Self-Supporting Secondary Container for Pressurized Liquid Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid replenishment systems for printing apparatuses require shutdown and depressurization to refill ink, leading to nozzle failures, waste, and challenges in maintaining the structural integrity and gas balance of secondary containers.
Innovation Solution
A system with a self-supporting secondary container within a pressurized dispensing vessel that allows continuous replenishment of liquid at a predetermined pressure, using a volume sensor and pump to maintain a consistent liquid level and temperature, minimizing nozzle downtime and preventing gas entrapment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispensing vessel is depressurized and lid removed for replenishment, then the liquid can be refilled, but nozzle failures occur and operation must be shut down
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous liquid replenishment during pressurized operation without shutting down. The pump delivers liquid through a conduit into the secondary container while the dispensing vessel maintains its pressurized state, allowing the printing apparatus to operate continuously without interruption to nozzle function.
Solution Approach 2:
A pump serves as an intermediary device to transfer liquid from the replenishment source to the secondary container during pressurized operation. The pump can be positioned externally or integrated into the dispensing vessel, enabling liquid delivery without requiring depressurization or lid removal.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is removed for replenishment, then liquid can be added, but atmospheric gases and foreign materials contaminate the liquid composition
Solution Approach 1:
The replenishment process occurs continuously during pressurized operation with the lid remaining closed. The pump delivers liquid through sealed conduits, preventing atmospheric gases and foreign materials from entering the liquid composition while maintaining the pressurized environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing vessel maintains a pressurized inert atmosphere (typically nitrogen at approximately 130 psi) that prevents atmospheric gases from contaminating the liquid composition. The sealed environment with positive pressure excludes external contaminants during the replenishment process.
3Stress or pressure
If a sealed lid is used to maintain pressure, then gas control is improved, but liquid replenishment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A pump acts as an intermediary to deliver liquid through sealed conduits into the pressurized secondary container. This allows liquid replenishment to occur while the dispensing vessel maintains its pressurized state and sealed lid, eliminating the need to compromise pressure control for ease of replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous liquid replenishment during pressurized operation without interrupting the pressurized environment. The pump can operate continuously or intermittently to maintain liquid levels in the secondary container while the dispensing vessel remains sealed and pressurized.
4Volume of stationary object
If the secondary container is made collapsible to reduce volume, then storage efficiency improves, but structural integrity and gas control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary container is designed with dynamic collapse capability that allows it to reduce its volume when liquid level drops below a threshold. The container walls are structured to collapse controllably, maintaining structural integrity during operation while enabling volume reduction for storage efficiency. The collapse is monitored and managed to prevent complete failure.
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
Enables continuous operation of printing apparatuses by maintaining a consistent ink supply without shutdowns, reducing nozzle failures and ink waste, while ensuring the integrity and purity of the liquid composition.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is operable to deliver the liquid to the secondary container at a pressure equal to or greater than a pressure of the liquid in the secondary container
Implementation Method 2
A volume sensor is operable to generate a signal representative of a volume of liquid within the secondary container
Implementation Method 3
The interior chamber of the vessel contains an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) that is held at a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure, typically a pressure level on the order of one hundred thirty pounds/square inch (130 psi; 0.9 MPa). The pressure of the inert gas in the interior chamber forces liquid from the outer can or from the secondary container to the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid replenishment system includes a dispensing vessel for holding a supply of a liquid that has an outer can and corresponding lid conjoinable to the outer can in an air-tight manner. The dispensing vessel is improved by the provision of a separate self-supporting secondary inner container removably receivable within the outer can. The container is fabricated of a material that is non-reactive with a liquid composition containing an organic semiconductor material, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene material or stainless steel.