Patent ID: 8295027
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: B81B,B81C,H01H

Abstract:
1. A variable capacitor, comprising: a lid assembly; an electrostatic actuator on the lid assembly; a signal path running along the lid assembly; a base assembly in aligned confronting relation to the lid assembly; at least one movable structure positioned on the base assembly, wherein the movable structure comprises a silicon layer, the movable structure for actuation by the electrostatic actuator; an isolation layer on the movable structure; at least one contact layer on the isolation layer, the contact layer being electrically isolated from the silicon layer by the isolation layer, wherein the contact layer prevents mechanical contact between the silicon layer and the lid assembly, forming a gap in the signal path and wherein moving the movable structure changes the gap of the variable capacitor such that the gap is smaller when the movable structure is closer to the lid assembly and the gap of the variable capacitor is larger when the movable structure is farther away from the lid assembly.