each channel independent of others. The compliant membrane further segments the pressure transmission paths, allowing each nozzle to receive pressure fluctuations independently. This segmentation prevents pressure fluctuations in one nozzle's supply channel from affecting adjacent nozzles, eliminating fluidic crosstalk while maintaining parallel projection capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure fluctuations are transmitted to all nozzles to enable coordinated ejection, then synchronization is improved, but fluidic crosstalk increases affecting individual nozzle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant membrane provides local quality differentiation in pressure transmission. It allows pressure fluctuations to be transmitted locally to each nozzle from its corresponding supply channel while blocking the transmission of pressure fluctuations from adjacent supply channels to neighboring nozzles. This localized pressure transmission enables synchronized ejection control for each nozzle independently, preventing fluidic crosstalk while maintaining coordination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces fluidic crosstalk by absorbing pressure generated during ejection events, ensuring that the properties of ejected drops, such as velocity and volume, remain independent of neighboring nozzle activities, thereby improving the precision and reliability of liquid projection.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pressure absorbing regions are disposed at a predetermined distance from said nozzles... The pressure absorbing region, or regions, will reduce both the amplitude of pressure fluctuation induced in the fluid behind the transducers and the region over which that pressure fluctuation is significant
Implementation Method 2
each nozzle is associated with an adjacent respective transducer which is excitable to cause movement of the adjacent associated nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis
Data Source
AI summary
A device for projecting liquid as jets or droplets from multiple nozzles, the device comprising:a plurality of transducers oriented substantially parallel to one another and each having an inner face and an outer face opposite said inner face, the transducers being arranged in a substantially planar array;a plurality of nozzles to project liquid therefrom;liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the nozzles;each nozzle is associated with an adjacent respective transducer which is excitable to cause movement of the adjacent associated nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis, to project liquid therefrom;the liquid supply means supplies liquid to an inner end of said nozzle;means for selectively exciting transducers as required, thereby to project liquid as jets or droplets from the respective outer face by movement of the liquid through the nozzle in response to the movement of the nozzle;wherein one or more pressure absorbing regions are disposed at a predetermined distance from said nozzles, in a direction perpendicular to the substantially planar array of transducers.