Doctor blade supply system with intelligent viscosity logic

Abstract

A supply system for a chambered doctor blade assembly makes possible the sequential use of water-based and non-water-based coating materials through automated functions programmed in a PLC that controls the system. A pair of pneumatically driven diaphragm pumps serve as supply pump and return pump between the doctor blade chamber and a coating reservoir A PLC controls the pulse rate of pneumatic pressure to the pumps to control the rate of flow of the coating material into, and out of the doctor blade chamber. An ultrasonic sensor mounted detects the liquid level in the trough collection area. The PLC is programmed to modify the pulse rate of the supply pump and return pump to maintain the liquid level in the trough collection area above the drain thereof and below the maximum tolerance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.