Patent · US Expired

Fluid metering method and apparatus

US4709635A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
5References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 14, 1986
Grant dateDec 1, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41F31/045
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fluid metering system is disclosed for use with a printing press including an array of individual adjustable ink fountain keys for regulating the thickness profile of the ink film supplied to the inker roll by an ink fountain. The fountain keys are spaced along the length of the ink fountain and associated inker roll and each includes a friction wheel fixed thereto. A key actuator is mounted upon a carriage so as to traverse the array of keys. The key actuator includes a drive wheel which engages the friction wheels of the ink keys in sequence as the carriage traverses the array in either direction. The carriage responds to commands as from an operator, an ink preset sensor or an on-press color sensor to move the key actuator along the array to any of the keys requiring adjustment. As the drive wheel engages the friction wheel of each ink key in moving across the array, the key actuator responds to the command signal and rotates the drive wheel at a rate synchronized with the rate of travel of the carriage whereby those keys not requiring adjustment are not rotated. For those keys requiring adjustment, the drive wheel is caused to rotate while in contact with the friction wheel o…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.