Abstract: A stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead integrated circuits butted end-on-end across the pagewidth. The printhead includes one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis of the printhead, each nozzle row comprising a plurality of nozzles. One or more of the nozzles are configured to fire a droplet of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of compensating for a dead nozzle in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying the dead nozzle; (ii) selecting a functioning nozzle in a same nozzle row as the dead nozzle; and firing ink droplets from the selected functioning nozzle at a primary dot position associated with the dead nozzle.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes: an ink supply manifold; printhead integrated circuits attached to the ink supply manifold, each printhead integrated circuit having a frontside including drive circuitry and a plurality of inkjet nozzle assemblies disposed on the drive circuitry; and a connector film for supplying power to the drive circuitry. An integrated circuit contact positioned in a backside recessed portion of each printhead integrated circuit is connected to the connector film. The integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry via a connector rod extending through the printhead integrated circuit.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly having: a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the nozzle chamber including a floor and a roof having a nozzle opening defined therein; and a plurality of moveable paddles defining part of the roof. The plurality of paddles are actuable to cause ejection of an ink droplet from the nozzle opening. Each paddle includes a thermal bend actuator, and each actuator is independently controllable via respective drive circuitry such that a direction of droplet ejection from the nozzle opening is controllable by independent movement of each paddle.

Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Integrated circuit contacts are positioned at a backside of the substrate. The integrated circuit contacts are electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via respective connector rods extending through the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator includes: an active beam for connection to drive circuitry; and a passive beam mechanically cooperating with the active beam, such that when a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam expands relative to the passive beam, resulting in bending of the actuator. The passive beam has first and second layers with the second layer sandwiched between the first layer and the active beam. The first layer is thicker than the second layer.

Abstract: A stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead has one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis of the printhead. Each nozzle is configured to fire a droplet of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along the longitudinal axis, such that a printed dot density exceeds a nozzle density of the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a substrate having a drive circuitry layer; a plurality of nozzle assemblies disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and arranged in one or more nozzle rows extending longitudinally along the printhead; a nozzle plate extending across the printhead; and a conductive track disposed on the nozzle plate which extends longitudinally along the printhead and parallel with the nozzle rows. The conductive track is connected to a common reference plane in the drive circuitry layer via a plurality of conductor posts extending between the drive circuitry layer and the conductive track.

Abstract: A stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead has one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis of the printhead. Each nozzle is configurable to fire a droplet of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along the longitudinal axis, and each nozzle has an associated primary dot position. The printhead is configured to compensate for a dead nozzle by printing from a selected functioning nozzle positioned in a same nozzle row as the dead nozzle. The selected functioning nozzle is configured to fire some ink droplets at the primary dot position associated with the dead nozzle and to fire some ink droplets at its own primary dot position.

Abstract: A printhead having an ink ejection face, wherein at least part of the ink ejection face is coated with a polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polymerized siloxane incorporating nanoparticles. The printhead may be compatible with various printhead maintenance operations, ink characteristics and inkjet nozzle types.

Abstract: A method of printing at a dot density exceeding a nozzle density in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) advancing a print medium transversely past the stationary printhead at a rate of one line per one line-time; and (ii) firing droplets of ink from predetermined nozzles in a nozzle row to create successive lines of print. Some or all of the predetermined nozzles fire droplets of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along a longitudinal axis of the printhead during one line-time, such that the printed dot density in each line of print exceeds the nozzle density.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit (IC) includes: a substrate having a drive circuitry layer; a plurality of nozzle assemblies disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and arranged in one or more nozzle rows extending longitudinally along the printhead IC; a nozzle plate extending across the printhead IC; and a conductive track fused to the nozzle plate which extends longitudinally along the printhead IC and parallel with the nozzle rows. The conductive track is connected to a common reference plane in the drive circuitry layer via a plurality of conductor posts extending between the drive circuitry layer and the conductive track.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of droplet ejection from an inkjet nozzle having a plurality of moveable paddles, the method includes the steps of: (i) actuating a first thermal bend actuator via respective first drive circuitry such that a respective first paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; (ii) actuating a second thermal bend actuator via respective second drive circuitry such that a respective second paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; and (iii) thereby ejecting a droplet of ink. Actuation of the first and second thermal bend actuators is independently controlled via the first and second drive circuitry so as to control the direction of droplet ejection.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit (IC) for a stationary pagewidth printhead, includes nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A length of a printable zone corresponding to the nozzle row is longer than a length of the nozzle row.

Abstract: A printhead having an ink ejection face coated with a hydrophobic polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polysilsesquioxane, such as poly(methylsilsesquioxane) or poly(phenylsilsesquioxane). The printhead is compatible with various printhead maintenance operations requiring contact with the ink ejection face.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit includes one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. The printhead IC has first and second ends for butting engagement with other printhead ICs so as to define a pagewidth printhead. Each nozzle has an associated primary dot position, wherein a first nozzle positioned at the first end is configured to fire some ink droplets skewed towards the first end in addition to firing some ink droplets at its own primary dot position.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing printhead integrated circuits, each having a backside recessed edge portion and connectors extending through the integrated circuit, each connector having a head connected to frontside drive circuitry and a base in the recessed edge portion; (b) positioning a connection end of a connector film in the recessed edge portion; (c) connecting each film contact to the base of a corresponding connector; and (d) attaching the backside of each printhead integrated circuit together with the connector film to an ink supply manifold so as to provide the inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising drive circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside for attachment to an ink supply manifold and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. The backside has a recessed portion for accommodating part of a connector film, which supplies power to the drive circuitry.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit comprising a silicon substrate defining a frontside and a backside, inkjet nozzle assemblies positioned at the frontside, drive circuitry for supplying power to the inkjet nozzle assemblies and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards the backside. The through-silicon connectors provides electrical connections between the drive circuitry and corresponding integrated circuit contacts. The integrated circuit contacts are positioned for connection to a backside-mounted connector film supplying power to the drive circuitry.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermal bend actuator comprises the steps of: (a) depositing a first layer comprised of silicon nitride onto a sacrificial scaffold; (b) depositing a second layer comprised of silicon dioxide onto the first layer; (c) depositing an active beam layer onto the second layer; (d) etching the active beam layer, the first layer and the second layer to define the thermal bend actuator; and (e) releasing the thermal bend actuator by removing the sacrificial scaffold.