Article comprising a variable inductor
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsBradley P. Barber, Peter L. Gammel, Victor M. Lubecke
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Abstract
A micromechanical variable/tunable inductor is disclosed. The present inductor comprises at least two elements capable of supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling and means for varying a geometrical relationship thereof. Varying the geometrical relationship between such elements varies the inductance of the inductor. In some embodiments, the geometrical relationship that is varied is the spacing between the two elements. The spacing is varied by creating a differential movement between such elements. In further embodiments, the present invention comprises resonant circuits incorporating such variable inductors, and oscillators including such resonant circuits.
Claims23
An article comprising a tunable inductor, the tunable inductor having:
- a first planar loop comprising a first material that supports spatial electromagnetic coupling;
- a second element comprising a second material that supports spatial electromagnetic coupling, at least a portion of which second element is spaced from said first loop;
- and
- an actuator operable to vary the space between said first loop and said second element.
An article comprising:
- a first planar loop suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling, wherein a first portion of said first loop is attached to a substrate;
- a second element suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling, wherein said second element is spaced from said first planar loop, and further wherein a first portion of said second element is attached to said substrate;
- and
- an actuator operable to vary the space between said first loop and said second element.
An article comprising:
- a first element suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling;
- a second element suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling;
- and
- an actuator operable to vary a spacing between said first and second elements;
- wherein:
- said first element and said second element are suitably disposed relative to one another to support spatial electromagnetic coupling therebetween;
- and
- at least one of said first element and said second element is rotatable about a fixed end thereof.
An article comprising:
- a first planar loop suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling, wherein a first portion of said first loop is attached to a substrate;
- a second element suitable for supporting spatial electromagnetic coupling, wherein:
- said second element is spaced from said first planar loop;
- said second element is not parallel with respect to said first planar loop;
- and
- a first portion of said second element is attached to said substrate;
- and
- an actuator operable to vary the space between said first loop and said second element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.