Anti-stiction gas-phase lubricant for micromechanical systems
US7580174B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N1/006
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
One embodiment of an micromechanical device includes a first contact surface, a moveable component having a second contact surface, where the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation, and a gas-phase lubricant disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, where the gas-phase lubricant is adapted to reduce stiction-related forces between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.