Patent ID: 6820968
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B41J,G06F,G06K,G11C,H04N

Abstract:
A fluid-dispensing chip that comprisesa wafer substrate that incorporates drive circuitry, and a nozzle assembly positioned on the wafer substrate, the nozzle assembly comprising nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in the roof wall, and an electrostatic actuator that comprises a first planar electrode positioned on the wafer substrate, and a second planar electrode that is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is displaceable towards and away from the first planar electrode to eject fluid from the fluid ejection port, the first planar electrode and the second planar electrode being connected to the drive circuitry so that a potential difference can be applied between the planar electrodes to displace the second planar electrode towards and away from the first planar electrode, at least one of the nozzle chamber walls and the wafer substrate defining a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber and a fluid supply source, said first planar electrode and said second planar electrode defining an air gap between the first and second planar electrodes.