Continuous liquid ejection using compliant membrane transducer

Abstract

A method of continuously ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid ejection system that includes a substrate and an orifice plate affixed to the substrate. Portions of the substrate define a liquid chamber. The orifice plate includes a MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the liquid chamber. The second portion of the MEMS transducing member is free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member and a second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant membrane includes an orifice. Liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate by a liquid supply. A drop of liquid is caused to break off from the liquid jet by selectively actuating the MEMS transducing member which causes a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.