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Self-powered switch initiation system

  • US 7,692,559 B2
  • Filed: 10/23/2006
  • Issued: 04/06/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A self-powered switching system, comprising:

  • an electroactive transducer having first and second ends, said electroactive transducer comprising;

    a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces and first and second ends;

    a flexible substrate bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member;

    said flexible substrate having first and second ends adjacent said first and second ends of said first electroactive member;

    wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said electroactive transducer;

    and wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to return to said first position from said second position upon release of said force from said electroactive transducer;

    and wherein upon said deformation from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

    and wherein upon said return from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a second voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

    a mounting member for retaining said first end, said second end or said first and second ends of said electroactive transducer;

    said mounting member comprising at least one retaining means adjacent said first end, said second end or said first and second ends of said flexible substrate of said first electroactive member;

    mechanical deflection means for application of a force to said electroactive transducer, said mechanical deflection means being adapted to apply a force sufficient to deform saidelectroactive transducer from said first position to said second position, thereby generating a first voltage potential;

    a first conductor electrically connected to said first electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

    a second conductor electrically connected to said second electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

    a rectifier having an input side and an output side;

    said input side of said rectifier being electrically connected between said first and second conductors in parallel with said first and second electroded major faces of said electroactive transducer;

    a voltage regulator having an input side and an output side;

    said input side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said output side of said rectifier;

    an encoder having an input and an output side, said output side of said voltage regulator being connected to said input side of said encoder;

    said encoder being adapted to generate a coded waveform;

    an output signal at said output side of said encoder being an electrical signal having said coded waveform;

    first signal transmission means electrically connected to said output side of said encoder;

    said first signal transmission means comprising a first radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to an antenna;

    said radio-frequency generator subcircuit being adapted to generate a first radio-frequency signal modulated by said output signal of said encoder for transmission by said antenna;

    signal reception means for receiving a first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means;

    said signal reception means being adapted to generate a relay signal in response to said first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means; and

    a relay device for operating an electrical appliance;

    said relay device being in communication with said signal reception means;

    said relay device having a plurality of positions, each of said positions in said plurality of positions corresponding to an operating mode of said electrical appliance;

    said relay device being adapted to change between a first position to a second position in said plurality of positions in response to said relay signal.

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