IP Library Granted Patent US 7,178,903
Granted Patent B2
US 7,178,903 · App. 11/064,011 · Granted Feb 20, 2007

Ink jet nozzle to eject ink

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,178,903
App. No.
11/064,011
Granted
Feb 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink jet nozzle to eject ink. The nozzle comprises a body defining a chamber in which the ink to be ejected can be located and an aperture through which the ink is ejected in use. The nozzle further comprises an actuator member having shape memory which extends from the body into the chamber. The actuator member is arcuate in shape when in a quiescent state and straightens in shape when actuated. The actuator member is located in the chamber so as to push ink through the aperture when actuated to thereby eject ink from the body.

Claims (13)

1. A printer including an array of ink jet nozzles to eject ink, each of said nozzles comprising:

a body defining a chamber in which the ink to be ejected can be located, the body having an aperture through which the ink can be ejected; and

an actuator member having shape memory and extending from the body into the chamber, the actuator member being arcuate in shape when in a quiescent state and straightening in shape when actuated;

wherein the actuator member is located in the chamber so as to push ink through the aperture when actuated to thereby eject ink from the body.

2. A printer according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for actuating the actuator member.

3. A printer according to claim 2 , wherein:

the actuator member comprises a heating element;

the actuator comprises driving circuitry which is electrically coupled to the heating element; and

the heating element straightens when heated by the driving circuitry and curls when cooled.

4. A printer according to claim 3 , wherein the actuator member further comprises two protective layers located on opposing sides of the heating element.

5. A printer according to claim 3 , wherein the driving circuitry is formed on a CMOS layer of the body.

6. A printer according to claim 3 , further comprising metal interconnects for electrically coupling the driving circuitry to the heating element.

7. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of layers.

Assignments (2)
OPTION Recorded Jul 13, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028549/0189 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2005
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD.
Reel/Frame 016328/0623 →