Abstract: An element substrate for a recording head includes groups of heating resistors that are disposed next to one another in each group; logic circuits configured to time-divisionally drive the heating resistors in units of one block; a heat enable signal line common to the groups of heating resisters, the heat enable signal line supplying a heat enable signal to each of the groups of heating resisters; and delay circuits connected to the heat enable signal line at positions between the groups of heating resisters. A signal output from each delay circuit to the next group is inverted.

Abstract: A liquid recording head includes thermal energy generating means, having a flat plate configuration, for generating a bubble by thermal energy; a pressure chamber in which said thermal energy generating means is provided; a flow path for introducing liquid into said pressure chamber; a supply port in fluid communication with said flow path; and an ejection outlet provided at a position opposing said thermal energy generating means in fluid communication with said pressure chamber, wherein said thermal energy generating means includes a first major surface facing said ejection outlet and a second major surface opposite said first major surface, and wherein a distance between said first major surface and ceiling surface of said pressure chamber in which said ejection outlet is formed is shorter than a distance between said second major surface and a bottom surface of said pressure chamber.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with generally planar heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers such that they are bonded on one side to the chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber. Each heater element receives an energizing pulse to heat ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble on the side facing into the chamber, whereby the gas bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element bonded to the chamber. The dielectric layer has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm?2K?1s?1/2, the thermal product being (?Ck)1/2, where ? is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. The present invention reduces the drop ejection energy and the heat dissipation into the printhead IC by improving the thermal isolation between the heater and the substrate.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device for ejecting liquid, such as ink, having a plurality of nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement having a nozzle chamber, an actuator for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle chamber, and a heater to raise the temperature of the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to ejection.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a substrate with a first layer, a second layer; and a flexible element supported by the second layer. The flexible element has an orifice through which ink is ejected. An actuator deflects the flexible element to force the ink through the orifice. The substrate has an opening formed through the first layer and a hole through the second layer such that the hole and the opening are in fluid communication to supply ink to the flexible element.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element is configured to heat a ejectable liquid in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the respective corresponding nozzle, to effect printing. Each heater element is configured such that the energy applied to it to heat the ejectable liquid to cause the ejection of a drop is less than that required to heat a volume of the ejectable liquid equal to the volume of such a drop, from an ambient temperature (being the temperature at which the ejectable liquid enters the printhead) to the temperature of such a drop when it is ejected. The printhead thus has a self-cooling function.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of nozzles formed on a substrate, and at least one nozzle plate spaced apart from the substrate. The nozzle plate is supported, at least partially, by encapsulated photoresist. Hence, the nozzle plate has improved robustness.

Abstract: A heating structure of an inkjet printhead and an inkjet printhead including the heating structure. The heating structure includes a substrate, a heater formed on the substrate, an electrode formed on the heater, a passivation layer formed to cover the heaters and the electrodes, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) formed in the passivation layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a printhead having a very high dot-per-inch printing capability is described. The method includes forming a layer containing electronic control circuits upon a semiconductor wafer. Nozzle chambers are then etched into the wafer and corresponding fluid ejection assemblies are formed for each nozzle chamber. Ink inlets for the nozzle chambers are produced by back-etching through the wafer. Steps for fabricating thermal bend actuators to eject ink from the nozzles are also described.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having an elongate ink supply channel defined within a substrate and a plurality of inkjet nozzles arranged on the substrate to extend across a pagewidth. Each nozzle incorporates an actuator of a conductive heater, a paddle and an arm interconnecting the heater and paddle, and an ink ejection chamber having a first wall in which a first aperture for ink ejection is defined, a second wall in which a second aperture is defined through which the arm of the actuator passes so that the heater is outside the chamber and the paddle is inside the chamber, and a third wall in which a third aperture is defined through which ink from the ink supply channel is communicated. The arm of each actuator incorporates a protruding shield configured to restrict the flow of ink through the second aperture.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elements, is provided. The actuator comprises a first active element for connection to drive circuitry a second passive element mechanically cooperating with the first element. When a current is passed through the first element, the first element expands relative to the second element, resulting in bending of the actuator. The first element is comprised of an aluminium alloy.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elements, is provided. The actuator comprises a first active element for connection to drive circuitry and a second passive element mechanically cooperating with the first element. When a current is passed through the first element, the first element expands relative to the second element, resulting in bending of the actuator. One of the plurality of elements is comprised of a porous material.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a nozzle chamber comprising a floor and a roof The roof has a nozzle opening defined therein, and a moving portion moveable towards the floor. The assembly further comprises a thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of cantilever beams, for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening. The moving portion of the roof comprises the actuator.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a nozzle chamber comprising a floor and a roof. The roof has a nozzle opening defined therein, and a moving portion moveable towards the floor. The assembly further comprises a thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of cantilever beams, for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elements, is provided. The actuator comprises a first active element for connection to drive circuitry a second passive element mechanically cooperating with the first element. When a current is passed through the first element, the first element expands relative to the second element, resulting in bending of the actuator. The second element is comprised of a material having negative thermal expansion.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording head of an excellent discharge ability and a producing method therefor, a lateral wall of an ink supply aperture is covered with a minimum necessary ink-resistant protective film. The ink supply aperture is formed by etching an exposed portion of the substrate, coating the etched portion of the substrate, and alternately repeating the etching and the coating until the etched portion becomes connected with a liquid flow path, and, for a depth a of a recessed portion and for a distance b of adjacent projecting portions, when the depth a is in a range of 1 ?m or less and the distance b is in a range of 5 ?m or less, a and b satisfy a relation b/a?1.7.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printhead and a method for manufacturing the same, the ink-jet printhead includes a substrate, an ink chamber to be filled with ink to be ejected formed on an upper surface of the substrate, a restrictor, which is a path through which ink is supplied from an ink reservoir to the ink chamber, perforating a bottom surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the ink chamber, a nozzle plate, which is stacked on the upper surface of the substrate and forms an upper wall of the ink chamber, a nozzle perforating the nozzle plate at a position corresponding to a center of the ink chamber, a heater formed in the nozzle plate to surround the nozzle, and a conductor for applying a current to the heater.

Abstract: A printing head which outputs an output from a sensor device provided for monitoring various condition of a printing head as digital data, and a printing apparatus using the printing head. The output from the device for detecting condition of the printing head, e.g., information indicative of a substrate temperature, a resistance value of an electrothermal transducer, an ON resistance value of a power transistor which drives the electrothermal transducer and the like is digitized on the substrate, and outputted as digital information to the outside. Further, the digital information is outputted by utilizing a clock signal and a latch signal used for transferring print data to the printing head. This does not increase the number of wires and the area of the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of liquid ejection elements arrayed in a flat area on a substrate. Each liquid ejection element includes a liquid chamber, a heating element disposed in the liquid chamber, and a nozzle. The heating elements are disposed alternately on a first and second lines spaced by ? in a zigzag fashion. Each liquid chamber is formed to have a U-like shape in horizontal cross section such that a wall thereof surrounds three sides of a heating element disposed in each liquid chamber. A gap Wx is formed between each two adjacent liquid chambers located on the second line, and a gap Wy is formed between the liquid chambers located on the first line and the liquid chambers located on the second line. The gaps Wx serve as first common flow channels, and the gap Wy serves as a second common flow channel.

Abstract: A printhead chip for an inkjet printhead includes a plurality of nozzle arrangements on a substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes nozzle chamber walls and a roof that define a nozzle chamber with the roof defining an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An ink-ejecting member or paddle is positioned in the nozzle chamber and displaceable towards and away from the ink ejection port so that a resultant fluctuation in ink pressure within the nozzle chamber results in an ejection of ink from the ink ejection port. At least one work transmitting structure of a lever mechanism is displaceable with respect to the substrate results in displacement of the ink-ejecting member. A thermal bend actuator is capable of displacing the structure upon receipt of an electrical drive signal. An air chamber defined by walls and a covering formation are positioned over the actuator to protect the component from ingress of microscopic detritus such as paper dust.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printing mechanism that defines a printing path through which media can be fed so that the printing mechanism can carry out a printing operation on the media. The printing mechanism has a printhead assembly that includes a printhead with printhead chips that are operatively positioned with respect to the printing path. Each printhead chip has a wafer substrate. Drive circuitry is positioned on the wafer substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement has nozzle chamber walls that define a nozzle chamber. A micro-electromechanical actuator is mounted on the substrate to be connected to the drive circuitry and operatively positioned with respect to the nozzle chamber so that, on receipt of a signal from the drive circuitry, the actuator can act to eject ink from the nozzle chamber. A protective covering shell is positioned on the substrate and defines an enclosure in which the actuator is positioned.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements (10) corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element (10) is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid (11) in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble (12) therein. The generation of the bubble (12) causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the respective corresponding nozzle (3), to effect printing. The printhead has a structure that is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on which the nozzles are incorporated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording head that has a driving circuit performing driving by dividing a plurality of heaters into a plurality of blocks and supplying electric current on a block-by-block basis based on recording data; a constant current source applying a common bias current to each temperature sensor group obtained by dividing temperature sensors disposed in correspondence to each heater of a plurality of heaters into blocks; a voltage output circuit having a switching element that turns electric current supply to the temperature sensors of the selected temperature sensor group ON and OFF, and obtaining a voltage generated at both terminals of the selected temperature sensor by supplying an electric current to the temperature sensor; and an amplifier circuit amplifying the detection voltages.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit that has a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 suspended in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element has a rotatable section configured such that the strain of thermal expansion is relieved by rotation of the rotatable section within the plane of the heater element. The heater elements are formed by depositing a thin strip of heater material, usually less than 1 micron thick. Repeated bending of the element can lead to oxidation and embrittlement, especially at small radius bends. This, in turn, leads to cracking and ultimately failure.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a heater provided on an element substrate, a nozzle including a discharge port portion having a discharge port for discharging a liquid droplet, a bubbling chamber, a supply path for supplying liquid to the bubbling chamber, a supply chamber for supplying the liquid to the nozzle and an orifice substrate. The bubbling chamber includes a first bubbling chamber and a second bubbling chamber above the first bubbling chamber, and the discharge port portion communicates with the second bubbling chamber via a stepped portion. A side wall of the second bubbling chamber converges toward the discharge port with an inclination of 10 to 45 degrees. The nozzle is provided with a control portion including a stepped portion in the flow path near the bubbling chamber. A maximum height of the flow path is smaller than a height of a lower surface of the discharge port portion.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided comprising ink ejection arrangements of an ink chamber, a nozzle defined in a first wall of the ink chamber and an ink ejector positioned within an aperture defined in an opposite, second wall of the ink chamber. The ink chamber is arranged in fluid communication with an ink supply channel via the aperture so as to supply ink to the nozzle. The ink ejector incorporates a movable paddle which is operable to cause ejection of ink from the nozzle and resupply of ink to the ink chamber from the ink supply channel. The adjacent, peripheral regions of the second wall and the paddle are configured to define a bicuspid valve between the ink chamber and the ink supply channel.

Abstract: A thermoelastic actuator to be arranged in an inkjet printer comprises an active heater layer and at least one passive thermal, conductor layer. A thermal insulator is located between the heater layer and said at least one thermal conductor layer. The at least one thermal conductor layer is also embedded in the thermal insulator.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with planar nozzle apertures and a chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively. The chambers are adapted to contain a liquid and a heater, associated with each of the bubble forming chambers respectively. The heater has electrodes for connection to a power supply and a heater element configured to form a gas bubble in the liquid that causes the ejection a drop of the liquid from the nozzle. The heater element is suspended in the chamber by the electrodes such that it extends in a plane parallel to that of the nozzle aperture and spaced less than 5 microns therefrom. Suspending the heater element in the chamber close to the nozzle aperture immerses the heater in ink to reduce heat loss to the wafer substrate and reduces the mass of ink push out the nozzle so the bubble can be smaller and therefore requiring less energy to produce.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink-jet recording head. The method includes forming a photosensitive resin layer on a support component and forming through holes in the resin layer. Since the diameters of the through hole on both sides of the photosensitive resin layer are made equal, the bonding area of a filter to a substrate is ensured, and the aperture area of the through hole per unit area is increased. A maximum aperture diameter is made to be smaller than or equal to a maximum linear distance between intersection points of a straight line passing through the geometric center of the ejection nozzle and an edge of the ejection nozzle. The head substrate and the filter are press-contacted. The support component is removed. The resulting recording head can prevent a reduction of the yield due to non-ejection of ink.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing head which ejects ink in response to generation a bubble in the ink accompanying the action of heat from a heater, and which preferably allows ejection energy to be effectively used, and desired attachment accuracy of a movable valve to be secured and maintained. To this end, employed is a two-body structure formed of a substrate including the heater; and a valve retaining member having the movable valve. Then, the effective use of ejection energy is achieved by appropriately selecting the shape and dimensions of the movable valve. Furthermore, the desired attachment accuracy is secured and maintained by attaching the valve retaining member to the substrate by applying a photolithography process without using an adhesive agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid ejection head capable of performing a stable ejection operation at high speed even when thermal expansion of a valve supporting member occurs during liquid ejection. This is because the liquid ejection head allows the thermal expansion to influence supported valves only to a small extent, and a highly accurate and stable adhesion state to be obtained. To this end, first holes, second holes and slits are provided in the valve supporting member.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead which has a plurality of nozzles 3 and a chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. A heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat printing fluid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a vapour bubble 12 that causes the ejection of a drop 16 of the printing fluid through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3. The heater element is a suspended beam mounted at its respective ends to laterally opposing portions of the chamber. A suspended beam heater element mounted to opposing sides of the chamber forms a symmetrical bubble. This provides better control of the pressure pulse generated which in turn gives a more predictable trajectory for the ejected drop.

Abstract: A consistent back pressure formulation is introduced into ink-jet simulation models and algorithms to solve an instability problem that occurs as the head of an ink droplet reaches the end of the solution domain during simulation. The consistent back pressure formulation is obtained in a way that is consistent with the idea of interface smearing. Formulas for calculating the pressure boundary condition on quadrilateral grids are disclosed. An ink-jet simulation example is given to demonstrate the improved models and algorithms.

Abstract: A method of driving an ink-jet printhead, which heats ink contained in an ink chamber using a heater to generate and expand a bubble within the ink chamber and ejects ink from the ink chamber using an expansive force of the bubble, the method including applying a main pulse to the heater to eject ink and applying a post pulse to the heater after ink has been ejected.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles 3 and one or more heater elements 10 in a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle 3. Each heater element 10 is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The gas bubble subsequently collapses to a point of collapse 17 that is spaced from any solid surface of the heater elements 10 or the bubble forming chamber 7. By configuring the heater elements within the bubble forming chamber such the points of collapse of the bubbles are not on any solid surfaces, the corrosive effects of cavitation can be avoided.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead that has an array of ejection devices formed on a wafer substrate by lithographic etching and deposition techniques. Each device has a chamber for holding a liquid, an inlet to the chamber in fluid communication with a supply of the liquid, a heater with a generally planar heater element for heating the liquid to form a vapor bubble, the heater element being suspended in the chamber parallel to the plane of the wafer substrate, and a nozzle through which a drop of the liquid is ejected in response to the vapor bubble formed by the heater element, the nozzle being formed in the chamber wall opposing the inlet, and drive circuitry for controlling the operation of the heater element. The drive circuitry is formed in an area of the wafer substrate, the area having a centre point that is offset from a center point of the corresponding nozzle by less than 200 microns in order to minimize resistive losses in the electrical connections between the drive transistors and the heater element.

Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a chamber, a manifold, an orifice, a first bubble generating element and a second bubble generating element. The chamber contains fluid. The manifold is connected to the chamber. The fluid flows into the chamber at a first direction through the manifold. The orifice is connected to the chamber. The first bubble generating element is disposed above the chamber and close to the orifice to generate a first bubble. The first bubble generating element is substantially parallel to the first direction. The second bubble generating element is disposed above the chamber and is substantially parallel to the first direction to generate a second bubble. The second bubble generating element is close to the orifice and opposite to the first bubble generating element. The fluid in the chamber is ejected via the orifice by the first and second bubbles.

Abstract: A thermally-driven ink-jet printhead includes a substrate having an ink chamber to be filled with ink to be ejected, a manifold for supplying ink, and an ink channel for providing flow communication therebetween. First and second sidewalls are formed to a predetermined depth from an upper surface of the substrate and define the ink chamber to have a substantially rectangular shape. A nozzle plate including a plurality of material layers is formed on the substrate. A nozzle passes through the nozzle plate and is in flow communication with the ink chamber. A heater is disposed between the nozzle and one of the first sidewalls above the ink chamber. A conductor is electrically connected to the heater. The conductor and the heater are disposed within the nozzle plate. A shifting feature moves cavitation points beyond an outer edge of the heater.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles 3 each defining a nozzle aperture 5 with a nozzle axis extending through the center of the nozzle aperture 5 and normal to the nozzle aperture. An ejectable liquid inlet 31 for establishing fluid communication between the nozzle aperture 5 and an ejectable liquid supply, the inlet having a central axis substantially parallel to the nozzle axis. A bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling paint to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element is configured to nucleate the gas bubble at a point that is laterally offset from the inlet.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head with a chamber sidewall heating mechanism includes a substrate, an insulation layer on the substrate, a main channel penetrating through the substrate, a plurality of V-shaped micro-channels each having a diverging end linking with the main channel and a converging end linking with an ink chamber on the insulation layer, and a nozzle plate with a plurality of orifices formed on the ink chamber. The V-shaped micro-channels are perpendicular to the main channel and parallel to and arranged on the insulation layer. Each chamber sidewall includes a heater structure to evaporate ink in the chamber to form a bubble, which pushes the ink in the chamber to eject from the orifice.

Abstract: An ink ejecting head includes a nozzle sheet having nozzles for ejecting droplets; a head chip having an energy generator opposing each of the nozzles; a barrier layer interposed between the nozzle sheet and the head chip for forming the space for a liquid chamber; a pad provided in a surface of the head chip, the surface opposing the nozzle sheet; and a wiring layer disposed on a surface of the nozzle sheet, the surface adjacent to the head chip; and a bump disposed on the wiring layer, being at least in contact with the pad of the head chip, and bonded to the pad by ultrasonic bonding.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles 3 and one or more heater elements 10 in a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle 3. Each heater element 10 is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element is laterally enclosed by the interior surface of the bubble forming chamber. The nucleation and growth of a gas bubble causes the pressure pulse that ejects ink from the nozzle aperture. If the bubble is not enclosed, much of the pressure dissipates sideways instead of through the nozzle with the ejected ink.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection device structure and method therefor having improved low energy design. The devices includes a semiconductor substrate and an insulating layer deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of heater resistors are formed on the insulating layer from a resistive layer selected from the group consisting of TaAl, Ta2N, TaAl(O,N), TaAlSi, Ti(N,O), WSi(O,N), TaAlN, and TaAl/TaAlN. A sacrificial layer selected from an oxidizable metal and having a thickness ranging from about 500 to about 5000 Angstroms is deposited on the plurality of heater resistors. Electrodes are formed on the sacrificial layer from a first metal conductive layer to provide anode and cathode connections to the plurality of heater resistors. The sacrificial layer is oxidized in a plasma oxidation process to provide a fluid contact layer on the plurality of heater resistors.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead having a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The gas bubble collapses to a collapse point 17 spaced from the heater element 10, and the heater element has two planes of symmetry intersecting along the nozzle axis. A heater element with two planes of symmetry intersecting along the nozzle axis will generate a symmetrical bubble centrally aligned with the aperture. This gives the nozzle an ejected drop trajectory along the nozzle axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles unit cells 1 and one or more heater elements 10 corresponding to each nozzle 3. Each heater element 10 is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The gas bubble encircles at least some of the heater element. By configuring the heater element such that the bubbles formed surround the element, the heat transfer to the bubble forming liquid is maximized. Less heat is wasted through conduction to the surrounding nozzle structures thereby raising the overall efficiency of the printhead.

Abstract: A heating element of a printhead has a conductive layer deposited over a substrate, and a resistive layer deposited over and in electrical contact with the conductive layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles unit cells 1 and one or more heater elements 10 corresponding to each nozzle 3. Each heater element 10 is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The nozzle unit cells 1 are manufactured using semiconductor and micro mechanical techniques such that the spacing between adjacent nozzle apertures 5 in the printhead is less than 100 microns. With the use of semiconductor and micro mechanical manufacturing techniques, the dimension of the nozzles structures can be kept relatively small without significant increases in manufacturing costs. Therefore, the nozzle density in the printhead can be increased for greater printing resolution.

Abstract: An ink jet printheads that has a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively, wherein bubbles generated in the chamber eject drops of an executable liquid through the nozzle. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an executable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element 10 has a serpentine form configured to generate the gas bubble substantially symmetrically about an axis extending normal to the plane of the aperture. The gap between the electrodes in the side of the bubble forming chamber 7 create a discontinuity in the serpentine path of the heater element 10. This causes the bubble formation to be asymmetrical and skewed toward one side of the heater element.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead is provided comprising a substrate and a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle comprises a nozzle chamber positioned on the substrate and an actuator arm. The nozzle chamber has a fixed portion fast with the substrate and a movable portion defining an ink ejection port which is displaceable relative to the fixed portion. The actuator arm is connected between the substrate and the movable portion and is operable in response to an electrical signal to tilt the movable portion towards the substrate to reduce a volume of the nozzle chamber and subsequently restore the movable portion to its original position to restore the nozzle chamber volume, thereby ejecting ink from the ink ejection port. The ink ejection port is shaped so that the tilting of the movable portion results in substantially normal ink drop ejection from the substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which has a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element is a suspended beam mounted at its respective ends to laterally opposing portions of the bubble forming chamber. A suspended beam heater element mounted to opposing sides of the chamber forms a symmetrical bubble. This provides better control of the pressure pulse generated which in turn gives a more predictable trajectory for the ejected drop.