Fluidic seal for an ink jet nozzle assembly
View Patent ↗An ink jet nozzle assembly ( 10 ) includes a substrate ( 16 ). A nozzle ( 22 ) is displaceably arranged relative to the substrate ( 16 ). The nozzle ( 22 ) defines a nozzle opening ( 24 ) such that, in use, upon displacement of the nozzle ( 22 ) relative to the substrate ( 16 ) ink is ejected through the opening ( 24 ). A seal ( 52 ) is arranged intermediate the substrate ( 16 ) and the nozzle ( 22 ) for inhibiting leakage of ink from around a periphery of the nozzle ( 22 ).
1. An ink jet nozzle assembly which includes
a substrate;
a nozzle displaceably arranged relative to the substrate, the nozzle defining a nozzle opening such that, in use, upon displacement of the nozzle relative to the substrate, ink is ejected through the opening; and
an inhibiting means arranged intermediate the substrate and the nozzle for inhibiting leakage of ink from around a periphery of the nozzle.
2. The assembly of claim 1 in which the nozzle includes a crown portion defining the nozzle opening and a skirt portion depending from the crown portion, the skirt portion, together with the inhibiting means, defining an ink chamber with which the nozzle opening is in fluid communication.
3. The assembly of claim 2 in which an ink supply channel is defined through the substrate to be in communication, via an aperture in the substrate, with the chamber, the inhibiting means being arranged about the aperture.
4. The assembly of claim 2 in which the inhibiting means is arranged externally of the skirt portion of the nozzle.
5. The assembly of claim 4 in which the inhibiting means includes a wiper portion extending inwardly towards an external surface of the skirt portion of the nozzle.
6. The assembly of claim 1 in which the inhibiting means is fabricated by deposition and etching techniques.
7. The assembly of claim 1 in which the inhibiting means is of a ceramic material.