Electromechanical actuator with interdigitated electrodes
US8390407B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2001/0084
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A micromachined electromechanical (MEMS) actuator including, for example, an electrostatically actuated electrical switch, is provided, including a first set of conducting plates forming part of the movable element of the switch, interdigitated with a set of conducting plates forming part of the substrate. The plates are, in principle, vertical relative to the surface of the substrate; they are in partial heightwise overlap and a control voltage applied between the two sets of plates exerts a vertical force acting so as to move the movable element closer to the substrate. The conducting plates of the movable element are connected to one another by conducting end crosspieces connecting the ends of these plates so as to surround, laterally, the stationary conducting plates. The distance separating one stationary plate end from the mobile crosspiece is the same at both ends so that the forces exerted in the elongation direction of the plates cancel out. This distance is preferably the same for all the plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.