US4493996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semiconductor switch device
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1982-07-01
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2002-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An electrical contact unit comprises a flexible semiconductor, e.g. silicon, filament carrying contacts and having a shorted pn junction. The filament is mounted in a magnetic field. When light is directed on to the junction, e.g. from an optical fiber, the induced photo current flowing around the short circuit interacts with the magnetic field so as to bend the filament so as to establish connection with one or more adjacent fixed contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Henley F. Sterling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/0036; H01H47/00; H01H47/22; H01H47/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An opto-electrical contact unit, comprising: a movable member carrying one or more contacts; at least one contact disposed in registration with the contacts on the movable member; a pn junction formed on said movable member; a short circuit current loop connected across said pn junction; means for providing a magnetic field in the region of said junction; and means for subjecting said junction to electromagnetic radiation, whereby said electromagnetic radiation causes the junction to induce a current circulating through said short circuit loop, said current forming a magnetic field which interacts with the firstmentioned magnetic field to cause the movable member to bend so that an electrical contact may be made between the contacts that are in registration with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An opto-electrical contact unit, comprising: a movable member carrying one or more contacts; at least one contact disposed in registration with the contacts on the movable member; a pn junction formed on said movable member; a short circuit current loop connected across said pn junction; means for providing a magnetic field in the region of said junction; and means for subjecting said junction to electromagnetic radiation, whereby said electromagnetic radiation causes the junction to induce a current circulating through said short circuit loop, said current forming a magnetic field which interacts with the firstmentioned magnetic field to cause the movable member to bend so that an electrical contact may be made between the contacts that are in registration with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
An opto-electrical switch device, comprising: a housing; a flexible semiconductor member mounted within the housing; at least one contact mounted on said member; a pn junction region formed in the semiconductor member; a short circuit current loop formed across said junction; at least one contact mounted in the housing in register with the contacts on said member; means for providing a magnetic field at least in the region of said junction; and means for directing light on to said junction so that a current flows from the junction around the short circuit loop, and the magnetic field and the magnetic field associated with the short circuit current loop are mutually orientated such that said member is caused to bend, thereby making and/or breaking said contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
An opto-electrical switch device, comprising: a housing; a flexible semiconductor member mounted within the housing; at least one contact mounted on said member; a pn junction region formed in the semiconductor member; a short circuit current loop formed across said junction; at least one contact mounted in the housing in register with the contacts on said member; means for providing a magnetic field at least in the region of said junction; and means for directing light on to said junction so that a current flows from the junction around the short circuit loop, and the magnetic field and the magnetic field associated with the short circuit current loop are mutually orientated such that said member is caused to bend, thereby making and/or breaking said contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the semiconductor is silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flexible member is formed from a silicon whisker.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contact unit as claimed in any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said magnetic field is provided by a permanent magnet associated with the switch device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2875348A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |