Ink sensing device
View Patent ↗An ink sensing device for an ink supply system, the device comprising: a bubble-bursting box comprising: one or more bubble-bursting chambers, each chamber having a respective chamber inlet for connection to an ink line; and an air outlet in fluid communication with each chamber; and a sensor positioned to sense ink above a bubble-bursting point in at least one of the bubble-bursting chambers; wherein the device is configured to minimize phantom sensing of ink caused by ink bubbles in the ink line.
1. An ink sensing device for an ink supply system, said device comprising:
a bubble-bursting box comprising:
one or more bubble-bursting chambers, each chamber having a respective chamber inlet for connection to an ink line; and
an air outlet in fluid communication with each chamber; and
a sensor positioned to sense ink above a bubble-bursting point in at least one of said bubble-bursting chambers,
wherein said device is configured to minimize phantom sensing of ink caused by ink bubbles in said ink line.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said bubble-bursting box comprises a plurality of bubble-bursting chambers, each chamber corresponding to a respective ink channel of an ink supply system.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein each bubble-bursting chamber is dimensioned to promote expansion and bursting of ink bubbles entering said chamber via said chamber inlet.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein each bubble-bursting chamber has curved sidewalls, wherein a curvature of said sidewalls is greater than a curvature of a conduit defining said ink line.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein each bubble-bursting chamber is generally crescent-shaped, thereby maximizing said curvature in a minimal volume.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said bubble-bursting box comprises a common air chamber in fluid communication with each bubble-bursting chamber, said air outlet being positioned in said air chamber.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein each bubble-bursting chamber communicates with said air chamber via a respective air channel defined in a roof of said box.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein each air channel is a serpentine channel for minimizing transfer of ink to said air chamber when said box is tipped.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein each air channel is hydrophobic.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein each air channel comprises at least one ink-trapping stomach.
11. The device of claim 7 , wherein each air channel terminates at a channel outlet defined in a roof of said box, each channel outlet being positioned to deposit ink into said air chamber.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said air outlet is defined in a base of said air chamber, and each channel outlet is offset from said air outlet.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein a snorkel extends from said air outlet towards said roof, thereby maximizing an effective ink-collecting volume of said air chamber.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein said air chamber has an air vent defined therein.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein said air chamber has one or more air vents defined therein, the number of air vents regulating a pressure in said bubble-bursting box when said air outlet is connected to a pump.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor provides a feedback signal for a pump pumping ink into said bubble-bursting box.
18. The device of claim 1 , wherein sensor senses ink in only one of said bubble-bursting chambers.
19. The device of claim 17 , wherein said one bubble-bursting chamber comprises a float ball chamber in fluid communication with a primary bubble-bursting chamber, said float ball chamber containing a float ball, and said sensor optically sensing when said float ball reaches a predetermined height.
20. An ink supply system comprising the bubble-bursting box according to claim 1 .