US 12,409,664 B2
Liquid supply system, liquid circulation method, and printing system
Tadashi Kyoso, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on May 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/324,998.
Application 18/324,998 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/042887, filed on Nov. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-200189 (JP), filed on Dec. 2, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0302812 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/17596 (2013.01) [B41J 2/17566 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid supply system comprising:
a buffer tank in which a liquid to be supplied to a liquid supply target device is stored and that is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet through which the liquid enters and exits;
a main tank, configured to supply the liquid to the buffer tank;
a liquid level varying device that changes a liquid level height in the buffer tank;
a liquid flow passage through which the liquid supply target device and the buffer tank communicate with each other;
a pump provided in the liquid flow passage;
a valve for opening and closing the liquid flow passage; and
one or more processors,
wherein the processor is configured to:
in a case in which the liquid supply target device is not in operation, control the liquid level varying device such that the liquid is discharged from the buffer tank to the main tank to lower the liquid level height in the buffer tank with respect to the liquid level height in the buffer tank in a case in which the liquid supply target device is in operation; and
in a case in which the liquid supply target device is not in operation, control the pump and the valve to allow the liquid to flow into the buffer tank from the liquid flow passage.