Method for regulating pressure
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorMark Hauck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A print cartridge is used in a printing system in which there is a requirement to provide two distinct rates of ink usage corresponding to two different types of printing done with the printing system. The print cartridge includes an ink replenishment path which selectively provides two flow rates into the print cartridge. The print cartridge also includes a controller which selects one of the two flow rates into the print cartridge based on which type of printing is being performed by the printing system.
Claims43
A print cartridge for use in a printing system, the print cartridge having at least two distinct rates of ink usage corresponding to at least two types of printing performed by the printing system, the print cartridge comprising:
- an ink replenishment path for selectively providing at least two flow rates into the print cartridge;
- and
- a controller for selecting a particular flow rate based on the type of printing being performed by the printing system.
A print cartridge for selectively depositing fluid on media, the print cartridge having a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, the print cartridge comprising:
- a first valve for selectively defining a first fluid path between a fluid source and the reservoir;
- a second valve for selectively defining a second fluid path, different from the first fluid path, between the fluid source and the reservoir;
- a controller linked to each of said first and said second valves;
- and
- wherein said controller is responsive to gauge pressure in said reservoir for modulating each of said first and said second valves to provide fluid flow in the first and the second fluid paths, respectively, into the reservoir.
A print cartridge for selectively depositing fluid on media, the print cartridge having a first inlet and a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, the print cartridge comprising:
- a first regulator, disposed in a first path between the first inlet and the reservoir;
- a second inlet;
- a second regulator disposed in a second path between said second inlet and the reservoir;
- and
- a controller linked to said first regulator and said second regulator;
- wherein the reservoir is capable of having a pressure sensed by said controller, and wherein said controller is capable of modulating said first regulator and said second regulator to provide adjustment of the pressure in the reservoir.
An apparatus for maintaining pressure regulation in a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, the apparatus comprising:
- a first valve having an input and an output coupled to the reservoir;
- at least one additional valve having an input and an output coupled to the reservoir;
- and
- a controller capable of modulating the first valve and the at least one additional valve based on the gauge pressure in the reservoir;
- wherein the valve and the at least one additional valve are capable of providing multiple levels of fluid flows into the reservoir.
An apparatus for maintaining pressure regulation in a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid under pressure, the apparatus comprising:
- a first regulator capable of modulating a first fluid flow into the reservoir;
- a second regulator capable of modulating a second fluid flow into the reservoir, the first fluid flow distinct from the second fluid flow;
- and
- a controller capable of modulating the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow based on the gauge pressure in the reservoir;
- wherein the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow are capable of providing multiple levels of fluid flow into the reservoir.
An apparatus for maintaining pressure regulation in a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid under pressure, the apparatus comprising:
- a first regulator capable of modulating a first fluid flow into the reservoir;
- a second regulator capable of modulating an air flow from the reservoir;
- and
- a controller capable of modulating the first fluid flow and the air flow based on the gauge pressure in the reservoir;
- wherein the gas flow is capable of evacuating air from the reservoir.
A method for regulating pressure in a print cartridge, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the pressure;
- activating a first flow valve when the pressure is less than a first predetermined limit;
- deactivating the first flow valve when the pressure is not less than the first predetermined limit;
- activating a second flow valve when the pressure is less than a second predetermined limit;
- and
- deactivating the second flow valve when the pressure is not less than the second predetermined limit.
A method for regulating pressure in a print cartridge, comprising the steps of sensing the pressure;
- activating a first flow valve when the pressure is less than a first predetermined limit;
- deactivating the first flow valve when the pressure is not less than a first predetermined limit;
- activating a vacuum valve if the pressure is more than a second predetermined limit;
- deactivating the vacuum valve if the pressure is not more than a second predetermined limit;
A method for regulating pressure in a print cartridge having a fluid source and a local reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing the pressure;
- issuing a first flow of fluid into the local reservoir from the fluid source when the pressure is less than a first predetermined limit;
- and
- issuing a second flow of fluid into the local reservoir from the fluid source when the pressure is less than a second predetermined limit.
A method for regulating pressure in a print cartridge having a fluid source and a local reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing the pressure;
- issuing a first flow of fluid into the local reservoir from the fluid source when the pressure is less than a first predetermined limit;
- and
- evacuating air from the local reservoir when the pressure is more than a second predetermined limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.