Patent · US Expired

Variable capacitors including tandem movers/bimorphs and associated operating methods

US6400550B1 · kind B1 · utility

5Cited by
1References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 2001
Grant dateJun 4, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB81B3/0056
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A variable capacitor is provided having first and second capacitor plates, a tandem mover and an actuator. The first and second capacitor plates are positioned such that the first and second capacitor plates face one another in a spaced apart relationship. The tandem mover is configured to move the first and second capacitor plates in tandem in response to changes in ambient temperature to maintain a consistent spaced apart relationship between the capacitor plates. The actuator is then configured to vary the spaced apart relationship between the first and second capacitor plates in response to an external input. The capacitance of the variable capacitor can therefore be varied by increasing and decreasing the spaced apart relationship between the first and second capacitor plates.

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