Ink pressure regulator with liquid-retaining structure
View Patent ↗An ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator includes an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line. A roof of the ink chamber includes: an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber; and a liquid-retaining structure in fluid communication with the regulator channel. The liquid-retaining structure is positioned and configured for capturing ink from the headspace of the ink chamber. The regulator channel is dimensioned to regulate a hydrostatic pressure of the ink supplied to the printhead.
1. An ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead, said regulator comprising:
an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line,
wherein a roof of the ink chamber comprises:
an air inlet;
a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber, said second end defining a bubble outlet; and
a liquid-retaining structure in fluid communication with the regulator channel, said liquid-retaining structure being positioned and configured for capturing ink from the headspace of the ink chamber,
wherein said regulator channel is dimensioned to regulate a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to the printhead; and
wherein said regulator is positioned between first and second wetting chambers, and wherein said liquid-retaining structure defines a wall of at least one of said wetting chambers.
2. The ink pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure is configured such that liquid from burst air bubbles is captured by said liquid-retaining structure.
3. The ink pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein said first wetting chamber define the air inlet and said second wetting chamber defines a vent opening into the headspace of the ink chamber.
4. The ink pressure regulator of claim 3 , wherein said second wetting chamber is elongate and said liquid-retaining structure extends along a length of said second wetting chamber.
5. The ink pressure regulator of claim 4 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure is defined by one or more liquid-retaining apertures defined in a wall of said second wetting chamber, said liquid-retaining apertures opening into said headspace.
6. The ink pressure regulator of claim 4 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure is defined by a plurality of slots defined in said wall of said second wetting chamber.
7. The ink pressure regulator of claim 4 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure is a sponge.
8. The ink pressure regulator of claim 4 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure comprises one or more liquid-retaining grooves defined in a wall of said second wetting chamber.
9. The ink pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein said liquid-retaining structure retains said liquid by capillary action.
10. The ink pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein said pressure regulator defines an ink cartridge for an inkjet printer.