IP Library Granted Patent US 7,980,667
Granted Patent B2
US 7,980,667 · App. 12/536,452 · Granted Jul 19, 2011

Nozzle arrangement with pivotal wall coupled to thermal expansion actuator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,980,667
App. No.
12/536,452
Granted
Jul 19, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel; a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel, the nozzle chamber including an ink ejection port defined through a roof of the nozzle chamber, and a pivotal wall formed as part of one sidewall of the nozzle chamber; a paddle attached to the pivotal wall in a cantilevered manner, and extending into the nozzle chamber; a pair of anchors extending from the substrate assembly, a first anchor of the pair connected to a positive electrical contact and a second anchor of the pair connected to a negative electrical contact; and a thermal expansion actuator forming a bridge between the pair of anchors and the pivotal wall, the thermal expansion actuator having two arms each respectively attached to each of the pair of anchors, the thermal expansion actuator further having a bridge portion bridging the two arm. The thermal expansion actuator is configure to expand upon application of a current supplied through the pair of anchors.

Claims (10)

1. A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle arrangement comprising:

a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel;

a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel, the nozzle chamber including an ink ejection port defined through a roof of the nozzle chamber, and a pivotal wall formed as part of one sidewall of the nozzle chamber;

a paddle attached to the pivotal wall in a cantilevered manner, and extending into the nozzle chamber;

a pair of anchors extending from the substrate assembly, a first anchor of the pair connected to a positive electrical contact and a second anchor of the pair connected to a negative electrical contact; and

a thermal expansion actuator forming a bridge between the pair of anchors and the pivotal wall, the thermal expansion actuator having two arms each respectively attached to each of the pair of anchors, the thermal expansion actuator further having a bridge portion bridging the two arm, wherein

the thermal expansion actuator is configure to expand upon application of a current supplied through the pair of anchors.

2. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said ink inlet channel is aligned with said ink ejection port.

3. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal expansion actuator is formed of an electrically conductive material.

4. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pivotal wall terminates in a sealing member configured to accommodate pivotal movement of the wall whilst impeding ink leakage from the nozzle chamber.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028523/0240 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Nov 17, 2009
From: STANFORD UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 023527/0259 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2009
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 023059/0193 →