The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
May. 31, 2002
Lawrence E. Dickens, Baltimore, MD (US);
Fred E. Sacks, Reisterstown, MD (US);
Howard Fudem, Baltimore, MD (US);
Don E. Crockett, Columbia, MD (US);
Frank Lindberg, Baltimore, MD (US);
Robert Young, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Gregory DeSalvo, Bellbrook, OH (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A MEMS switch having spaced-apart RF conductors on a substrate with a bridge structure disposed above the substrate. In one embodiment the bridge structure has two flexible arms supported by two support members and in another embodiment the bridge structure has three flexible arms supported by three support members, the third support member being electrically integral with the second conductor. The bridge structure is drawn down to effect electrical contact between the first and second conductors by application of a control signal to a control electrode, having an opposed electrode on the undersurface of the bridge structure. A central stiffener portion of the bridge prevents any contact between the control and opposed electrodes.