WO2020091765A1 - Détection de contaminants ou de particules comprenant la détection de la conductivité avec une buse de micro-injecteur - Google Patents

Détection de contaminants ou de particules comprenant la détection de la conductivité avec une buse de micro-injecteur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020091765A1
WO2020091765A1 PCT/US2018/058459 US2018058459W WO2020091765A1 WO 2020091765 A1 WO2020091765 A1 WO 2020091765A1 US 2018058459 W US2018058459 W US 2018058459W WO 2020091765 A1 WO2020091765 A1 WO 2020091765A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
nozzle
chamber
sensor
electrodes
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2018/058459
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Leslie Field
Original Assignee
Xinova, LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xinova, LLC filed Critical Xinova, LLC
Priority to PCT/US2018/058459 priority Critical patent/WO2020091765A1/fr
Publication of WO2020091765A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020091765A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14016—Structure of bubble jet print heads
    • B41J2/14153—Structures including a sensor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0241—Drop counters; Drop formers
    • B01L3/0268—Drop counters; Drop formers using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
    • B41J2/125—Sensors, e.g. deflection sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
    • B01L2300/0663—Whole sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
    • B01L2300/1805—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
    • B01L2300/1827—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks using resistive heater
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
    • B01L2300/1888—Pipettes or dispensers with temperature control

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates generally to techniques for testing fluids. More specifically, the disclosure relates to water quality testing.
  • Water may contain a variety of trace materials which determine the water’s suitability for a variety of applications, such as drinking. Different applications may require a determination that amounts of certain materials fall inside a predetermined range. Periodic testing of a given water source may be required by certain regulatory environments.
  • test water samples may be collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Other tests may be performed at or near the water source. Tests may require large sample volumes, bulky or delicate equipment, and/or expensive reagents that make it difficult to regularly test water samples.
  • An example device may include a chamber, a heater, a nozzle, and a sensor.
  • the heater may heat a fluid in the chamber to form a droplet.
  • the nozzle may be in fluid communication with the chamber, and may be at least partially defined by a nozzle material.
  • the nozzle may be positioned for ejection of the droplet from the chamber.
  • the sensor may include at least two electrodes supported by the nozzle material and positioned to contact the droplet during the ejection.
  • An example method includes heating fluid in a chamber to form a droplet.
  • the method also includes forcing the droplet out of the chamber through a micromjector nozzle including contacting the droplet with a sensor.
  • the sensor may include at least a pair of electrodes wherein at least one of the pair of electrodes is supported by the microinjector nozzle.
  • the method also includes measuring an aspect of the fluid using the sensor.
  • An example system may include a fluid source, and a plurality of devices.
  • the fluid source may contain a fluid which may include water and a contaminant.
  • Each of the plurality of devices may include a chamber, a heater, a nozzle, a sensor, and a measurement unit.
  • the chamber may be in selective fluid communication with the fluid source.
  • the heater may heat the fluid in the chamber to form a droplet.
  • the nozzle may be in fluid communication with the chamber.
  • the nozzle may be at least partially defined by a nozzle material and may be positioned for ejection of the droplet.
  • the sensor may include at least two electrodes wherein at least one of the at least two electrodes is supported by the nozzle material and positioned to contact the droplet during the ejection.
  • the measurement unit may be coupled to the sensor and may be configured to determine a property of the fluid.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration, partially in cross-section, of a water quality measurement device
  • Figures 2A - 2D are schematic diagrams, partially in cross-section, depicting an example operation of a micro-dispenser
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, partially in cross-section, of a device with a droplet in contact with a sensor
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram in cross-section showing a device with electrode contacts at the nozzle material and heater
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram in cross-section of a device with contacts placed around the sidewalls of the nozzle;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic diagram, partially in cross-section, depicting an array of devices
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart depicting a method of measuring an aspect of a fluid
  • Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device that is arranged for determining fluid properties
  • the device includes a chamber, a heater, a nozzle, and a sensor.
  • the heater may heat a fluid in the chamber to form a droplet.
  • the nozzle is m fluid communication with the chamber and is at least partially defined by a nozzle material.
  • the nozzle may be positioned for ejection of the droplet.
  • the sensor includes at least two electrodes supported on the nozzle material positioned to contact the droplet during the ejection.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration, partially m cross section, of a water quality' measurement device, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figure 1 shows device 102, substrate 104, chamber 106, heater 108, nozzle material 110, nozzle 112, sensor 114, first electrode 116, second electrode 117, and droplet 1 18. Additionally shown are fluid source 120, fluid 122 with water 124 and contaminants (and/or particles, impurities, biological matter, etc.) 126, measurement unit 128, controller 130, processor 132, and storage 134, temperature sensor 136 and output 138.
  • the various components described in Figure 1 are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • the device 102 is at least partially composed of a substrate material 104.
  • This substrate material is shaped to form a chamber 106, which may be in selective fluid communication with the fluid source 120 to allow fluid 122 into the chamber.
  • the chamber 106 may be connected to the fluid source 120 by a channel. In some embodiments, the channel may wick the fluid 122 into the chamber 106 (e.g., with capillarj 7 action), in order to refill the chamber 106.
  • a heater 108 is positioned near the chamber 106 in order to heat the fluid 122. The heater 108 may be positioned on the substrate material 104.
  • a nozzle material (or nozzle substrate) 110 with a nozzle 112 is positioned so that the nozzle fomis an exit to the chamber 106.
  • a sensor 114 has a first electrode 1 16 and a second electrode 117, in this vie each supported by the nozzle material 110 and positioned on opposite sides of the nozzle 1 12. As described herein, as the fluid 122 is heated in the chamber 106, it may form a droplet 118, which exits the chamber 106 through the nozzle 1 12, contacting the first and second electrodes 1 16, 117. Although only two electrodes 1 16, 1 17 are shown in the example of Figure 1, it is to be understood that additional electrodes may be used the device 102. For example, a reference electrode may be provided in some embodiments.
  • the sensor 114 may be connected to a measurement unit 128, which may include a controller 130, a processor 132, and storage 134.
  • the measurement unit 128 may also be coupled to a temperature sensor 136 and/or an output 138.
  • the device 102 may selecti vely eject small volumes of the fluid 122 m the form of droplets 118.
  • the droplets 1 18 may be about 50pL in some examples, about 40pL in some examples, about 30pL in some examples, about 20pL in some examples, or about 12pL in other examples. Other volumes may be used in other examples.
  • the device 102 may be, for example, a micro-dispenser (or pdispenser).
  • the device 102 receives the fluid 122 from fluid source 120 and into chamber 106.
  • the heater 108 When the heater 108 is active (e.g., in an‘on’ state), a portion of the fluid 122 in the chamber 106 may superheat and nucleate, which may eject the remainder of the fluid 122, and the chamber 106 may refill with fluid 122 from the fluid source 120 when the heater 108 is inactive (e.g., in an 'off state). After the droplet 118 has been ejected from the chamber 106, the chamber may refill with additional fluid from the fluid source 120, allowing for the ejection of further droplets
  • the device 102 is composed, at least m part, of substrate materi al (substrate) 104.
  • a chamber 106 is formed at least partially from the substrate material 104.
  • the chamber 106 may take the form of a rectangular box, with the walls and floor of the chamber 106 composed of the substrate material 104.
  • Example materials that may be used for the substrate material 104 include silicon, pyrex, quartz, and polyimides.
  • the walls and the floor of the chamber 106 may be composed of different materials.
  • the floor of the chamber 106 may be composed of a first substrate material while the walls are composed of a second substrate material.
  • Other chamber shapes may also be used, including circular chambers.
  • An opening in one of the walls of the chamber 106 allows a fluid such as fluid 122 to enter the chamber 106.
  • the chamber 106 may include a first substrate material as the floor of the chamber, a second substrate material as the walls of the chamber 106, and a nozzle material 110 as the top of the chamber 106.
  • the nozzle material 1 10 may be used, for example, as a top surface enclosing the chamber 106.
  • the nozzle material may be, for example, nickel which may be electroplated. Other nozzle materials, such as electroplated metals, etched structures, and photolithographically formed structures may be used in other examples.
  • the nozzle 112 forms an opening of the chamber 106. As shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned in a center of one of the faces of the chamber 106 opposite heater 108. Other positions are possible in other examples, such as off-center.
  • the heater 108 may heat fluid 122 while it is in chamber 106.
  • the heater 108 may heat the fluid 122 by directly applying energy to the fluid 122, or may heat the fluid 122 indirectly, such as by applying energy to and heating the substrate 104.
  • the heater 108 may be a resistive (joule) heater including a resistor, where voltage is applied to the resistor to generate heat. Other types of heaters may be used in other examples.
  • the heater 108 may be positioned on an inner surface of the chamber 106 in contact with the fluid 122 while it is in the chamber 106. The heater 108 may be cycled between an‘on' state where it is applying energy to the fluid 122, and an‘off state where it is not applying energy to the fluid 122.
  • a portion of the fluid 122 in the chamber 106 may superheat and nucleate, which may eject the remainder of the fluid 122 when the heater 108 is in an‘on’ state, and the chamber 106 may refill with fluid 122 from the fluid source 120 when the heater 108 is in the‘off state.
  • the heater 108 may be cycled between the two states in order to eject droplets from the device 102 in a predictable pattern.
  • the heater 108 may be in the‘on’ state for about a few psec, and the droplets may be ejected at a rate of about 10 kHz in some examples, 5kHz in some examples, 2 kHz in some examples, 1 kHz in some examples. Other rates may be used in other examples.
  • activation of the heater 108 may create inadvertent coupling with the sensor 114.
  • the heater 108 may be spatially and/or temporally uncoupled from the sensor 114 to mitigate this.
  • the heater 108 may be positioned in an area of the chamber 106 away from the sensor 114.
  • the heater 108 may be located along a bottom surface of chamber 106 opposite the nozzle 112, while the sensor is positioned about the nozzle material 110.
  • the measurement unit 128 may collect measurements from the sensors 114 when the heater 108 is not activated. Other arrangements to spatially and/or temporally decouple the heater 108 and sensor 114 may be used in other examples.
  • the nozzle 112 may be an aperture that forms a passage from an inside to an outside of the chamber 106.
  • the nozzle may be a passage passing through nozzle material 110.
  • the nozzle may be a passage partially defined by the nozzle material 1 10 and partially defined by the substrate 104.
  • the same piece of nozzle material 1 10 may- have multiple nozzles 1 12 connected to different chambers, such as the chamber 106.
  • the nozzle material 110 may take the form of a flat plate.
  • the nozzle material 110 may be a nickel orifice plate.
  • the nozzle 112 may take the form of a hole passing from one side of the nozzle material to the other side of the nozzle material.
  • the nozzle 112 may taper such that an area of the nozzle 112 at an end proximate the chamber 106 is larger than an area of the nozzle 112 at an end distal to the chamber 106.
  • the profile of the nozzle 1 12 may have straight sides or curved sides.
  • the nozzle 112 may be shaped to prevent a backflow of fluid into the chamber 106 through the nozzle 112.
  • the sensor 114 is positioned to measure aspects or properties of the fluid 122 when the fluid 122 is ejected through the nozzle 112.
  • the aspects or properties of the fluid 122 which may be measured may include directly measured properties such as conductivity, resistance, impedance, capacitance, dielectric constant, or combinations thereof.
  • the aspects of the fluid 122 may include indirectly measured (or calculated) properties such as pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved gases (e.g., dissolved oxygen), bubbles of gas (e.g., air), free chlorine, fluorine, E. coh, nitrates, phosphates, various heavy metals, organics, pathogens, or combinations thereof.
  • the directly measured properties may be used to determine a volume of fluid in the chamber and/or a rate at which the fluid fills the chamber, which in turn may be used to determine viscosity , hydrophobicity, and/or hydrophilicity of the fluid.
  • the device 102 may measure a rate at which droplets are ejected from the nozzle 112 which may be used to determine, for example, heat capacity and/or thermal conductivity of the fluid.
  • the sensor 114 may include the electrodes 116, 117 which may be separately addressable conductive regions. Although only two electrodes are shown in this example, it is to he understood that more electrodes could be used.
  • the sensor may have a first electrode 116 and a second electrode 117. As shown in Figure 1, the first electrode
  • the electrodes 1 16,1 17 are both positioned on the top (outer) surface of the nozzle material.
  • the electrodes 1 16,1 17 are positioned on opposite sides of the nozzle 112, with ends positioned at an edge of the nozzle 112.
  • the electrodes 116, 117 may come into contact with the droplet 118 as it is being ejected from the chamber 106 and through the nozzle 112.
  • the electrodes 116, 117 may be arranged such that they are parallel to, or perpendicular to the flow of fluid 122 during the ejection.
  • one or more of the electrodes 116, 117 may be an array of electrodes positioned along the flow path of the fluid 122.
  • the electrodes 116, 117 may be comb finger electrodes, which may have an increased ability to sense the capacitance of the fluid 122 between the fingers of opposing electrodes.
  • a dielectric material may be layered over all or part of the electrode 116 or 117 to protect it from direct contact with the fluid 122.
  • the 118 forms an electrical connection between the ends of the two electrodes 1 16, 117 and allows sensor 114 to make an electrical connection with the fluid, which may be used to determine aspects of the fluid 122.
  • the electrodes may have connectors (not shown) or other attachment methods for coupling to the measurement unit 128.
  • the sensor 114 may be made of electrically conductive areas (such as first and second electrodes 116, 117) and may be integral with the nozzle, added to the nozzle, or both.
  • the sensor 114 may be made from separate pieces of a conductive material attached to the nozzle material 110
  • the sensor 114 may be a patterned additional layer of conductive material layered on top of the nozzle material 110.
  • the sensor 114 may include nickel, gold, or combinations.
  • the nozzle material 110 may be patterned to include one or more electrodes of the sensor 1 14.
  • the patterned material may include one or more gaps (and/or other non-conductive regions) between the electrically conductive areas to prevent shorting.
  • the gap may include non- conductive material, such as a dielectric material.
  • the gaps may be filled with air, silica, and/or other insulators.
  • the pattern of conductive and non- conductive regions may be chosen for specific operations of the sensor 114 or specific measurements to be made.
  • the fluid 122 may be water 124, which may contain impurities and/or contaminants 126.
  • Other fluids may be used in other examples, including beverages (e.g., juice, milk, beer, wine, soda), chemicals, or other fluids.
  • the water 124 may have certain properties, measurable by the electrode 1 14, which are altered by the presence and/or amount of the contaminants 126 present in the fluid 122.
  • the presence of ions, such as salts, in the water 124 may change the conductivity' of the water 124.
  • the fluid 122 in fluid source 120 may be sampled from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, drinking water, environmental water (e.g., lakes, rivers, groundwater, and marine water), aquatic environments (e.g., agriculture, aquaculture), or combinations.
  • the fluid 122 may be loaded into the fluid source 120 for testing with the device 102 while the device 102 is on-site, at or near the location where the fluid 122 was obtained.
  • the fluid source 120 of the device 102 may be in-line with a system using or transporting the fluid 122, such as in-line with a pipe.
  • the fluid 122 has been described as water 124 with a contaminant 126, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may be used with a variety of fluids 122 containing a variety of substances.
  • the fluid may contain particles or other dissolved or suspended matter which is measured.
  • the fluid 122 may be a multi -phasic fluid, and/or may contain dissolved biological material.
  • the fluid may contain cells and/or DNA.
  • the fluid 122 may be blood, and one or more properties of the blood cells (e.g., hematocrit, white blood cell count, etc.) may be measured.
  • the measurement unit 128 includes a controller 130, a processor 132, and a storage function 134.
  • the processer 132 may be used to determine a property of the fluid 122 based on a signal provided from the sensor 114.
  • the sensor 114 may directly measure properties of the fluid 122 such as capacitance, resistance, conductance, dielectric constant, impedance, or combinations.
  • the controller 130 may apply a voltage and/or current to the sensor 114 to assist in the property measurement.
  • the applied voltage and/or current may be static or may vary in time to allow additional measurement techniques such as differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), dielectric spectroscopy, dielectric sensors (capacitance probes), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, or combinations thereof.
  • DPASV differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry
  • dielectric spectroscopy dielectric sensors (capacitance probes), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, or combinations thereof.
  • the temperature sensor 136 may monitor a temperature of the device 102, the fluid 122, or both.
  • the controller 130 may operate the heater 108 on a set cycle, or may- use feedback from the temperature sensor 136 to operate the device 102.
  • the processor 132 may use the temperature sensor 136 to determine a temperature of the fluid 122.
  • the temperature sensor 136 may be a part of (or may be embedded in) the substrate 104.
  • the measured temperature of the fluid 122 over time may be used to help calculate properties of the fluid, such as, for example, conductivity, thermal conductivity or heat capacity.
  • the processor 132 may calculate additional properties of the fluid based on the directly measured properties such as pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids (IDS), dissolved gases (e.g., dissolved oxygen), bubbles of gas (e.g., air), free chlorine, fluorine, E. coli, nitrates, phosphates, various heavy metals, organics, pathogens, or combinations thereof.
  • Tire measurement unit may be a separate part attached to the device 102, or may be integral with the device 102.
  • the measurement unit 128 may be directly coupled to the sensor 114 or the sensor may act as an RC circuit to be resonantly interrogated at a distance.
  • the measurement unit 128 may determine the properties of the fluid 122 in real-time or close to real-time.
  • the determined properties may be output from the measurement unit 128 to output 138, stored in the storage unit 134, or combinations thereof.
  • Figures 2A - 2D are schematic diagrams, partially in cross-section, depicting stages of an example operation of a micro-dispenser, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figures 2A-2D show device 202, chamber 206, heater 208, nozzle 212, droplet 218, fluid 222, and bubble 240.
  • the various components described in Figures 2A-2D are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • the device 202 depicted in each of Figures 2A - 2D may be implemented using the device 202 of Figure 1 in some examples.
  • Other devices e.g., other micronozzles
  • the device 202 has a chamber 206 which tills with fluid 222.
  • the chamber 206 may completely fill with fluid.
  • the chamber may be partially filled with fluid.
  • the fluid 222 is heated by heater 208, it may be ejected from the chamber 206 and through the nozzle 212 to form droplet 218.
  • FIG. 2A depicts a device 202 where the chamber 206 is filled with the fluid 222
  • the heater 208 is applying energy to the fluid.
  • the heater 208 may receive activation energy' from an energy source (not shown).
  • the energy' may be applied such that the fluid is heated by about 100°C per psec in some examples. Other rates of heating may be used in other examples.
  • the energy may raise the temperature of a portion of the fluid 222 above a boiling point of the fluid 222.
  • the energy' may superheat that portion of the fluid 222.
  • the heated portion of the fluid 222 may nucleate and form bubbles in the chamber. The bubbles may form in less than about 3psec in some examples. Other nucleaiion times may be used in other examples.
  • the heated portion of the fluid may undergo a superheated vapor explosion.
  • Figure 2B depicts the device 202 after the bubble nueleation depicted in Figure 2A.
  • Part of the heated fluid 222 may form a bubble 240 which expands to fill chamber 206.
  • the bubble 240 expands, it may push some of the fluid out of the chamber 206 through the nozzle 212 to form the droplet 218.
  • the growth of the bubble may take about 3 to 10 psec in an example. Other rates of bubble growth may occur m other examples.
  • the electrodes 216, 217 of the sensor 214 may contact the droplet 218 during this stage of the process. Other electrode configurations may contact the droplet 218 during the same and/or different parts of the process.
  • Figure 2C depicts the device 202 after the bubble expansion of Figure 2B.
  • the bubble 240 may collapse. This collapse may release droplet 218, ejecting it from the nozzle 212. The droplet 218 may move away from the device 202 after ejection. The collapse of the bubble 240 may also cause more of the fluid 222 (or another fluid) to be drawn into chamber 206.
  • the bubble collapse and droplet ejection may take about 10 to 20 psec m an example. Other times may be used in other examples.
  • Figure 2D depicts device 202 after the bubble collapse of figure 2C.
  • additional fluid 222 continues to flow into chamber 206.
  • the chamber may be either completely or partially refilled with fluid 222.
  • the fluid may form a meniscus across the nozzle 212.
  • the device 202 may repeat the steps shown in Figures 2A - 2D as a cycle to continue ejecting more droplets 218.
  • the total duration of the process may take less than about 80 psec m an example. Other process times may be used in other examples.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, partially in cross-section, of a device with a droplet in contact with a sensor, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figure 3 shows device 302, chamber 306, heater 308, nozzle material 310, nozzle 312, sensor 314, electrodes 316 and 317, droplet 318, fluid 322, and bubble 340.
  • the various components described in Figure 3 are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • the device 302 of Figure 3 may be implemented using the devices 102, 202 of Figures 1 - 2D in some examples.
  • the sensor 314 includes a first electrode 316 and a second electrode 317 both positioned on a surface of the nozzle material 310 outside of the chamber 306.
  • the two electrodes 316, 317 are selectively electrically separated from each other by the nozzle 312 when the nozzle 312 does not contain a droplet 318.
  • the electrodes 316, 317 may be formed by an additional material added to a surface of nozzle material 310.
  • the electrodes 316, 317 may include nickel electroplated onto the nozzle material 310.
  • the electrodes 316, 317 may include a gold flash.
  • Figure 3 shows device 302 at a particular point in operation, which may be the bubble expansion stage depicted in Figure 2B.
  • the heater 308 has caused some portion of the fluid 322 to form a bubble 340 winch has forced a portion of the fluid 322 into the nozzle 312.
  • the fluid 322 may be in the process of forming a droplet 318 in the nozzle 312 As shown, the droplet 318 bridges the diameter of the nozzle 312 and is in contact with both electrodes 316, 317. While in this position, the droplet 312 forms an electrical connection between the first electrode 316 and the second electrode 317, which may facilitate the sensor 314 measuring a signal proportional to a property of the fluid.
  • the sensor 314 may apply a current and/or voltage between the electrodes 316, 317 which may pass through droplet 318.
  • the applied current/voltage may be static in tune (e.g., direct current), may vary in tune (e.g., alternating current), or may include both static and time variant components.
  • the current/voltage may take the form of a signal with known characteristics.
  • the signal may have a frequency which is varied in time.
  • the sensor 314 may measure changes in the signal to determine properties of the fluid 322.
  • a current may be passed through the droplet 318 to determine a resistance/conductivity of the fluid 122.
  • the droplet 318 is shown filling an area of the nozzle 312 to electrically couple the electrodes 316, 317, the droplet 318 may in some examples occupy only a portion of the nozzle 312, Similarly, although the electrodes 316 and 317 are shown on opposite sides of a diameter of the nozzle 312, they could occupy any relative positions around the surface of the nozzle 312, such as, for example 90° apart around a circumference of the nozzle 312 Other orientations may be possible in other examples.
  • the sensor 314 may determine properties of the fluid 122 based on the positioning of the electrodes 316, 317. The sensor 314 may be able to determine properties of the fluid 122 when the fluid 122 does not directly contact both electrodes 316, 317.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram in cross-section showing a device with electrode contacts at the nozzle material and heater, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figure 4 show3 ⁇ 4 device 402, substrate 404, chamber 406, heater 408, nozzle material 410, sensor 414, first electrode 416, second electrode 417, and liquid 422.
  • the various components described in Figure 4 are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • the device 402 may be implemented by the device 102 of Figures 1 - 2D in some examples, except that the device 402 may have a different arrangement of the sensor 414 and electrodes 416, 417.
  • the device 402 has a chamber 406 formed at least partially from substrate 404.
  • the chamber 406 may be selectively filled with fluid 122 which may be selectively heated by heater 408.
  • the fluid 422 may be selectively ejected from the chamber 406 through a nozzle 412 at least partially defined by nozzle material 410.
  • the sensor 414 includes electrodes 416, 417 which selectively electrically couple to the fluid 422 to measure a property of the fluid 422.
  • the device 402 has a first electrode 416 wfiich may be positioned at the nozzle material 410.
  • the second electrode 417 may be positioned at or near the heater 408.
  • the first and second electrodes 416, 417 may be separate conducti ve components or integral to the nozzle material 410 and heater 408.
  • One or both of the nozzle material 410 and heater 408 may act as the electrodes 416, 417 in some examples.
  • one or both of the nozzle material 410 and heater 408 may include conductive materials which are electrically coupled with the sensor 414.
  • Tire electrodes 416, 417 may formed of conductive material which may be positioned on one or more of the nozzle material 410, the heater 408, the substrate 404, or combinations.
  • the conductive material may extend from an outside of the chamber 406 to an inside of the chamber 406 to form one or more of the electrodes 416, 417.
  • the two electrodes 416, 417 may be positioned on opposite sides of the chamber 406. As shown, they are positioned on a top and bottom surface of the chamber 406 corresponding to the nozzle material 410 and the heater 408. One or both of the electrodes may be positioned on the substrate 404 at various orientations around the chamber 406. The electrodes 416, 417 may, for example, be positioned on opposite walls of the chamber 406 between the heater 408 and the nozzle material 410.
  • a liquid 122 When a liquid 122 is present in device 402, it may form an electrical connection between the electrodes 416, 417 in an analogous manner as described with reference to the electrical connection formed by the droplet 118, 218, or 318 of Figures 1-3.
  • the connection In the device 402 as shown m Figure 4, the connection may be formed while the fluid 422 is in chamber 406.
  • the sensor 414 may pass a current between the electrodes 416, 417 to determine a resistance and/or conductivity of the fluid 422.
  • the electrodes 416, 417 may have a charge applied to them to form plates of a capacitor which may be used to measure a capacitance of the fluid 422,
  • the size of a floor of the chamber 406 may be about 60pm x 60pm, the droplet 418 may have a volume of about 12pL, and the chamber 406 may therefore have about a 330mhi height of fluid in the chamber 406.
  • water would have a capacitance of about 8 femtoFarads (fF)
  • benzene an example contaminant
  • air would have a capacitance of about 0.1 fF.
  • Multiple devices 402 may have their signals pooled to increase the signal to be measured.
  • the capacitance may also be increased by using different devices with for example, increased chamber area and/or decreased height of fluid in the chamber.
  • the properties of the fluid 422 may also be measured at various electrical frequencies (e.g., other than DC) to determine additional diagnostic information and/or increase the sensitivity of the device.
  • conductivity may be measured. Very pure water has a conductivity of about 5.5c10 L -6 S/m, and drinking water has a conductivity of about 0.005 - 0.05 S/m. If the electrodes are positioned at a top and bottom of the chamber (assuming the water fills the chamber), then a conductance of about 1.8 nS would be measured for pure water, and a conductance of about 17 - 1.7 pS would be meas ured for drinking water. If the electrodes are positioned on opposite walls of the chamber 406, then a conductance of about 0.3 nS would be measured for pure water, and a conductance of about 0.3 to 3 pS would be measured for drinking water. The conductance may be used to determine total dissolved solids (TDS) of the water.
  • TDS total dissolved solids
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram in cross-section of a device with electrodes placed around the sidewalls of the nozzle, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figure 5 shows device 502, chamber 506, nozzle material 510, nozzle 512, sensor 514, first electrode 516, second electrode 517, non- conduetive gap 542, and fluid 522.
  • the various components described in Figure 5 are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • Figure 5 depicts a device 502 that may be implemented using the device 102 of Figures 1 - 2D in some examples.
  • the device 502 has a first electrode 516 and a second electrode 517 positioned on a sidewall of nozzle 512.
  • a non-conductive gap 542 may be between the two electrodes 516, 517, which may reduce and/or prevent inadvertent electrical contact between them.
  • the gap 542 may be implemented using, for example, a break in conductive material that has been patterned on a surface of the device 502.
  • the gap may include a non-conductive material, such as, for example, a dielectric material, present between conductive regions.
  • the electrodes 516 and 517 may extend from a surface of the nozzle material 510 into the sidewall of the nozzle 512.
  • the electrodes 516, 517 may extend along the entire length of the nozzle sidewall or only a portion of the length of the sidewall.
  • the electrodes 516, 517 may extend along the entire length of the sidewall and into the chamber 506.
  • the electrodes 516, 517 may extend around all or a portion of a circumference of the sidewall of the nozzle 512. While two electrodes are shown in Figure 5, any number may be used, arid they may be positioned on any number of sidewalls.
  • Figure 5 functions similarly to the device 102, 202, 302, or 402 of Figures 1-4.
  • the liquid 522 When the liquid 522 is ejected from the device 502 through the nozzle 512, it may form an electrical connection between the electrodes 516, 517 facilitating a sensor 514 to measure properties of the fluid 522 in a manner similar to the other devices described herein.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic diagram, partially m cross-section, depicting an array of devices, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.
  • Figure 6 shows devices 602 and 602’, chamber 606, nozzle 612, sensor 614, array 644, test fluid source 646, test fluid 648, reference fluid source 650, and reference fluid 652.
  • the various components described in Figure 6 are merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
  • Figure 6 depicts an arrangement of de vices 602 into an array 644.
  • the devices 602 may form a grid, or may be arranged in other patterns.
  • the devices 602 may be adjacent to each other or may be spaced apart. Groups of devices 602 may be clustered together with space between the different clusters.
  • the devices 602 may all be directed to eject droplets in a similar direction, such as parallel to each other, or may eject droplets in different directions.
  • the array 644 may be connected to multiple fluid sources, each of which may selectively fill one or more of the devices 602.
  • Each of the devices may implemented using one of the devices 102, 402, or 502 from Figures 1-5 in some examples.
  • Each of the devices 602 may be coupled to a sensor 614.
  • Each of the devices 602 of the array 644 may have the same configuration, or may have differing configurations. As an example, certain of the devices 602 may vary in area of the nozzle 612 or height of the chamber 606 compared to other of the devices 602, As another example, the channels which connect each of the devices 602 to the fluid source(s) may have different characteristics (e.g., size of channel, length of channel, hydrophobic or hydrophilic coating on the channel) which lead to refilling the chambers 606 of the devices 602 at different rates and/or different amounts of fluid.
  • characteristics e.g., size of channel, length of channel, hydrophobic or hydrophilic coating on the channel
  • Varying the rate at which the fluid 622 fills the chambers 606 and/or the amount of the fluid 622 in the chambers 606 may be especially useful when the fluid 622 is contaminated with non-hydrophilic (e.g., organic) materials. Readings from devices 602 with different properties may be compared (such as by the measurement unit 128 of Figure 1).
  • the array 644 may be fluidly coupled to a test fluid source 646 containing test fluid 648 and a reference fluid source 650 containing reference fluid 652.
  • the test fluid source 646 and the reference fluid source 650 may each selectively fill different devices 602 of the array 644. Valves may be provided between the fluid sources 644, 646 and the devices 602 so that any of the devices 602 may fill, or partially fill, with different fluids at different times.
  • fluid sources 644, 646 and the devices 602 may be provided between the fluid sources 644, 646 and the devices 602 so that any of the devices 602 may fill, or partially fill, with different fluids at different times.
  • the array 644 may operate by filling multiple of the devices 602 with test fluid 648.
  • the test fluid 648 may be similar to the fluid 122 of Figures 1-5. Properties of the test fluid 648 may be measured by multiple of the devices 602.
  • Tire signals from the multiple devices 602 may be combined. The combining may be done physically by connecting the sensors 614, computationally by combining measurements from the sensors 614 with a processor (such as processor 132 of Figure 1), or combinations thereof.
  • the combining may be accomplished by connecting the electrodes of multiple devices 602 together such that the sensor 614 records data from a plurality of devices 602. Tins may, for example, facilitate measurement of a signal that is too small to be detected by a sensor 614 coupled to a single device 602.
  • the array may have a higher analytical sensitivity than a single device operated alone.
  • the array 644 may operate by filling one device 602 with the test fluid 648 and a second device 602’ with the reference fluid 652.
  • the second device 602 may be proximate to the first device 602. In some examples, the second device may be adjacent to the first device 602.
  • any number of devices may be filled with each of the test fluid 648 and reference fluid 652.
  • the devices 602, 602’ filled with test and reference fluid respectively may repeat in a pattern across the array 644.
  • the reference fluid 652 may be chosen so that it has known properties.
  • the reference fluid 652 may, for example have similar properties to expected properties of the test fluid 648.
  • the devices 602’ containing reference fluid 652 may experience similar environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) as the devices 602 containing the test fluid 648. Measurements from the devices 602 and 602’ may be compared.
  • the devices 602’ containing reference fluid 652 may be used to calibrate measurements from the devices 602 containing the test fluid 648. The comparing may increase accuracy or raise a signal- to-noise ratio of the measurements.
  • the array 644 may both fill multiple devices 602 with a test fluid 648 and also fill one or more devices 602’ with a reference fluid 652.
  • One or more devices may be provided on a cartridge.
  • the devices may, for example be implemented using the devices 102, 402, or 502, of Figures 1-5, or a combination of those devices.
  • Each cartridge may have devices which are the same configuration or different configurations.
  • the cartridge may include an array of micro dispensers such as the array 644 of Figure 6.
  • the cartridge may removably attach to a system (e.g., may he inserted into a system) containing one or more fluid sources 120, a measurement unit 128, a temperature sensor 136, an output 138, and combinations thereof.
  • the cartridge may contain connectors to attach components of the cartridge to components of the system. For example, electrical connectors may be provided to connect sensors of the devices to the measurement unit.
  • the cartridge may‘plug-in’ to the system for rapid connection and disconnection.
  • the cartridge may be disposable, or may be reusable.
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart depicting a method of measuring an aspect of a fluid.
  • An example method may include one or more operations, functions or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, and/or 750.
  • the operations described in the blocks 710 to 750 may be performed in response to execution (such as by one or more processors described herein) of computer-executable instructions stored in a computer- readable medium, such as a computer-readable medium of a computing device or some other controller similarly configured.
  • Block 710 which recites“Cause fluid to flow into a chamber”.
  • Block 710 may be followed by block 720, which recites“Heat at least a portion the fluid.”
  • Block 720 may be followed by block 730, which recites“Force the fluid out of the chamber and into a microinjector nozzle.”
  • Block 730 may be followed by block 740 which recites“Measure an aspect of the fluid.”
  • Block 740 may be followed by block 750 which recites“Force the fluid out of the microinjector nozzle.”
  • block 740 may precede block 730, may follow block 740, or may happen at multiple points throughout the method.
  • Block 710 recites,“Cause fluid to flow' into a chamber”
  • devices such as device 102 of Figure 1
  • the fluid may include chambers which may be selectively filled with fluid.
  • the fluid may be a mix of w3 ⁇ 4ter and contaminants.
  • the fluid may flow from a source.
  • the fluid may flow in response to a pressure gradient.
  • the fluid may flow into the chamber automatically as part of a cycle of operation as described in Figures 2A - 2D.
  • the fluid may be driven into the chamber such as by a pump, or passively flow, such as due to gravity or wicking along a channel.
  • the flow of the fluid may be selectively controlled by valves.
  • Multiple fluid sources containing multiple fluids may be connected to the chamber by one or more valves such that a given one, or a controlled mixture, of the multiple fluids may selectively fill the chamber.
  • Block 720 recites,“Heat at least a portion of the fluid.”
  • the device may include a heater (such as heater 108 of Figure 1), which applies energy to the fluid while it is in the chamber.
  • the energy may be applied continuously, or in cycles.
  • the energy may be applied directly to the fluid, indirectly, or combinations.
  • the energy may superheat the fluid or a portion of the fluid.
  • the heating of the fluid may be monitored by a temperature sensor.
  • the heater may be controlled based on readings from the temperature sensor.
  • Block 730 recites,“Force the fluid out of the chamber and into a microinjector nozzle.”
  • the energy applied to the fluid in block 720 may cause a portion of the fluid to expand, such as by a vapor explosion.
  • the expanding fluid may force the remainder of the fluid out of a nozzle of the device.
  • the fluid forced out of the chamber by the expanding portion of the fluid may form a droplet as it passes through the nozzle.
  • the entire volume of fluid m the chamber may be forced into the nozzle, or only a portion of the fluid.
  • Block 740 recites,“Measure an aspect of the fluid.”
  • the fluid may contact electrodes positioned about the nozzle as shown, for example, in Figure 1.
  • the electrodes may have various positions about the device.
  • the electrodes may form a circuit with the fluid.
  • a sensor coupled to the electrodes may measure an aspect of the fluid while the fluid is forming a circuit with the electrodes.
  • the aspect may be passively determined.
  • the aspect may be interrogated by applying a voltage and/or a current to the electrodes.
  • the voltage and/or current may have frequency components which are varied in time.
  • the measuring may happen at different times during the method (such as before block 730) and may be repeated multiple times throughout the method.
  • Multiple aspects may be determined during a single measurement step.
  • a single aspect may be determined at each measurement step. Additional properties of the fluid may be calculated based on the measured aspects.
  • Block 750 recites,“Force the fluid out of the microinjector nozzle.”
  • the fluid passes through the nozzle and leaves the device.
  • the fluid may be directed to a specific location, such as to a waste container, or back into the water source.
  • the devices may ⁇ be used as pumps to move a volume of fluid over time.
  • the method may repeat by- repeating block 710 and filling the chamber with more fluid.
  • Tire method may act as a cycle by returning to block 710 each time that block 750 is completed.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device 800 that is arranged for determining fluid properties in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the computing device 800 may serve, for example, as the measurement unit 128 of Figure 1.
  • computing device 800 typically includes one or more processors 810 and system memory 820.
  • a memory bus 830 may be used for communicating between the processor 810 and the system memory 820.
  • processor 810 may be of any type including but not limited to a microprocessor (mR), a microcontroller (pC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof.
  • Processor 810 may include one or more levels of caching, such as a level one cache 811 and a level two cache 812, a processor core 813, and registers 814.
  • An example processor core 813 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof.
  • An example memory controller 815 may also be used with the processor 810, or in some implementations, the memory controller 815 may be an internal part of the processor 810.
  • system memory 820 may be of any type including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combination thereof.
  • System memory 820 may include an operating system 821, one or more applications 822, and program data 824
  • Application 822 may include a measurement procedure 823 that is arranged to measure an aspect or property of a fluid as described herein.
  • Program data 824 may include operation data 825 which may be information regarding mathematical constants, relationships, data regarding expected reference and/or test fluid properties, properties of known or suspected contaminants, and/or other information useful for the measurement of the fluid properties.
  • application 822 may be arranged to operate with program data 824 on an operating system 821 such that any of the procedures described herein may be performed.
  • This described basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 8 by those components drawn within the dashed line of the basic configuration 801.
  • Computing device 800 may have additional features or functionality , and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 801 and any required devices and interfaces.
  • a bus/interface controller 840 may be used to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 801 and one or more storage devices 850 via a storage interface bus 841.
  • the storage devices 850 may be removable storage devices 851, non-removable storage devices 852, or a combination thereof.
  • Examples of removable storage and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drives such as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid stale drives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few.
  • Example computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
  • System memory 820, removable storage 851 and non-removable storage 852 are all examples of computer storage media.
  • Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD- ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by computing device 800. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device 800.
  • Computing device 800 may also include an interface bus 842 for facilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., output interfaces, peripheral interfaces, and communication interfaces) to the basic configuration 801 via the bus/interface controller 840.
  • Example output devices 860 include a graphics processing unit 861 and an audio processing unit 862, which may be configured to communicate to various external devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A ; V ports 863.
  • Example peripheral interfaces 870 include a serial interface controller 871 or a parallel interface controller 872, which may be configured to communicate with external devices such as input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via one or more I/O ports 873.
  • An example communication device 880 includes a network controller 881, which may be arranged to facilitate communications with one or more other computing devices 890 over a network communication link via one or more communication ports 882.
  • the network communication link may be one example of a communication media.
  • Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media.
  • A‘'modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information m the signal.
  • communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR) and other wireless media.
  • RF radio frequency
  • IR infrared
  • the term computer readable media as used herein may include both storage media and communication media
  • Computing device 800 may be implemented as a portion of a small-form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web- watch device, a personal headset device, an application specific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the above functions.
  • a small-form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web- watch device, a personal headset device, an application specific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the above functions.
  • PDA personal data assistant
  • Computing device 800 may also be implemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations.
  • the user may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicl e; if flexibility is paramount, the user may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the user may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
  • Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memor', etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, etc.).
  • a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memor', etc.
  • a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, etc.).
  • atypical data processing system generally includes one or more of a sy stem unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or ad j usting components and/or quantities).
  • a typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
  • operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or l ogically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour tester la qualité de l'eau. Le dispositif comprend une chambre, un dispositif de chauffage, une buse et un capteur. Le dispositif de chauffage peut chauffer le fluide dans la chambre de telle sorte qu'au moins une partie du fluide forme une gouttelette. La buse est en communication fluidique avec la chambre et est au moins partiellement définie par un matériau de buse. La buse peut être positionnée pour l'éjection de la gouttelette. Le capteur comprend au moins deux électrodes, dont au moins une peut être supportée par le matériau de buse et peut être positionnée pour entrer en contact avec la gouttelette pendant l'éjection afin de déterminer les propriétés du fluide.
PCT/US2018/058459 2018-10-31 2018-10-31 Détection de contaminants ou de particules comprenant la détection de la conductivité avec une buse de micro-injecteur WO2020091765A1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4575410A (en) * 1982-03-11 1986-03-11 Beckman Industrial Corporation Solid state electrode system for measuring pH
EP0431365A2 (fr) * 1989-12-07 1991-06-12 Hughes Aircraft Company Appareil de mesure de la conductivité d'un fluide
US5317919A (en) * 1992-06-16 1994-06-07 Teledyne Industries, Inc. A precision capacitor sensor
US6799832B1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2004-10-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Alloy and orifice plate for an ink-jet pen using the same
US20050264302A1 (en) * 2004-05-04 2005-12-01 Kam Controls Incorporated Device for determining the composition of a fluid mixture
US7253644B2 (en) * 2004-06-01 2007-08-07 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company Apparatus and method for measuring electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid
US20110084997A1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2011-04-14 Chien-Hua Chen Determining a healthy fluid ejection nozzle
US20180022091A1 (en) * 2015-04-30 2018-01-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printer fluid impedance sensing in a printhead
WO2018119401A2 (fr) * 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Daktari Diagnostics, Inc. Dispositifs et procédés pour déterminer un ou plusieurs analytes dans des fluides

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4575410A (en) * 1982-03-11 1986-03-11 Beckman Industrial Corporation Solid state electrode system for measuring pH
EP0431365A2 (fr) * 1989-12-07 1991-06-12 Hughes Aircraft Company Appareil de mesure de la conductivité d'un fluide
US5317919A (en) * 1992-06-16 1994-06-07 Teledyne Industries, Inc. A precision capacitor sensor
US6799832B1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2004-10-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Alloy and orifice plate for an ink-jet pen using the same
US20050264302A1 (en) * 2004-05-04 2005-12-01 Kam Controls Incorporated Device for determining the composition of a fluid mixture
US7253644B2 (en) * 2004-06-01 2007-08-07 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company Apparatus and method for measuring electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid
US20110084997A1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2011-04-14 Chien-Hua Chen Determining a healthy fluid ejection nozzle
US20180022091A1 (en) * 2015-04-30 2018-01-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printer fluid impedance sensing in a printhead
WO2018119401A2 (fr) * 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Daktari Diagnostics, Inc. Dispositifs et procédés pour déterminer un ou plusieurs analytes dans des fluides

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