Patent ID: 6739706
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A fluid delivery system, comprising:a print head assembly (PHA) including a PHA body structure for mounting in a movable carriage of a printing system; an air-fluid separator structure; an air vent region in communication with the separator structure; a printhead; a fluid plenum in fluid communication with the printhead and the air-fluid separator structure; a PHA free fluid reservoir; a fluid re-circulation path disposed within said PHA body structure and passing through said separator structure, said plenum and said free fluid reservoir; a pump structure supported by said PHA body structure for re-circulating fluid through said re-circulation path during a pump mode; a PHA fluid interconnect; and a fluid supply for mounting off the carriage and including a supply reservoir for holding a supply of free fluid and a supply fluid interconnect adapted to connect to said PHA fluid interconnect during a replenishment mode to provide a fluid connection between the supply reservoir and the PHA fluid reservoir when a pressure differential between the PHA and the supply reservoir is sufficient to draw fluid through the fluid interconnect to replenish the fluid in the PHA fluid reservoir.