INKJET PRINT HEAD PRESSURE REGULATOR

• US 20080204501A1
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Inventors: Kremerman, Izya, Kurita, Shinichi
• Application Number:
  US11/949,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204501A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/17
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor

Abstract

An apparatus for use with an inkjet delivery system that comprises a negative pressure mechanism proximate to an inkjet print head that is adapted to apply a negative pressure on ink residing at the inkjet print head, and a controller coupled to the negative pressure mechanism that is adapted to controllably set the negative pressure on the ink at the inkjet print head.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an inkjet delivery system comprising:

a negative pressure mechanism proximate to an inkjet print head, adapted to apply a negative pressure on ink residing at the inkjet print head;

a controller coupled to the negative pressure mechanism, adapted to controllably set the negative pressure on the ink at the inkjet print head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure mechanism includes a venturi having a constriction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a control valve coupled to the venturi, adapted to control the flow of gas from a high-pressure gas line, through the venturi.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

a vacuum sensor coupled to the constriction of the venturi and adapted to measure a pressure at the constriction.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is coupled to the vacuum sensor so as to receive a signal indicative of the pressure measured at the constriction, the controller controlling the control valve based on the measured pressure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a shutoff valve coupled to the constriction of the venturi, adapted to restrict the flow of gas through a gas suction line to the constriction of the venturi.

7. An inkjet printing system comprising:

a plurality of inkjet print heads; and

a head pneumatic module proximate to and coupled to the plurality of print heads, including a negative pressure mechanism adapted to apply a negative pressure on ink residing at the inkjet print head; and

a controller coupled to the negative pressure mechanism of the head pneumatic module, adapted to controllably set the negative pressure on the ink at the inkjet print head.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a plurality of inkjet reservoirs adapted to contain ink, each having a first conduit coupled to the head pneumatic module for establishing a negative pressure in the respective reservoir, and each having a second conduit in fluid communication with one of the plurality of inkjet print heads.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the negative pressure mechanism includes a venturi having a constriction.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the negative pressure mechanism includes a control valve coupled to the venturi, adapted to control the flow of gas from a high-pressure gas line, through the venturi.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the head pneumatic module includes a vacuum sensor coupled to the constriction of the venturi and adapted to measure a pressure at the constriction.

12. A method of controlling pressure on ink at an inkjet print head in an inkjet printing system, comprising:

producing a negative pressure on the ink at the inkjet print head from a location proximate to the inkjet print head;

measuring the negative pressure produced; and

adjusting the negative pressure based on the measurement of the negative pressure to maintain a set negative pressure.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is set to produce a uniform size of ink drop from the inkjet print head.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is set to produce suction sufficient for preventing leakage from the print head.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is produced, using a venturi having a constriction.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

measuring the negative pressure at the constriction of the venturi.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure is generated at a head pneumatic module proximate to the inkjet print head.