(57) A fluid jet print head for producing a plurality of jet drop streams of fluid includes
a manifold (10) defining an elongated cavity (14) and an orifice plate (20) defining
a plurality of orifices (22), arranged in at least one row, which communicate with
the cavity (14). A transducer arrangement, including a piezoelectric means (27), is
mounted in the cavity and is spaced from the orifice plate so as to define a fluid
reservoir therebetween. The transducer arrangement further includes acoustic isolation
material (28) which surrounds the piezoelectric means and supports the piezoelectric
means in the cavity. The transducer means, when electrically excited, produces pressure
waves of substantially uniform wave front which travel through the fluid in the reservoir
toward the orifice plate and cause break up into jet drop streams of fluid flowing
through the orifices (22). The piezoelectric means may include an elongated transducer
(27) which has a plurality of slots extending alternately from opposite sides of the
transducer partially therethrough. Each of the slots is substantially perpendicular
to the row of orifices (22). The slots prevent wave propagation along the transducer.
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