SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A VAPOR CONDENSATION TECHNIQUE FOR DELIVERING A UNIFORM LAYER OF DAMPENING SOLUTION IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE USING A VARIABLE DATA DIGITAL LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PROCESS

摘要

A system and method are provided for depositing a uniform layer of a dampening solution using a vapor deposition/condensation process or technique on a reimageable surface in an image forming device using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture that transfers ink at an efficiency rate in excess of 95 percent. A reimageable surface is configured of a low surface energy surface component that directly accepts a vaporized dampening solution having a lower surface energy than the surface energy of the reimageable surface. A uniformity in the layer of condensed dampening solution on the reimageable surface is a product of the relative difference in the low surface energy of the reimageable surface and the lower surface energy of the dampening solution.

主权项

1. A dampening solution deposition system in a variable data digital image forming device, comprising:
a dampening solution delivery component facing a reimageable surface of an imaging member, the reimageable surface supporting an ink transfer efficiency in excess of 70 percent and having a first surface energy; a dampening solution provided in a liquid state in a dampening solution source, the dampening solution having a second surface energy, the second surface energy being lower than the first surface energy; and a dampening solution transport path for conveying the dampening solution from the dampening solution source in a liquid state to the dampening solution delivery component in a vapor state, the dampening solution delivery component depositing the dampening solution in a vapor state to condense in a uniform layer on the reimageable surface, the uniformity of the layer being a result of second surface energy being lower than the first surface energy.