Method of operating a micromechanical device that contains anti-stiction gas-phase lubricant
US7952786B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y30/00
- 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, and a coating of liquid or solid lubricant on at least one of the contact surfaces, where the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation, and a gas-phase lubricant is disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, where the gas-phase lubricant is adapted to increase the usable lifetime of the liquid or solid lubricant coating on the contact surfaces. 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 used with conventional solid or liquid lubricants is more reliable than solid or liquid lubricants used alone in preventing stiction-related device failures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.