Dual regulator print module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10179455-B2
Application number	US-201715652531-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2017
Priority date	Oct 19, 2010
Publication date	Jan 15, 2019
Grant date	Jan 15, 2019

Abstract

A print module includes a printhead die, an input regulator to regulate input fluid pressure to the die, and an output regulator to regulate output fluid pressure from the die. A method includes receiving fluid at an input regulator to a print module, creating a fluid pressure differential within the print module between the input regulator and an output regulator, flowing fluid from the input regulator through a printhead die and to an output regulator using the pressure differential, and drawing fluid from the output regulator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving fluid at an input regulator to a print module;
creating a fluid pressure differential within the prim module between the input regulator and an output regulator;
flowing fluid from the input regulator through a printhead die and to the output regulator using the pressure differential, the flowing through the printhead die comprising flowing fluid through fluid paths selected from the group consisting of a bypass gap behind the printhead die and a micro-channel formed in a layer on top of the printhead die; and
drawing fluid from the output regulator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving fluid comprises pumping the fluid from a fluid supply at a positive pressure.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein drawing fluid comprises drawing fluid from the output regulator at a negative pressure and returning the drawn fluid to the fluid supply.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
ejecting fluid from nozzles formed on top of the printhead die; and
compensating for a resulting decrease in fluid pressure in the printhead die by opening a valve more in the input regulator and closing a valve more in the output regulator.

5. A method comprising:
receiving fluid at an input regulator to a print module;
creating a fluid pressure differential within the print module between the input regulator and an output regulator;
flowing fluid from the input regulator through a printhead die and to the output regulator using the pressure differential; and
drawing fluid from the output regulator, wherein both the input and output regulators comprise a mechanical system responsive to pressure so as to actuate a valve.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein receiving fluid comprises pumping the fluid from a fluid supply at a positive pressure.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein drawing fluid comprises drawing fluid from the output regulator at a negative pressure and returning the drawn fluid to the fluid supply.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
ejecting fluid from nozzles formed on top of the printhead die; and
compensating for a resulting decrease in fluid pressure in the printhead die by opening a valve more in the input regulator and closing a valve more in the output regulator.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein flowing fluid comprises flowing fluid through fluid paths selected from the group consisting of a bypass gap behind the printhead die and a micro-channel formed in a layer on top of the printhead die.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein, in each of the input and output regulators, the mechanical system comprises a flexible film biased by a spring, a spring constant of the spring determining a set point at which pressure on the flexible film will actuate the valve of that regulator.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein a valve of the input regulator is biased normally-closed by an input valve spring, the input valve spring configured to allow actuation of the normally-closed valve by the flexible film of the input regulator.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the valve of the output regulator is biased normally-open by an output valve spring, the output valve second spring configured to allow actuation of the normally-open valve by the flexible film of the output regulator.

13. A method comprising:
with a pressure delivery mechanism, delivering ink to a print module;
with a printhead die of the print module, selectively depositing ink to form an image; and,
with an input regulator and output regulator, controlling ink pressure to and from the die, wherein the output regulator comprises a normally-open valve configured to close when pressure falls below a set point pressure to maintain a backpressure in the print module.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising, with a vacuum pump, drawing draw ink from the print module.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein both the input and output regulators comprise a mechanical system responsive to pressure so as to actuate a valve.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising pumping the ink to the input regulator from an ink supply at a positive pressure.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising drawing ink from the output regulator at a negative pressure and returning the drawn ink to the ink supply.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
ejecting ink from nozzles formed on the printhead die; and
compensating for a resulting decrease in fluid pressure in the printhead die by opening a valve more in the input regulator and closing a valve more in the output regulator.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising flowing fluid through fluid paths selected from the group consisting of a bypass gap behind the printhead die and a micro-channel formed in a layer on top of the printhead die.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Keefe Brian J
• Scheffelin Joseph E
• Ring James W
• Devries Mark A

Classifications

• B41J2/17596

  Ink pumps, ink valves · CPC title

• B41J2/18

  Ink recirculation systems · CPC title

• B41J2/17563 Primary

  Ink filters · CPC title

• B41J29/38

  Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism · CPC title

• B41J2/175 Primary

  Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} · CPC title