Microrelays and microrelay fabrication and operating methods
First Claim
1. A microrelay comprising:
- a micromachined deflectable actuator having first and second actuator surfaces and first and second conductive regions electrically isolated from each other;
a first cap having a first cap surface adjacent the first actuator surface, the first cap having third, fourth and fifth conductive regions electrically isolated from each other, the third conductive region being adjacent the first conductive region, the fourth and fifth conductive regions being adjacent the second conductive region;
a second cap having a second cap surface adjacent the second surface of the actuator, the second cap having a sixth conductive region adjacent the first conductive region;
the actuator being deflectable in a first direction to allow the second conductive region to contact the fourth and fifth conductive region, and the first and third conductive regions to not electrically contact each other;
the actuator being deflectable in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the first and sixth regions move closer without electrically contacting each other;
the actuator being hermetically sealed within the microrelay, the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth conductive regions being electrically accessible externally to the microrelay;
the second, fourth and fifth conductive regions being a single layer of metal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microrelays and microrelay fabrication and operating methods providing a microrelay actuator positively controllable between a switch closed position and a switch open position. The microrelays are a five terminal device, two terminals forming the switch contacts, one terminal controlling the actuating voltage on an actuator conductive area, one terminal controlling the actuating voltage on a first fixed conductive area, and one terminal controlling the actuating voltage on a second fixed conductive area deflecting the actuator in an opposite direction than the first fixed conductive area. Providing the actuating voltages as zero average voltage square waves and their complement provides maximum actuating forces, and positive retention of the actuator in both actuator positions. Various fabrication techniques are disclosed.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microrelay comprising:
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a micromachined deflectable actuator having first and second actuator surfaces and first and second conductive regions electrically isolated from each other;
a first cap having a first cap surface adjacent the first actuator surface, the first cap having third, fourth and fifth conductive regions electrically isolated from each other, the third conductive region being adjacent the first conductive region, the fourth and fifth conductive regions being adjacent the second conductive region;
a second cap having a second cap surface adjacent the second surface of the actuator, the second cap having a sixth conductive region adjacent the first conductive region;
the actuator being deflectable in a first direction to allow the second conductive region to contact the fourth and fifth conductive region, and the first and third conductive regions to not electrically contact each other;
the actuator being deflectable in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the first and sixth regions move closer without electrically contacting each other;
the actuator being hermetically sealed within the microrelay, the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth conductive regions being electrically accessible externally to the microrelay;
the second, fourth and fifth conductive regions being a single layer of metal.
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2. A microrelay comprising:
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a micromachined deflectable actuator having first and second actuator surfaces and first and second conductive regions electrically isolated from each other;
a first cap having a first cap surface adjacent the first actuator surface, the first cap having third, fourth and fifth conductive regions electrically isolated from each other, the third conductive region being adjacent the first conductive region, the fourth and fifth conductive regions being adjacent the second conductive region;
a second cap having a second cap surface adjacent the second surface of the actuator, the second cap having a sixth conductive region adjacent the first conductive region;
the actuator being deflectable in a first direction to allow the second conductive region to contact the fourth and fifth conductive region, and the first and third conductive regions to not electrically contact each other;
the actuator being deflectable in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the first and sixth regions move closer without electrically contacting each other;
the actuator being hermetically sealed within the microrelay, the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth conductive regions being electrically accessible externally to the microrelay;
the second, fourth and fifth conductive regions being multiple layers of more than one metal or metal alloy. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of providing a microrelay switch function comprising:
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providing a microrelay having;
an actuator having first and second actuator surfaces and first and second conductive regions electrically isolated from each other;
a first cap having a first cap surface adjacent the first actuator surface, the first cap having third, fourth and fifth conductive regions electrically isolated from each other, the third conductive region being adjacent the first conductive region, the fourth and fifth conductive regions being adjacent the second conductive region;
a second cap having a second cap surface adjacent the second surface of the actuator, the second cap having a sixth conductive region adjacent the first conductive region;
the actuator being deflectable in a first direction to allow the second conductive region to contact the fourth and fifth conductive region, and the first and third conductive regions to not electrically contact each other;
the actuator being deflectable in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the first and sixth regions move closer without electrically contacting each other;
a) when a relay switch is to be closed, providing DC voltages on the first, third and sixth regions so that the actuator is attracted toward the first cap to put the second region in electrical contact with the fourth and fifth regions; and
,b) when the relay switch is to be opened, providing DC voltages on the first, third and sixth regions so that the actuator is attracted toward the second cap to prevent the second region from making electrical contact with the fourth and fifth regions. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing a microrelay switch function comprising:
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providing a microrelay having;
an actuator having first and second actuator surfaces and first and second conductive regions electrically isolated from each other;
a first cap having a first cap surface adjacent the first actuator surface, the first cap having third, fourth and fifth conductive regions electrically isolated from each other, the third conductive region being adjacent the first conductive region, the fourth and fifth conductive regions being adjacent the second conductive region;
a second cap having a second cap surface adjacent the second surface of the actuator, the second cap having a sixth conductive region adjacent the first conductive region;
the actuator being deflectable in a first direction to allow the second conductive region to contact the fourth and fifth conductive region, and the first and third conductive regions to not electrically contact each other;
the actuator being deflectable in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the first and sixth regions move closer without electrically contacting each other;
a) when a relay switch is to be closed, providing AC voltages on the first, third and sixth regions so that the actuator is attracted toward the first cap to put the second region in electrical contact with the fourth and fifth regions; and
,b) when the relay switch is to be opened, providing AC voltages on the first, third and sixth regions so that the actuator is attracted toward the second cap to prevent the second region from making electrical contact with the fourth and fifth regions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. The method of clam 12 wherein the AC waveforms applied to the third and sixth regions are 180°
- out of phase with each other.
- View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification