Patent ID: 6017117
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of inkjet printer operation employing a wide area printhead having a thermally stable base and a plurality of ink firing chambers for selectively expelling ink, comprising the steps of:accepting ink into an integral ink inlet well disposed in the thermally stable base and having a surface opening in said thermally stable base and a bottom at an opposite side of said integral ink inlet well from said surface opening;supplying ink to the plurality of ink firing chambers by way of at least one integral ink feed channel in the thermally stable base; andcirculating ink from said integral ink inlet well to a plenum and manifold to supply said at least one integral ink feed channel by urging a piezoelectric disk against and sealing an outlet in a piezoelectric disk-securing pumps mount when said piezoelectric disk is not electrically activated, said pump mount disposed at said surface opening of said integral ink inlet well in said thermally stable base with a washer urged against said piezoelectric disk by a spring disposed between said washer and said bottom of said integral ink inlet well when said piezoelectric disk is not electrically activated and by unsealing said outlet in said piezoelectric disk-securing pump mount when said piezoelectric disk is electrically activated.