Actuator, method of manufacture and application of use

• US 6,812,417 B1
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carol A. Lovell
• Original Assignee: Walter Carl Lovell
• Inventors: Lovell, Walter Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Easthom, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fishman, M.
• Application Number:
  US10/445,966
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 200/81.R, 200/81-- 8, 200/81.8, 200/81.9 R, 200/61.04, 200/61.25, 200/61.26, 200/85.A, 200/86.A
• US Class Current: 200/61.25
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/24 Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow wherein the change of pressure is caused by change of temperature H01H37/36
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/30 Means for transmitting pressure to pressure-responsive operating part, e.g. by capsule and capillary tube

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an actuator and its method of manufacture, wherein the actuator comprises a flexible tubing comprising an amount of incompressible fluid contained in the inner portion of the flexible tubing; and a switch disposed on the top surface of an outer portion of the flexible tubing; wherein the actuator functions by moving the incompressible fluid through the tube such that a second force is directed onto the switch in response to a first force applied to the flexible tubing. Further disclosed is an actuating system comprising an actuator disposed between a first and second substrate, and an actuating system comprising a plurality of actuators.

Claims

1. An actuating system comprising:

a first substrate comprising a cross-sectional area having a cavity;

a second substrate comprising a cross-sectional area having a first protrusion; and

an actuator disposed at least partially between the first and second substrates, wherein the actuator comprises;

a flexible tubing comprising;

a first sealed end;

a second sealed end;

an outer portion comprising a top spice and a bottom surface; and

an inner portion;

an amount of incompressible fluid contained in the inner portion of the flexible tubing;

wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the flexible tubing is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the cavity and at least a portion of the first protrusion of the second substrate is disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the flexible tubing.

2. The actuating system of claim 1, wherein the first substrate further comprises a second protrusion and a third protrusion, wherein the second and third protrusions form an upper boundary of the cavity, and wherein the second and third protrusions of the first substrate are in physical communication with the first protrusion of the second substrate.

3. An actuating system comprising:

a first substrate comprising a cross-sectional area having a first cavity;

a second substrate comprising a cross-sectional area having a second cavity; and

an actuator disposed at least partially between the first and second substrates, wherein the actuator comprises;

a flexible tubing, wherein the flexible tubing is at least partially disposed within the first and second cavities, and further wherein the flexible tubing comprises;

a first sealed end;

a second sealed end;

an outer portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; and

an inner portion;

an amount of incompressible fluid contained in the inner portion of the flexible tubing; and

a switch disposed on the top surface of the outer portion of the flexible tubing.