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:
Aug. 09, 2005
Filed:
May. 02, 2002
Arthur Fong, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Marvin Glenn Wong, Woodland Park, CO (US);
Arthur Fong, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Marvin Glenn Wong, Woodland Park, CO (US);
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
In accordance with the invention, a piezoelectrically actuated relay that switches and latches by means of a solid slug and liquid metal is disclosed. The relay operates by means of a longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension mode displacing a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate and at least one other fixed pad to close the switch contact. This motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid and causes the imparted momentum of the solid slug and liquid metal drop to overcome the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element. The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to the contact pads.