Electronically latching micro-magnetic switches and method of operating same
US6496612B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2050/007
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A switch with an open state and a closed state suitably includes a cantilever having first and second states corresponding to the open and closed states of the switch, respectively. The switch may also include a magnet configured to provide an electromagnetic field that maintains said cantilever in one of the first and second states. Various embodiments may also include an electrode or electrical conductor configured to provide an electric potential or electromagnetic pulse, as appropriate, to switch the cantilever between the first and second states. Various embodiments may be formulated with micromachining technologies, and may be formed on a substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.