| 摘要 |
<p>A temperature-altering device used for controlling the temperature of a liquid at the point of dispensing, is thermally coupled to a dispensing device which dissipates heat. The dispensing device may be, for example, a miniature solenoid valve (microvalve), a piezoelectric printhead, or the like. The temperature-altering device provides or reduces heat at the point of dispensing in order to alter, control or maintain a constant temperature of the dispensed liquid. As a result, improvement is obtained in the consistency of the fluid regime of the dispensed droplet stream. The temperature-altering device may be a thermoelectric device capable of transferring heat either from or to the dispensing structure, or may be a heater. This device may be used beneficially even when the dispensing is performed near room temperature and the liquid does not require heating to maintain its liquid state.</p> |
