초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for controlling the electric charge on droplets formed by the breaking up of a pressurized liquid stream at a drop formation point located within an electric field. The field is provided to have an electric potential gradient and means are provided to effect drop formation at a

Method and apparatus for controlling the electric charge on droplets formed by the breaking up of a pressurized liquid stream at a drop formation point located within an electric field. The field is provided to have an electric potential gradient and means are provided to effect drop formation at a point in the field corresponding to the desired predetermined charge to be placed on the droplets at the point of their formation. The location of the drop formation point within the charging field may be controlled by one or more signals applied to various components of the apparatus. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to ink-jet recording systems.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of providing a stream of liquid droplets which carry thereon electric charges of predetermined magnitude and polarity, comprising the steps of (a) providing an electrically conductive liquid jet which breaks up at a drop formation point to form liquid droplets; (b) providing an electric fie

A method of providing a stream of liquid droplets which carry thereon electric charges of predetermined magnitude and polarity, comprising the steps of (a) providing an electrically conductive liquid jet which breaks up at a drop formation point to form liquid droplets; (b) providing an electric field, through which said droplets are directed, having an electric potential gradient; and (c) controlling the location of said drop formation point within said electric field along said gradient thereby to control the electric charge on said droplets.