Piezoelectric bimorph switch
US8847466B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/2042
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric bimorph switch, specifically a cantilever (single clamped beam) switch, which can be actively opened and closed. Piezoelectric bimorph switch are known from the prior art. Such a switch may be regarded as an actuator. Actuators are regarded as a subdivision of transducers. They are devices, which transform an input signal (mainly an electrical signal) into motion. Electrical motors, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic pistons, relays, comb drive, piezoelectric actuators, thermal bimorphs, Digital Micromirror Devices and electroactive polymers are some examples of such actuators. The switch of the invention comprises piezoelectric stack layers (121, 122), which form a symmetrical stack, wherein an electric field is always applied in the same direction as the poling direction of the piezoelectric layers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.