Ink level sensor formed with an array of self-sensing piezoelectric transducers
US9694579B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17583
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid level sensor is configured for identifying a fluid level in a small volume reservoir, such as a fluid reservoir in an ejector head. The reservoir includes a plurality of vertically arranged chambers. A plurality of piezoelectric transducers is distributed over the chambers in a one-to-one correspondence. At least one electrical conductor is electrically connected to each piezoelectric transducer in the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to enable each piezoelectric sensor to receive an electrical signal to a portion of a wall of the chamber to produce an acoustical wave in the chamber and to transmit an electrical signal from each piezoelectric transducer in response to a fluctuating pressure on each piezoelectric transducer produced by the acoustical wave in the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.