GB2468703A - Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means - Google Patents

Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2468703A
GB2468703A GB0904724A GB0904724A GB2468703A GB 2468703 A GB2468703 A GB 2468703A GB 0904724 A GB0904724 A GB 0904724A GB 0904724 A GB0904724 A GB 0904724A GB 2468703 A GB2468703 A GB 2468703A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ink curing
curing apparatus
housing
heat exchanging
exchanging means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0904724A
Other versions
GB0904724D0 (en
Inventor
Malcom Rae
James Hicks
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GEW
Original Assignee
GEW
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GEW filed Critical GEW
Priority to GB0904724A priority Critical patent/GB2468703A/en
Publication of GB0904724D0 publication Critical patent/GB0904724D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2010/000509 priority patent/WO2010106338A1/en
Publication of GB2468703A publication Critical patent/GB2468703A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F23/00—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
    • B41F23/04—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing by heat drying, by cooling, by applying powders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F23/00—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
    • B41F23/04—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing by heat drying, by cooling, by applying powders
    • B41F23/0403—Drying webs
    • B41F23/0406—Drying webs by radiation
    • B41F23/0409—Ultraviolet dryers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B3/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
    • F26B3/28—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by radiation, e.g. from the sun

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Supply, Installation And Extraction Of Printed Sheets Or Plates (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

An ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system, the apparatus comprising a housing (10) with two interconnected chambers, the first chamber (12) housing a UV light source (16) and the second chamber (14) housing a heat exchanging means, a fan provided at least one end of the housing (10) to circulate air over water cooled surfaces (18, 20) between the UV light source (16) and the heat exchanging means, wherein the heat exchanging means is water cooled.

Description

I
COOLING SYSTEM FOR INK CURING APPARATUS
This invention relates to a cooling system for ink curing apparatus.
Ink curing apparatus comprising a housing containing a lamp partially surrounded by reflectors to direct UV light onto a substrate to cure ink are well known. The lamps used in ink curing produce UV radiation and infra-red radiation. Such apparatus requires highly efficient cooling systems due to the intense heat that is emitted from the lamp.
Without sufficient cooling the life of the ink curing lamps is significantly reduced and the running parameters of the apparatus are more difficult to control. * . S
It is know to use air circulation to cool the components of an ink curing apparatus. In such air-cooled systems, redundant hot air from the *** lamp is removed from the apparatus and passed through a heat exchanger built within a large separate cooling unit. It is also known to utilise water cooling systems that require a network of pipes, the *:*::* apparatus requiring multiple inlets and outlets to provide a flow of water across the components of the apparatus. Such a water-cooled system is described in the Applicant's earlier British patent application no. GB0624086.5, wherein water-cooling is used in combination with a fan to direct air around the apparatus. Existing water-cooled systems also use large external heat exchangers or "chillers" to exhaust air which has been heated by the ink curing apparatus.
It has been found that even with the existing combination of water and air-cooling, the power level of the lamps used in UV print curing is limited by the amount of heat produced. Existing external heat exchangers exhaust a large volume of hot air to the atmosphere, are complex to set up and take up a significant amount of space.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved cooling system that is fully self-contained within a single housing and which eliminates the need for an air exhaust from the system.
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided an ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system, the apparatus comprising a housing with two interconnected chambers, the first chamber housing a UV light source and the second chamber housing a water-cooled heat exchanging means, wherein a fan is provided at at least one end of the housing to circulate air over water-cooled surfaces between the UV light source and the heat exchanging means.
:::: By water cooling the heat exchanger the air can be cooled and reused within the system without the need to exhaust any air from the S...
apparatus.
Preferably, the heat exchanging means comprises one or more fins. * S.
More preferably, the heat exchanging means comprises a series of fins extending radially from the centre of the second chamber.
Preferably, each fin is serrated.
A series of serrated fins provides the maximum possible surface area in contact with the heated air, which is circulating between the lamp and the heat exchanging means, and so provides maximum efficiency of heat exchange.
Preferably, the first and second chambers are connected by at least one duct.
Preferably, the fan is provided at one end of the housing.
Optionally, a fan is provided at both ends of the housing.
For longer lamp housings, it has been found that improved cooling is provided by two fans, wherein each fan directs air from an end of the housing towards the centre.
Preferably, the cooled surfaces include surfaces of at least one reflector which at least partially surrounds the lamp.
Preferably, the water-cooled surfaces are cooled by water channelled through one or more pipes extending along the length of the housing. * .**
Optionally, the or each pipe includes inner and outer discrete channels. S...
S I..
Preferably, the outer wall of the second chamber comprises at least one cavity. * S..
By providing a "double-skinned" wall, the outer wall of the second chamber is cool enough for a user to touch without risk of injury.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink curing apparatus incorporating a cooling system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.
The apparatus comprises a single housing 10 with an upper chamber 14 and a lower chamber 12. The lower chamber 12 houses at its lower end a UV lamp 16, which is partially surrounded by reflectors 18, 20. In use, a substrate 22 which carries ink for curing/drying is transported through the apparatus directly beneath the lamp 16. When the reflectors 18, 20 are in an open position, UV light is directed onto the substrate 22 for a period of time sufficient to dry/cure the ink on the substrate 22.
The ancillary parts of the apparatus within the lower chamber 12, including the surfaces of each reflector 18, 20 are water-cooled. Cold water enters the lower chamber 12 through a first end plate and is directed along an inlet pipe 24, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lamp 16. The cold water is directed past each reflector 18, 20 to the second end plate of the lower chamber 12. The water, heated by the surface of each reflector 18, 20 is directed through the second end plate and returned along an outlet pipe 26 to an output in the first end plate. S...
Alternatively the water-cooling of the lower chamber 12 can be . achieved by means of a "parallel system". In such a system the water pipes include inner and outer channels. In use, cold water is directed into the apparatus through the inner channels of the pipes before being *..,. reversed such that the water, once hot, is directed out of the apparatus via the outer channels of the pipes.
The upper chamber 14 houses a heat exchanger system, which is connected to the lower chamber 12 housing the lamp 16 by a series of ducts 28. The upper chamber 14 has a double thickness wall around its periphery with a cavity between the inner and outer walls, such that only the inner wall is heated by the air passing through the chamber 14. The heat exchanger system comprises a fan (not shown) at one or both ends of the chamber 14. If a single fan is used and housed at one end of the housing 10, then air will be directed to the opposite end of the housing 10. If a fan is used at each end of the housing 10, air will be directed from each end of the housing 10 towards the centre of the housing 10. A series of substantially radial fins 30 are extruded within the upper chamber 14 and run along the length of the upper chamber 14. The fins 30 are serrated and extend radially outwards from at least two pipes 32, 34. The two pipes comprise an inlet pipe 32 and an outlet pipe 34 which are centrally positioned and run parallel to the length of the heat exchanger chamber 14.
In use, chilled water is passed along the inlet pipe 32 at a predetermined temperature. The fan at one or each end of the housing 10 directs air over the UV lamp 16 in the direction shown by the arrows and upwards to the heat exchanger chamber 14. The air, which has been heated by the lamp 16, passes along the length of the heat exchanger chamber 14 and as the fan directs the air along the length of the chamber 14 the air is also pulled towards the water-cooled centre of the heat exchanger along the radial fins 30. As the air passes along the heat exchanger, the temperature decreases progressively. The cooled air is then directed back into the lower chamber 12 through the open sections/ducts 28 in the upper chamber 14. The cooled air passes back along the length of the lower chamber 12 and is re-used to cool the lamp 16 and the reflectors 18, 20.
The upper chamber 14 is shown in this embodiment to be fitted directly above the lamp housing lower chamber 12. However, it is envisaged that the heat exchanger could be fitted to any of the walls of the lamp housing and could be remote from the lamp housing provided that the heat exchanger and housing are connected by a duct arrangement.
During use, the lamp 16 emits heat at around 750°C. The UV heat is directed onto the substrate 22. A portion of the infra-red heat is absorbed into the surfaces of the reflectors 18, 20. The remaining infra-red is drawn upwardly through the housing 10 via the fan. The path of the infra-red is shown by arrows in the Figure. On its way to the upper chamber 14, the air is drawn over the top surfaces of the reflectors 18, 20, which are kept cool via the water pipes 24, 26.
The apparatus is designed to direct the hot air from the lamp 16 over as many cooled surfaces of the ancillary components as possible. Hot air is known to travel from hot surfaces to cooled surfaces. Thus, by running chilled water along the centre of the heat exchanger chamber 14, the hot air is drawn over the maximum possible surface area of the cooled radial fins 30. Tests have shown that by the time air emitted from the lamp 16 has travelled over the cooled surfaces of the lower chamber 12 and the heat exchanger chamber 14 it has reduced significantly in temperature. * * S
The present cooling system is an entirely closed arrangement whereby the air circulating around the apparatus is continuously re-used.
Heat is exhausted from the system via the water outputted from the system.
S'SS It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one embodiment of the cooling system according to the present invention and of just one form of ink curing apparatus with which it may be used. The skilled reader will understand that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. An ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system, the apparatus comprising a housing with two interconnected chambers, the first chamber housing a UV light source and the second chamber housing a heat exchanging means, a fan provided at at least one end of the housing to circulate air over water-cooled surfaces between the UV light source and the heat exchanging means, wherein the heat exchanging means is water cooled. * **
    ::..:
  2. 2. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanging means comprises at least one fin.
  3. 3. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the heat exchanging means comprises a series of fins extending radially from the centre of the second chamber. * ***S
  4. 4. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the or each fin is serrated.
  5. 5. An ink curing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second chambers are connected by at least one duct.
  6. 6. An ink curing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fan is provided at only one end of the housing.
  7. 7. An ink curing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein a fan is provided at both ends of the housing.
  8. 8. An ink curing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cooled surfaces include surfaces of at least one reflector which at least partially surrounds the lamp.
  9. 9. An ink curing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water-cooled surfaces are cooled by water channelled through one or more pipes extending along the length of the housing.
  10. 10. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the or each pipe includes inner and outer discrete channels. *,.S
  11. 11. An ink curing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer wall of the second chamber comprises at least one cavity. I.e
  12. 12. An ink curing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described or referred to in Figure 1. S..
GB0904724A 2009-03-19 2009-03-19 Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means Withdrawn GB2468703A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0904724A GB2468703A (en) 2009-03-19 2009-03-19 Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means
PCT/GB2010/000509 WO2010106338A1 (en) 2009-03-19 2010-03-18 Cooling system for ink curing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0904724A GB2468703A (en) 2009-03-19 2009-03-19 Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0904724D0 GB0904724D0 (en) 2009-05-06
GB2468703A true GB2468703A (en) 2010-09-22

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0904724A Withdrawn GB2468703A (en) 2009-03-19 2009-03-19 Ink curing apparatus with water cooled heat exchanging means

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2468703A (en)
WO (1) WO2010106338A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102653166A (en) * 2012-05-24 2012-09-05 赵智民 Photogravure press and energy saving method thereof
WO2013021184A1 (en) * 2011-08-08 2013-02-14 Gew (Ec) Limited Improved housing for ink curing apparatus
CN108242412A (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-07-03 台湾积体电路制造股份有限公司 Semiconductor element solidification equipment, substrate treatment system and semiconductor element curing
CN110077105A (en) * 2019-04-02 2019-08-02 浙江康豪诺特装饰材料有限公司 A kind of pure PVC wallpaper printed pattern cutting integrated machine being applicable in water-based ink

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102806763B (en) * 2012-08-09 2014-12-10 江苏广发光电科技有限公司 Ink curing device
DE102018211588A1 (en) * 2017-10-25 2019-04-25 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Device for drying a sheet
CN113237262B (en) * 2021-05-12 2022-09-30 和能人居科技(天津)集团股份有限公司 Cooling mechanism for curing machine, air cabinet, curing machine and curing production line
CN114103431B (en) * 2021-11-25 2024-03-26 凯盛信息显示材料(池州)有限公司 Ink curing system for glass cover plate

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0112994A2 (en) * 1983-01-03 1984-07-11 Stephen Koo Vapor proof housing assembly and system
US5003185A (en) * 1988-11-17 1991-03-26 Burgio Joseph T Jr System and method for photochemically curing a coating on a substrate
EP0553447A1 (en) * 1992-01-30 1993-08-04 Baldwin-Gegenheimer GmbH Cooling system for printing plates in a printing machine
WO2000061999A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-19 Ist Metz Gmbh Irradiating device
WO2003044106A1 (en) * 2001-11-19 2003-05-30 Agfa-Gevaert Inkjet ink relatively free of photoinitiator and method and apparatus of curing the ink

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB624086A (en) 1945-11-15 1949-05-27 Corning Glass Works Improved manufacture of organo-silicon compounds
GB2444328B (en) * 2006-12-01 2010-06-09 Gew Cooling system for ink curing apparatus
CH700039A1 (en) * 2008-12-01 2010-06-15 Uviterno Ag Device for irradiating a substrate

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0112994A2 (en) * 1983-01-03 1984-07-11 Stephen Koo Vapor proof housing assembly and system
US5003185A (en) * 1988-11-17 1991-03-26 Burgio Joseph T Jr System and method for photochemically curing a coating on a substrate
EP0553447A1 (en) * 1992-01-30 1993-08-04 Baldwin-Gegenheimer GmbH Cooling system for printing plates in a printing machine
WO2000061999A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-19 Ist Metz Gmbh Irradiating device
WO2003044106A1 (en) * 2001-11-19 2003-05-30 Agfa-Gevaert Inkjet ink relatively free of photoinitiator and method and apparatus of curing the ink

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013021184A1 (en) * 2011-08-08 2013-02-14 Gew (Ec) Limited Improved housing for ink curing apparatus
US9370941B2 (en) 2011-08-08 2016-06-21 Gew (Ec) Limited Housing for ink curing apparatus
CN102653166A (en) * 2012-05-24 2012-09-05 赵智民 Photogravure press and energy saving method thereof
CN102653166B (en) * 2012-05-24 2015-07-08 赵智民 Photogravure press
CN108242412A (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-07-03 台湾积体电路制造股份有限公司 Semiconductor element solidification equipment, substrate treatment system and semiconductor element curing
CN108242412B (en) * 2016-12-26 2020-06-23 台湾积体电路制造股份有限公司 Semiconductor element curing apparatus, substrate processing system, and semiconductor element curing method
CN110077105A (en) * 2019-04-02 2019-08-02 浙江康豪诺特装饰材料有限公司 A kind of pure PVC wallpaper printed pattern cutting integrated machine being applicable in water-based ink
CN110077105B (en) * 2019-04-02 2020-10-27 浙江康豪诺特装饰材料有限公司 Pure PVC wallpaper printing, embossing and slitting integrated machine suitable for water-based ink

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Publication number Publication date
GB0904724D0 (en) 2009-05-06
WO2010106338A1 (en) 2010-09-23

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