Electrically settable resistance device
US4945257A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/13
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device provides an electrically settable resistance and comprises first and second electrodes. Each electrode comprises a redox active material. The device further comprises means defining an environment for each electrode such that the average redox state of the electrodes, taken together, remains substantially constant. The environment-defining means includes an electrolyte between the electrodes. The device further comprises a pair of terminals electrically connected to the first electrode at spaced-apart locations, the electrically settable resistance being defined between the pair of terminals and being a function of the oxidation state of the first electrode. The device further comprises means, including a terminal electrically connected to the second electrode, for defining a control circuit path, including the first and second electrodes and the electrolyte, to enable a control current flowing through the control circuit path to change the oxidation state of the first electrode so that control current flowing in one direction sets the resistance to a lower value and control current flowing in the opposite direction sets the resistance to a higher value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.