Patent · US Expired

Current control device

US6967561B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
8References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 10, 2004
Grant dateNov 22, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 10, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49147
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Each actuator is a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, or piezo-controlled pneumatic element, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite.

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