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:
Apr. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 27, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Richard A. Holl, Camarillo, CA (US);
Philip L. Lichtenberger, Thousand Oaks, CA (US);
Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/26 ; G02B 2/600 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/26 ; G02B 2/600 ;
Abstract
A micro-optical switch including a flexureless magnetic micromirror hinged centrally over a pin, cone or the like. The pin, cone or the like allows the micromirror to rapidly switch or tilt into a plurality of predefined positions as accurately controlled by an microelectromagnetic assembly. A liquid surrounds the pin or cone, connects the bottom of the surface of the mirror with the substrate supporting the pin or cone, and provides a capillary force holding the mirror onto the pin or cone. The liquid low vapor pressure also dissipates heat generated by the fiberoptic beam reflecting off the top surface of the micromirror.