Patent ID: 6771001
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
An electrostatic comb drive comprising:a base; a movable element movably connected to the base and configured to move from a first stable position to a second stable position relative to the base; a spring disposed between the base and the movable element and configured to provide a potential energy maximum between the first stable position and the second stable position; a fixed finger attached to the base, the fixed finger having a first portion proximate to the base and disposed between the base and a second portion of the fixed finger; and a movable finger attached to the movable element, the movable finger having a third portion proximate to the movable element and disposed between the movable element and a fourth portion of the movable finger, a first capacitance arising between the fixed finger and the movable finger when the second portion is adjacent to the fourth portion and a second capacitance arising between the fixed finger and the movable finger when the second portion is adjacent to the third portion, the first capacitance being greater than the second capacitance.