Constant flow valve mechansim
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorJohn L. Herman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constant flow valve mechanism for use in an inkjet printer includes a valve. A first port, a second port, and a third port are in fluid communication with each other through the valve. A portion of the valve is moveable and associated with the first, second, and third ports to produce a change in fluid impedance between the first port and the second port and the first port and the third port such that the fluid impedance between the first port and the second port changes at the same rate and in an opposite direction as that of the fluid impedance between the first port and the third port.
Claims20
A constant flow valve mechanism for use in an inkjet printer comprising:
- a valve;
- and
- a first port, a second port, and a third port in fluid communication with each other through the valve, a portion of the valve being moveable and associated with the first, second, and third ports to produce a change in fluid impedance between the first port and the second port and the first port and the third port such that the fluid impedance between the first port and the second port changes at the same rate and in an opposite direction as that of the fluid impedance between the first port and the third port.
An inkjet printing apparatus comprising:
- a constant flow valve mechanism comprising:
- a valve;
- and
- a first port, a second port, and a third port in fluid communication with each other through the valve, a portion of the valve being moveable and associated with the first, second, and third ports to produce a change in fluid impedance between the first port and the second port and the first port and the third port such that a fluid impedance between the first port and the second port changes at the same rate and in an opposite direction as that of a fluid impedance between the first port and the third port;
- a fluid tank in fluid communication with the constant flow valve mechanism through one of the first, second, and third ports of the constant flow valve mechanism;
- and
- a drop generator in fluid communication with the constant flow valve mechanism through another of the first, second, and third ports of the constant flow valve mechanism, the drop generator also being in fluid communication with the fluid tank.
A method of operating a constant flow valve mechanism comprising:
- providing a valve;
- providing a first port, a second port, and a third port in fluid communication with each other through the valve;
- and
- moving a portion of the valve associated with the first, second, and third ports to produce a change in fluid impedance between the first port and the second port and the first port and the third port such that the fluid impedance between the first port and the second port changes at the same rate and in an opposite direction as that of the fluid impedance between the first port and the third port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.