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US 9,039,141 B2Granted
Fluidic structure that allows removal of air bubbles from print heads without generating waste ink
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsTerrance Lee Stephens, Jonathan Robert Brick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluidic structure has a first chamber having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures, a second chamber having a connection to at least one vent connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure, and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber.
Claims18
A fluidic structure having multiple layers, comprising:
- a first chamber formed from the multiple layers having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the first chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures;
- a second chamber formed from the multiple layers having a connection to at least two vents connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure;
- and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber;
- wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents.
1 more element
A print head having a reservoir and multiple layers, the multiple layers, comprising:
- a first chamber connected to an ink reservoir to receive ink, the multiple layers forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and an array of apertures, the array of apertures arranged to expel ink from the jet stack to a print substrate;
- a second chamber formed from the multiple layers, the second chamber arranged on a side of the first chamber opposite a side adjacent to the array of apertures, the second chamber having at least two vents connected to an atmosphere external to the jet stack;
- and
- at least one path for the ink between the first chamber and the second chamber;
- wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents and upon completion of the purging cycle the second chamber is substantially free from fluid.
2 more elements
A print head, comprising:
- a nozzle layer having an array of apertures arranged to allow ink to exit the print head to a print substrate;
- a first layer forming a first chamber having a connection to an ink reservoir and the array of apertures;
- a second layer forming a second chamber having at least two vents to an atmosphere external to the print head, the second layer being arranged on a side of the first layer opposite the nozzle layer;
- an adhesive layer between the first layer and the second layer;
- and
- at least one ink path between the first chamber and the second chamber;
- wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents and upon completion of the purging cycle the second chamber is substantially free from fluid.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.