Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Liquid contact
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-14
2004-08-03
Enad, Elvin (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Liquid contact
C200S193000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06770827
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Fluid-based switches such as liquid metal micro switches (LIMMS) have proved to be valuable in environments where fast, clean switching is desired. As customers demand smaller and/or faster switches, steps will need to be taken to electrically isolate fluid-based switches from environmental effects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is embodied in a switch. The switch comprises a channel plate, mated to a substrate to define at least a portion of a number of cavities. The channel plate comprises a switching fluid channel, and a pair of ground channels adjacent the switching fluid channel. A switching fluid is held within a cavity defined by the switching fluid channel, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid.
Another aspect of the Invention is embodied in a switching circuit. The switching circuit comprises a channel plate, mated to a substrate to define at least a portion of a number of cavities. The channel plate comprises first and second switching fluid channels, and a ground channel located adjacent, and substantially in between, the first and second switching fluid channels. A first switching fluid is held within a cavity defined by the first switching fluid channel, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the first switching fluid. A second switching fluid is held within a cavity defined by the second switching fluid channel, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the second switching fluid.
Yet another aspect of the invention is embodied In a switch comprising a substrate and a channel plate. The channel plate comprises a switching fluid channel, and is mated to the substrate to define at least a portion of a number of cavities. A pair of ground traces are located adjacent the switching fluid channel. A switching fluid is held within a cavity defined by the switching fluid channel, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid.
Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2312672 (1943-03-01), Pollard, Jr.
patent: 2564081 (1951-08-01), Schilling
patent: 3430020 (1969-02-01), Von Tomkewitsch et al.
patent: 3529268 (1970-09-01), Rauterberg
patent: 3600537 (1971-08-01), Twyford
patent: 3639165 (1972-02-01), Rairden, III
patent: 3657647 (1972-04-01), Beusman et al.
patent: 4103135 (1978-07-01), Gomez et al.
patent: 4200779 (1980-04-01), Zakurdaev et al.
patent: 4238748 (1980-12-01), Goullin et al.
patent: 4245886 (1981-01-01), Kolodzey et al.
patent: 4336570 (1982-06-01), Brower
patent: 4419650 (1983-12-01), John
patent: 4434337 (1984-02-01), Becker
patent: 4475033 (1984-10-01), Willemsen et al.
patent: 4505539 (1985-03-01), Auracher et al.
patent: 4582391 (1986-04-01), Legrand
patent: 4628161 (1986-12-01), Thackrey
patent: 4652710 (1987-03-01), Karnowsky et al.
patent: 4657339 (1987-04-01), Fick
patent: 4742263 (1988-05-01), Harnden, Jr. et al.
patent: 4786130 (1988-11-01), Georgiou et al.
patent: 4797519 (1989-01-01), Elenbaas
patent: 4804932 (1989-02-01), Akanuma et al.
patent: 4988157 (1991-01-01), Jackel et al.
patent: 5278012 (1994-01-01), Yamanaka et al.
patent: 5415026 (1995-05-01), Ford
patent: 5502781 (1996-03-01), Li et al.
patent: 5644676 (1997-07-01), Blomberg et al.
patent: 5675310 (1997-10-01), Wojnarowski et al.
patent: 5677823 (1997-10-01), Smith
patent: 5751074 (1998-05-01), Prior et al.
patent: 5751552 (1998-05-01), Scanlan et al.
patent: 5828799 (1998-10-01), Donald
patent: 5841686 (1998-11-01), Chu et al.
patent: 5849623 (1998-12-01), Wojnarowski et al.
patent: 5874770 (1999-02-01), Saia et al.
patent: 5875531 (1999-03-01), Nellissen et al.
patent: 5886407 (1999-03-01), Polese et al.
patent: 5889325 (1999-03-01), Uchida et al.
patent: 5912606 (1999-06-01), Nathanson et al.
patent: 5915050 (1999-06-01), Russell et al.
patent: 5972737 (1999-10-01), Polese et al.
patent: 5994750 (1999-11-01), Yagi
patent: 6021048 (2000-02-01), Smith
patent: 6180873 (2001-01-01), Bitko
patent: 6201682 (2001-03-01), Mooij et al.
patent: 6207234 (2001-03-01), Jiang
patent: 6212308 (2001-04-01), Donald
patent: 6225133 (2001-05-01), Yamamichi et al.
patent: 6278541 (2001-08-01), Baker
patent: 6304450 (2001-10-01), Dibene, II et al.
patent: 6320994 (2001-11-01), Donald et al.
patent: 6323447 (2001-11-01), Kondoh et al.
patent: 6351579 (2002-02-01), Early et al.
patent: 6356679 (2002-03-01), Kapany
patent: 6396012 (2002-05-01), Bloomfield
patent: 6396371 (2002-05-01), Streeter et al.
patent: 6408112 (2002-06-01), Bartels
patent: 6446317 (2002-09-01), Figueroa et al.
patent: 6453086 (2002-09-01), Tarazona
patent: 6470106 (2002-10-01), McClelland et al.
patent: 6487333 (2002-11-01), Fouquet et al.
patent: 6501354 (2002-12-01), Gutierrez et al.
patent: 6512322 (2003-01-01), Fong et al.
patent: 6515404 (2003-02-01), Wong
patent: 6516504 (2003-02-01), Schaper
patent: 6559420 (2003-05-01), Zarev
patent: 6633213 (2003-10-01), Dove
patent: 6646527 (2003-11-01), Dove et al.
patent: 0593836 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 2418539 (1979-09-01), None
patent: 2458138 (1980-12-01), None
patent: 2667396 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 62-276838 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 63-294317 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 8-125487 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO99/46624 (1999-12-01), None
US2002/0037128 A1, Mar. 28, 2002, Gerardus Johannes Burger, et al.
US2002/0146197 A1, Oct. 10, 2002, Yoon-Joong Yong.
US2002/0150323 A1, Oct. 17, 2002, Naoki Nishida, et al.
US2002/0168133 A1, Nov. 14, 2002, Takeshi Saito.
US2003/0035611 A1, Feb. 20, 2003, Youchun Shi.
TDB-ACC-NO: NB8406827, “Integral Power Resistors For Aluminum Substrate”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Jun. 1984, US, vol. 27, Issue No. 1B, p. 827.
Bhedwar, Homi C., et al. “Ceramic Multilayer Package Fabrication.” Electronic Materials Handbook, Nov. 1989, PP 460-469, vol. 1 Packaging, Section 4: Packages.
Kim, Joonwon, et al. “A Micromechanical Switch With Electrostatically Driven Liwuid-Metal Droplet.” Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical, v 9798, Apr. 1, 2002, 4 pages.
Agilent Technologie,s Inc.
Enad Elvin
Klaus Lisa
LandOfFree
Electrical isolation of fluid-based switches does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical isolation of fluid-based switches, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical isolation of fluid-based switches will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3310820