Fluid coupling having equalized pressure drops in multiple fluid lines
A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead includes: a body having a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel. The first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough.
1. A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising:
a body having a first channel and a second channel fluidically isolated from the first channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel;
a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel, the first inlet port and first outlet port projecting outwardly from the body; and
a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel, the second inlet port and second outlet port projecting outwardly from the body;
wherein:
the first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough.
2. The multi-channel fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the flow resistance of the fluids flowing through the first and second channels are equalized.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the second channel comprises at least a portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the first channel.
4. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the second channel has a sloped wall.
5. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports.
6. The fluid coupling of claim 5 , wherein the second channel has a roof sloped from the second outlet port towards the second inlet port.
7. The fluid coupling of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels.
8. The fluid coupling of claim 7 , wherein the first inlet ports are relatively proximal the first outlet ports and the second inlet ports are relatively distal the second outlet ports.
9. The fluid coupling of claim 7 comprising two first channels and two second channels for four ink colors.
10. The fluid coupling of claim 9 , wherein the inlet ports or the outlet ports are arranged radially.
11. A printhead comprising:
a manifold having at least first and second ink supply channels; and
a fluid coupling according to claim 1 connected to at least one end of the manifold.
12. The printhead of claim 11 , wherein the fluid coupling is an inlet coupling for the printhead.
13. The printhead of claim 12 , wherein inlet ports of the inlet coupling extend perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the printhead.
14. The printhead of claim 13 , wherein the inlet ports extend in an opposite direction to an ink ejection direction of the printhead.
15. The printhead of claim 11 , wherein the first and second ink supply channels extend longitudinally along the manifold.
16. A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising:
a body having a first channel and a second channel fluidically isolated from the first channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel;
a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel; and
a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel,
wherein:
the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports; and
the second channel has a roof sloped from the second outlet port towards the second inlet port.
17. A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead, the fluid coupling comprising:
a body having a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels fluidically isolated from each other, the second channels being relatively longer than the first channel;
a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of each first channel; and
a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of each second channel,
wherein:
the inlet ports or the outlet ports are arranged radially; and
the first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough.
18. The fluid coupling of claim 17 , wherein the second channels comprise at least a portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the first channel.
19. The fluid coupling of claim 17 , wherein the second channels have a sloped wall.
20. The fluid coupling of claim 17 , wherein the first and second outlet ports extend transversely relative to the first and second inlets ports; and each second channel has a roof sloped from the outlet channel towards the inlet channel.