Patent ID: 6402312
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A fluid supply system including a hydraulic shock absorber for connection within an ink supply line which is connected so as to supply ink from a stationary ink reservoir to at least one moving inkjet print head, the shock absorber comprising:(a) a conduit having at least one wall defining an inlet, an outlet and a contained volume, at least part of said wall being readily deformed by variations in a pressure differential across said part of said wall so as to vary said contained volume; and (b) a collapse prevention element deployed within said conduit and configured to prevent deformation of said part of said wall in a manner which would obstruct passage through said conduit from said inlet to said outlet, wherein said part of said wall is implemented using material sufficiently flexible such that, in the absence of said collapse prevention element, said conduit would be substantially closed by collapse of said part of said wall when ambient pressure exceeded a pressure within said contained volume by in excess of about 150 mm head of water.