Patent ID: 8328334

Claim:
A method of ejecting liquid from a liquid dispenser comprising: providing an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a first substrate, each liquid dispensing element including, a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the first substrate, the liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the first substrate, a diverter member associated with the liquid dispensing channel, a liquid return channel positioned on the first substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel, a liquid supply channel positioned on the first substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel, a liquid supply passage extending through the first substrate in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel, a liquid return passage extending through the first substrate in fluid communication with the liquid return channel; providing a second substrate including a liquid manifold, the liquid manifold including a liquid supply duct and a liquid return duct, the liquid supply duct being in fluid communication with each liquid supply passage of each liquid dispensing element, the liquid return duct being in fluid communication with each liquid return passage of each liquid dispensing element; providing a liquid flowing from the liquid supply duct of the liquid manifold through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct of the liquid manifold; and causing a liquid drop to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel of one of the liquid dispensing elements by selectively actuating the diverter member of the liquid dispensing element to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel of the liquid dispensing element.