Patent · US Expired

Control devices of the relay type

US4078183A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
2References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1975
Grant dateMar 7, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2059/009
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention relates to devices of the relay type, but using an electrostatic force, rather than a magnetic force, for moving the mobile element. A device according to the invention allows to produce a modification in one or several controlled circuits under the control of a modification or order in an actuating or controlled circuit. The device essentially includes two control electrodes, between which a potential difference may be applied (when desired) using an electrical power source and a control switch, and an electret constituted by an insulating element carrying electrical charges of opposite signs (negative and positive charges), the electret or the algebraic sum of which is different from zero; one of the electrodes is mobile and can occupy at least two positions. The device may be applied to realize electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or optical switchings.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.