Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a first storage reservoir for receiving and holding a first volume of melted ink from a source and a second storage reservoir for holding a second volume of melted ink to be delivered under pressure to a printhead system. The valve assembly includes a passive valve disc movable from the closed position in which said disc abuts a valve seat in sealed contact, and an open position in which said valve disc is supported by an angled surface. An upper portion of the valve disc is unsupported and a flow director surface behind the disc directs fluid flow against the upper portion to assist in closing the valve. The surface characteristics of the valve seat are controlled to improve the “crack” time of the valve disc when opening.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a first storage reservoir for receiving and holding a first volume of melted ink from a source and a second storage reservoir for holding a second volume of melted ink to be delivered under pressure to a printhead system. The valve assembly includes a passive valve disc movable from the closed position in which said disc abuts a valve seat in sealed contact, and an open position in which said valve disc is supported by an angled surface. An upper portion of the valve disc is unsupported and a flow director surface behind the disc directs fluid flow against the upper portion to assist in closing the valve. The surface characteristics of the valve seat are controlled to improve the “crack” time of the valve disc when opening.

Abstract: A maintenance system and method for maintaining an imaging member of an imaging device includes a pre-cleaning device to clean the imaging member; an applicator to apply release agent to the imaging member; a metering device to meter release agent on the imaging member; a reservoir to remotely store release agent; and a pump to supply the applicator with release agent from the reservoir. The saturation level of the applicator is monitored and maintained within a predetermined range. The applicator, pre-cleaning device and metering device may be independently actuated to engage the imaging member. Release agent collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be recycled. Debris collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be stored and/or removed.

Abstract: A heater assembly heats media substrate in a printing system prior to imprinting a desired image on the substrate. A plate member engages the substrate and communicates thermal energy thereto for the heating. A laminar assembly is adhered to the plate member and includes a trace pattern for converting electrical energy to the thermal energy. A thermal storage member is interposed between the plate member and the trace pattern for distributing thermal energy throughout the thermal storage member. Two thermal fuses are serially connected, one at each end of the trace pattern and disposed relative to the thermal storage member for detecting an undesired temperature increase in the laminar assembly sufficient for opening the fuses and electrically isolating the heater assembly against a consequential thermal run-away causing insulation degradation and an electrical short between the trace pattern and the plate member.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an ink stick jam in a solid liquid ink phasing delivery system for supplying ink to a printer. The phasing system includes a heater plate disposed to engage a solid ink stick and heat an engaging portion of the ink stick to a liquid phase. A temperature sensing device associated with the heater plate detects the temperature thereof. A control system selectively supplies power to the heater plate. The method comprises supplying a predetermined amount of power through the control system to the heater plate intended to achieve the desired melt rate of the ink stick during a phase change from solid to liquid. The desired melt rate is associated with the predetermined desired temperature of the heater plate. The temperature of the heater plate is sensed with the sensing device during the supply of power thereto.

Abstract: An ink melt heater is disposed in a phasing printing system for heating a solid ink stick for melting the ink stick from a solid to a liquid phase. The heater includes a trace assembly having a plurality of powerzones having different wattage densities respectively. The heat transfer plate is adhered to the trace assembly for mating engagement against the solid ink stick. The heater has a low thermal mass for enhanced and rapid heat transfer from the trace assembly through the transfer to the ink stick.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for more accurately determining ink in-flow and out-flow to a reservoir in a solid-to-liquid ink phasing delivery system for supplying ink to a printer. The printer throughput is safely maximized with a software algorithm that measures the ink available in the printer reservoir for printing. The algorithm is based on the known amount of ink in the reservoir when a level sensor probe is tripped and then calculates additional changes in ink volume. The process is done until the algorithm determines the reservoir volume is below a predetermined minimum level when the level sense probe senses ink. The algorithm calculates the ink leaving the reservoir using an out-flow model based on pixel counting and calculates ink entering the reservoir using an in-flow model based on a minimum guaranteed amount of ink delivered from the melt heater. A time out period is further calculated in which the reservoir should be refilled, and if not, the system is checked for an ink stick jam.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively controlling supplied power to an ink melt heater for maintaining a desired ink melt rate despite a varying ambient parameter affecting an actual melt rate. A predetermined amount of power is supplied to the ink melt heater intended to cause the desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter is detected by the ink melt heater. A determination is made if the detected ambient parameter will cause a variance in the actual ink melt rate from the desired ink melt rate. If a variance is so determined, the supplied power is adjusted from the predetermined amount to an adjusted amount for realizing desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter preferably comprises sensing a factor representative of at least one of local environmental air temperature to the printing system or adjacent ink temperature to the heat plate.