US4455561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electron beam driven ink jet printer
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1982-11-22
•
Granted: 1984-06-19
•
Expires: 2002-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A new type of thermal ink jet print head is provided which is driven by an electron beam. The print head is constructed of an electron permeable thin film (electron window) which in one embodiment, has on one of its surfaces a plurality of electron absorbing (heater) pads that are in thermal contact with an ink reservoir. As electrons from a CRT traverse the thin film and are absorbed by a pad, they introduce an extremely large and rapid temperature increase in the pad. As a result, a sufficient amount of thermal energy is absorbed by the ink to cause a vapor explosion within the ink, thereby ejecting ink droplets from a nearby orifice in the ink reservoir. In another embodiment, the electrons traverse the window and are absorbed in the ink rather than in pads, and in another embodiment the electrons are absorbed directly in the window itself.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Boyden
- 👤 Donald R. Bradbury
- 👤 Garrett A. Garrettson
- 👤 Timothy R. Groves
- 👤 Lawrence R. Hanlon
- 👤 Armand P. Neukermans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:32
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/14; B41J2/14016; B41J2/14088; B41J2/14104; B41J2002/14387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film of electron permeable material in close proximity to said ink reservoir; absorber means attached to said film and arranged to be in thermal contact with said ink, for absorbing electrons from said electron beam which pass through said film, and for converting the kinetic energy of electrons so absorbed to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film of electron permeable material in close proximity to said ink reservoir; absorber means attached to said film and arranged to be in thermal contact with said ink, for absorbing electrons from said electron beam which pass through said film, and for converting the kinetic energy of electrons so absorbed to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 1 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print head as in claim 1 wherein said film is formed by chemical vapor deposition onto a substrate of a material different from said film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 3 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 3 wherein said substrate has an electron window formed therein by etching completely through said substrate but not through said film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 5 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 5 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 5 comprising a CRT having; an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 5 wherein said film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 9 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 9 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 11 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 11 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 11 wherein said substrate comprises a support layer and a heat control layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 14 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 14 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A print head as in claim 14 wherein said heat control layer is located between said thin film and said support layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 17 wherein said film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 18 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 19 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 19 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A print head as in claim 5 wherein said absorber means comprises at least one small area of electrically conductive material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 22 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print head as in claim 22 wherein said film has a substantially flat surface which forms a portion of said inner surface of said reservoir.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
A print head as in claim 24 wherein said orifice means comprises a surface which is spaced apart from said thin film and defines another portion of said inner surface of said ink reservoir, said surface of said orifice means having a portion thereof which is substantially flat.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A print head as in claim 25 wherein said orifice means has at least one hole in said portion thereof which is substantially flat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 26 wherein said film comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 27 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 28 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 28 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 27 wherein said substrate comprises a support layer and a heat control layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A print head as in claim 31 wherein said heat control layer is located between said thin film and said support layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 32 wherein said film comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 33 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 34 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 34 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
167 words
A thermal ink jet printer comprising: a CRT further comprising: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; first means for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body; a thermal ink jet print head attached to said CRT, said print head further comprising: an ink reservoir for holding ink; a film of electron permeable material which is in close proximity to said reservoir and which receives electrons exiting said tube body via said first means; absorber means attached to said film and arranged to be in thermal contact with said ink, for absorbing electrons from said electron beam which pass through said film, and for converting the kinetic energy of electrons so absorbed to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said heating.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
167 words
A thermal ink jet printer comprising: a CRT further comprising: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; first means for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body; a thermal ink jet print head attached to said CRT, said print head further comprising: an ink reservoir for holding ink; a film of electron permeable material which is in close proximity to said reservoir and which receives electrons exiting said tube body via said first means; absorber means attached to said film and arranged to be in thermal contact with said ink, for absorbing electrons from said electron beam which pass through said film, and for converting the kinetic energy of electrons so absorbed to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said heating.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
82 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film of electron permeable material in contact with said ink, said film having a thickness such that electrons from said electron beam penetrate said film and are absorbed in said ink to create a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
82 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film of electron permeable material in contact with said ink, said film having a thickness such that electrons from said electron beam penetrate said film and are absorbed in said ink to create a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 38 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print head as in claim 38 wherein said film is formed by chemical vapor deposition onto a substrate of a material different from said film.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print head as in claim 40 wherein substrate has an electron window formed therein by etching completely through said substrate but not through said film.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 41 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 41 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 41 wherein said film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 44 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
81 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film in contact with said ink for absorbing electrons from said electron beam and for converting the kinetic energy of said electrons to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
81 words
A print head of the thermal ink jet type which is activated by an electron beam comprising: an ink reservoir having an inner surface for containing ink; a film in contact with said ink for absorbing electrons from said electron beam and for converting the kinetic energy of said electrons to thermal energy for quickly heating said ink to form a bubble therein; and orifice means for permitting ejection of ink droplets from said reservoir in response to said bubble formation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
61 words
A print head as in claim 46 comprising a CRT having: an electron gun for generating electrons and for providing kinetic energy to said electrons to form an electron beam; a tube body housing said electron gun; and first means located in close proximity to said film for permitting the exit of electrons in said electron beam from said tube body.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print head as in claim 46 wherein said film is formed by chemical vapor deposition onto a substrate of a material different from said film.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 48 wherein said substrate has an electron window formed therein by etching completely through said substrate but not through said film.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print head as in claim 49 wherein said electron window has a length much greater than its width.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
A print head as in claim 49 wherein said substrate has a plurality of said electron windows.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
A print head as in claim 49 wherein said film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print head as in claim 52 wherein said film comprises a layer of SiC having a thickness in the range of 1 micron to 5 microns.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making an electron beam window on a surface having a slot therein comprising the steps of: selecting a first material as a substrate; depositing a film of a second material which is permeable to electrons at the electron beam energy of interest; attaching said film and said substrate to said surface and covering said slot with said film, said film adjacent to said first substrate; and etching away said substrate to leave said film attached to said surface in a manner covering said slot.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making an electron beam window on a surface having a slot therein comprising the steps of: selecting a first material as a substrate; depositing a film of a second material which is permeable to electrons at the electron beam energy of interest; attaching said film and said substrate to said surface and covering said slot with said film, said film adjacent to said first substrate; and etching away said substrate to leave said film attached to said surface in a manner covering said slot.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 54 wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of SiC, BN, B 4 C, Si 3 N 4 , and Al 4 C 3 .
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 54 wherein said second material is deposited by chemical vapor deposition on said substrate.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 54 wherein the step of attaching said film is performed by anodic bonding.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 54 wherein said substrate comprises a polycrystalline material.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 58 wherein said polycrystalline material is a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, and polysilicon.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 59 wherein said polycrystalline material consists of polysilicon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-19 | 1987-12-19 | 1988-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-12-19 | 1992-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-19 | 1995-12-19 | 1996-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |