Patent ID: 8529021

Claim:
A method of continuously ejecting liquid comprising: providing a continuous liquid ejection system including: a substrate, portions of the substrate defining a liquid chamber; an orifice plate affixed to the substrate, the orifice plate including: a MEMS transducing member, a first portion of the MEMS transducing member being anchored to the substrate, a second portion of the MEMS transducing member extending over at least a portion of the liquid chamber, the second portion of the MEMS transducing member being free to move relative to the liquid chamber; and a compliant membrane positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member, a first portion of the compliant membrane covering the MEMS transducing member such that the first portion of the MEMS transducing member is positioned between the substrate and the compliant membrane, and a second portion of the compliant membrane being anchored to the substrate, the compliant membrane including an orifice; providing a liquid under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate using a liquid supply; and causing a drop of liquid to break off from the liquid jet by selectively actuating the MEMS transducing member causing a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber.