Patent ID: 6184607
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
An electrostatic actuator array having a plurality of individual cells sharing a common electrode, said cells each comprising:first and second electrodes separated by a distance and having a moveable diaphragm mounted there between for conducting a voltage potential thereto, said moveable diaphragm being a common electrode with said first and second electrodes to form a pair of actuator units said pairs of actuator units being positioned to move upon application of a voltage potential thereto; anda voltage source operably connected for selectively providing a repeating cycle of voltage potential to said first and second electrodes and said moveable diaphragm to cause said movement, said voltage source producing an alternate polarity field generated from a single DC power supply by applying a zero voltage component and a DC voltage component to said first and second electrodes and said moveable diaphragm at different times in said repeating cycle to produce said alternate polarity field.