Incomplete mechanical contacts for microwave switches
AssigneeCom Dev Ltd.
InventorsRegina Kwiatkowski, Mihai Vladimirescu, Terence J. Menezes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch contact for use in a microwave switch. The contact comprises a probe contact member having a first contact region with a first surface, and a reed contact member having a second contact region with a second surface. The second surface is non-conformal with respect to the first surface for providing an incomplete mechanical contact when the contact members are in contact.
Claims23
A switch contact for use in a microwave switch, said switch contact comprising:
- a probe contact member having a first surface;
- and,
- a reed contact member having second surface, said second surface being non-conformal with respect to said first surface for providing an incomplete mechanical contact when said contact members are in contact,
- wherein, during contact, a contact stress distribution exists having a maximum stress value at a location within said contact members and at least one of said surfaces has a radius of curvature selected to adjust the location of the maximum stress value for reducing the magnitude of the contact stress distribution within said contact members.
A switch contact for use in a microwave switch, said switch contact comprising:
- a probe contact member having a first surface with a toroidal shape;
- and, a reed contact member having a tip with a second surface, wherein, during contact, said first and second surfaces define a non-conformal contact having a contact interface located along a circular arc on a curved portion of said toroidal shape.
A method of reducing a stress magnitude distribution in a switch contact for a microwave switch, said switch contact comprising a probe contact member having a first surface, and a reed contact member having a second surface, said method comprising:
- selecting said first and second surfaces to be non-conformal for providing an incomplete mechanical contact, at least one of said surfaces having a radius of curvature;
- calculating contact stress distributions within said contact members for several values of said radius of curvature;
- and,
- selecting a desired radius of curvature from said several values of said radius of curvature for reducing the magnitude of contact stress distribution within said contact members.
A switch contact for use in a microwave switch, said switch contact comprising:
- a probe contact member having a first surface with a toroidal shape;
- and, a reed contact member having a cylindrical shape, wherein, during contact, said first and second surfaces define a non-conformal contact.
A switch contact for use in a microwave switch, said switch contact comprising:
- a probe contact member having a first surface;
- and,
- a reed contact member having a second surface having a radius of curvature, said second surface being non-conformal with respect to said first surface for providing an incomplete mechanical contact when said contact members are in contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.