NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INKJET PRINTHEAD
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers is also included. The shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal. A transfer register latches data in one of the registers of the shift register. A control gate outputs a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse.
1 . A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead, said nozzle assembly comprising:
an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from said inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of said actuator is heated by an electrical current; a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, said shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts said input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal; a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of said shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in said transfer register; and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to said resistive element of said actuator upon receipt of said control pulse.
2 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each energy pulse has an energy of less than 800 nano Joule.
3 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 2 , wherein each energy pulse has a pulse voltage of less than 8 Volt.
4 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said nozzle assembly covers an area of less than 15,000 square microns.
5 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is spaced from other nozzles ejecting ink of a same color by less than 25 microns in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of a print media upon which ink is ejected.
6 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said inkjet nozzle is formed by photolithographic processes.
7 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said ink droplet has a volume of less then 5 pl.
8 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said shift register, transfer register, control gate and drive transistor are formed in a single silicon substrate.
9 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said shift register, transfer register, control gate and drive transistor are formed from MOSFETs.
10 . The nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said printhead prints process color.