Patent ID: 7086720
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: B41J,G06F,G06K,G07F,G11C,H04N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A micro-electromechanical fluid ejection device which comprises a wafer substrate; drive circuitry positioned on the wafer substrate; a nozzle chamber structure arranged on the wafer substrate to define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber; and a fluid ejection member that is operatively positioned with respect to the nozzle chamber such that displacement of the fluid ejection member results in the ejection of fluid from the fluid ejection port, wherein at least a portion of the fluid ejection member is of a shape memory alloy which defines an electrical heating circuit and which is connected to the drive circuitry to be heated by an electrical current received from the drive circuitry, the shape memory alloy being displaceable towards the fluid ejection port when heated to transform from its martensitic phase to its austenitic phase to eject fluid from the fluid ejection port.