Electronic devices, such as antennas, having fluidic constructs that permit reconfiguration of the devices
First Claim
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1. A reconfigurable electronic component, comprising:
- a planar conducting surface;
a liquidic channel containing a liquid and configured to at least partially overlie the planar conducting surface and to partially extend from the planar conducting surface;
a first conductor moveable through the liquid that is disposed within the liquidic channel; and
an actuating mechanism not overlapping with the planar conducting surface and comprising a second conductor maintained within a portion of the liquidic channel not overlying the planar conducting surface, the actuating mechanism being configured to displace the second conductor, and thereby the liquid and the first conductor, within the liquidic channel, displacement of the first conductor changing an electromagnetic property of the reconfigurable electronic component.
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Abstract
In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable electronic component, comprising:
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a planar conducting surface; a liquidic channel containing a liquid and configured to at least partially overlie the planar conducting surface and to partially extend from the planar conducting surface; a first conductor moveable through the liquid that is disposed within the liquidic channel; and an actuating mechanism not overlapping with the planar conducting surface and comprising a second conductor maintained within a portion of the liquidic channel not overlying the planar conducting surface, the actuating mechanism being configured to displace the second conductor, and thereby the liquid and the first conductor, within the liquidic channel, displacement of the first conductor changing an electromagnetic property of the reconfigurable electronic component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A cover layer for imparting reconfigurability to an electronic component comprising a conducting surface, the cover layer comprising:
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a substrate; a liquidic channel associated with the substrate and containing a liquid, a first section of the liquidic channel being configured to overlie at least a portion of the conducting surface, and a second section of the liquidic channel being configured to extend from the conducting surface; a first conductor moveable through the liquid disposed within the liquidic channel; and an actuating mechanism comprising a second conductor maintained within the second section of the liquidic channel, the actuating mechanism being configured;
(i) not to overlap with the conducting surface, and (ii) to displace the second conductor, and thereby the liquid and the first conductor, within the liquidic channel, displacement of the first conductor changing an electromagnetic property of the electronic component. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification