Laser cut channel plate for a switch
First Claim
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1. A switch, comprising:
- a) a channel plate defining at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by a laser cut channel in the channel plate;
b) a plurality of electrodes exposed within one or more of the cavities;
c) a switching fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to open and close at least a pair of the plurality of electrodes in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid; and
d) an actuating fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to apply said forces to the switching fluid.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a switch having a channel plate and a switching fluid. The channel plate defines at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by a laser cut channel in the channel plate. The switching fluid is held within one or more of the cavities, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. Alternate switch embodiments, and a method for making a switch, are also disclosed.
79 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A switch, comprising:
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a) a channel plate defining at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by a laser cut channel in the channel plate;
b) a plurality of electrodes exposed within one or more of the cavities;
c) a switching fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to open and close at least a pair of the plurality of electrodes in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid; and
d) an actuating fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to apply said forces to the switching fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A switch, comprising:
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a) a channel plate defining at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by a laser cut channel in the channel plate;
b) a plurality of wettable pads exposed within one or more of the cavities;
c) a switching fluid, wettable to said pads and held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to open and block light paths through one or more of the cavities in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid; and
d) an actuating fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that serves to apply said forces to the switching fluid. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A switch, comprising:
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a) a channel plate defining at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by a laser cut channel in the channel plate;
b) a switching fluid, held within one or more of the cavities, that is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for making a switch, comprising:
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a) laser cutting at least one feature into a channel plate; and
b) aligning the at least one feature cut in the channel plate with at least one feature on a substrate and sealing at least a switching fluid between the channel plate and the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification