Patent ID: 8684500

Claim:
An actuator apparatus for a jet stack of a printer, comprising: an electrode layer comprising a conductive trace and an electrode, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled with the conductive trace; and a diaphragm offset from the electrode layer by a gap, the diaphragm comprising: a planar first surface facing toward the electrode layer; a non-planar second surface opposite the first surface and facing away from the electrode layer, wherein the non-planar second surface comprises a piston section disposed substantially parallel to the electrode layer and aligned with the electrode, wherein the piston section comprises a protrusion that extends away from the first surface of the diaphragm and away from the electrode layer; and a flexure recess at least partially surrounding the piston section, wherein the diaphragm is configured to bend proximal the flexure recesses when a current is applied to the electrode, such that the piston section moves relative to the electrode layer and remains substantially parallel thereto.