# US 10,369,792 B2 · Fluid coupling having equalized pressure drops in multiple fluid lines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,792 B2 - Document ID: US10369792B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/888,876 - Filed: 2018-02-05 - Published: 2018-08-09 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-06 - Assignees: Memjet Technology Limited - Applicants: Memjet Technology Limited - Inventors: Norman Berry; Jason Thelander; David Burke; Andrew Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369792B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/155: for line printing - B41J 2/14: Structure thereof {only for on-demand ink jet heads} - B41J 2/14145: {Structure of the manifold} - B41J 2/1433: {Structure of nozzle plates} - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer} - B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection} - B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles - B41J 2/21: for multi-colour printing - B41J 2/2103: {Features not dealing with the colouring process per se, e.g. construction of printers or heads, driving circuit adaptations} - B41J 25/34: Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages - B41J 2002/14362: {Assembling elements of heads} - B41J 2002/14419: {Manifold} - B41J 2002/14491: {Electrical connection} - B41J 2202/19: Assembling head units - B41J 2202/20: Modules - B41J 2202/21: Line printing - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead includes: a body having a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel. The first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising: a body having a first channel and a second channel fluidically isolated from the first channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel, the first inlet port and first outlet port projecting outwardly from the body; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel, the second inlet port and second outlet port projecting outwardly from the body; wherein: the first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-channel fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the flow resistance of the fluids flowing through the first and second channels are equalized. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the second channel comprises at least a portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the first channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the second channel has a sloped wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fluid coupling of claim 5, wherein the second channel has a roof sloped from the second outlet port towards the second inlet port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid coupling of claim 7, wherein the first inlet ports are relatively proximal the first outlet ports and the second inlet ports are relatively distal the second outlet ports. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The fluid coupling of claim 7 comprising two first channels and two second channels for four ink colors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fluid coupling of claim 9, wherein the inlet ports or the outlet ports are arranged radially. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A printhead comprising: a manifold having at least first and second ink supply channels; and a fluid coupling according to claim 1 connected to at least one end of the manifold. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The printhead of claim 11, wherein the fluid coupling is an inlet coupling for the printhead. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The printhead of claim 12, wherein inlet ports of the inlet coupling extend perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The printhead of claim 13, wherein the inlet ports extend in an opposite direction to an ink ejection direction of the printhead. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The printhead of claim 11, wherein the first and second ink supply channels extend longitudinally along the manifold. ### Claim 16 A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising: a body having a first channel and a second channel fluidically isolated from the first channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel, wherein: the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports; and the second channel has a roof sloped from the second outlet port towards the second inlet port. ### Claim 17 A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising: a body having a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels fluidically isolated from each other, the second channels being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of each first channel; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of each second channel, wherein: the inlet ports or the outlet ports are arranged radially; and the first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fluid coupling of claim 17, wherein the second channels comprise at least a portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the first channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The fluid coupling of claim 17, wherein the second channels have a sloped wall. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The fluid coupling of claim 17, wherein the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports; and each second channel has a roof sloped from the outlet channel towards the inlet channel.