Patent ID: 8220908

Claim:
A printhead comprising: a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory; a gas flow deflection system that provides a first gas flow through a gas flow duct, the first gas flow interacting with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the first gas flow having a first speed, the first gas flow being provided by a first positive pressure source connected in fluid communication to the gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system includes a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the first gas flow source and the drop deflection zone; and a plenum structure including an outlet located between the drop generator and the gas flow duct that directs a second gas flow toward the drop deflection zone, the second gas flow having a second speed, the first speed of the first gas flow being substantially equivalent to the second speed of the second gas flow.