Patent ID: 8544976
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: B01L,B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of ejecting a fluid droplet from a fluid reservoir, the method comprising: moving at least one of the fluid reservoir and an acoustic ejector with respect to each other so that a focal point position of the acoustic ejector changes with respect to a fluid surface within the fluid reservoir; while at least one of the reservoir or acoustic ejector is still moving: sending an interrogation pulse from the acoustic ejector toward the fluid surface of the reservoir; measuring an input echo corresponding to the interrogation pulse; estimating a relative velocity of approach between the focal point position and the fluid surface based on the interrogation pulse and input echo; predicting a time for droplet ejection based on the relative velocity of approach; and, sending an ejection pulse from the acoustic ejector to eject the fluid droplet from the fluid reservoir at the predicted time.