Lorentz force assisted switch
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsWilliam P. D'Amico, John L. Champion, Gabriel M. Rebeiz, Dennis K. Wickenden, Robert B. Givens
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Abstract
A Lorentz force assisted microelectromechanical switch is provided which is configured to have a capacitive switch and an electrical conductor placed in transversely extending electric and magnetic fields to generate the Lorentz force sufficient to operate the capacitive switch.
Claims20
A switching device comprising:
- a capacitive switch;
- a magnetic field source operative to apply a magnetic field across the switch;
- and
- an electrical conductor providing therealong a path of conduction of a current in opposite directions, the electrical conductor being juxtaposed with the capacitive switch and extending transversely to the magnetic field for triggering the capacitive switch between an on- and off-state in accordance with a direction of current flow along the electrical conductor.
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch comprising:
- a substrate;
- multiple contacts spaced from one another and supported by the substrate;
- and
- a capacitive switching assembly provided on the substrate and positionable in magnetic and electrical fields extending coplanar with but transversely to one another to generate a Lorentz force applied to the capacitive switching assembly to selectively short the multiple contacts.
A microelectromechanical switch operative to selectively couple multiple contacts in response to generation of a Lorentz force.
A method for operating a microelectromechanical switching device comprising the steps of:
- providing a capacitive switch;
- generating an electric field extending in a plane of the capacitive switch;
- and
- generating a magnetic field extending coplanar with but transversely to the electric field and applied across the capacitive switch, thereby producing a Lorentz force applied to the capacitive switch for alternating an on- and off-state thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.