Apparatus and Method For Controlled Application of Liquid Streams to a Substrate

摘要

An improved system for application of liquid streams to a substrate. The system incorporates open face flow channels for carrying the liquid away from fully enclosed flow segments prior to discharge along an unconstrained flow path. The present invention further provides an improved, self-aligning modular assembly for delivery of impingement jet to the liquid streams for diverting the direction of the liquid streams. The present invention further provides an improved arrangement for collection of the deflected liquid in response to application of the impingement jet without excess residue build-up.

主权项

1. An apparatus for intermittently applying a liquid from a pressurized source onto a target substrate in the form of liquid streams, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold module having a manifold chamber for receiving the liquid from the pressurized source; a channel body having a plurality of grooves in fluid communication with the manifold module, the grooves defining liquid channels whereby liquid from the manifold chamber passes through the liquid channels and is directed towards the target substrate as the liquid streams; a channel body cover covering a portion of each of the grooves in the channel body, wherein a first segment of each liquid channel being created by the portion of the grooves in the channel body enclosed by the channel body cover, the first segment being a substantially enclosed tunnel in fluid communication with the manifold chamber in the manifold module; wherein a second segment of each liquid channel being created by a portion of the grooves in the channel body, the second segment being in direct fluid communication with the first segment, having an open-face flume configuration, and having a liquid discharge end projecting toward the target substrate; a plurality of impingement jet directional passages, each impingement jet directional passage being associated with a corresponding liquid channel, each impingement jet directional passage further having:
an impingement jet discharge opening disposed at a location between the liquid discharge end of the associated liquid channel and the target substrate, anda central axis oriented in an intersecting relation to an axis of the corresponding liquid channel whereby an impingement stream passing through the impingement jet directional passage and impingement jet discharge opening towards the liquid stream will create a diverted flow path in the associated liquid stream; and a liquid collection module adapted to capture the liquid stream during the diverted flow path.