Patent ID: 6523944
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink delivery system for use with an acoustic ink printer having incorporated therein at least one acoustic ink printhead from which ink is emitted, the system comprising:a motor having a drive gear; an ink reservoir having a bottom portion with a first passageway defined therein, the reservoir also having a heater and a filter disposed therein; a pump head having disposed therein first and second pump gears positioned for operative engagement with one another to drive ink received from the ink reservoir through the first passageway out of the pump head through an outlet; a drive shaft extending from the first pump gear through a second passageway of the ink reservoir and through the ink reservoir to a shaft gear operatively engaged to the drive gear; a selectively operated heat exchanger positioned to receive ink driven out of the pump head for selectively cooling the ink to a desired temperature; an inlet line connecting the heat exchanger to the ink inlet of the printhead; a return line from the printhead to the ink reservoir, the return line having a first end positioned to receive ink from the printhead and a second exit end; a manifold plate positioned on the ink reservoir; and, an ink duct disposed on the manifold plate, the ink duct being positioned to receive ink from the second exit end of the return line such that received ink returns to the ink reservoir through the manifold plate.