Patent ID: 6644785
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An acoustic emitter comprising:base structure having a top surface and a bottom surface; a transducer intimately attached to a bottom surface of the base; an energy source connected across the transducer to generate acoustic waves which are transmitted from the transducer through the base; an acoustic lens formed on an upper surface of the base at a location over the transducer, wherein the acoustic waves transmitted through the base are transmitted to the acoustic lens which focuses the acoustic waves into a small focal area; a solid low acoustic wave attenuation element located above the acoustic lens, wherein the solid low acoustic wave attenuation element is a pedestal carrier having at least one pedestal including inwardly angled walls and a planar top portion; an aperture plate arranged above the solid low acoustic wave attenuation element; and a reservoir of fluid located between an upper surface of the solid low acoustic wave attenuation element and a lower surface of the aperture plate, wherein the focused acoustic waves are passed through the solid low acoustic wave attenuation element and into the reservoir of fluid having sufficient acoustic energy to cause a fluid drop to be emitted from the reservoir.