Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for ejecting fluids from a nozzle chamber is disclosed including a nozzle chamber having at least two fluid ejection apertures defined in the walls of the chamber; a moveable paddle vane located between the fluid ejection apertures; an actuator mechanism attached to the moveable paddle vane and adapted to move the paddle vane in a first direction so as to cause the ejection of fluid drops out of a first fluid ejection aperture and to further move the paddle vane in a second alternative direction so as to cause the ejection of fluid drops out of a second fluid ejection aperture. The actuator can comprise a thermal actuator having at least two heater elements with a first of the elements being actuated to cause the paddle vane to move in a first direction and a second heater element being actuated to cause the paddle vane to move in a second direction. The heater elements preferably have a high bend efficiency. The paddle vane and the actuator can be joined at a fulcrum pivot point, the fulcrum pivot point having a thinned portion of the nozzle chamber wall. The actuator can include one end fixed to a substrate and a second end containing a bifurcated tongue having two leaf portions on each end of the bifurcated tongue the leaf portions interconnecting to a corresponding side of the paddle with the tongue such that, upon actuation of the actuator, one of the leaf portions pulls on the paddle end.

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First Claim