US4078183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control devices of the relay type
Assignee: Bpifrance Financement SA
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Filing: 1975-12-09
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Granted: 1978-03-07
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Expires: 1995-12-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to devices of the relay type, but using an electrostatic force, rather than a magnetic force, for moving the mobile element. A device according to the invention allows to produce a modification in one or several controlled circuits under the control of a modification or order in an actuating or controlled circuit. The device essentially includes two control electrodes, between which a potential difference may be applied (when desired) using an electrical power source and a control switch, and an electret constituted by an insulating element carrying electrical charges of opposite signs (negative and positive charges), the electret or the algebraic sum of which is different from zero; one of the electrodes is mobile and can occupy at least two positions. The device may be applied to realize electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or optical switchings.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Lewiner
- 👤 Gerard Dreyfus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/357; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/02; F15C1/04; F15C3/00; F15C3/005; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02B26/08; H; H01; H01H; H01H59/00; G02B6/3502; G02B6/358; H01H2059/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Switch comprising: three elements, wherein at least one of said elements is mobile relatively to the two others of said elements and is able to occupy at least two rest positions, at least one of said rest positions being a stable rest position, and wherein said three elements are constituted by two electrodes and one electret consisting in an insulating part bearing positive and/or negative electric charges, the algebraic sum of which is different from zero, and; means for applying a potential difference between said electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Switch comprising: three elements, wherein at least one of said elements is mobile relatively to the two others of said elements and is able to occupy at least two rest positions, at least one of said rest positions being a stable rest position, and wherein said three elements are constituted by two electrodes and one electret consisting in an insulating part bearing positive and/or negative electric charges, the algebraic sum of which is different from zero, and; means for applying a potential difference between said electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element is constituted by the electret.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element is constituted by an electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element bears at least one conductive element which cooperates with at least one fixed conductive element, said conductive element borne by the mobile element coming into contact with the fixed conductive element in one of the positions of the mobile element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element closes, in at least one of its positions, at least one orifice of a tubing for fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element can be traversed by a light beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile element carries a reflecting surface for a light beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrodes are constituted of solid metallic parts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrodes comprise metallic grids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrodes are constituted of an electrically conducting sintered material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrodes are flat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrodes are curved.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is arranged in a sealed enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said enclosure is evacuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said enclosure is filled with a fluid of high dielectric strength.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electret bears charge densities which produce in the outside of the electret electrical fields having the value of the fields that would be produced by surface charge densities, called equivalent densities, comprised, in absolute value, between 10 -11 and 10 -5 C/cm 2 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electret is formed of fluorinated ethylene propylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has a bistable operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Switch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has a monostable operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3553364A
Cited
US3942029A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-06 | 1981-09-05 | 1982-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-06 | 1985-09-05 | 1986-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-06 | 1989-09-05 | 1990-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |