Nozzle arrangement with a thermal actuator incorporating heat sinks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an inlet channel. A nozzle chamber wall and a roof wall are collectively positioned on the wafer substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the inlet channel. The roof wall defines an ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A thermal actuator is mounted to the substrate assembly and extends into the nozzle chamber to terminate in a free end. The thermal actuator includes a pair of actuating members spaced apart to form a gap and a heat sink assembly positioned in the gap. One of the actuating members is connected to an electrical supply so that differential expansion between the actuating members can cause movement of the free end and results in the ejection of ink in the nozzle chamber from the ejection port.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.