Patent ID: 6792754
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B41J,F04B

Abstract:
An integrated circuit device which comprisesa substrate; drive circuitry arranged on the substrate; and a plurality of micro-electromechanical devices positioned on the substrate, each device comprising: an elongate actuator having a fixed end that is fast with the substrate so that the actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and a free end that is displaceable along a path relative to the substrate to perform work, the actuator including a pair of elongate arms that are spaced relative to each other along the path and are connected to each other at each end, with one of the arms being connected to the drive circuitry to define a heating circuit and being of a material that is capable of expansion when heated, such that, when the heating circuit receives an electrical signal from the drive circuitry, that arm expands relative to the other to deform the actuator and thus displace said free end along said path: wherein each micro-electromechanical device includes a fluid ejection member positioned on the free end of the actuator, the integrated circuit device including a plurality of fluid chambers positioned on the substrate, with the substrate defining fluid flow paths that communicate with the fluid chambers, each fluid election member being positioned in a respective fluid chamber to eject fluid from the fluid chamber on displacement of the actuator.