Radiant Dryer Cooling Jets for Print Media Scorching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed production printing systems, radiant drying can lead to localized hot spots due to varying colorant densities and energy absorption rates, causing scorching or incomplete drying of the print medium.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a radiant dryer with independently actuated cooling jets that apply targeted cooling to regions at risk of overheating, determined by a control system, to maintain uniform temperature and prevent scorching while allowing for higher power drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power radiant drying is applied to dry colorant quickly, then productivity is improved, but localized hot spots cause the medium to scorch or burn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing non-uniform cooling across the medium surface. Multiple independently controllable cooling jets deliver cooling gas to specific locations where hot spots occur, creating localized cooling zones that match the spatial distribution of overheating areas. This allows high power radiant drying to continue while preventing scorching at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring temperature at multiple locations on the medium during drying. The control system receives temperature data and dynamically adjusts cooling jet activation and intensity based on real-time temperature measurements, creating a closed-loop control that responds to actual thermal conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform cooling is applied across the entire medium, then scorching is prevented, but drying efficiency decreases due to excessive cooling of already cool regions
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniform cooling, the system implements localized cooling only where hot spots are detected. Each cooling jet is independently controlled and activated only in response to temperature excursions at its corresponding monitoring location, avoiding unnecessary cooling of regions that are already at appropriate temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial cooling action by activating only the subset of cooling jets needed to address detected hot spots, rather than activating all cooling jets across the entire medium. This partial application of cooling maintains temperature uniformity where needed while preserving drying efficiency in other regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple independently actuated cooling jets are added to provide targeted cooling, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independently controlled cooling jets, each responsible for a specific region of the medium. This segmentation allows precise local temperature control while enabling modular design and independent optimization of each cooling zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions by using the same temperature sensors and control logic across all cooling jet locations. The system universally monitors temperature at multiple points and universally applies cooling control based on detected conditions, reducing the need for separate control systems for each location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the risk of scorching and ensures thorough drying by addressing temperature variations across the print medium, enabling higher power drying without compromising print quality.
Implementation Method 1
the dryer is a radiant dryer, and may include a number of lamps or emitters that radiate infra-red energy to heat the medium and/or colorant
Implementation Method 2
directing a plurality of independently actuated cooling jets within the interior of the dryer to apply a cooling gas to the regions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide targeted cooling for portions of print media during a radiant drying process. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a radiant energy source within an interior of the radiant dryer that dries a colorant onto a continuous-form medium. The radiant dryer further includes a plurality of independently actuated cooling jets within the interior that apply a cooling gas to the medium. The control system determines regions on the medium where the colorant is at risk of overheating, and directs the cooling jets to apply the cooling gas to the regions.