摘要:
Embodiments disclosed herein generally solve a stiction problem in switching devices by using a series of pulses of force which take the switch from being strongly adhered to a landing electrode to the point where it is only weakly adhered. Once in the low adhesion state, the switch can then be pulled away from contact with a lower force provided by either the spring constant of the switch and/or the electrostatic forces resulting from low voltages applied to nearby electrodes.
摘要:
The present invention provides a bi-directional microelectromechanical element, a microelectromechanical switch including the bi-directional element, and a method to reduce mechanical creep in the bi-directional element. In one embodiment, the bi-directional microelectromechanical element includes a cold beam having a free end and a first end connected to a cold beam anchor. The cold beam anchor is attached to a substrate. A first beam pair is coupled to the cold beam by a free end tether and is configured to elongate when heated thereby to a greater temperature than a temperature of the cold beam. A second beam pair is located on an opposing side of the cold beam from the first beam pair and is coupled to the first beam pair and the cold beam by the free end tether. The second beam pair is configured to elongate when heated thereby to the greater temperature.
摘要:
A micromechanical actuator includes a movable first spring element having metal and/or silicon. The first spring element is fitted at a first point and can move freely at a second point. A second spring element connected to the first spring element has silicon and is partially arranged on an electrically insulating material which is applied to a substrate. The second spring element is arranged at a distance from the substrate above the substrate on a first plane, and the first spring element is arranged above the second spring element on a second plane which is at a distance from the first plane such that the first and second spring elements can move with respect to the substrate. The actuator has a third spring element which is mechanically coupled to the first spring element. The elastic deformation of the second spring element can be induced by a length change of the third spring element.
摘要:
A method of making a Lateral-Moving Micromachined Thermal Bimorph which provides the capability of achieving in-plane thermally-induced motion on a microchip, as opposed to the much more common out-of-plane, or vertical, motion seen in many devices. The present invention employs a novel fabrication process to allow the fabrication of a lateral bimorph in a fundamentally planar set of processes. In addition, the invention incorporates special design features that allow the bimorph to maintain material interfaces.
摘要:
The invention relates to a method, a system and a multi stable arranged to switch the configuration of the signal path for electrical signals comprising a first moving element (12) and a second moving element (14), wherein the first and second element can be arranged into at least two mechanically stable states: a mechanical interlocked state, wherein the first moving element is mechanically interlocked with the second moving element wherein a signal path in the switch is arranged in a closed configuration; and a non interlocked state, wherein the first moving element is separated from the second moving element and the signal path in the switch is arranged in an open configuration; wherein the switch further comprises a fixated electrostatic electrode (10) configured with a first fixated electrode part arranged to actuate and move at least one of the moving elements when an electrical potential difference is applied between the first fixated electrode and at least one of the moving elements, transitioning the moving elements from one state to another.
摘要:
A MEMS hysteretic thermal actuator may have a plurality of beams disposed over a heating element formed on the surface of the substrate. The plurality of beams may be coupled to a passive beam which is not disposed over the heating element. One of the plurality of beams may be formed in a first plane parallel to the substrate, whereas another of the plurality of beams may be formed in a second plane closer to the surface of the substrate. When the heating element is activated, it heats the plurality of beams such that they move the passive beam in a trajectory that is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. When the beams are cooled, they may move in a different trajectory, approaching the substrate before moving laterally across it to their initial positions. By providing one electrical contact on the distal end of the passive beam and another stationary electrical contact on the substrate surface, the MEMS hysteretic actuator may form a reliable electrical switch that is relatively simple to manufacture and operate.
摘要:
Apparatus for a micro-electro-mechanical switch that provides single pole, double throw switching action. The switch has two input lines and two output lines. The switch has a seesaw cantilever arm with contacts at each end that electrically connect the input lines with the output lines. The cantilever arm is latched into position by frictional forces between structures on the cantilever arm and structures on the substrate in which the cantilever arm is disposed. The state of the switch is changed by applying an electrostatic force at one end of the cantilever arm to overcome the mechanical force holding the other end of the cantilever arm in place.
摘要:
A MEMS hysteretic thermal device may have a cantilevered beam which bends about one or more points in at least two substantially different directions. In one exemplary embodiment, the MEMS hysteretic thermal device is made from a first segment coupled to an anchor point, and also coupled to a second segment by a joint. Heating two respective drive beams causes the first segment to bend in a direction substantially about the anchor point and the second segment to bend in a direction substantially about the joint. By cooling the first drive beam faster than the second drive beam, the motion of the MEMS thermal device may be hysteretic. The MEMS hysteretic thermal device may be used for example, as an electrical switch or as a valve or piston.
摘要:
A storage device comprises a probe and storage cell having moveable parts that are actuatable to plural positions to represent respective different data states. The probe interacts with the moveable parts to selectively actuate the moveable parts to the plural positions.
摘要:
An optical switch on a planar optical circuit substrate includes a cantilevered arm having a control element selectively movable in a direction into the plane of the substrate into a waveguide slot of the substrate for switching optical signals carried by the waveguide. The arm can be actuated by thermal or piezoelectric actuators to deflect between a rest position allowing signal information from a waveguide to continue along the waveguide and a second position with the control element of the cantilevered arm extending into the slot for selectively blocking or changing the direction of the incoming signal. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a second arm is provided which moves laterally and can be selectively actuated in sequence with the first cantilevered arm for overlying and latching the switching arm in the second or light controlling position, such that the MEMS switch can remain in an active state without further application of a control signal thereto. Arrays of MEMS switches are formed on a single wafer by selective etching and are bonded to arrays of optical waveguides to provide multiple switch modules.