| 摘要 |
<p>A nozzle apparatus (10) and method for electrically charging and dispensing fluids and other flowable materials, comprising a fluid reservoir (12) and a housing (14). The housing (14) includes walls which define a chamber (28) having an elongated slot (32) at the tip (33) thereof. The slot (32) is resiliently compressible. The reservoir (12) communicates with the chamber (28) such that the fluid is introduced into the chamber (28) at a controlled rate and a low hydrostatic pressure. A shim (34) is placed within the chamber slot (32) partially occluding fluid flow through the slot (32). The shim (34) and the amount of compression and expansion of the slot (32) define with precision the size and shape of the slot (32). The shim (34) and fluid are electrically connected to a high voltage source (18) through the housing (14). The fluid forms a meniscus (50) about the housing slot (32) whereby upon actuation of the high voltage source (18), the fluid is dispensed as one or more charged fluid paths (20) or a plurality of charged droplets.</p> |
