# US 10,870,287 B2 · Method of inkjet printing with air-dampening of ink pressure fluctuations

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- Number: US 10,870,287 B2
- Document ID: US10870287B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/784,157
- Filed: 2020-02-06
- Published: 2020-06-04
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-05-02
- Assignees: Memjet Technology Limited
- Applicants: Memjet Technology Limited
- Inventors: Garry Jackson; Norman Berry; Michael Hudson; Brian Brown; Samuel Mallinson; Geordie McBain
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870287B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/14: Structure thereof {only for on-demand ink jet heads}
- B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles
- B41J 2/045: by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J 2/14145: {Structure of the manifold}
- B41J 2/1433: {Structure of nozzle plates}
- B41J 2/14427: {Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators}
- B41J 2/155: for line printing
- B41J 2/17546: {electronically}
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J 2/515: line printer type
- B41J 2002/14362: {Assembling elements of heads}
- B41J 2002/14419: {Manifold}
- 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 method of inkjet printing includes the steps of: (i) delivering ink to a printhead manifold having a longitudinal ink channel, one or printhead chips mounted to a floor of the printhead manifold and in fluid communication with the longitudinal ink channel, and a plurality of sealed air cavities positioned over the longitudinal ink channel for dampening pressure fluctuations in the ink; (ii) printing from the printhead chips; and (iii) replenishing the air cavities with air.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of inkjet printing comprising the steps of:
delivering ink to a printhead manifold having a longitudinal ink channel, one or printhead chips mounted to a floor of the printhead manifold and in fluid communication with the longitudinal ink channel, and a plurality of sealed air cavities positioned over the longitudinal ink channel for dampening pressure fluctuations in the ink,
printing from the printhead chips; and
replenishing the air cavities with air,
wherein the air cavities are replenished from an air supply having a valved connection to the air cavities.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ink is degassed ink.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the air cavities are replenished after or before printing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each air cavity has a mouth meeting with the longitudinal ink channel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the air cavities are defined by ribs extending from a roof of the fluid manifold towards the longitudinal ink channel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the printhead manifold has an inlet boss and an outlet boss at opposite ends of the longitudinal ink channel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein each rib has a lip protruding beyond a lower surface of the inlet and outlet bosses.

### Claim 8

A method of inkjet printing comprising the steps of:
delivering ink to a printhead manifold having a longitudinal ink channel, one or printhead chips mounted to a floor of the printhead manifold and in fluid communication with the longitudinal ink channel, and a plurality of sealed air cavities positioned over the longitudinal ink channel for dampening pressure fluctuations in the ink,
printing from the printhead chips; and
replenishing the air cavities with air,
wherein the air cavities are replenished after or before printing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the ink is degassed ink.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein each air cavity has a mouth meeting with the longitudinal ink channel.