Example embodiments of pressure sensors are illustrated and described.
1. A device, comprising:
a plurality of ink reservoirs;
a pressurized gas source configured to pressurize one or more of the ink reservoirs;
a plurality of printheads coupled to the ink reservoirs via conduits;
a module including a plurality of pressure sensors disposed on a single substrate, individual ones of the pressure sensors in fluid communication with individual ones of the conduits for sensing pressure within the conduits; and
a pressurized gas line for providing pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source directly to the module,
wherein the module measures a pressure differential between pressure within the pressurized gas line and pressure within the conduits.
2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory at the substrate, the memory configured to store calibration information for multiple ones of the pressure sensors.
3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a flex circuit at the substrate, the pressure sensors wire bonded to the flex circuit.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes apertures, the pressure sensors positioned at the apertures.
5. A print engine, comprising:
hoses for delivering marking fluid from reservoirs to the print engine;
sensors in fluid communication with the hoses for sensing pressure within the hoses, the sensors mounted on a common substrate;
a source of pressurized gas in fluid communication with the reservoirs and in fluid communication with the sensors;
a multiplexer for multiplexing output of the sensors; and
a controller configured to receive data from the multiplexer,
wherein a pressure differential is measured between a pressure at the sensors and the pressure within the hoses.
6. The subject matter of claim 5 , further comprising a memory disposed on the substrate, the memory including calibration data for the sensors.
7. The subject matter of claim 5 , wherein the sensors comprise differential pressure sensors disposed at apertures formed in the substrate.
8. The subject matter of claim 5 , further comprising an amplification circuit coupled to the sensors.
9. The subject matter of claim 5 , further comprising an A/D converter coupled to the multiplexer.
10. The subject matter of claim 5 , further comprising conduits for communicating the source of pressurized gas with the reservoirs, and a conduit for communicating the source of pressurized gas directly with the sensors.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
a print engine configured to receive ink from reservoirs via conduits;
means for pressurizing the ink in the reservoirs;
means for sensing pressure within the conduits, the means for sensing pressure within the conduits being disposed on a single substrate; and
means for measuring a pressure differential between the means for pressurizing the ink in the reservoirs and the pressure within the conduits.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the means for measuring a pressure differential being disposed on the single substrate.