Electrical generator or motor structure – Non-dynamoelectric – Piezoelectric elements and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2005-04-19
2005-04-19
Dougherty, Thomas M. (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Non-dynamoelectric
Piezoelectric elements and devices
C310S348000, C200S182000, C200S214000, C200S215000, C335S047000, C335S049000, C335S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06882088
ABSTRACT:
An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of moveable electrical contacts is attached to the free end of a piezoelectric actuator and positioned between pair of fixed electrical contacts. The contacts each support a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. The piezoelectric actuator is energized to deform in a bending mode and move the pair of moveable contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contacts and one of the moveable contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact and the other moveable contact is increased, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit. The piezoelectric actuator is then de-energized and the moveable electrical contacts return to their starting positions. The volume of liquid metal is chosen so that liquid metal droplets remain coalesced or separated because of surface tension in the liquid. The relay is amenable to manufacture by micro-machining techniques.
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