Systems and methods for operating piezoelectric switches
US8552621B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2057/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for operating piezoelectric switches are disclosed. A piezoelectric switching system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a bias voltage source. The first actuator has a first body electrode, a first gate electrode, and a first contact region. The second actuator has a second body electrode, a second gate electrode, and a second contact region. The first and second contact regions are separated by a gap. The bias voltage source applies a bias voltage to the body electrodes. The bias voltage is lower in magnitude than an actuation voltage for the switch. The gate electrodes receive a switching voltage. The switching voltage causes at least one of the first and second actuators to bend, thereby closing the gap such that the second contact region electrically contacts the first contact region. The difference between the switching voltage and the bias voltage exceeds the actuation voltage of the switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.