Magnetically activated switch having magnetostrictive material
AssigneeLittelfuse, Inc.
InventorBrian Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Switch assemblies and a switching method are disclosed. In some embodiments, a switch assembly may include a first contact element, and a second contact element operable with the first contact element. The first and second contact elements form an open circuit in a first configuration and form a closed circuit in a second configuration. At least one of the first contact element and the second contact element includes a magnetostrictive material. During operation, a magnetic field from a magnet causes the magnetostrictive material to deform or change shape/dimensions, thus causing the first and second contact elements to open or close. In some embodiments, the switch assembly is a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) switch.
Claims20
A switch assembly comprising:
- a first contact element operable with a second contact element to open and close a circuit;
- and
- a magnetostrictive element of at least one of the first contact element and the second contact element, the magnetostrictive element operable to bias the first contact element and the second contact element relative to one another to open or close the circuit.
A switching method comprising:
- providing a first contact element operable with a second contact element, wherein the first and second contact elements form an open circuit in a first configuration and form a closed circuit in a second configuration, and wherein at least one of the first contact element and the second contact element includes a magnetostrictive material;
- and
- biasing the first contact element and the second contact element relative to one another using a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field causes the magnetostrictive material to change configuration.
A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch assembly comprising:
- a first contact element;
- and
- a second contact element operable with the first contact element, wherein the first and second contact members form an open circuit in a first configuration and form a closed circuit in a second configuration, and wherein at least one of the first and second contact elements includes a magnetostrictive material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.