Apparatus for controlled application of liquid streams to a substrate with diverted liquid collection system

Abstract

An improved system for application of liquid streams to a substrate. The system incorporates open face flow channels for carrying the liquid away from fully enclosed flow segments prior to discharge along an unconstrained flow path. The present invention further provides an improved, self-aligning modular assembly for delivery of impingement jet to the liquid streams for diverting the direction of the liquid streams. The present invention further provides an improved arrangement for collection of the deflected liquid in response to application of the impingement jet without excess residue build-up.

1 . An apparatus for intermittently applying a liquid from a pressurized source onto a target substrate in the form of liquid streams, the apparatus comprising:
 a manifold chamber for receiving the liquid from the pressurized source;   a plurality of liquid channels in fluid communication with the manifold chamber, each liquid channel having a central channel axis and liquid discharge end projecting towards the target substrate whereby the liquid from the manifold chamber passes through the liquid channels creating the liquid streams directed toward the substrate;   a plurality of impingement jet directional passages, each impingement jet directional passage being associated with a corresponding liquid channel, each impingement jet directional passage further having:
 an impingement jet discharge opening disposed at a location between the liquid discharge end of the associated liquid channel and the target substrate, and 
 a central impingement jet axis oriented in an intersecting relation to the central channel axis of the corresponding liquid channel whereby an impingement stream passing through the impingement jet tube towards the liquid stream will create a diverted flow path in the associated liquid stream; and 
   a liquid collection module having an entrance for receiving the diverted flow path of the liquid stream, a funnel section in fluid communication with the entrance and having a cross section that reduces in size as the funnel section progresses away from the entrance, and an exit allowing fluid progressing through the funnel section to exit the collection module.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid collection module further includes deflection surface, and wherein the deflection surface is oriented at an acute angle from the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream when measured from the downstream position of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid collection module further includes a leading edge position on the lower side of the entrance adjacent to the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the leading edge is flat and substantially parallel to the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the leading edge is spaced about 5 to about 15 mils from the boundary of the normal flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for intermittently applying a liquid from a pressurized source onto a target substrate in the form of liquid streams, the apparatus comprising:
 a manifold chamber for receiving the liquid from the pressurized source;   a plurality of liquid channels in fluid communication with the manifold chamber, each liquid channel having a central channel axis and liquid discharge end projecting towards the target substrate whereby the liquid from the manifold chamber passes through the liquid channels creating the liquid streams directed toward the substrate;   a plurality of impingement jet directional passages, each impingement jet directional passage being associated with a corresponding liquid channel, each impingement jet directional passage further having:
 an impingement jet discharge opening disposed at a location between the liquid discharge end of the associated liquid channel and the target substrate, and 
 a central impingement jet axis oriented in an intersecting relation to the central channel axis of the corresponding liquid channel whereby an impingement stream passing through the impingement jet tube towards the liquid stream will create a diverted flow path in the associated liquid stream; and 
   a liquid collection module having a angle body with a deflection surface and an opposing deflection blade, wherein the angle body and the deflection blade form an entrance for receiving the diverted flow path of the liquid stream, a funnel section in fluid communication with the entrance and having a cross section that reduces in size as the funnel section progresses away from the entrance, and an exit allowing fluid progressing through the funnel section to exit the collection module.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the liquid collection module further includes standoffs securing the deflection blade to the angled body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the deflection surface is oriented at an acute angle from the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream when measured from the downstream position of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the deflection blade further includes a leading edge position on the lower side of the entrance adjacent to the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the leading edge is flat and substantially parallel to the undisrupted flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the leading edge is spaced about 5 to about 15 mils from the boundary of the normal flow path of the liquid stream. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the deflection blade  330  further includes guidance surface  332  that progresses away from the leading edge  331 , and wherein the angle between the leading edge  331  and the guidance surface  332  creates a knife edge adjacent to undisrupted flow path  15  of the liquid stream  11 . 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the deflection blade further includes guidance surface that progresses away from the leading edge, and wherein the guidance surface is substantially parallel to the deflection surface of the angled body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the deflection blade further includes a contraction surface progressing from the guidance surface towards the exit, wherein the contraction surface angles from the guidance surface towards the deflection surface of the angled body.