Dual regulator print module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9724926-B2
Application number	US-201013819902-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 19, 2010
Priority date	Oct 19, 2010
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

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 print module comprising:
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;
wherein both the input and output regulators comprise a mechanical system responsive to pressure so as to actuate a valve.

2. A print module as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a die carrier to which the die is adhered at its backside; and
a bypass gap at the backside of the die to circulate fluid behind the die via input and output manifold passages in the die carrier.

3. A print module as in claim 1 , wherein the input regulator comprises a normally closed valve in a pressure-controlled housing configured to open when pressure in the housing falls below a setpoint pressure.

4. A print module as in claim 1 , wherein the output regulator comprises a normally open valve in a pressure-controlled housing configured to close when pressure in the housing falls below a setpoint pressure.

5. A print module as in claim 4 , wherein the output regulator comprises a check valve to prevent fluid backflow into the output regulator.

6. A print module as in claim 1 , further comprising a pressure differential between the input and output fluid pressures, the pressure differential to create a pressure-driven fluid flow from the outlet of the input regulator to the inlet of the output regulator.

7. A print module as in claim 1 , wherein the input fluid pressure is a first negative pressure and the output fluid pressure is a second negative pressure more negative than the first negative pressure.

8. A method of operating the print module of claim 1 , the method comprising:
receiving fluid at the input regulator to the print module;
creating a fluid pressure differential within the print module between the input regulator and the output regulator;
flowing fluid from the input regulator through the printhead die and to the output regulator using the pressure differential; and
drawing fluid from the output regulator.

9. A method as in claim 8 , wherein receiving fluid comprises pumping the fluid from a fluid supply at a positive pressure.

10. A method as in claim 9 , wherein drawing fluid comprises drawing fluid from the output regulator at a negative pressure and returning the drawn fluid to the fluid supply.

11. A method as in claim 8 , 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.

12. A method as in claim 8 , 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.

13. A print module as in claim 1 , 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.

14. A print module as in claim 13 , wherein the 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.

15. A print module as in claim 13 , 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.

16. A print module comprising:
a printhead die;
an input regulator to regulate input fluid pressure to the die;
an output regulator to regulate output fluid pressure from the die;
first and second fluid slots formed in the die;
a chamber layer on a top side of the die; and
a micro-channel formed in the chamber layer to enable fluid flow between the first and second slots.

17. A print module as in claim 16 , wherein both the input and output regulators comprise a mechanical system responsive to pressure so as to actuate a valve.

18. A printing system comprising:
a print module having a printhead die and an input regulator and output regulator to control ink pressure to and from the die;
and
a pressure delivery mechanism to deliver ink to the print module;
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.

19. A printing system as in claim 18 , further comprising a vacuum pump to draw ink from the print module.

20. A printing system as in claim 18 , wherein both the input and output regulators comprise a mechanical system responsive to pressure so as to actuate a valve.

Assignees

• Keefe Brian J
• Scheffelin Joseph E
• Ring James W
• Devries Mark A
• Hewlett Packard Development Co Lp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B41J2/17563 Primary

  Ink filters · CPC title

• B41J2/17596

  Ink pumps, ink valves · CPC title

• B41J2/185

  Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers · CPC title

• B41J29/38

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

• B41J2/18

  Ink recirculation systems · CPC title