US4458171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Piezoelectric relay with tapered magnetic detent
Assignee: PIEZO ELECTRIC PRODUCTS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1982-12-15
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Granted: 1984-07-03
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Expires: 2002-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay including a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect the bender element; first contact means mounted on the movable portion; second stationary contact means remote from the bender element and proximate the first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of the bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on the movable portion for magnetically adhering the movable portion to the first pole member until the deflection force of the bender element exceeds the holding force of the magnetic circuit; one of the first and second pole members is convergingly tapered toward its face and has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other of the first and second pole members; at least one of the first and second pole members is movable toward and away from the other to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric A. Kolm
- 👤 Henry H. Kolm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H57/00; H01H2057/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit, one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit, one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said pole member with the converging taper has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other pole member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said magnetic circuit includes a third stationary pole member spaced from said first pole member with said movable portion between them and said first and third pole members are movable together to adjust the position of the first and third pole members relative to said movable portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said first stationary pole member is movable toward and away from said second pole member to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said first and second contact means are in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 5 in which said magnetic means is included in said first contact means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 5 in which said second contact means is mounted on said pole means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 7 in which said second contact means includes magnetic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said magnet includes a permanent magnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said magnet includes an electromagnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 10 in which said magnet further includes means for varying the current to said electromagnet to control the voltage at which said bender element is activated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said means for providing an actuating voltage includes electrode means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 12 in which said means for providing an actuating voltage further includes a voltage source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 1 in which said first contact means includes a first contact member on said movable portion on the side facing said second contact means and a second contact member on the opposite side of said movable portion, and third contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said second contact member for selective engagement therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
178 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; said first contact means including a first contact member on said movable portion on the side facing said second contact means and a second contact member on the opposite side of said movable portion, and third contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said second contact member for selective engagement therewith; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit, one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
178 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; said first contact means including a first contact member on said movable portion on the side facing said second contact means and a second contact member on the opposite side of said movable portion, and third contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said second contact member for selective engagement therewith; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit, one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 15 in which said pole member with the converging taper has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other pole member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 15 in which said magnetic circuit includes a third stationary pole member spaced from said first pole member with said movable portion between them and said first and third pole members are movable together to adjust the position of the first and third pole members relative to said movable portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The piezoelectric relay of claim 15 in which said first stationary pole member is movable toward and away from said second pole member to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; and magnetic circuit means, including a magnet; and first magnetic contact means mounted on said movable portion in said magnetic circuit and a second stationary magnetic contact means for selectively engaging with said first contact means in response to deflection of said bending element, one of said magnetic contacts being convergingly tapered towards its face, said contacts magnetically adhering to each other until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; and magnetic circuit means, including a magnet; and first magnetic contact means mounted on said movable portion in said magnetic circuit and a second stationary magnetic contact means for selectively engaging with said first contact means in response to deflection of said bending element, one of said magnetic contacts being convergingly tapered towards its face, said contacts magnetically adhering to each other until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The magnetic relay of claim 19 in which said magnetic contact with the converging taper has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other magnetic contact.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The magnetic relay of claim 19 in which said magnetic circuit includes a third stationary magnetic contact with said movable portion between them and said second and third magnetic contacts are movable together to adjust the position of the second and third magnetic contacts relative to said movable portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The magnetic relay of claim 19 in which said stationary magnetic contact is movable toward and away from, said first magnetic contact means to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
174 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit; one of said first and second members being convergingly tapered toward its face and having a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other of said first and second pole members; and said first pole member being movable toward and away from said second pole member to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
174 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said first pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit; one of said first and second members being convergingly tapered toward its face and having a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other of said first and second pole members; and said first pole member being movable toward and away from said second pole member to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
128 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, a first stationary pole member and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit; one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay comprising: a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect said bender element; first contact means mounted on said movable portion and second stationary contact means remote from said bender element and proximate said first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of said bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, a first stationary pole member and a second pole member on said movable portion for magnetically adhering said movable portion to said stationary pole member until the deflection force of said bender element exceeds the holding force of said magnetic circuit; one of said pole members being convergingly tapered toward its face.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-03 | 1988-01-02 | 1988-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-03 | 1992-01-02 | 1992-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-03 | 1996-01-02 | 1996-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |