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Abstract

An ink jet nozzle assembly for an inkjet printer includes a wafer substrate defining an ink supply passage. A drive circuitry layer is formed on the wafer substrate. A nozzle is formed on the drive circuitry layer and defines an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply passage, a side aperture in fluid communication with the ink chamber and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the ink chamber. A support extends from the drive circuitry layer. A thermal bend actuator extends from the support, through the side aperture and terminates in a free end within the ink chamber. The actuator includes a first layer having a first co-efficient of thermal expansion, and a second layer deposited on the first layer which has a second co-efficient of thermal expansion. The first layer is coupled to the drive circuitry layer so that, in use, the drive circuitry layer can actuate bending of the thermal bend actuator so as to move the free end and thereby eject ink from the ink ejection port.

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First Claim