System for collecting and filtering imaging by-products
AssigneeCreo Inc.
InventorsAnton W. Lamprecht, Dean Laurent Leonard, William John Dall, David Bruce Burgess, Alexander Kheifets
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An operational state of a system for filtering imaging by-products from an airflow is monitored by comparing a measurement of the flow rate of the airflow to a threshold. Additionally, an operational state of a filtration element is monitored by accumulating a count indicative of the remaining capacity of the filtration element in a memory device coupled to the filtration element.
Claims39
A method for determining an operational state of a system for filtering by-products generated during a media imaging operation, the method comprising:
- collecting the by-products in an airflow;
- channeling the airflow through at least one filtration element;
- measuring a first flow rate of the airflow in a first location;
- and,
- determining the operational state of the system based at least in part on a comparison of the first flow rate to at least one first threshold.
A system for filtering by-products generated during a media imaging operation, the system comprising:
- a filtration unit having an inlet and an outlet;
- a collection nozzle coupled to the inlet and locatable proximate to the imaging operation for collecting the by-products;
- an air mover connected to generate an airflow through the filtration unit and the collection nozzle;
- a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of a flow rate of the airflow in a first location;
- and,
- a comparator configured to receive the first signal and to compare the first signal to at least one threshold to determine an operational state of the system.
A method for determining an operational state of a filtration element used within a system for filtering by-products generated during a media imaging operation, the method comprising:
- collecting the by-products in an airflow;
- channeling the airflow containing the by-products through the filtration element;
- maintaining a count indicative of a remaining capacity of the filtration element in a memory device coupled to the filtration element;
- and
- determining the remaining capacity of the filtration element based at least in part on the count.
A system for filtering an airflow containing imaging by-products, the system comprising:
- a filtration unit having an inlet, an outlet and an air mover for generating the airflow between the inlet and the outlet,
- a filtration element located in a path of the airflow between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a memory device coupled to the filtration element for storing information indicative of a remaining capacity of the filtration element.
A system for filtering imaging by-products produced during an imaging operation, the system comprising:
- means for generating an airflow carrying the by-products;
- means for filtering the airflow to remove the by-products from the airflow;
- means for detecting a flow rate of the air flow;
- and
- means for determining an operational state of the system based at least in part on the detected flow rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.