摘要 |
A device and method for storing pressure-regulated fluid for a printer is disclosed. The pistonless, pressure-regulated storage device for fluid has three main components: a sealing cap, a mounting base, and a flexible membrane positioned between the sealing cap and the mounting base. The sealing cap has an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow. A pressure sensing device is positioned to monitor the pressure in the fluid storage device. The mounting base has a chamber formed therein and the membrane is positioned over the chamber. The membrane is flexible and configured to conform to the shape of the chamber when the membrane retains fluid, such as ink, from a reservoir. The membrane accumulates fluid until a pressure sensor alerts the pump that the maximum capacity has been reached. When pressure within the storage device falls, such as when downstream demand for ink begins or increases, the pump is signaled to begin filling the storage device. |