| 摘要 |
A compact ink jet print head has cross-sectionally tapered ink manifolds (16) for supplying ink to ink supply channels (18) leading to the acoustically driven ink pressure chambers (22). An array of closely spaced nozzles (14) which are supplied with ink from the densely packed ink pressure chambers by way of offset channels (71). The tapered manifolds, ink supply channels, pressure chambers, and offset channels are designed to provide uniform operating characteristics among the ink jet nozzles of the array. To enhance the packing density of the pressure chambers, the ink supply channels leading to the pressure chambers and offset channels are positioned in planes between the pressure chambers and nozzles. The tapered ink supply manifolds enhance purging of contaminants or bubbles from the print head by providing uniform ink flow rates (97, 97') along the entire length of the manifolds. Optional ink purging channels (42) are provided for purging bubbles and other contaminants from the print head without requiring ink flow through the nozzles. The ink jet print head may be assembled from multiple plates with features in all but the nozzle-defining plate being formed by photo-patterning and etching processes without machining or other metal working. <IMAGE> <IMAGE> |
