The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 08, 2011

Filed:

May. 01, 2008
Applicants:

Ivan Mccracken, Portland, OR (US);

Larry Hindman, Woodburn, OR (US);

Steven L. Estergreen, Mulino, OR (US);

Inventors:

Ivan McCracken, Portland, OR (US);

Larry Hindman, Woodburn, OR (US);

Steven L. Estergreen, Mulino, OR (US);

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01D 11/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
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.


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