US 6,927,529 B2 · Solid slug longitudinal piezoelectric latching relay

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, a piezoelectrically actuated relay that switches and latches by means of a solid slug and liquid metal is disclosed. The relay operates by means of a longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension mode displacing a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate and at least one other fixed pad to close the switch contact. This motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid and causes the imparted momentum of the solid slug and liquid metal drop to overcome the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element. The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to the contact pads.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A latching piezoelectric relay comprising:

a chamber;
a first, second and third contact pad equally separated from each other, each of said contact pads having at least a portion within the chamber;
a first and a second piezoelectric element disposed in opposition to each other within the chamber;
a moveable conductive liquid within the chamber, a first portion of the liquid is wetted to the first of said of contact pads and a portion of the liquid wetted to both the second and third of said contact pads;
and
a solid slug imbedded with said portion of the liquid wetted to both the second and the third of said contact pads;
wherein said solid slug and said portion of the liquid wetted to said second and third of said contact pads is moveable toward said portion wetted to the first of said contact pads.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid slug longitudinal piezoelectric latching relay

Life of this patent

Solid slug longitudinal piezoelectric latching relay

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15