Leak tester for a carrier for printhead integrated circuitry

US7971472B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd · AU

Inventors

• Stephen John Sleijpen · Sydney, AU
• Joseph Tharion · Sydney, AU
• Jan Waszczuk · Sydney, AU
• Eric Patrick O'Donnell · Sydney, AU
• William Granger · Sydney, AU
• David Bernardi · Chatswood, AU
• Stephen Richard O'Farrell · Sydney, AU
• Jason Mark Thelander · Chatswood, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 5, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01M3/26
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Provided is a leak tester for a carrier for printhead integrated circuits. The carrier has at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid outlets via discrete fluid paths. The tester includes a support assembly that includes at least one receptacle shaped and configured to receive at least one respective carrier, and a pressurized fluid supply arranged on the support assembly and configured to supply pressurized fluid to the fluid inlets, the pressurized fluid supply incorporating a sealing mechanism configured to engage the fluid inlets in a sealing manner. The tester also includes a pressure measurement arrangement operatively arranged with respect to the pressurized fluid supply to measure pressure applied at the fluid inlets, and a controller operatively connected to the pressure measurement arrangement and pressurized fluid supply, the controller being configured to control the fluid supply to charge the carrier with pressurized fluid until a predetermined pressure is reached, and to monitor the pressure for a predetermined period of time.