Printing press ink supply system

摘要

An apparatus and method for use in supplying ink to a printing press includes a motor which drives a pump assembly. A control system varies the rate of operation of the motor to drive the pump assembly through an operating cycle which includes an intake portion or stroke of relatively short duration and a discharge portion or stroke of relatively long duration. A control system varies the rate of operation of the motor in such a manner as to maintain the rate of flow of ink from the pump assembly constant during the discharge portion of the operating cycle. The short duration of the intake portion of the operating cycle is maintained constant with variations in the operating speed of the printing press supplied with ink by the pump assembly. However, the duration of the relatively long discharge portion of the operating cycle of the pump assembly varies with changes in the operating speed of the printing press. The control system effects operation of the motor at rates which vary as a function of stored data during the discharge portion of the operating cycle of the pump assembly.