System and method for routing input signals using single pole single throw and single pole double throw latching micro-magnetic switches

• US 20030179058A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magfusion, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Microlab, Inc.
• Inventors: Shen, Jun, Ruan, Meichun, Wheeler, Charles, Tam, Gordon, Vaitkus, Rimantas
• Application Number:
  US10/347,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179058A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 335/78
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2050/007 Relays of the polarised type, e.g. the MEMS relay beam having a preferential magnetisation direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/005 using micromechanics

Abstract

A system and method are used to route input signals from an input node to N output nodes. The system includes an input section that receives input signals, an output section that transmits output signals based on the input signals, and a switching section. The switching section includes switches that control transmission of the input signals from the input section to the output section. The switches can be latching micro-magnetic switches that include a magnet proximate to a substrate, a cantilever coupled to the substrate and positioned proximate to the magnet, the cantilever coupled to a magnetic material, and a conductor coupled to the substrate, the conductor conducting a current that induces a first torque in the cantilever

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an input section that receives input signals;

an output section that transmits output signals based on the input signals; and

a switching section that includes switches that control transmission of the input signals from the input section to the output section, the switches including,

a magnet proximate to a substrate,

a cantilever coupled to the substrate and positioned proximate to the magnet, the cantilever coupled to a magnetic material, and

a conductor coupled to the substrate, the conductor conducting a current that induces a first torque in the cantilever.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the magnet produces a first magnetic field,

the magnetic material makes the cantilever sensitive to the first magnetic field and the cantilever is operable to rotate between a first and second state based on the first magnetic field producing a second torque in the magnetic material of the cantilever that maintains the cantilever in the first or second state, and

the first torque is based on a second magnetic field produced by the current being conducted.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source; and

a controller coupled to the power source, wherein the conductor receives current based on the controller to produce the first torque.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching section includes two of the switches.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching section includes four of the switches.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output section includes multiple output nodes.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the output section includes two output nodes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the output section includes three output nodes.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the output section includes four output nodes.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-single-throw (SPST) latching micro-magnetic switches.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) latching micro-magnetic switches.

12. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal; and

routing the input signal to output sections using latching micro-magnetic switches having a cantilever that moves between a first state and a second state based on a first torque generated by a first magnetic field produced by a magnet and a second torque generated by a second magnetic field produced by current flowing through a conductor.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising using two of the latching micro-magnetic switches to perform the routing.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising using four of the latching micro-magnetic switches to perform the routing.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising using SPST latching micro-magnetic switches as the switches.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising using SPDT latching micro-magnetic switches as the switches.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of controlling power from a power source to a conductor to control the current that produces the second torque.

18. A system comprising:

means for supporting a cantilever;

means for providing a first magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever;

switching means for providing a second magnetic field;

means on the cantilever for causing the cantilever, while in a presence of the first magnetic field, to be in one of a normally on or normally off state; and

control means for activating the switching means to switch the state of the cantilever.

19. A method comprising:

supporting a cantilever;

producing a first magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever;

providing a switch that produces a second magnetic field;

providing a device on the cantilever that causes the cantilever, while in a presence of the first magnetic field, to be in one of a normally on or normally off state; and

activating the switch to switch the state of the cantilever.