Drop-on-demand operation of continuous jets using EHD techniques

In some applications of continuous jet drop generators, it is helpful to produce a single isolated drop instead of the stream of drops normally encountered. A voltage pulse applied to a nearby electrode can produce an isolated drop, but only if the size and shape of the pulse are carefully chosen. The proper choice is determined by decomposing the input voltage into Fourier components, following each one along the jet, and then recombining them to give a snapshot of the jet at the breakoff point. A computer program has been developed that produces a graphical profile of the jet response that demonstrates how the jet would appear in actual operation. Visual inspection of the calculated jet profile while adjusting the pulse parameters leads to several suitable voltage pulses for drop-on-demand operation.<
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