Patent ID: 7226145

Claim:
A micro-electromechanical shutter assembly for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid supply channel defined by a wafer substrate and drive circuitry layers positioned on a first surface of the wafer substrate, the fluid supply channel terminating at a fluid supply opening, the shutter assembly comprising; an elongate actuator anchored, at one end, to the first surface of the wafer substrate so as to be in electrical contact with at least one of the drive circuitry layers; and a closure member fixedly mounted on an opposite end of the elongate actuator so as to be movable between a closed position, in which the closure member covers the fluid supply opening and prevents ink from flowing through the fluid supply channel, and an open position, in which the fluid supply opening is opened to allow the ink to flow through the fluid supply channel, wherein at least a portion of the actuator is arranged such that, upon receiving an electrical signal from the drive circuitry layer, it heats up and, thereby, changes its shape so as to displace the closure member from closed to open position.