Printing system with multiple printheads each supplied by multiple conduits

摘要

A printing system that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines via separate couplings. Each of the printheads receives ink from both the feed and the return lines.

主权项

1. A printing system comprising:
an ink supply comprising a plurality of ink containers and a plurality of accumulator reservoirs, each accumulator reservoir having an inlet connected to a respective ink container, an outlet and a return port; a plurality of feed lines, the outlet of each respective accumulator reservoir having a respective one of the feed lines coupled thereto; a plurality of return lines, the return port of a respective accumulator reservoir having a respective one of the return lines coupled thereto; a plurality of printheads, each printhead having nozzles for ejecting ink, a first port coupled to each of the feed lines and a second port coupled to each of the return lines; wherein each of the accumulator reservoirs comprises a fluid level regulator for maintaining fluid levels in the reservoir within a controlled fluid level range; and wherein the plurality of accumulator reservoirs are mounted at a fixed elevation relative to the nozzles such that hydrostatic fluid pressure at the nozzles is maintained within a predetermined range.