Systems and methods for ink-based digital printing using a vapor condensation dampening fluid delivery system
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsPeter J. KNAUSDORF, Chu-heng LIU
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ink-based digital printing system includes a dampening fluid delivery system that forms a dampening fluid layer on a reimageable surface of an imaging plate using vapor condensation. The system includes a delivery nozzle having a chamber that receives atomized dampening fluid, mixes the fluid with hot air or nitrogen gas for rapid vaporization, and directs the vapor onto an imaging member surface for condensation and dampening fluid layer formation.
Claims20
An ink-based digital printing system useful for ink printing, comprising:
- an imaging member, the imaging member having a imaging surface;
- and
- a dampening fluid delivery system configured to direct vaporized dampening fluid directly onto the imaging surface, the vaporized dampening fluid being formed by mixing atomized dampening fluid with hot gas.
A dampening fluid delivery system, comprising:
- a delivery nozzle having a chamber and a nozzle output;
- a heat source connected to the chamber for providing hot gas comprising air or nitrogen gas;
- and
- a dampening fluid source for providing atomized dampening fluid to the chamber whereby the atomized fluid and the hot gas mix to form dampening fluid vapor wherein the hot gas forces the vapor through the nozzle output.
A method for ink-based digital printing, comprising:
- providing atomized dampening fluid to a dampening fluid delivery nozzle chamber;
- mixing the atomized dampening fluid with hot gas to cause the dampening fluid to vaporize;
- and
- directing the dampening fluid vapor from the nozzle chamber directly onto a surface of an imaging member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.