MEMS switches with deforming membranes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising:
- at least first and second terminals;
a first electrode; and
a deformable element having at least a portion thereof forming a second electrode and being moveable between a relaxed state and an actuated state in response to applied electric potentials between the second electrode and the first electrode, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are selectively connectable depending on the position of said deformable element, and wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected when the deformable element is in the relaxed state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
MEMS switches are formed with membranes or layers that are deformable upon the application of a voltage. In some embodiments, the application of a voltage opens switch contacts.
319 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising:
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at least first and second terminals; a first electrode; and a deformable element having at least a portion thereof forming a second electrode and being moveable between a relaxed state and an actuated state in response to applied electric potentials between the second electrode and the first electrode, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are selectively connectable depending on the position of said deformable element, and wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected when the deformable element is in the relaxed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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- 20. A method of opening a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising moving a deformable membrane between a relaxed state and an actuated state, thereby disconnecting a first switch terminal from an established electrical coupling to a second switch terminal when the membrane moves to the actuated state in response to an electric field.
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25. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising:
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a deformable element comprising at least a first terminal and a first electrode on a first side of a gap; a second terminal; a second electrode on a second side of said gap configured to move said deformable element between a relaxed state and an actuated state based on a potential difference applied to said first and second electrodes to selectively connect said first and second terminals, the first terminal and the second terminal electrically connected when the deformable element is in the relaxed state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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- 34. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising an element movable between first and second positions comprising first and second movable terminals, wherein the first and second movable terminals cooperatively move with the movable element to connect the first and second movable terminals when the element is in the first position and to disconnect the first and second movable terminals when the element is in the second position.
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37. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising:
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a deformable membrane moveable between a mechanically relaxed state and an actuated state; first and second switch terminals; means for maintaining electrical contact between said first and second switch terminals when said membrane is in the mechanically relaxed state; and means for disconnecting the first and second switch terminals by applying a voltage difference to the MEMS switch greater than a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A method of operating a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch comprising a deformable membrane, the method comprising:
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maintaining electrical contact between first and second switch terminals when said deformable membrane is in a mechanically relaxed state; and disconnecting the first and second switch terminals by creating an electric field between a pair of electrode surfaces of the MEMS switch.
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Specification