Patent ID: 6515404
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A piezoelectric activated relay comprising:a liquid metal channel; a first and second fluid chamber, each of said fluid chambers being connected to said channel via a first and second conduit respectively; a first and second membrane forming a top to said first and second fluid chambers; a first, second and third contact pad equally separated from each other, each of said contact pads having at least a portion within the chamber; a plurality of piezoelectric elements forming a first and a second set of elements with said first set being affixed to said first membrane and said second set being affixed to said second membrane; and a moveable conductive liquid within the channel, a first portion of the liquid being wetted to the first of said contact pads and a portion of the liquid wetted to both the second and third of said contact pads; wherein said chambers and said channel are filled with a fluid and wherein said portion of the liquid wetted to said second and third of said contact pads is moveable toward said portion wetted to the first of said contact pads.