Patent ID: 7023304
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: G02B,H01H,H01P

Abstract:
1. A micro magnetic latching device, comprising: a substrate; a moveable element supported by said substrate and having a magnetic material and a long axis; a cylindrical magnet, having a center axis, that laterally encloses said moveable element such that said center axis passes through a central portion of said moveable element and is perpendicular to said substrate, wherein said cylindrical magnet produces a first magnetic field that induces a magnetization in said magnetic material, said magnetization characterized by a vector pointing in a direction along said long axis of said movable element, wherein said first magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to a major central portion of said long axis; and a coil that produces a second magnetic field to switch said moveable element between two stable states, wherein only temporary application of said second magnetic field is required to change direction of said magnetization vector thereby causing said movable element to switch between said two stable states.