Phase change material switch and method of making the same

US9257647B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Pavel Borodulin · Baltimore, US
• Nabil El-Hinnawy · Irvine, US
• Robert M. Young · Ellicott City, US
• Robert S. Howell · Silver Spring, US
• John R. Mason · Linthicum, US
• Brian Wagner · Baltimore, US
• Matthew Russell King · Wake Forest, US
• Evan Jones · Durham, US
• Michael J. Lee · Roseville, US
• Marc E. Sherwin · Catonsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2013
• Grant date: Feb 9, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N70/8828

Abstract

A phase change material (PCM) switch is disclosed that includes a resistive heater element, and a PCM element proximate the resistive heater element. A thermally conductive electrical insulating barrier layer positioned between the PCM heating element and the resistive heating element, and conductive lines extend from ends of the PCM element and control lines extend from ends of the resistive heater element.