Damped longitudinal mode latching relay
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMarvin Glenn Wong, Arthur Fong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A piezoelectric relay is disclosed in which a solid slug moves within a switching channel formed in relay housing. An electrical circuit passing between fixed contact pads in the switching channel is completed or broken by motion of the solid slug. Motion of the solid slug is controlled by at least two piezoelectric actuators within the switching channel. Motion of the solid slug is resisted by an electrically conductive liquid, such as a liquid metal, that wets between the solid slug and the contact pad in the switching channel. The surface tension of the, liquid provides a latching mechanism for the relay.
Claims11
A piezoelectric relay comprising:
- a relay housing containing a switching channel;
- a solid slug adapted to move within the switching channel;
- a first contact pad located in the switching channel and having a surface wettable by a liquid;
- a second contact pad located in the switching channel and having a surface wettable by a liquid;
- a third contact pad located in the switching channel and having a surface wettable by a liquid;
- an electrically conductive liquid volume in wetted contact with the solid slug;
- a first piezoelectric actuator operable to impart an impulsive force to the solid slug to move the solid slug to a first position within the switching channel where it completes an electrical circuit between the first and second contact pads;
- and
- a second piezoelectric actuator operable to impart an impulsive force to the solid slug to move the solid slug to a second position within the switching channel where it completes an electrical circuit between the second and third contact pads.
A method for switching an electrical circuit in a piezoelectric relay having solid slug that is wetted by a liquid metal and moveable within a switching channel, the method comprising:
- coupling an input electrical signal to a first electrical contact pad;
- if the electrical circuit is to be completed:
- energizing a first piezoelectric actuator to move the solid slug to a first position, where it completes an electrical circuit between the first electrical contact pad and a second electrical contact pad;
- and
- if the electrical circuit is to be broken:
- energizing a second piezoelectric actuator to move the solid slug to a second position, where it no longer completes an electrical circuit between the first electrical contact pad and second electrical contact pad.
A method for switching between a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit in a piezoelectric relay, the relay having a solid slug that is wetted by a liquid metal and moveable within a switching channel and the method comprising:
- if the first electrical circuit is to be selected:
- energizing a first piezoelectric actuator to move the solid slug to a first position, where it completes an electrical circuit between a first electrical contact pad and a second electrical contact pad;
- and
- if the second electrical circuit is to be selected:
- energizing the second piezoelectric actuator to move the solid slug to a second position, where it completes an electrical circuit between the first electrical contact pad and a third electrical contact pad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.