Abstract: The channels through which ink flows to the firing chambers of an ink-jet printhead are provided with selectively controlled valves for restricting flow at specified times for reducing blowback from the firing chamber while decreasing the turn on energy of the printhead.

Abstract: In order to reduce particle clogging of ink firing chambers in an inkjet printer printhead, the barrier layer is configured to have a plurality of inner barrier islands, each associated with a respective one of the heater resistors, disposed between an ink firing chamber and the ink plenum, to form two ink feed channels. The two ink feed channels are designed to have a right angle turn to prevent particles from entering the ink firing chamber. A plurality of outer barrier islands, having a number equal to twice the number of inner barrier islands, are disposed between the inner barrier islands and the ink plenum, and are configured in lines parallel to the lines of heater resistors to prevent particles from reaching the ink feed channels.

Abstract: An inkjet printer printhead is coupled to an ink source and has a plurality of ink firing chambers dimensionally defined by a barrier layer disposed between a substrate and an orifice plate. Two ink feed channels are coupled to one ink firing chamber and are dimensionally defined, in part, by the barrier layer. One of these ink feed channels has a smoothly converging wide dimension inlet at the ink source and a narrow dimension outlet at the ink firing chamber. The other ink feed channel also has a converging wide dimension inlet at the ink source and a narrow dimension outlet at the ink firing chamber but has an "S" shaped wall contour to make it asymmetrical to the first ink feed channel. An island of the barrier layer separates one ink feed channel from the other ink feed channel serving the ink firing chamber. This island has an essentially flat wall surface disposed toward the ink firing chamber.