Method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid metal switch in a ready-to-switch condition
First Claim
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1. A method for operating a liquid metal switch, the method comprising:
- vibrating a liquid metal volume within the switch in response to vibratory signal supplied to an actuator acting on the liquid metal volume, whereby the switch is maintained in a state of readiness; and
moving the liquid metal volume in response to a switching signal supplied to the actuator so as to make or break a signal path through the switch.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid metal switch in a state of readiness for switching. The liquid metal switch has a liquid metal volume contained in a cavity of a switch body. A signal path though the cavity is made or broken by energizing an actuator to move the liquid metal volume within the cavity in response to a switching signal. To maintain readiness, a signal generator supplies a vibratory signal to the actuator. The resulting vibrations in the liquid metal volume allow the liquid metal volume to be subsequently moved with reduced power.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for operating a liquid metal switch, the method comprising:
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vibrating a liquid metal volume within the switch in response to vibratory signal supplied to an actuator acting on the liquid metal volume, whereby the switch is maintained in a state of readiness; and
moving the liquid metal volume in response to a switching signal supplied to the actuator so as to make or break a signal path through the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A liquid metal switch comprising:
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a switch body having a cavity therein;
a liquid metal volume contained in the cavity;
an actuator operable to make or break a signal path though the cavity by moving the liquid metal volume within the cavity in response to a switching signal; and
a signal generator electrically coupled to the actuator and operable to supply a vibratory signal to the actuator, thereby maintaining the switch in a state of readiness. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification