US3899697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bistable positioner comprising a dimensionally bistable ferroelectric crystal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-19
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1992-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An electroded crystal element cut along the crystallographic a or b axis from a single crystal of gadolinium molybdate will change its physical dimensions when its spontaneous polarization is changed by the momentary application of an electric pulse. The crystallographic a and b axes interchange with the change in the direction of spontaneous polarization. The change in length of the crystal element may be used to actuate panel display devices and to provide bistable type relay. The bistable relay described herein provides a function similar to a latching relay in that no input power is required to maintain the relay in either of two stable states.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart E Cummins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G7/00; H01G7/02; H01G7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of bistably positioning a first element with respect to a second element comprising: attaching a crystal of a molybdate of a rare earth at one point on the crystal to the first element and at another point on the crystal to the second element, said crystal having orthorhombic crystallographic axes conventionally designated a, b, and c and said points of attachment lying on a line parallel to one of the a and b axes; and momentarily subjecting said crystal to an electric field that is parallel to the c axis, of polarity determined by which of the two stable positions is occupied by the first element, and of magnitude exceeding the coercive field of the crystal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of bistably positioning a first element with respect to a second element comprising: attaching a crystal of a molybdate of a rare earth at one point on the crystal to the first element and at another point on the crystal to the second element, said crystal having orthorhombic crystallographic axes conventionally designated a, b, and c and said points of attachment lying on a line parallel to one of the a and b axes; and momentarily subjecting said crystal to an electric field that is parallel to the c axis, of polarity determined by which of the two stable positions is occupied by the first element, and of magnitude exceeding the coercive field of the crystal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which said crystal is a crystal of Gd2(MoO4)3.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which said crystal is a crystal of Tb2(MoO4)3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for bistably positioning a first element relative to a second element comprising: a crystal of a molybdate of a rare earth attached at one point on the crystal to the first element and at another point on the crystal to the second element, said crystal having orthorhombic crystallographic axes conventionally designated a, b, and c and said points of attachment lying on a line parallel to one of the a and b axes; and means for momentarily subjecting said crystal to an electric field in a direction parallel to the c axis, of magnitude exceeding the coercive field for the particular crystal, and of either polarity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for bistably positioning a first element relative to a second element comprising: a crystal of a molybdate of a rare earth attached at one point on the crystal to the first element and at another point on the crystal to the second element, said crystal having orthorhombic crystallographic axes conventionally designated a, b, and c and said points of attachment lying on a line parallel to one of the a and b axes; and means for momentarily subjecting said crystal to an electric field in a direction parallel to the c axis, of magnitude exceeding the coercive field for the particular crystal, and of either polarity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said crystal is a crystal of Gd2(MoO4)3.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said crystal is a crystal of Tb2(MoO4)3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said means for subjecting the crystal to an electric field provides selectivity as to the polarity of the field and also provides selectivity as to when the subjection occurs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in combination with an indicator having a first part constituting said first element and a second part constituting said second element which parts cooperate to provide visually distinguishable indications of the two stable positions of the first element relative to the second element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said first element is an electrically conductive means for closing an electric cIrcuit in one of the two stable positions of the first element relative to the second element and for opening the circuit in the other stable position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |