Fluid ejection device with drop volume modulation capabilities

Abstract

An inkjet printhead has a piezoelectric module including a plate with an integrated ink chamber in flow communication with an integrated ink supply manifold and an integrated ink orifice. The ink chamber includes a main channel that connects the ink supply manifold to the ink orifice, and multiple piezoelectric actuators depending from the main channel and spaced apart by ink subchannels in flow communication with the main channel. The printhead also includes a ground electrode in contact with a first end of each of the actuators, and a cover plate bonded to the piezoelectric plate to seal the chamber and the manifold, the cover plate being in contact with a control electrode and configured to conduct control signals from the control electrode to the actuators. The invention also includes an inkjet printhead having a piezoelectric actuator capable of both vertical and horizontal deformation in direct communication with an ink supply and ink manifold to an ink ejection orifice. A controller supplies a signal to the piezoelectric actuator.