US4320407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid pump system for an ink jet printer
Assignee: Unisys Corp
•
Filing: 1980-05-19
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 2000-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A fluid pump system for an ink jet printer apparatus includes a reservoir of printing fluid, a filter for removing contaminants from the printing fluid, and an apparatus for printing characters with the printing fluid. A gear pump delivering steady, stable fluid pressure pumps the virtually contaminant free printing fluid to the printing apparatus. The gear pump also circulates to the reservoir an amount of printing fluid in excess of the amount required by the printing apparatus. A device regulates when the virtually contaminant free printing fluid is supplied to the means for printing and an additional device supplies virtually contaminant and air-free printing fluid to the means for printing.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Goldis
- 👤 Kenneth R. Sellen
- 👤 Eugene F. Banka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:11
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A fluid pump system for an ink jet printer apparatus comprising: a reservoir of printing fluid; filter means for removing virtually all particulate contaminants from the printing fluid; deaeration means for receiving the printing fluid, separating the fluid into an aerated fluid component and a deaerated fluid component, where the aerated component is substantially larger than the deaerated component, and transmitting deaerated fluid through a first port and aerated fluid through a second port; a gear pump delivering steady, stable fluid pressure for pumping said printing fluid through the deaeration means, providing deaerated fluid through the first port to the means for printing and providing the aerated fluid through the second port to the reservoir; means for printing characters with the deaerated virtually contaminant free printing fluid; and means for regulating when the virtually contaminant free printing fluid is supplied to the means for printing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fluid pump system for an ink jet printer apparatus comprising: a reservoir of printing fluid; filter means for removing virtually all particulate contaminants from the printing fluid; deaeration means for receiving the printing fluid, separating the fluid into an aerated fluid component and a deaerated fluid component, where the aerated component is substantially larger than the deaerated component, and transmitting deaerated fluid through a first port and aerated fluid through a second port; a gear pump delivering steady, stable fluid pressure for pumping said printing fluid through the deaeration means, providing deaerated fluid through the first port to the means for printing and providing the aerated fluid through the second port to the reservoir; means for printing characters with the deaerated virtually contaminant free printing fluid; and means for regulating when the virtually contaminant free printing fluid is supplied to the means for printing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for indicating fluid pressure at predetermined locations in the fluid pump system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for removing contaminants from the printing fluid comprises a filter having a wire mesh filter element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the wire mesh filter element comprises stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for regulating when the virtually contaminant free printing fluid is supplied to the means for printing comprises: means for regulating printing fluid pressure within the fluid pump system; means for sensing when the printing fluid pressure attains the regulated value; means, responsive to the means for sensing when the printing fluid pressure attains the regulated value, for transmitting printing fluid to the means for printing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the means for regulating printing fluid pressure within the fluid pump system comprises an adjustable pressure relief valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the means, responsive to the means for sensing when the printing fluid pressure attains the regulated value, for transmitting printing fluid to the means for printing comprises solenoid actuated valves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for printing characters comprises: means for controllably expelling and directing printing fluid onto a printing surface during a printing cycle; means for catching expelled printing fluid during a non-printing cycle; and means for returning to the reservoir expelled printing fluid caught during the non-printing cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the reservoir of printing fluid comprises: means for receiving the aerated fluid; means for receiving the printing fluid from the means for returning to the reservoir expelled printing fluid caught during the non-printing cycle; means for adding printing fluid from a supply independent of the fluid pump system to replenish the quantity of printing fluid in the reservoir; means for separating air from the printing fluid; and means for transmitting printing fluid to the means for removing contaminants from the printing fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the means for adding printing fluid from a supply independent of the fluid pump system comprises: means for sensing the level of printing fluid in the reservoir; and means, responsive to the means for sensing the level of printing fluid in the reservoir, for adding additional printing fluid into the reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein the means for separating air from the printing fluid comprises means for removing air from the reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein the means for removing air from the reservoir comprises a vacuum pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |