B. Barbet et al., 2-MODE EHD STIMULATION OF A CONTINUOUS JET - GENERATION OF DROPS AND SATELLITES, Journal of imaging science and technology, 41(6), 1997, pp. 570-576
This study reports the results of work carried out to investigate the
high-frequency periodical break-up process of a liquid jet using an el
ectrohydrodynamic (EHD) multimode jet stimulation device. The aims of
this study were to optimize the different parameters and to generate d
roplets of conducting fluid in a controlled fashion. In particular, th
e experiments were performed for wavenumbers k less than or equal to 0
.5 with the second harmonic purposely introduced in the excitation sig
nals. A dimensional analysis applied to the problem provided the main
dimensionless parameters whose influence on jet break-up mechanisms we
re examined. We found different regimes of break-up depending on both
the electrostatic pressure ratio and the phase shift between the funda
mental and the second harmonic. In addition, various patterns of drop
production and boundaries between regions of parameter space with diff
erent drop break-up behaviors were clearly identified using image proc
essing techniques. Other features of jet break-up such as satellite dr
oplet diameters and lifetimes were also considered in detail. Finally,
our focus was to find the most suitable conditions for jet printer op
eration.