Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device

Details Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device

2002-12-02

2003-11-11

Tran, Huan (Department: 2861)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Fluid or fluid source handling means

C347S094000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06644793

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid supply arrangement for a micro-electromechanical device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a portable system utilized for the control of ink flow to an inkjet printhead, it is necessary to ensure that the printhead continues to function and receive an ink supply in the presence of movement of the printhead due to its portability. Examples of portable systems include the recently filed PCT Application Nos. PCT/AU98/00550 and PCT/AU98/00549 filed by the present applicant.
For example, when utilized in a camera system with an internal printer, it is desirable to provide for proper operation and ink flow and the presence of movement of the portable camera system. Further, it is desirable to provide for such a system as cheaply and efficiently as possible. This is particularly the case where the camera is utilized in a portable manner whilst printing.
It is an object of the invention described in the parent application to provide an ink supply arrangement for supplying ink to the printing arrangement of a portable printer that overcomes or ameliorates one or more disadvantages of the prior art or at least offers a useful alternative thereto.
In developing that invention, the applicant has found that the arrangement of that invention can be applied to micro-electromechanical devices in general, without departing from the scope of the parent application. Accordingly, the applicant has conceived this invention to be applicable to micro-electromechanical devices in general.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a fluid supply arrangement for a micro-electromechanical device, the fluid supply arrangement comprising
a fluid supply unit that is connectable to the micro-electromechanical device with a suitable fluid distribution device, the fluid supply unit having a housing that defines at least one elongate storage chamber, for holding fluid for supply to said fluid distribution device, and a series of baffles spaced along the storage chamber and extending transversely so that consecutive baffles and the housing define a series of chamber portions, each chamber portion being in fluid communication with respective fluid inlets of the fluid distribution device.
The fluid supply arrangement may include the fluid distribution device in the form of a manifold, the manifold being connectable to the micro-electromechanical device and defining a plurality of fluid outlets corresponding with respective fluid supply passages of the micro-electromechanical device.
A baffle unit that is enclosed by the housing may define the series of baffles. The baffle unit may be configured to define holes to provide the fluid communication between each chamber portion and a respective fluid inlet.
The baffle unit and the housing may define a number of storage chambers for holding different forms of the fluid.
The invention extends to a micro-electromechanical device that includes a fluid supply arrangement as described above.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4528571 (1985-07-01), Sweet
patent: 4580147 (1986-04-01), DeYoung et al.
patent: 4612554 (1986-09-01), Poleshuk
patent: 4695854 (1987-09-01), Cruz-Uribe
patent: 4736212 (1988-04-01), Oda et al.
patent: 4994826 (1991-02-01), Tellier
patent: 5408257 (1995-04-01), Hiramatsu et al.
patent: 5477256 (1995-12-01), Loyd et al.
patent: 5489927 (1996-02-01), Harmon
patent: 5555461 (1996-09-01), Ackerman
patent: 5600358 (1997-02-01), Baldwin et al.
patent: 5781212 (1998-07-01), Burr et al.
patent: 5815173 (1998-09-01), Silverbrook
patent: 5907341 (1999-05-01), Miyazawa
patent: 5975687 (1999-11-01), Powers
patent: 6003971 (1999-12-01), Hanks et al.
patent: 6234619 (2001-05-01), Kiritake
patent: 057472 (1982-08-01), None
patent: 367303 (1990-05-01), None
patent: 649745 (1995-04-01), None
patent: 771665 (1997-05-01), None
patent: WO 00/64680 (2000-11-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fluid supply arrangment for a micro-electromechanical device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3169223