Patent ID: 7303689

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly, the method comprising the steps of: firstly, depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate, wherein the first dielectric layer forms an aperture; secondly, depositing a first metal layer at least partially on the first dielectric layer, and etching at least part of the first metal layer so that the first metal layer provides at least one interconnect to an actuator; thirdly, depositing a passivation layer at least partially on the first dielectric layer and etching at least part of the passivation layer to form an inlet aperture; fourthly, depositing at least one sacrificial layer on the passivation layer; fifthly, depositing a second metal layer, and etching at least part of the second metal layer so that the second metal layer partially forms a passive beam of the actuator; sixthly, depositing a third metal layer, and etching at least part of the third metal layer so that the third metal layer partially forms an active beam of the actuator; and, seventhly, depositing at least one further sacrificial layer, then depositing a second dielectric layer at least partially on the at least one further sacrificial layer and then etching at least part of the second dielectric layer to form a nozzle opening, a lever arm supported by the passive beam and the active beam, and an anchor of the nozzle assembly.