Patent · US Expired

Electrostatic relay

US5544001A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 1994
Grant dateAug 6, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2059/009
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrostatic relay comprises at least one fixed base having a fixed electrode and an actuator frame having a movable electrode. The fixed base carries a pair of fixed contacts insulated from the fixed electrode. The movable electrode carries a movable contact insulated from the movable electrode. The movable electrode extends along the fixed electrode and is pivotally supported at its one longitudinal end relative to the fixed base so as to pivot between two contacting positions of closing and opening the movable contact to and from the fixed contacts. The movable contact is formed at the other longitudinal end of the movable electrode. A control voltage source is connected across the fixed electrode and the movable electrode to generate a potential difference therebetween for developing an electrostatic force by which the movable electrode is attracted toward said fixed electrode to move into one of the two contacting positions. The electrostatic relay is characterized in that the movable electrode is cooperative with the fixed electrode to define therebetween an elongate gap which is narrower toward the one longitudinal end about which the movable electrode pivot than at the …

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