The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2000
Arthur M. Gooray, Penfield, NY (US);
George J. Roller, Penfield, NY (US);
Joseph M. Crowley, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Paul C. Galambos, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Frank J. Peter, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Kevin R. Zavadil, Bernilillo, NM (US);
Richard C. Givler, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stanford, CT (US);
Abstract
An electrostatic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based fluid ejector comprises a movable piston structure and a stationary faceplate. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston structure and a substrate. The piston structure may be resiliently mounted on the substrate by one or more spring elements. A fluid to be ejected is supplied in the fluid chamber from a fluid reservoir through a fluid refill hole formed in the substrate. The faceplate includes a nozzle hole through which a fluid jet or drop is ejected. In various exemplary embodiments, the piston structure moves towards the faceplate by electrostatic attraction between the piston structure and the faceplate. As a result of the movement of the piston structure, a portion of the fluid between the piston structure and the faceplate is forced out of the nozzle hole, forming a jet or drop of the fluid.