Peristaltic electrostatic binary device
AssigneeBos-Knox, Ltd.
InventorsGeorge R. Simpson, Herbert W. Sullivan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An array of binary elements suitable for alphanumeric or graphic displays are electrostatically actuated. The elements have a flexible member overlying a stator member. The flexible member has a bulge which is transferred along the element by sequential de-energization of a plurality of electrostatic electrode regions. Transfer of the bulge linearly shifts the flexible member with respect to the stator member to alter the state or to change appearance, light transmission, or electrical characteristics of the element.
Claims16
An electrostatically attuated binary element comprising:
- a stator member having plural electrode regions arranged in a linear series, and
- a flexible member electrostatically attractable by the stator electrode regions,
- the flexible member overlying the stator member and having opposite ends fixed with respect to the stator member, the distance along the stator between the fixed ends being less than the length of the flexible member between the fixed ends to cause a bulge in the flexible member,
- the bulge being transferable along the element by sequential actuation of the electrode regions, effecting a linear displacement of the flexible member.
An array of electrostatically actuated binary elements, each element of the array having a discrete address, each element comprising,
- a stator member having plural electrode regions arranged in a linear series, and
- a flexible member electrostatically attractable by the stator electrode regions,
- the flexible member overlying the stator member having opposite ends fixed with respect to the stator member, the distance along the stator member between the fixed ends being less than the length of the flexible member between the fixed ends to cause a bulge in the flexible member,
- the bulge being transferable along the stator by sequential actuation of the electrode regions to thereby change the state of the element, effecting a linear displacement of the flexible member,
- certain of the electrode regions being discrete address coordinate electrodes which when sequentially actauted cause only that element fully to change state.
A reciprocable electrostatically actuated binary device comprising:
- a stator member,
- a movable member linearly reciprocable by electrostatic force, and
- a plurality of electrode regions arranged in a linear series,
- the movable member always overlying the stator member,
- the electrode regions providing the electrostatic force for moving the linearly moveable member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.