Laminated relays with multiple flexible contacts

Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – Polarity-responsive

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C200S181000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10740837

ABSTRACT:
Methods and systems of assembling and making laminated electro-mechanical system (LEMS) switches are described. A plurality of structural layers are formed that include at least two structural layers that each include a flexible member. The plurality of structural layers are stacked and aligned into a stack, to form at least one switch. Each structural layer in the stack is attached to an adjacent structural layer of the stack. When the formed switch is in an “on” state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member. When making contact with the second flexible member, the second flexible member flexes in response. In a further aspect, three flexible members may be present. When the switch is in an “on” state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second and third flexible members. When making contact with the second and third flexible members, the second and third flexible members flex in response.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4065677 (1977-12-01), Micheron et al.
patent: 4461968 (1984-07-01), Kolm et al.
patent: 4496211 (1985-01-01), Daniel
patent: 4570139 (1986-02-01), Kroll
patent: 4755706 (1988-07-01), Harnden, Jr. et al.
patent: 4979149 (1990-12-01), Popovic et al.
patent: 5016978 (1991-05-01), Fargette et al.
patent: 5048912 (1991-09-01), Kunikane et al.
patent: 5072228 (1991-12-01), Kuwahara
patent: 5398011 (1995-03-01), Kimura et al.
patent: 5430421 (1995-07-01), Bornand et al.
patent: 5454904 (1995-10-01), Ghezzo et al.
patent: 5472539 (1995-12-01), Saia et al.
patent: 5475353 (1995-12-01), Roshen et al.
patent: 5557132 (1996-09-01), Takahashi
patent: 5629918 (1997-05-01), Ho et al.
patent: 5696619 (1997-12-01), Knipe et al.
patent: 5784190 (1998-07-01), Worley
patent: 5818316 (1998-10-01), Shen et al.
patent: 5838847 (1998-11-01), Pan et al.
patent: 5847631 (1998-12-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 5898515 (1999-04-01), Furlani et al.
patent: 5945898 (1999-08-01), Judy et al.
patent: 5982554 (1999-11-01), Goldstein et al.
patent: 6016092 (2000-01-01), Qiu et al.
patent: 6016095 (2000-01-01), Herbert
patent: 6028689 (2000-02-01), Michalicek et al.
patent: 6078016 (2000-06-01), Yoshikawa et al.
patent: 6084281 (2000-07-01), Fullin et al.
patent: 6094116 (2000-07-01), Tai et al.
patent: 6094293 (2000-07-01), Yokoyama et al.
patent: 6115231 (2000-09-01), Shirakawa
patent: 6124650 (2000-09-01), Bishop et al.
patent: 6143997 (2000-11-01), Feng et al.
patent: 6160230 (2000-12-01), McMillan et al.
patent: 6191671 (2001-02-01), Schlaak et al.
patent: 6297072 (2001-10-01), Tilmans et al.
patent: 6410360 (2002-06-01), Steenberge
patent: 6511894 (2003-01-01), Song
patent: 6621390 (2003-09-01), Song et al.
patent: 198 20 821 (1999-12-01), None
patent: 100 31 569 (2001-02-01), None
patent: 0 452 012 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 0 452 012 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 0 685 864 (1995-12-01), None
patent: 0 709 911 (1996-05-01), None
patent: 0 780 858 (1997-06-01), None
patent: 0 869 518 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 0 887 879 (1998-12-01), None
patent: 2 572 546 (1986-05-01), None
patent: 54-161952 (1979-12-01), None
patent: 4-275519 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 6-251684 (1994-09-01), None
patent: WO 97/39468 (1997-10-01), None
patent: WO 98/34269 (1998-08-01), None
patent: WO 99/27548 (1999-06-01), None
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US03/29254 mailed on Mar. 5, 2004.
Richard P. Feymann, “There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, Dec. 29, 1959, pp. 1-12, Internet Source: http://222.zyvex.com
anotech/feynman.html.
E. Fullin, J. Gobet, H.A.C. Tilmans, and J. Bergvist, “A New Basic Technology for Magnetic Micro-Actuators”, pp. 143-147.
Jack W. Judy and Richard S. Muller “Magnetically Actuated, Addressable Microstructures”, Sep. 1997, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 6, No. 3, Sep. 1997, pp. 249-255.
Ezekiel JJ Kruglick and Kristofer SJ Pister, “Project Overview: Micro-Relays”, Tech. Digital Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, 1998, Hilton Head 98 and 19th International Conference on Electric Contact Phenomena, Nuremberg, Germany, Sep. 1998 (Downloaded from Internet Source: http://www-bsac.eecs.berkeley.edu/Kruglick/relays/relays.html, on Jul. 12, 1999) 2 pgs.
Ezekiel J.J. Kruglick and Kristofer S.J. Pister, “Bistable MEMS Relays and Contact Characterization”, Tech. Digital Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, Hilton Head, 1988 and 19th International Conference on Electric Contact Phenomena, Nuremberg, Germany, Sep. 1998, 5 pgs.
Laure K. Lagorce and Oliver Brand, “Magnetic Microactuators Based on Polymer Magnets”, Mar. 1999, IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, IEEE, vol. 8., No. 1., Mar. 1999, 8 pages.
“P10D Electricity & Magnetism Lecture 14”, Internet Source: http://scitec.uwhichill.edu.bb/cmp/online/P10D/Lecture14/lect14.htn, Jan. 3, 2000, pp. 1-5.
“Ultraminiature Magnetic Latching to 5-relays SPDT DC TO C Band”, Series RF 341, product information from Teledyne Relays, 1998.
M. Ruan et al., “Latching Microelectromagnetic Relays”, Sensors and Actuators A 91 (Jul. 15, 2001), Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science B.V., pp. 346-350.
Xi-Qing Sun, K.R. Farmer, W.N. Carr, “A Bistable Microrelay Based on Two-Segment Multimorph Cantilever Actuators”, 11th Annual Workshop on Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems, Heidelberg, Germany, IEEE, Jan. 25-29, 1998, pp. 154-159.
William P. Taylor and Mark G. Allen, “Integrated Magnetic Microrelays: Normally Open, Normally Closed, and Multi-Pole Devices”, 1997 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators, IEEE, Jun. 16-19, 1997, pp. 1149-1152.
William P. Taylor, Oliver Brand, and Mark G. Allen. “Fully Integrated Magnetically Actuated Micromachined Relays”, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, IEEE, vol. 7, No. 2, Jun. 1998, pp. 181-191.
Tilmans, et al., “A Fully-Packaged Electromagnetic Microrelay”, Proc. MEMS '99, Orlando, FL, Jan. 17-21, 1999, copyright IEEE 1999, pp. 25-30.
William Trimmer, “The Scaling of Micromechanical Devices”, Internet Source: http://home.earthlink.net/-trimmerw/mems/scale.html on Jan. 3, 2000 (adapted from article Microrobots and Micromechanical Systems by W.S.N. Trimmer, Sensors and Actuators, vol. 19, No. 3, Sep. 1989, pp. 267-287, and other sources).
John A. Wright and Yu-Chong Tai, “Micro-Miniature Electromagnetic Switches Fabricated Using MEMS Technology”, Proceedings: 46th Annual International Relay Conference: NARM '98, Apr. 1998, pp. 13-1 to 13-4.
John A. Wright, Yu-Chong Tai and Gerald Lilienthal, “A Magnetostatic MEMS Switch for DC Brushless Motor Commutation”, Proceedings Solid State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, Hilton Head, 1998, Jun. 1998, pp. 304-307.
John A. Wright, Yu-Chong Tai, and Shih-Chia Chang, “A Large-Force, Fully-Integrated MEMS Magnetic Actuator”, Tranducers '97, 1997 International Conference on Solid State Sensors and Actuators, Chicago, Jun. 16-19, 1997.
Ann, Chong H. & Allen, Mark G., A Fully Integrated Micromagnetic Actuator With A Multilevel Meander Magnetic Core, 1992 IEEE, Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, Technical Digest, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Jun. 22-25, 1992, Technical Digest, pp. 14-17.
English-Language Abstract of DE 10031569, published Feb. 1, 2001, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of DE 19820821, published Dec. 16, 1999, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of EP 0780858, published Jun. 25, 1997, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of EP 0869519, published Oct. 7, 1998, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of FR 2572546, published May 2, 1986, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of JP 4275519, published Oct. 1, 1992, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of JP 6251684, published Sep. 9, 1994, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of JP 54161952, published Dec. 22, 1979, 1 page.
English-Language Abstract of WO 9927548, published Jun. 3, 1999, 1 page.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Laminated relays with multiple flexible contacts does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Laminated relays with multiple flexible contacts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laminated relays with multiple flexible contacts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3798004

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.